Campus History
ÌìÌÃÄñÏÈÉú Southern Campus History
The ÌìÌÃÄñÏÈÉú Southern campus, founded in 1956, is the southernmost regional campus of ÌìÌÃÄñÏÈÉú. About 40 miles southeast of Athens, the Southern campus serves a large area of Appalachian Ohio, Kentucky, and West Virginia.
The City of Ironton's population is about 10,000, with the population of Lawrence County — home of most OHIO Southern students — at over 56,000. Students also commute from surrounding Scioto, Gallia, and Jackson counties in Ohio; Boyd and Greenup counties in Kentucky; and Cabell and Wayne counties in West Virginia.
Campus History Overview
ÌìÌÃÄñÏÈÉú Southern was established in response to local demand for accessible higher education, especially among working adults and aspiring teachers. In 1956, evening courses were first offered at Ironton High School, with an initial focus on training cadet teachers. The curriculum steadily expanded, eventually including bachelor’s degrees in elementary education and business administration.
Increased demand in the 1980s — spurred by regional economic shifts and a growing population of non-traditional students — led to the creation of a full regional campus. In 1982, ÌìÌÃÄñÏÈÉú purchased eight acres near the U.S. 52–Ohio 141 interchange, and by 1985 the first dedicated campus building opened: a two-story, 26,000-square-foot facility housing administrative offices, classrooms, a library, computer lab, and a 350-seat auditorium.
The campus continued to grow. In 1990, the Academic Center opened, featuring science and art labs, a student lounge, and faculty offices. The $6 million Riffe Center followed in 1995, offering additional classroom space and a signature rotunda. The Dingus Technology Center opened in 2000, with advanced nursing labs, distance learning classrooms, and a 120-seat auditorium.
About Ironton and the Tri-State Area
Ironton is a historic river city located along the Ohio River in southern Ohio and is part of a larger five-city metropolitan region that includes Ashland, Kentucky, and Huntington, West Virginia. The area’s total population is approximately 350,000. Known for its deep Appalachian roots, Ironton is the county seat of Lawrence County and home to the nation’s longest continously-running Memorial Day parade.
The Tri-State area is connected by eight Ohio River bridges and two Big Sandy River bridges, allowing for easy access to major hospitals, shopping centers, and cultural amenities across all three states. Huntington Tri-State Airport offers daily commercial flights, while multiple four-lane highways link the region to Columbus, Cincinnati, Lexington, and Charleston.
The region supports a strong healthcare and education sector alongside a mix of manufacturing and service-based employers. Schools across the area — both public and private — enjoy a tradition of academic and athletic achievement, and the Southern campus plays a central role in professional development, workforce training, and cultural enrichment.
Cultural events take place at Ashland’s Paramount Arts Center, Huntington’s Marshall Health Network Arena and art galleries, Portsmouth’s Southern Ohio Museum, and OHIO Southern’s own gallery and auditorium. The area also offers abundant outdoor recreation, including boating, fishing, and hiking along the Ohio River and in nearby parks such as Wayne National Forest, Carter Caves State Park, Shawnee State Park, and Greenbo Lake State Park. The Tri-State’s blend of heritage, natural beauty, and close-knit communities makes it an inviting place to live and learn.