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.

Media inquiries can be directed to:

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

Media Resources

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

News Stories:

Place, Race, and Health: Addressing the Root Causes of Health Inequities, April 4 


News - March 26, 2024
Twenty years after a groundbreaking report shocked policymakers and the medical establishment, people of color continue to experience significantly worse healthcare relative to the white population, and very few health disparities have narrowed. Patients of color are less likely to receive preventive or specialty care. When they do receive care, they are more likely to wait longer for treatment that is often inadequate.  That’s the conclusion of Otterbein’s 2024 Vernon L. Pack Distinguished Lecturer, Brian D. Smedley, after reviewing the 2023 National…

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Birderbein’s Florida Spring Break was all Fun and Sun… and Birds!


News - March 25, 2024
By Maggie Nicol ’25 While some students hit the beach for spring break, Otterbein’s student bird watching and conservation group, Birderbein, hits the best spots for viewing bucket-list birds. In 2023, Birderbein traveled to Nebraska to watch the Greater Prairie Chickens perform their singing and mating dance. They also saw Sandhill Cranes and Snow Geese. This year, Birderbein traveled to Florida to visit the White Oak Conservation. This alternative spring break allowed students behind the scenes to look closely at…

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Theatre Student Shares Appreciation for Deaf History Month and ASL


News - March 25, 2024
By Maggie Nicol ‘25 March is National Deaf History Month, and students like Sammi Robinson ’26, who takes American Sign Language (ASL) classes at Otterbein, believe that observing deaf history is important for everyone, not just those who study the language, abilities, and culture of the deaf community. Sammi Robinson ’26 Robinson is a sophomore pursuing a BFA in acting. She has a desire to connect with people on all levels despite obstacles that others face, and before attending Otterbein,…

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Women’s Wrestling Ready to Welcome New Athletes to the Cardinal Community


News - March 22, 2024
By Maggie Nicol ’25 Many women must leave their wrestling careers behind when graduating high school because there are not many collegiate wrestling programs available to them. But Otterbein’s women’s wrestling program is an exciting new option for many high school competitors, and Head Coach Chris Kline is ready to provide growth and success opportunities for the new Cardinal women wrestlers this fall. Head Coach Chris Kline Otterbein is the first school in central Ohio to offer a women’s wrestling…

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Pasquerella to Discuss Compassion Fade, Moral Courage, and Higher Ed’s Role in Democracy


News - March 15, 2024
On Tuesday, March 19, Otterbein will host one of the country’s most prominent voices on issues of social justice in higher education. Lynn Pasquerella talks about concepts facing individuals in modern society, like compassion fade and a lack of moral courage. And she talks about why making higher education available to more members of our society is the key to reversing that trend. Pasquerella will present a lecture, “Educating for Democracy,” at 7 p.m. on March 19 at Church of…

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Otterbein University MBA Program Moving to the Coalition for the Common Good


News - March 15, 2024
Exciting changes are coming to Otterbein University’s Master of Business Administration (MBA) program. Starting in the fall of 2024, the MBA program will be transferred to the Coalition for the Common Good (CCG) to be taught through Antioch University, Otterbein’s collaborating partner. The CCG is a bold, new national system of universities committed to meeting the needs of working professionals and adult learners. Otterbein and Antioch University founded the CCG in 2023 as a higher education system of private, independent…

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Making Every Fourth Year Count


News - February 29, 2024
By Giselle Fead ’24 According to NASA, the actual time it takes for the Earth to orbit the sun is approximately 365.25 days, not an even 365. By adding an extra day to the calendar every four years — Leap Day — we balance out the .25 difference. But what about people born on Leap Day? Individuals born on Feb. 29 typically celebrate their birthdays on either Feb. 28 or March 1 in non-Leap Years. Alena Guillory ’26 was born…

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Peace and Justice Award Winner Looks to Multicultural Students to Stay Grounded 


News - February 22, 2024
Each year, Otterbein’s Office of Social Justice and Activism honors members of the campus community with the Award for Peace and Justice for demonstrating the humane values of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Recipients must be involved in activities on the campus or in the community which serves to balance inequities; encourage like philosophies among others; promote equity and equality in the classroom and/or community; and teach or demonstrate the principles of non-violence in solving problems.  Michelle Armour, coordinator of…

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Diversity Ambassadors Do the Work to Increase Student Diversity 


News - February 22, 2024
By Maggie Nicol ’25  Diversity is important to a university community because it allows students to encounter new viewpoints and perspectives, challenge beliefs, and consider other perspectives in a respectful manner. It also prepares students to work with a variety of people in their future careers. At Otterbein, students like D’Andre Person ’26 are doing important work to make the campus a more diverse place as a Diversity Ambassador. With this role, Person helps prospective students to ensure they feel…

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Ukrainian Art and Culture on Display at Otterbein 


News - February 22, 2024
Feb. 24, 2024, marks two years since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia. To keep public attention on this democratic nation fighting for its sovereignty, Otterbein University is spreading awareness of Ukraine’s distinct and independent culture through three art exhibitions.  Otterbein & The Arts: Opening Doors to the World invites the public to view the work of Ukrainian artists Zaryana Bezu, Oleksii Koval, and children participating in art therapy programs run by mother and daughter team Natalya Pavlyuk and…

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