Wright State University (2017)

Brief Description:

Wright State University - Founding Celebrations

Wright State University is a public research university in Dayton, Ohio, with nearly 18,000 students from 59 countries and all 50 states. Wright State is named after Orville and Wilbur Wright, Dayton’s aviation pioneers who changed the world forever. Their exceptional ingenuity, courage and perseverance inspire our commitment to research, community engagement and teaching. Wright State offers more than 230 degree programs from eight colleges and three schools, including the Boonshoft School of Medicine, plus a regional campus in Celina, Ohio. We see the potential in every student and intentionally create pathways for students to succeed through exceptional programs at an exceptional value. Learn more here and here.
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Mission Statement:

Wright State University logoWe transform the lives of our students and the communities we serve. We will build a solid foundation for student success at all levels through high quality, innovative programs; conduct scholarly research and creative endeavors that impact quality of life; engage in meaningful community service; drive the economic revitalization of our region and our state; and empower all of our students, faculty, staff and alumni to develop professionally, intellectually and personally.
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President's Quote:

“This year marks the 50th anniversary of Wright State University becoming an independent institution in October 1967. We’ve come a long way since that humble beginning, when the university had one building. Thanks to the support of visionary community leaders, our dedicated faculty and staff, and our successful students and alumni, Wright State has become a world-class university known for its teaching, research and community engagement. As we celebrate five decades of success, we envision a future where Wright State offers even more innovative pathways for our graduates to succeed and contribute to our interdependent and rapidly changing world.”  — Thomas Sudkamp, Provost
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Major Accomplishments:

  • Wright State University earned a number of national rankings in 2016 and 2017. These include: 
    - “Best Online Programs—Graduate Business,” U.S. News & World Report, 2017 No. 63 among 139 schools, Master of Information Systems and Master of Science in Logistics and Supply Chain Management, 
    - “Best Online Programs—Graduate Education,” U.S. News & World Report, 2017 No. 43 among 275 schools, Master of Education
    - “Best in Engineering,” U.S. News & World Report, 2017 No. 56 among 94 schools, Master of Science in Industrial and Human Factors Engineering
    - “Best in Nursing,” U.S. News & World Report, 2017 No. 168 (tied) among 519 schools with master’s or doctoral programs 
    - “Best Medical Schools,” U.S. News & World Report, 2017 The Boonshoft School of Medicine tied for No. 82 among 170 schools
    - “Top RN to BSN 2016, a leading nursing school program resource, ranked Wright State’s online RN to BSN program No. 39 in the nation
    - “Best Doctors in America,” Best Doctors, Inc., 2015–16
  • Twenty-five Wright State physicians and faculty of the Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine were named to the 2015–16 Best Doctors in America list.
  • Wright State has been named to the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll the past seven years, and The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching has selected Wright State to receive its Community Engagement Classification.
  • Wright State student Emily Bingham reached the semifinal round of Jeopardy! in February 2016.
  • Wright State’s Model United Nations team has earned top awards at the national conference in New York City for 37 consecutive years.
  • Students entering healthcare graduate programs who work with pre-health advisors from the College of Science and Mathematics are admitted at a rate 10 to 15 percent above the national average.

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Fun Facts:

  • Wright State originally opened in 1964 as a branch campus of The Ohio State University and Miami University. Three years later, in 1967, Wright State became an independent institution with 5,704 students. In 1968, the university held its first commencement ceremony.
  • We take pride in the fact 21 percent of Wright State undergraduates are first-generation college students. Our new Student Success Center offers innovative mentoring and academic support services to help students transition to college.
  • Wright State alumni excel on Broadway, in Hollywood, and on television—storyboarding for movies, writing screenplays, crafting production design and acting. There is a good chance you will recognize the work of our theatre, dance and motion picture graduates and the projects they have been involved in.
  • Tom Hanks has long appreciated Wright State’s students. The Tom Hanks Center for Motion Pictures opened in April 2016, with the Hollywood icon on hand to celebrate with us. He also co-chairs Wright State’s Rise. Shine. fundraising campaign, along with Amanda Wright Lane, the great-grandniece of the Wright brothers.
  • One of the world’s most complete collections of Wright brothers materials is at the Dunbar Library’s Special Collections and Archives. The collection includes the Wrights’ technical and personal library, family papers, and film documenting the invention of the airplane.
  • Wright State is a national innovator in services for students with disabilities. In 1970, decades before the Americans with Disabilities Act, Wright State was one of the first universities to create an Office of Disability Services. College Success for Students with Physical Disabilities rates Wright State as a Top 5 disability-friendly school.
  • Wright State is next door to one of the largest Air Force bases in the world, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, home of the Air Force Research Laboratory, Materiel Command, and National Air and Space Intelligence Center. The university’s close ties with the base offer unique research and career opportunities to students and graduates.
  • Our state-of-the art Veteran and Military Center offers a dedicated space for military-affiliated students and veterans. Student mentors and trained staff offer academic tutoring, GI Bill services, and other student services. Victory Media, owner of G.I. Jobs magazine, has named Wright State “military friendly” for nine consecutive years.
  • Nearly two miles of tunnels (10,436 feet) create an accessible path beneath 20 of the 22 buildings in the academic section of Wright State’s Dayton campus. 

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Notable Alumni:

• J. Todd Anderson, storyboard artist for Cohen brothers movies
• Ron Barhorst, former president, ING
• Michael Barratt, NASA astronaut
• Hannah Beachler, production design for movies Moonlight, Fruitvale, Miles Ahead, and Beyonce’s album, Lemonade
• Rep. Joyce Beatty, Ohio 3rd District
• Doug Cook, vice president of operations, FedEx
• John B. Ellington, Jr., retired Air National Guard major general
• Roger Kintzel, former publisher, Atlanta Constitution, and the Cox Media Group, Newspaper Division
• Frank Lickliter, professional golfer
• Debora Loewer, retired U.S. Navy rear admiral
• Eddie McClintock, actor, Warehouse 13
• Robert Pollard, musician and founder, Guided by Voices
• Vitaly Potapenko, former NBA player and coach
• Cliff Rosenberger, Speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives
• Nicole Scherzinger, musician, actress, television personality, member of The Pussycat Dolls
• Joe Smith, professional baseball player, Toronto Blue Jays
• Emmanuel Urquieta, NASA aerospace medicine researcher
• Nan Whaley, mayor of Dayton
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Testimonials:

“If you show any interest in something, the faculty and staff will join you in your efforts and help you reach those goals. There are so many opportunities at Wright State.” – Goonmeet Bajaj, junior, computer science/computer engineering

“I was looking for diversity and, when I visited the campus, I felt like everybody I met was comfortable being who they were.” – Thomas Yagisawa, junior, music performance/percussion

GENERAL INFO

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