The state of Ohio is investing more than $725,000 in scholarships for students studying computer science and related subjects at Baldwin Wallace University over the next five years.
The new awards, part of the Choose Ohio First (COF) program, are aimed at strengthening the state's workforce in technology-related fields such as cybersecurity, software engineering, business information systems and digital interactive design.
Lt. Governor Jon Husted and Ohio Department of Higher Education Chancellor Randy Gardner announced the $20-million program aimed at boosting science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education last month.
"I am thrilled that Baldwin Wallace has received grant funding to support students in the STEM fields," said Gardner. "I have great respect for the quality of BW programs, which benefit students and Ohio's economic future."
Dr. James McCargar, associate dean of BW's School of Natural Sciences, Mathematics and Computing, says BW earned such a large share of the funding based on the strength of existing programs.
"BW's computing majors feature strong ties to the Northeast Ohio tech sector and robust opportunities for real-world experiences outside the classroom, including internships and business projects, an award-winning cybersecurity team and respected student-faculty research in the area of mobile privacy," McCargar said.
In addition, BW is constructing a new, $25 million STEM Center - designed in consultation with industry leaders - which will bring together data science, artificial intelligence, mathematical modeling, cybersecurity, engineering and physics in a state-of-the-art space.
The 55,000 square-foot Knowlton Center, which will include advanced computer, robotics and engineering laboratories, is set to open in January 2021.
BW students in STEM programs have been recipients of Choose Ohio First scholarship grants for more than a decade. The nearly three-quarters of a million dollars in new support is a focused strategy that strives to increase enrollment and completion in computer science.
"The Choose Ohio First program is one of our state's best tools to increase the number of students preparing to work in STEM-related fields," said Husted. "In today's technology-infused economy, every industry and business has important tech-focused jobs and training Ohioans for careers in those positions is key to growing our economy."
BW will host a special visit day for high school students interested in studying in the STEM majors on Tuesday, March 17.