Honda Scholarship Program expands to support more Ohio State students

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Scholarships aimed at boosting interest in engineering professions and other critical high-tech fields will soon be able to support an even greater number of future Buckeyes.

The Honda Scholarship Program at The Ohio State University will expand in academic year 2017-2018, increasing the total number of available scholarships from 80 to 90. Eighty will be available to College of Engineering students and 10 to students in the Fisher College of Business or the College of Arts and Sciences. As many as 30 new scholarships will be awarded each year.

Funded through an endowment established by the Honda – Ohio State Partnership, each student receives $3,000 per year for up to four years, provided they continue to maintain a 3.2 GPA. To date, 212 students have received Honda Scholarship support since the program’s inception in 2005, totaling $877,288 in funding.

Recipients of the former Honda Math Medal Award were recognized during a regional ceremony, like this one for central Ohio students in 2016. Future recipients of the new Honda-Ohio State STEM Award will be honored at their respective high award ceremonies
Recipients of the former Honda Math Medal Award were recognized during a regional ceremony, like this one for central Ohio students in 2016. Future recipients of the new Honda-Ohio State STEM Award will be honored at their respective high award ceremonies.

To be eligible to apply for a Honda Scholarship, a student must be a recipient of a Honda – Ohio State STEM Award, formerly known as a Honda Math Medal. Previously, the medals were given annually to the top senior mathematics students from 221 high schools across central and southwest Ohio. Beginning this year, the recognition will expand to include students who excel in the areas of science, technology, engineering or math.

“With these awards and scholarships, we’re recognizing students who excel in skills that are in very high demand in our current workforce,” said Joanna Pinkerton, former co-director of the Honda – Ohio State Partnership and Chief Operating Officer of Transportation Research Center, Inc. (an Ohio State affiliate). “It’s our hope that these individuals will go on to pursue a career in those STEM-related fields, and choose to develop their talents here at Ohio State.”

Along with the new name, the STEM Awards will see some other changes. Beginning in academic year 2018-2019, all 611 public schools statewide may nominate a student for an award. Additionally, students will receive their STEM Awards from Ohio State alumni at their respective high school award ceremonies, rather than at a regional ceremony as done in the past.

As part of the expansion, Honda will establish opportunities for the Honda Scholars to experience co-ops and internships in high-tech, smart manufacturing, R&D and mobility careers.

The Honda – Ohio State Partnership is a unique collaboration between Ohio State and Honda that supports initiatives in education, research and public service to positively impact students, faculty, public and private sector practitioners, and the transportation industry as a whole.