What is now Davis University was established in downtown Toledo in 1858 as a business college. Today, it’s the only institution of higher education located downtown.
Cementing its presence in the heart of the city, the university plans to hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony Tuesday at its new location, 200 N. St. Clair St., Suite 100.
“Davis has had five locations in downtown before moving to Monroe Street in West Toledo,” President Diane Brunner said. “We started as a business college, then a junior business college in the ’60s. We became a university in December of 2023.”
Davis was one of the first institutions to be accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Business Schools in 1953. It has been recognized by the State Board of Career Colleges and Schools, and its programs have been authorized by the Ohio Board of Higher Education, as well as being continuously accredited by the Higher Learning Commission since 1991.
The move from its location at Four SeaGate will allow the university to house several new and upcoming programs. The university is set to open for admissions this month.
In its new location, the university will offer a bachelor of science in business administration, pending Department of Education approval for Title IV financial aid funding.
“We believe that students are just going to love being in this new building in the center of downtown,” Ms. Brunner said. “I am proud of how we have grown as a university. Our priority is and has always been to take care of our students. We believe we can accomplish that here.”
Ms. Brunner said the average age of a Davis student is 32. The university has 100 students now but is drawing a lot of attention from the international student community as well.
“We believe we will draw more students in our new space,” she said. “We have a large group of students from China who study online. We have a lot of interest now.”
Its nursing director, Laura Shaffer, said the nursing program will offer graduates an associate degree in nursing, and graduates will be able to sit for their RN boards.
“The first nursing class will be in February with 24 cohorts,” Ms. Shaffer said. “We will have 24 cohorts in each quarter and we will place special emphasis on the soft skills of nursing like bedside manner.
“Many schools do not place an emphasis on the soft skills,” Ms. Schaffer said. “Our program will be patient- and family-focused. We will also teach students how to be able to handle more than one patient at a time. We will have labs in this building, and students will do their clinicals with ProMedica.”
Ms. Shaffer said there is still a great need for nurses, and the university hopes to fill it.
“There are a lot of nurses retiring, especially since COVID,” she said. “ProMedica and Mercy both have a need for more nurses as well.”
Davis offers associate degrees in electrical and computer engineering, data science, health-care administration, early childhood administration, business management, accounting and human resources, graphic design, interior design, digital marketing, and project management.
It also offers certificates and programs in allied health, visual communication design, logistics and supply-chain management, and real estate.
Jared Grunberg, director of enrollment and engagement management, is himself a Davis graduate.
After graduating from Southview High School in Sylvania in 2015, Mr. Grunberg said he decided to attend Davis, majoring in business management after taking some time off and working unrelated jobs. He received his associate degree in business management in 2021.
“I was 21 years old, and I decided that I needed an education in order to move on in life,” Mr. Grunberg said. “I loved the small classes and the personalized learning. I had help from the instructors, including Zoom meetings, to help me with my accounting homework at 8 p.m.”
Mr. Grunberg credits Davis with his new job at the university.
“They allowed me to get the training I needed to succeed,” he said. “They fulfilled their mission and enhanced my employability. They put me on the path to succeed.
“I am now working on my bachelor’s degree here as well,” he added.
Davis will host an open house after the ceremony from 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday for faculty, staff, students, and the public to view the new building. For more information, go to davisuniversity.edu .
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