What The University of Findlay Means to Findlay and Higher Education
Dr. C. Richard Beckett
Chair, Board of Trustees
Feb. 7, 2008
In the late 19th century, the Churches of God in North America was looking for an auspicious place to locate its denominational college, and the city of Findlay was looking for an institution of higher education to enhance the prestige and prosperity of the city. Out of these mutually complementary desires Findlay College was born in 1882.
- The citizens of the city contributed $20,000 and 10 acres of land valued at $10,000 toward the establishment of the college.
- The cost to build Old Main was $50,000, constructed of mostly native materials from Hancock County.
- The Churches of God was to raise the remainder of the funds and be responsible for hiring a faculty and establishing the curriculum.
- Not a bad investment in today’s terms!
Findlay College opened its doors to 70 students in 1886. Today, The University of Findlay’s enrollment includes more than 4,500 students in undergraduate and graduate classes.
- About 20 percent of UF’s students are from Findlay and Hancock County.
- In addition to local students, many students enrolled from elsewhere live off-campus, bringing the number of UF students who live in Findlay to 1,800.
- A great percentage of the 1,000 full-time and part-time faculty members also make their homes in Findlay.
- During its 126-year history, Findlay has graduated more than 20,000 students.
From the beginning, Findlay College provided numerous educational services that especially benefited the community:
- Music Conservatory – 1890-1942 – where many of the town’s young people took piano, instrumental and voice lessons in an age when music was an important form of social entertainment before radio, television, movies and MP3 players!
- Business School – opened 1893
- “Night School” – first open in 1912
- Winebrenner Seminary – 1942-61
Today, The University of Findlay offers:
- More than 60 baccalaureate degrees
- A doctor of pharmacy degree – first in Ohio in 100 years
- Classes available days, evenings, weekends and online
In the last 30+ years, The University of Findlay has pioneered a number of innovative educational programs that have become nationally recognized and excelled in various “niche” programs, including:
- Freshman Seminar Program – 1971
- Intensive English Language Institute (now IEL Program) – 1975
- Equestrian Studies Program – 1976
- Bilingual-Multicultural Studies - 1981
- Pre-Veterinary Medicine – 1982
- Nuclear Medicine Institute (acquired) – 1984
- Hazardous Materials Management (now Environmental, Safety and Occupational Health Management) – 1986
- Occupational and Physical Therapy weekend degree completion programs – 1995
- Physician Assistant Program – 2000
- Hospitality Management – 2001
- More than 900 local high school students, from as many as 40 area high schools, choose to jump-start their college careers through UF’s post-secondary and UF-USA program each semester.
Throughout its history, Findlay College/The University of Findlay has educated thousands of students in the various specialties of business and education, its two largest majors over time.
The community has benefited from numerous managers, accountants, sales/marketing and other business graduates who have worked over the years at major industries in Findlay, such as Marathon, Cooper and Whirlpool, as well as many small and privately-owned businesses.
One of the most important and enduring programs to come out of the business program has been the Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) team, which was founded in 1977 by Dr. Shiv Gupta. Over the years, UF SIFE teams have won five national championships and more than 20 state or regional championships.
- The impact of Findlay-educated teachers on Hancock County students is hard to overstate.
It has been estimated that over the years, 25 percent or more of the teachers in Findlay and Hancock County are FC/UF graduates.
In the past 45 years, more than 4,000 people earned initial teaching licenses, endorsements or administrative licenses from this institution.
In the last 5 years, the College of Education has awarded more than 50 superintendent licenses and 140 principal licenses.
The number of outstanding teachers and administrators in the local area are too many to mention all individually, impacting many thousands of students over the years. But two examples give an idea of their quality and dedication:
Deborah Wickerham, 2002 graduate with a Master of Arts in Education degree, was named the 2008 Ohio Teacher of the Year by the Ohio Department of Education
- In addition, Findlay graduates have impacted the community in terms of local government and law.
Not only has FC/UF provided a place to educate local sons and daughters, but many students who came from outside the county and spent fours years here decided to make Findlay their permanent home, contributing to the community in many important ways.
- An example is Isaac Newton Heminger, who entered the first freshman class in 1886 and graduated in 1890. He stayed to become involved in the newspaper business, and his great-grandchildren continue to publish the local newspaper today.
- More than 3,000 Findlay alumni currently live in Hancock County, contributing to all aspects of community life.
Findlay College and its faculty and students have been a vibrant part of community life, especially contributing to cultural opportunities throughout the 20th century, and The University of Findlay continues those traditions into the 21st century.
- The University of Findlay has provided many opportunities for music appreciation and enjoyment through student instrumental concerts and choir performances and most recently the Concert & Lecture Series
- Theatre productions were produced in the early 1900s by campus literary societies, and then by mid-century by student organizations, until the current academic theatre program of the past several decades.
- An educational and cultural experience for Findlay and the nation is the Mazza Museum of International Art from Children’s Picture Books, whose adoption by alumni and the local community in terms of volunteers and contributions has allowed it to grow to national prominence.
Attracting more than 10,000 visitors per year, and playing host to a couple dozen artists and illustrators each year, the Museum’s educational programs benefit both youth and adults.
Mazza also hosts Young Authors and Artists Conferences that provide unique experiences for local youth.
- In a global economy, The University of Findlay has brought the world to Findlay’s doorstep.
Approximately 800 international students attend UF from more than 30 countries.
Educational, cultural and entertainment opportunities are afforded community members, as well as the campus, through presentations and speakers hosted by the University. Over the years, FC/UF has imported scholars, artists, philosophers, scientists, musicians and entertainers of all stripes who have spoken and performed for campus and community audiences. A short list includes:
o Carl Sandburg, poet
o Jim Thorpe, athlete
o Dr. Norman Vincent Peale
o Anthropologists Richard Leakey, and recently, his daughter, Louise Leakey
o Ralph Nader
o Dr. Benjamin Spock
o Vincent Price
o Dr. Joyce Brothers
o Art Linkletter
o William F. Buckley
o Vienna Boys Choir
o Kathy Rigby, Olympic gymnast
o Dalai Lama
In terms of The University of Findlay’s impact on higher education, many alumni have gone on to teach at the collegiate level at institution’s across the United States from Princeton to the University of Southern California.
- It is interesting to note that FC/UF has produced at least 13 alumni who went on to become presidents of institutions of higher learning.
Nothing ignites community spirit like local winning sports teams. The University of Findlay provides many opportunities for sports fans to cheer for the home team.
- UF has 21 NCAA intercollegiate sports, plus two equestrian teams, English and western
- Approximately 200 home games per year are played on campus, plus UF hosts 100 additional sports-related events such as clinics, tournaments and the annual Chili Cook-off for charity.
- The University of Findlay has proved that it can compete nationally a number of times:
Football has won four national championships.
A national championship in wrestling and numerous individual national champions.
The equestrian teams have won four national championships and three reserve championships.
Men’s basketball team has contended for the national championship on several occasions.
This brings a very contagious spirit of enthusiasm to the campus and community.
The original intent of the founders was that an institution of higher learning would bring prosperity to the town and help to establish it as a major city in the region. The University of Findlay has met those expectations. Today:
- UF is the 9th largest employer in Hancock County
- With an annual budget of approximately $70 million, about 80 percent of UF expenditures are in the immediate area to pay for goods and services
- About 80 of UF’s students come from outside Hancock County, injecting further funds into the community to pay for food, clothes, gas, supplies and entertainment.
- The impact of the University on the local economy is estimated to be $200 million annually.
It’s been a positive and productive symbiotic relationship between the city and the campus throughout The University of Findlay’s 126 years.
- The university is now listed among institutions in the top tier of US News & World Report’s “America’s Best Colleges” list in the Midwest for 2008.
- The academic profile at the University has improved dramatically over the past four to five years.
- The current financial stability of the University is unprecedented under the leadership of Dr. DeBow Freed.
- These attributes make The University of Findlay an even more important asset to the surrounding community today and in the years to come.
