OSU-Lima senior engineering technology student Edward Kill works with a Fanuc trainer robot as he tests his programming skills. Procter & Gamble is partnering with the university to create four new full-tuition scholarships for the program to help encourage prospective students to seek careers in this field.
Craig Kelly | The Lima News
LIMA — With manufacturing serving a vital role in the region’s economy, training the next generation in engineering and technology is essential in ensuring long-term stability in that field. With that in mind, Ohio State University-Lima and Procter & Gamble announced the creation of the P&G Scholarship for the Lima campus.
Ohio State Senior Vice Provost Ryan Schmiesing and Gabriele Pacchiarotti, plant manager for Lima’s P&G facility, appeared together at OSU-Lima’s Engineering Education and Manufacturing Center at the Lima Ford Engine Plant Wednesday to announce the creation of four full-tuition scholarships for undergraduates majoring in engineering technology and who work to help foster a more diverse community. The funding for the scholarships would be provided in part through P&G with funds from a matching program providing the rest. In a ceremony Wednesday to signal the start of the program, Pacchiarotti presented Schmiesing with a check for $32,000.
For Schmiesing, the partnership is beneficial for the region as it helps meet the needs of area industries for skilled engineers.
“It gives [area students] an opportunity to come to Ohio State for a world-class education in a facility like this that they otherwise may not have been able to do,” he said. “It allows us to continue our recruitment efforts and continue to build a pipeline of students who are interested in this and then interested in working in place like Procter & Gamble and many other fine, world-class manufacturing entities in this part of the state.”
In a statement, Pacchiarotti was proud to have his facility partner with OSU-Lima as it represents a significant investment in the Lima community.
“The P&G Lima Plant has more than 800 employees and the majority of our team lives in Lima and the surrounding area,” he said in the statement. “Educational institutions like Ohio State are critical to developing a diverse and inclusive workforce now and for generations to come.”
To learn more about the program, visit http://go.osu.edu/limabset.
