Good Morning! Welcome to Ohio Northern University and the Polar Bear Family. My name is Dean Altstaetter and I am the Coordinator of Outreach Recruitment and
Transfer Coordinator for the Office of Admissions.

I have been at ONU as a student, a professor in music and now a staff member in admissions and this will be my 20th year serving this great University. Today I have the privilege of sharing what is means to be a polar bear here at ONU.

Before I mention some of the many ways you can get involved as a student let me tell you how this place become Ohio Northern University.

On a March afternoon in 1866, Henry Solomon Lehr stepped off a train into the town of Ada, Ohio. As he was finishing his PhD. he decided to start his school. His goal was to train teachers and provide higher education to the people of Northwest Ohio. He started with 147 students. Today we have over 3,300! He was the first of a long line of leaders that continues to this day.

Classes began at 5 a.m!!!! and were initially taught in downtown stores, the Ada high school and churches.

In the early 1880s the College added pharmacy, engineering, law and business

programs and changed its name to Ohio Normal University. In 1903, it become Ohio Northern

University. During the 1900s the University went through many up and down changes – curriculum, The

Great Depression, World War II and Presidential.

Henry Solomon Lehr believed on creating an educational environment that focused on the student. He saw the potential of this small town that would one day have a huge impact on the world.

Polar Bear

The Polar Bear Mascot ORIGINS Born March 16, 1923, the Polar Bear was officially chosen on that date

as mascot for the Ohio Northern athletic teams.

The polar bear was chosen by an overwhelming vote of

the student body to personify the spirit of ONU.
(replacing the goat).

(replacing the goat).

The late G. Walter Eighmy ’26 ENG,

gave this eyewitness account, quoted in the December 1993 edition of the Ohio Northern Alumni

Magazine: “It happened at Lehr Auditorium. President Albert Edwin Smith, Dr. Thomas J. Smull, Dr.

James Otto Newton, and other members of the faculty asked the student body for suggestions to name

a university mascot. After several recommendations, I remember a football player, Anthony Muto, who

sat in back of me, stood up and said, ‘I suggest the name of Polar Bear.

It is big and strong....

It is big, strong and is all white

for purity.’ After much applause it was unanimously approved.”

Colors - Orange and Black

We believe in diversity

Diversity in location
Diversity in nationality
Diversity in culture
Diversity in faith

The University today has over 200 clubs and organizations, along with many traditional events like

Homecoming and Mud Volleyball and sponsors 23 athletic teams.