Ohio Dominican University Opens Campus in Rome

July 15, 2005

COLUMBUS, OH—Ohio Dominican University will offer its inaugural Semester in Rome study-abroad program this fall at ODU’s newest campus located in Rome, Italy.

The ODU Roma program provides students the unique opportunity to study in Rome with ODU faculty members and students from other universities. ODU students will experience the richness of their surrounding environment while making progress toward degree completion by taking courses in Philosophy, Literature, Art and Language.

ODU Assistant Professor of Philosophy Michael Dougherty is a Resident Director and Professor for the inaugural class that will leave in August for Italy.

“There is a centuries-old tradition of going to Rome for study,” Dr. Dougherty said. “The Eternal City provides its visitors with what has come to be called ‘an education of the senses.’ Rome is where the classical and Christian traditions are synthesized in all forms of learning: art, architecture, philosophy and theology to name a few. By living and studying in Rome, students will inherit these traditions.”

While in Rome, students will reside at the Aurelia Residence, a full-service apartment complex located within walking distance of Saint Peter's Basilica and Vatican City. Classes will be taught at ODU’s campus in the historically-rich Palazzo Pio, which houses a library, student lounge, computer lab and classrooms.

ODU Roma is the first university-sponsored study-abroad program, enabling ODU students to apply their entire financial aid package to the program. Financial aid is typically limited for study-abroad programs.

“Study abroad is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that should be available to all who desire it. The ODU Roma Program serves as a realistic and cost-efficient opportunity,” said Stacy Benander, Director of International Programs at ODU. “By allowing ODU student participants to apply their entire financial aid package to this experience, it ends up costing virtually the same amount to study in Rome as in Columbus.”

The inaugural group of eight students will depart for Rome on August 31, 2005 and will return to the United States on November 30. Dr. Dougherty and Instructor Michelle Dougherty, Ph.D. will serve as faculty resident directors. ODU president Jack Calareso and his wife, Rose, will visit the students in Rome in the fall.

For more information about the ODU Roma Study Abroad program, contact Stacy Benander at (614) 251-4646 or international@ohiodominican.edu; or visit www.ohiodominican.edu/studyabroad.