What The University of Olivet is like

Academic feel

The University of Olivet is a private Christian liberal arts college founded in 1844 by missionaries from Oberlin College. With approximately 1,040 students and a 16:1 student-to-faculty ratio, 74% of classes have fewer than 24 students, creating an intimate academic environment. Research activity spans mathematics (28 works), epistemology (20 works), media studies (19 works), biology (19 works), and mathematics education (19 works), along with work in physics. The institution offers 35 bachelor's degree programs and master's degrees in Business Administration, Counseling, and Leadership. Most popular undergraduate majors include Criminal Justice/Safety Studies, Psychology, Business Administration & Management, Insurance, Registered Nursing, and Exercise Science & Kinesiology.

Social life

Student life centers on organizations with deep historical roots: the Soronian Society (the first women's literary society in the United States, founded in 1847), Phi Alpha Pi (the oldest active fraternity on campus, established in 1861), and Alpha Lambda Epsilon (a coed literary society founded in 1922). The college operates WOCR, an FCC-licensed student-run radio station at 89.1 FM that broadcasts campus events, news, and live sports. Athletics are central to campus culture—the college is a founding member of the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA), established in 1888 and the nation's oldest collegiate conference. The Comets compete in 24 intercollegiate sports across men's and women's divisions.

Strengths

• Founding member of the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA), the nation's oldest collegiate conference, established in 1888.[1]
• Home to the Soronian Society, the first women's literary society in the United States, founded in 1847.[1]
• Small class sizes with 74% of classes having fewer than 24 students and a 16:1 student-to-faculty ratio.[1]

Traditions

• The Soronian Society or Iota Kappa Omicron, founded in 1847, was the first women's literary society in the United States.[1]
• Phi Alpha Pi, founded in 1861, is the oldest active fraternity on campus.[1]
• The college was founded in 1844 by missionaries from Oberlin College and became the second coeducational college or university in the United States.[2][1]