"This building has the opportunity to move us forward in a transformative way. It will allow us to support the biology program, allow us to support more of the engineering program, while expanding the opportunities students have now, and potentially 50 years into the future."
Gregory S. Rose, Dean & Director
The Ohio State University at Marion
On April 21st, 2016, university and campus leaders, area businesses, government officials, donors, faculty, staff, students, and the community came together on a rainy Thursday afternoon to officially break ground on Ohio State Marion's $15 million investment in STEM education. Construction of the new building is paramount in linking together elements in the campus's strategic plan. The ultimate goal is to become a destination campus for students who want a degree and/or career in the burgeoning fields of science, technology, engineering, and math . The campus, located just 45 minutes north of Columbus, Ohio has been pointing to the opening of the new Science & Engineering Building as key to bring its future plans to fruition.
Leading up to this moment has taken a great deal of preliminary planning, such as hiring new science and engineering faculty, adding additional courses, recruiting students who excel in science and mathematics, continuing to fundraise for the building, and bringing together science faculty, campus and university administration, staff, architects, and others with a vested interest in the Science & Engineering Building.
3 BUILDING BLOCKS for OHIO STATE MARION'S FUTURE
(CLICK TO SEE CLASSROOM AND LAB LAYOUT OF 1ST FLOOR OF THE SCIENCE & ENGINEERING BUILDING)
(CLICK TO SEE CLASSROOM AND LAB LAYOUTS OF 2ND FLOOR OF THE SCIENCE & ENGINEERING BUILDING)
#1 - Science & Engineering Building Completion Set of Autumn 2017
After decades of saving and planning, the newest academic facility on the Marion campus will soon become a reality. Built to house the burgeoning science and engineering programs at Ohio State Marion, The 32,000 sq. ft. Science & Engineering Building becomes the centerpiece for the future of campus. The new facility will provide up to date lab and classroom spaces, including: anatomy/biology lab; microbiology lab; organic chemistry lab; multi-purpose chemistry lab; earth science lab; 21 laboratory vent hoods; two engineering labs; two classrooms; computer science lab; physics teaching lab; greenhouse and lab; conference room, collaboration spaces; and nearby access to the Larry R. Yoder Prairie Nature Center at Ohio State Marion, an outdoor learning laboratory that provides field research options to students and faculty
#2 Biology Major Officially Added in Autumn 2015
According to Ohio State Marion Dean & Director Gregory S. Rose, adding Biology as a major was a big part of the campus strategic plan.
“Offering expanded degree programs in STEM areas is a significant part of our strategy to transform Ohio State Marion into a destination campus for students who want to prepare for professional careers in the fields of science and engineering,” said Rose.
Ohio State Marion Associate Dean Bishun Pandey feels the program provides a perfect educational stepping stone for students who aspire to become doctors or continue their education in a host graduate degree programs.
“Having a science degree on the Marion campus, especially in biological sciences,” said Pandey, “prepares our students to pursue graduate degree programs in many life science areas such as zoology, molecular genetics, forensic biology, microbiology, cellular and molecular biology. It also provides our students an opportunity to become certified science teachers for grades K-12,” he added. “Students who are considering becoming a physician or working in the medical field can complete all their undergraduate degree requirements at Ohio State Marion.”
#3 Engineering Our Future
Since Ohio State Marion began offering coursework in engineering, just a few short years ago, the program has grown into one of the most successful programs on campus, attracting over 250 students from across Ohio and beyond each year. Ohio State Marion currently offers the first full year of coursework towards an Ohio State degree in engineering and select second-year course offerings in the areas of computer science engineering, electrical engineering, and mechanical engineering, in addition to growing the general education curriculum for engineering. As interest in the program grows, the campus hopes to continue working with the College of Engineering at Ohio State to grow this offering.