Bluffton University president Jane Wood and Ohio State Lima interim dean Margaret Young announced a new partnership Tuesday at the Ohio State Lima Engineering Education and Manufacturing Center. The partnership will allow engineering students to study at both institutions in one program.
Tricia Bell | Submitted photo
LIMA — Students looking to study engineering now have a new local pathway to their degree, thanks to a new partnership between Bluffton University and Ohio State University-Lima.
The two universities announced the partnership Tuesday at the Ohio State Lima Engineering Education and Manufacturing Center. This new program will allow incoming engineering students to obtain degrees from both institutions while utilizing resources from both campuses.
Students would take approximately half of their classes at each location, according to a release from Bluffton University, obtaining a bachelor of arts in applied engineering science from Bluffton University as well as a bachelor of science in engineering technology from Ohio State-Lima. This program would also allow students to be full participants in campus life at Bluffton, including athletics, student clubs and organizations.
“Beginning in the fall of 2024, Bluffton University students will be able to live four years on Bluffton’s campus and complete a bachelor of science in engineering technology degree in Lima,” Bluffton University president Jane Wood said in the release. “Collaboration amongst higher education institutions is essential and increases opportunities for future employment needs in the state of Ohio.”
The curriculum would allow participating students to graduate with both degrees in four years. Ohio State-Lima interim dean Margaret Young lauded the partnership as an effective means to provide the region with a skilled labor force.
“We are pleased to join in a new partnership with Bluffton University,” Young said in a statement. “Collaborating as a public and private university to better meet local workforce needs supports our entire region. It is always exciting to create innovative pathways to student success.”
Enrollment will begin with incoming freshman students in fall 2024, according to the release.
