Denison University facts for kids
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Former names
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Granville Literary and Theological Institution (1831–1845) Granville College (1845–1853) |
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| Type | Private liberal arts college |
| Established | December 13, 1831 |
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Academic affiliations
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| Endowment | $1.1 billion (2022) |
| President | Adam S. Weinberg |
| Provost | Kim Coplin |
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Academic staff
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292 |
| Undergraduates | 2,300 |
| Location |
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United States
40°04′20″N 82°31′21″W / 40.0722°N 82.5225°W |
| Campus | 930 acres (3.8 km2) including a 360-acre (1.5 km2) biological reserve |
| Colors | Red & white |
| Nickname | Big Red |
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Sporting affiliations
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NCAA Division III – NCAC |
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Denison University is a private college in Granville, Ohio. It focuses on a wide range of subjects, known as a liberal arts college. Denison is one of the oldest colleges in the area once called the Northwest Territory.
It was started in 1831. First, it was called the Granville Literary and Theological Institution. Later, it became Granville College. In the 1850s, it was renamed Denison University. This was to honor a very helpful supporter. In Fall 2023, about 2,300 students attended Denison. They can choose from 65 different study programs.
The college's sports teams are called the Big Red. They play in the NCAA Division III. They are part of the North Coast Athletic Conference. Denison is also a member of the Five Colleges of Ohio. It is also part of the Great Lakes Colleges Association.
Contents
History
Denison University opened its doors on December 13, 1831. Its first president was John Pratt. He was a graduate of Brown University. The school was first known as the Granville Literary and Theological Institution. It was built on a 200-acre farm near Granville. This made it the second Baptist college west of the Allegheny mountains. Georgetown College was the first, started in 1829.
Even though it had a religious start, the school taught many subjects. These included literature and science. The first group of students had 37 people. Most of them were from Granville. Nearly half of these students were under 15 years old. The first graduation was in 1840. Three students who studied classics received their degrees.
In 1845, the school changed its name. It became Granville College. At this time, only male students attended. In 1853, a farmer named William S. Denison promised $10,000 to the college. Because of his generous gift, the school was renamed Denison University. The leaders also decided to move the college. They bought land in the village of Granville.
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Before the Civil War, many students and teachers at Denison joined the anti-slavery movement. Asa Drury, a professor, led a local group against slavery. Bancroft House, a student dorm today, was a safe place. It helped people escaping slavery on the Underground Railroad.
Denison started including women in education early on. In 1832, the Granville Female Seminary was founded. This was just a year after Oberlin College became the first coeducational college. The seminary later became the Young Ladies' Institute in 1859. In 1886, it was renamed Shepardson College for Women. Shepardson College fully joined Denison University in 1927.
In 1887, Denison started a master's degree program. Students could study advanced science. But in 1926, the college decided to focus only on undergraduate studies. This means they only offer bachelor's degrees.
After Shepardson College joined, Denison's campus grew. In 1916, the college hired a famous design company. It was called Frederick Law Olmsted & Sons. They created a plan for the campus. This "Olmsted Plan" still guides how the campus looks today. More land was bought, and Shepardson College moved. New dorms for men were also built.
Denison University started with religious ties. But since the 1960s, it has been non-religious. By 2005, the college had about 2,250 students.
Presidents
Here are the people who have led Denison University:
- John Pratt (1831–1837)
- Jonathan Going (1837–1844)
- Silas Bailey (1846–1852)
- Jeremiah Hall (1853–1863)
- Samson Talbot (1863–1873)
- Elisha Andrews (1875–1879)
- Alfred Owen (1879–1886)
- Galusha Anderson (1887–1889)
- Daniel B. Purinton (1890–1901)
- Emory W. Hunt (1901–1912)
- Clark W. Chamberlain (1913–1925)
- Avery A. Shaw (1927–1940)
- Kenneth I. Brown (1940–1950)
- A. Blair Knapp (1951–1968)
- Joel P. Smith (1969–1976)
- Robert C. Good (1976–1984)
- Andrew G. De Rocco (1984–1988)
- Michele Tolela Myers (1989–1998)
- Dale T. Knobel (1998–2013)
- Adam S. Weinberg (2013–present)
Campus
The Denison campus is very large, about 1,100 acres. This includes a 400-acre biological reserve. Science professors use this area for classes. They study subjects like geology and biology there. The Denison Golf Club is also nearby. It's an 18-hole course designed by Donald Ross. It was given to the university in 2014. In 2013, the university bought and fixed up the historic Granville Inn.
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Swasey Chapel was the first building in the "Greater Denison" plan. It was built in the center of campus. The chapel can hold 990 people. It hosts important events like concerts and award ceremonies.
There are 18 academic buildings on campus. Doane Administration Building and Burton Morgan are also on the academic quad. They are used for administrative tasks. The Bryant Arts Center opened in 2009. Other arts buildings include Doane Dance Building and Burton Music. The Michael D. Eisner Center for the Performing Arts opened in 2019.
Doane Library holds over 500,000 books and magazines.
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Doane Administration (1895)
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William Howard Doane Library (1937)
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Beth Eden (1901) and Swasey Chapel (1924)
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Swasey Chapel (1924, inside)
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Barney Davis Hall (1894)
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131 W Broadway is home to the Denison University President and family.
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Swasey Observatory opened in 1910. It has a 9-inch telescope and two 8-inch telescopes. The campus landscape was designed by the Olmsted Brothers firm. The "Greater Denison" plan used a design of open areas called quadrangles. This was to help different groups on campus feel connected.
Students
For the 2023–24 school year, 2,300 students are at Denison. About 49% are male and 51% are female. Students come from all 50 U.S. states and 79 countries. Most (78%) are from outside Ohio. There are 292 professors. This means there is 1 professor for every 9 students.
About 13% of students are "first-generation." This means they are the first in their family to go to college. Also, 37% are "multicultural" students. In 2014, The New York Times said Denison was one of America's "Most Economically Diverse Top Colleges." Denison was ranked 11th on that list.
The university has a large fund called an endowment, over $1 billion in 2023. This means there's over $400,000 for each student. Denison promises to meet all financial needs for students who are accepted. This means they help students pay for college. The yearly cost for 2024–2025 is $83,400. Denison gives out almost $70 million in financial aid each year.
Academics
Here are Denison's most popular majors for 2021 graduates:
- Econometrics & Quantitative Economics (66 students)
- Biology/Biological Sciences (55 students)
- Mass Communication/Media Studies (38 students)
- International Business/Trade/Commerce (29 students)
- Management Science (27 students)
- Research & Experimental Psychology (27 students)
Admissions
Denison University is one of the few colleges that guarantees to meet the financial needs of all accepted students. This includes students from other countries. For U.S. students, they are "need-blind." This means a student's ability to pay does not affect their admission decision.
For fall 2023, over 14,500 students applied. Only 17% of them were offered a spot. More international students are applying. Applications from international students went from 2,447 in 2019 to 3,255 in 2021. The number of international students who enrolled also increased.
Denison uses "test-optional" admissions. This means students can choose whether to send their SAT or ACT scores. For students who did send scores in Fall 2021, the middle 50% had SAT scores from 1330 to 1550. Their ACT scores ranged from 30 to 35. In Fall 2021, 76% of new students were in the top 10% of their high school class. U.S. News & World Report calls Denison "most selective." About 15% of new students are admitted as athletes.
Denison uses a "holistic review" process. This means they look at more than just grades. They also consider extracurricular activities, awards, and a student's character. Their contributions to the community and their enthusiasm are also important.
In January 2021, Denison became a QuestBridge partner college. This program helps high-achieving, low-income students get into top colleges.
Rankings
| USNWR Liberal Arts College | 39 |
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Denison was ranked 39th among U.S. liberal arts colleges. It was also ranked 9th for "Most Innovative Schools" by the U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges Ranking. The college received an "A" grade from Niche. Niche also said it was the 2nd best liberal arts college in Ohio. Denison's website states it was ranked 43rd in "Smartest Liberal Arts Colleges in America" by Business Insider.
Student life
Denison is a residential campus. This means almost all students live on campus. The buildings are a mix of old and new. The Homestead at Denison University is a special housing option.
Student organizations and involvement
Denison University has over 160 student groups. More than 600 students hold leadership roles.
The Denison Campus Governance Association (DCGA) is the student government. All students are members. The DCGA Student Senate represents students. They have worked on many student projects. These include changing quiet hours and creating a Code of Academic Integrity.
The Denison Community Association (DCA) is a student-led group. It oversees many student service committees. In 2015, 86% of students volunteered in community service.
The Denisonian is the student newspaper. It started in 1857 and is the oldest student group. It prints ten issues each semester. It also has an online version at denisonian.com.
The Bullsheet is another student-run publication. It shares news, humor, and discussions. It is printed daily and delivered to campus buildings. It started in 1979 to get students more involved. It is still an important place for free speech on campus.
Fraternity and sorority life
Denison has 19 national fraternities and sororities. They are managed by four different groups. As of 2023, 35% of students join a fraternity or sorority.
Traditions and folklore
D-Day is a special celebration for the whole college. The University Programming Council (UPC) organizes it once a year.
Kirtley F. Mather, a Denison graduate from 1909, named a mountain "Mt. Denison." It is the tallest peak in Alaska's Aleutian Peninsula. In 1978, a group of Denison students, professors, and alumni climbed it. Another Denison group did it again almost 20 years later.
Denison also has one of the few college cemeteries.
Arts
Students can study many arts subjects. These include theatre, music, visual art, and dance. They can also study art history or cinema. Denison hosts several yearly festivals and series. These include The Vail Series and The Tutti Festival.
The Vail Series started in 1979. It was funded by a gift in honor of Jeanne Vail. This program brings famous artists to campus. They perform and also interact with students. Tickets for students are free. Famous performers like Yo-Yo Ma and Itzhak Perlman have visited. In 2014, the string quartet ETHEL became the first group to live and work at Denison.
The Beck Series is part of the creative writing program. It brings different authors to campus. They read their work and talk with students. Past visitors include Pulitzer Prize winner Eudora Welty and National Book Award winner Alice Walker.
The Tutti Festival happens twice a year. It shows new works of music, art, dance, and theater. These works are by professors, students, and visiting artists.
The college also hosts a free annual Bluegrass Festival. This weekend event has concerts, instrument workshops, and jam sessions.
WDUB, also known as The Doobie, is the campus radio station. It broadcasts 24 hours a day online. The station was featured in American Eagle Outfitters stores. The Princeton Review ranked The Doobie as one of the best college radio stations.
In 2016, Denison opened the Denison Art Space in Newark. It is part of a new development downtown.
Construction began in 2017 on the Michael D. Eisner Center for the Performing Arts. It is named after Michael Eisner, a former CEO of The Walt Disney Company and Denison graduate. This building will house the music, dance, and theater departments. It will also have spaces for performances and rehearsals.
Athletics
Denison is part of the NCAA Division III. They have been in the North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) since it started in 1984. Denison has won the Dennis M. Collins Award 11 times. This award goes to the NCAC school with the best overall sports performance. Denison also has 45 club and intramural sports.
In 2001, the Denison Women's Swimming and Diving team won their first national championship. They ended Kenyon College’s streak of 17 wins. The Denison Men's Swimming and Diving team also won a national title in 2011. They beat Kenyon by just 1 point, ending their 31-year winning streak. Denison men won national titles again in 2015–2016 and 2017–2018.
Both men's and women's swimming and diving teams have finished in the top 10 at national championships for 47 years in a row. They have placed second or third nationally 26 times.
Denison alumnus Woody Hayes (Class of ’35) was the head football coach at Denison from 1946–48. His teams had perfect seasons in 1947 and 1948.
In 1954, Keith Piper became the head football coach. He coached for 39 seasons. Piper won a school record of 200 games. In 1985, his team had a perfect 10–0 season. They made it to the NCAA Division III playoffs.
The women's basketball team has become very strong under coach Sara Lee. In 2010–11, they had a perfect 28–0 regular season. They have been to the NCAA Division III Tournament seven times.
Denison's men's and women's lacrosse teams have also been very successful. They have played in the NCAA Division III tournament 28 times combined. In 1999 and 2001, the men's lacrosse team reached the national semifinals.
In 2008, the Denison women's tennis team reached the NCAA semifinals. They finished third overall, their best national result.
The Denison women's soccer team reached the NCAA quarterfinals in 2010. They had also done this in 2005. The program has been to the NCAA Tournament 14 times.
In 2019, Denison was one of the first NCAA universities to join the LGBTQ OneTeam Program. This program supports LGBTQ athletes.
Denison has had 49 NCAA postgraduate scholars. They also have 87 Academic All-Americans.
Career center
In 2016, the Austin E. Knowlton Foundation gave $9.3 million to Denison. This money was for the Center for Career Exploration. It is now called The Austin E. Knowlton Center for Career Exploration. In 2017, the Knowlton Center was honored by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE).
The Knowlton Center helps students from their first year. It prepares them for life after college. They help with job searches and finding graduate schools. They also offer career exploration and alumni mentoring. The center helps students find internships. It also provides money for internships, from $100 to $4,000. This helps cover costs during an internship.
Denison University is one of eight colleges in the CLIMB internship program. This program is in Denver. It partners with schools like Harvard, MIT, and Yale.
Notable faculty and alumni
Denison graduates include scholars, actors, and business leaders. Many have become presidents and executives of big companies.
Some notable professors include David Baker (poet) and William Rainey Harper. Harper was the first president of The University of Chicago.
Faculty
- David Baker (1984–)
- Paul Alfred Biefeld (1911–1943)
- Theodore Burczak (1995–)
- Andy Carlson (1999–2018)
- Asa Drury (1834–1836)
- Peter Grandbois (2010–)
- William Rainey Harper (1876–1878)
- Anthony J. Lisska (1969–2022)
- Kirtley Fletcher Mather (1918–1924)
- Margot Singer (2005–)
Alumni
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Steve Carell, comedian and actor
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James Clear, best-selling author
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Michael Eisner, former CEO of The Walt Disney Company
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Jennifer Garner, actress
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Tony P. Hall, former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations
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Judson Harmon, former U.S. Attorney General and Governor of Ohio
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Woody Hayes, Hall of Fame football coach
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Hal Holbrook, actor
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Richard Lugar, former U.S. Senator from Indiana
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Alex Moffat, actor and comedian from Saturday Night Live
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Famous alumni include actors Steve Carell, Hal Holbrook, and Jennifer Garner. Also, SNL comedian Alex Moffat and entertainer John Davidson. Other notable alumni are Hall of Fame college football coach Woody Hayes and former ESPN president George Bodenheimer. Michael Eisner, former Disney Chairman and CEO, also graduated from Denison.
See also
In Spanish: Universidad Denison para niños
- "Think of Laura" - A song by Christopher Cross about a Denison University student.
