Capital University
Capital University is a private university in Bexley, Ohio, United States. Capital was founded as the Theological Seminary of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Ohio in 1830 and later was associated with that synod's successor, the American Lutheran Church. The university has undergraduate and graduate programs, as well as a law school. Capital University is the oldest university in Central Ohio and is one of the oldest and largest Lutheran-affiliated universities in North America.
History
Capital University was founded on June 3, 1830, as the German Theological Seminary of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Ohio in Canton, Ohio, 40 years before the founding of Ohio State University, making it the oldest university in Central Ohio. It moved to downtown Columbus in 1832. On March 2, 1850, Capital University was chartered. At that time, the denomination was renamed to the Evangelical Lutheran Joint Synod of Ohio and Other States and grew into a nationwide church body. The first president of the university was William Morton Reynolds.In 1930, the Joint Synod was merged with two other smaller German language groups, the Iowa Synod and the Buffalo Synod to create the American Lutheran Church, headquartered in Columbus. The ALC existed for only three decades, until 1960, when it, in turn, participated in a more extensive merger with the Evangelical Lutheran Church and the United Evangelical Lutheran Church Danish to form The American Lutheran Church. The second ALC lasted until the formation of the current Evangelical Lutheran Church in America in 1988, with offices in Chicago, Illinois.
The university eventually moved its main campus to the rural periphery of the state capital in the community of Bexley. This rural area has since developed into an upscale suburb. Capital University's educational mission is based on Lutheran values of free inquiry, critical thinking, and leadership. A current motto used at the school is "Ask. Think. Lead", a continuing reminder of its educational mission.
In recognition of several buildings' historic architectural merit, a portion of the campus was entered on the National Register of Historic Places as the "Capital University Historic District" in 1982. The district comprises Mees Hall, Bexley Hall, the Kerns Religious Life Center, and Leonard Hall. The district initially included Lehmann Hall and Loy Hall, but those two buildings have since been demolished.
In May 2004, the university received approval to close Mound Street between College Avenue and Pleasant Ridge Avenue from the city of Bexley. In 2006, the university constructed a pedestrian mall on the closed portion of Mound Street, including parking, improved lighting, benches, and landscaping. The $2.5 million project unified the northern and southern parts of campus.
Denvy A. Bowman, the university's 15th president retired on July 1, 2016, ending his ten-year tenure as president. On February 9, 2016, Elizabeth L. Paul was named as the 16th president of Capital and was the first woman to hold the position at the university; she resigned in 2020 after a no-confidence vote was held amongst faculty and staff. David Kaufman became interim president in June 2020 and was named the 17th president on July 25, 2021. Jared R. Tice was named the 18th president of Capital University in June 2025.
The seminary, which had been renamed to the Evangelical Lutheran Theological Seminary, became independent of the university in 1959. It merged with Hamma Divinity School, the theological department of nearby Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio, in 1978 and reopened on the Bexley campus as Trinity Lutheran Seminary, where it continues today as a theological seminary of the ELCA. In the fall of 2016, Capital University and Trinity Lutheran Seminary announced that the two would reunite after 58 years of operating separately. The goal was to complete the reunion plan by the summer of 2017, with implementation to follow over the next two years. The merger was actually completed January 1, 2018.
On July 13, 2020, the university Board of Trustees announced plans to retire the Crusader nickname and the "Cappy" mascot following a 15-month-long study. The university formally adopted "Capital Comets" as the new mascot name on September 30, 2021.
Academics
Capital is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. It has more than 60 majors and 51 minors to choose from.The academic buildings on campus include Battelle Hall, Ruff Learning Center, Troutman Hall, Kerns Religious Life Center, Huber-Spielman Hall, Conservatory of Music, and Renner Hall as well as the Trinity Lutheran Seminary Complex.
Capital University's ranking in the 2022 U.S. News & World Report edition of Best Colleges is Regional Universities Midwest, tied at #37.
Law School
Capital University Law School is an ABA-accredited private law school located in downtown Columbus. U.S. News & World Report listed Capital's full-time Juris Doctor program as "Rank Not Published" in 2018, but in 2022 it was ranked as tied for No. 147-193 out of 197 schools in Best Law Schools.Campus life
Student organizations
Capital University features more than 100 student organizations. This includes 13 fraternities and sororities, arts and media organizations, cultural organizations, honors societies, campus programming, religious organizations, service organizations, and government and social organizations. Some examples include Pride, PRSSA, Circle K, Jewish Student Association, ReCap Literary Magazine, the Chimes, intramural sports, student government, and numerous music organizations in which both non-music and music majors can perform.Residence life
Capital is a residential campus that operates on semester schedules. Most students live on campus in one of seven residence halls or apartments. Traditional Halls include Saylor-Ackermann Hall, Cotterman Hall, the Lohman Complex, and Schaaf Hall. Suite-style living includes Trinity and College Avenue Hall. Apartments include Capital Commons and the Capital University Apartments. There are also a select number of houses on Sheridan avenue through campus housing.Music
Capital University's music program is well-respected in the music community. Consisting of traditional and contemporary tracks, legendary faculty member Ray Eubanks started the jazz and music industry programs, some of the first in the nation. The largest degree concentration within the Conservatory is the Music Technology program, consisting of two tracks authored by Dr. Rocky J. Reuter, who also created the composition degree, the MIDI Band, Ensemble Now and NOW MUSIC Festival, an annual celebration of contemporary music. The Chapel Choir has performed around Ohio and the world, including Carnegie Hall. The annual Christmas Festival at Capital is a popular local event and community institution led by all the choral ensembles. The dean of the Conservatory of Music is Dr. Tom Zugger.There are large ensembles that are selected by auditions: members do not need to be music majors to audition. Instruments like choirs are available to all majors as well, and membership doesn't require audition. Chamber groups such as quartets and quintets consist of music majors and music minors.
WXCU Radio
The campus radio station, WXCU Radio, is entirely student-run and managed. In 2007, the radio station began streaming online only with an alternative and indie rock format. Students can host their radio show and interview nationally touring acts. Additionally, the station hosts several concerts and also supports the efforts of other groups campus-wide. Participation can be either extra-curricular or for credits. The station takes music submissions and frequently features music produced by students.Harry C. Moores Student Union
During the summer of 2013, the Harry C. Moores Campus Center underwent a multimillion-dollar renovation. Capital University's Student Government rededicated the building as the 'Harry C. Moores Student Union' in the fall of 2013. Capital's Gear Shop is located on the first floor of the Union. The Student Union is also home to the campus mail room and the main dining facilities for Capital University. The main dining room, or "Capital Court" on campus, underwent renovations during the summer of 2015.The third floor of the student union underwent renovations during the fall of 2016 to install a new workout area on campus, The Mezz Fitness Center. The workout facility opened in January 2017. The third floor used to have a lounge and game tables; it was also home to the 'Mezz' dining option; however, that option was closed in 2015.