Ohio State University-Newark Campus
Early Years
The Ohio State University at Newark was originally founded in 1957.[1] The first classes were located at the Newark High School, and the classes took place in the evening from 4 pm to 10 pm, since the space was used during the day by high school students. During the first semester, 80 students enrolled and 69 students completed the semester.[2]
When the Ohio State University at Newark moved to its current location at 1179 University Drive, directly off Country Club Drive and Granville Street, the school only consisted of one permanent building, Founder’s Hall, which was constructed at a cost of $2 million.[3] Founder’s Hall was completed in 1968 and was the only building on the campus until 1976, when Hopewell Hall was completed. The construction of the new building provided more classrooms, faculty offices, modern bathrooms, and even a student game room and lounge area. In 1978, Adena Hall was completed, and while the building added additional classrooms and faculty offices, Adena Hall also added a gym and a child-care center, making it possible for parents with young children to attend school.[4]
In 1971, the Central Ohio Technical College, which shares the campus with Ohio State University Newark, was chartered by the Ohio Board of Regents, as an effort to meet rising demands for technically trained individuals. The first class held 114 students.[5]
In 1983, The Ohio State University at Newark received funding from the state to expand Hopewell Hall. This expansion created a new wing of the building, known as Hopewell Hall South. In 1989, the campus announced their plans to seek funding for a new classroom building and a theater/art gallery complex. The buildings would add 100,000 square feet to help ease the space crunch, due to increased attendance. Combined, the cost of the complex would be around $8.9 million.[6]
Philanthropic Support
On March 19, 1992, the Ohio State University at Newark announced their plans to name their new $6.4 million classroom and laboratory building (opened April 1993) after one of the main COTC founders and OSU-N supporters, Howard E. LeFevre.[7]
In early 1994, plans were announced to construct a bell tower as tribute to Everett Reese, a long-time supporter of the Ohio State University at Newark. The tower was built using funds donated by Everett Reese’s friends and associates.[8]
In March 1999, local philanthropists J. Gilbert Reese, Howard LeFevre, and John Warner announced their donation of $4 million to the Ohio State University at Newark. This donation made it possible for the school to build a new technology center and to increase scholarships.[9] A few months later, in May of 1999, Park National Bank made a contribution of $250,000 to the new building fund. The bank wanted to assure student success by helping provide a technology center that would provide experience for future careers.[10] This technology center was named the John Gilbert Reese Center, honoring one of the main contributors to the Ohio State University. The center was planned as the new “front door” to the campus.[11]
In March 2002, John Warner and his wife, Christine, donated $4.5 million to help fund a center for the library, cafeteria, the bookstore, and the student health center. Due to their extremely generous contribution, the new center was named the John and Christine Warner Library and Student Center. The donation was made to help improve student life and build upon the dream that sponsors and members have visualized for decades.[12]
Honorable Mentions:
Dr. Robert Barnes – Dr. Robert Barnes was Dean and Director of the Ohio State University Newark and the President of the Central Ohio Technical College for fourteen years. During his time at the college, he was widely respected for the work and devotion he put into improving and building the campus. Barnes turned in his resignation in order to follow a career as the President of B & L Motor Freight Incorporated.[13]
Maxwell K. Douglas – Before he became Director of the Ohio State University at Newark, Maxwell Douglas was a science teacher and coach for Newark High School. He took being the Director very seriously. He was dedicated to upholding the academic standards set by The Ohio State University. In doing so, he found that several local high schools were not using a realistic grading system, which was not preparing students for college. Due to his persistence, these schools modified their grading systems, improving the area’s education as a whole. He worked as part-time Director from 1957 – 1965.[14]
Dr. Julius Greenstein – Julius Greenstein acted as Dean and Director of the Ohio State University at Newark and the President of COTC from 1980 to 1994. Greenstein worked hard and dedicated a lot of time into planning and seeking funding for many of the new buildings and additions for the campus.[15]
Howard E. LeFevre – Howard LeFevre was a longtime supporter and founder of both the COTC and OSU-N. He was on the board of Trustees for 20 years and was honored as Trustee Emeritus. His involvement with the Ohio State University at Newark began when he helped raise $20,000 for laboratory equipment for the school. LeFevre was also a leader in the fundraising campaigns that lead to the existence of the current campus. Throughout the years, Howard LeFevre and his wife Bonnie have personally sponsored financial aid programs and 54 scholarships to help both COTC and OSU-N students afford college. Due to his devotion and generosity, the vote to name a campus building after him passed unanimously.[16]
John T. Mount – John Mount was involved with the Ohio State University at Newark since the beginning, in 1957. His relationship with the school officially paid off, when in 1970, he was appointed the job as Vice President of the Regional Campuses and Dean of University College. While on campus, he strived to know the students, promising that in order to be “effective in education” you have to know their strengths and weaknesses. John Mount was honored April 20, 1983, during the Silver Anniversary Year Celebration.[17]
Everett D. Reese – Everett Reese was very active and generous in helping schools and organizations around Licking County. Reese founded The Ohio State University’s President’s Club and was a chair member for the University Development Fund. His generosity also spread to help assist students financially, by creating a scholarship fund. His friends and associates have stated that he was one of the most beloved members of Licking County. [18]
Visit the Newark Campus of the Ohio State University's website.
M.J.
Return to Colleges and Universities main page.
References
- ↑ June Martin, “John T. Mount: Vice President To Be Honored,” Licking Countian, April 14, 1983.
- ↑ June Martin, “Maxwell K. Douglas: First OSU-N Director,” Licking Countian, April 14, 1983.
- ↑ “Ohio State University,” The Advocate, January 29, 1968.
- ↑ Lee Hall, “Growth Key Factor for Newark Campus,” The Advocate, January 23, 1985.
- ↑ Hall, “Growth Key Factor for Newark Campus.”
- ↑ Kathy Wesley, “2 New Buildings on Wish List of Newark Campus,” The Advocate, July 28, 1989.
- ↑ “Local Campus Names Facility LeFevre Hall,” The Advocate, March 19, 1992.
- ↑ “Bell Tower To Be Constructed On Newark Campus in Tribute to Everett Reese,” 50 Plus, April 1994.
- ↑ Mike Lafferty, “OSU-Newark Gets $4 Million Present,” Columbus Dispatch, March 3, 1999.
- ↑ “Banking on Education,” The Advocate, May 4, 1999.
- ↑ Brittany Bailey, “John Gilbert Reese Center to Focus on Technology,” The Advocate, November 14, 2001.
- ↑ Brittany Bailey, “Huge Donation to Fund Student Center, Library,” The Advocate, March 19, 2002.
- ↑ “Dr. Robert Barnes Leaves OSUN,” Licking Countian, July 25, 1979.
- ↑ June Martin, “Maxwell K. Douglas: First OSU-N Director,” Licking Countian, April 14, 1983.
- ↑ Forrest Clarke, “Local Colleges Agree on New Campus Leader,” The Advocate, March 23, 1994.
- ↑ “Local Campus Names Facility LeFevre Hall.”
- ↑ Martin, “John T. Mount: Vice President To Be Honored.”
- ↑ “Bell Tower To Be Constructed On Newark Campus in Tribute to Everett Reese."
