page_title: University of Rio Grande
section_title: Recent expansion
hierarchical_section_title: University of Rio Grande / History / Recent expansion
caption_attribution_description: Rio Grande University Entrance, Rio Grande, Gallia County, Ohio, United States
context_page_description: The University of Rio Grande and Rio Grande Community College are twin colleges in Rio Grande, Ohio, United States. The University of Rio Grande is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
  The University of Rio Grande offers a range of courses and majors and is known in the region for its Fine Arts, Education and Nursing programs. Additionally, its graduate program in teacher education was one of the few national programs structured around Howard Gardner's Theory of multiple intelligences. The university's Greer Museum hosts 5–6 visiting artists each year, and houses the Brooks Jones Art Collection, including works by Goya, Renoir, and Jasper Johns. The university Sculpture Garden contains 15 large-scale outdoor works by contemporary artists, including Fletcher Benton. The university's Grande Chorale jazz vocal group performs 12-15 recitals each year.
  Rio Grande is notable for being the alma mater of Bevo Francis, who set the college record for points scored in a basketball game, and for its close connection with Bob Evans Farms, whose original location is adjacent to the university.
context_section_description: From 1977 to 2008, Rio Grande’s campus expanded to include several new buildings and a variety of academic programs. In 1989, Rio Grande College was renamed the University of Rio Grande in recognition of its expanding curriculum. Some of the new degree programs added to the university’s curriculum in the last few years include interactive media, graphic design, radiologic technology, diagnostic medical sonography and respiratory therapy.  From 1996 to 1998, with tremendous community support and local assistance, Rio Grande established the Madog Center for Welsh Studies on campus (1996) and the Meigs Center in Middleport (1998).  In 2001, the faculty led in making changes in academic requirements for all students (the General Education curriculum) and in converting to a semester system.  In 2008, a new larger Meigs Center was constructed in Pomeroy above Meigs High School replacing the one in Middleport. Courses are also offered in Vinton County.  The university also offers distance-learning programs via the Internet.
caption: University of Rio Grande campus entrance.
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