Denison University

Coordinates: 40°04′20″N 82°31′21″W / 40.0722°N 82.5225°W / 40.0722; -82.5225
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Freddiem (talk | contribs) at 17:35, 16 August 2013 (→‎Athletics). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Denison University
File:DenisonUniversitySeal.png
TypePrivate school
Established1831
AffiliationNo church affiliation (formerly Baptist)
Endowment$658 million[1]
PresidentAdam Weinberg
Undergraduates2,185
Location
Granville
,
Ohio
,
United States

40°04′20″N 82°31′21″W / 40.0722°N 82.5225°W / 40.0722; -82.5225
CampusRural, 900 acres (3.6 km2) including a 550-acre (2.2 km2) biological reserve.
Athletics23 varsity teams
NCAA Division III
North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC)
ColorsRed and White   
NicknameBig Red
Websitedenison.edu
File:Dulogo.jpg

Denison University is a private, coeducational, and residential college of liberal arts and sciences founded in 1831. It is located in Granville, Ohio, United States, approximately 30 miles (50 km) east of Columbus, the state capital. Denison is a member of the Five Colleges of Ohio, the Great Lakes Colleges Association, and the North Coast Athletic Conference.

History

On December 13, 1831, John Pratt, the college's first president and a graduate of Brown University, inaugurated classes at the Granville Literary and Theological Institution.[2] Situated on a 200-acre farm south of the village of Granville, it was the first Baptist college west of the Allegheny mountains.[2] While rooted in theological education, the institution submitted students to the same literary and scientific instruction common to other colleges of the day.[2] The first term included 37 students, 27 of whom hailed from Granville; nearly half of these students were under fifteen years of age.[3] The school's first Commencement, which graduated three classical scholars, was held in 1840.[3]

In 1845, the institution, which at this point was male-only, officially changed its name to Granville College.[3] In 1853, William S. Denison, a Muskingum County farmer, pledged $10,000 toward the college's endowment. Honoring an earlier commitment, the trustees accordingly changed the name of the institution to Denison University. They also voted to move the college to land then available for purchase in the village of Granville.[4]

A view of Swasey Chapel from the west

In the years leading up to the Civil War, many students and faculty members at Denison University became heavily involved in the anti-slavery movement. Professor Asa Drury, the chair of Greek and Latin studies, became the leader of a local anti-slavery society, while Bancroft House, now a residential hall, served as a stop on the Underground Railroad.[5][6]

The roots of coeducation at Denison University began in December 1832 with the establishment of the Granville Female Seminary, founded by Charles Sawyer[disambiguation needed] a year before Oberlin launched the first coeducational college in the United States.[7][8] The seminary was superseded by the Young Ladies' Institute, founded in 1859 by Dr. and Mrs. Nathan S. Burton.[9] The Young Ladies' Institute was sold to Reverend Dr. Daniel Shepardson in 1868 and was renamed the Shepardson College for Women in 1886.[10] Shepardson College was incorporated as part of Denison University in 1900, with the two colleges becoming fully consolidated in 1927.[11][12]

In 1887, Denison inaugurated a master's program, with resident graduates pursuing advanced studies in the sciences.[13] Within a few years, the institution considered offering graduate programs on the doctoral level.[14] In 1926, the Board of Trustees formalized a new curriculum that would make Denison University an exclusively undergraduate institution.[15]

In the wake of Shepardson College's incorporation, Denison University made plans for enlargement of its campus. In 1916, the college sought the expertise of the Frederick Law Olmsted & Sons architectural firm, the founder of which had designed Central Park in New York City. The resulting "Olmstead Plan" laid a foundation for expansion that has remained the guiding aesthetic for subsequent growth, establishing and maintaining a pedestrian-friendly campus, while also preserving scenic views of the surrounding hills and valleys. Expansion during this period included the acquisition of land to the north and east, the transfer of Shepardson College to the east ridge of College Hill, and the development of a new men's quadrangle beyond the library.[16]

During World War II, Denison was one of 131 colleges and universities nationally that took part in the V-12 Navy College Training Program which offered students a path to a Navy commission.[17]

While the college's origins were rooted in theological education, Denison University has been a non-sectarian institution since the 1960s.[18] By 1970, the college reached its present size of approximately 2,000 students.[19]

Campus

A view of the Academic Quad from Chapel Walk

The campus size is about 900 acres (4 km²). This includes a 550 acre (1.4 km²) biological reserve just east of campus, where professors of sciences like geology and biology can hold class. Notable landmarks include the following:

The first building in the ambitious "Greater Denison" plan, Swasey Chapel stands at the center of the campus. The chapel seats 990 and plays host to notable campus events such as baccalaureate services, lectures, concerts, and academic award convocations.[20]

Built in 1937, Doane Library today houses more than 400,000 books and bound periodicals.[21]

Swasey Observatory, which opened in June 1910, houses a 9-inch refracting telescope as well as two 8-inch reflecting telescopes.[22]

The Bryant Arts Center opened in August 2009. The building originally was constructed in 1904 as a men's gymnasium and later became a student union; today, it is the home of the studio art and art history departments. The 45,000-square-foot (4,200 m2) facility has studios for ceramics, painting, printmaking, sculpture, photography and digital media, while also featuring fully electronic classrooms, open gallery spaces, an art history resource room, outdoor performance spaces, a common area for studio art seniors, and independent studios for faculty.[23]

Slayter Union features lounges, a snack bar, bookstore, student mailboxes, a 302-seat auditorium, as well as offices for student organizations.[24]

The campus landscape was designed by architect Arnold W. Brunner and the firm of Frederick Law Olmsted, an architect best known for his design of New York City's Central Park.[25] "Greater Denison" was designed based on a layout of quadrangles throughout upper campus, designed to mirror the building functions. This was envisioned to help foster a sense of community among campus groups. The goal behind this plan was to be both aesthetically pleasing and functional for the school perched on top of a hill. The planned out the landscape to strategically preserve the natural topography, but also allow for logical and symmetrical arrangements of buildings within each quad.[26]

Students

As of the 2012-13 school year, 2,185 students are enrolled at Denison, with a gender distribution of 42.6 percent male students and 57.4 percent female students. They come from 50 states, Washington, DC, and 59 countries.[27] A full-time faculty of 220 professors makes the student-to-faculty ratio 10:1.[27] Over the past several years, Denison University has made great strides in attracting a diverse student population, and multicultural students now represent 29 percent of the current first-year class. The college's students, faculty and staff were honored in 2008 by the State of Ohio for "promoting understanding, racial unity and the appreciation of diversity."[28]

The university currently has a 49% acceptance rate; out of 4,720 applicants for the class of 2012, 2,328 were accepted and 625 enrolled.[29] As of 2008, the university had a total of 1,500 employees.

Academics

Academic rankings
Liberal arts
U.S. News & World Report[30]49
Washington Monthly[31]69
National
Forbes[32]77

Denison offers three types of degrees: B.A., B.S., and B.F.A. The most popular majors are Economics, Biology, Communication, Psychology, History, and English. Students can create their own major (called an interdepartmental major).

Student life

Swasey Observatory (foreground) and Swasey Chapel (background)

Denison is a strictly residential campus that features a mixture of historic and contemporary buildings. Housing options include single, double, triple, and quadruple rooms, as well as suites of six. However the eight and nine person rooms have been changed to six person suites. There are various apartments across campus and several satellite houses for seniors.

Student programs and organizations

Chapel Walk during the fall season

The Denison Campus Governance Association (DCGA) is the Denison student governing body, in which all students are members.[33] The DCGA Student Senate is the primary representative body of students on Denison's campus, and it has been involved in various student initiatives: from postponing quiet hours in the fall of 2007 to drafting the Code of Academic Integrity adopted in the fall of 2009[34] to encouraging the University President to sign onto the Presidents' Climate Commitment.[35] The DCGA Finance Committee is responsible for financially supporting over 100 student clubs and organizations with a budget of over $1,300,000, providing the Denison community with opportunities to participate in athletics, write for several publications, volunteer in the local community, learn about various cultures, and attend well-known speakers, among other endeavors. They hold an annual Denison Day (or "DDay" for short) concert, which has featured artists such as The Roots, Ben Folds, Rufus Wainwright, Reel Big Fish, Mos Def, Jay Sean, and Asher Roth.[27]

The University Programming Council (UPC) is the main programming body on campus. A fully student operated organization, UPC annually brings in concerts, comedians, hypnotists, lectures and other forms of entertainment to campus. UPC also hosts a number of off-campus trips each year to the Columbus area and beyond. In addition to these events, UPC is well known for its annual events that have become a part of the Denison tradition: Aestavalia (spring festival), Slayter Arcade, and University Gala (Homecoming).

Films are shown weekly by the Denison Film Society (DFS).

The campus radio station, WDUB, features 24 hour programming and broadcasts both on the airwaves 91.1 FM and online at www.doobieradio.com The station was notably featured in American Eagle stores across the country through the summer of 2009.

The Bullsheet is a student-run publication for news, humor and community dialog that is printed daily and delivered to Slayter Hall, William Howard Doane Library, Huffman Dining Hall and Curtis Dining Hall. It was established in 1979 in an attempt to combat student apathy, and it remains central to campus culture by providing an open forum for free speech.[36]

The Denisonian is the oldest student organization on campus and prints ten issues per semester.

Denison Community Association (DCA) is a volunteer service organization, led by students and entirely student operated. DCA is the umbrella organization for 24 committees that recruit and train Denison students to volunteer at local community sites.

Denison University holds over 177 student organizations with more than 600 students in leadership positions.

Fraternity/Sorority Life

Denison has nine active fraternities and eight sororities. Fewer students are currently[when?] participating in fraternity and sorority life than they have historically. In the 1980s, over 60% of the student body belonged to a fraternity or sorority organization. Currently, fraternity/sorority participation by students is about 38%, with more women participating than men. Approximately 24% of undergraduate men are involved in fraternities and about 30% of women are members in a sorority, although student publications have argued that this number is actually significantly higher.[37][38] Fraternities and sororities at Denison are overseen by four ruling bodies: the Interfraternity Council or IFC for fraternities, the National Panhellenic Conference for sororities, the National Pan-Hellenic Council for traditionally African American fraternities and sororities, and the Multicultural Greek Council for traditionally multicultural fraternities and sororities.[39]

The active IFC fraternities are Beta Theta Pi, Delta Chi, Kappa Sigma, Lambda Chi Alpha, Phi Delta Theta and Sigma Chi.[40] The Panhellenic Conference sororities are Delta Delta Delta, Delta Gamma, Kappa Kappa Gamma, Kappa Alpha Theta, and Pi Beta Phi.[41] Alpha Phi Alpha, Phi Beta Sigma, Delta Sigma Theta, and a Sigma Gamma Rho operate under the National Pan-Hellenic Council system.[42] The Multicultural Greek Council is host to the Sigma Lambda Gamma chapter and the colony of Phi Iota Alpha.[43]

Currently, Denison's Sigma Phi Epsilon and Alpha Kappa Alpha chapters are suspended from official recognition for violations of the Student Code of Conduct.[44]

Religious Life

Though Denison University is not religiously affiliated, there is a substantial presence of religious life and organizations that adds to the dynamic of the culture on campus. Within religious life, Denison seeks to recognize the college's diversity and strives to create opportunities of inter religious experiences and dialogue in order to promote understanding and acceptance.[45] Some of the larger organizations include Young Life, Denison Christian Community, and Agape Christian Fellowship. Other organizations represent the Catholic, Jewish, and Muslim traditions, and Wiccan covens are also present on campus.

Traditions and folklore

D-Day, the successor to the college's old Scrap Day, is a celebration of the entire college, put on once a year by the DCGA.[46]

Kirtley Mather, Class of 1909, named the tallest peak in Alaska's Aleutian Peninsula "Mt. Denison." In 1978, a group of students, professors, and alumni successfully scaled the mountain—a feat repeated nearly 20 years later by another Denison group.[47]

Denison has one of the few remaining college cemeteries in Ohio. Among those buried on Sunset Hill are Jonathan Going, the college's second president, and Elisha Andrews, its sixth.[48]

Athletics

A view of Deeds Field-Piper Stadium from College Hill

Denison is a member of the NCAA Division III and the North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) since the conference’s formation in 1984. As a part of the 10-member conference Denison boasts a league-record 11 Dennis M. Collins Awards which is given to the NCAC school that performs best across the conference’s 23 sponsored sports: 11 for men and 12 for women. Denison additionally has 45 club and intramural sports.[27] Denison won nine consecutive All-Sports Awards between 1997–98 and 2005-06.[49] Denison’s remaining two awards were earned in 1985-86[50] and 2008-09.[51]

In 2001 the Denison Women’s Swimming and Diving team captured the school’s first NCAA Division III national championship by snapping Kenyon College’s streak of 17-consecutive national championships.[52] Following this, the Denison Men's Swimming and Diving team defeated Kenyon to capture the 2011 NCAA National Title by 1 point [53] ending the Lords' 31-year streak of championships.

In both men’s and women’s swimming and diving, Denison has posted 47 consecutive top-10 finishes at the NCAA Division III championships. During that span, Denison has placed either second or third, nationally, 26-times.[54]

Denison alumnus Woody Hayes ’35 spent three seasons as the head football coach at Denison from 1946-48. In 1947 and 1948 he guided the Big Red to undefeated seasons.[55]

In 1954 Keith Piper took over as the head football coach, a position he would remain in for 39 seasons. Piper won a school record, 200 games and in 1985 he guided the program to their first 10-0 season with his antique single-wing offense. Denison qualified for the NCAA Division III playoffs that season before falling to Mt. Union in the opening round.[56]

Women’s basketball at Denison has emerged as a national contender under head coach Sara Lee. Denison’s 2010-11 squad completed the first 28-0 regular season in women’s basketball in the NCAC and have advanced to the NCAA Division III Tournament for the seventh time in school history and their sixth time out of the last seven seasons.[57]

The Denison men’s and women’s lacrosse programs have had their share of conference and national success. The two programs have combined for 28 NCAA Division III tournament berths.[58][59] In 1999 and 2001 the Denison men’s lacrosse team advances to the semifinal (Final 4) of the NCAA Division III Tournament [10] and most recently, in 2009, the Big Red advanced to the national quarterfinals of the NCAC Tournament before falling to Gettysburg.[60]

In 2008 the Denison women’s tennis team advanced to the NCAA semifinals, eventually winning the consolation match to place third overall, marking the program’s best national finish.[61] That same year the doubles team of sophomore Marta Drane and freshman Kristen Cobb advanced to the championship match of the Division III Doubles championship before falling to Brittany Berckes and Alicia Menezes of Amherst in the finals.[62]

The Denison women’s soccer team advanced to the NCAA quarterfinals for the second time in school history in 2010.[63] The previous appearance occurred in 2005.[64] Overall the program has qualified for the NCAA Tournament 14-times.[65]

Denison boasts 43 NCAA postgraduate scholars[66] and 58 Academic All-Americans.[67]

People

University presidents

  • John Pratt (1831–1837)
  • Jonathan Going (1837–1844)
  • Silas Bailey (1846–1852)
  • Jeremiah Hall (1853–1863)
  • Samson Talbot (1863–1873)
  • Elisha Andrews (1875–1879)
  • Alfred Owen (1879–1886)
  • Galusha Anderson (1887–1889)
  • Daniel B. Purinton (1890–1901)
  • Emory W. Hunt (1901–1912)
  • Clark W. Chamberlain (1913–1925)
  • Avery A. Shaw (1927–1940)
  • Kenneth I. Brown (1940–1950)
  • A. Blair Knapp (1951–1968)
  • Joel P. Smith (1969–1976)
  • Robert C. Good (1976–1984)
  • Andrew G. De Rocco (1984–1988)
  • Michele Tolela Myers (1989–1998)
  • Dale T. Knobel (1998–2013)
  • Adam Weinberg (2013–)[68]

Notable faculty

Alumni

Main article: List of Denison University alumni

Notable alumni include actors Steve Carell, Hal Holbrook and Jennifer Garner, entertainer John Davidson, football coach Woody Hayes, ESPN president George Bodenheimer, producer Arnold Engelman, former United States Senator Richard Lugar, insurance executive Bill Minturn, Indy car racer Bobby Rahal, and former Disney Chairman and CEO Michael Eisner.

External links

References

  1. ^ As of June 30th, 2012. "Denison University Fast Facts". Denison University. Denison University. Retrieved July 22, 2011.
  2. ^ a b c Heritage and Promise: Denison 1831-1981. Granville: Denison University. 1981. p. 9.
  3. ^ a b c Heritage and Promise: Denison 1831-1981. Granville: Denison University. 1981. p. 14.
  4. ^ Heritage and Promise: Denison 1831-1981. Granville: Denison University. 1981. pp. 21–22.
  5. ^ Chessman, G. Wallace (1957). Denison: The Story of an Ohio College. Granville: Denison University. pp. 84–85.
  6. ^ "Bancroft House". Denison University. Retrieved October 8, 2010.
  7. ^ Shepardson, Francis W. (1931). Denison University, 1831-1931: A Centennial History. Granville: Denison University. p. 32.
  8. ^ Heritage and Promise: Denison 1831-1981. Granville: Denison University. 1981. p. 12.
  9. ^ Shepardson, Francis W. (1931). Denison University, 1831-1931: A Centennial History. Granville: Denison University. pp. 180–181.
  10. ^ Shepardson, Francis W. (1931). Denison University, 1831-1931: A Centennial History. Granville: Denison University. pp. 186, 193.
  11. ^ Chessman, G. Wallace (1957). Denison: The Story of an Ohio College. Granville: Denison University. p. 227.
  12. ^ Heritage and Promise: Denison 1831-1981. Granville: Denison University. 1981. p. 114.
  13. ^ Heritage and Promise: Denison 1831-1981. Granville: Denison University. 1981. p. 49.
  14. ^ Heritage and Promise: Denison 1831-1981. Granville: Denison University. 1981. pp. 71–72.
  15. ^ Shepardson, Francis W. (1931). Denison University, 1831-1931: A Centennial History. Granville: Denison University. pp. 348–351.
  16. ^ Heritage and Promise: Denison 1831-1981. Granville: Denison University. 1981. p. 62.
  17. ^ "Left. Left. Left, Right, Left". Granville, Ohio: Denison University. 2002. Retrieved September 29, 2011.
  18. ^ Heritage and Promise: Denison 1831-1981. Granville: Denison University. 1981. pp. 176–177.
  19. ^ "Bancroft House". History & Traditions. Retrieved October 8, 2010.
  20. ^ "Denison University: Swasey Chapel". Denison University. Retrieved December 29, 2010.
  21. ^ "Denison University: William Howard Doane Library". Denison University. Retrieved December 29, 2010.
  22. ^ "Denison University: Swasey Observatory". Denison University. Retrieved December 29, 2010.
  23. ^ "Denison University: Bryant Arts Center". Denison University. Retrieved December 29, 2010.
  24. ^ "Denison University: Slayter Union". Denison University. Retrieved December 29, 2010.
  25. ^ Andreadis, Debby. "Swasey Chapel- Denison University". Denison University. Retrieved 7 February 2013.
  26. ^ "Campus Master Plan". Council of Independent Colleges. Retrieved 7 February 2013.
  27. ^ a b c d "Denison University: Fast Facts". Denison University. Retrieved February 8, 2013.
  28. ^ "State of Ohio honors Denison in Martin Luther King Jr. ceremony". Denison University. Retrieved October 8, 2010.
  29. ^ "Denison University: At a Glance". Denison University. Retrieved October 8, 2010.
  30. ^ "Best Colleges 2024: National Liberal Arts Colleges". U.S. News & World Report. Retrieved September 20, 2023.
  31. ^ "2023 Liberal Arts Rankings". Washington Monthly. Retrieved September 25, 2023.
  32. ^ "Forbes America's Top Colleges List 2023". Forbes. Retrieved September 22, 2023.
  33. ^ "DCGA Constitution". Denison Campus Governance Association. November 12, 2009. Retrieved June 22, 2010.
  34. ^ "Integrity at Denison". Denison University. August 15, 2009. Retrieved June 22, 2010.
  35. ^ "President Knobel signs Presidents' Climate Commitment". Denison University. April 23, 2010. Retrieved June 22, 2010.
  36. ^ http://www.denison.edu/academics/departments/communication/resources.html
  37. ^ "Denison University". US News Rankings and Reviews. US News. Retrieved 8 February 2013.
  38. ^ Oltvai, Kristof (5 February 2013). "Bid Day by the numbers". The Denisonian. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  39. ^ "Greek Life Home". Greek Life Home. Denison University. Retrieved 19 November 2012.
  40. ^ "Interfraternity Council". Denison University. Retrieved 19 November 2012.
  41. ^ "Panhellenic Council". Panhellenic Council. Denison University. Retrieved 19 November 2012.
  42. ^ "National Pan-Hellenic Council". National Pan-Hellenic Council. Denison University. Retrieved 19 November 2012.
  43. ^ "Multicultural Greek Council". Multicultural Greek Council. Denison University. Retrieved 19 November 2012.
  44. ^ "Chapter Statuses". Denison University. Retrieved 19 November 2012.
  45. ^ "Religious Life Organizations". Retrieved 8 February 2013.
  46. ^ Heritage and Promise: Denison 1831-1981. Granville: Denison University. 1981. p. 129.
  47. ^ Denison Magazine (Spring 2010). Granville: Denison University. 2010. p. 31.
  48. ^ Denison Magazine (Spring 2010). Granville: Denison University. 2010. p. 26.
  49. ^ DENISON MOVES INTO NCAC'S 2010-11 ALL-SPORTS LEAD AFTER WINTER SEASON. North Coast Athletic Conference. Retrieved March 8, 2011.
  50. ^ Denison Wins 1985-86 NCAC All-Sports Champion Honor. North Coast Athletic Conference. Retrieved March 8, 2011.
  51. ^ DENISON, OHIO WESLEYAN SHARE ALL-SPORTS TITLE; May 13, 2009 FIRST TIE IN 25-YEAR NORTH COAST HISTORY. North Coast Athletic Conference. Retrieved March 8, 2011.
  52. ^ Championship History. NCAA. Retrieved March 8, 2011.
  53. ^ [1]Denison University Retrieved 11 Oct, 2011.
  54. ^ 2010-11 Swimming & Diving Media Guide. Granville: Denison University. 2010.
  55. ^ The Historical Times: Quarterly of the Granville, Ohio, Historical Society (Volume XVII Issue 2 -Summer 2003). Granville: Granville, Ohio, Historical Society. 2003.
  56. ^ Jones, Todd (6 November 2010). "Piper gave single-wing new life". Columbus Dispatch.
  57. ^ Wilson, Tom (1 March 2011). "Denison reward for perfect season: Having to go through former champs". Newark Advocate.
  58. ^ 2010-11 Women's Lacrosse Media Guide. Granville: Denison University. 2010.
  59. ^ 2010-11 Men's Lacrosse Media Guide. Granville: Denison University. 2010.
  60. ^ Hachat, Josh (13 May 2008). "No coach? For Denison lacrosse captains, no worry". Newark Advocate.
  61. ^ Hachat, Josh (18 May 2008). "DU women take giant step to win in D-III quarterfinals". Newark Advocate.
  62. ^ "Denison duo make history by placing second at national tennis tourney". Granville Sentinel. 20 May 2008.
  63. ^ "Denison headed to Sweet 16". Granville Sentinel. 18 November 2010.
  64. ^ "SPORTS WIRE: Denison tops Otterbein in shootout to advance in soccer tournament". Columbus Dispatch. 20 November 2005.
  65. ^ "DU hosts first two rounds of NCAA Tournament". Granville Sentinel. 11 November 2010.
  66. ^ NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship Winners from Denison. Denison University Sports Information. Retrieved March 8, 2011.
  67. ^ Academic All-America Selections from Denison. Denison University Sports Information. Retrieved March 8, 2011.
  68. ^ "Denison's next president". TheDEN. Denison University. Retrieved 2 November 2012.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Denison_University&oldid=568825032"