Ohio Wesleyan embarks on its 'most ambitious' expansion in school history

Ohio Wesleyan University is set to open a new endowed School of Engineering, made possible by over $17 million in contributions from alumni. The university describes this initiative as the most significant academic development in its 183-year history.

OWU President Matt vandenBerg revealed the Conrades School of Engineering during a campus event on December 1. The school honors alumni George Conrades and Patricia "Patsy" Belt Conrades, whose $13 million donation played a central role in its creation.

Currently, Ohio Wesleyan offers pre-engineering programs rather than a dedicated engineering degree. Students in this interdisciplinary program pursue two degrees: a Bachelor of Arts from OWU with a physics major and a pre-engineering optionsuch as pre-chemical, pre-computer, or biomedical engineeringalongside an engineering degree from a partner university.

OWU has established transfer agreements with the California Institute of Technology, Case Western Reserve University, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and Washington University in St. Louis, where students complete their engineering studies after three years at OWU.

President vandenBerg emphasized that the new school addresses the growing demand for engineers in central Ohios expanding manufacturing sector. The Conrades School of Engineering does more than strengthen Ohio Wesleyan, he stated. It strengthens the world by aligning our resources with the urgent needs of our community, fulfilling the liberal arts mission to educate, empower, and serve.

The first cohort of mechanical engineering majors is expected to enroll in fall 2027.

Jason Hall, CEO of the Columbus Partnership, noted the regions increasing need for engineers as new manufacturing companies arrive. What stands out is that a liberal arts university is taking responsibility for preparing the next generation of problem-solvers, Hall said.

During the schools development, OWU collaborated with industry partners seeking engineers with a liberal arts foundation. Vertiv, a Westerville-based technology company, will offer engineering students priority interviews for summer internships. Ansys, part of Synopsys, will provide specialized software for structural and fluid simulations through its academic program.

Additional support for the Conrades School comes from a $2 million donation by Doug Dittrick Jr. and Gina Boesch, as well as $2 million from alumni Gordon Smith and Helen Crider Smith.

George Conrades acknowledged the influence of his former OWU professors, Robert Wilson and Howard Maxwel, for guiding him toward a career that included leadership roles at IBM, Bolt Beranek and Newman, Akamai Technologies, and Oracle. All this happened because two devoted professors cared deeply, Conrades reflected.

Analysis: Ohio Wesleyan University’s Bold Leap into Engineering Education

The announcement of the new Conrades School of Engineering at Ohio Wesleyan University (OWU) marks a pivotal moment in the university's history. The university's move to establish a fully endowed engineering school comes as part of a broader trend of liberal arts institutions seeking to bridge the gap between traditional humanities and the technical demands of the modern workforce. OWU's initiative is more than just a reaction to local economic needs—it is a calculated response to the evolving educational landscape and an acknowledgment of the growing demand for engineers in the region's expanding manufacturing sector.

OWU’s long-standing commitment to a liberal arts education has prepared it well for this transition. The pre-engineering programs offered in partnership with leading universities were already laying the groundwork for this new school, demonstrating a strong partnership model that blends the depth of a liberal arts education with technical expertise. However, the new school elevates this approach, offering students direct access to engineering degree programs, including mechanical engineering, while maintaining the core liberal arts ethos that defines OWU.

Importantly, the establishment of the Conrades School is a testament to the generosity and vision of the university's alumni. The $17 million in donations, including the transformative $13 million gift from George and Patricia Conrades, not only secures the school's financial foundation but also reflects a deep-rooted belief in the value of education that integrates the humanities with technical disciplines. The involvement of major industry players like Vertiv and Ansys further underscores the alignment between OWU's academic offerings and the practical needs of the engineering sector.

As OWU prepares to welcome its first cohort of mechanical engineering students in 2027, the broader implications of this development are clear. The new school does not simply respond to the needs of a local industry, it offers a model for other liberal arts institutions to follow—an educational approach that emphasizes both technical skill and a well-rounded, critical perspective. In doing so, Ohio Wesleyan University is not only shaping the future of its students but contributing to the broader economic vitality of central Ohio and beyond.

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• Ohio Wesleyan launches 'most ambitious' expansion in school history