Ohio University Eastern Campus 50th Anniversary

Tuesday, September 4th, 2007 marked the first day of classes of the 50th year the Eastern Campus of Ohio University has been in the Ohio Valley. Students and staff kicked off the year with a birthday celebration, complete with birthday cake and music from 1957, during lunchtime. Special events for the public will be held throughout the 2007-08 school year.

Fiftieth Anniversary calendars will be available later this month. A photo contest was held in the spring in order for folks from the community to submit photos of the campus for use in the calendar.

October 13 will be the official anniversary kick-off for the public with a Fall Festival featuring an antique car cruise-in, campus tours, children's inflatables, food, concert by The Fabulous Bender Boys, and culminating with a laser light show for the entire family. Admission to festival events is free. Food will be available for purchase.

Fifty years ago this September, Ohio University started offering university courses at Martins Ferry High School in the evenings. Over the next 10 years the university offered courses at St. Clairsville High School, also in the evenings, and offered day classes in what is now the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services on National Road behind Oakview Rehabilitation.

In 1967 the Eastern Campus relocated to its current location, atop the hill on National Road. Wilson Shannon Hall, the Georgian-style building that can be seen from the interstate, was named after Wilson Shannon, Ohio's 14th governor, a native of Belmont County, and an Ohio University alumnus.

There have been thousands of Ohio University alumni over the last 50 years who have earned their degrees by attending the Eastern Campus. According to Dr. E. R. Bovenizer, who was the director of the campus in 1957, alumni from the first few years are now professors at universities, officials in the state department, and leaders in public education working in Columbus.

"This schoolyear is an important milestone for our campus. As we look back to the days at Martins Ferry High School, we also look ahead to continue to create opportunities for Ohio Valley citizens - opportunities that can only come if people are educated and continue to learn and grow. It is important to note that as we celebrate our first 50 years, Martins Ferry High School will also be having a celebration of their own this year as they move forward into a new building," said Dr. Paul E. Bibbins, Jr., campus dean.

Check back regularly for updates and special events at Ohio University's Eastern Campus.