50 Points of Pride
1. ONE OF OHIO'S FIRST REGIONAL CAMPUSES
Marion and Newark were chosen as the first locations in the Ohio State regional campus system. In 1957, legislation was proposed to provide access to higher education within a 30-mile radius of every Ohio citizen, beginning the regional campus systems for state-assisted universities.
2. URBAN GREEN SPACE
Since its humble beginnings at Harding High School in 1957, the Marion campus has grown into a 186-acre campus located off State Route 95 in Marion, Ohio. The campus is an oasis of green in Marion's growing retail corridor.
3. OUR FIRST ACADEMIC BUILDING
In 1968, Morrill Hall opened its doors as the first academic facility on the Marion campus. Since that time, Morrill Hall has served as the primary academic building. In addition to classrooms, faculty offices, and science labs, Morrill Hall is home to the Wayne & Geraldine Kuhn Fine Arts Gallery and Morrill Hall Auditorium.
4. START HERE, FINISH HERE
All curriculum and coursework offerings lead to degrees from the Ohio State University. Students can complete bachelor's degrees in business, early childhood education, English, history, nursing, and psychology. A master's degree program is offered in education. Additional bachelor degree programs are currently under review for expansion of degree programs on the Marion campus.
5. TREMENDOUS GROWTH
According to the Ohio Board of Regents, in 1957, Ohio State Marion's autumn quarter full-time enrollment was 141. Comparably, autumn quarter 2006 enrollment was 1,450 students. Meaning The Ohio State University at Marion has seen a 1,000% increase in full-time enrollment since the first classes were offered. In the past decade alone, full-time enrollment has increased 63%. There has been a 937% increase in head count (the number of students), from 174 students in October 1957 to 1,631 students in autumn quarter 2006.
6. SCHOLARSHIPS
The Ohio State University at Marion awards 1.1 million dollars a year in scholarships from 35 scholarship funds established primarily by local donors who value the importance of a college education.
7. AFFORDABLE
Thanks to regional campus access challenge funds, the availability of scholarships and financial aid on the Marion campus, and Ohio State's commitment to offer an affordable education to all Ohioans, The Ohio State University at Marion is one of the best educationaly values in the state. Tuition for a first-quarter freshman, who is an Ohio resident, is $1,888 per quarter.
8. DIVERSITY
The Ohio State University at Marion has won three University Distinguished Affirmative Action Awards.
9. EXPERIENCED FACULTY
All Ohio State Marion regular faculty hold Ph.D.s or the terminal degrees in their discipline.
10. AWARD WINNING FACULTY
The Ohio State University at Marion has a long history of providing outstanding instruction to its students. In 2007, the 14th Ohio State Alumni Award for Distinguished Teaching was presented to an Ohio State Marion faculty member. The Distinguished Teaching award is the university's highest faculty honor.
11. EMBRACING ACADEMICALLY GIFTED STUDENTS
The Ohio State University at Marion Honors Program offers a personalized intellectually stimulating environment for students of all ages. Honors opportunities include: honors coursework, as well as study/travel experiences, such as recent trips to Europe and South America.
12. THE GEORGE H. ALBER ENTERPRISE CENTER
Established in 1996, the Alber Enterprise Center was the first campus-based economic/workforce development center in Ohio.
13. AN ARRAY OF ACADEMIC RESOURCES
Opened in 1996, the Library Classroom Building is a beautiful 47,000-square-foot academic facility that houses several computer labs in addition to a growing library of books, periodicals, reference material, and is part of Ohio Link, accessing library assets throughout the state and the university.
14. THE COLLEGE EXPERIENCE
The Alber Student Center opened its doors to students in November 1986. The Alber Student Center, named in honor of the late George H. Alber, houses the Alber Student Center Gymnasium, the Office of Student Activities, the Marion Campus Bookstore, indoor and outdoor campus fitness facilities, a lounge area for students, classroom space, rock climbing wall, billiards and more. The Alber Student Center is home to a growing number of student organizations, intramural sports & club sports and more.
15. CATCH THE WAVE!
Like many of their regional counterparts, The Ohio State University at Marion has a host of intercollegiate athletic opportunities available for student athletes. The Scarlet Wave was proposed and adopted by a University Student Government vote in 2003. Team colors of scarlet and black were adopted, and Sharky was voted as the campus mascot. Since that time the program has grown to include: women's volleyball, men's and women's basketball, cheerleading, and men's and women's golf.
16. TECHNICAL EDUCATION BUILDING/MARION TECHNICAL COLLEGE
Marion Technical College opened its doors in 1971. Providing two-year technical education and certificate programs in a variety of technical education fields, Marion Technical College adds a nice compliment to the variety and scope of educational programs available to students in central and north central Ohio.
17. TECHNOLOGICAL TEACHING ADVANCES
The Merle and Peg Hamilton Room in Morrill Hall houses state-of-the-art distance learning equipment, which allows students in a number of disciplines to expand learning opportunities world-wide. The distance learning laboratory is also key to Ohio State Marion's four year general business degree, part of the nationally renowned Fisher College of Business.
18. THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY DELAWARE CENTER
The rapidly expanding Delaware Center, located just four miles north of the I-270 corridor, allows students in nearby Delaware and Franklin Counties to begin or continue their college course work.
19. A DEFINING MOMENT
As part of the Marion campus master plan, community support for the Defining Moment Capital Campaign of 2004 led to the expansion of student services on campus. On June 7, 2005, Ohio State Marion dedicated its new Student Services Building. With over 30,000 square feet of space, the new facility houses admissions and financial aid, a dedicated career services area, space for academic advisors, testing space for disability services, an expanded training room for the Alber Enterprise Center for workforce development, university administrative offices, and the Guthery Community Room.
20. INVESTING IN EDUCATION
In 1994, Ohio State Marion received the first $1 million gift to a regional campus and, in 1998, the largest gift ever to a regional campus through the generosity of George Alber.
21. VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Buckeye Backers is a group of Ohio State Marion volunteers who share their love for Ohio State and their talents to support many campus events.
22. THE VISUAL ARTS
The Wayne and Geraldine Kuhn Fine Arts Gallery provides cultural and learning opportunities through a year-long series of unique exhibits and arts programs that are free and open to the public. The Kuhn Fine Arts Gallery also provides a wonderful display space and real world learning opportunity for Ohio State art students.
23. CULTURAL ARTS
Five Nights on Campus is a cultural arts outreach to the residents of Ohio State Marion's seven-county regional service area. Since its inception in autumn 1995, the series has featured a vast array of entertainment genres and styles. The mission of the series, now in its 12th year, is to provide unique cultural opportunities to the community, educational opportunities about diverse cultures and backgrounds, and to encourage residents to be a part of campus life
24. EDUCATION AND PRESERVING NATURAL RESOURCES
The Marion Campus Prairie Nature Center is in a region known as the "Sandusky Plains," which in pre-settlement times, included an estimated 300 square miles (192,000 acres) of tallgrass prairie and savannah. Today only about 75 prairie acres remain in the three Sandusky Plains counties (Marion, Crawford, Wyandot). Ohio State Marion botany professor, Dr. Larry Yoder, began the restoration process in 1977 by collecting seeds and plants from local prairies, with help from students and community members. The prairie has since served as an outdoor learning laboratory used by many different groups.
25. LIFE-LONG LEARNING
Ohio residents age 60 or older are invited to enrich their lives through experiencing the academic excellence and world-renowned research available at The Ohio State University. Each year, hundreds of Ohioans take advantage of this no-cost, non-credit way to be a part of the University community. Program 60 students sit in on all types of courses on a space-available, non-credit basis.
26. INCREASING COLLEGE ACCESS
The I CAN Center of Excellence, housed at The Ohio State University at Marion, is a regional college access program for both youth and adults that provides incentives and educational tools to enable students to look beyond high school toward obtaining a higher education degree or training.
27. INSPIRING YOUNG MINDS
Kids' College - a series of fun and educational summer camp sessions for Marion area children to stir their interest in learning unique subjects, such as crime scene investigation, chemistry, cooking, and computers
28. A WORLD OF LEARNING
Chile Teaching Experience–The Ohio State University College of Education and The Thomas Jefferson School in Concepcion, Chile, are cooperating to provide teaching experiences to qualified Ohio State graduate students
29. CONNECTING THE COMMUNITY
Dialogue on Unity & Diversity–includes racial and ethnic groups from Marion and surrounding communities to discuss issues of prejudice and stereotypes and to provide a climate that deepens our understanding of one another and promotes a sense of unity
30. LEARNING FROM OUR PAST
History in the Heartland–a three-year professional development program for middle and high school teachers of American history and social studies in 60 school districts in twelve counties surrounding Ohio State's regional campuses
31. CELEBRATING PUBLIC DISCOURSE
Norman Thomas Lecture–an annual community lecture at Ohio State Marion named in honor of Marion native Norman Thomas, a tireless advocate of pacifism, civil rights, socialism, anti-communism, and civil liberties
32. EXPLORING NATURE
Ohio Spider Survey–enhances our understanding of spiders in Ohio by promoting public education about spider biology and the importance of spiders to healthy ecosystems
33. MENTORING YOUTH
Project Proud Achievement–connects college students from the Marion campus with grade school children in the Marion area to provide one-on-one mentoring opportunities for kids
34. UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES
Sandusky Plains Biotic Inventory–provides a distinctive educational experience for students by engaging them in field biology research to perform biotic inventories of area parks, guided by faculty scientists
35. EDUCATING FUTURE EDUCATORS
Teaching Professions Academy– introduces high school students to careers in the field of education
36. ENSURING ACADEMIC SUCCESS
The Ohio State University at Marion provides programs and services to ensure the academic success of all students. Programs include: University Survey, a course designed to introduce new students to the resources and services available through Ohio State and the Marion campus; Career Services offers resources in the development of career skills, work experience, and academic and career plans; and the Academic Enrichment Center, which offers free tutoring services with an emphasis in math and English.
37. TIME & CHANGE WILL SURELY SHOW
The Marion Campus Bell Tower is dedicated in memory of and serves as a living tribute to the benevolence of George H. and Dorothy T. Alber, 1929 graduates of The Ohio State University. It connects students to the Columbus campus by playing the same chimes as those played in the Orton Hall bell tower.
38. CAMPUS BEAUTY
The bridged water way that provides a beautiful centerpiece to the Marion campus was created in 1975. It was modified during construction of the Library Classroom Building and again with a new retaining wall in 2004. Referred to by campus historians unofficially as Lake Maynard, the body of water will be officially named and dedicated Lake Maynard, during the Golden Anniversary Celebration.
39. NATIONALLY RANKED PROGRAMS
U.S. News & World Report 2008 rankings of Ohio State graduate programs:
College of Education: Ohio State ranked 17th overall out of 277 graduate education programs. Specialty programs in vocational/technical education ranked 1st; elementary education, counseling/personnel services, and curriculum/instruction all ranked 4th, secondary teacher education ranked 7th, and administration/supervision ranked 9th.
40. HOME TO OHIO STATE'S POET LAUREATE
David Citino–Ohio State Marion English professor, David Citino left an indelible mark on his students, the Marion campus, and The Ohio State University. Ohio State's poet laureate and author of a dozen books passed away in October of 2005, leaving behind a legacy of poetry and generosity that won't be forgotten by those who knew him. Citino, who grew up in Marion, was considered truly an "Ohio poet." He was named Ohio State poet laureate in 2002, and wrote poems to mark special university events. Citino read a poem for more than 30,000 people at Woody Hayes Memorial Service in the Ohio Stadium. Citino is also part of a celebrated group of Ohio State Marion facultywho have won the Ohio State Univeristy Alumni Award for Distinguished Teaching.
41. MAY DAY
The Ohio State University at Marion's annual May Day student event was a fixture on campus for over 20 years before being cancelled more than a decade ago. The popular evening of live music, food, and refreshments, that drew hoards of young adults from both the campus and the north central Ohio area, will again be revived for Ohio State Marion's 50th anniversary.
42. COMMUNITY SUPPORT
The Ralph Howard Service Award is presented each year by the Marion Campus Board of Trustees to a member of the community or an organization that has contributed to the development of academics or the Honors Program. Award winners have made a significant impact on the quality of education at The Ohio State University at Marion. Ralph W. Howard was instrumental in founding The Ohio State University at Marion. An active member of the Ohio State University Alumni Association, Howard was one of eight founders of Ohio State Marion.
43. PERSONAL ATTENTION
The Ohio State University at Marion boasts a student to faculty ratio of 25:1, with an average classroom size of 20. This allows for more personal attention in the classroom.
44. IT'S NEVER TOO LATE!
Lifelong Marion resident Oliver Hamilton is proof positive that it is never to late to go back to school. At age 98, Hamilton earned his associates degree from The Ohio State University in 2002. Attending classes on the Marion campus, he has provided inspiration to aspiring students when it comes to the importance of an education.
45. EXPLORE THE WORLD
The Ohio State University at Marion offers students the opportunity to travel and explore the world through a vast array of study abroad opportunities across the globe.
46. IT'S ROUND ON THE END AND HIGH IN THE MIDDLE
Gracing the entrance of Ohio State Marion's Student Services Building is a large block "O" statue honoring the memory of university friends and benefactors Wayne & Geraldine Kuhn. The large block "O" reminds Marion campus visitors, prospective students and the community at large of the campus's ties to the university.
47. OPENING OUR DOORS TO THE COMMUNITY
The Guthery Community Room is a marvel of esthetic and acoustically pleasing space built to house a host of Marion campus and community events. Located on the second floor of Ohio State Marion's Student Service Building, the Guthery Community Room is named in honor of university donor Madge Cooper-Guthery. The large rounded room gives visitors to campus nearly a 180 degree picturesque view across the central corridor of the Marion campus. Equipped with state of the art technology for audio/visual presentations, the Guthery Community Room has hosted such area not-for-profit organizational meetings, lectures, campus visits, orientation, music programs and more.
48. FOSTERING
The North Central District Science Day is a program of the Junior Academy of The Ohio Academy of Science and is conducted annually each spring for students grades 5-12 who earn a superior rating in their local, city, or county Science Days. North Central District Science Day is held in conjunction with the Marion Area Science & Engineering Fair. Students receiving superior ratings move on to State Science Day. The Marion Area Science & Engineering Fair sends qualifying would-be future scientists to compete at the Intel International Science & Engineering Fair each spring.
49. PLANTING A SEED
The grassy knoll that marks the center of the Marion campus is home to Founder's Grove is a series of Buckeye trees planted to honor the original founders of The Ohio State University at Marion. Centered in the grove of trees is an Ohio State Block "O" flag, which reminds visitors this is The Ohio State University.
50. RECOGNIZING THE BEST & BRIGHTEST
Initiated by the Marion Citizens Advisory Council in 1972, the Ohio State University at Marion Academic Recognition Program is held annually to publicly recognize certain Marion campus students and other individuals who, through their high scholastic achievements, personify the concept of academic excellence and bring great honor to the university.
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