University of Rio Grande
| University of Rio Grande | |
 |
|
| Type | Private university / Public, Two-year |
|---|---|
| Established | 1876 |
| Affiliation | none |
| Endowment | $20,853,211 |
| President | Dr. Michelle Johnston |
| Provost | Dr. Richard Sax |
| Students | 2,300 |
| Undergraduates | 2,140 |
| Postgraduates | 160 |
| Address |
218 N. College Avenue, Rio Grande, Ohio 45674, Rio Grande, Ohio, USA 38°52′49″N 82°22′36″W / 38.880278°N 82.376667°WCoordinates: 38°52′49″N 82°22′36″W / 38.880278°N 82.376667°W |
| Colors | Red, White, and Black |
| Nickname | RedStorm |
| Affiliations | NAIA |
The University of Rio Grande and Rio Grande Community College (originally: Rio Grande College) are twin colleges in Rio Grande, Ohio, United States.
The University of Rio Grande (pronounced "Rye-O Grand") offers a range of courses and majors and is known in the region for its Fine Arts, Education and Nursing programs. Additionally, its graduate program in teacher education was one of the few national programs structured around Howard Gardner's Theory of multiple intelligences. The university's Greer Museum hosts 5-6 visiting artists each year, and houses the Brooks Jones Art Collection, including works by Goya, Renoir, and Jasper Johns. The university Sculpture Garden contains 15 large-scale outdoor works by contemporary artists, including Fletcher Benton. The university's Grande Chorale jazz vocal group performs 12-15 recitals each year.
Rio Grande is notable for being the alma mater of Bevo Francis, who set the college record for points scored in a basketball game, and for its close connection with Bob Evans Farms, whose original location is adjacent to the university.
Ira Haning, a Freewill Baptist minister, persuaded Nehemiah and Permelia Atwood, along with Eustace St. James, affluent residents and entrepreneurs, to use their wealth to establish a college. Following Nehemiah’s death in 1869, the responsibility for making this dream a reality fell to his wife Permelia. In 1873, Permelia Ridgeway Atwood established an endowment and deeded 10 acres (40,000 m2) of land for Rio Grande College, which officially opened on September 13, 1876. In its first year, Ransom Dunn was president as well as professor of mental and moral philosophy.
In its earliest years, Rio Grande provided leadership in preparing teachers and Baptist ministers.
By 1915, Rio Grande’s major focus had shifted to teacher training, which continued as a virtually singular interest for nearly 60 years.
The affiliation with the Baptists formally ended in the early 1950s. During the same time period, the farm adjacent to the campus which was owned by the college (students worked there to produce dairy products), was sold to provide much-needed operating funds for the institution. A young businessman, Bob Evans, was the buyer.
...
Wikipedia