Denison University is a private, coeducational, and residential liberal arts four-year college in Granville, Ohio, US, about 30 mi (48 km) east of Columbus. It was founded in 1831 making it Ohio's second-oldest liberal arts college. Denison is a member of the Five Colleges of Ohio and the Great Lakes Colleges Association and it competes in the North Coast Athletic Conference. Our purpose is to inspire and educate our students to become autonomous thinkers, discerning moral agents and active citizens of a democratic society.