Ohio University Eastern Celebrating 65 Years | News, Sports, Jobs

Photo by Robert A. DeFrank – Ohio University Eastern Dean David Rohall, left, speaks with Mike McTeague, emeritus assistant professor, in front of Shannon Hall. OUE is celebrating 65 years of providing higher education.

Ohio University Eastern has been a center of education and community life for 65 years, and faculty and students are celebrating the college’s history and looking forward to the future.

Dean David Rohall said numerous events in 2022 were slated to mark the anniversary, but the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic caused many to be canceled. However, he said the college was able to kick off recognition of the milestone during fall graduation, when Mike McTeague, emeritus assistant professor, gave the keynote address.

McTeague has been part of OUE for about 58 years and has both participated in university initiatives and observed changes from a front-row seat. He often notes he has held every position on campus except that of librarian — and he married the librarian.

“I was the first faculty member hired for this campus (along National Road),” he said.

He recounted OUE’s initial operations at the former Martins Ferry High School building, the move to St. Clairsville High School and establishing the current campus along National Road.

“Originally a lot of the regional campuses used area high schools until permanent facilities were built on site,” McTeague said, adding that a series of county commissioners worked toward bringing OUE to this site west of St. Clairsville by setting up an experimental farm where 165 acres were set aside for educational purposes.

He recalled strides made in the late 1970s and early 1980s and, eventually, the use of technology to provide distance learning options. The campus also hosted a radio station and live broadcasts for 25 years.

McTeague said it was the intention of then-Ohio Gov. Jim Rhodes in the early 1970s to have access to higher education within 30 miles of every resident of the state.

He added that OUE has always been responsive to the educational needs of a wide cross-section of the public. At first, the college chiefly offered evening classes.

“We were designed to take care of the returning GIs from World War II and what was called a non-traditional student,” he said of Ohio University’s early branch campuses, noting the early student body also included many adult women who sought training in the nursing or education fields.

Rohall said they are considering celebratory events as COVID-19 mandates are lifted.

“Things are starting to open up. Technically we still have a mask mandate on campus, but we’re allowed to have gatherings again,” he said.

In the coming months, a banner will hang in downtown St. Clairsville to mark the anniversary.

In addition, the college will continue art gallery showings. The gallery is currently featuring artwork from throughout the campus’ history from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Thursday. The college will also host a traveling exhibit from the Smithsonian Institute.

An event for alumni will be included at the upcoming Blame My Roots Fest country music festival July 14-16 at Valleyview Campground, located a few miles west of the campus along U.S. 40 near Morristown.

Rohall said organizers likely will cap the year by marking the 150th anniversary of the Great Western Schoolhouse in June. The one-room structure is located on the campus right along National Road.

“The idea is to highlight education in the region, from beginning to end,” he said. “The one-room schoolhouse and higher education.”