Summary
Ohio Christian University (OCU) is a private college in Circleville, Ohio. The school is denominationally affiliated with the Churches of Christ in Christian Union.
History
The school was founded in 1948 as Mount of Praise Bible College, which met at the Mount of Praise Campground, where the Churches of Christ in Christian Union held annual revivalist camp meetings. The primary objective of the bible college was to train ministers for the Churches of Christ in Christian Union denomination. It later became Circleville Bible College. In 2006, the college changed its name to Ohio Christian University, and received regional accreditation.
Over the past several years, the University has seen tremendous growth. As of Fall 2011, total enrollment reached 2,382 with about 600 on campus and the rest online or at satellite locations.[1][2]
Former presidents
Everett A. Keaton (1948-1952)
Guy C. Johnson (1952-1953)
Richard G. Humble (1953-1956)
Glen Johnson (1956-1959)
Morton W. Dorsey (1959-1964)
Melvin Maxwell (1964-1980)
Douglas Carter (1980-1989)
David Van Hoose (1989-1994)
John Conley (1995-2005)
Campus
The university sits on the outskirts of Circleville, Ohio and has been expanding. Classes are located in the Maxwell Center, Johnson Hall, and the science and logistics center. Students reside as freshmen in York Hall and Moore Hall. From there, they may choose to live in Lewis Moats Hall, New Hall, an offsite residence named Terrace, or townhouses.
Since 2008, Maxwell Center has expanded by adding the science and logistics center and a student development center. The university has plans to develop the traditional campus further in the next five years.
Academics
The school offers the bachelor of arts, associate of arts and Masters of arts in professional fields of study. It also offers an Adult and Online Degree Program. It is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
Ohio Christian University's Adult and Online Degree Programs offer associate, bachelor,and master's degrees. OCU offers online education and evening or weekend classes at campuses in Ohio and Georgia . Ohio campus locations include: Dublin, Columbus, Pataskala, Grove City, Lancaster, Circleville, Chillicothe, Nelsonville and the campuses of Southern State Community College in Wilmington, Washington Court House, Hillsboro and Sardinia. The Georgia campus is located in Milner.
Student life
The Student Activities Council (SAC) offers activities throughout the school year. Among the more popular activities are Friday Night Live, a live variety show written and performed by students. Performed in Detty Chapel, the night is usually hosted by an alumni or faculty member. Another popular activity is midnight breakfast, an event scheduled at the beginning of final examinations week, catered by favorite staff and faculty.
Chapel is housed in Detty Chapel and is offered twice every Tuesday and Thursday. Students come to worship with a live student band and hear a message by the chaplain or special guest. There are a required amount of times that every students must attend while enrolled at Ohio Christian.
A Student Development Center houses dining facilities, the office of Student Development, the department of psychology, and several classrooms. In addition, there is a full Christian bookstore, a coffee shop, and an arcade.
The Trailblazers, as the school's athletic teams are called, compete in the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) in the Mid-East Region. Men's sports include baseball, soccer, basketball, cross country, and golf. Women's sports include volleyball, basketball, soccer, cross country, and softball.