University of Rio Grande


The University of Rio Grande and Rio Grande Community College are twin colleges in Rio Grande, Ohio, United States. The University of Rio Grande is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
The University of Rio Grande offers a range of courses and majors and is known in the region for its Fine Arts, Education and Nursing programs. Additionally, its graduate program in teacher education was one of the few national programs structured around Howard Gardner's Theory of multiple intelligences. The university's Greer Museum hosts 5–6 visiting artists each year, and houses the Brooks Jones Art Collection, including works by Goya, Renoir, and Jasper Johns. The university Sculpture Garden contains 15 large-scale outdoor works by contemporary artists, including Fletcher Benton. The university's Grande Chorale jazz vocal group performs 12-15 recitals each year.
Rio Grande is notable for being the alma mater of Bevo Francis, who set the college record for points scored in a basketball game, and for its close connection with Bob Evans Farms, whose original location is adjacent to the university.

History

Early history

Ira Haning, a Free Will Baptist minister, persuaded Nehemiah and Permelia Atwood, along with Eustace St. James, affluent residents and entrepreneurs, to use their wealth to establish a college. Following Nehemiah’s death in 1869, the responsibility for making this dream a reality fell to his wife Permelia. In 1873, Permelia Ridgeway Atwood established an endowment and deeded of land for Rio Grande College, which officially opened on September 13, 1876. In its first year, Ransom Dunn was president as well as professor of mental and moral philosophy.

In its earliest years, Rio Grande provided leadership in preparing teachers and Baptist ministers.
;20th century
By 1915, Rio Grande’s major focus had shifted to teacher training, which continued as a virtually singular interest for nearly 60 years.
The affiliation with the Baptists formally ended in the early 1950s. During the same time period, the farm adjacent to the campus which was owned by the college, was sold to provide much-needed operating funds for the institution. A young businessman, Bob Evans, was the buyer.
The University Of Rio Grande's alma mater, "The Red and White" was written by Eustace St. James, a 1920 graduate and replaced a former alma mater written by Franz Josef Sucher.
In 1969, the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools approved Rio Grande’s Accreditation. The Davis Library was constructed and dedicated three years before the first accreditation; the library was instrumental in winning accreditation.

Recent expansion

From 1977 to 2008, Rio Grande’s campus expanded to include several new buildings and a variety of academic programs. In 1989, Rio Grande College was renamed the University of Rio Grande in recognition of its expanding curriculum. Some of the new degree programs added to the university’s curriculum in the last few years include interactive media, graphic design, radiologic technology, diagnostic medical sonography and respiratory therapy. From 1996 to 1998, with tremendous community support and local assistance, Rio Grande established the Madog Center for Welsh Studies on campus and the Meigs Center in Middleport. In 2001, the faculty led in making changes in academic requirements for all students and in converting to a semester system. In 2008, a new larger Meigs Center was constructed in Pomeroy above Meigs High School replacing the one in Middleport. Courses are also offered in Vinton County. The university also offers distance-learning programs via the Internet.

Athletics

The University of Rio Grande teams, nicknamed athletically as the RedStorm, are part of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics, primarily competing in the River States Conference. The RedStorm previously competed in the Mid-South Conference from 2009 to 2014, and the now-defunct American Mideast Conference prior to that. Men's sports include baseball, basketball, bowling, cross country, soccer and track & field; while women's sports include basketball, bowling, cross country, soccer, softball, track & field and volleyball.
In 2008, prior to their current nickname and mascot, its former nickname was the Redmen and Redwomen.

Men's soccer

The University has two NAIA Men's Soccer National Championships to its name including the 2003, and 2015, NAIA titles.
Through the 2014 season, the university's men's soccer team has had 46 National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics All-Americans.

Notable alumni