Ohio Dominican University (ODU) Introduction and Academics

Introduction

Rich in Roman Catholic tradition, Old Dominican University runs on the principle that learning continues long after students leave the classroom. Spiritual and personal growth are just as important as academic achievement, and each is nurtured in the classroom and through extracurricular activities and open dialogue at Old Dominican University.

The university is dedicated to both the faith of its students and to academic excellence, but, above all, Old Dominican University and its students are dedicated to seeking truth through contemplation.

“Ohio Dominican’s primary mission is to provide degree and continuing education programs for the intellectual development, the growth in truth, of each student. In keeping with the Dominican tradition, educational experiences should be grounded in the liberal arts, foster the development of spiritual, aesthetic, and ethical values, promote physical and mental health, and provide for the development and responsible use of human skills and talents in professional and social service.”

In addition to a rich educational experience on campus, where opportunities range from working with the Campus Ministry to serving on student government, students generally become intimately involved with the surrounding community of Columbus, Ohio, volunteering with non-profit organizations and serving the needy.

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Information Summary

Ranks 61st in Ohio and 1514th overall. See the entire top 2,000 colleges and universities list
Overall Score (about)	72.7
Total Cost On-Campus Attendance	$45,220
Admission Success rate	N/A
ACT / SAT 75%ile scores	24 / 1100
Student Ratio Students-to-Faculty	18 : 1
Retention (full-time / part-time)	65% / 40%
Enrollment Total (all students)	1,716

Academics

Originally The College of St. Mary of the Springs, an all-women’s college founded in 1911 by the Dominican Sisters, the school eventually went co-ed and changed its name to Ohio Dominican University in 1968. The Roman Catholic university, home to more than 3,000 students, runs on the motto “To contemplate truth and to share with others the fruits of this contemplation.”

With two campuses in the Columbus area – Main Campus and Airport Drive – and a campus in Dublin, Ohio Dominican University offers a personal experience with a 14 to one student ratio. Eighty-eight percent of professors at the university, which possesses accreditation from The Higher Learning Commission, hold terminal degrees in their respective fields with almost half claiming tenure.

In addition to offering bachelor’s degrees in more than 50 different majors ranging from art and pre-med to communication and sports and recreation, Ohio Dominican University also awards masters degrees in several areas, including:

Teaching
Business Administration
Education
Education Online
Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages
Management
Liberal Studies

Those incoming students who know they want to earn both an undergraduate and graduate business degree may choose the 4+1 MBA program. The 4+1 MBA program, described as both fast-paced and challenging, allows students to complete their bachelor’s degree and their MBA in only five years. Students follow the typical undergraduate program until their senior year when they begin graduate courses.

Students who work full-time and have other commitments but who still want to earn a bachelor’s or a master’s degree in business or business management can also participate in Ohio Dominican University’s Learning Enhanced Adult Program (LEAD). LEAD allows students to complete their degree at their own pace, generally through one course at a time. Classes are small with students working collaboratively with one another.

LEAD program students also enjoy taking classes in a new building that features a fitness center, wireless internet access, and a dining area. (Ohio Dominican University Magazine)

Study abroad has become an important component of higher education, and Ohio Dominican University students can choose from various semester, summer, and spring break programs in more than 20 countries, including Australia, Spain, Italy, Japan, Ireland, Greece, France, and Russia.

Most Popular Fields of Study

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Admissions

Grades play an important role in gaining acceptance to Ohio Dominican University, but the admissions committee also looks beyond an applicant’s academic transcripts. Successful applicants demonstrate a willingness to become involved in the community and compassion for others, and they want to make a difference on campus and in the world.

In addition to high school transcripts and SAT or ACT scores, applicants are required to submit letters of recommendation and to complete a comprehensive application. Students can apply online for free or print a paper application. As of April 2011, applicants must pay a $25 fee when submitting a paper application.

The university adheres to a rolling admissions policy, allowing students to begin study during the fall, spring, or summer semester.

Old Dominican University advises that all students visit the campus before applying. In addition to individual visits, which students can schedule with the admissions office, applicants can join other applicants for Saturday tours or visit the campus on visitation day.

Those applicants who cannot make the trip to Columbus are encouraged to visit the university virtually. All visit options, both in-person and virtual, give applicants the opportunity to speak with an admissions counselor and talk with current students at the university.

Financial Aid

More than 90 percent of Ohio Dominican University students use some form of financial aid to fund their college education with the average financial aid package coming in at $27,700. To ensure students have the financial ability to study at Ohio Dominican University, the financial aid office, located on campus in Erskine Hall, assists students in finding and securing the necessary aid.

Most students fund their education through grants, scholarships, loans, and the Federal Work Study Program.

Grants

Grants provide students with funding for college and do not require repayment. In addition to the Federal Pell Grant and the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, students may also be eligible for grants offered by Ohio Dominican University and the state of Ohio.

The Ohio Dominican University Grant provides funding to full-time students who demonstrate financial need while athletic grants are available to standout, financially eligible student athletes at the university.

The Ohio College Opportunity Grant, offered by the state, is available to qualified part-time and full-time students who hold Ohio residency.

Scholarships

Students with exceptional academic records can often fund their education with scholarships, including those offered by Ohio Dominican University. The ODU Merit Scholarship is available to students with standout grades and high school transcripts. Awards range anywhere from $5,000 to $17,000 and can be renewed annually.

Students can find a comprehensive list of outside scholarships on Ohio Dominican University’s website.

Loans

Loans give students an ideal way to supplement tuition and other expenses that are not covered by grants and scholarships. In addition to private loans available from many companies, including Sallie Mae, students have access to federal loan programs, such as the Perkins Loan, the Federal Plus Loan, and the Parent Plus Loan.

Students may also opt to participate in the Federal Work Study Program to help offset their educational costs.

Student Financial Aid Details

Ranks 3451st for the average student loan amount.
Secrets to getting the best scholarships and financial aid in Ohio.

Students

Residential Life

Located in the bustling yet affordable city of Columbus, Ohio, Ohio Dominican University’s sprawling campus features tree-lined walkways and plenty of greenery. Students have a plethora of options for accommodation both on and off campus and will generally find off-campus accommodation more affordable than in larger cities like New York.

Ohio Dominican University features five residential halls: Fitzpatrick Hall, Siena Hall, Aquinas Hall, Sansbury Hall, and Lynam Hall. Fitzpatrick Hall caters solely to freshmen students and offers high-rise living with double rooms and shared bathrooms for each floor. Two resident assistants live on each floor while students can relax and hang out in the first floor Fireside Lounge.

Sophomore through senior students who prefer privacy may opt for Sansbury Hall, which features all single and double rooms. Some rooms have their own sinks while residents share a community bathroom. All rooms include a bed, desk(s), chair(s), dresser, book shelf, and cabinet.

Siena Hall is considered the university’s only themed-housing unit. Only those students who are in the pre-nursing program and Dominican Scholar and Honors programs are eligible to live at Siena Hall. Those students who want to explore their spirituality in a community environment may also participate in the Spiritual Wellness program, which allows them to live in Siena Hall.

Residents of Siena Hall live in suites featuring two double rooms, a private bathroom, and a shared living area.

All residents at Ohio Dominican University have internet access, a cable outlet, and a phone outlet. Students only pay for long distance phone calls, which require a calling card while all local calls are currently free.

Activities

Ohio Dominican University provides plenty of opportunity for students to get involved in the campus community. The Student Activities Office sponsors activities, such as a campus-wide laser tag tournament, throughout the academic year. Students can also join one of dozens of on-campus clubs and organizations.

In addition to honor societies – Kappa Delta Pi, Sigma Tau Delta, and Tau Pi Phi – Ohio Dominican University is home to an eclectic list of clubs and organizations, including the Philosophy Club, the African Culture Club, and the Social Justice Club.

Old Dominican University is also home to The Wehrle Gallery, which recently hosted an art exhibition on paper and its vast meaning to our history and our culture. ( Columbus Dispatch)

Volunteer

Ohio Dominican University places a strong emphasis on giving back to the community and invites all students to participate in service activities. Every Tuesday students get together to volunteer with local non-profit organizations in Columbus, and collection drives are held regularly to help the needy.

Student Media

Students can stay on top of campus happenings, the latest sports scores, and local news through The Tower, the student newspaper, or RadiODU, the university’s official radio station. Both welcome and encourage students to get involved with the production of the newspaper or to check out on-air or behind the scene positions at the radio station.

Campus Ministry

The Campus Ministry provides students with numerous opportunities to explore their spirituality through bible study, retreats, and prayer groups. Students can also attend mass daily or join the choir to sing at Sunday mass. The Campus Ministry publishes a list of weekly activities, from book studies and knitting nights, that all students are invited to attend.

Student Enrollment Demographics

Student Graduation Demographics

Athletics

Ohio Dominican University, represented by the black and gold Panthers, knows what it takes to win, and its winning history proves that. The men’s football team holds a winning record of 35 and 19, dating back to 2006 while the women’s volleyball team has won 20 or more games in 11 seasons since the 1995 season. The women’s basketball team clinched the AMC Championship in 2004, 2008, and 2009 while the men’s basketball team has won 451 games in team history.

In addition to its on field play, the Panthers sports teams frequently hold camps for high school students in the Columbus area. One of the most popular camps – held for both boys and girls by the men’s and women’s basketball teams – is the high school shootout, which pits high school basketball players against one another while simultaneously allowing them to develop their skills on the basketball court.

Old Dominican University also features a cheerleading team that holds tryouts for new members each spring.

Men

Baseball
Basketball
Soccer
Football
Cross country
Tennis
Golf

Women

Basketball
Softball
Soccer
Volleyball
Cross country
Tennis
Golf

Students not involved in official university sports may opt to take part in the Ohio Dominican University’s intramurals program, which currently features basketball, ping pong, ultimate Frisbee, and sand volleyball. Intramurals are co-ed, and students must register to participate.

Local Community

Only ten minutes from downtown Columbus, Ohio Dominican University sits on 75 wooded acres, providing students with an idyllic setting for learning. Columbus itself offers students a vibrant living experience with plenty of shopping (Easton Town Center is the most popular entertainment and shopping destination in the city), restaurants, and cultural attractions, including the Franklin Park Conservatory, the Columbus Museum of Art, Kelton House Museum & Garden, and the Ohio Craft Museum.

Bibliography

“AMPing up to LEAD.” Old Dominican University Magazine Summer 2010: 16. Print.

Columbus, Ohio Travel Guide – Hotels, Attractions, Dining. Web. 28 Apr. 2011. <http://www.experiencecolumbus.com/>.

Ohio Dominican University – Ohio Dominican University. Web. 28 Apr. 2011. <http://www.ohiodominican.edu/>.

Yates, Christopher A. “Ohio Dominican University: Best Pieces from Paper Hold Reams of Meaning.” The Columbus Dispatch 6 Mar. 2011. Print.

Ohio Dominican University