Heidelberg University ( Ohio ) Heidelberg University is a private liberal arts college located in the city of Tiffin , Ohio in the U . S . state of Ohio . Founded in 1850 , it was known as Heidelberg College until 1889 and from 1926 to 2009 . History . Heidelberg University was founded by the German Reformed Church in 1850 and is currently affiliated with the United Church of Christ . At that time , there were a significant number of German immigrants in Ohio , and the German Reformed Church had seventy - four churches in the state when members decided to establish the college . The College had an initial graduating class of five students . Transition . On the morning of October 25 , 2008 the Heidelberg College Board of Trustees unanimously agreed to transition to Heidelberg University . The name change went into effect at beginning of the 2009 - 2010 academic year . According to a statement issued by former interim President Dr . James Troha to all Heidelberg students : " In considering the transition from college to university , the board and senior administrators addressed such issues as competition and trends in higher education and the perception of " university " among prospective students in the U . S . and abroad . Thorough research of both internal and external audiences indicated strong support to become Heidelberg University . " Campus life . Heidelberg is situated on enclosed in Tiffin , Ohio , the county seat of Seneca County , in northwestern Ohio . The campus is located on the east side of Tiffin on College Hill , within a half mile of downtown Tiffin . Architecture . Heidelberg ' s campus includes 26 buildings , 10 of which are listed on the National Register of Historic Places . The architecture ranges from pure Greek Revival and Victorian Gothic to English Gothic and the functional style . Many of the buildings are formed in gray Bloomville limestone with cut Bedford stone for trim , bringing a sense of overall unity to the various styles . Greek life . Heidelberg University features ten different social Greek organizations with five fraternities and five sororities . Each of University ' s fraternities and sororities are local organizations and are specific only to Heidelberg University . They are governed by the Greek Council . Sororities Fraternities Academics . Heidelberg offers 36 undergraduate courses of study , four graduate programs , 16 minors , and 13 pre - professional programs . The University boasts a unique Honors Program , titled The Life of the Mind , that focuses on four thematic components : the artist , the citizen , the scholar and the scientist . In addition , the American Junior Year program at Heidelberg University in Heidelberg , Germany is the oldest exchange program between an American university and a German university . Heidelberg is also home to the renowned National Center for Water Quality Research and The Center for Historic and Military Archaeology . Reputation . Heidelberg University has been ranked by " U . S . News and World Report " as one of the Midwest ' s top colleges for twenty - two consecutive years . The institution again appears in the top tier of the ' Best Universities – Master ' s ' category in the Midwest region for 2010 . Heidelberg was also listed in the " Great Schools at a Great Price " category for 2008 . Faculty . Eighty - five percent of the senior faculty members hold a doctorate or the highest degree in their core competency . Heidelberg is a teaching institution and supports an intimate classroom environment where students are afforded personal attention . The student - to - faculty ratio is 14 : 1 and the average class size is 20 to 25 . Students . Heidelberg students are culturally and geographically diverse and originate from all parts of the country , as well as internationally ( eight percent of undergraduates ) . Fifty - three percent are male and forty - seven percent are female . Roughly eighty - five percent of students live in campus - owned housing , which includes seven traditional residence halls , senior apartments , and an average of ten Cooperative Learning Communities ( CLCs ) . CLCs are themed houses that provide students with the opportunity to develop initiatives and programs that will benefit the Heidelberg and / or greater - Tiffin communities . Athletics . Heidelberg is affiliated with NCAA Division III athletics and is a member of the Ohio Athletic Conference , one of the oldest intercollegiate athletic conferences in the country . Heidelberg is the oldest member of the Ohio Athletic Conference which was is the 3rd Oldest Conference in the Nation and was founded in 1902 . The Heidelberg has won 46 Ohio Athletic Conference championships in the history of the athletic program which dates back 1892 . The school is known for its distinctive " Student Prince " mascot , originating from the Sigmund Romberg operetta of the same name . On September 5 , 2008 a redesigned " Student Prince " mascot was unveiled . Men ' s Sports Women ' s Sports Heidelberg University ’ s current success has come in volleyball , men ' s cross country , wrestling , baseball and track & field . Volleyball has had three - straight seasons of qualifying for the NCAA Tournament ( 2007 , 2008 , 2009 ) . They also captured their second regular season OAC Championship in 2009 , which added to their title in 1984 . Men ' s cross country has had four - straight seasons of qualifying for the NCAA Championship , ( 2006 , 2007 , 2008 , 2009 ) and seventh overall in school history ( 1997 , 1998 , 1999 ) . They also captured their fourth OAC Championships in 2009 , which added to their titles in 1998 , 1999 and 2000 . The Berg men ' s cross country team also was honored by the USTFCCCA in 2009 by having the second highest GPA in NCAA DIII and the fourth highest in the nation among all cross country teams in any division . Wrestling has had five straight successful seasons in the OAC , and placed as high as sixth in the nation in the past five years . They captured OAC Tournament Championships in 2006 , 2007 , 2008 , 2009 and 2010 . The wrestlers were also OAC Regular Season Championships in 2006 , 2008 and 2009 . Baseball has also had success over the past few years with two Regional Runner - Ups , and five OAC Championships . They were OAC Tournament Champions 2004 , 2008 , 2009 and 2010 ; and Regular Season 2003 , 2007 , 2008 , 2009 and 2010 . Also in 2010 , they captured their first NCAA Regional Championship and finished 4th in the nation at the NCAA DIII Baseball World Series . Also in 2011 , they received preseason no . 1 overall by D3baseball . com . The men ' s track and field team also had success when it placed 14th in the nation in 2007 . The team also captured its third OAC Outdoor Track and Field Championship in 2010 , adding it to championship years of 1999 and 2000 . The Heidelberg men ’ s running program ( Cross Country , Indoor Track & Field , Outdoor Track & Field ) in the 2009 - 2010 school year finished as the 14th best program among NCAA DIII schools because of their high event finishes at the NCAA Division III National Championships .