The roots of The Ohio State University at Mansfield (OSU-M) begins with the formation of the campus.
From 1958 to 1964, the university purchased land, raised funds, and established the Mansfield University Foundation for scholarships and special projects.
James C. Gorman, founder of local company Gorman-Rupp, alongside others, helped 
establish the institution at Mansfield. Ovalwood Hall, the first building on this campus, opened in 1966 with bricks from Richland Shale Brick Company. Richland Shale’s founder, John B. Conard, grandson of John Conard, Sr. (member of the first class at The Ohio State University Columbus in 1873), turned his attention to the upcoming Mansfield campus and helped build it from the ground up.
Soon after, Ovalwood Hall, Eisenhower Center, Conard Hall, and the Campus Recreation Center were all constructed between 1966 and 1977. In the years that followed, John Conard continued his support toward OSU-M. With the help of his foundation, the Conard Learning Center and Riedl Hall, constructed in the late 1990s, gave the campus new life as the next generation walked through the doors.
The Ohio State University is molded by tradition; each campus has its own unique style and personality, and the Mansfield campus is no different. At the Mansfield regional campus you truly get the benefit of THE Ohio State University’s reputation with the intimacy of a small campus feel.
Currently, the Mansfield campus has its own legacy of traditions–such as, campus visit days, the Florence B. Allen writing competition, Designation Mansfield, the Student Research Frenzy, the Mansfield movie series, the Job and Internship Fair, the OSU-M counselor breakfast, the April Craze Carnaval, and many more.
Many students, when asked about their experiences on this campus, are quick to talk about their relationships with their teachers and peers. Students feel they can succeed here because they are able to make relationships here. Shayla Logan, a soon to be Ohio State alumna, participated in the Buckeye Ambassador program and was a member of the Mansfield homecoming court. Shayla didn’t start at The Ohio State University, but says this campus has been her “home away from home.” The video below is Shayla speaking to her experiences at Mansfield.
Similarly, students find the Mansfield campus to be an accessible gateway to The Ohio State University’s legacy. OSU-M is just one of the six campuses that, together, represent one university. An orientation tradition is that we sing our alma mater, “Carmen Ohio,” just like each Ohio State campus. Learn the words for yourself below, “how firm thy friendship OH! IO!”
CARMEN OHIO
OH COME LET’S SING OHIO’S PRAISE AND SONGS TO ALMA MATER RAISE.
WHILE OUR HEARTS REBOUNDING THRILL WITH JOY WHICH DEATH ALONE CAN STILL. SUMMER’S HEAT OR WINTER’S COLD, THE SEASON PASS, THE YEARS WILL ROLL; TIME AND CHANGE WILL SURELY SHOW HOW FIRM THY FRIENDSHIP O-H-I-O.
Proud of OSU Mansfield 