Activism has played an important role in the history of Ohio Wesleyan University;[1][2] The founders of Ohio Wesleyan University expressed a hope that the university "is forever to be conducted on the most liberal principles."[3][4] OWU has espoused activism in its academic philosophy.[5] Alumni of the school have prominently engaged in controversial issues of their times on three central issues—the scope of justice; distributive justice based on race, gender, and income; and institutions related to preserving social structures.[2][6]