Ohio Northern University, a United Methodist-related institution of higher learning, seeks to educate and graduate students accomplished in scholastic achievement, prepared for a useful life and meaningful career, and inspired with a desire to contribute to the good of humankind consistent with Judeo-Christian ideals.

Ohio Northern’s purpose is to help students develop into self-reliant, mature men and women open to dealing with the contemporary world, actively involved in their learning, capable of clear and logical thinking and sensitive to the higher values of truth, beauty and goodness. In keeping with these goals, students will study diverse ideas and influences and develop technology skills appropriate to the needs of an ever changing world. The university’s academic program includes mutually supportive liberal and professional education components and integrates practice with theory and provides students with opportunities for research, internships, co-op and international study and work.

Vision Statement

Ohio Northern University will be a leading, private, student-centered institution of increasing regional and national prominence. It will be a diverse, dynamic and unique learning community offering rigorous professional programs in partnership with the arts and the sciences to prepare individuals for lifelong challenges in the 21st century.

The University’s Commitments

Ohio Northern is a student-centered, service-oriented, values-based institution of higher learning committed to a rigorous pursuit of academic inquiry and achievement.

Student-Centered - Ohio Northern is proud to be a place where the learning, development and welfare of students is the first priority. It is committed to providing the support that will ensure that students are always the university’s principal concern.

Service-Oriented - Ohio Northern University is committed to providing service and outreach to its community by offering helping, learning, consulting, and leadership opportunities to its constituents.

Values-Based - Ohio Northern University, as a United Methodist Church related institution, is committed to being a university where values matter and to providing an ecumenical and interfaith environment that nurtures the spiritual growth and development of its constituents.

The University’s Values

Ohio Northern University values excellence, innovation, technology, diversity and its people.

Excellence - Ohio Northern University seeks to achieve the highest level of performance in all its endeavors and believes that a process for continuous improvement provides a mechanism to sustain excellence.

Innovation - Ohio Northern University, while a strong advocate of its current programs and activities, encourages the development of new initiatives and opportunities, the discovery of new sources of support and commitment, and the development of alternative delivery systems for educational services.

Technology - Ohio Northern University recognizes the importance of technology in contemporary education and instruction and seeks to maintain an advanced technological environment that meets the ever-changing needs of its constituents.

Diversity - Ohio Northern University’s motto is Ex diversitate vires, (“out of diversity, strength”) and it seeks to provide experiences and programs that prepare graduates to live in an inclusive world characterized by difference.

People - Ohio Northern University values the talents of its diverse human resources and strives to provide an environment in which they can thrive, grow and excel.