Contemplata - Faculty Perspective: A History and Tradition of Innovation

By Kathleen Riley, Ph.D., Professor of History

From its founding as the Ladies Literary Institute of St. Mary of the Springs in 1911, to its current identity as Ohio Dominican University, the Dominican Order’s motto, “to contemplate truth and to share with others the fruits of this contemplation” has had a constant presence at 1216 Sunbury Road.

Etched in stone in front of Erskine Hall, displayed in bold letters in the student center, and referenced often in conversations, this motto remains the secure foundation of all facets of the University as well as a reminder of the determination and innovative spirit of the Sisters who built Columbus’ only Catholic college.

In 1964, the University made the innovative and, at the time, controversial decision to become coeducational. This was seen by leadership as a necessity when Bishop Clarence George Issenmann, S.T.D. wanted Catholic men to also have the opportunity to obtain a Catholic education. With that, Ohio Dominican College was born a few years later.

Facing financial adversity during the Great Depression, the Sisters resolved to pay off their debt by collecting donations in baskets after parish masses. Their commitment to educating young women focused, as always, on truth as the foundation of their study.

Sr. Suzanne Uhrhane, OP, who was president at the time, faced the challenge of incorporating these changes into the fabric of college life, but a 1978 North Central Association report concluded that the college had met these changes well, especially when it came to the understanding of and dedication to the mission.

Sr. Mary Andrew Matesich, OP proved to be a pioneer during her 23-year tenure as president. It was her vision, along with a faculty initiative, to create a new humanities program following a successful National Endowment for the Humanities grant application that won national recognition for Ohio Dominican.

A timeline of Ohio Dominican's history is on display in the Bishop James A. Griffin Student Center.

Other initiatives launched during this time included Upward Bound and Village to Child, both of which were designed to reach out to children in the local community. One of the success stories of this initiative is Wil Haygood, an award-winning journalist with the Washington Post and author of numerous books.

Another example of Sr. Mary Andrew’s forward thinking was the University’s Invitation to Tomorrow program, which provided students with a laptop, software and 24-hour technical assistance.

Ohio Dominican has also been innovative in the education it provides its students. The University has launched new market-sensitive bachelor’s and graduate degree programs, many of which offer online formats, to help provide students the education, tools and resources they need to pursue a successful career.

Formerly the LEAD Program, the Adult & Continuing Education program continues to evolve to meet the needs of today’s working professionals by offering affordable in-demand professional development, certificate and degree programs in flexible formats.

The PATRIOTS program, which has now been in existence for nearly 30 years, has helped countless active duty service members and veterans earn their degree.

The innovative spirit that guided those women 108 years ago remains evident to this day, and under Dr. Gervasi’s leadership, that spirit continues to inspire us to pursue new ideas, initiatives and partnerships that will help propel us toward the future.

Kathleen Riley, Ph.D., Professor of History