EGINNINGS EGINNINGS

We Will Not Be Still

Beneath Otterbein’s humble exterior is a bold institution forged by moral intelligence. Lewis Davis didn’t learn to read until he was 18, taught only by a blacksmith who believed in his potential. William Hanby spent the first 19 years of his life as an indentured servant until he escaped his abusive master. The experiences of Otterbein’s founders sparked their lifelong commitment to education, opportunity, and social justice — values that remain at the heart of this University 175 years later.

1800

First Christian denomination founded in America becomes Church of the United Brethren in Christ, led by Philip William Otterbein.

“All institutions have critical moments at which lie possibilities for the future. For Otterbein, such a moment came early when Lewis Davis was asked to raise money for a university and to win endorsements for it from the Sandusky and Muskingum Conferences of the United Brethren Church. The idea of a college thrilled Davis, but it set off a furious debate.

1803Ohio becomes the 17th state.

1847

Presiding over the Sandusky Conference at its meeting to discuss the matter, Bishop Russel opposed the establishment of Otterbein University. The bishop ordered Davis, “You be still.” Davis replied that he could not be still. A parliamentary battle followed in which Bishop Russel attempted to rule Davis out of order whenever he rose to speak. But in the end the convention voted for Otterbein. Davis traveled to Muskingum where he met his nemesis again and was told, as before, to “be still.” But Davis was not still, and the Muskingum Conference endorsed Otterbein the following year. Because he refused to be still, Davis secured the backing of the church and Otterbein would exist. Davis

Otterbein is founded as co-educational and open to students of all races and creeds. Women served on the faculty from the founding.

In 1847, Thomas Edison and Alexander Graham Bell are born.