History
Urbana University was founded in 1850 by followers of the 18th century Swedish philosopher and scientist, Emanuel Swedenborg. The university was the second institution of higher learning in Ohio to admit women; the first was Oberlin College. The groundwork for the founding of the university was in part laid by John Chapman, better known as Johnny Appleseed. While more famous for spreading apple seeds throughout the East, Chapman was also a Swedenborgian missionary and helped spread this faith among the early settlers around Urbana. Chapman encouraged his friend and fellow Swedenborgian, Colonel John James, to donate the land on which Urbana University was built. To this day, the university maintains an informal relationship with the Swedenborgian General Convention of the Church of the New Jerusalem in the United States of America. The university is also home to the The Johnny Appleseed Educational Center and Museum to honor John Chapman.
Classes for elementary and secondary students under the name Urbana Seminary began in the fall of 1850 in a rented room in a building in downtown Urbana. College level classes were first held in the fall of 1854, following the construction of Bailey Hall, the first building on the campus. Less than 10 years after the college opened it suspended operations from 1861-1866 during the Civil War. The college experienced a number of changes in the early 20th century when the college's curriculum was shortened to a two year junior college format in 1907. The school later shut down the primary school in 1911; and the secondary school was closed in 1928.
Urbana operated as a two-year college until 1968, when it returned curriculum to a four-year format. In 1975, Urbana was granted full membership in the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools.In 1985, the institution changed its name from Urbana College Urbana University. Today, in addition to being a traditional liberal arts college, Urbana University's School of Adult and Graduate Education offers Associate degree and Bachelor of Science degree completion programs in Business Management, Education, Criminal Justice Leadership, Human Services Leadership, and many more. In addition to these programs, Master's programs are available in Business Administration, Education, Nursing, and Criminal Justice. Classes meet on the Urbana University main campus, and at several off-campus locations throughout Western Ohio. These locations are in Bellefontaine, Dayton, Kettering, Marysville, Piqua, and Springfield.
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