| University of Rio Grande and Rio Grande Community College | |
| Motto: | Changing Tomorrows |
| Type: | Private university and public community college |
| Endowment: | $21,853,211 |
| President: | Ryan Smith |
| Provost: | Dr. David Lawrence |
| Students: | 2,300 |
| Undergrad: | 2,140 |
| Postgrad: | 160 |
| City: | Rio Grande |
| State: | Ohio |
| Country: | United States |
| Coor: | 38.8803°N -82.3767°W |
| Campus: | Rural, 190acres |
| Former Names: | Rio Grande College (1876–1989) |
| Colors: | Red & White |
| Nickname: | RedStorm |
| Athletics Affiliations: | NAIA – River States (primary) NAIA – Mid-South (wrestling, volleyball) |
| Parent: | University System of Ohio |
The University of Rio Grande and Rio Grande Community College (originally Rio Grande College)[1] is a private university and public community college merged into one institution in Rio Grande, Ohio. It is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
Ira Haning, a Free Will Baptist minister, persuaded Nehemiah and Permelia Atwood, affluent residents and entrepreneurs, to use their wealth to establish a college. Following Nehemiah's death in 1869, the responsibility for making this dream a reality fell to his wife Permelia. In 1873, Permelia Ridgeway Atwood established an endowment and deeded 10acres of land for Rio Grande College, which officially opened on September 13, 1876. In its first year, Ransom Dunn was president as well as professor of mental and moral philosophy.[2]
The Rio Grande athletic teams are called the RedStorm. The university is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), primarily competing in the River States Conference (RSC; formerly known as the Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (KIAC) until after the 2015–16 school year) since the 2014–15 academic year; which they were a member on a previous stint from 1964–65 to 1970–71. The RedStorm previously competed in the Mid-South Conference (MSC) from 2009–10 to 2013–14, and in the defunct American Mideast Conference AMC; (formerly known as the Mid-Ohio Conference - MOC, until after the 1997–98 school year) from 1971–72 to 2008–09.
Rio Grande competes in 26 intercollegiate varsity sports: Men's sports include baseball, basketball, bowling, cross country, football, golf, rugby, soccer, track & field (indoor & outdoor), volleyball, and wrestling; while women's sports include basketball, bowling, cross country, golf, rugby, soccer, softball, track & field (indoor & outdoor), and volleyball; and co-ed sports include bass fishing, cheerleading, dance, and eSports.