»¨¼¾´«Ã½ Chillicothe Campus History

Campus History Overview

The »¨¼¾´«Ã½ Chillicothe Campus was established in response to the educational needs of soldiers returning home from World War II, hungry for an advanced education under the GI Bill. Evening classes were first offered in what is now J. A. Smith Middle School, part of the Chillicothe City School district.

For 15 years, only evening classes were offered. Demand grew and by 1961 daytime classes were held at the First Presbyterian Church. The groundwork for a Chillicothe campus had already begun in 1960 with a local group's purchase of 43 acres on Carlisle Hill. A year later, 38 acres were added; current holdings total approximately 100 acres.

In 1962, »¨¼¾´«Ã½ President Vernon Alden said he envisioned a campus complete with laboratories, a small library, and even dormitories, ready to serve thousands of students in Chillicothe by 1972. That same year, a $200,000 fund drive was launched to complete payment on the land and prove to the Ohio General Assembly that local citizens were ready to support higher education. Following the success of the fund drive, the $1.6 million Bennett Hall opened in 1966 as the first campus building.

Dr. Alden's vision of a small library became reality in 1974 when the $1-million Burton E. Stevenson Learning Resources Center opened. In 1980 came the opening of the $2-million Myrl Shoemaker Convocation Center, a complete physical education complex. In 1998 a Technical Studies building, housing Hazardous Materials Technology, Environmental Engineering Technology, and the Southern Ohio Police Training Institute, was dedicated.

More recently constructed was the Ross County/»¨¼¾´«Ã½ Chillicothe Child Development and Family Service Center. The Center houses Ross County Community Action Head Start and provides a high-quality educational experience for area children in addition to providing valuable practical experiences for Chillicothe campus students majoring in early childhood education, social work or nursing. 

About Chillicothe and Ross County

Chillicothe is a historic and thriving community located 45 miles south of Columbus. The town was founded in 1796 as the capital of the Northwest Territory. It was the state capital for two periods in the early 1800s before that function was permanently moved to Columbus.

Located at the intersection of U.S. 23, 35, and 50, Chillicothe is the county seat of Ross County. Ross County is home to several large and small manufacturing service industry employers that produce paper products, trucks, truck parts and auto and railroad car parts. A Fortune 500 company, Kenworth Division of Paccar Corporation, calls Ross County home.

In addition to new residential areas, well-kept houses of historic significance form pleasant, tree-lined residential neighborhoods. The downtown area renovated with the Streetscape project is billed as the "first capital district." Adjacent to downtown Chillicothe is Yoctangee Park, featuring a large lake, picnic and other recreational facilities, the bicentennial walkway, and the 1882 Pump House Gallery.

The city of Chillicothe has a growing recreation program that includes softball and basketball for adults, and baseball, softball, soccer, and basketball for youngsters. Chillicothe is the home of the Chillicothe Paints, a professional baseball team. The area's historic flavor is enhanced by the Adena State Memorial, the homestead of Ohio's sixth governor, Thomas Worthington; Hopewell Culture National Historical Park; and the expanding Ross County museums located downtown. In addition, several state parks are within easy driving distance of the city and provide extensive recreational opportunities in the rolling hills and beautiful forests of south-central Ohio. Chillicothe is within easy driving distance of Columbus, Cincinnati, and Dayton.