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Our Promise

Ohio University was founded on the promise of opportunity. The Division of Student Affairs stands at the very heart of that promise by providing rich academic and student-life experiences for all OHIO students. Every student at OHIO - no matter his or her major - is influenced by the work of these central University units. And, everyday, our students and professional staff discover new ways to learn and to engage students in the unique OHIO experience.

The Promise Within: OHIO's Margaret Boyd Scholars Program

Margaret Boyd followed her two older brothers in enrolling at Ohio University. That’s not unusual today, when the University sees not only siblings, but successive generations of the same family, among its ranks. But with her enrollment on April 1, 1868, Maggie Boyd became the first woman to enter the University. When she collected her bachelor of arts degree on June 26, 1873, she became the first woman to earn an OHIO degree.

Boyd’s pioneering spirit and perseverance in a male-dominated environment is honored with OHIO’s first scholars program to advance female scholarship. In 2013, the Margaret Boyd Scholars Program select its inaugural class of 20 first-year OHIO students – from across all majors – for academic enrichment and leadership development throughout their undergraduate careers. Today, the program has reached a total enrollment of 160 and counting. 

The primary goal of the Margaret Boyd Scholars Program is to develop critical leadership skills in students who otherwise might not self-identify as leaders and/or social change agents. The program will build upon the University’s five core values of character, community, citizenship, civility, and commitment to further OHIO’s central purpose of supporting the intellectual and personal development of students. The program will foster awareness regarding issues of social justice and gender equity through partnerships with committed OHIO faculty, community members, alumni and friends, students and staff.

The four-year program will develop leadership, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills and will comprise:

• Margaret Boyd Scholars retreat for new members
• Adventure education excursions with Outdoor Pursuits
• Two academic seminars (one in the first year, one in the senior year)
• A communal living experience (sophomore year)
• A professional development/internship or study abroad experience (junior year);
• An annual visiting scholar series, which includes a lecture/seminar and one-on-one interactions with the visiting scholar
• Service learning and sustained community service project (throughout the four years)
• Project-based learning
• Health and wellness programming
• Exposure to the Office of Nationally Competitive Awards and encouragement to apply for awards.
• Social interaction and community engagement 

Without the initial support of University College and the Women’s Center, this program would not have been as launched and thrived. Today, we have strong relationships with many campus partners in support of the program including University College, the Women’s Center, Housing and Residence Life, Campus Recreation and many more. 

View the Margaret Boyd Scholars Impact Report (PDF)

Your Support

Our margin of excellence depends on the private support of you – our alumni and friends. Whether your interests lie in supporting student internships and study abroad, visiting scholars, or physical spaces for the Margaret Boyd Scholars, there are many ways you can add your promise to this unique program. Your gift to The Margaret Boyd Scholars Program will support a number of exciting initiatives that will shape the future of our program – and in turn – the futures of our students.