University of Rio Grande and Rio Grande Community College
URG campus entrance, showing the official seal of the university
Former names
Rio Grande College (1876–1989)
MottoChanging Tomorrows
TypePrivate university and public community college
EstablishedSeptember 13, 1876; 147 years ago (1876-09-13)
Parent institution
University System of Ohio
Endowment$21,853,211
PresidentRyan Smith
ProvostDr. David Lawrence
Students2,300
Undergraduates2,140
Postgraduates160
Location
Rio Grande
,
Ohio
,
United States

38°52′49″N 82°22′36″W / 38.880278°N 82.376667°W / 38.880278; -82.376667
CampusRural, 190 acres (77 ha)
ColorsRed & White
   
NicknameRedStorm
Sporting affiliations
NAIA – River States (primary)
NAIA – Mid-South (wrestling, volleyball)
Websitewww.rio.edu

The University of Rio Grande and Rio Grande Community College (originally Rio Grande College)[1] is a private university and public community college merged into one institution in Rio Grande, Ohio. It is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

History

President J.M. Davis of the Rio Grande College, circa 1890.

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 10 acres (4.0 ha) 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.[2]

Athletics

The Rio Grande athletic teams are called the RedStorm. The university is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), primarily competing in the River States Conference (RSC; formerly known as the Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (KIAC) until after the 2015–16 school year) since the 2014–15 academic year; which they were a member on a previous stint from 1964–65 to 1970–71. The RedStorm previously competed in the Mid-South Conference (MSC) from 2009–10 to 2013–14, and in the defunct American Mideast Conference AMC; (formerly known as the Mid-Ohio Conference - MOC, until after the 1997–98 school year) from 1971–72 to 2008–09.

Rio Grande competes in 25 intercollegiate varsity sports: Men's sports include baseball, basketball, bowling, cross country, golf, rugby, soccer, track & field (indoor & outdoor), volleyball, and wrestling; while women's sports include basketball, bowling, cross country, golf, rugby, soccer, softball, track & field (indoor & outdoor), and volleyball; and co-ed sports include bass fishing, cheerleading, dance, and eSports.

Notable alumni

This section needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources in this section. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (December 2012) (Learn how and when to remove this template message)

References

  1. ^ "Raccoon Township, Gallia County, Ohio". History of Gallia County. Chicago & Toledo: H. H. Hardesty & Co., Publishers. Archived from the original on 23 December 2011. Retrieved 28 January 2011.
  2. ^ "Raccoon Township". History of Gallia County. Chicago & Toledo: H. H. Hardesty & Co., Publishers. 1882. Archived from the original on 23 December 2011. Retrieved 28 January 2011.
  3. ^ "Matt BOYLES | Profile | World Athletics".
  4. ^ "CREMEANS, Frank, (1943 - 2003)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved December 21, 2012.
  5. ^ "Tom Spencer Stats". Baseball Almanac. Retrieved December 21, 2012.
  6. ^ "SWITZER, Robert Mauck, (1863 - 1952)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved December 21, 2012.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to University of Rio Grande.
University of Rio Grande
River States Conference
Colleges and universities in the state of Ohio
College sports teams in Ohio
Categories