The Ohio State University Sesquicentennial

150 years celebrated with Buckeyes everywhere

In the 2019-2020 academic year, the university marked its sesquicentennial by exploring and honoring its history, celebrating who we are today, and envisioning and embracing the future.

In honor of this historic milestone, the Ohio State community celebrated the university’s land-grant mission and motto of “Education for Citizenship” through comprehensive and diverse programming. Through time and change, our mission going forward is as clear today as it was in 1870: to illuminate a pathway to education, research and health care that creates vibrant futures. We look forward to 150 more years of Buckeyes building those futures together.

The Carmen Collection

Honoring stories of time and change

The Carmen Collection shines a light on the experiences, challenges and accomplishments of underrepresented Buckeyes that have helped shaped what the university is today. Collectively, these stories reflect an institution of students, faculty members and administrators advocating for a more inclusive, more tolerant and more understanding future. The Carmen Collection will be preserved permanently in the University Archives.

View the collection

Our Stories, Our Future: An Ohio State Docu-series

The award-winning team behind WOSU’s “Columbus Neighborhoods” series produced a 6-part mini-documentary series highlighting the university’s history, vibrant present and promising future.

“Our Stories, Our Future” features faculty, staff, students, alumni and community members sharing inspiring stories of impact, tradition and transformation. These videos connect generations of Buckeyes with each other and the university.

Sesquicentennial Photo Gallery

  • Dean Gregoire at Think Beyond summit
    Dean Gregoire at Think Beyond summit

    Dean Gregoire speaks at the Think Beyond Summit

  • Panel discussion at the Think Beyond summit
    Panel discussion at the Think Beyond summit

    Panel discussion at the Think Beyond summit

  • 150 Sesquicentennial bus
    150 Sesquicentennial bus

    150 Sesquicentennial bus

  • A group of four people singing Carmen Ohio
    A group of four people singing Carmen Ohio

    Signing Carmen Ohio at a Time and Change Campaign event

  • Chip Graeter with Brutus Buckeye
    Chip Graeter with Brutus Buckeye

    Chip Graeter with Brutus Buckeye

  • A barrel is wrapped with Coca-Cola branding as a service project
    A barrel is wrapped with Coca-Cola branding as a service project

    A barrel is wrapped with Coca-Cola branding as a service project

  • Windows were covered with Sesquicentennial branding at The Ohio State University Airport
    Windows were covered with Sesquicentennial branding at The Ohio State University Airport

    Windows were covered with Sesquicentennial branding at The Ohio State University Airport

  • Sesquicentennial Scholars were recognized at Ohio Stadium
    Sesquicentennial Scholars were recognized at Ohio Stadium

    Sesquicentennial Scholars were recognized at Ohio Stadium

  • Gil Penalosa speaks at the Think Beyond summit
    Gil Penalosa speaks at the Think Beyond summit

    Gil Penalosa speaks at the Think Beyond summit

  • Sesquicentennial Scholars with Brutus Buckeye at Ohio Stadium
    Sesquicentennial Scholars with Brutus Buckeye at Ohio Stadium

    Sesquicentennial Scholars at Ohio Stadium

  • Fans holding commemorative Sesquicentennial Coca-Cola bottles
    Fans holding commemorative Sesquicentennial Coca-Cola bottles

    Fans holding commemorative Sesquicentennial Coca-Cola bottles

  • Digital signage at the Schottenstein Center
    Digital signage at the Schottenstein Center

    Digital signage at the Schottenstein Center

  • Sesquicentennial signage on a light pole on The Oval
    Sesquicentennial signage on a light pole on The Oval

    Sesquicentennial signage on a light pole on The Oval

  • Scholars at Ohio Stadium
    Scholars at Ohio Stadium

    Scholars at Ohio Stadium

  • Nancy Zimpher speaks at the Think Beyond summit
    Nancy Zimpher speaks at the Think Beyond summit

    Nancy Zimpher speaks at the Think Beyond summit

  • Sesquicentennial Scholars at Ohio Stadium
    Sesquicentennial Scholars at Ohio Stadium

    Sesquicentennial Scholars at Ohio Stadium

  • Cookies with 150 Sesquicentennial logo on them
    Cookies with 150 Sesquicentennial logo on them

    Cookies with 150 Sesquicentennial logo on them

  • Sesquicentennial Scholars at Time and Change campaign event
    Sesquicentennial Scholars at Time and Change campaign event

    Sesquicentennial Scholars at Time and Change campaign event

  • Vertical signage outside of the Ohio Union
    Vertical signage outside of the Ohio Union

    Sesquicentennial signage outside of the Ohio Union

  • Group signing Carmen Ohio at Time and Change campaign event
    Group signing Carmen Ohio at Time and Change campaign event

    Signing Carmen Ohio at Time and Change campaign event

  • President Drake shakes hands of Sesquicentennial Scholars at Ohio Stadium
    President Drake shakes hands of Sesquicentennial Scholars at Ohio Stadium

    President Drake shakes hands of Sesquicentennial Scholars at Ohio Stadium

  • A student scholar welcomes guests at the Time and Change campaign event
    A student scholar welcomes guests at the Time and Change campaign event

    A student scholar welcomes guests at the Time and Change campaign event

  • Sesquicentennial Scholars at Ohio Stadium
    Sesquicentennial Scholars at Ohio Stadium

    Sesquicentennial Scholars at Ohio Stadium

  • A Time and Change coffee table book is signed at Gramercy
    A Time and Change coffee table book is signed at Gramercy

    A Time and Change coffee table book is signed at Gramercy

Sesquicentennial Student Scholar Leadership Program

More than our motto, “Education for Citizenship” is our calling as Buckeyes – a responsibility born out of our land-grant mission to improve the well-being of our communities.

In the 2019-2020 academic year, the university named 150 students as sesquicentennial scholars. These students each received a $2,500 scholarship while developing as leaders and engaged global citizens to carry on Ohio State’s proud tradition of service and excellence. We encourage you to take a moment to hear from our Buckeyes on the special memories made and impact of being a sesquicentennial scholar.

Thanks to the support of the regional campuses and academic colleges, this is a continuing program for returning scholars through completion of their degree programs.

Learn more

Global Carmen

Let’s sing Ohio’s praise

Written in 1903 by Men’s Glee Club member Fred Cornell, “Carmen Ohio” has chimed throughout campus daily since 1918. In honor of our sesquicentennial, students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends from across the world submitted videos of themselves singing “Carmen Ohio.” We took their submissions and combined them to create a collaborative rendition of our beloved alma mater to inspire Buckeyes everywhere through time and change.

Thank you!

150 Years Together as Buckeyes

We are forever grateful to the Buckeye community for celebrating this milestone with us. Your support and love for the university and the sesquicentennial was palpable, and we hope you enjoyed this anniversary as much as we did.

We want to thank the Sesquicentennial Executive Sponsors: the Provost, Vice President for Student Life, Senior Vice President for Advancement and Office of the President Chief of Staff. The 150th anniversary would not have been possible without support from this group of university leaders setting the vision and guiding our celebrations.

Finally, we are eternally grateful to the faculty, staff, students, alumni and community members who supported this anniversary directly through their partnerships and collaborations. To plan and celebrate such a significant anniversary truly took our full Buckeye community. How firm thy friendship…

Presidential Seal for The Ohio State University