Miami University

Miami University
Name	Miami University
Established	1809
Type	Public research university
Endowment	$1.1 billion (2023)
President	Gregory P. Crawford
City	Oxford, Ohio
State	Ohio
Country	United States
Students	19,752 (Fall 2023)
Faculty	1,147
Campus	College town, 2,138 acres
Colors	Red and White
Nickname	RedHawks
Affiliations	University System of Ohio, APLU

Miami University is a public research university located in Oxford, Ohio. Chartered in 1809, it is the second-oldest university in Ohio and the tenth-oldest public university in the United States. The institution is often recognized for its historic Georgian architecture, strong undergraduate focus, and its notable alumni network, which includes several U.S. Senators, Nobel Prize laureates, and prominent business leaders.

History

The university was established by an act signed by President George Washington, though its charter was later confirmed by the Ohio General Assembly. Instruction began in 1824, with Robert Hamilton Bishop serving as its first president. The campus and the town of Oxford were planned together, with the iconic Uptown area and the main academic quadrangle designed around the same time. During the American Civil War, the student body was deeply divided, and the school temporarily closed. It later expanded significantly under the Morrill Land-Grant Acts, adding programs in agriculture and engineering. The 20th century saw the establishment of regional campuses in Hamilton, Middletown, and West Chester, Ohio, as well as the Dolibois European Center in Luxembourg.

Academics

The university is organized into several colleges, including the Farmer School of Business, the College of Arts and Science, the College of Creative Arts, the College of Education, Health and Society, the College of Engineering and Computing, and the Graduate School. It is classified among "R2: Doctoral Universities – High research activity." Notable academic strengths include programs in accounting, microbiology, and paper science and engineering. The university's commitment to undergraduate teaching is highlighted by its consistent high rankings in this category by publications like U.S. News & World Report. The Western Program offers an interdisciplinary, student-designed curriculum, and the Honors College provides enhanced academic opportunities.

Campus

The main campus in Oxford, Ohio is noted for its consistent red-brick Georgian architecture, earning it the nickname "The Mother of Fraternities" due to the founding of several national fraternities there. Key landmarks include Hall Auditorium, Goggin Ice Center, and the Miami University Art Museum. The campus is centered around the formal Central Quadrangle, flanked by historic buildings like Old Main. The natural areas include the Bachelor Wildlife and Game Reserve and the Western Campus, a former women's college now integrated into the university. The Armstrong Student Center serves as a major hub for student activity.

Student life

Student life is characterized by a high level of engagement in over 600 student organizations, including a strong Greek life presence. The Associated Student Government represents the student body, and the student-run newspaper is The Miami Student. Major annual events include Homecoming and the Green Beer Day tradition. The university's location in a classic college town fosters a close-knit community, with many students living in the Uptown Oxford area or in university residence halls. Performing arts groups, such as the Miami University Glee Club and various a cappella ensembles, are also popular.

Athletics

The university's athletic teams, known as the Miami RedHawks, compete in NCAA Division I as a member of the Mid-American Conference (MAC) for most sports, with ice hockey competing in the National Collegiate Hockey Conference. The football team plays at Yager Stadium, and the men's ice hockey team, a historic powerhouse, plays at the Goggin Ice Center. The school has a famous rivalry with the University of Cincinnati, competing for the Victory Bell. Notable athletic alumni include Bo Schembechler, Ben Roethlisberger, and Wally Szczerbiak.

Notable alumni

Alumni, known as "Miamians," have achieved prominence in numerous fields. In politics and public service, notable figures include Benjamin Harrison (23rd President of the United States), Ruth Bader Ginsburg (Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States), and John Boehner (Speaker of the United States House of Representatives). In business, alumni include Charles G. Dawes (Vice President of the United States and Nobel Peace Prize winner) and Michael S. Dell (founder of Dell Technologies). Other distinguished alumni include Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Rita Dove, actor Nick Lachey, and astronaut Ronald J. Garan Jr..

Category:Universities and colleges in Ohio Category:Public universities and colleges in the United States Category:Educational institutions established in 1809