Economic Engine
Ohio Wesleyan Expands STEM Pipeline, Fosters Ohio's High-Tech Future with Choose Ohio First Grant
DELAWARE, Ohio – Ohio Wesleyan University has earned its fifth Choose Ohio First grant in recognition of OWU's impact in building Ohio's STEM sector and driving the state's high-tech economic development. The state-funded grant provides scholarships for Ohio students pursuing bachelor's degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
The State of Ohio and Ohio Department of Higher Education (ODHE) announced the Fiscal Year 2026 Choose Ohio First (COF) awards in May, including Ohio Wesleyan's latest four-year, $651,319 grant.
"I appreciate Ohio Wesleyan University's continued partnership with Choose Ohio First," said Mike Duffey, chancellor of the ODHE. "The 100% completion rate of its first Choose Ohio First cohort and current recruitment of mechanical engineering majors for fall of 2027 show that the university is preparing students for future STEM success."
The university's inaugural COF cohort achieved a 100% four-year graduation rate. And demonstrating OWU's direct impact on the state's economic growth, nearly 75% of those graduates accepted positions with Ohio-based employers, while more than 25% transitioned into Ohio graduate programs. In addition, 100% of OWU's non-graduating COF scholars remained actively enrolled in STEM disciplines as of spring semester.
"Ohio Wesleyan isn't just participating in Ohio's tech economy; we are actively shaping its trajectory," said OWU President Matt vandenBerg, Ed.D. "We are educating the STEM leaders who will drive Ohio's economic development for decades to come – and our new Conrades School of Engineering will continue to expand this critical pipeline."
OWU's new engineering school will launch in fall 2027 with a flagship major in mechanical engineering. The timing aligns with the latest COF award performance period, with the projected 2030-2031 completion of Intel's superconductor campus, and with JobsOhio's goal of increasing engineering degree opportunities to support Ohio's growing reputation as the "Silicon Valley of the Midwest."
In addition to mechanical engineering, Ohio Wesleyan's Choose Ohio First funds support STEM students across 20 distinct Ohio Wesleyan majors in the academic areas of astronomy, botany and microbiology, chemistry, data analytics, education, environment and sustainability, neuroscience, physics and astronomy, and zoology. Learn more about Ohio Wesleyan's STEM-related majors, enrolling at the university, and scholarship opportunities at owu.edu/admission.
Along with four-year renewable scholarships, Ohio Wesleyan's Choose Ohio First scholars also receive comprehensive career and support services, and guaranteed internship and research opportunities. They receive an innovative education that fuses rigorous scientific training with liberal arts-driven critical thinking, preparing them for lives of purpose and impact.
Founded in 1842, Ohio Wesleyan University is one of the nation's premier liberal arts universities. Located in Delaware, Ohio, the private university offers more than 70 undergraduate majors and competes in 24 NCAA Division III varsity sports. Through its signature experience, the OWU Connection, Ohio Wesleyan teaches students to understand issues from multiple academic perspectives, volunteer in service to others, build a diverse and global perspective, and translate classroom knowledge into real-world experience through internships, research, and other hands-on learning. Ohio Wesleyan is featured in the book "Colleges That Change Lives" and included on the U.S. News & World Report and Princeton Review "Best Colleges" lists. Connect with OWU expert interview sources at owu.edu/experts or learn more at owu.edu.