The Ohio State University Archives

The former Emerson McMillin Observatory first opened its doors 130 years ago! Nestled on a hill by the newly beautified Mirror Lake, the observatory became a place where faculty and students conducted studies of stars and asteroids. Learn more here: https://bit.ly/4vw88LB

“Smarter Students Sought” was the headline of an article that appeared 40 years ago in the Lantern after the OSU Board of Trustees approved autumn quarter selective admissions for the Columbus campus. The new policy began autumn quarter, 1987.

Edward H. Jennings, the University’s president at the time, proposed the policy to help the University stay below the 40,000-enrollment ceiling, while still attracting high achieving students. Read the full article here: https://bit.ly/4vJax4Z

In 1991, the University extended the selective admissions policy to cover winter and summer quarters for new first-quarter freshmen.

Sunday marks the 50th anniversary of the passing of William Dougherty, who wrote the beloved fight song, "Across the Field”.

Dougherty composed the song in 1915, while he was a student and an assistant to the Ohio State University football team. It was said that Dougherty saw a need for a new school song, and as a pianist, he was experimenting with music that would ‘capture the spirit of football’. Hence, "Across the Field" was born and soon became a Buckeye favorite. The tune made its first public debut at a pep rally before the Illinois game in 1915.

Dougherty went on to receive two degrees from Ohio State: A Bachelor of Arts degree in 1917, and a law degree in 1920.

Over the years, Dougherty was invited back to campus to play "Across the Field" on the piano during football halftime shows. His last performance was in 1975, a year before his death.

It’s still spring and where is the best place on campus during this season? Mirror Lake of course! Check out this photo, showing a party at Mirror Lake in 1878!

Hats off to our amazing Buckeye grads! More than 12,300 diplomas were received this past Sunday, May 10th, during the 442nd commencement ceremony at THE Ohio State University!
(Photo shows caps from 1975 commencement ceremony)

Ohio State's first Field Day was held on May 7, 1881! The fun included events like throwing the heavy hammer, boxing, and the wheelbarrow race. (Images: The Lantern, May 1, 1881; Field Day photo, 1892)

On May 3, 1879, Mary Frank Morrison made history as the first woman to earn a Bachelor of Science degree from The Ohio State University!

Happy Earth Day Buckeyes! Check out the University's program for the very first Earth Day, held on April 22, 1970! The day's events included a variety of programs, including a talk from Senator John Glenn.

In April 1882, the University became the home of the Ohio Agricultural Experiment Station - now known as CFAES Wooster - where dedicated faculty began researching and sharing new ideas to support Ohio's farming community. Check out this 1880s photo of one of the Station's original farm plots, located just north of the original University Hall!

Did you know that Ohio State once had an Armory on campus, or that a former student union had a 12-lane bowling alley in the basement? Discover more fun campus history and explore buildings from the past in our blog post: https://bit.ly/4t2J0ux