Ohio Dominican University Awarded $494,000 Choose Ohio First Grant to Provide STEM-Related Student Scholarships

COLUMBUS, Ohio, April 8 (TNSGra) — Ohio Dominican University issued the following news:

The State of Ohio has awarded Ohio Dominican University (ODU) a grant for nearly $500,000 to support students and strengthen the state's workforce development in numerous science- and technology-related fields. The five-year, $494,606 Choose Ohio First (COF) grant will provide scholarship assistance to ODU students who study in its Biology, Biopsychology, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Exercise Science, and Mathematics programs.

The scholarship was announced on April 5 by Lt. Governor Jon Husted and Ohio Department of Higher Education (ODHE) Chancellor Randy Gardner after the award total of $69,826,882 was approved by the State Controlling Board. The scholarship will support an estimated 3,400 Ohio students who are new to the program, along with an additional 3,000 existing COF scholars. The scholarship will support students completing programs in the STEM disciplines at 57 colleges and universities across the state.

“The Choose Ohio First scholarship is helping Ohio students get a head start on their future careers, preparing them for in-demand jobs including coding and cybersecurity,” said Lt. Governor Jon Husted. “This new investment shows how valuable a STEM education – and keeping those students in Ohio – is to the state. I encourage high school students to consider the Choose Ohio First program as they are looking at their future college education.”

“I am grateful to the State of Ohio and the Ohio Department of Higher Education for supporting Ohio Dominican's outstanding and talented students by again awarding the university a Choose Ohio First grant,” said ODU President Robert Gervasi, Ph.D. “These scholarship funds will equip our students with the financial resources they need to pursue their passion for the sciences, complete their ODU degree, launch successful careers in STEM, and contribute to a growing and sustainable talent pipeline of young professionals who are eager to help overcome the science and technology challenges of tomorrow.”

Ohio Dominican also received a $180,810 Choose Ohio First grant in 2019 to provide scholarship assistance for students studying in its Computer Science program.

“Choose Ohio First provides an excellent opportunity for those students who stay in Ohio and continue their education to get the skills they need to succeed in promising career fields,” said Chancellor Randy Gardner. “This new scholarship exemplifies the state's growing commitment to Choose Ohio First, and I'm pleased so many new colleges and universities are participating in the program.”