History and Archives
Integrative Studies Program Honors
U.S. News & World Report
Otterbein University premiered at number seven on U.S. News & World Report's "Up-and-Comers" list, which recognizes institutions that have recently made the most promising and innovative changes in the areas of academics, faculty, student life, campus or facilities, as determined by their peer institutions. The list is part of the annual guide to America’s Best Colleges.
"It is gratifying that our peers have witnessed the changes and progress at Otterbein and are anticipating great things from us in the future," said Otterbein President Kathy Krendl. "We are proud of what our institution has accomplished and we are poised for even greater achievements in the coming years."
American Association of Colleges and Universities
Chosen twice from more than 100 applicant institutions to receive grants for participation in American Association of Colleges and Universities multi-year programs.
- 2004-07 Shared Futures: General Education for Global Learning (led to organization of six faculty learning communities, infusion of global learning into targeted IS courses, global learning as one of Five Cardinal Experiences)
- 1990-93 Engaging Cultural Legacies (led to development and implementation of the Senior Year Experience Program)
National Science Foundation (2006)
Received $113,522 National Science Foundation grant, "Increasing Scientific Literacy for Non-Science Majors through Team-Taught Interdisciplinary Lab-Based Courses" (supported development and implementation of sophomore science options).
Plymouth State University (2004)
Chosen as a benchmark program by Plymouth State University (NH) as it redesigned its general education program. Included an onsite visit to Otterbein by Plymouth State faculty team.
Ohio Board of Regents (1989)
"Independent University Challenge Program for Liberal Arts Excellence," $106,000. One of six programs honored by the Regents in a statewide competition.
News Archives
New IS Curriculum Passed in Senate
A bill to pass the new IS curriculum was presented to the Senate on November, 4, 2009 . After some debate, the bill was voted on and passed overwhelmingly. An article about the Senate meeting can be read in the Tan & Cardinal.
Otterbein Featured in the International Educator
“Shared Futures: Global Learning and Liberal Education” was a 3-year initiative sponsored by the American Association of Colleges and Universities. Otterbein University was 1 of 16 institutions selected to participate in the program which challenged institutions to transform their core curricula so that students become more global-minded, ethical, and engaged.
In the latest issue of the International Educator (published by NAFSA: Association of International Educators), Otterbein’s role in the Shared Futures project as well as the new Integrative Studies curriculum are highlighted.
The article can be read here : Globalizing General Education
Event Archives
COSI Presentations
During winter quarter, one INST 360 course developed “traveling cart” presentations to present energy-related issues at COSI. The students in INST 360 researched, organized, and wrote the content of the presentations on their own, along with feedback from COSI staff.
The following topics were presented on March 6, 2010 by Otterbein students:
- Energy and Transportation
- Energy in the Food We Eat
- Saving Energy on Home Heating and Cooling
- Using Energy-Efficient Home Appliances
- Landscaping for Energy Savings
The following quotes are from students reflecting on their experience afterward:
“I think that doing this project helped shine a light on a small part of what Otterbein is all about and lined up with our value of service to the community."
“It’s good to see younger kids taking an interest in science, since our future depends on them solving some of our problems.”
“Through the hands-on COSI project I learned a lot that I could have never learned from a textbook.”
“It’s not just a course you can take once and forget, it’s something you can keep using.”
COSI staff were also positive about the sessions, saying that the students “were a delight to work with” and plan on using the student’s scripts to develop future energy activities at COSI.
A trip to Italy!
The course INST 250: Philosophy and Human Nature includes a trip to Italy at the end of Fall quarter. The course is grounded in the philosophical and religious traditions of the Roman Empire, the Christian Church, and the Italian Renaissance. As students travel through Italy, they consider how art and architecture convey the philosophical and religious traditions that they’ve studied and are able to make connections between what they’ve learned in the classroom and their actual experiences.
Read the blog for the December 2010 trip
