Our people and programs are making news every day.

Newsroom

At Otterbein, our president is focused on college affordability. Our professors are leading the way in curriculum development. Our Center for Community Engagement is winning awards for its dedication to serving others. These are only a few of the people and programs you’ll read about in our Newsroom.

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Media inquiries can be directed to:

Jenny Hill 
Director of Communications
jhill@otterbein.edu 
(614) 823-1284
(614) 370-3221 (cell)

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Otterbein Fast Facts:

Location: Westerville, Ohio
Founded: 1847
Control: Private not-for-profit
Carnegie Classification: Master's Colleges & Universities
Size & Setting: Four-year, small, highly residential
Enrollment: 3,000
President: John Comerford, Ph.D.
Colors: Tan and Cardinal
Mascot: Cardinal

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News Stories:

WOSU Radio reports on Otterbein’s response to the Methodist Church’s vote

News - May 9, 2019
"Fight Over LGBTQ Inclusion Roils Ohio's Methodist Universities" Published on May 9th 2019

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Otterbein statement to UMC decision

News - May 1, 2019
Otterbein University remains a college of opportunity, devoted to the values of diversity, equality and inclusiveness. The Board of Trustees avowed this commitment with a resolution to affirm Otterbein’s mission and values on Feb. 9, 2019, ahead of the UMC Conference vote, and again on April 27, 2019, when it approved a resolution of dissent to the Church’s exclusionary language regarding LGBTQIA+ persons (see below). Otterbein believes in the UMC motto of “Open hearts. Open minds. Open doors.” That’s why…

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The Columbus Dispatch looks at Otterbein’s reaction to Methodist churches vote

News - May 1, 2019
"Methodist colleges face dilemma over church's LGBT policies" Published in the Columbus Dispatch May 1st (Updated May 2nd) 2019

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CityScene reflects on the life of Henry William Fouse

News - April 26, 2019
"The life and legacy of William Henry Fouse" Published in Columbus CityScene April 26th 2019

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Cohort of Columbus City Schools Alumni to Graduate from Otterbein University Sunday

News - April 24, 2019
On Sunday, April 28, a cohort of 26 Columbus City Schools (CCS) graduates will walk across the stage to receive their Otterbein degrees with the Class of 2019. On April 44, Otterbein hosted a special celebration for the students and their friends, families, teachers and professors. The seniors shared reflections and received specially designed red stoles featuring the CCS and Otterbein logos to wear with their gowns at the commencement ceremony on April 28. “(The event) was a great example…

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First Engineering Class a Highlight of Otterbein University’s Commencement Weekend

News - April 24, 2019
Otterbein University will celebrate the graduation of 426 undergraduate students and 129 graduate students in the Class of 2019 this weekend, April 27-28. Of the 426 undergraduate students, 21 represent the first cohort to earn an engineering degree from Otterbein. The first-ever graduating class from Otterbein University’s Department of Engineering exceeds the national graduation rates for women in engineering at Commencement this spring. According to the American Society of Engineering Education, the national average for females earning bachelor’s degrees in…

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Girls Who Code club encourages young women to pursue computer science

News - April 18, 2019
By: Aselya Sposato '21 Otterbein University and JPMorgan Chase are working together to help educate girls and young women in the community to pursue careers in computer science through a campus-based chapter of Girls Who Code.  Girls Who Code was founded in 2010 and is a national movement with the mission of closing the gender gap in technology through after-school clubs, summer courses and summer immersion programs. These programs are offered to girls of all ages and focus on developing…

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Important Changes to Academic Calendar for 2019-2020

News - April 11, 2019
The Otterbein Office of Academic Affairs would like to inform our community of a recent change to the Academic Calendar for 2019-2020. Recently, some member of the Otterbein community brought to our attention their concerns about Otterbein’s academic calendar for next year. Concerns included the timing of the last day of classes and finals week in relation to Thanksgiving break, and the early start to spring semester allowing for less time for the very important work that happens on campus…

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Alumna Rebekah Perry ’18 receives grant for conservation community outreach

News - April 9, 2019
  By: Aselya Sposato '21   Otterbein University alumna Rebekah Perry was recently awarded a $3,000 grant from BirdNote to continue her passion for conservation education and community outreach she started as an undergraduate.   Before graduating from Otterbein in the fall of 2018 with a bachelor’s degree in zoo and conservation science, Perry worked with the Heritage Farm Museum and Village in Huntington, West Virginia, to create a nature and wildlife education series called Wild Heritage. The series offers…

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Sherman Heckler Named Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

News - April 5, 2019
Wendy Sherman Heckler has accepted the position of Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. Sherman Heckler began her career at Otterbein University as an associate professor of science education in 2007, and served as director of graduate programs in education from 2009 to 2012. She was associate vice president for academic affairs and dean of university programs from 2012 to 2017. She has been Interim Provost since 2017.   "She has been a remarkable asset to Otterbein for many years…

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