Otterbein College Profile
Otterbein College is a private, comprehensive liberal arts college affiliated with the United Methodist Church. Founded in 1847, Otterbein enrolls over 3,100 students, including full and part-time undergraduate and adult students in the Continuing Studies and Graduate Studies programs.
Campus
Otterbein is located in Westerville, a suburb of Columbus, Ohio, that is ranked 15th on Money Magazine's 2009 list of Best Places to Live. Otterbein's 114-acre campus has 58 buildings, including:
- Towers Hall, constructed in 1872 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places
- Cowan Hall, home to Otterbein's nationally-renowned Department of Theatre and Dance
- Frank Museum of Art, a renovated church that features rotating exhibits from the college's collection
- Art and Communication Building on Collegeview Road, which expanded the campus west of Alum Creek with the relocation of the Departments of Art and Communication
- Science Complex, which opens for classes in fall 2009
- Center for Equine Science, which opens for classes in Fall 2009
Academics
- 56 majors, as well as individualized fields of study
- Student to faculty ratio of 12:1
- Master's degree programs in nursing, education and business administration
- Overseas service-learning programs, including trips to Rwanda and Costa Rica
- Traditional study-abroad opportunities in England, the Netherlands, Sweden and other destinations
Arts
- Otterbein College Theatre stages six shows a year, including annual Children's Theatre and Dance Concert
- The music program includes concert band, concert choir, opera theatre, marching band, vocal jazz and several vocal and instrumental ensembles
- Students perform with the Westerville Symphony at Otterbein
- The Otterbein Enrichment Series has hosted such notable speakers as acclaimed independent filmmaker Gus Van Sant and Joel Meyerowitz, with his acclaimed exhibition of photography from Ground Zero in the days after 9/11
Athletics
Men and women compete in the Ohio Athletic Conference, NCAA Division III. There are eight varsity sports for men and women. A complete intramural program is available to all students. A new varsity men's lacrosse team is expected to begin competing in spring 2010.
Community Service
The White House awarded Otterbein the President's Award for General Community Service in February 2008.
- Over 45,000 hours donated by Otterbein students
- 2,200 students, 70% of the student body, participated in community service in 2007-08
- 90 service-learning courses enroll 1,300 students in 2007-08
Student Profile
- 10% minority
- Middle 50% for ACT scores of incoming freshman is 22-26
- 35% of incoming freshmen are in top 20% of their high school class
- 80% of students who apply are admitted
- 95% of students receive financial aid
- Otterbein awards over $17 million per year in grants and scholarships
Student Media: Otterbein 360
Otterbein's student media has merged together to provide a cross-medium experience for students. Otterbein 360 can be found online at www.otterbein360.com, which combines:
- Tan and Cardinal, award-winning student newspaper
- WOBN radio
- WOCC-TV
