Stories of ODU
Stories of ODU
Bold Panthers. Bold Stories. Bolder Impact.
From our founding Sisters to the lives of those who will carry our university’s values forward into the future, these are the stories of how Panthers have shaped their communities and the world.
Bold Yesterday. Bold Today. Even Bolder Tomorrow.
ODU’s bold past has paved the way for what we’re doing at present. And the bold actions of students, alumni, faculty, staff, friends and partners of the university will carry that momentum forward into tomorrow. Within this timeline you’ll experience the snapshots of the moments that changed lives, illuminated new forward trajectories, sparked lifelong relationships, and so much more. These are the moments that continue to connect us in ways only stories can as, together, we shape our bold future.
Bold Then, Now, And Always
From our founding Sisters to the lives of those who will carry our university’s values forward into the future, these are the stories of how Panthers have shaped their communities and the world.
| 1822 | The first Congregation of American women begins in Springfield, Kentucky after Sister Angela Sansbury and eight other young women respond to a Dominican priest, Samuel Wilson, who appealed to them to devote their lives as Dominicans religious to do the work of the Church. |
| 1830 |
Four Dominican Sisters move from Kentucky to Somerset, Ohio to open an academy for girls, St. Mary’s Academy. |
| 1866 | The chapel adjoining St. Mary’s catches fire from an unsafe flue, destroying practically everything. The congregation must decide whether to rebuild or relocate. |
| 1868 | After receiving an offer of 20 acres of land and all the bricks they would need from a local businessman, Theodore Leonard, the Sisters relocate to northeast Columbus and reopen St. Mary’s Academy. |
| 1870 - 1910 |
The Sisters embrace teaching as their mission and regard it as the purpose for which the Dominican Order was established. Mother Vincentia Erskine and the Sisters identify a local need for Catholic higher education training for girls and young women. |
| 1911 |
The school is chartered by the State of Ohio as the Literary Institute of St. Mary of the Springs to offer classes. |
| 1924 |
The school formally opens as the College of St. Mary of the Springs, a four-year liberal arts institution. |
| 1929 |
The College receives certification from the state to offer Bachelor of Science in Education, Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees. Construction beings on Erskine and Sansbury Halls. |
| 1930 |
The Great Depression hits and the College faces foreclosure after it defaults on an $800,000 bond. Sisters stand at church doors begging for donations. Columbus attorney James Boulger gets the debt refinanced. |
| 1934 |
The College is given unconditional North Central accreditation. |
| 1949 |
Financial difficulties plague the college; however, a local lawyer and banker help to pay off the College and Academy loans. |
| 1963 |
The College becomes legally and financially separated from the Dominican Sisters congregation and assumes independent governance. |
| 1964 |
The College becomes coeducational. |
| 1966 |
St. Mary of the Springs Academy closes. |
| 1968 |
The College is renamed Ohio Dominican College. |
| 1978 |
Sister Mary Andrew Matesich, OP is unanimously elected president and serves for 23 years until her retirement in 2001. |
| 1980s - 1990s |
The institution articulates its mission statement, emphasizing serving first-generation college students. |
| 2002 |
Ohio Dominican College is renamed Ohio Dominican University. ODU introduces master’s programs in Business Administration, Liberal Arts and Theology. |
| 2004 |
Panther Stadium is constructed and ODU launches a football program. The number of overall varsity athletic teams soon doubles. |
| 2011 |
ODU’s athletic programs transition from NAIA to NCAA Division II, becoming the only Division II program in the region. |
| 2012 |
ODU’s Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies program welcomes its first class in the newly renovated St. Albert Hall. |
| 2017 |
The Dominican Sisters of Peace make a $1.5 million gift to establish programs in healthcare. ODU’s building on Airport Drive is renamed Peace Hall. |
| 2023 |
ODU’s Master of Science in Anesthesiologist Studies program welcomes its first class as the program launches in the newly renovated Peace Hall. |
