Ottawa University

Since 1865, Ottawa University has been providing a high quality, liberal arts education. As one of the pioneers in adult education in the United States, OU opened its first adult campus in Kansas City in 1974. Since that time, additional campuses focusing on the needs of working adults have been established in Arizona and Wisconsin, as well as multiple international locations. Today, Ottawa University's Greater Kansas City campus offers bachelor degree majors in more than seven disciplines including business, education, human resources, and psychology. A Master of Business Administration as well as Master of Arts in Human Resources, along with many concentration areas, are also available.

The Greater Ottawa Fund is made up of annual unrestricted gifts to Ottawa University. The Greater Ottawa Fund directly benefits all students at Ottawa University by providing a financial foundation that is needed to provide a “quality, liberal-arts education,” including, student scholarships, new programming, technological advancements, student study abroad opportunities, on-line learning programming, student activities, and facilities at all of our campus locations.

Gifts to Ottawa University’s endowment support a variety of opportunities for students at OU. Most importantly, gifts to the endowment provide long-lasting financial support for the entire University. Around $20 million, OU’s endowment provides the funds necessary for endowed scholarships, research programs, faculty and departmental programs through endowed professorships and chairs, and special programs as approved by the Board of Trustees. Endowment donors often name an endowment in honor or memory of family, friends, or mentors and colleagues.

Named in honor of the Reverend Dr. Roger L. Fredrikson and located on the campus in Ottawa, the Fredrikson Center acts as an institute in which theologians, church leaders from multiple denominations, faculty members, pastors and laypeople are invited to come together in dialogue, study, to conduct research, provide and receive consultation, and collaborate to advance the life and vitality of the church.  Out-reach coaching and support services are offered, at no cost, to pastors and churches, throughout the United States. Annual programming is under the direction of University Chaplain, Dr. John Holzhüter, and consists of on site education to ministers and church leadership teams, congregational surveying, specialized course work and pastor's mentoring programs culminate in an annual conference held on the Ottawa campus in March of each year. Additional programming is offered through our
non-residential campuses. Programming is non-cost to participants and reliant on grants and donations to ensure that all offerings remain free of charge.