Founded on Feb. 18, 1804, Ohio University is proud of its rich history of educating students from across the state and around the world. While we celebrate the birthday of the institution each year on Founders Day, we also celebrate the achievements of our many students and alumni that forever enrich the OHIO community and beyond.
Happy Founders Day to Bobcats everywhere!
Join us for a fun-filled Founders Day 2026 Bar Trivia Night! Let’s raise a glass to Ohio University’s birthday with the Ohio University Alumni Association. Test your OHIO knowledge, compete with friends, and make some new Bobcat connections along the way!
Date: February, 27th
Time: 6:00 – 8:00 pm
Where: Nocterra Brewing – Powell
The Ohio University Alumni Association is challenging Bobcats near and far to take part in the Founders Day Virtual 5K Challenge! Celebrate OHIO's founding by helping us reach our goal of the total mileage from the Bunch of Grapes Tavern in Boston where Ohio University was chartered to Cutler Hall in Athens, equating 730 miles! Your individual 5K submission will be counted toward the combined mileage goal.
Keeping with tradition and in honor of OHIO's historic milestone, the Cutler Hall chimes will play “Alma Mater, Ohio” at 2:22 p.m. Cutler Hall is the oldest building at Ohio University and currently serves as home to the Office of the President, the Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost, and other senior administrative staff.
Explore World War II-related stories, articles, news and more that appeared in The Post from 1939 when the newspaper made its first appearance, from Ohio University Libraries' Mahn Center for Archives and Special Collections.
Founders Day Spring Student Showcase
History of Founders Day at Ohio University
Glimpses of People and Places of Athens & OHIO Digital Exhibit
Francine Childs: Life and Contributions at Ohio University & Beyond