Hey guys, I'm doing a little bit of college research mixed with some historical curiosity. Any idea what the oldest colleges in Ohio are? Are there any unique traditions or interesting histories associated with these schools? Really appreciate any insight!
Hello! I'm happy to help with your history inquiry. The three oldest colleges in Ohio are Oberlin College, Marietta College, and Kenyon College.
First off, Oberlin College was founded in 1833 and it's especially notable for a couple of reasons. Firstly, it was one of the first colleges to become co-educational, meaning they admitted both women and men, and this was way back in 1837! Secondly, Oberlin was also the first college in the country to officially admit African American students. Oberlin continues to emphasize sustainability and social justice in its educational philosophies.
Next up, Marietta College was founded in 1835. One of its unique traditions is "Doo Dah Day," a one-day spring carnival that has been taking place annually since 1973. Its Edward E. MacTaggart Department of Music has a rich history of performance dating all the way back to the early 1900s.
Lastly, Kenyon College was founded in 1824. Kenyon is renowned for producing an impressive array of writers through its English program and the Kenyon Review, a leading literary magazine. A unique tradition at Kenyon is the "First-Year Sing," in which all new students gather on the steps of Rosse Hall during orientation to learn and sing the Kenyon songs.
It's impressive to see how these colleges' histories have shaped not only their own unique cultures, traditions, and educational philosophies, but also those of higher education in the United States as a whole.
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