University of Rio Grande

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"Rio Grande College" redirects here. For the colleges in Texas, see Sul Ross State University.
University of Rio Grande and Rio Grande Community College
RioGrandeUnivEntrance.JPG
University of Rio Grande campus entrance
Former names
Rio Grande College (1876–1989)
MottoChanging Tomorrows
TypePrivate university and public community college
EstablishedSeptember 13, 1876; 147 years ago (1876-09-13)
Parent institution
University System of Ohio
Endowment$21,853,211
PresidentRyan Smith
ProvostDr. Kellie Bean
Students2,300
Undergraduates2,140
Postgraduates160
Location
Rio Grande
,
Ohio
,
United States

38°52′49″N 82°22′36″W / 38.880278°N 82.376667°W / 38.880278; -82.376667Coordinates: 38°52′49″N 82°22′36″W / 38.880278°N 82.376667°W / 38.880278; -82.376667
CampusRural, 190 acres (77 ha)
ColorsRed & White
   
NicknameRedStorm
Sporting affiliations
NAIA – River States (primary)
NAIA – Mid-South (wrestling, volleyball)
Websitewww.rio.edu
File:Unvrio logo.png

The University of Rio Grande and Rio Grande Community College (originally Rio Grande College)[1] is a private university and public community college merged into one institution in Rio Grande, Ohio. It is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

The University of Rio Grande 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.

History

Early history

Ira Haning, a Free Will 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 (4.0 ha) 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.[2]

Bob Evans Farm Hall on the campus of the University of Rio Grande, July 2007

In its earliest years, Rio Grande provided leadership in preparing teachers and Baptist ministers.

20th century

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.

The University Of Rio Grande's alma mater, "The Red and White" was written by Eustace St. James, a 1920 graduate and replaced a former alma mater written by Franz Josef Sucher.

In 1969, the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools approved Rio Grande's Accreditation. The Davis Library was constructed and dedicated three years before the first accreditation; the library was instrumental in winning accreditation.

Recent expansion

From 1977 to 2008, Rio Grande's campus expanded to include several new buildings and a variety of academic programs. In 1989, Rio Grande College was renamed the University of Rio Grande in recognition of its expanding curriculum. Some of the new degree programs added to the university's curriculum in the last few years include interactive media, graphic design, radiologic technology, diagnostic medical sonography and respiratory therapy. From 1996 to 1998, with tremendous community support and local assistance, Rio Grande established the Madog Center for Welsh Studies on campus (1996) and the Meigs Center in Middleport (1998). In 2001, the faculty led in making changes in academic requirements for all students (the General Education curriculum) and in converting to a semester system. In 2008, a new larger Meigs Center was constructed in Pomeroy above Meigs High School replacing the one in Middleport. Courses are also offered in Vinton County. The university also offers distance-learning programs via the Internet.

Athletics

The Rio Grande athletic teams are called the RedStorm. The university is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), primarily competing in the River States Conference (RSC; formerly known as the Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (KIAC) until after the 2015–16 school year) since the 2014–15 academic year; which they were a member on a previous stint from 1964–65 to 1970–71. The RedStorm previously competed in the Mid-South Conference (MSC) from 2009–10 to 2013–14, and in the defunct American Mideast Conference from 1971–72 to 2008–09.

Rio Grande competes in 22 intercollegiate varsity sports: Men's sports include baseball, basketball, bowling, cross country, golf, rugby, soccer, track & field, volleyball and wrestling; while women's sports include basketball, bowling, cross country, golf, rugby, soccer, softball, track & field and volleyball; and co-ed sports include bass fishing, cheerleading and eSports.

Nickname

In 2008, prior to their current nickname and mascot, its former nickname was the Redmen (for men) and Redwomen (for women).

Men's soccer

The men's soccer team has won two NAIA Men's Soccer National Championships, in 2003 and 2015. Through the 2014 season, the men's soccer team has had 46 (NAIA) All-Americans.

Women's basketball

In the 2021–22 season, the women's basketball team won the RSC regular season and tournament championships. Their overall record was 32-3. They went on to the NAIA National Tournament and won the first ever national game in program history.

Notable alumni

References

  1. ^ "Raccoon Township, Gallia County, Ohio". History of Gallia County. Chicago & Toledo: H. H. Hardesty & Co., Publishers. Archived from the original on 23 December 2011. Retrieved 28 January 2011.
  2. ^ "Raccoon Township". History of Gallia County. Chicago & Toledo: H. H. Hardesty & Co., Publishers. 1882. Archived from the original on 23 December 2011. Retrieved 28 January 2011.
  3. ^ "Matt BOYLES | Profile | World Athletics".
  4. ^ "CREMEANS, Frank, (1943 - 2003)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved December 21, 2012.
  5. ^ "Tom Spencer Stats". Baseball Almanac. Retrieved December 21, 2012.
  6. ^ "SWITZER, Robert Mauck, (1863 - 1952)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved December 21, 2012.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to University of Rio Grande.

BoilerPlate was here

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