COVID-19 information for campus
To paraphrase a meditation written by English poet and cleric John Donne, no campus is an island unto itself, we are a part of the wider community, of the nation and beyond.
This past week, we felt the shared pain of new levels of national despair: the death toll from the coronavirus exceeded 100,000 in the U.S.; the number of unemployed workers topped 40 million, and yet another brutal death of an African American man by a police officer ignited the latest flashpoint of racial injustice, violence and the apparent failings of our criminal justice system.
Confronting these issues will require so much from so many. I know the virus will be conquered; it will take time, talent, good science and citizen support. Pain and suffering, both related to health and economic recovery, will continue until science prevails and a vaccine is developed. In the meantime, our ONU community must do our best to protect each other, cooperate with local and state public health officials, and stay focused on how we can safely serve our students, faculty and staff.
In many respects, the issues of race are more complex. Those are more of the heart than the head. George Floyd’s disturbing death and the violent aftermath reveal the depth and breadth of racial injustice in America. The calls to end the violence are understandable and justified. Yet, to stop there denies how deeply injustice is felt and lived by too many in our country today.
How can we help? How can we offer hope? We need to continue to keep seeking answers to these questions, to keep thinking about how our own academic community can do more to put our values in action and build strength through diversity.
Over the weekend, Chris and I were on campus and passed the statue of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., a visible symbol of a man who preached civil rights, economic justice and non violence. His life and words still inspire us, and at this moment, they reinforce the significance of the work of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Commission and our efforts to create a more diverse campus, caring community and state, and just nation. As Dr. King reminds us “the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.”
As we feel this present pain, let’s reach out to one another – just as Head Football Coach Dean Paul has done in this video - https://youtu.be/lBeyMbaYteU – to console and motivate each other and be mindful that we are not on an academic island. We are part of the wider community that must bend toward justice and fix these issues together.
Sincerely,
Dan DiBiasio
President, Ohio Northern University
Posted on Sunday, May 31
In recognition of this landmark event in the lives of its students and with an understanding of current circumstances, Ohio Northern held a virtual degree conferral ceremony, which was posted on Facebook and YouTube on May 10. We encourage all Polar Bears to help us celebrate and recognize the Class of 2020. The ceremony included features of the traditional ONU commencement ceremony, such as the singing of the national anthem and alma mater, as well as a closing benediction and photo images of members of the Class of 2020 during their time at ONU.
There are lots of things we want you to know about Ohio Northern, but here are a few to get you started.
This is a place that cultivates the whole person. Here you can explore whatever you are passionate about.Bob Peterson, BSME ’83, PIXAR Animation Studios
Ohio Northern offers students an opportunity to grow and develop as a person - both in and out of the classroom. Hitting the books is job number one, followed by adventures and experiences that take students to places they never expected. Learn more about the journeys others have taken and consider what you might be able to do at ONU too!