Ottawa University

About Ottawa University

Ottawa University is an institution with a proud 143 year heritage of educating adults and students of traditional ages for lifetimes of faith, service, leadership and significance. From their founding in 1865 in Ottawa, Kansas, they have grown to an institution today that serves over 7,000 students through their residential campus in Ottawa, their adult and professional studies campuses in Phoenix, Milwaukee, Kansas City, and the Louisville/Jeffersonville areas, and their burgeoning online programs. They offer a robust curriculum at the undergraduate and graduate levels which is constantly being updated and enhanced to make the greatest possible impact on the lives of their students.

Ottawa University is student-centered, rooted firmly in teaching excellence, value-priced and technology-enabled. They expect to be an extraordinarily effective and distinctive institution of higher learning which is pursuing its mission within caring, Christ-inspired communities of grace characterized by collegiality, openness, and inclusiveness.

Ottawa University Mission Statement

The mission of Ottawa University is to provide the highest quality liberal arts and professional education in a caring, Christ-centered community of grace which integrates faith, learning and life. The University serves students of traditional age, adult learners and organizations through undergraduate and graduate programs.

Ottawa University Vision Statement

By 2020, Ottawa University will be a distinctive and highly effective institution educating as many as 25,000 students per year for lifetimes of enlightened faith, exemplary service, inspired leadership and personal significance.

Ottawa University History

Ottawa University is proud of its heritage and rich history. Their roots stem from a desire to provide educational opportunities to under-served populations.

From 1837 to 1855, Baptist missionaries Reverend Jotham Meeker and his wife, Eleanor, devoted themselves to improving the lives of the Ottawa Indians and inspiring a hunger for education and Christianity. After the Meekers' deaths, John Tecumseh (Tauy) Jones carried on the Meekers' commitment to the tribe. Serving as an interpreter and Baptist minister, he was responsible for arranging a meeting between the Baptists and the Ottawa Indians, which led to the development of Ottawa University.

The Ottawa Indians donated 20,000 acres for a university to ensure the education of their children. In exchange, the Baptists agreed to build and operate the school with a promise to provide free education to the Ottawa Indians. In 2008, Ottawa University expanded the agreement with the Ottawa Tribe, wherein tribal members may attend any of OU's five campuses or OU-Online, in either the undergraduate or graduate program, free of charge - including room, board, and fees.

After delays due to the Civil War, Ottawa University was officially established in 1865. The first building, erected on campus in the spring of 1869, was destroyed by fire in 1875. However, through generous support of the community, it was rebuilt in 1876. It stands today, appropriately named Tauy Jones Hall. The first commencement was held in 1886, with the graduation of one student. Throughout it's over 140-year history, the original campus in Ottawa, Kansas has enjoyed many changes and additions to become the beautiful campus it is today. The original college in Ottawa, Kansas serves as our residential campus offering a variety of programs, 14 varsity sports and 30 on-campus student organizations including the oldest student-run newspaper in Kansas.

In the early 1970s, Ottawa University recognized a growing demand for programs suited to the needs and learning styles of adult students. Ottawa University was one of the pioneers in adult education in the United States, opening its first adult campus in Kansas City in 1974. Since that time, additional campuses focusing on the needs of working adults have been established in Arizona (1977), Wisconsin (1992) and Indiana (2002). Degree-completion programs were also developed internationally beginning in 1986. Online degrees are also available.

Today, Ottawa University offers Bachelor of Arts degree majors in over 25 disciplines including math, sciences, fine arts, religion, education and business. A Master of Business Administration as well as Master of Arts programs in human resources, professional counseling and education are also available.

Accreditation and Approval

Ottawa University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission, a Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. 312-263-0456.

Ottawa University education programs in Kansas are accredited by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) and the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE).

Approvals

The Arizona Teacher Education Programs are Arizona State department of Education (AZDE) approved.

The Ottawa, Kansas and Kansas City Teacher Education programs are Kansas State Board of Education (KSBE) approved.

Arizona State Board for Private Post Secondary Education, 1400 West Washington Street, Room 260, Phoenix, AZ 85007, 602-542-5709.

This institution is regulated by the Indiana Commission on Proprietary Education, 302 West Washington Street, Room E201, Indianapolis, IN 46204, 317-232-1320 or 800-227-5695.

This institution is regulated and approved by the Educational Approval Board of the State of Wisconsin, 30 West Mifflin Street, P.O. Box 8696, Madison, WI 53708-8696, 603-266-1996.

Associations and Relationships

Affiliated with the American Baptist Churches in the USA
American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education
American Baptist Associate of Colleges and University
Arizona Education Association
Arizona Education Consortium
Better Business Bureau serving Central/Northern Arizona
Better Business Bureau service Southern Indiana, Louisville and Western Kentucky
Better Business Bureau serving Wisconsin
Council for Advancement and Support of Education
Council of Independent Colleges
Independent Colleges and Universities of Arizona
Kansas Association of Colleges of Teacher Education
Kansas Association of Private Colleges of Teacher Education
Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference
Kansas Independent College Fund
Kansas Independent College Association
NAFSA: Association of International Educators
National Associations of Independent Colleges and Universities
National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA)
National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators
Southeastern Wisconsin Education Consortium
The Association of Governing Boards