Lifelong and Distance Learning records

Lifelong and Distance Learning oversees all branch campuses, independent and distance learning programs at Ohio University (OU.) OU president Alston Ellis established The Ohio University Extension Department in 1909. In 1910, 50 students were enrolled in extension courses, taught by regular Ohio University faculty members in the communities of Jackson, Logan, Nelsonville, and Pomeroy. In 1914, three faculty members were hired full-time to spend their weeks riding circuit around southern and southeastern Ohio, delivering courses. C. L. Martzolff was appointed the first Director of Extension in 1916. OU began offering correspondence courses in 1924. In 1937, evening divisions were established in Portsmouth and Zanesville setting up the beginnings of the branch campuses. On the Athens campus, the Extension Division began offering evening and Saturday courses. This became Independent Study Through Correspondence. However, in 1941, the University closed both evening divisions and returned Zanesville and Portsmouth to the status of extension centers.

The idea of branch campuses was revived in 1946 when the governor of Ohio requested that Ohio universities accommodate all Ohioans who wanted to attend college. President John C. Baker recognized that Athens campus alone could not support the large influx of possible students created by World War II veterans returning home. That same year, OU developed "residence credit centers" in less congested parts of southeastern Ohio using the formerly established areas of Portsmouth and Zanesville, and adding a third site at Chillicothe. OU made use of local high schools in the late afternoon and evening. Libraries and science labs were to be enhanced to meet the requirements of university courses, and part-time directors were selected from the local high school staff to watch over operations. Albert C. Gubitz was the first Director of Off-Campus Relations to oversee these branches. New branches were opened in Ironton (current Southern campus) and Lancaster in 1956 and in Martins Ferry in 1957.

In 1965, Edward M. Penson was named Dean of Off-Campus Academic Programs (OCAP) to pursue the development of the branch campuses. It was in this period that the Martins Ferry operation switched to its current location in Belmont County, near St. Clairsville. Under Penson's direction between 1965 and 1968, five academic buildings were opened, creating the Chillicothe, Belmont (later Eastern), Lancaster, Portsmouth, and Zanesville Campuses. Courses offerings continued in Ironton, as well, although an official "campus" did not come along until 1985. In 1975, the Portsmouth campus left OU, developing into what is now Shawnee State University.

In 1971, OCAP changed its name to the Office of Regional Higher Education, the office that currently oversees the branch campuses.