The College of Wooster

The College of Wooster

"Science and religion from one source"

Background Information: Founded in 1866, The College of Wooster is a small and independent liberal arts college, located 55 miles south of Cleveland in the town of Wooster, Ohio. With a student population of just under 2,000 students, Wooster is known for placing a large emphasis on independent learning and study, requiring that all students complete an original, independent research project during their senior year. Wooster also takes pride in its many unique traditions. According to its mission, “Wooster values co-education, diversity in its many forms, a global perspective, and the heritage arising from its origin as a college founded by Presbyterians.” (Wooster website)

Initial Thoughts: I first visited Wooster when I was in the 8th grade; I was participating in a Power of the Pen competition (I was so cool, I know), and the "Finals" were held at the College. I don't remember much about my visit, and if you asked me to describe the campus at this very moment, I would be at a loss for words. Years later (I won't specify the amount of time!), I will be visiting once again -- but this time with open eyes. Based on the information I have gathered from the website, I am under the impression that Wooster is a very inviting place, an encouraging place, a place where "each and every student" (its popular tag line) can find his or her own place.

The Campus

• Layout: The College of Wooster is located in Wooster, OH, a small rural town about fifty five miles south of Cleveland, with around 26,000 residents. Although it is situated in what you would call "rural Ohio," Wooster and its College is certainly a true treasure found in ... a vast area of cornfields? The town itself is quite cute, and the College is surprisingly beautiful. The College itself occupies about 240 acres, and is home to amount 39 major buildings. I'm not sure how to describe the "layout" (it's not divided into any distinct "sections" or quads") -- so I guess I will describe the campus in reference to the College Mall. Wooster's College Mall is a long tree-lined strip of land with academic buildings (+ one chapel and performing arts center) on both sides, and culminating at the castle-like Kauke Hall, home to the Humanities classrooms. From the Kauke archways, one then enters into a patch of land called Oak Grove, home to many, many trees and the Art Center (Wooster actually has a special endowment in order to preserve the 1,500 trees currently on campus). Behind the Art Center are the residence halls, and if you were to walk towards Beall Ave, you will find the Physical Education Center, stadium, a few more residence halls, and also the Student Center. I realize this might be a bit confusing, so I have decided to include a link to the campus map ... hopefully this will clear things up!
  
  
• Architecture: For me, walking onto Wooster's campus was like walking into a fairy tale. With its mostly white or cream-colored buildings, awesome looking "dungeon-like" doors, and remote location -- I have to admit that I was a bit smitten. Oh, and I guess it doesn't help when Kauke Hall looks like a castle! I know what you're thinking -- all of this fanfare seems a bit unnecessary and a little cheesy -- but Wooster pulls it off. Surrounded by many trees (about 1,500) and many lovely buildings, Wooster is a sight to behold. No, it is not haunting in the way that some Ivy League campuses are, but it is incredibly charming, beautiful, and inviting.
  
  
• Scale: Wooster's campus is not very big, but there is still plenty of green spaces for students to relax outside. I imagine that it would take no more than 10-15 minutes to get from one end of the campus to the other. The distance is very manageable, and because everything is within walking distance, I imagine it wouldn't be too hard to survive without a car here ... unless you feel the need to get away from rural Ohio from time to time (which is a good possibility!).
  
  
• The Student Center: According to Wooster A-Z, the Lowry Student Center is home to the following services --- snack bar, Java Hut, Wired Scot, dining room, ballroom, lounges, meeting rooms, student government, activities and publications offices, Women’s Resource Center, pool tables, bowling lanes, reading and music listening rooms, postal center, The Florence O. Wilson Bookstore, H. William Taeusch Faculty Lounge, Office Services, and the Hospitality Services Office.
  
  
• Student Living: As far as campus living goes, Wooster prides itself on having approximately 99% of its students living in on-campus housing. For first year students, the following living options are available: general residence halls, first year centers, first year living and learning experience, science and humanities, women of images, and the international program house. Depending on which house you apply for, you will be with a community of people who share your interests; for an example, if you were to live in the Science and Humanities house, you would be living with “students of all years interested in studying either the humanities or the sciences.” According to the housing brochure, you would be engaging in “community activities including fireside chats with visiting scholars, panel discussions, musical and dramatic performances by residents, and dinners with faculty members.”
  
  
• Notable Attractions: I loved Kauke Hall. Loved it. The interior and exterior were both lovely, and I enjoyed imagining going to class in a castle. One of the quirkiest things I learned on my visit to Wooster was the age-old tradition concerning the Kauke Hall archway. Apparently in the winter, Wooster students will fill the arch with snow, thereby blocking the main doors, in the hopes that classes will be canceled for the day. While it has never been successful, this age-old hope springs eternal in the hearts of the students at Wooster and the tradition lives on.
  

Final Conclusions: As you can probably tell, I really loved my visit to Wooster. Everyone was so friendly, unpretentious, and incredibly helpful. The campus itself is not what I would call stunning, but still incredibly beautiful and vibrant. I think a good word to use to describe Wooster is the word genuine. I get the impression that people don’t come to Wooster in order to have something to brag about when asked about their education; rather, I think people come (as they should) to this small college in rural Ohio in order to engage in life long learning. What a wonderful combination it must be to have a college devoted to helping “each and every student” follow their own personal honors program, and a student population interested in cultivating their intellectual abilities.

Photostream of Wooster: view the campus in pictures!

Still not convinced? Experience it for yourself! Schedule a visit today!