125th Anniversary: 1995

125th Anniversary, 1870-1995

We'll look at OSU, from 1870-1995
onCampus, September 21, 1995

"A Past with a Presence" is the theme of the University's 125th anniversary observance this year.

Ohio State was founded as a land-grant college through the Morrill act signed by President Lincoln in 1862 and the Cannon Act in 1870, which provided for the creation of the "Ohio Agricultural and Mechanical College."

The University opened for classes in 1873 with 25 students and seven faculty members. A vigorously debated decision to broaden the curriculum beyond agriculture and engineering led to changing the name to The Ohio State University in 1878.

Today, the University has more than 55,000 students on six campuses plus several research stations throughout the state. It offers nearly 200 undergraduate degree programs and some 220 graduate programs.

Anniversary activities include:

A birthday party, noon Oct. 16th, on the Oval
A time capsule in the Main Library for opening at the 200th anniversary.
An exhibit of historic clothes, photos and memorabilia, Bricker Hall, through October
A documentary produced by WOSU-TV, to air in the winter.
OnCampus' Echoes across the Oval,' facts from the past.
125 highlights of University history, in the Alumni Magazine and OSU Quest.
Commemorative banners in downtown Columbus and on the central and some regional campuses.

University Birthday Party on the Oval, October 1995

President Gordon Gee holds the plaque that will cover the time capsule in the Main Library, 1996