LIMA — A landmark at the heart of the University of Northwestern Ohio’s campus is helping the university ring in its 2020 centennial.
The new clocktower, erected on Tuesday, hovers 20 feet above the Barnes & Noble bookstore and UNOH administration building.
“It’s the hub. It’s the center of the campus,” said UNOH President Jeffrey Jarvis, who envisions the clocktower one day serving as a focal point between the bookstore and, hopefully, a new arena and gymnasium that university may build.
The clocktower dedication marks the start of a year’s worth of centennial celebrations, which will begin in earnest in 2020.
Originally known as the Northwestern School of Commerce, the university has changed its name four times, transitioned through multiple owners, built a new campus and expanded degree offerings since its inception in 1920.
The college moved from downtown Lima to its Cable Road campus in 1973 and later built Sherwood Park Dorms, becoming the first residential college in Lima.
In 1992, according to the UNOH centennial timeline, the college — then known as Northwestern College — launched the world’s first high performance motorsports degree program. Several years later, Northwestern College purchased Lima Speedway, now Limaland Motorsports Park.
The college changed its name again in 2000, becoming what is now the University of Northwestern Ohio. And in 2008, UNOH launched its own motorsports athletics team.
More recently, UNOH unveiled new programs in robots, advanced diesel engine maintenance and sports marketing and management. And recruiting is underway for the university’s new light-duty truck technician program slated to start in the fall of 2020.
“They have a passion for what they want to do. We provide them that education to get them there,” Jarvis said.
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