Central State University Central State University , commonly referred to as CSU , is a historically black university ( HBCU ) located in Wilberforce , Ohio , United States . It is the only public HBCU in Ohio . Central State University is a member - school of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund . History . Central State University ' s history began when Wilberforce College was privately established in Tawawa Springs , Ohio , in 1856 . This was founded as a collaboration between the Cincinnati Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church and the African Methodist Episcopal Church ( AME ) ; leaders of both races comprised the board of trustees . In 1887 , the Ohio General Assembly enacted legislation to create the Combined Normal and Industrial Department at Wilberforce College , to provide training for teachers of lower grades and vocational education . This department operated as part of Wilberforce University , since 1863 owned and operated by the African Methodist Episcopal Church . A separately appointed board of trustees governed the state - financed operations . This arrangement allowed state legislators to sponsor scholarship students at the university and brought other forms of financial aid . In 1941 the Normal and Industrial Department expanded from a two - to a four - year program . It was legally split from Wilberforce College in 1947 , when it became the College of Education and Industrial Arts at Wilberforce , Ohio . In 1951 , it was renamed Central State College . With the expansion of graduate departments , the institution achieved university status in 1965 . Academics . Central State University is accredited by the Ohio Department of Education , the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools , the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology , and the National Association of Schools of Music . In 2011 , the annual cost of all fees and tuition at Central State University was about $ 11 , 500 . The college has on - campus housing for about 1400 students , at $ 4 , 000 annually . Colleges . Central State operates four colleges : the College of Education , College of Humanities Arts and Social Sciences , College of Business , and College of Science and Technology Campus . The main campus is located in Wilberforce , northeast of Xenia , east of Dayton and midway between Cincinnati and Columbus , Ohio ( about from each city ) . A branch campus ( CSU - Dayton ) is located in Dayton . Adjacent to the main campus is an outdoor education area , a natural reserve . Within a hundred yards of the Robeson Center is the National Afro - American Museum and Cultural Center , operated by the Ohio Historical Society . The campus housing complex , which houses approximately 1 , 650 students , consists of eight residence halls : Williamson Hall ( freshmen male ) , Hunter Hall ( co - ed honors ) , Green Hall ( freshmen male ) , Anderson Hall ( freshmen male ) , College Hall ( co - ed honors ) , Harry - Johns Hall ( co - ed honors ) , Foundation Hall ( co - ed upperclassmen ) , and Foundation Hall II ( freshman female ) . Originally constructed in 1950 with an addition completed in 1967 , Banneker Hall housed science laboratories and a botanical laboratory and greenhouse . The building was demolished in Fall 2010 for a proposed expanded student union center . Constructed in 1961 , Beacom Gymnasium is the home of the Marauders volleyball and basketball teams and provides office space for the Department of Health , Physical Education and Recreation . The original Beacom Gymnasium constructed in 1919 was destroyed by fire in 1971 . The natatorium was constructed in 1966 . The Library / College of Education building was completed in 1985 and houses the main library , classrooms , and offices for the College of Education . The library portion of the building is named in honor of long - time educator and public speaker Hallie Q . Brown . The College of Education is named for teacher , department chairperson and dean , Dr . Clara A . Henderson . The Cosby Center houses the university ' s telecommunications programs ( including radio , television and print journalism ) and the campus - based radio station WCSU - FM . It was constructed in 1958 and named the Lucinda Cook Laboratory Demonstration School . The facility houses the offices of the CSU General Alumni Association . The building was named in honor of Dr . William Galloway , a physician who served as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Combined Normal and Industrial Department . It was rebuilt following the 1974 tornado that destroyed the original Galloway Hall . Funds to reconstruct the tower were raised by alumni and friends of Central State University . During the university ' s Centennial celebration in 1987 , the Alumni Center was named in honor of Walter G . Sellers Sr . , a 1951 CSU graduate . Home of the Department of Manufacturing and Industrial Engineering , the building is named in honor of Carl C . Jenkins , a superintendent of the Combined Normal and Industrial Department . An earlier building , constructed in 1941 , was also named for Jenkins and housed the Physical Education Department , Army ROTC , and Bookstore and Grill . Destroyed in 1974 , the original Jenkins Hall housed the audio - visual department , the campus radio station , the bookstore , and office of the CSU Federal Credit Union at the time . Three programs are housed in the facility opened in 1987 : Water Resources Management , Geology , and Earth Sciences . Opened in 1978 , the center houses administrative offices , examination and treatment rooms , and laboratory facilities . It replaced the former campus health center , also named for Dr . Lackey and earlier known as Tawawa Hospital , which was among the buildings destroyed in 1974 . The building is named for Dr . Harry M . Lackey ( university physician from 1921 to 1953 ) , Bishop Benjamin F . Lee ( president of Wilberforce University from 1876 to 1884 ) , Benjamin F . Lee , Jr . ( a faculty member ) , and Benjamin F . Lee , III ( physician who served the campus and the community ) . McPherson Stadium is home to the Marauder football and track and field teams . Originally constructed in 1949 , the structure has been renovated to expand and modernize the locker room , training room , and office spaces . It is named in honor of Combined Normal and Industrial Department graduate William Patrick McPherson , who was killed in action in World War II . The administration building was dedicated in 1978 and named in honor of Dr . Lionel H . Newsom , president of Central State from 1972 to 1985 . It was constructed on the remaining portion of the Hallie Q . Brown Memorial Library , heavily damaged in the 1974 tornado . The building houses administrative and financial offices , the administrative computer center , and the Office of the Registrar . The Paul Robeson Cultural and Performing Arts Center houses the art and music departments , classrooms , and studios . It was dedicated in 1978 in honor of the singer , actor , activist and winner of the Stalin Peace Prize , Paul Robeson . The building includes an 850 - seat auditorium and a recital hall . A large sculpture of Robeson in front of the center was commissioned by Camille and William Cosby . Smith Hall was completed in 1970 and named in honor of Charles S . Smith , founder of the College of Business Administration . It houses the College of Business Administration ' s classrooms and laboratories and an academic computer center . The building houses a bookstore , grill , and commuter lounge , and office spaces for the Admissions Department , Financial Aid Department , Career Services Department , Student Government Association , Housing Department , and the Dean of Students . It is named for 1950 graduate , Norman Ward Sr , an outstanding athlete , teacher , coach , and administrator . Wesley Hall houses the College of Arts and Sciences ' administrative offices , classrooms and offices . It is named in honor of Central State University ' s first president , Charles H . Wesley ( 1941 to 1967 ) . Houses the School of Education and Natural Sciences department of the College of Arts and Sciences . Athletics . Central State ' s athletic teams are known as the Marauders and Lady Marauders . The university competes as a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association ( NCAA ) at the Division II level . The university fields ten sports including : men ' s and women ' s basketball , men ' s and women ' s cross country , football , men ' s and women ' s tennis , men ' s and women ' s track and field , and women ' s volleyball . Central State is an Independent member of Division II in nine sports , while the football team competes in the Great Lakes Football Conference ( now absorbed into the Great Lakes Valley Conference to sponsor football ) . CSU ' s main athletic rival is Kentucky State University . The athletic director is Jahan Culbreath , a 1992 graduate . Football . The Central State University Marauder football team experienced much success in Division II and NAIA during the 1980s through 1995 under then head football coaches , William " Billy " Joe ( 1981 to 1993 ) and Rick Comegy ( 1993 to 1996 ) . Under Billy Joe , the Marauders were NCAA Division II runners - up in 1983 and won the NAIA Football National Championship ( Division I ) in 1990 and 1992 . Under Comegy , a former assistant coach under Joe , the Marauders won the NAIA Football National Championship ( Division I ) in 1995 . The heyday of Central State football ended in the late 1990s when the university administration was forced to drop the football program in 1997 due to financial difficulties and a significant drop of enrollment . In 2005 , under new administration leadership of president Dr . John W . Garland , Esq , ( Class of 1971 ) , the university reinstated the Central State Marauder football program . Notable Marauder alumni who went on to play in the National Football League include : Vince Heflin , Vince Buck , Erik Williams , Hugh Douglas , Charles Hope Brandon Hayes and Kerwin Waldroup . Student activities . Student organizations . There are approximately 30 student organizations operating on campus . These student organizations are classified under six categories : Academic , Business , Special Interest , Religions , Honorary and Greek letter organizations . The Office of the University Center and Student Development in conjunction with the SGA ' s Inter organization Committee monitors the recognized student organizations activities . Student Government Association . The Student Government Association ( SGA ) serves as a liaison between the students and the administration , sharing decision making responsibility with the faculty and staff on matters that affect campus life . The SGA also oversees many student activities , represents the student body , and serves as an advisory body . Greek Letter organizations . All nine of the National Pan - Hellenic Council organizations currently have chapters at Central State University . These organizations are governed by the Central State University ' s chapter of the National Pan - Hellenic Council and overseen by the Director of the University Center and Student Development . Marching band . The university ' s marching band , nicknamed the " Invincible Marching Marauders " , directed by Mr . Ramon Key , was featured prominently in the 2006 film " Dave Chappelle ' s Block Party " and has performed twice at the Honda Battle of the Bands . Director of Bands : Ramon W . Key Jr . Auxiliary Corps Director : Sylvia G . Kelley Band Administrator : Lindon Phillips Drum Line Instructor : Virgil Goodwine Current Section Leaders 2012 - 2013 ; Trumpets - Lashanda Cavin , Flutes - Tiffany Cheney , Saxophones - Jerry Harris , Trombones - Tony Miller , Baritones - Dimetrius Oliver , French Horn - Herbert Jackson , Tubas - Michael Smith , Percussion - Elijah Russell , Clarinet - Briana McMillan . University Chorus . The Central State University Chorus has twice been nominated for a Grammy Award for its recordings .