UNOH Kicks Off Centennial Year
Posted on Thursday, January 16, 2020
2020 is a landmark year for the University of Northwestern Ohio as it celebrates its Centennial anniversary. In honor of the start of 2020, UNOH hosted a “Toast to the Centennial” Opening Ceremonies event on Wednesday, January 15, 2020 at the UNOH Event Center’s Presidential Hall.
Decorated in classic black, silver, and burgundy, the Event Center was filled with current and past employees, Board of Trustee members, elected and appointed officials from local and state government, as well as dignitaries from the Allen County region.
A video presentation played to the audience took them through the history of what was once known as the Northwestern School of Commerce located in downtown Lima with only a few dozen students. Name changes and location changes occurred throughout the years along with degree programs being added at a rapid place, especially in the 1980s and 90s. At the turn of the century, the University embarked on a 10-year expansion plan that grew the campus to 200 acres and added buildings for education and administrative offices, as well as a book store, student commons complete with library, food court, and student success offices, an indoor athletic complex, motorsports racing complex, and Racers Station, home-base for all of the student events on campus.
Attendees enjoyed seeing the growth of the university and for some, finding out the history of how the University of Northwestern Ohio came to be.
Following the presentation, UNOH President Dr. Jeffrey A. Jarvis addressed the audience, “Today as we enter into our second century, we are thankful for our former, current and future students, faculty and staff who have made this university what it is today,” said Jarvis. “Any business is only as good as the people who work there and UNOH has been blessed with great employees from our beginning until today.”
Special guests presented the University with many recognitions and proclamations. Ohio House Representative Bob Cupp presented a House and Senate Resolution in honor of the University’s centennial. Randy Gardner, Chancellor of the Ohio Department of Higher Education presented a letter of recognition from Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and a commendation from the Ohio Department of Higher Education, and Lima Mayor David Berger declared that January 15, 2020 will be known as University of Northwestern Ohio day.
But that wasn’t the only exciting news of the day, Dr. Jarvis unveiled a 2019 Jeep Sahara that will be raffled off in 2020 to one lucky winner in honor of the University’s 100th Birthday. Information on how to purchase tickets will be made available on UNOH Social Media channels in the coming weeks.
Finally, to wrap up the events, everyone raised a glass to Toast to the University of Northwestern Ohio’s 100 years in education. “So please raise your glasses, it’s been a great 100 years, but it is a foundation, today’s celebration honors the accomplishments of the last 100 years,” said Dr. Jarvis, “but it is focused on moving UNOH forward and upward in the next 100 years. Here’s to the next century!”
For information on the University's history or to find out how you can make a gift to UNOH, visit www.unoh.edu/100
Category: Campus & Community
Keywords: Centennial
