Ohio Valley University

History

In 1956 several alumni of Harding University formed a committee to establish a Christian college in the West Virginia area. A foundation was formed to solicit funds for the future college.

On September 14, 1960, the Ohio Valley College opened with classes being offered at South Parkersburg Church of Christ. In 1963 the South Campus opened with an administrative and classroom building on 133 acres (538,000 m²) between Parkersburg and Vienna which had been purchased in 1958. Two dormitories were opened that same year. An additional dormitory and library were built in 1966. Three years later an auditorium and student center opened. A cafeteria and student center opened in the 1979-80 school year. An athletic complex was built in 1992.

In 1994 the college doubled its campus size with the purchase of 134 acres (542,000 m²) and a four storied building from the Roman Catholic Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, West Virginia. This separate campus became the North Campus. The new campus contained two auditoriums, several classrooms, cafeteria, dining and conference rooms, dormitory with 225 beds, a chapel, and two athletic fields. The school renovated the North Campus facility and constructed two new dormitories with a connecting lobby in 2003.

In 2005 the college changed its name to Ohio Valley University.

Student life

All full-time students are required to take a Bible class each semester. Bible class attendance is required, as is attendance at the daily (Monday through Friday) Chapel service. Excessive absences could potentially cause suspension during the next semester.

Freshmen and sophomore resident students have a curfew (midnight Sunday - Thursday; 1AM Fridays and Saturdays).

Ohio Valley University does not have national fraternities and sororities. Instead the school, as is common with Church of Christ-affiliated colleges, has localized social clubs (co-ed at OVU). There are currently four social clubs – Delta, Kappa, Sigma, Theta. Clubs compete in intramural activities, service projects and Expressions—a musical concert held annually in the Spring.

The university has a handful of publications including The Highlander, the student newspaper; and Penumbra, the university's literary magazine.

The university offers opportunities in several performing groups. These groups include the A Cappella Singers, which is composed of approximately 40 singers. This group performs at congregations, youth rallies, and other venues. The Ambassadors is a dramatic group which travels around to youth rallies, camps, and other church related events. The Chamber Players are composed of woodwind, brass, and string ensembles and groups of a variety of instrumentation. The Chamber Players perform at two on campus concerts a year and frequently give performances for the community. Express is the college's contemporary Christian a cappella performing group. This group performs at over 200 events per year.

Athletics

The school's sports teams are called the Fighting Scots and compete in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC), a member of the NCAA's Division II. All Ohio Valley teams compete in the G-MAC except the men's lacrosse team, which competes as a Division II independent. Since moving to NCAA Division II in 2000, the Fighting Scots have captured four conference championships (Men's Golf 2003, 2009; Women's Golf 2010; Baseball 2006). The OVU women's volleyball team reached the G-MAC championship in 2014 and was defeated in the final game by reigning champion, Cedarville University.

The WVIAC has announced it will disband following the 2012–13 school year. During the initial stages of this process, Ohio Valley found a new conference home, accepting an invitation to join the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) in the fall of 2013. The Scots, along with Alderson-Broaddus, Davis & Elkins, and Salem International will all enter the G-MAC.