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The University of Toledo
UT Hortz.svg
Logo of University of Toledo
Former name
Toledo University of Arts & Trades (1872–1884)
Toledo Manual Training School (1884–1914)
Toledo University (1914–1967)
Motto Coadyuvando El Presente, Formando El Porvenir
Motto in English
Guide to the Present, Moulder of the Future
Type Public research university
Established October 12, 1872; 152 years ago (October 12, 1872)
Parent institution
University System of Ohio
Accreditation HLC
Academic affiliations
Endowment $551.5 million (2021)
President Matt Schroeder (interim)
Provost Scott Molitor (interim)
Academic staff
2,232
Students 15,621
Undergraduates 12,002
Postgraduates 3,619
Location , ,
United States
Campus Urban
Main, 813 acres (329 ha)
Health Science, 450 acres (180 ha)
Scott Park, 160 acres (65 ha)
Newspaper The Independent Collegian
Colors Midnight blue and gold
         
Nickname Rockets
Sporting affiliations
NCAA Division I FBS – MAC
Mascot Rocky the Rocket & Rocksy the Rockette

The University of Toledo (often called UToledo or UT) is a large public university in Toledo, Ohio. It's the northernmost campus in the University System of Ohio. The university also has a Health Science campus, which includes the University of Toledo Medical Center. You can find its Center for the Visual Arts downtown at the Toledo Museum of Art. There's also a special research and education center, the Lake Erie Center, located at Maumee Bay State Park.

The university started in 1872 in downtown Toledo as the Toledo University of Arts and Trades. It closed for a few years but reopened in 1884 as the Toledo Manual Training School. Over time, this school grew into the university we know today.

In 1931, the university moved to its current main campus. Since then, it has grown a lot, with over 100 main buildings. It changed from a vocational school to a big research university. UToledo is well-known for its programs in science, engineering, and medicine. It's considered a university with "High research activity."

Today, the University of Toledo has more than 100,000 former students and over 13,000 current students. There are more than 300 student groups to join. Its sports teams are called the Rockets, and they play in the Mid-American Conference.

The History of UToledo

How it All Began: The 1800s

University Hall, University of Toledo
University Hall was finished in 1931.

The University of Toledo started in 1872. It was a private school focused on arts and trades, teaching things like painting and architectural drawing. A local newspaper editor, Jesup Wakeman Scott, believed Toledo would become a very important city. To help it grow, he gave 160 acres of land to start a university. The Toledo University of Arts and Trades officially began on October 12, 1872. Its goal was to help artists and skilled workers get a great education. Scott passed away in 1874, a year before the university opened in an old church building.

By the late 1870s, the school faced money problems and closed in 1878. But on January 8, 1884, the city of Toledo took over the school. It reopened as the Toledo Manual Training School. This school offered a three-year program for students aged 13 and older. They learned both school subjects and practical trade skills.

Growing Stronger: The 1900s

Ritter Planetarium-Observatory at The University of Toledo, November 2019
Ritter Observatory

In the early 1900s, the university's first president, Jerome Raymond, added more programs. He connected the university with other schools like the Toledo Conservatory of Music and the YMCA College of Law. He also created the College of Arts and Sciences. Even with these new programs, the school still had money troubles.

A. Monroe Stowe became president in 1914. He helped organize and stabilize the college. On January 30, 1914, the school became known as Toledo University. Stowe added more colleges, like the College of Commerce and Industry in 1914 and the College of Education in 1916. During this time, student numbers grew from 200 to about 1,500.

As the university grew, so did student activities. The first college sports teams started in 1915, with football added in 1917. Students also formed groups like a student council and the first student newspaper, The Universi-Teaser, in 1919. In 1923, a newspaper writer gave the sports teams their nickname, the Rockets. He thought it described their fast playing style.

By the 1920s, Toledo University was getting too big for its downtown buildings. In 1922, it moved to a larger building that had been used for training soldiers in World War I. But even this new place quickly became too small as more students joined.

In 1928, Henry J. Doermann became president. He planned for a brand new campus. He got money for this after people in the city voted to approve it. Doermann worked with architects to design the new campus, taking ideas from European universities. He hoped the beautiful buildings would inspire students. Soon after, University Hall and the Field House were built in a style called Collegiate Gothic.

During the Great Depression, student numbers stayed steady. Philip C. Nash, the next president, cut costs and used money from President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal programs. This money helped pay for new buildings and scholarships.

U-of toledo ihouse
Horton International House was built in the 1980s or 1990s.

When the United States entered World War II, the university helped with the war effort. It offered training programs for military and civilian workers. For example, civilians could take engineering and science classes, and learn to fly planes. The military also used the university to train soldiers and nurses. Many women students joined the Red Cross chapter, knitting sweaters for soldiers.

After the war, the GI Bill of Rights helped veterans pay for college. Over 3,000 veterans came to UT using this program. In 1945, the university bought military housing for veterans, which later became housing for married students.

In 1958, the university looked for financial help from the state of Ohio. This was because the city of Toledo could no longer afford to give the university 12% of its budget. After much effort, on July 1, 1967, the university officially became a state university. This meant it would get money from the state for buildings and student support. Its name changed to the University of Toledo.

The 1960s brought many student protests to the UT campus, like at other universities. Students spoke up about different issues, from food quality to the Vietnam War. In 1970, UT students remained peaceful after the Kent State shootings. They also protested peacefully about racial issues, and the university president met with them to resolve things.

UT celebrated its 100th birthday in 1972. New buildings like the Center for Performing Arts and Centennial Hall were added. Centennial Hall was later renamed John F. Savage Arena. The university also created Centennial Mall, a beautiful landscaped area in the middle of campus.

In the 1990s, the university continued to grow. New buildings like the Academic Center and Residence Hall, the Center for the Visual Arts, and Nitschke Hall were built. Construction also began on a Pharmacy, Chemistry, and Life Sciences complex. Technology also grew, with the university joining OhioLINK (a library network) and getting Internet access in dorms and offices. The university also launched its first website.

UToledo in the 21st Century

University of Toledo Center for the Visual Arts
The University of Toledo Center for the Visual Arts

In 2006, something big happened: the University of Toledo merged with the Medical University of Ohio. This made UToledo one of the largest public universities in Ohio. It also became one of only 17 public universities in the country with colleges for business, education, engineering, law, medicine, and pharmacy. The former Medical University of Ohio facilities are now called the Health Science Campus.

What You Can Study at UToledo

The University of Toledo offers more than 250 different study programs. It's the sixth-largest university in Ohio by student numbers. There are about 20 students for every teacher, and most classes have about 25 students.

UToledo has many ways for students to make their learning even better. This includes the Honors College, chances to study abroad, and opportunities to do undergraduate research.

The University of Toledo is a public university. It's managed by a board of trustees and the Ohio Board of Regents. These groups are chosen by the Governor of Ohio. The board has 14 members who are unpaid community members. They give their power to the university president.

UToledo has many different colleges and schools, including:

  • College of Adult and Lifelong Learning
  • College of Arts and Letters
  • College of Business and Innovation
  • College of Health and Human Services
  • Judith Herb College of Education
  • College of Engineering
  • College of Graduate Studies
  • College of Health Sciences
  • College of Law
  • College of Medicine and Life Sciences
  • College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics
  • College of Nursing
  • College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Science
  • College of Visual and Performing Arts
  • Jesup W. Scott Honors College
  • UT Online

Research at UToledo

University Hall UToledo
University Hall (background) and Centennial Mall (foreground)

The university has a special group called the University of Toledo Research Enterprise. It also has many research centers.

The Lake Erie Center, located at Maumee Bay State Park, studies environmental problems affecting the Great Lakes.

The UT Polymer Institute, part of the College of Engineering, researches polymers and plastic technology.

The Wright Center for Photovoltaics Innovation and Commercialization (PVIC) was created in 2007. It received a large grant to research clean energy from solar power. The center works to make solar technologies better and cheaper. This helps more homes and businesses use solar power.

In 2012, the University of Toledo became a partner in the Lowell Discovery Telescope. This is a large telescope used for astronomy research.

Student Life at UToledo

UToledo is home to a diverse group of students. Many students are from Ohio, but others come from all over the world. The university works to create a welcoming environment for everyone.

Sports at UToledo

Rocky and Rocksy at Freshman Convocation, 2017
Rocky and Rocksy, the university's mascots, at a 2017 event.

The University of Toledo's sports teams are called the Rockets. Their team colors are midnight blue and gold. They play in the Mid-American Conference. The Rockets football team has won the Mid-American Conference championship many times.

The Toledo Rockets football team has played in several bowl games. They won the 2015 Go Daddy Bowl against Arkansas State.

The Toledo Rockets men's basketball team won the Mid-American Conference championship in 2006–07. The team has also been recognized for its high academic performance.

In Spring 2011, the University of Toledo women's basketball team won the WNIT. This was a big achievement, as they were the first MAC team in any sport to win a National Championship in modern times.

The women's cross country team has won four MAC Championships. They also finished well at the NCAA Championships in 2010 and 2011.

The University of Toledo has two official mascots: Rocky the Rocket and Rocksy the Rockette. Rocky was introduced in 1966, and Rocksy joined in 2011. The University of Toledo Rocket Marching Band performs at all home football games.

The Bowling Green Rivalry

Toledo's main sports rival is Bowling Green State University. Their football teams used to play for a trophy called the Peace Pipe. Now, they play for the "Battle of I-75" trophy. Toledo has been doing very well in this rivalry recently.

Club Sports

The University of Toledo also has many club sports. These are student-run teams that compete against other universities. Students often help pay for these teams through dues and fundraising. Some of the club sports at UT include: football, bowling, ice hockey, lacrosse, quidditch, sailing, soccer, table tennis, tennis, and volleyball.

UT's club sports have had many successes. The wrestling team won individual national championships from 2006 to 2008. The sailing team has won championships and competed nationally. The men's soccer team won a national championship in 1996. The men's ice hockey team won a national championship in 1992.

Ice Hockey

The Toledo Rockets men's ice hockey team is part of the American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) Division II. They also play in the Tri-State Collegiate Hockey League (TSCHL). The team plays about 30–35 games each season against other club teams in the area.

Famous People from UToledo

Many people who studied or worked at the University of Toledo have gone on to do amazing things in various fields.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Universidad de Toledo para niños

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