Ohio University, 18042004

In 1787, New Englanders Rufus Putnam and Manasseh Cutler were eager for better lives in the Northwest Territory, the countrys new frontier. As members of the Ohio Company, they purchased a tract of land north of the Ohio River. The purchase as approved by the Continental Congress included the gift of two townships to support a university. In 1804 the Ohio University was chartered; in 1808 it opened its door to three students. Over the next two centuries, this public institution in the small town of Athens, Ohio, became known as a place of beauty buoyed by a democratic spirit, unswerving individualism, and dynamic appeal. In Ohio University, 18042004, a collaborative history published in celebration of the universitys bicentennial, Betty Hollows lively narrative depicts the historical, academic, and cultural events that shaped the schools growth. Short sketches describe the colleges, programs of special interest, people of note, and activities unique to Ohio University. Hundreds of illustrations allow readers to experience the ambiance of Ohio Universitys campus and to appreciate the exuberance of the students activities- from tugs of war and mud wrestling to Homecoming and Halloween. In personal reminiscences from alumni, faculty, staff, and friendssometimes amusing, sometimes poignantthe people and values of Ohio University become more than abstractions. Through them we hear the true voice of Ohio University. In all, from the schools humble beginnings on the frontier to the universitys emergence as a renowned research institution, Ohio University, 18042004 is a fascinating mosaic of the people and processes that created the special character of the institution, beloved by so many over its long and singular history.