Campus Happenings

It’s been a busy academic year so far at Ohio Dominican. From new programs and partnerships, to celebrations and events, there was much to celebrate during the fall semester.

ODU Celebrates 113th Commencement

ODU welcomed 176 new graduates into its alumni family during its 113th Commencement on May 8, 2021. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the university hosted the ceremony inside Panther Stadium for the first time to provide adequate space and to help ensure the health and safety of all participants and attendees. Because the university was forced to cancel its spring 2020 ceremony, members of both the spring 2020 and spring 2021 graduating classes were invited to participate. ODU Professor of Political Science Ronald Carstens, Ph.D. delivered the keynote address.

ODU holds its Spring Commencement on May 8 in Panther Stadium, celebrating both the Classes of 2020 and 2021.

Ohio Governor and First Lady Receive Honorary Degrees

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and First Lady Fran DeWine are hooded prior to receiving honorary degrees.

In recognition of their leadership throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, ODU awarded Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and First Lady Fran DeWine with honorary degrees at a ceremony on Aug. 16, 2021. The ceremony coincided with an event to celebrate and welcome the university’s 10th class of 50 Physician Assistant Studies master’s students. During the event, President Gallaher presented the DeWine’s each with a Doctor of Humane Letters honoris causa.

Board of Trustees Welcomes New Members

The Board of Trustees approved the addition of three new members during its fall meeting on Sept. 24, 2021, representing a range of backgrounds. The new members include Maureen Njeama, ODU junior Biology major from Tanzania; Jim Matesich, CEO of Matesich Distributing Co. in Newark, Ohio; and Meri Armour, former president and CEO of Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee.

32 Students Join Honors Program

ODU’s newest Honors students join together for a photo during fall semester.

The university welcomed 32 students into its Honors Program this past fall, including 24 new first-year students, five transfer students and three existing students. They joined 65 returning Honors students for a total of 97 participants during the 2021-22 academic year. This year’s entering group achieved a median high school GPA of 3.984. Professor of Psychology John Marazita, Ph.D. serves as director of the Honors Program.

ODU Approves Tuition Freeze for 2022-23

In response to the continued COVID-19 health crisis and the significant economic impact of the pandemic, ODU will freeze its tuition and room rates for the 2022-23 academic year. The move was approved by the university’s Board of Trustees on Dec. 3, 2021. Tuition for students in ODU’s undergraduate, adult and continuing education, and the majority of those in its graduate programs will remain at the current rate, while board rates will increase by 2%.

New Partnerships Create Pathways to Nursing Careers

Amid a nationwide nursing shortage, Ohio Dominican is proud to partner with two distinguished programs to create pathways for students to pursue careers in the nursing field. In addition to a successful partnership sparked by ODU’s valued relationship with the Mount Carmel College of Nursing (MCCN), the university established a partnership with Xavier University in fall 2021 that gives students an opportunity to apply for a select number of guaranteed seats into XU’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) Program upon the completion of their bachelor’s degree. Students may attend XU’s locations in Columbus, Cincinnati or Cleveland. Learn more about ODU’s partnerships with MCCN and XU at www.ohiodominican.edu/Nursing.

Career Achievements, Conference and National Recognition Headline Fall Athletics Season

Ohio Dominican’s athletic teams found continued success this past fall. The men’s soccer team qualified for its second NCAA Division II national tournament and tied its highest national ranking of #14 in the United Soccer Coaches Poll. The women’s soccer team made its fifth G-MAC tournament appearance. The volleyball team enjoyed its second straight winning season and earned its first postseason victory of the Division II era. The men’s and women’s golf teams combined for six individual and three team championships, and Robert Holden ’22 (pictured below) became the first player in program history to earn a spot in the World Amateur Golf Rankings. Prior to the start of the fall season, the men’s team had the most Academic All-American performers in the country with 11 and the women’s team achieved the fifth highest cumulative GPA in Division II with a 3.87. The Panther football program finished the season 7-4, marking its 11th straight winning season. Evan Ernst ’20, ’22 was named the 2020-21 College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Academic All-America Team Member of the Year for his performance on the field, in the classroom and in the community. Dauson Dales ’20 was named G-MAC Player of the Year, the first defensive player ever to receive the honor.

ODU’s Ongoing Response to the Pandemic

The university continues to take steps in response to the evolving COVID-19 pandemic to ensure the health and safety of all who live, learn and work at ODU. In addition to imposing an indoor mask mandate this past fall semester, ODU announced a campuswide vaccine mandate that will take effect this spring semester. Learn more about the university’s ongoing response to the pandemic at www.ohiodominican.edu/ODURising.