Capital University
Former names
Theological Seminary of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Ohio (1830–1850)
TypePrivate
EstablishedJune 3, 1830 (1830-06-03)
Religious affiliation
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Endowment$107.7 million (2020)[1]
PresidentDave Kaufman
Academic staff
159 full-time, 245 part-time
Students3,367 (fall 2018)[2]
Undergraduates2,718 (fall 2018)[2]
Postgraduates649 (fall 2018)[2]
Location
Bexley
,
Ohio
,
United States
CampusSuburban
53 acres
Colors    Purple, gray, white
[3][4]
NicknameComets
Sporting affiliations
NCAA Division III – OAC
Websitewww.capital.edu

Capital University (Capital, Cap, or CU) is a private university in Bexley, Ohio, United States. Capital was founded as the Theological Seminary of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Ohio in 1830 and later was associated with that synod's successor, the American Lutheran Church.[5] The university has undergraduate and graduate programs, as well as a law school.[6] Capital University is the oldest university in Central Ohio and is one of the oldest and largest Lutheran-affiliated universities in North America.[7]

History

Capital University was founded on June 3, 1830, as the Theological Seminary of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Ohio in Canton, Ohio,[5] 40 years before the founding of Ohio State University, making it the oldest university in Central Ohio. It moved to downtown Columbus in 1832. On March 2, 1850, The non-seminary portion of the school was renamed Capital University and the seminary was renamed the Evangelical Lutheran Theological Seminary (ELTS). At that time, the denomination was renamed to the Evangelical Lutheran Joint Synod of Ohio and Other States and grew into a nationwide church body. The first president of the renamed university was William Morton Reynolds.[8]

In 1930, the Joint Synod was merged with two other smaller German language groups, the Iowa Synod (formed 1854) and the Buffalo Synod (founded 1845) to create the American Lutheran Church (ALC), headquartered in Columbus. The ALC existed for only three decades, until 1960, when it, in turn, participated in a more extensive merger with the Evangelical Lutheran Church and the United Evangelical Lutheran Church Danish to form The American Lutheran Church. The second ALC lasted until the formation of the current Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) in 1988, with offices in Chicago, Illinois.

The university eventually moved its main campus to the rural periphery of the state capital in the community of Bexley. This rural area has since developed into an upscale suburb. Capital University's educational mission is based on Lutheran values of free inquiry, critical thinking, and leadership. A current motto used at the school is "Ask. Think. Lead", a continuing reminder of its educational mission.

Capital University Historic District
LocationBexley, Ohio
Coordinates39°57′21″N 82°56′19″W / 39.955833°N 82.938611°W / 39.955833; -82.938611
Built1876–1928[9]
Architectural styleItalianate, Gothic Revival[9]
NRHP reference No.82001457
Added to NRHPDecember 17, 1982

In recognition of several buildings' historic architectural merit, a portion of the campus was entered on the National Register of Historic Places as the "Capital University Historic District" in 1982. The district comprises Mees Hall, Bexley Hall, the Kerns Religious Life Center (formerly Rudolph Hall), and Leonard Hall. The district initially included Lehmann Hall and Loy Hall, but those two buildings have since been demolished.[10][9]

In May 2004, the university received approval to close Mound Street between College Avenue and Pleasant Ridge Avenue from the city of Bexley. In 2006, the university constructed a pedestrian mall on the closed portion of Mound Street, including parking, improved lighting, benches, and landscaping. The $2.5 million project unified the northern and southern parts of campus.[11]

Denvy A. Bowman, the university's 15th president retired on July 1, 2016, ending his ten-year tenure as president.[12] On February 9, 2016, Elizabeth L. Paul was named as the 16th president of Capital and was the first woman to hold the position at the university;[13] she resigned in 2020 after a no-confidence vote was held amongst faculty and staff.[14] David Kaufman became interim president in June 2020 and was named the 17th president on July 25, 2021.[15]

ELTS became independent of the university in 1959. It merged with the theological department known as Hamma Divinity School of nearby Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio, in 1978 and reopened on the Bexley campus as Trinity Lutheran Seminary, where it continues today as a theological seminary of the ELCA.[5] In the fall of 2016, Capital University and Trinity Lutheran Seminary announced that the two would reunite after 58 years of operating separately. The goal was to complete the reunion plan by the summer of 2017, with implementation to follow over the next two years.[16]

On July 13, 2020, the university Board of Trustees announced plans to retire the Crusader nickname and the "Cappy" mascot following a 15-month-long study.[17] The university formally adopted "Capital Comets" as the new mascot name on September 30, 2021.

Academics

Capital is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.[18] It has more than 60 majors and 51 minors to choose from.[19]

The academic buildings on campus include Battelle Hall, Ruff Learning Center, Troutman Hall, Kerns Religious Life Center, Huber-Spielman Hall, Conservatory of Music, and Renner Hall.

Capital University's ranking in the 2022 U.S. News & World Report edition of Best Colleges is Regional Universities Midwest, tied at #37.[20]

Law School

Capital University Law School is an ABA-accredited private law school located in downtown Columbus.[21] U.S. News & World Report listed Capital's full-time Juris Doctor program as "Rank Not Published" in 2018, but in 2022 it was ranked as tied for No. 147-193 out of 197 schools in Best Law Schools.[22]

Campus life

Campus entrance gate from Main Street

Student organizations

Capital University features more than 70 student organizations. This includes 13 fraternities and sororities, arts and media organizations, cultural organizations, honors societies, campus programming, religious organizations, service organizations, and government and social organizations. Some examples include Pride, PRSSA, Circle K, Jewish Student Association,[23] ReCap Literary Magazine, the Chimes (student news),[24] intramural sports, student government, and numerous music organizations in which both non-music and music majors can perform.

Residence life

Capital is a residential campus that operates on semester schedules. Most students live on campus in one of seven residence halls: Saylor-Ackermann Hall, Cotterman Hall, the Lohman Complex (comprising several residence halls), Schaaf Hall, Capital Commons, College Avenue Hall, and the Capital University Apartments (formerly the Woodsview Apartments).

Music

Capital University's music program is well-respected in the music community. Consisting of traditional and contemporary tracks, legendary faculty member Ray Eubanks started the jazz and music industry programs, some of the first in the nation. The largest degree concentration within the Conservatory is the Music Technology program, consisting of two tracks authored by Dr. Rocky J. Reuter, who also created the composition degree, the MIDI Band (an all-electronic live ensemble that has toured throughout the mid-west and eastern US), Ensemble Now (an improvisational-based contemporary music ensemble) and NOW MUSIC Festival, an annual celebration of contemporary music. The Chapel Choir has performed around Ohio and the world, including Carnegie Hall. The annual Christmas Festival at Capital is a popular local event and community institution led by all the choral ensembles (the Capital Chordsmen, Women's Chorus, Choral Union, and Chapel Choir). Recently, the university appointed its first female Assistant Dean of the Conservatory of Music.

WXCU Radio

Logo for WXCU Radio 2014-Present
Logo for WXCU Radio 2014-Present

The campus radio station, WXCU Radio, is entirely student-run and managed. In 2007, the radio station began streaming online only with an alternative and indie rock format. Students can host their radio show and interview nationally touring acts.[25] Additionally, the station hosts several concerts[26] and also supports the efforts of other groups campus-wide. Participation can be either extra-curricular or for credits. The station takes music submissions and frequently features music produced by students.

Harry C. Moores Student Union

During the summer of 2013, the Harry C. Moores Campus Center underwent a multimillion-dollar renovation. Capital University's Student Government rededicated the building as the 'Harry C. Moores Student Union' in the fall of 2013. Capital's Barnes & Noble bookstore is located on the first floor of the Union. The Student Union is also home to the campus mail room and the main dining facilities for Capital University.[27]

The main dining room (MDR), or "Capital Court" on campus, underwent renovations during the summer of 2015.

The bookstore on the first floor of the student union underwent renovations during the summer of 2016.

The third floor of the student union underwent renovations during the fall of 2016 to install a new workout area on campus. The workout facility opened in January 2017.[28] The third floor used to have a lounge and game tables; it was also home to the 'Mezz' dining option; however, that option was closed in 2015.

Blackmore Library

The Capital University Blackmore Library is a four-floor structure. Computers are located on the first three floors for use, with only one on the third floor. The third floor contains many articles and much of the university's historical data. The fourth floor is the home to the Schumacher Gallery, which houses a large art collection on campus. The second floor has an extensive music collection, including a vinyl section. Constructed in 1969 and dedicated in March 1971, the library now contains more than 300,000 media articles. The library was named in 1998 for Josiah Blackmore, a well-known legal scholar, and former university president.[29] The first and second floors of Blackmore Library were renovated in Summer 2012.

Schumacher Gallery houses the 502-piece Schreiber-Fox Collection of African Art. Schreiber and Fox donated their collection of African art to Capital University. The Schumacher Gallery's permanent collections consist of a diverse selection of more than 2500 works of art for education and enjoyment.

A piece of the Berlin Wall is a popular attraction for visitors and incoming students. Obtained in 1992, the wall was given on a long-term loan from Hansa Consulting, a German-based corporation. On one side is colorful graffiti written during the separation of East and West Berlin, while on the other is blank concrete revealing a few bullet holes, evidence of the confinement of East Berliners. Once housed in the university's library, the structure stands outside Huber-Spielman Hall. The concrete wall weighs 2.8 tons.[30]

Convergent Media Center

The three-story Convergent Media Center is designed to facilitate interdisciplinary work. The lower level contains a professional recording studio and digital art and design laboratories.[31]

A television and radio studio on the first floor allows video production and radio, television, film, visual, technical, and performing arts training. The first floor also houses the student radio station, WXCU, studios, and the control room for CapTV, along with event space for student publications.[31]

The second level houses faculty offices, small conference rooms, and seminar classrooms.[31]

Athletics

Members of the Capital University women's lacrosse team during a game in 2022

Capital University participates in numerous intercollegiate sports as a member Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) at the NCAA Division III level. The school's primary athletic rival is the Otterbein Cardinals of Westerville, Ohio. Capital's teams have been known as the Comets since September 2021, when the name was changed from the Crusaders.[32] In the 1930s, the school's teams were called the Fighting Lutherans.[33] The following teams and clubs compete on the varsity level:

National championships

Capital University became the first school to win back-to-back NCAA Division III Women's Basketball National Championships in 1994 and 1995. The two championships highlight a five-year run that featured four trips to the national semifinals and finals. The Crusaders finished second in the nation in 1993 and third in 1997.[34]

Bernlohr Stadium

Bernlohr Stadium is home to the football, men's and women's soccer, track, and men's and women's lacrosse teams. In 2011, Field turf was reinstalled on the field. The stadium does have a three-lane track. The capacity is around 3,000, with seating and standing room. In the fall of 2012, a new HD LCD scoreboard was revealed.[35] In October 2014, Capital was granted permission to install stadium lights and a new sound system at the stadium by the Bexley Planning Commission. This decision was upheld in January 2015 by the Bexley City Council after residents living near the stadium appealed the planning commission's decision.[36]

In the fall of 2016, alumnus Wells Purmort (class of 1958) donated to the university's athletic department. Purmort gave a gift of $1 million, which will be used to maintain the turf at the stadium and be used for the eventual replacement of the field. To show its appreciation, the university named the playing surface after him. The stadium is now known as Purmort Field at Bernlohr Stadium.[37]

Capital Center

The Capital Center is a 126,000-square-foot recreational and athletic complex that opened in 2001. Located inside is a weight room and cardio workout area open to students. The facility has an indoor track as well. The basketball and volleyball teams use the main gym inside the complex for their home games. Some classes are also held inside the Capital Center. The Capital Center is connected to Bernlor Stadium.[38]

Clowson Field

Clowson Field is home to the baseball and softball teams.[39] The field is located just a short drive from campus off of South Nelson Road. In 2021, a project to bring the softball and baseball fields to the main campus using space south of the Student Union was being considered.

People

Capital has many alums living in central Ohio and throughout the United States.

See also

References

  1. ↑ As of June 30, 2020. U.S. and Canadian Institutions Listed by Fiscal Year 2020 Endowment Market Value and Change in Endowment Market Value from FY19 to FY20 (Report). National Association of College and University Business Officers and TIAA. February 19, 2021. Retrieved February 20, 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 Capital University Office of Institutional Research. "Visual Fact Book (VFB) – Capital University". Retrieved March 1, 2018.
  3. ↑ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on November 26, 2013. Retrieved November 26, 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  4. ↑ Capital University
  5. 1 2 3 "Our Focus, Our Future" (PDF). Capital University. 2012. p. 4. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 21, 2015. Retrieved November 21, 2014.
  6. ↑ "Degrees". Capital University. Archived from the original on June 17, 2012. Retrieved July 4, 2012.
  7. ↑ "About Capital". Capital University. Archived from the original on February 7, 2012. Retrieved July 4, 2012.
  8. ↑ Robert Allan Stevens, Anticipation exceeded realization: Saga of an Antebellum College (Lulu, 2017), p. 158
  9. 1 2 3 Recchie, Nancy (November 1979), National Register of Historic Places Inventory — Nomination Form: Capital University Historic District (PDF), File Unit: National Register of Historic Places and National Historic Landmarks Program Records: Ohio, 1964 - 2013, retrieved July 12, 2018.
  10. ↑ "Department of the Interior: National Park Service: National Register of Historic Places; Annual Listing of Historic Properties", 49 FR 4608 (February 7, 1984), at p. 4659.
  11. ↑ "Unified campus, record frosh class uplift Capital University - Columbus - Columbus Business First". Archived from the original on July 16, 2015.
  12. ↑ "President Denvy A. Bowman to Retire from Presidency in 2016 | Capital University". Archived from the original on April 27, 2015. Retrieved April 20, 2015.
  13. ↑ Edwards, Mary Morgan (February 9, 2016). "Stetson University provost chosen to lead Capital University". The Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved November 8, 2018.
  14. ↑ "President Beth Paul to Leave Capital University in 2020 | Capital University, Columbus Ohio". Capital University. Retrieved February 16, 2022.
  15. ↑ "Meet President Kaufman". Capital University. Retrieved February 16, 2022.
  16. ↑ "Trinity Lutheran Seminary & Capital Reunite | Capital University, Columbus Ohio". www.capital.edu. Retrieved December 24, 2020.
  17. ↑ "Ohio's Capital University to retire Crusader mascot". The Enquirer. Retrieved June 11, 2021.
  18. ↑ "Capital University". The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association. April 18, 2012. Retrieved July 4, 2012.
  19. ↑ Majors and Minors
  20. ↑ "Capital University #28 in Regional Universities Midwest (tie)". usnews.com. U.S. News & World Report L.P. Retrieved February 24, 2020.
  21. ↑ "Capital University Law School". Capital University Law School. Retrieved July 4, 2012.
  22. ↑ Capital University. "Capital University | Best Law School | US News". Grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com. Retrieved August 13, 2015.
  23. ↑ Viviano, JoAnne (October 20, 2016). "Jewish students at Capital share significance of Sukkot holiday". The Columbus Dispatch. The Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved February 1, 2017.
  24. ↑ "The Chimes – Capital University's Student Newspaper". The Chimes. Retrieved March 7, 2019.
  25. ↑ "Interviews | WXCU Radio". Archived from the original on May 27, 2015. Retrieved May 26, 2015.
  26. ↑ "Events | WXCU Radio". Archived from the original on May 27, 2015. Retrieved May 26, 2015.
  27. ↑ Dining Options and Hours Archived October 5, 2013, at the Wayback Machine
  28. ↑ "Mezz Fitness center to open with spring semester | The Chimes". November 17, 2016.
  29. ↑ "Retired Capital President Josiah Blackmore Dies". The Columbus Dispatch. September 26, 2007. Archived from the original on January 21, 2013. Retrieved July 4, 2012.
  30. ↑ Phillips, Jeb (November 8, 2009). "Berlin Wall's Fall Inspires, 20 Years Later". The Columbus Dispatch. Archived from the original on November 26, 2009. Retrieved March 6, 2010.
  31. 1 2 3 "Capital University's Convergent Media Center | Capital University, Columbus Ohio". Capital University. Retrieved February 16, 2022.
  32. ↑ Hendrix, Sheridan (September 30, 2021). "Goodbye crusaders, hello comets! Capital University announces new mascot". The Columbus Dispatch. Columbus Ohio. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  33. ↑ Whitman, Dunbar (March 11, 1934). "Know Them By Their Nicknames". The Central New Jersey Home News. New Brunswick, New Jersey. p. 16. Retrieved May 23, 2020 – via Newspapers.com Open access icon.
  34. ↑ "Women's Basketball National Championships". Archived from the original on November 6, 2014. Retrieved November 5, 2014.
  35. ↑ "Bernlohr Stadium – Capital University Athletics". Archived from the original on July 26, 2013. Retrieved September 12, 2013.
  36. ↑ http://www.capital.edu/capitalnews.aspx?id=34783
  37. ↑ "Stadium Field Name Honors Purmort Family | Capital University, Columbus Ohio".
  38. ↑ "Capital University Athletics". Archived from the original on April 7, 2013. Retrieved September 11, 2013.
  39. ↑ "Clowson Field – Capital University Athletics". Archived from the original on July 27, 2013. Retrieved September 12, 2013.
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