New scholarships available to Ohio students in the College of Technology, Architecture and Applied Engineering

The College of Technology, Architecture and Applied Engineering is recruiting Ohio students through a new scholarship offering called Technology Works.

The scholarships are up to $5,000 for Ohio students with at least a 23 on the ACT and a 3.4 GPA. The money is made possible through a $750,000 grant through the Choose Ohio First program.

“As a Technology Works Scholar, you have the opportunity to enhance your growth, development and success in science, technology, engineering and mathematics,” said Todd Waggoner, interim associate dean of the College of Technology, Architecture and Applied Engineering.

Waggoner wrote the Ohio Department of Education grant with the help of Bob Midden, associate vice provost for Experiential and Innovative Learning, and Venu Dasigi, interim dean of the College of Technology, Architecture and Applied Engineering. Waggoner said the scholarship is for the 2017-18 and 2018-19 school years. Recipients who receive the award can pair the money with other BGSU funds as long as it doesn’t exceed the cost of tuition.

“Securing this grant is such an honor because it demonstrates that the State of Ohio supports our majors in the College of Technology, Architecture and Applied Engineering,” Waggoner said. “Ohio wants us to produce more graduates who excel in the STEMM fields of science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine.”

The Choose Ohio First Scholarship Program will strengthen Ohio’s position in aerospace, medicine, computer technology and alternative energy, according to the Choose Ohio First website.

“Graduates employed in STEMM fields, on average, earn more than graduates in non-STEMM fields and participate in innovative, cutting-edge research and development,” the website said. “STEMM scholars, likely to live here and earn here, will positively impact Ohio's economy.”

Waggoner said in addition to meeting the academic requirements for a Technology Works Scholarship, students will need to:

• Enroll as a full-time student in a major approved by the Technology Works Program:
  
  • Architecture
  • Aviation
  • Construction Management
  • Engineering Technology
  • Electrical and Computer Engineering Technology
  • Mechatronics Engineering Technology
  • Visual Communication Technology
    
    
• Regularly meet with an adviser
  
  
• Maintain a 3.0 GPA for renewal
  

Additionally, the scholarship could benefit current College of Technology students who have secured a co-op and are maintaining a 3.0 GPA. As part of the work force development part of the grant, students need to pursue co-ops in Ohio. The College of Technology, Architecture and Applied Engineering at BGSU requires two to three paid co-ops in order to graduate.

“We want to reward our current BGSU students for pursuing these majors, securing co-ops and maintaining a solid academic track record,” Waggoner said. “Those who study STEM-related majors are better at critical thinking and solving complex problems.”

Overall, these scholarships are going to help grow the College of Technology, Architecture and Applied Engineering, Waggoner said. College is an investment, so these scholarships will help offset some of the cost.

“It is exciting that Ohio has entrusted us with these dollars,” he said. “Nothing makes me happier than informing a student that he or she has been selected for this prestigious scholarship.”

For more information, visit Choose Ohio First or email kmboyle@bgsu.edu.