A groundbreaking agreement between the nation’s first private historically Black college/university (HBCU) and The Ohio State University will be formally put in place Tuesday, June 28, 2022, on the campus of Wilberforce University.

Wilberforce’s 22nd president, Dr. Elfred Anthony Pinkard, will sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with The Ohio State University to create a partnership in turfgrass education for Wilberforce students.

Beginning in the fall semester of this year, Ohio State University will offer online non-credit certificates to Wilberforce University students through Ohio State’s College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences. The courses include advanced golf course management, history of golf courses, and sports turf management. Wilberforce can accept the completed certificate course for the students’ credit.

Wilberforce University, founded in 1856, is the nation’s first private, historically Black college/university. Located in Greene County, Ohio, near Dayton, Wilberforce is a member of the United Negro College Fund (UNCF), the NAIA, and the Ohio Link Library Consortium.

According to HBCU.com, Wilberforce University is one of the top five HBCUs in the Midwest.