Ohio Northern University

We had good times with friends, fellowship, and fun. Revealing the students behind the bear is always a wonderful time at Klondike Reveals during International Polar Bear Day. The ONU community showcased everything Klondike embodies, including our Polar Bear pride!

Feeling the pinch of rising costs? Don't let that stop you from pursuing your dream of a legal education. At ONU Law, our tuition is comparable to a public university, with the lowest rate among private law schools in the Great Lakes Region.

100% of our students receive scholarships – and right now - you can get a $1,000 scholarship award for visiting our campus and making a deposit!

Contact our Law Admissions office today at 419-772-2211 or [email protected] to learn more.

International Polar Bear Day is tomorrow! Make your $40+ gift to the Northern Fund NOW to receive your ONU Polar Bear t-shirt and celebrate with us! Make your impact today using the giving link below.

https://give.onu.edu/polar-bear-day-2025

Becca Marxman grew up in La Porte, Ind., inspired by her parents' belief that success comes from hard work and a positive attitude. This foundation guided her to study accounting at Ohio Northern University's Dicke College of Business Administration.

At ONU, Becca has embraced the university's close-knit community, which she found welcoming even during her COVID-era campus tour.

"I felt nothing but warmth and kindness from everyone I encountered on my visit."

She became involved in numerous organizations, including the Honors Program and Beta Alpha Psi, where she serves as vice president of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program that provides free income tax preparation for community members under a certain income threshold. Through these roles, Becca has gained practical experience and valuable professional connections, further fueling her ambition to become a forensic accountant.

Becca values the diverse curriculum at ONU, highlighting how the accounting program equips students with real-world skills, such as auditing actual businesses and engaging in comprehensive projects. Her involvement in activities like the annual Beta Alpha Psi conference in Las Vegas expanded her professional network and fostered personal growth.

Outside academics, Becca cherishes her relationships at ONU, having met her fiancé and formed lasting friendships. One of her most memorable experiences was International Polar Bear Day, a celebration of campus spirit.

"There's no one day that feels more filled with Polar Bear pride and love for ONU than this day."

With plans to obtain her Certified Public Accountant and Certified Fraud Examiner certifications, Becca is poised for a successful career in public accounting. Proud of her journey, she encourages prospective students to consider accounting, emphasizing its versatility and the valuable insights it offers into the business world.

Discover more about ONU College of Business.
Read more student stories: https://www.onu.edu/student-stories

Who said you can’t have a bright future with an Art & Design degree?

Ohio Northern University has a strong history of nurturing budding artists in their craft, launching hundreds of successful careers. To carry on this legacy while also modernizing its program offerings, the Ohio Northern University Getty College of Arts & Sciences has launched a new and improved major combining key learning outcomes from two related fields of study – studio arts and graphic design.

The reimagined Ohio Northern University Art & Design major provides a solid foundation for creative students with all different interests and career aspirations in creative roles. It also incorporates added flexibility so students can tailor the program to complement their specific interests.

“The program cultivates students to become resourceful and adaptable artists and/or designers in our society,” says Brit Rowe, BFA ’93, professor of art & design. “Students graduating from our program still need to have strong, creative and critical thinking skills, and to be able to adapt and grow in various art and design related fields.”

Students can expect the same hallmarks of any ONU education – student-centered instruction, high-impact learning outcomes, and ample creative opportunities. Like the program’s forerunners (studio arts and graphic design), the new major is also focused on technical, conceptual, and critical thinking skills.

To broaden students’ foundational knowledge, new classes have also been added to the curriculum, such as Digital Technology. Other new courses include Comics, Social Media Design, and Environmental Design.

📲 Read more about the newly imagined program: https://bit.ly/4hU5ZSL

Freezing temps? That’s just perfect Polar Bear weather! It was a beautiful day for the annual Polar Plunge! 🐻‍❄️🥶🤿

Crown Equipment Corp. president to deliver 2025 Spotts Lecture Jim Dicke, III, will share insights on innovation as a driver of corporate success.

Year after year, Ohio Northern University’s newest graduates demonstrate the value of an ONU education by launching remarkable careers and futures. The ONU Class of 2024 is no exception, achieving an incredible 97% job and graduate school placement rate within six months of graduation.

College of Engineering graduates found the most success, with a 99% placement rate.

The placement rate is based on an impressive 94% response rate on the survey of 2024 graduates, according to Andrea Domachowski, director of the Polar Career Center.

“We take great pride in our placement rate. Its a reflection of the exceptional return on investment of an ONU education,” said ONU President Melissa J. Baumann, Ph.D. “We are even more proud of our graduates—dedicated professionals who are stepping into vital roles, applying their expertise, energy, and creativity to solve challenges, uplift communities, and improve lives.”

ONU’s consistently high placement rate is a testament to the dedication of ONU’s faculty, staff, and alumni who go above and beyond to help students discover their passions, forge meaningful connections, and unlock opportunities.

Read more:

ONU’s Class of 2024 finds success in the job market 97% placement validates ONU’s outstanding return on investment.

Do you have your tickets yet?! 🎭

Abby McKee has found her voice at Ohio Northern University; and she intends to use it to deliver compassionate care.

A fourth-year pharmacy student in the Ohio Northern University Rudolph H. Raabe College of Pharmacy, Abby aspires to be the kind of pharmacist who can connect with patients from all walks of life.

In her words, she wants to cut through the complexity, “look people in the eye and make sure they understand their medications.”

A high achiever who rarely slows down, Abby is also shy and introverted. In general, she prefers to observe events from the sidelines, she says.

So, when she saw a public speaking course on her schedule for her first semester at ONU, she was filled with dread. But to her surprise, she not only grew to enjoy the class, but found it so inspiring that she decided to add a major in communication & media from the Ohio Northern University Getty College of Arts & Sciences. She also added minors in chemistry and medical humanities.

“Literally every day my communication major is helping me be a better pharmacy student. There are so many gaps in communication (in the healthcare system). Knowing how to connect with people from all backgrounds, at their level, is how we can succeed as healthcare providers and make people feel better.”

Her newfound confidence as a communicator enabled Abby to assume the presidency of ONU’s chapter of the Student Society of Healthcare System Pharmacy, and become a student liaison for the state-level organization. She is also president-elect of ONU’s chapter of the Association of Managed Care Pharmacists.

Abby’s required senior thesis for her communication & media major was titled “Communication: Better than Any Medication on the Market.” She developed web resources to teach healthcare providers how to communicate with a broad range of patient populations.

“While I have always struggled to find my voice, and oftentimes still do—ONU has made it possible for me to find my voice and project it toward inequities and disparities that I see in everyday practice. And that’s an ability I never imagined myself having.”

🔗 https://bit.ly/4gMv2Ga

Amid the division and chaos that swept across the United States in the late 1960s, John W. Scharer, BS ’71, attended Ohio Northern University where he learned the importance of relationship building.

The education and skillset he obtained at ONU launched John into a successful 40-plus-year career in his family’s insurance business in Marion, Ohio. Now, he and his wife, Dr. Patricia Scharer, are paying it forward through the establishment of the Scharer Family Endowed Scholarship at Ohio Northern.

“It’s ingrained in me to give back, and giving to ONU means my donation will be managed properly and used to help future ONU students get an exceptional education,” he said.

Reflecting on his ONU days, John remembers the people the most.

“I don’t think I had a bad professor,” he said.

“ONU was a nice, quiet place and people were kind, thoughtful, and cared about you.”

John was active in the Sigma Pi fraternity, making lifelong friends. He enthusiastically cheered for the Polar Bears at almost every basketball game and wrestling match. He met his wife, Patricia, while visiting Columbus with one of his fraternity brothers. While not officially Polar Bear Sweethearts, the couple credit ONU for bringing them together.

After graduation, John worked in public education for 7 years as both a sixth-grade teacher and elementary principal. He then changed his career path and joined his family’s insurance business.

People matter to John, and his focus on relationship building guided his success. At his company, he prided himself on educating clients about their insurance options and not just peddling policies.

He also surrounded himself with people smarter than himself and treated them well.

“I followed the motto of Woody Hayes, ‘You win with people,’” he said.

Patricia was a first-grade teacher who, after taking an 11-year sabbatical to raise the couple’s four children, obtained her master’s degree and Ph.D. and became a leading expert in childhood literacy. She taught literacy and early childhood education at The Ohio State University.

The couple established the ONU scholarship to support business or education students with financial need from Marion County, Ohio, or from Oregon Clay High School in Oregon, Ohio.

“The Scharers recognize the importance of scholarships in providing access to higher education,” said Ellie McManus, director of planned giving at ONU. “New generations of students will benefit from their generosity and caring.”

John says he’s confident that the scholarship recipients will experience the same transformative education at ONU that he experienced in the late 1960s.

“Higher education is not just academics,” he said. “It’s about learning how to get along, how to be in relationships with other people, how to improve yourself, and how to build a better society.”

Ohio Northern University Alumni

🔗 https://bit.ly/411qFRt

ONU Law is proud to be ranked once again as one of the Best Schools in the nation for Practical Training by preLaw Magazine! This recognition marks the second consecutive year of excellence, highlighting ONU Law's commitment to providing students with hands-on legal education that prepares them to excel in the courtroom.

“Learning by doing has always been our philosophy. We want our students to be fully practice-ready by the time they graduate. We know that the more real-life experience our students gain, the better attorneys they will become,” says Director of Legal Clinics, Professor Melissa Kidder.

This prestigious ranking reflects our 100% placement in clinics and externships, top-tier simulation courses, and nationally recognized programs like our mock trial and moot court teams. ONU Law: where future lawyers are made!

Love is in the air at Ohio Northern University!

Meet recently-engaged couple Alexandra (Alex) Burklo, third-year Ohio Northern University Rudolph H. Raabe College of Pharmacy student, and Grant Honingford, computer engineering major in the Ohio Northern University T.J. Smull College of Engineering.

From high school sweethearts to Polar Bear Sweethearts, the pair began dating their sophomore year at Wapakoneta City Schools and chose to attend ONU together.

“While at ONU’s Orange and Black Day for accepted students during our senior year of high school, I asked Grant to prom with a stuffed Polar Bear from the gift shop,” said Alex.

Sharing countless milestones over the past five years—from earning their driver’s licenses to graduating high school and embarking on their college journeys—has only deepened their bond.

“Our friends and family tell us that we act like we’ve been married for 30 years already!” said Alex.

The two cherish not only the big moments they share, but also the small, everyday ones. They enjoy playing pickleball, cooking together, and camping outdoors. And although their hobbies and interests match up, their personalities are different, claims Alex.

“But that only adds to the fun of our relationship. We both push each other to try new things and look at things with a different perspective—and it helps us grow as people and in our relationship.”

At ONU, one of their favorite activities is walking or biking the Green Monster and stopping to chat on benches near the pond. Additionally, they’re frequent patrons of Ada’s Taco Bell and Starbucks—the food and caffeine helps them to power through late-night study sessions.

“Our favorite barista on campus has both our orders memorized,” said Alex.

Alex and Grant are planning a wedding for fall 2027. Their aspiration for their married life is to “travel and explore the world together, then settle down after some time and raise of family,” said Grant. Alex adds the family will include dogs.

“I am so excited for whatever the future has in store for Grant and I.”

Tag your Polar Sweetheart and tell us your story in the comments or a share! Happy Valentine’s Day!

How do cultural differences shape healthcare?

Two senior nursing students in the Ohio Northern University Getty College of Arts & Sciences set out to explore this question firsthand on a study abroad experience in Ferrara, Italy.

Friends Alexis Johnson and Hayley Solomon share a desire to become compassionate caregivers. They chose the nursing profession for the chance to provide direct patient care.

“I’m excited to be a motivator, teacher, and cheerleader for all the patients that I will get to serve,” said Alexis.

Both have jobs lined up: Alexis in the cardiac step-down unit at ProMedica Toledo Hospital, and Hayley in the cardiac ICU at Kettering Health.

Before graduation, however, they wanted to take one last adventure together. The ONU Global Initiatives Study Abroad office connected them with an opportunity to spend a week in Italy during ONU’s winter break, observing firsthand the care provided in a country with a mostly public healthcare system.

The two spent the week shadowing Italian nurses in a hospital’s emergency and operating rooms. They observed robotic surgeries for the removal of a cancerous adrenal gland and lung lobe, and witnessed a cardiac conversion, an emergency heart catheterization, and triage.

From sterilization protocol to the medical equipment utilized, the differences between the Italian and American healthcare systems proved enlightening, said Alexis. “Both systems have their pluses and minuses,” she said. “But I am thankful I get to practice in the U.S.”

During the week, the friends also embarked on sightseeing expeditions to Venice, Padova, Bologna, and Rome, where they saw the Pope deliver his Sunday message.

“My biggest takeaway from the trip was that I want to travel more and learn more about different cultures so that I can best help patients from different backgrounds,” said Hayley.