By Cole Hatcher
Ohio Wesleyan University has been awarded its fourth – and largest – Choose Ohio First grant, receiving $1,199,940 for scholarships for Ohio students pursuing degrees in the STEM fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. OWU’s grant is among the four largest awarded to colleges and universities statewide this cycle.
The State of Ohio and Ohio Department of Higher Education announced the Fiscal Year 2025 Choose Ohio First (COF) awards on Dec. 2, including Ohio Wesleyan’s new five-year grant. Combined, Ohio Wesleyan’s four Choose Ohio First grants will enable the university to provide 40 four-year COF scholarships as of fall 2025.
“Choose Ohio First is a critical part of Ohio’s strategy to develop STEM talent in our state,” said Mike Duffey, chancellor of the Ohio Department of Higher Education. “This latest award exemplifies Ohio Wesleyan’s commitment to high-quality STEM programs and, more importantly, its talented STEM students in such fields as computer science, biochemistry, and pre-medicine, to name just a few.”
Ohio Wesleyan offers 20 majors eligible for COF scholarships. Broadly, the academic areas include astronomy, botany and microbiology, chemistry, data analytics, education, environment and sustainability, neuroscience, physics and astronomy, and zoology.
Ohio Wesleyan President Matthew vandenBerg said the university is pleased to play a vital role in the Choose Ohio First initiative and will use its latest COF funding to support Ohioans from disadvantaged backgrounds who seek to earn degrees in STEM-related majors.
“Ohio Wesleyan is producing exceptionally well-rounded and qualified graduates for these growing fields,” vandenBerg said. “Fully 80% of our current Choose Ohio First scholars belong to disadvantaged groups, and our comprehensive liberal arts curriculum and exceptional STEM programs equip students with the skills and adeptness to seamlessly transition to central Ohio’s dynamic workforce.”
In addition to four-year renewable scholarships, Ohio Wesleyan’s COF scholars also receive comprehensive career and support services as well as guaranteed internship and research opportunities supported by the OWU Connection, the university’s signature student academic experience. The new scholarships will range from $5,500 to $8,500 per year.
In recognition of the caliber of its STEM students and majors, Ohio Wesleyan also is part of two college collaborations supported by Intel through a $17.7 million investment in a Semiconductor Education and Research Program. Intel is investing more than $28 billion to build two new leading-edge chip factories in central Ohio to meet demand for advanced semiconductors.
In addition, Ohio Wesleyan is part of National Science Foundation-funded initiatives to support students seeking to study computer science and to work with corporate partners to develop an integrated internship program for STEM students in central Ohio.
Learn more about the Ohio Department of Higher Education and the Choose Ohio First grant program at https://highered.ohio.gov. Learn more about Ohio Wesleyan’s STEM-related majors, enrolling at the university, and scholarship opportunities at owu.edu/admission.
Source, Photo: OWU; Photo by Shala Hankison
