Help us celebrate Founders Day on Tuesday, February 18th from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at the Baker Center 3rd floor atrium. Join us for cake, punch, and a special visit from Rufus!
Happy Birthday, OHIO!
Founders Day • February Eighteenth
Founders Day 2025
Happy 221st Birthday, OHIO!
Founded on Feb. 18, 1804, Ohio University is proud of its rich history of educating students from across the state and around the world. While we celebrate the birthday of the institution each year on Founders Day, we also celebrate the achievements of our many students and alumni that forever enrich the OHIO community and beyond.
Happy Founders Day to Bobcats everywhere!
Founders Day Events
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Virtual Trivia Night
Join us for a fun and engaging virtual event celebrating Ohio University! The evening kicks off with a webinar exploring OHIO’s rich history, followed by a lively trivia competition where you can test your Bobcat knowledge and compete for bragging rights!
When: February 18
Webinar: 6:00 p.m.–6:45 p.m.
Trivia: 7:00 p.m.–7:45 p.m. -
Birthday Bashes
Find an OUAA alumni network Birthday Bash event near you and reconnect with fellow Bobcats for an unforgettable celebration filled with cake, memories, and Bobcat pride. Let’s come together to toast our history and our future—because every great university deserves a birthday party!
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Virtual 5K
Celebrate OHIO's 221 years by helping us reach our goal of the total mileage from the Bunch of Grapes Tavern in Boston where Ohio University was chartered to Cutler Hall in Athens, equating 730 miles! Your individual 5K submission will be counted toward the combined mileage goal.
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Cutler Hall Bells Chime
Keeping with tradition and in honor of OHIO's historic milestone, the Cutler Hall chimes will play “Alma Mater, Ohio” at 2:21 p.m. Cutler Hall is the oldest building at Ohio University and currently serves as home to the Office of the President, the Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost, and other senior administrative staff.
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Libraries Digital Exhibits
Explore World War II-related stories, articles, news and more that appeared in The Post from 1939 when the newspaper made its first appearance, from Ohio University Libraries' Mahn Center for Archives and Special Collections.
Founders Day Spring Student Showcase
History of Founders Day at Ohio University (opens in a new window)
Glimpses of People and Places of Athens & OHIO Digital Exhibit (opens in a new window)
Francine Childs: Life and Contributions at Ohio University & Beyond (opens in a new window)
Virtual Activities / Black History Month
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Spotlights
As we celebrate John Newton Templeton as the first Black graduate in Ohio, we recognize that "First" accomplishments are still being made. Tell us about your "First."
- Are you the first in your family or in your OHIO program to reach a specific milestone?
- What is your best memory from OHIO?
- What legacy did you or do you want to leave at OHIO, in your community, or beyond? These stories will be collected and shared on our website.
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Quilt Project
Quilts have a long history in Appalachian and Black culture. Each one of us has a story to tell...about where we've been and where we plan to go. Ohio University is asking for your help to create a community quilt (both physical and digital) to connect our stories.