The Ohio State University (OSU), commonly referred to as Ohio State or OSU, is a public land-grant research university located in Columbus, Ohio. A member of the University System of Ohio, Ohio State was founded in 1870 as the state's land-grant university and the ninth university in Ohio with the Morrill Act of 1862. Ohio State was originally known as the Ohio Agricultural and Mechanical College and focused on various agricultural and mechanical disciplines, but it developed into a comprehensive university under the direction of then-Governor and later U.S. president Rutherford B. Hayes, and in 1878, the Ohio General Assembly passed a law changing the name to "the Ohio State University" and broadening the scope of the university. It is classified among "R1: Doctoral Universities Very high research activity". The university's endowment of $7.4 billion in 2023 is among the largest in the world.
The Ohio State University Department of History in Columbus, Ohio, stands as a nationally recognized leader in historical study. Offering comprehensive undergraduate and graduate programs, the department provides students with a rigorous education exploring diverse historical periods, regions, and themes. Its distinguished faculty are deeply engaged in both cutting-edge research and dedicated teaching, fostering critical thinking and analytical skills essential for understanding the past and present. With extensive course selections and access to specialized research centers, the department cultivates a vibrant academic community. Consistently ranked among the top history programs in the United States, it prepares graduates for a wide range of career paths by emphasizing scholarly depth and practical application of historical knowledge.
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