News

Ottawa University Community Celebrates Groundbreaking

Thu, 16 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Groundbreaking for the new Gangwish Library and Gibson Student Center took place May 10, 2013 in front of the Mowbray Union on the College campus in Ottawa, Kansas.

Major donors to the new facility, which is part of the University’s $24.3M Advancing the Vision capital campaign, include library namesakes, the Carl and Carrie Gangwish family; student center namesake Marguerite Gibson; Blackboard Inc.; the Sherman Family Foundation; Sunderland Foundation; Sodexo, Inc. and Affiliates; UMB Bank, NA; and numerous others. Nearly $2 million has been contributed from Ottawa University’s trustees.s

Ottawa University Reaches $10M Library/Student Center Goal, Meets Mabee Challenge

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Ottawa University’s new Gangwish Library and Gibson Student Center has the green light for construction following $10 million in donations/pledges and receipt of $750,000 in challenge funds from the Mabee Foundation. Groundbreaking on the new facility has been scheduled for May 10, 2013, at 11:00 a.m. in front of the Mowbray Union on The College campus in Ottawa, Kansas. The ceremony is open to the public.

Ottawa University Announces 148th Commencement Ceremonies

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Ottawa, Kansas – Ottawa University will hold its 148th Commencement ceremonies on Saturday, May 11, 2013, at 1:30 p.m. in the Fredrikson Chapel, 1001 S. Cedar Street, Ottawa, Kansas.

Ottawa University Celebrates 148 Years

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Whether you are an OU alumnus, a donor, a parent of a current student, or a loyal fan, we invite you to join us in celebrating Charter Day on Sunday, April 21, by showing your Ottawa University pride wherever you are.

• Join us for the annual performance of the Ottawa University Choir and Orchestra at 3:00 p.m. in the Fredrikson Chapel. A Charter Day Reception will follow.

• Wear black and gold to church

• Share your favorite OU memory

• Contact an old OU friend, roommate, or professor

The Braves Cheer Team Earns 3rd Place at National Tournament

Fri, 12 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT

The Braves Cheer Team won 3rd place at the NCA/NDA NAIA National Championship today in Daytona Beach, Florida. Watch a video clip of their performance below:

Ottawa University Given All Clear

Thu, 04 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT

On Thursday morning, April 4, 2013, Ottawa University security personnel were notified that multiple suspicious packages were discovered near Tauy Jones Hall and the Mowbray Student Union. The Ottawa Police Department was immediately notified. University administrators informed students and staff via the University’s electronic emergency alert system and by email. The appropriate buildings were evacuated. Neighbors and community buildings surrounding the campus were also notified of the threat and warned to stay off campus.

Renowned Saxophonists to Perform at Ottawa University

Tue, 02 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Two acclaimed saxophonists will perform at Ottawa University April 10, 2013. Guest jazz musicians Jerry Dodgion and Rob Scheps will perform at 7:30 p.m. in the Fredrikson Chapel alongside the University Jazz Singers, the OU Jazz Ensemble and the OU Faculty Jazz Septet.

Local Student Receives Cross-Cultural Scholarship

Mon, 25 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT

The 2013 Fujiwara Scholarship has been awarded to freshman Rachel Pierce of Ottawa, Kansas, and provides for the Fujiwara Cross-Cultural Homestay Program in Japan during the summer of 2013. The scholarship is made possible through the generous support of OU alumni Kodo and Machiko Fujiwara. During the Homestay Program, Pierce will receive room and board for a two-week stay with the Fujiwaras in Japan.

2013 Winter Spirit Now Available Online!

Mon, 18 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT

The 2013 Winter edition of the Ottawa Spirit is now available online. This issue focuses on "Small Worlds." The circumstances, events or people of one OU life often intersect in incredible ways with other OU lives in varying times, places and ways that tie us together as a community in a very small, and deeply meaningful, world.

To go directly to the publication, click here, or you can read the Spirit articles at www.ottawaspirit.com.

Ottawa University Debate Team Earns Third Place Honors

Mon, 11 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Three members of the Ottawa University Debate Team earned third place finishes February 23 at the College Public Forum (CPF) National Tournament held at Simpson College in Indianola, IA.

Richard Foster to Speak at OU’s 3rd Annual Conference for Pastors and Laity

Fri, 08 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Celebration of Discipline author Dr. Richard Foster will be the featured presenter during Ottawa University’s 3rd Annual Conference for Pastors and Laity, which is set for March 14 and 15 in the Fredrikson Chapel, 1001 South Cedar Street, Ottawa, Kansas. The conference is free of charge, however, registration is required via www.ottawa.edu/pastorsconference.

OU Theatre Presents Nickel and Dimed

Thu, 28 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT

The Ottawa University Theatre Department will present Nickel and Dimed on February 28, March 1 and March 2 in the Larry D. Peters Auditorium, 1001 S. Cedar Street, Ottawa. Performances are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. each night. Tickets are $10 for regular admission, $5 for senior citizens and high school students.

OU Forensic Program to Celebrate 100th Birthday

Wed, 27 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Ottawa University’s forensics program will celebrate its 100^th birthday in March during a gala in St. Louis, Missouri.

OU founded the nation’s oldest and most prestigious national speech honorary, Pi Kappa Delta (PKD), in 1913. Today, Pi Kappa Delta has more than 200 chapters and more than 80,000 alumni across the United States.

Ottawa University Announces Groundbreaking Strategic Venture with Blackboard Inc.

Mon, 25 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Ottawa University has announced a major new venture with Blackboard Inc., a leading worldwide provider of educational technology, software and services, aimed at accelerating the University's growth across all of its undergraduate and graduate programs.

While all Ottawa University students and faculty will benefit from the arrangement, there will be a special emphasis on serving the University's site-based and online adult learners. The goal of the new venture is to disintegrate the often artificial barriers between on ground and online learning modalities, dramatically enhance student outcomes and lower costs on behalf of students. The venture builds on Ottawa's well-established reputation for academic excellence and innovation combined with Blackboard's world-class technology and expertise to enable the development of new methods and processes for serving students in an increasingly boundaryless academic environment.

Dr. Barry Asmus to Speak at Ottawa University

Tue, 12 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Ottawa University is proud to host senior economist Dr. Barry Asmus as its annual Norwood Jones Convocation Speaker on March 6-7, 2013. While on campus, Asmus will make three presentations.

• Wednesday, March 6
“Flourishing in a Global, Exponential World”
7:30 p.m., Larry Peters Auditorium, Administration Building
Reception following

• Thursday, March 7
“Kingdom of Paradox”
8:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m., Mowbray Student Union
“Spiritual Capital”
Chapel, 11 a.m., Fredrikson Chapel

Ottawa University Names New Dean of The School of Education

Thu, 24 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Ottawa University is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Amy Browne Hogan as the new Dean of the School of Education. She has served as the Interim Dean of the School since last spring, following the departure of Dr. David Barnes.

Ottawa University Installs Ten State-of-the-art Music Practice Rooms

Tue, 22 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Ottawa University music majors and performers can now take advantage of ten “sound isolation” practice rooms, which recently were installed in the Fredrikson Chapel.

The transepts of the Chapel were renovated over the course of the fall semester to house the modular rooms, which were manufactured and installed by Wenger, a state-of-the-art pioneer in virtual acoustic environments. The rooms are of various sizes to accommodate the unique needs of musicians, whether individuals or ensembles.

OU Students To Participate in Volunteer Activities On MLK Day

Fri, 18 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Ottawa, Kansas) – Ottawa University students will take part in several service activities to pay tribute to civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., on Monday, January 21.

The Martin Luther King Jr., Day of Remembrance and Service will kickoff with a speech from Kevin Willmott, Professor of Film at Kansas University, at 1:00 p.m. in the Mowbray Student Union Dining Commons. Willmott, a film writer and director, will speak for 20 minutes about the life of Martin Luther King, Jr.

Following Willmott’s speech, students will be separated into groups and sent off to participate in a variety of volunteer activities, including helping with the Prom Boutique at the East Central Kansas Economic Opportunity Corporation (ECKAN), Mid-America Nutrition/Meals on Wheels, East Central Kansas Area Agency on Aging’s (ECKAAA) Life Stories Project, Vintage Park, and COF.

The events will last until approximately 4:00 p.m.

2012 Annual Report Now Available Online

Mon, 10 Dec 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Ottawa University's 2012 Annual Report is now available online. We invite you to explore the advances made during the first year of Phase II of Vision 2020, including an our donor roll, an update on the Advancing the Vision Capital Campaign, our strong financial showing, new enrollment related initiatives, reaccreditation preparation, and Project Virtuoso – our way of re-envisioning the future of higher education as we know it.

Ottawa University Announces RN-to-BSN Nursing Program

Mon, 03 Dec 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Ottawa University is pleased to announce a new 100 percent online RN-to-BSN Nursing Program, which is set to begin in Spring II term. The program makes it easy for registered nurses (RN) to quickly and effectively earn their Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) through a series of online coursework.

The program was designed for the practicing RN who has graduated from an accredited associate degree or diploma nursing program.

Ottawa University Vespers Scheduled for December 9

Mon, 03 Dec 2012 00:00:00 GMT

The traditional Vespers service at Ottawa University has been scheduled for
Sunday, December 9, at 4 p.m. in the Fredrikson Chapel, 1001 S. Cedar Street, Ottawa, Kansas. The event is free and open to the public.

During the service, the OU Orchestra and Concert Choir will each perform.

This year’s program will feature works by Johann Strauss, Sr., Louis-Claude Daquin, Aurelius Clemens Prudentius, George Frideric Handel, William Byrd, Mozart and Thomas Campion.

Ottawa University and Johnson County Community College Team Up To Offer Bachelor's Degrees

Wed, 28 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Two historic post-secondary education institutions in the Kansas City metro have joined together to address what has been called “a national priority” – access to an affordable 4-year college degree. Ottawa University, based in Ottawa, Kansas, and with one of the nation’s first adult-learning campuses in Kansas City, worked with Johnson County Community College to create an education pathway for adult learners that begins at the Community College and moves to Ottawa University for completion of the bachelor’s degree.

Homecoming Slideshow Now Available

Mon, 12 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT

View a slideshow of photos from this year's annual Homecoming event, "Looking Back, Moving Forward." The celebration included the Braves Athletic Hall of Fame Induction Banquet, Alumni Awards Banquet, a “Walk for Doc” Averyt Event, a Tailgate luncheon, athletic alumni scrimmages, and more.

University Launches Public Phase of Capital Campaign

Fri, 24 Aug 2012 00:00:00 GMT

On June 15, 2012, after 18 months of behind-the-scenes fundraising, Ottawa University’s Advancing the Vision Capital Campaign went public during a special dinner to honor the exceptional generosity of OU’s trustees and major campaign donors to date. Never before in the University’s combined history have so many $1 million-plus gift pledges been received. In the past six months alone, five such pledges have been made toward the Advancing the Vision campaign.

“These donors have acted with vision and wisdom and in the OU Spirit to help us realize many of the aspirations which were set out by our Board of Trustees to ensure the foundations of excellence for our
institution as we head rapidly toward our sesquicentennial anniversary in 2015,” said President Kevin C. Eichner.

Ottawa University Names New Nursing Director

Tue, 14 Aug 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Ottawa University is pleased to announce the appointment of Kathy Kump as the new Director of Nursing at Ottawa University.

Kump comes to Ottawa University from the Dwight D. Eisenhower VA Medical Center in Leavenworth, Kansas, where she was an educator with the Wound Management Academy.

“Kathy has been a registered nurse for 25 years and has a well established record of excellence in serving as an educator, specialist, program director and national trainer,” said University Provost Terry Haines.

She completed her Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Master of Health Services Administration and Master of Science in nursing at the University of Kansas. She currently is enrolled in the University of Kansas Doctor of Nursing Practice program.

Ottawa University Names New Director of Choral Music

Tue, 14 Aug 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Ottawa University is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Joseph P. Nadeau as Director of Choral Music at The College. He succeeds Dr. Jeff Anderson, who served in the capacity between 2008 and 2012.

Nadeau brings nearly two decades of music education experience, working with students of all age levels in Maine, Colorado and Kansas. He has a strong passion for choral music and deeply believes that singing is a life-long, vital part of the human experience.

Ottawa University Announces Mabee Challenge Grant for new Library/Student Center

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT

The J.E. and L.E. Mabee Foundation has awarded a $750,000 challenge grant in support of Ottawa University’s “Advancing the Vision” capital campaign for the University’s new Gangwish Library and Gibson Student Center. The combined project is expected to cost $10,000,000. The University has received over $6 million of the total requirement in gifts and pledges and now has one year to complete the remaining funding necessary to secure the Mabee challenge gift.

The new 43,000 square foot library and student center are to be built at the Ottawa, Kansas, home campus and will serve the entire university and the community with state-of-the-art technology, student services, dining, and conference amenities.

Ottawa University President Featured in Education Executive Magazine

Mon, 02 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Ottawa University President Kevin C. Eichner was recently featured in the Summer 2012 issue of Education Executive magazine. University vendors Blackboard, Inc. and Husch Blackwell partnered with OU by advertising alongside the article in the special issue of the magazine, which focused on affordability in higher education. Click on the link below to read the rest of the story.


    Changes Coming
    - by Russ Gager

Given the current challenges in higher education, a background in business and finance is what many university presidents need. So when longtime Ottawa University board member and alumnus Kevin Eichner was asked by the board of trustees in 2008 to consider becoming the Kansas university’s president, his background with his own banking and wealth management company and as a Harvard MBA graduation were key to his selection.

Read the article here.

Gangwish Family Pledges $1 Million For New Library

Sun, 10 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Ottawa University is delighted to announce that members of the Carl C. and Carrie Gangwish family have made a $1 million naming pledge for a new library to be built in 2013.

The Gangwish family has a very long and loyal history with Ottawa University, evidenced not only by their significant pledge, but also by decades of service and the 22 family members who have attended the University.

“Providing state-of-the-art information access through a University library is providing a vital resource for all OU students, regardless of where they live or their field of study,” says family member Carl J. Gangwish ’56. “My parents felt so strongly about the importance and value of education that they sent all six of their children to Ottawa University. Their emphasis on learning has been passed on to our large extended family that now includes members in the fields of business, agriculture, medicine, education, law, health, and religion. We want to help sustain and encourage Ottawa University’s goal of lifelong learning through our support for this project.”

The family’s pledge is part of $10 million being raised for the Gangwish Library and adjoining Gibson Student Center to be located at the center of The College campus.

New Spirit Squad Coordinator Selected

Thu, 07 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Ottawa, Kansas –Ottawa University has announced the hiring of Shayla Jacob as the new spirit squad coordinator. Jacob succeeds Regina Smith, who led the Braves for the last two seasons.

Jacob has more than 15 years of cheerleading dance and gymnastics coaching experience. She has spent the last two years as Pratt Community College’s Head Cheer Coach, where she has helped the squad to a second place finish in the small –co-ed division at the NCA 2010 summer camp and a National Championship title in the Elite Co-ed Division at the Jam Fest Nationals in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She will begin her duties at Ottawa University June 25.

“I’m very excited to have Shayla join our team,” said Ottawa University Dean of Students Tom Taldo. “She brings with her a tremendous amount of experience and passion for both our cheer and dance programs. I’m excited to watch Shayla take our spirit teams to the next level.”

Jacob grew up and graduated from Larned High School, where she was named NCA All-American cheerleader her senior year. She earned a degree in Sports Science with an emphasis in coaching from the University of Kansas in 2001. She spent 11 years coaching the Lawrence High School cheer program.

'Pursue Destiny'

Tue, 29 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Two Ottawa University graduates will deliver speeches at the Ottawa University - Wisconsin graduation June 8 in Pewaukee, Wisconsin.

Graduate Darvelle Hutchins' speech is entitled "Hopes and Dreams" and challenges his fellow graduates to become a catalyst for change in the world.

One way Hutchins, who will earn a Communication and Leadership degree, plans to change the world is by writing a book. There came a point in his life when he said he needed direction from God. He needed to make some important decisions about his future, and he was hungry to hear from God.

"I heard the instruction of the Holy Spirit leading me to write a book," Hutchins said.

Hutchins' book, "Pursue Destiny' is an inspirational guide that identifies the challenges every person faces on the journey of life. He is now in the process of getting it published.

"I want to encourage my peers to draw near to God and to live life without limitations when we're equipped with the armor of God," Hutchins said. "I strive to challenge graduates in thinking about what's next and to live with a sense of assurance knowing that they're unstoppable regardless of the obstacles presented before them."

Fellow graduate Dan Neumer also will be speaking at commencement. Neumer has been a police officer for 16 years.

$1 Million Pledged for Gibson Student Center

Tue, 22 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Ottawa University is delighted to announce that Marguerite (Monroe) Gibson of Ottawa, Kansas, has made a $1 million naming gift to the University for a new student center to be built in 2013-14 as part of its Advancing the Vision Capital Campaign. The Gibson Student Center will be part of a $10 million state-of-the-art library and student center facility to be located in the center of campus where the Mowbray Union currently stands.

Lifelong Ottawa residents, Marguerite and Raymond Gibson were married for 57 years before his passing in 2000. They owned and operated a number of restaurants in Ottawa before founding Bingo Dog Food, Inc. in 1960. The couple was deeply committed to promoting the Ottawa community, and Marguerite has carried on that legacy following Raymond’s death.

'Tell Us Your Story' Essay Winners Prepared For Significant Lives

Mon, 07 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT

When Billie Cruz walks across the stage to receive her diploma, it surely will go down as one of the most memorable days in her life.

Cruz is one of two OU-Online students recently awarded cash prizes for their winning essays in Ottawa University-Online’s first annual “Tell Us Your Story” contest. The money is to be used for travel expenses associated with attending one of OU’s five graduation ceremonies across the nation. Cruz will walk on May 11 during OU-Arizona’s commencement ceremonies at North Phoenix Baptist Church.

In her essay, Cruz recounts that, other than the day her daughter was born, the best day of her life was a day in 2009 when she finally decided to finish her education. “I believe that everyone at one time or another has had an ‘ah ha’ moment,” Cruz wrote. “It was then I knew I had to make some solid decisions and finally get off the roller coaster I had been on for nearly ten years.” As a result of that “ah ha” moment, she enrolled in Ottawa University-Online to complete her BA in Business Administration. She said her journey at Ottawa University has taught her a great deal about herself.