What We Do / Education / Ohio Domincan University

Ohio Dominican University

The Dominican Sisters, pioneer women whose mission to love and serve God embraced teaching as their apostolic work, came to Ohio in 1830. The Catholic families of Ohio, initially settled around Somerset, had great need of good teachers. Four Sisters traveled from Cartwright Creek, Kentucky to begin a mission which continues today.

The Sisters ran a successful Academy for girls, first in Somerset and then beginning in 1868 in Columbus, Ohio. By the beginning of the new century there was need in the area for Catholic higher education for women. They decided to pursue creating a college for women in addition to their Academy.

In 1911, the Dominican Sisters received a charter from the state of Ohio to offer college classes for women. In September 1924, the Sisters formally opened St. Mary of the Springs College as a four-year liberal arts college for women. The college continued the Sisters’ tradition of welcoming students of various faiths, ethnic descent, and socio-economic backgrounds. One of its programs, teacher certification, was approved by the state in 1929 and the graduates serve as teachers and administrators across the country.

St. Mary of the Springs College and St. Mary of the Springs Academy operated concurrently for fifty years. The college became co-educational in 1964; the academy closed in 1966. St. Mary of the Springs College changed its name to Ohio Dominican College in 1968 and to Ohio Dominican University in 2002. Sisters of the Congregation of St. Mary of the Springs continue to serve on the Board of Trustees, as well as on the faculty, staff and administration. The university fulfills the motto of the Dominican Order:

“To contemplate the truth and to share the fruits of that contemplation.”

To learn more about Ohio Dominican University and to view its website, click here.
If looking for former faculty contact us.
For a list of presidents click here.