Otterbein University in the News

Fall Art Exhibitions Explore African, Native American Art; History and Processes of Photography 


This fall, Otterbein University’s four galleries will feature everything from art that celebrates African and Native American culture and heritage, to art exploring the history, equipment, and processes of photography. Learn more about the exhibitions below and be sure to visit all of the galleries this semester. Inviting the Ancestors: Exhibiting Traditional African Art in the 21st Century An Otterbein and the Arts: Opening Doors to the World exhibition. Bamazi Talle, Guest Curator Aug. 23-Dec. 1, 2023 Public Reception: Sept.…

Read More >

Five Questions with a Rubik’s Cube Speedcuber


By Erica Bush ’25 In 1977, one of the most popular toys of all time was released: the Rubik’s Cube. July 13 is Rubik Day, a day to enjoy the Rubik’s Cube and celebrate the birthday of Ernő Rubik, the inventor of the Rubik’s Cube. A classic three-by-three Rubik’s Cube has over 43 quintillion possible combinations to be solved. Despite this, all Rubik’s Cubes can be solved in 30 or less moves. Kyle Miller, an Otterbein sophomore studying computer science…

Read More >

Otterbein Rolls Out the Mats for the First Collegiate Women’s Wrestling Program in Central Ohio 


Many athletes want to compete at the college level once they graduate from high school, but for women wrestlers the options are limited.   “Women’s wrestling is one of the fastest growing sports in the country. Right now, there are 50,000 participants at the high school level, and that number is increasing every year,” said Brent Rastetter, head coach of men’s wrestling at Otterbein. “More colleges are adding women’s wrestling, but there isn’t a lot of choice for women wrestlers yet.”  Now…

Read More >

Q&A: How Studying Abroad Helped a Student Discover New Passions 


Each May, Otterbein students have the opportunity to study abroad on one of many different faculty-led travel courses traveling all around the world. Students and faculty experience the culture of a different country first-hand while applying what they’ve learned in the classroom through activities in the chosen country. Academic subjects include art, history, education, and more.  This year, one of the study abroad courses traveled to Athens, Greece, and Barcelona, Spain, to study art and art history. The trip lasted…

Read More >

Q&A: Professor Takes Unique Path from Mathematician to Musician 


Nicholas Ross, professor and chair of the Department of Music, recently had one of his digital recordings released on Spotify. This album is a collaborative piece of Swiss composer Arthur Honegger’s music. Ross shares the story of his unique career path, the process of recording this work, and some background on Honegger: Mélodies et chansons, his recently released work on Spotify.  Where are you from?  I was born in West Yorkshire, England. My family is Irish, and most of them…

Read More >

Otterbein Music Faculty Member Honored by MTNA as a Foundation Fellow 


Suzanne Newcomb, Department of Music piano accompanist, has had a prestigious music education fellowship established in her name for her decades-long impact on the lives of fellow music teachers in central Ohio.  The Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) formally recognized Newcomb as a Foundation Fellow on March 27, 2023, at the MTNA Gala, during their National Conference held in Reno, NV. Founded in 1876, MTNA is a nationwide organization for the support, growth, and empowerment of music-teaching professionals. MTNA supports…

Read More >

Cool Courses: ASL Instructor Incorporates Advocacy into her Dream Course 


In fall semester 2022, Victoria Frisch received the Teaching in Excellence Part-Time Faculty Teaching Award. She teaches American Sign Language, Integrative Studies (INST), and Senior Year Experience (SYE) classes, and serves as the advisor of the Otterbein Deaf Culture Club.  She considers advocacy to be one of the most important aspects of ASL. To bring that to life, she teaches a unique Senior Year Experience Course.   Name of course: SYE 4407: Silence and the Golden Years, Engaging the Language and Culture…

Read More >

Nationwide Executive, Otterbein Trustee Networks with Students and Faculty 


Otterbein University’s entire community is committed to the career success of its students — from the professors to the support staff and even members of the board of trustees. Otterbein Board of Trustees member and Chief Audit Executive at Nationwide, Greg Jordan During spring semester, Otterbein Board of Trustees member and Chief Audit Executive at Nationwide, Greg Jordan, hosted an on-campus information session about internal audit-related career opportunities at Nationwide — complete with pizza and soda! He also brought four…

Read More >

“I Do, I Do” Want to See You at the Otterbein Summer Theatre Season Premiere 


Toes will be tapping across the newly restored stage of the Fritsche Theatre at Cowan Hall when Otterbein Summer Theatre opens its 2023 season with “I Do, I Do, A Musical About Marriage,” running June 1-4 and June 8-10.   “I Do, I Do” is a musical valentine and celebration of a marriage written by Harvey Schmidt and Tom Jones (The Fantasticks). It is the touching story spanning 50 years of two soulmates, Agnes and Michael, as they navigate the perils…

Read More >

Otterbein Students Make Up 30% of Inductees in National Honor Society and Present Research at National Conference


By Erica Bush ’25  This past March, six Otterbein students were inducted into Chi Omega Lambda, the honor society of the American Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB) in Seattle. This year, only 20 students nationwide were inducted into Chi Omega Lambda — meaning Otterbein students represent 30% of the new class.  The six students inducted were Olivia Brickey, Olivia Miller, Mason Nolan, Kaitlin Dean, Jenna McPeek and Ashni Patel. The induction ceremony was held during the ASBMB yearly…

Read More >

Otterbein Alumnus Inspires and Finds Inspiration as Columbus City Schools Music Teacher 


By Erica Bush ’25  Otterbein music alumnus Kendell Edgerton’21 has found himself in a job that allows him to educate, inspire, and lead all at once. Edgerton is a music teacher at Starling K-8 School in Columbus City Schools teaching middle school instrumental music.  Edgerton graduated from Otterbein with a degree in music education and says that Otterbein’s connections and proximity to Columbus made all the difference for him in his search for jobs and networking.  “Just by being in…

Read More >

Senior Athletic Training Students Advance to the National Athletic Trainers Association Quiz Bowl


By Erica Bush ’25  After a fierce competition at the Great Lakes Athletic Trainers Association (GLATA) Quiz Bowl, three senior athletic training students will advance to compete in the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) Quiz Bowl in June in Indianapolis.  The competition started for three Otterbein students — Leah McNutt, Mamadu Nabe, and Olivia Teague — in November 2022 at the Ohio Athletic Trainers’ Association (OATA) Quiz Bowl, which they won. Two other athletic training seniors, Kalie Siereveld and Courtney…

Read More >

How is a Philosophy and Religion Major or Minor Perfect for a Future Doctor, Lawyer, Software Engineer, and More?


By Erica Bush ’25  When considering what major to study, many students choose one with a career in mind, so they may overlook a versatile degree like philosophy and religion.   We asked Assistant Professor Alex Rocklin, Department of Philosophy and Religion, why students should consider studying philosophy and religion at Otterbein.   What specific jobs are out in the market for people with an undergraduate degree in philosophy and religion?   Career outcomes are so much more diverse than most people realize.…

Read More >

Cool Courses: Otterbein’s President and First Lady Want You to Learn about Civic Engagement


If you want more face time with Otterbein’s president, all you have to do is take his course! President John Comerford and his wife, Rachel, teach a Senior Year Experience course about civic engagement and leadership before sending them off into their careers with a professional network many people would envy! And they do it while providing the strong support and life lessons that students get from all their professors at Otterbein.  Are you ready to enroll so you can…

Read More >

Sport Management Presents International Sports Film Festival of Ohio, March 20-23  


Sport Management presents the 2023 International Sports Film Festival of Ohio. This year’s festival will showcase three films — Landis; Category: Woman; and The Loyola Project. There will also be a presentation from Super Bowl-winning strength coach Jeff Friday, and a Q&A with the writer for Landis, Pete Brown. The 2023 International Sports Film Festival of Ohio is the sixth edition of the festival, with this being the third held at Otterbein University.  All events are free and open to…

Read More >