The Spencer House at Oxford

Mr. and Mrs. J. Kyle Spencer have supported Columbus State University’s international education activities for more than two decades. Their passion for international education was ignited by participation in an Oxford continuing education program during the early 1980s. Shortly thereafter in 1984 Mr. and Mrs. Spencer created The Spencer/Oxford Fund at CSU enabling several dozen CSU faculty members to study Oxford history and architecture, Shakespeare, the history of science, and other topics.

During 2000 CSU began discussing the possibility of a more permanent presence in Oxford. In September 2002 Mr. and Mrs. Spencer provided funds to enable CSU to purchase a house at 182 Woodstock Road, on land that was formerly part of Bull Farm and was one of the last remaining properties to be developed in Summertown and North Oxford. Built in 1913 for the growing professional class of Edwardian Oxford, Columbus State refurbished the house and opened it in December 2002 as the Spencer House at Oxford.

Between 2003 to 2009, Columbus State University has operated two dozen spring and summer programs with 167 students and 51 faculty members participating. In addition, the university launched a visiting student program in 2004, which the Spencers also support. Columbus State University is one of only four U.S. universities with such a program based at its own facility and is the school with a true tutorial experience at an Oxford college. For a number of years students were part of Greyfriars Hall but since 2008, CSU has partnered with Regents Park College to arrange all tutorials for students.

With the support of the Spencers, 21 students have participated in The Spencer Oxford Visiting Student Program, enjoying a year-long immersion into the life and scholarship of the University of Oxford. A large number of Oxford students have also resided with CSU students at the Spencer House at Oxford. Eleven CSU faculty members have also provided parochial care and support while serving as site directors at the Spencer House.

The Spencer House at Oxford has enabled the University and its Spencer Oxford Visiting Student Program to continue the long Columbus tradition of providing access to the highest quality undergraduate education.

View the Photo Gallery of the Spencer House

View a video of the Spencer House

Read more about the CSU in Oxford Program