Our History & Vision

The Woltemade Center: enhancing academic programs and providing real world opportunities to create future business and world leaders.

Inspired by the work of the late Dr. Uwe J. Woltemade, professor of economics at Ohio Wesleyan University (1965-1995), The Woltemade Center for Economics, Business and Entrepreneurship was established in 1985. Grants and gifts from the Cleveland Foundation, the Ford Motor Company Fund, alumni, and friends provided the start-up funds for The Center. Since its founding, The Center has received support from foundations, individuals, alumni, and corporate partners.

The Woltemade Center serves as a major resource connecting the University with the business community. The Center enhances the traditions that have made Ohio Wesleyan a leading national liberal arts university by:

• Bringing alumni and other distinguished speakers to campus to participate in the classroom, present guest lectures, and informally interact with our students.
• Creating partnerships with the business community to provide student internships that enhance traditional classroom learning.
• Sponsoring interdisciplinary courses and faculty development seminars that support our curriculum.
• Incorporating the study of business ethics into our economics, accounting, and management courses.

The Woltemade Center for Economics, Business, and Entrepreneurship is located on the second floor of the R.W. Corns Building on the OWU campus, which also houses the Economics and Business Department, Information Systems, the Academic Resource Center, and numerous classrooms and computer training laboratories. It was Mr. Evan Corns’ gift to the University that served as the catalyst for the renovation of the building. Mr. Corns continues to provide professional and financial support to The Center by involving other alumni in planning and participating in Woltemade Center programs. He also has provided financial support for establishing The Woltemade Center Corns Business and Entrepreneurial Scholars Program.