Doane University is a private university in Crete, Nebraska. It has additional campuses in Lincoln and Omaha, as well as online programs.
History
Doane College was founded on July 11, 1872, by Thomas Doane, chief civil engineer for the Burlington and Missouri River Railroad. David Brainerd Perry was the first college president. He served until his death in 1912.
Doane College was renamed Doane University in May 2016.
In 2020 the director of the Perkins library came under fire for a "Parties of the Past" exhibit of historical photographs which included two photos of students wearing blackface in 1926. The photos and then the entire exhibit was taken down by administrators who placed the library director on leave to the objection of the faculty. Doane was then named one of the "Worst Colleges for Free Speech" by the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education. The university later reinstated the library director.
The university has had over 70 Fulbright Scholars since the program began in 1946.
Campuses
Doane's residential campus is in Crete, Nebraska. This campus is over 300 acres. Notable buildings or areas on campus include: Doane University Historic Buildings, including Gaylord Hall, Boswell Observatory and Whitcomb Conservatory/Lee Memorial Chapel. Doane University Osterhout Arboretum Doane's non-residential programs take place mainly on the Lincoln and Omaha campuses, and online.
Academics
Colleges and schools
The College of Arts and Sciences offers over 25 undergraduate majors. The College of Business offers undergraduate majors in accounting, agribusiness, business administration, and economics. Two graduate degrees are also offered: Master of Arts in Leadership and a Master of Business Administration. The College of Education offers undergraduate degrees in Elementary Education, Special Education, Secondary Education, and Physical and Health Education. Graduate programs include: Masters of Education in Curriculum & Instruction, Educational Leadership, and School Counseling; Master of Arts in Counseling; Education Specialist Degree; Doctorate of Education; and Initial Certification at the Advanced Level (also known as the Fast Track Program). The School of Innovative Learning (SIL) offers undergraduate majors in health sciences and exercise science. It also houses the Masters Degree in Instructional Design and Technology. SIL is also the home of Doane's Open Learning Academy, which offers online classes with transferable credits for non-degree seeking students. DoaneX, a partnership with MOOC platform edX, is also housed under SIL.
Accreditations
Doane University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and approved by the Nebraska Coordinating Commission of Post-Secondary Education. Several programs also hold specialized accreditations.
The Teacher Education unit at Doane University is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). The Master of Arts in Counseling program was accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) in 2020. The Music Department is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music. As of 2021, the Bachelor of Science in Engineering program is in the process of seeking accreditation through ABET.
Student media
Doane University is the home of the Doane Owl, the oldest student-run newspaper in the state of Nebraska. Established in 1879 as a literary publication and news bulletin, The Owl evolved into a traditional newspaper covering Doane, Saline County, and Crete, Nebraska issues.
Regarding student broadcasting, Doane's college radio station is KDNE. Programming on KDNE includes live broadcasts of Tigers sporting events, news broadcasts, and student-run music specialty shows.
DCTV is the university's television station.
Athletics
The Doane athletic teams are called the Tigers. The university is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), primarily competing in the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) since the 1969–70 academic year.
Doane competes in 23 intercollegiate varsity sports. Men's sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, soccer, tennis, track & field (indoor and outdoor) and wrestling; while women's sports include basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, tennis, track & field (indoor and outdoor), volleyball and wrestling; and co-ed sports include cheerleading, dance, and shotgun sports.