$1.05 million grant awarded to the university

The Don Wood Foundation has awarded Ohio Northern University’s T.J. Smull College of Engineering a grant to develop a new advanced metals laboratory. The facility will prepare students for careers in advanced manufacturing and help graduates meet the needs of regional manufacturing companies.

In honor of this investment in the university, the new lab will be named the Don Wood Foundation Advanced Metal Technology Lab, which is anticipated to open in fall 2024.

The Fort Wayne private foundation is dedicated to the advancement of manufacturing, entrepreneurship and related education in the Midwest. Its $1.05 million grant will allow ONU to add a state-of-the-art metals lab to supplement its machine shop. Additions will include a 3D metal printer, laser cutting machine, a laser welder and associated manufacturing tools. Students will use the equipment for coursework and projects, including senior-level capstone design projects.

“Very few undergraduate engineering programs have access to this state-of-the-art equipment,” said J-D Yoder, dean of the T.J. Smull College of Engineering. “This will be a tremendous asset for our students in developing career-ready skills. It will also allow us to provide expertise and assistance to industry in the region by partnering on real-world metals projects to assist in their manufacturing.”

“The foundation is proud to partner with Ohio Northern University on this investment,” said Don Wood, Foundation President, and CEO Laura Macknick. “The equipment in this laboratory is critical to the Northeast Indiana and Northwest Ohio regions, with many manufacturers focused on metals. ONU’s campus is close to Allen County, Indiana, and surrounding communities and can aid in meeting the demand for high-quality, hands-on engineering education.”

“We’re extremely grateful for the generosity of The Don Wood Foundation,” said ONU President Melissa J. Baumann, Ph.D. “It was clear from the start that we have a similar mission, shared values, and a commitment to developing a career-ready workforce. This award recognizes the quality and outcomes of our engineering program and we are gratified that the foundation is investing in the educational experience of engineering students while also meeting the region’s workforce needs.”

ONU’s T.J. Smull College of Engineering offers programs in Civil Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Engineering Education and Mechanical Engineering.