Antioch College facts for kids
 |
|
| Motto | Be ashamed to die until you have won some victory for humanity. |
|---|---|
| Type | Private liberal arts college |
| Established | 1850 (historical), 2011 (reopening) |
| Endowment | $44.3 million |
| President | Jane Fernandes |
| Provost | Brian Norman |
|
Academic staff
|
21 |
|
Administrative staff
|
56 |
| Students | 133 |
| Location |
,
,
United States
|
| Campus | Rural |
| Colors | Crimson, white, black |
| Affiliations | Great Lakes Colleges Association Global Liberal Arts Alliance |
| Mascot | Antioch Free Radicals (historical) |
 |
|
|
Antioch Hall, North & South Halls
|
|
Rear of Antioch Hall
|
|
| Location | 1 Morgan Place, Antioch College campus, Yellow Springs, Ohio |
|---|---|
| Area | 3 acres (1.2 ha) |
| Built | 1852 |
| Built by | Alpheus M. Merrifield |
| Architect | Boyden & Ball |
| Architectural style | Romanesque Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 75001411 |
| Added to NRHP | June 30, 1975 |
Antioch College is a private college in Yellow Springs, Ohio. It's a special kind of school called a liberal arts college. This means students learn a wide range of subjects, not just one specific job skill.
The college was started in 1850. It opened its doors in 1852. Horace Mann, a famous education reformer, was its first president. From the very beginning, Antioch College was known for being open-minded and wanting to make things better. It was one of the first colleges in the U.S. to allow African-American students to study there, just like white students. It was also one of the first to admit both men and women.
Antioch College has faced money problems many times. It has even closed down and reopened several times. In 2008, it closed, but a group of former students worked hard to buy it back. They reopened it in 2011. Today, Antioch College is known for its unique program where all students get real-world work experience.
Contents
- Discovering Antioch College's Past
- Leading Antioch College
- Who Studies at Antioch?
- What You Can Learn at Antioch
- Exploring the Campus and Beyond
- Past Projects
- Notable people
- Images for kids
- See Also
Discovering Antioch College's Past
Antioch College is built on a spot where a small, experimental community once tried to live and farm together in 1825. This community was based on ideas of sharing everything.
In 1850, a church group decided to start a college. They wanted it to be a place for everyone. They made a very important rule: the college would offer "equal privileges to students of both sexes." This was a big deal for the time! Even though the church group wanted the college to be religious, the founders decided it would be open to all beliefs.
Getting enough money was a challenge from the start. The college struggled to pay for its buildings and keep enough savings. Another church group helped out, which sometimes caused disagreements.
Early Years: 1850s to 1890s
Horace Mann led Antioch College from 1853 until he passed away in 1859. The college had high standards for learning. Students studied subjects like Latin, Greek, math, history, and science. They could also choose classes in art or modern languages.
One important person at Antioch was Rebecca Pennell. She was Horace Mann's niece and one of the first teachers. She was the first female college professor in the U.S. to earn the same pay as her male co-workers. Her home is now part of the campus.
In 1859, Horace Mann gave a famous speech. He said, "Be ashamed to die until you have won some victory for humanity." This became the college's motto. He is remembered on campus with a monument.
Antioch's Role in Equality
Antioch College was a leader in treating all students fairly. Even though the founders didn't specifically say they would admit students of color, they did. In the 1850s, two African-American girls attended the school. This was very unusual for the time. Most people supported this decision, showing Antioch's early commitment to equality.
Financial Struggles and Closures
Antioch College had money problems from the day it opened. It often spent more money than it had. In 1858, the college went bankrupt. After Horace Mann died, the college tried to fix its finances. But it kept struggling and closed in 1862 during the American Civil War.
The college reopened in 1865 with help from another church group. They raised money to help the college. However, even with new funds, the college still faced challenges. It closed again from 1881 to 1882 to try and save more money.
Baseball History at Antioch
Antioch College played a small part in baseball history! In 1869, the Cincinnati Red Stockings became the first professional baseball team. They played a game against Antioch's team, which was considered one of the best amateur teams in Ohio. Cincinnati won 41-7. Antioch was also supposed to host the first professional baseball game, but it was rained out. This means Antioch College hosted the first-ever rainout in professional baseball!
The Early 1900s: New Ideas and Challenges
Money continued to be tight for Antioch in the early 1900s. Teachers' salaries were very low. Enrollment grew under President Simeon D. Fess, who even served in the U.S. Congress while leading the college.
After World War I, a group called YMCA tried to take over the college. They offered money if Antioch would become their official national college. The college agreed, but the plan didn't work out.
The Morgan Era and Work-Study
In 1919, Arthur Ernest Morgan became president. He had a new idea for the college: "practical industrial education." Antioch closed for a third time to get ready for this new plan. In 1921, the college reopened with its famous co-op program.
The co-op program meant students would alternate between studying in class and working in real jobs. At first, it wasn't required, but soon most students chose to do it. Boys often worked in factories, and girls worked as nursing or teaching assistants. This program helped students get hands-on experience.
Wealthy business people like Charles Kettering gave a lot of money to Antioch. They hoped the college would train future business leaders.
Mid-1900s: A Hub for Change
Activism and Diversity
During World War II, Antioch helped Japanese-American students who were forced into relocation camps to attend college. In 1943, the college started offering scholarships to non-white students to make the campus more diverse. Edythe Scott Bagley and her younger sister, Coretta Scott King, both received these scholarships and attended Antioch. Coretta Scott King later became a famous civil rights leader. Antioch was also the first historically white college to have a Black person lead an academic department.
In the 1950s, Antioch faced pressure because it didn't punish students or teachers accused of having Communist ideas. The college stood firm in its beliefs.
In the 1960s and 1970s, Antioch became known for its activism and progressive thinking. In 1965, Martin Luther King Jr. gave the graduation speech at Antioch.
Expanding the College: Antioch University
Under President James Dixon, Antioch College started many new campuses and centers in the 1960s and 1970s. These were called the "Antioch Network." In 1978, Antioch College became part of a larger system called Antioch University. Most of the new campuses focused on adult education, but Antioch College remained a traditional college for younger students.
The 1973 Student Strike
In the 1960s, Antioch tried to help more poor and minority students attend college. The college also gave students more freedom in choosing their classes. By 1972, Antioch had many students.
In 1973, the U.S. government threatened to cut financial aid. Students protested, demanding that Antioch guarantee their aid. They blocked buildings and shut down the college for six weeks. This caused many students to leave and fewer new students to apply. Enrollment kept going down until the college closed in 2008.
Leadership Changes and Survival
William Birenbaum became president in 1976. He worked to cut costs and reduce the number of branch campuses. He also changed the name of the larger organization to Antioch University. By 1980, the college seemed to be on its way to survival.
Later, Antioch College became one of several campuses under the Antioch University system. Renovations were made, and old buildings were reopened.
Antioch in the 21st Century
Closing and Reopening
In 2006, the college found out it had made accounting mistakes, which meant it had a much bigger money problem than expected. In 2007, the university decided to close Antioch College indefinitely at the end of the 2007-08 school year.
Many former students and teachers were very upset. They started raising money to save the college. They wanted to keep it open without stopping. After a lot of discussions and fundraising, a group of alumni formed the Antioch College Continuation Corporation (ACCC). They worked to buy the college campus and the right to use the name "Antioch College" from the university.
The college, with about 400 students, closed on June 30, 2008. But the alumni group kept working. On June 30, 2009, they reached an agreement to buy the campus, the Glen Helen Nature Preserve, and the college's savings. This allowed Antioch College to become an independent school again.
The College's Revival
In October 2010, Mark Roosevelt became the new president. In 2011, Antioch College reopened as an independent four-year college with 35 new students. The state of Ohio approved the college to offer degrees again.
For a few years, Antioch College offered free tuition to its students. This led to many applications. After tuition was brought back, the number of applications went down.
In 2014, Antioch College moved closer to getting its official accreditation. This means it was recognized as a legitimate college, and its students could get federal financial aid. In 2016, Antioch College officially received its accreditation.
Later, President Thomas Manley started a plan to improve the college. This plan included using things like the co-op program, the radio station WYSO, the college farm, and the Glen Helen Nature Preserve to help students learn and also bring in money.
However, the college continued to face financial challenges. In 2019, it sold WYSO, its radio station. In 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the college had to cut staff and faculty. It also sold the Glen Helen Nature Preserve.
In 2021, Dr. Jane Fernandes became the new president. She is the second female president and the first deaf president in the college's history. She is working on a plan to help the college grow and become stronger.
Leading Antioch College
College Presidents
- Horace Mann (1852-1859)
- Thomas Hill (1860-1862)
- Austin Craig (1862-1865)
- George Washington Hosmer (1866-1872)
- Edward Orton Sr. (1872-1873)
- Samuel Carroll Derby (1873-1881)
- Orin Wait (1882-1883)
- Daniel Albright Long (1883-1899)
- William Allen Bell (1899-1902)
- Stephen Frances Weston (1902-1906)
- Simeon D. Fess (1907-1917)
- Arthur Ernest Morgan (1920-1936)
- Algo Henderson (1936-1947)
- Douglas McGregor (1948-1954)
- Samuel B. Gould (1954-1959)
- James P. Dixon (1959-1975)
- William Birenbaum (1976-1985)
- Alan Guskin (1985-1994)
- James Crowfoot (1994-1996)
- Robert Devine (1996-2001)
- Joan Straumanis (2002-2004)
- Richard Jurasek (2004-2006)
- Steven Lawre (2006-2007)
- Matthew Derr (2007-2010)
- Mark Roosevelt (2011-2015)
- Tom Manley (2015-2020)
- Jane Fernandes (2021–Present)
Who Studies at Antioch?
As of 2023, more than half of Antioch students identify as Black or Brown. A large number of students also identify as LGBTQIA+. Many students also face financial challenges, with most being eligible for special grants to help pay for college.
How to Get In
Antioch College uses a "need-blind admission" process for students from the U.S. This means they decide if you get in without looking at how much money your family has. You don't have to send in your SAT or ACT scores to apply. In 2022, about 72% of students who applied were accepted.
What You Can Learn at Antioch
Antioch College offers a unique way to study. Students can design their own major, which means they choose what they want to focus on. You can pick from five main areas like Culture, Power, & Change or Sustainability & the Environment. You can also create your own major in arts or sciences.
Classes are taught on a quarter system. All students must take classes in different areas like Arts, Humanities, Sciences, and Social Sciences. They also take special "Global Seminar" courses on topics like Water or Food. Students also need to learn a second language, like French, Spanish, or Japanese.
Antioch has a small class size, with only 7 students for every teacher. This means you get a lot of personal attention. All classes have fewer than 20 students.
The Co-op Program: Learning by Doing
A big part of studying at Antioch is the co-op program. All students spend four different periods over four years working in real jobs. This is a required part of their degree. It helps students gain valuable work experience before they graduate.
College Rankings and What People Say
In 2010, The Huffington Post listed Antioch College as one of the "Top Non-Traditional Colleges." This means it's known for its unique approach to education.
The guidebook Colleges That Change Lives has often included Antioch. In 2006, it said that "no college or university in the country makes a more profound difference in a young person's life."
Coretta Scott King, a famous civil rights leader and former Antioch student, once said that Antioch teaches students to "serve, to share, to give and to do what we can to lift up the lives of others." She felt this is what makes Antioch so special.
In Fall 2023, U.S. News & World Report ranked Antioch #100 among National Liberal Arts Colleges. This was its highest ranking since it reopened.
Exploring the Campus and Beyond
Antioch's campus is in Yellow Springs, Ohio. The three original buildings, Antioch Hall, North Hall, and South Hall, are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Science Building, built in 1929, was renovated and is now the Arts and Science Building. It even has a special environmental certification.
Where Students Live
Birch Hall, a dormitory built in 1948, was designed in a modern style by a famous architect. It housed the first students when the college reopened in 2011. North Hall was also renovated and is now used for younger students. Dorms are co-ed, but students can ask for same-sex roommates.
Green Campus: Sustainability Efforts
North Hall, an old dormitory from 1852, was renovated to be very eco-friendly. It's the oldest building in the U.S. to meet the highest standards for sustainable construction. It uses solar panels on its roof and geothermal energy for heating and cooling.
Antioch College also has a college farm. Students learn about sustainable farming methods there, like organic farming. The farm provides food for the campus dining program.
In 2014, Antioch installed a large solar array with about 3,300 solar panels. These panels create a lot of clean energy for the college.
Antioch College has received awards for its efforts in sustainability. It's recognized for its green practices in areas like campus grounds and food.
Glen Helen Nature Preserve
The Glen Helen Nature Preserve is a large nature area that was given to Antioch College in 1929. It has 25 miles of trails, forests, waterfalls, and the springs that give Yellow Springs its name. The Glen is open to the public. It has an Outdoor Education Center that offers programs about nature. There's also a Raptor Center that cares for injured birds of prey, like hawks and eagles.
In 2020, Antioch College sold the Glen Helen Nature Preserve to a local group. This was because the college could no longer afford to support it. However, they agreed to work together to keep the Glen open for students, teachers, and the public.
WYSO Radio Station
WYSO is a National Public Radio station. It started broadcasting in 1958 as a student-run station owned by Antioch College. In 2019, WYSO became an independent, community-owned non-profit station.
When WYSO became independent, Antioch College received $3.5 million. The station still works with the college, offering internships to students. WYSO is planning to move to a new location in Yellow Springs in 2024.
Olive Kettering Library
The Olive Kettering Library is Antioch College's library. It's named after the wife of a college trustee. The library has over 325,000 books and many magazines and records. It's also home to Antiochiana, which is the college's archive of historical documents.
Past Projects
The Antioch Review: A Literary Magazine
The Antioch Review was a literary magazine started in 1941. It was one of the oldest magazines of its kind in the U.S. It featured stories, essays, and poems from new and well-known writers. The magazine often explored important topics like race, gender, and education. It aimed to be a place for new ideas and writing.
In 2020, Antioch College paused the publication of The Antioch Review. This was due to the college's financial challenges. As of 2023, it has not started back up.
Notable people
Images for kids
-
The distinctive towers of Antioch Hall, the college's main building
-
Horace Mann, Antioch's first president
-
The Antioch College Baseball Team of 1869
-
The Coretta Scott King Center on the campus in Yellow Springs, Ohio
-
A photo of Antioch College campus grounds.
-
Birch Hall
-
Entrance to Antioch Farm growing area, high summer
-
Antioch College's solar array in the South Campus
-
Yellow Springs in the Glen Helen Nature Preserve
-
Kettering Building on campus, the home of WYSO until 2023
See Also
- List of Antioch College people
