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:

WeRISE Connecting Westerville, Otterbein Resources for Community Change


News - August 10, 2021
When Westerville for Racial Equity, Inclusion and Social Justice Engagement (WeRISE) began operation in January 2021, its first priority was to establish non-profit status and hire an executive director. After seven months of hard work, these goals were met and the real work of WeRISE can begin.  Renée L. Thompson “The Westerville community has so much powerful energy and goodwill that we are really here to give direction and guide all the stakeholders towards common goals,” said Renée L. Thompson, the newly hired executive director of WeRISE. “It’s an asset-based approach, meaning we are taking what’s going…

Read More >

Otterbein Mourns the Passing of President Emeritus Tom Kerr


News - August 6, 2021
Otterbein University is mourning the passing of President Emeritus Thomas J. Kerr IV on Aug. 6, 2021. Otterbein has lowered the flag half-staff in his honor. Thomas J. Kerr IV, Otterbein's 18th President Kerr joined the faculty in 1963 and served as president from 1971 to 1984. “Tom was dedicated to service and lived that out at Otterbein. Everyone who knew him was better for it, including me. I am proud to have called him a friend and to continue his work of caring for Otterbein and our students,” said President John Comerford. Kerr was born…

Read More >

Otterbein Alumnus and Former Pro Athletes Introduces Youth to College through Sports


News - August 4, 2021
Otterbein University alumnus and former professional Arena Football League player Dominic Jones is paying it forward with the Legacy Youth Football League, a new non-profit organization he founded to “build character, sportsmanship, and self-confidence" in children from underserved schools through sports.   Dominic Jones The kick-off event for the league includes a K-8 Football Preview at Otterbein on Aug. 7, as well as a cheer showcase at Northside Christian School in Westerville on Aug. 8. Approximately 2,600 children are expected to participate.  “This kick-off event is the start of a new day in youth…

Read More >

Otterbein Community Garden Still Feeding Community During Summer


News - August 4, 2021
By Madelyn Nelson ‘23  When Otterbein students leave campus for the summer months for jobs and internships, the Otterbein Community Garden doesn’t slow down. In fact, activities around the Community Garden amp up just in time for summer programs. The garden continues to serve the Westerville community with the help of dedicated Otterbein students.  Throughout the summer, the garden has 10 students working on individual projects and plots ranging from children’s activities, grocery pick-ups, photography, volunteer nights and teaming up with Westerville organizations.   Aubrey Hudson is a junior early childhood education major from Hilliard, Ohio, and works with the Garden Explorers - an educational program that intertwines nature…

Read More >

Otterbein Zoo and Conservation Science Professor Gives Students Valuable Research Opportunities Remotely


News - July 30, 2021
By Madelyn Nelson ‘23 Alicia Rich knows the value of gaining experiences outside of the classroom. Rich, an assistant professor of Zoo and Conservation Science, began teaching at Otterbein in the fall of 2020 and immediately wanted to incorporate field research into her curriculum. Despite starting her Otterbein career in the middle of a pandemic, Rich remained committed to helping students gain valuable research opportunities. Even though in-person classes were limited, her students studied real animals using camera trap research.…

Read More >

Otterbein Senior Breaking the Beauty Standard Boundaries with Professional Modeling


News - July 26, 2021
By: Catie Duzzny ’21  After five years of being a part of the modeling industry, Otterbein University senior Brea Galvin got the opportunity of a lifetime — to work with fashion retailer, Express, as a plus-sized model. Galvin, an advocate of the body positivity movement, is pursuing a career in modeling while double majoring in public relations and health communication and minoring in marketing at Otterbein.   Growing up, Galvin was inspired to enter the modeling industry because of her mother who has been a model for 30 years, as well as plus-sized models in the industry like Ashley…

Read More >

Otterbein’s First Psychiatric & Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Students Reach Clinicals


News - July 22, 2021
Otterbein University’s first cohort of students in the Psychiatric & Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) program are undertaking their clinical work during the Summer 2021 semester. This is an important milestone for the relatively new major.  “I have been so impressed with the Otterbein PMHNP program, leadership, and support provided by all of the instructors and professors,” said PMHNP student Teresa Jordan. “Even among our newer degree program, we have developed academic and professional bonds that will last for the rest of our lives.”  The PMHNP program prepares nursing students to expand their scope…

Read More >

Otterbein Accepting Applications for Fall 2022 Beginning Aug. 1


News - July 19, 2021
The Common Application opens Saturday, Aug. 1, and Otterbein is committed to making the application and admission process easier and more affordable for students and families as they navigate their college search process. Otterbein has adopted a test optional admission and scholarship policy for most programs for Spring, Summer and Fall terms 2021. Students with high school GPA of 2.75 or lower are encouraged to submit a test score if available. Some academic programs and courses may require an ACT/SAT…

Read More >

Otterbein Sophomore Brings Accessibility to the Arts by Founding Theatre Company


News - July 2, 2021
Jackson Gifford ’24 has a passion for making theater more accessible to people of all ages and backgrounds — one that led to the founding of a professional theatre company in Oklahoma City. His non-profit organization, Southern Plains Productions, Inc., has been operating since December 2020.    Gifford, a musical theatre major with a minor in dance, has always had more than performing on his list of goals. After an experience that allowed him to see and better understand the need for access to the arts by all ages and…

Read More >

Otterbein Professor Wins 2021 Ohio LGBTQ+ Leadership Award from Ohio Diversity Council


News - July 2, 2021
By Catie Duzzny ’21 Otterbein professor Suzanne Ashworth was awarded the 2021 Ohio LGBTQ+ Leadership Award from the Ohio Diversity Council at the annual LGBTQ+ Unity Summit on June 4, 2021. This organization offers the opportunity to engage, learn, and share diversity and inclusion practices with other organizational leaders and businesses. Professor Suzanne Ashworth “We were definitely in a challenging moment because of the pandemic. To get the award at that time, I felt like it was really validating, inspiring,…

Read More >