Ohio University (often abbreviated as OU or Ohio, and, since 1999, officially OHIO) is a public university located in Athens, Ohio that is situated on an 1,800 acre campus. Founded in 1804, it is the oldest university in Ohio, oldest in the Northwest Territory, and ninth oldest public university in the United States.

History

The Northwest Ordinance of 1787 called for educational institutions as part of the settlement and eventual statehood of the Northwest Territory: "Religion, morality and knowledge being necessary to good government and the happiness of mankind, schools and the means of education shall forever be encouraged." In 1797, settlers from Marietta traveled up the Hocking River to establish a location for the school, choosing Athens due to its location directly between Chillicothe (the original capital of Ohio) and Marietta. At first called American Western University, Ohio University was founded on February 18, 1804, a year after Ohio was admitted to the Union. The first three students enrolled in 1808. Ohio University graduated two students with bachelor's degrees in 1815. The famous E.W. Scripps School of Journalism was established with a grant from the Scripps Foundation. In 1975, Ohio University opened the College of Osteopathic Medicine, which remains the only college in Ohio to award the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree. Today the university is known for its strong journalism and visual communication programs, as well as its Avionics Engineering Center. The Avionics Engineering Center, part of the Russ College of Engineering and Technology, specializes in the research, development, and evaluation of electronic navigation, communication, and surveillance systems. The center, the largest at Ohio University, was established in 1963 to support a combination of theoreticians, technical specialists and graduate students to study navigation issues encountered in air transportation. Currently the university's medical school and college of engineering are engaging in a major collaboration to develop the Academic and Research Center funded by physician and engineering alumni.

Organization

Ohio University is organized into several colleges:

• College of Arts & Sciences
• Scripps College of Communication
• Russ College of Engineering and Technology
• College of Business
• College of Fine Arts
• College of Education
• College of Health and Human Services
• Honors Tutorial College
• University College
• College of Osteopathic Medicine
• Center for International Studies

More than 8,100 students attend Ohio University's five regional campuses:

• Eastern (St. Clairsville)
• Zanesville
• Lancaster
• Southern (Ironton)
• Chillicothe

Ohio University also has two educational centers:

• Pickerington (part of Lancaster Campus)
• Proctorville (part of Southern Campus)

Classification and Ranking

Ohio University is classified as Tier 1 University by U.S. News ranking of Best American Colleges. It was named by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching as a Doctoral/High Research Activity institution to reflect its growing number of graduate programs. University libraries contain more than 2.8 million bound volumes.

Nationally competitive awards

Ohio University is recognized for its student success rate in competing for nationally competitive awards. In 2006, twelve Ohio University students received Fulbright scholarships. In both 2004 and 2005, Ohio University had 9 Fulbright Scholars, besting the university's previous record of six awards..

Other awards received by recent Ohio University students include the Mitchell Scholarship, the Truman Scholarship, Morris K. Udall Scholarship, and the Goldwater Scholarship and Hollings Scholarship, which were won by the same student during the 2005-2006 academic year.

Research at Ohio University

Ohio University offers a fertile environment for research. A variety of unique research programs and institutes bring top practitioners who provide students with opportunities to work with and learn from world-class scientists and scholars actively engaged in advancing their disciplines.

Ohio University's Board of Trustees approved Research Centers and Institutes include:

• Ohio University's renowned College of Osteopathic Medicine sponsors: The Interdisciplinary Institute for Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine; The Tropical Disease Institute; The Edison Biotechnology Institute; The Appalachian Rural Health Institute; Academic & Research Center.

• In Engineering and Technology, Ohio University sponsors: The Institute for Sustainable Energy and the Environment; The Center for Advanced Materials Processing; The Center for Advanced Software Systems Integration; The Automatic Identification Education and Research Center; The Avionics Engineering Research Center; The Institute for Corrosion & Multiphase Technology; The Center for Intelligent, Distributed and Dependable Systems; The Ohio Research Institute for Transportation and the Environment; and, The T. Richard and Eleanora K. Robe Leadership Institute.

• The Institute for Applied and Professional Ethics; The Charles J. Ping Institute for the Teaching of the Humanities; Institute for the Empirical Study of Language; The University's Business Incubator, The Innovation Center; and, The Nanoscale and Quantum Phenomena Institute.

• The College of Arts and Sciences sponsors: The African American Research and Service Institute; The Astrophysical Institute; The Contemporary History Institute; The George V. Voinovich Center for Leadership and Public Affairs; The Center for Intelligent Chemical Instrumentation; The Institute of Nuclear and Particle Physics; The Ohio University Cartographic Center; The Institute for Quantitative Biology; and, The Center for Ring Theory and Its Applications.

• The School of Business sponsors: The Center for eBusiness; The Center for International Business Education and Development; The Ohio University Insurance Institute; and, The Sales Center.

• In Communications disciplines, Ohio University sponsors: The Institute for International Journalism; The Scripps Survey Research Center; The Telecommunications Center; and, The Institute for Telecommunication Studies.

• In Education, Ohio University sponsors: The Center for Cooperative Curriculum Development and Partnerships; The Institute for Democracy in Education; The George Hill Center for Counseling & Research; The Center for Higher Education; and, The Center for the Study and Development of Literacy and Language.

• In Health and Human Services, Ohio University sponsors: The Child Development Center and The Center for Sports Administration.

• In International Studies, Ohio University sponsors The Institute for the African Child.

Ohio University also offers a unique research / leadership opportunity for undergraduate students. The University’s Global Leadership Center offers a two-year undergraduate certificate that prepares students to become lifelong learners in order to serve as internationally-minded, skilled, attuned, professional and experienced leaders in all walks of life (commercial, governmental and nongovernmental, educational, etc.) Accepting undergrad students from any degree program on campus, the Center has recently been affiliated with Bangkok University, several United State Embassies abroad, the UNDP Liberia, Harvard University, Marriott International and numerous other government, NGO, and private organizations around the world. In 2009, the Center was recognized at the United Nations as one of the country's premier International programs.

Academics

Scripps College of Communication

The Ohio University Scripps College of Communication is made up of five schools: The E.W. Scripps School of Journalism, The J. W. McClure School of Information and Telecommunication Systems, The School of Communication Studies, The School of Media Arts and Studies (formerly the School of Telecommunications), and The School of Visual Communication.

Fox News Chairman and CEO Roger Ailes gave a sizeable donation to Ohio University for a renovated student newsroom. The new facility, set to open in spring of 2010, will double the size of the university's existing newsroom - last upgraded in the 1960s - and allow more students to participate in the school's WOUB radio station and television programs.

Ailes majored in radio and television while at Ohio University and served two years as manager of the school's radio station. Since 1994 he has funded scholarships for Ohio University students in the school's telecommunications programs.

Ailes' fondness for OU is matched by his generosity. Although the size of the donation was not revealed, it was described as substantial. The 67-year-old credits the school with making him the successful man he is today.

"Ohio University ignited my interest in broadcasting, which became my lifetime career. The education I received there gave me the opportunity to take on my first managerial responsibilities and provided early lessons in leadership. I'm happy to contribute to a great university." Ailes said in a written statement.

The newsroom is a small part of a planned $34.4 million integrated communication facility for the college. That project is a new building that will have more than of assignable space, joining the adjacent, vacated former student union with the Radio-Television Building.

E.W. Scripps School of Journalism

One of the flagship programs of Ohio University, the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism, is in the Scripps College of Communication.

Undergraduates select from six sequence options – advertising management, broadcast news, magazine journalism, news writing & editing, online journalism and public relations.

The School of Visual Communication

The School of Visual Communication, also known as VisCom, has been recognized twice as a Program of Excellence by the Ohio Board of Regents. The school offers students an interdisciplinary visual communication degree in one of four sequences: informational graphics and page design, photojournalism, commercial photography and interactive multimedia. VisCom is located on the third floor of Seigfred Hall.

College of Business

In 2009, Ohio University's College of Business was ranked 47th in the nation by Business Week. The CoB offers nine different majors and a general business minor for students with non-business majors. Despite University measures to increase enrollment, the CoB prides itself on staying smaller than other business schools. All business classes are taught by professors, never graduate students.The CoB also offers an Indian MBA program for Indian students in Christ University Bangalore.

The Ralph and Luci Schey Sales Centre is one of only about three dozen schools in the US offering a professional sales certificate. This certificate is open to any OU student, including those with non-business majors.

The Accountancy school uses the Business Activity Model ("BAM") in its intermediate classes. Designed to mimic the experiences of an auditor, Accounting students often credit BAM with preparing them for internships. One of the authors of BAM, Connie Esmond-Kiger, was named Dean of the School of Accountancy in Fall 2007. She is also the adviser for OU's chapter of Beta Alpha Psi, the financial majors fraternity. OU's chapter of BAP has been achieved Superior status for several years and has won several awards at the regional and national level.

The CoB's Student Equity Management Group, which was started in 2002, was afforded $1 million from the University to invest. Unlike many other schools, OU's group is open to undergraduate students and is completely student run. The group was praised by University administrators when it was reported in Fall 2007 the group achieved a 28% return on its portfolio.

There are 16 active student organizations in the CoB. There are chapters of three national Business fraternities, a Christian group, and societies or fraternities for almost every major. Copeland Hall boasts six computer labs and two study lounges with computers, as well as many conference rooms and small group rooms. Many business students strongly prefer to study and work in Copeland instead of the library.

The CoB requires students take five classes in the cluster format. In the cluster, students are teamed up and complete research projects. The students then receive a grade in all five of their classes on the project. This program is an opportunity for students of different majors to interact and is considered a good illustration of how situations are often structured in the business world.

The College of Education

The Ohio University College of Education has a long and rich history dating back to May 11, 1886, with the founding of a Normal Department at Ohio University. The Normal Department – the predecessor to today’s College of Education – was the first state-supported teacher preparation program in Ohio. The state’s first kindergarten opened on the Ohio University campus in 1907. Today, the College of Education is organized into three departments: Counseling and Higher Education, Educational Studies, and Teacher Education. The College currently serves more than 1,300 undergraduate and 600 graduate students.

Russ College of Engineering and Technology

This college is the home to the University's programs in the traditional fields of engineering at the undergraduate and graduate level. It enrolls approximately 1,400 undergraduates and almost 300 graduate students. It is named in honor of Dr. Fritz J. Russ, an alumnus in electrical engineering and the founder of Systems Research Laboratories, a major bioengineering concern.

The Russ' left the college that bears their name approximately $91.8 million in real estate and securities, though details of how the money will be spent has yet to be determined.

The College of Fine Arts and the Kennedy Museum of Art

The Ohio University College of Fine Arts aspires to educate artists and scholars to articulate and express themselves through intellectual examination, participatory training, and research practice. Members of Ohio University's world-class faculty are working artists, instructors, and researchers who both teach and practice their arts. The residential learning community emphasizes an arts culture that crosses the boundaries of the majors and disciplines within the Arts. The College's approach to education is diverse, dynamic, and international providing an environment rich and deep with opportunities for expression. The University's marching band, The Ohio University Marching 110, also known as "The Most Exciting Band In The Land," is based out of the College of Fine Arts, and is currently under the direction of Dr. Richard Suk, Associate Director of Bands. The band has a very rich history and is very proud of the traditions that have been built. This is evident every year when hundreds of 110 alumni come back to play in the alumni band at the annual homecoming game.

The Kennedy Museum of Art, named to honor Edwin L. and Ruth E. Kennedy, is housed at the Ridges in historic Lin Hall. It contains noteworthy collections including significant southwest Native American textiles, jewelry, and a celebrated contemporary collection of prints. This exceptional institution offers a wide array of exhibitions, a line-up of educational offerings, tours, and more.

School of Recreation and Sports Sciences

The School of Recreation and Sport Sciences offers an array of academic programs at the graduate and undergraduate levels. The Sport Management Program is one of approximately thirty such programs in the country to have won program approval by the Sport Management Program Review Council (SMPRC). Programs of study in the School emphasize an accommodating learning atmosphere that promotes high academic standards and a commitment to encouraging an active and healthy lifestyle. The School is dedicated to creating, improving, and propagating theoretical and practical information through its distinct programs.

Honors Tutorial College

The Honors Tutorial College at Ohio University in Athens, Ohio is the only degree-granting tutorial program in the United States. The tutorial program is modeled after Oxford and Cambridge universities in England.

The program generally accepts around eighty students per year from an applicant pool of around two hundred and offers programs in twenty-seven disciplines, from journalism to astrophysics.

The college was officially founded in 1972, although an Honors College had existed previously since 1964.

Athletics

Men's and women's athletics teams at Ohio University are nicknamed the Bobcats, with the school colors being hunter green and white. The Bobcats compete in NCAA Division I as a member of the Mid-American Conference. They maintain strong rivalries with the other MAC schools in Ohio, particularly Miami University and the University of Akron.

The long and storied tradition of Ohio Bobcats football began in 1894 with an 8-0 loss to Marietta College. Since that day, the Bobcats have posted a 485-503-48 record over their 112 year existence and a 191-232-12 record over their 60 years in the Mid-American Conference. The Bobcats have won 5 MAC Football Championships in 1953, 1960, 1963, 1967, and 1968 and MAC East Division Championships in 2006 and 2009. Prior to joining the MAC, the Bobcats won 6 Buckeye Athletic Association Championships in 1929, 1930, 1931, 1935, 1936, and 1938. In 1960, the Bobcats were crowned National Small College Champions after compiling a 10-0 record under Coach Bill Hess. The Bobcats have appeared in three bowl games, losing 14-15 to West Texas State in the 1962 Sun Bowl, losing 42-49 to Richmond in the 1968 Tangerine Bowl, and most recently falling to Southern Mississippi 28-7 in the 2007 GMAC Bowl.

Under the guidance of Frank Solich, the Ohio football program has enjoyed a return to new levels of national prominence in 2006. On November 16, 2006, the Bobcats secured their first ever Mid-American Conference East Division title and their first football championship of any sort since 1968 with a victory over the University of Akron Zips. They then advanced to the MAC Championship Game in Detroit, Michigan, where they were defeated by Central Michigan 31-10. On January 7, 2007, the Bobcats were the MAC representative to the GMAC Bowl in Mobile, Alabama, losing 28-7 to The University of Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles in a game nationally televised on ESPN.

One of Ohio's most successful varsity sports is its men's basketball program. Ohio has posted a .569 winning percentage over their 100 year history and a .566 winning percentage in their 61 years in the Mid-American Conference. The Bobcats have won 4 Mid-American Conference tournament titles in 1983, 1985, 1994 and 2005 as well as 9 MAC regular season titles in 1960, 1961, 1964, 1965, 1970, 1972, 1974, 1985, and 1994. Prior to joining the MAC, the 'Cats won an Ohio Athletic Conference title in 1921 and three Buckeye Athletic Association championships in 1931, 1933, and 1937. In addition, Ohio has played in the NCAA Tournament 11 times (second most in the MAC), appearing in 1960, 1961, 1964, 1965, 1970, 1972, 1974, 1983, 1985, 1994, and 2005. The Bobcats have been selected for the National Invitation Tournament 4 times in 1941 (finalist), 1969, 1986, and 1995, while also appearing in the College Basketball Invitational in 2008. As a result of the storied tradition of Ohio Bobcats basketball, the program was recently ranked 86th in Street & Smith's 100 Greatest Basketball Programs of All Time, published in 2005.

Ohio's Olympic Sports programs are also among some of the best in the MAC. Ohio's volleyball team has been steadily increasing in popularity. Under the direction of Coach Geoff Carlston, the team has won five consecutive Mid-American Conference regular season titles and made five consecutive NCAA tournament appearances. In 2005, the team made the "sweet 16" of the NCAA tournament. Ohio's women's swimming and diving team consistently has won numerous MAC Championships. The Aquatic Center, one of the finest swimming and diving facilities in the league and in the nation, has hosted numerous MAC Women's Swimming and Diving Tournaments. The Bobcat's wrestling team has a long and storied history and the team has found itself in the national top 25 many times over the years. Recent graduate Jake Percival was a four time All-American. The Ohio baseball program has won numerous MAC titles in baseball, most of them coming under Bob Wren. Current head coach Joe Carbone was part of the only College World Series team in Ohio history (1970), and has had a MAC championship twice in his 20 years as head coach. There have been 23 former Bobcats to make the major leagues, most notably hall of fame third baseman Mike Schmidt, former All-Star Steve Swisher (father of current Yankee outfielder Nick Swisher) and former MLB player and World Series winning manager Bob Brenly.

Ohio's athletic facilities make up another important component of a winning tradition. Peden Stadium, Ohio's football venue, is one of the best in the conference and the nation. The stadium, though small in size, is big in atmosphere and tradition. The Convocation Center, home of Bobcats basketball, volleyball, and wrestling, is also a great facility. The largest basketball arena in the MAC, and one of the largest in the state, the Convo's hostile environment has allowed the Bobcats to win over 75% of their games in the facility. The "O-Zone" student cheering section for men's basketball games is among the largest and most recognized in the Mid-American Conference.

Ohio University is also home to the nationally-acclaimed Ohio University Marching 110 marching band--"The Most Exciting Band in the Land!", which continually draws crowds at the Bobcat football and basketball games. The band's unique use of contemporary popular music, a "power high-step" stop-action marching style, and high-energy choreographed dance breaks has led the band to perform at many unique venues throughout the years. On October 28, 1976, the Marching 110 became the first marching band in history to perform at Carnegie Hall. On January 20, 1993, the band performed for President Clinton's Presidential Inauguration in Washington, DC. The band has also performed at many professional football games and has taken part in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in 2000 and 2005

Facilities

Baker University Center

The newly constructed John Calhoun Baker Center (the name having been taken from the original 'Baker Center' on Union St.) opened in January, 2007. The $65 million dollar student center features Georgian-style architecture and expansive windows throughout the building that offer spectacular views of campus and allow a great deal of natural light to enter. In contrast to the exterior's red brick, and white columns, the interior has a more contemporary style. The interior has high ceilings, ergonomic furniture and a color scheme of sage, plum and mocha.

The six-story student center contains a large food court (West 82), a fine dining restaurant (Latitude 39), a ballroom, student shop (Bobcat Essentials), coffee shop (The Front Room), theater, many study areas, several computer labs, administrative offices, and other amenities connected by three sets of escalators that gives it very much a mall feel.

The "Main Street effect" is something planners prepared for from the start – by incorporating an escalator system (the only one in Athens County) to carry people through the atrium that cuts through the building and connects the upper and lower portions of the campus. This design feature earned the facility mention in a 2006 Association of College Unions International book as a best practice .

In 2007, Baker Center won two Golden Trowel awards from the International Masonry Institute, including the grand prize of Best Project in Ohio for its terrazzo floor art, and another prize for its distinctive interior masonry features. In 2008, Baker was also awarded the grand-prize with honors from Learning by Design, and organization that recognized excellence in educational facilities, as well as the Facility Design Award from the Association of College Unions International, which annually distinguished excellence in the design of student unions and other student-centered building on college campuses.

Alden Library

Vernon R. Alden Library serves the Athens campus as the central library facility; the building can seat 3,000 people. The collection of the Ohio University library contains over 2.3 million units of microfilm material, 13,500 periodical subscriptions and 2.8 million printed volumes making it one of the 100 largest libraries in the United States. The Learning Commons, located on the building's second floor, is open 24 hours, 5 days a week allowing students to meet and use parts of the facility. Laptops and other accessories are available through technology services at the reference desk. The library is organized by the Library of Congress system and no longer by the Dewey Decimal system.

Charles J. Ping Recreation Center

The Charles J. Ping Center is one of the largest recreational facilities in the country. Covering 168,000 square feet on three floors, Ping houses a 36 foot, double-sided climbing wall, five basketball/volleyball courts, two multipurpose gymnasiums, an elevated four-lane indoor running track, eight racquetball courts and an enclosed glass fitness area. Ping Center also provides free weight and cardio rooms, aerobics and fitness classes, combative sports, dance, meeting rooms and personal training. The recreation center also houses club sports and intramural sports.The facility is open to university students, faculty/staff, and alumni. Building began in 1994 and it opened in January of 1996. Ping was named in honor of the 18th president of Ohio University, Charles J. Ping. Ping is also one of the largest student employers on campus, allowing for the facility to be one of the few campus rec centers that is almost solely student run.

Other Facilities

• Manasseh Cutler Hall, the oldest academic building in the Old Northwest.
• The Ridges, the former Athens Lunatic Asylum, a mental hospital acquired by the university. The complex has since been repurposed as a university complex of classrooms and administrative offices surrounded by a nature preserve.
• Gordon K. Bush Airport, an off-campus airport owned by the university.
• Peden Stadium, the University's football field.
• The Convocation Center, a massive indoor arena that is home to OU basketball as well as numerous athletic training facilities and dormitories.
• Ohio University Aquatic Center, home to the university's swimming and diving teams.
• Ohio Softball Field, home to OU's softball teams.
• Goldsberry Track, home to OU's track and field teams.
• Bob Wren Stadium, home to OU's baseball team.
• Chessa Field, home to OU's soccer teams.
• Pruitt Field, home to OU's field hockey teams.
• Emeriti Park, four-acre park built to honor Emeritus William Kennard.

Media

Under the umbrella of Ohio University Public Radio, the university operates a number of public FM radio stations. WOUB-FM 91.3 Athens, WOUC-FM 89.1 Cambridge, WOUH-FM 91.9 Chillicothe, WOUL-FM 89.1 Ironton, and WOUZ-FM 90.1 Zanesville broadcast the same programs throughout southeastern Ohio. Separate public radio programming is also heard in Athens on WOUB AM 1340.

ACRN, the University's only student-run radio station, recently celebrated 35 years of operation, and features a rock lobster (from The B-52's song "Rock Lobster") as its mascot. The station is internet-only and all of the station's operations are facilitated by elected student executives.

Ohio University Public Television is a PBS affiliate broadcasting on WOUB Athens/WOUC Cambridge. In addition to national PBS programs, WOUB features Newswatch, a nightly news broadcast with student reporters. Other student produced programs include "Gridiron Glory" and "Bobcat Blitz." "Bobcat Blitz" follows the Ohio University Football team during their season and features interviews with players and coaches. "Gridiron Glory" is a student produced program now in its ninth season (Fall 2007). "Gridiron" follows the Southeastern Ohio football season by covering 7 games a week, and producing a live broadcast every Fall Friday night at 11:30PM. Gridiron Glory has won two Emmys since it began, most recently in 2006.

The web site, Wired for Books, has been ranked by the National Endowment for the Humanities as one of the best online resources for education in the humanities. Wired for Books is produced at the WOUB Center for Public Media.

Most recently, the School of Visual Communication began an interactive online project called Soul of Athens, a cultural look at the individuals that make Ohio University and the area surrounding it so unique.

One of the Ohio University graduate students working on that project, John Sammon, also began his own Athens-centric web-site for students and residents Athens Hub, providing comprehensive restaurant guides, events listings, and available rentals and real estate.

The campus newspaper The Post is officially independent of the university and its administration, as is Speakeasy Mag, a web magazine produced by students in the online journalism major at the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism. Backdrop, another student-run magazine, released its first issue during Winter Quarter 2008.

In 2003, Brick City Records, Ohio University's student-run record label was formed. They have since released three artists, with all production and promotion being led by elected students. Production for all albums has been done in the School of Media Arts and Studies recording studio.

"College Green," a student-run webzine, was established in early 2009 by students in the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism. The publication focuses on environmental news in Southeastern Ohio. It is currently Ohio University's newest campus media outlet.

Presidents of Ohio University

• Edwin Watts Chubb was acting president for one year in 1920 when President Ellis died and again in 1934 when President Bryan died.

20th	Roderick J. McDavis	(2004-present)
19th	Robert Glidden	(1994-2004)
18th	Charles J. Ping	(1975-1994)
17th	Harry B. Crewson	(1974-1975)
16th	Claude R. Sowle	(1969-1974)
15th	Vernon Roger Alden	(1962-1969)
14th	John Calhoun Baker	(1945-1961)
13th	Walter S. Gamertsfelder	(1943-1945)
12th	Herman Gerlach James	(1935-1943)
11th	Elmer Burritt Bryan	(1921-1934*)
10th	Alston Ellis	(1901-1920*)
9th	Isaac Crook	(1896-1898)
8th	Charles William Super	(1884-1896) (1899-1901)
7th	William Henry Scott	(1872-1883)
6th	Solomon Howard	(1852-1872)
5th	Alfred Ryors	(1848-1852)
4th	William Holmes McGuffey	(1839-1843)
3rd	Robert G. Wilson	(1824-1839)
2nd	James Irvine	(1822-1824)
1st	Jacob Lindley	(1809-1822)

Folklore

Ohio University is known in state folklore as the most haunted college campus in the entire United States, if not the world. Established in 1804, the university is quite old by Ohio's standards, which only adds to its ghostly reputation. A large number of places on campus are said to be haunted, and numerous other popular tales are told about the university across Athens county.

The British Society for Psychical Research claims that Athens, Ohio, is one of the most haunted places in the world.FOX at one point also taped an episode of its Scariest Places On Earth program at OU.

Many of the ghost stories associated with Athens and the University center around the former Athens Lunatic Asylum and the horrors that supposedly went on there.Two notable examples of alleged local hauntings are a statue of an angel in the cemetery on West State St which is said to be crying, and the spirit of a civil war veteran called Michael Ward, who chants names of the university's students.

Notable alumni

• Venki Ramakrishnan, Nobel Laureate in Chemistry, 2009
• Matt Lauer, journalist, known for hosting the Today show
• Byrraju Ramalinga Raju, founder, CEO of Satyam Computers, now known as Mahindra Satyam
• Dave Zastudil, NFL player, for the Cleveland Browns
• Rosalind Franklin, pioneer molecular biologist
• Paul Newman, actor, philanthropist
• Peter King, head NFL writer for Sports Illustrated
• Brandon Hunter, NBA Player
• Thom Brennaman, Cincinnati Reds announcer, among other sports
• Richard Dean Anderson, actor, most known as MacGyver
• Ed O'Neill, actor, Al Bundy
• Brandon Hunter, former NBA player
• Nancy Cartwright, voice of Bart and several other characters on The Simpsons
• Jim Dine, pop artist
• Dave Jamerson, former NBA player
• Thomas Ewing, cabinet member under several U.S. presidents
• Jonathan Freeman, actor
• Arsenio Hall, comedian, former talk show host
• Leon Harris, news anchor, CNN and WJLA
• Sammy Kaye, celebrated bandleader
• Jay Mariotti, sports columnist and TV personality
• Piper Perabo, actress
• Edward James Roye, former president of Liberia
• Mike Schmidt, Baseball Hall of Fame third baseman
• Dave Green, former NFL player
• Betty Thomas, actress on Hill Street Blues, film director
• Gary Trent, NBA player
• Gene Boyer, former White House helicopter pilot
• George Voinovich, U.S. Senator, former Ohio governor
• Ty M. Votaw, commissioner of LPGA
• Stu Pflaum, Grammy nominated music publisher
• Landon Cohen, NFL player for the Detroit Lions
• Mary Murphy, accredited dance judge, and a regular judge and choreographer on the FOX dance competition-reality show So You Think You Can Dance
• Ryan Senser, NFL player for the Seattle Seahawks
• Joshua Abrams, NFL player for the Green Bay Packers
• Michael Mitchell, former 2nd round pick in the 2009 NFL Draft, NFL player for the Oakland Raiders
• Stephen Kappes, current Deputy Director of the CIA
• Pinkie C. Wilkerson, African American former state representative from Louisiana
• Charlie Wilson, current US Representative for Ohio's 6th congressional district
• Tony Rizzo, talk show host, news reporter

References

Max West--Television personality, Cincinnati

External links

• Official Website of Ohio University
• Official Athletic Website of Ohio University