Established in 1865, Ottawa University boasts a long and storied history. For over 150+ years, the institution has been dedicated to educating a diverse student body, often from underserved communities, to prepare them for a lifetime marked by enlightened faith, exemplary service, inspired leadership, and personal significance. The University traces its origins to the efforts of Baptist missionaries working alongside the Tribe situated along the Marais des Cygnes (“river of swans”) near what later became Ottawa, Kansas\u2014approximately 40 miles southwest of Kansas City. Established in 1865, Ottawa University has been associated with Baptist churches and, more specifically, with the American Baptist Churches USA since 1905.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
From its humble beginnings as a single structure, Ottawa University has evolved into a comprehensive educational institution catering to over 4,000 students across four campuses and online. With a remarkable legacy, more than 22,000 OU graduates, including 5,000 in the Pacific Rim, actively contribute to their communities, corporations, and churches. Rooted in a distinctive spirit that endures, Ottawa University is graced with a rich heritage and an unwavering dedication to educating growing cohorts of students for lives marked by faith, service, leadership, and significance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n