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Watts News | MSE & WE Alumni Newsletter
Chair's message
Materials Science and Engineering and Welding Engineering are critical stakeholders in two new strategic developments poised to deploy innovation, strengthen the workforce, and reinvigorate domestic manufacturing. We are proud of our academic programs and research efforts which are strongly positioned to transform manufacturing in the Midwest.
As Intel begins constructing two semiconductor chip factories just east of our main campus, our programs are at the center of workforce development and research initiatives that will impact this remarkable initiative. CAFE is a new Intel-funded center whose purpose is to advance the fabrication and development of semiconductors through experiential learning frameworks, forging leading-edge device technologies. In addition, the National Science foundation has just announced funding for HAMMER, a multi-institutional Engineering Research Center based at Ohio State and focused on smart manufacturing. Both of these multi-million dollar initiatives will capitalize on the strengths of higher educational institutions in Ohio, particularly Ohio State University, to achieve a learning and research framework benefitting the future workforce, bolstering technological advancements, and deploying innovation.
On a local level, we are proud to have hosted students from other institutions over the past two semesters. Local high school students and students from Columbus State Community College enriched their educational tracks by taking part in separate internship experiences offered by Ma2JIC.
The Department of Materials Science and Engineering was also well represented across the awards and honors spectrum for posters, programs, a lifetime of materials science achievements, and contributions to research.
Our 2023 ranking among undergraduate specialty programs in U.S. News & World Report remained strong, ranking 15th nationally and retaining the highest rank within the College of Engineering. The graduate MSE program ranked 14th nationally in U.S. News & World Report’s 2023 Best Graduate Schools issue last March. Ohio State’s welding engineering program continues to be unrivalled on the national and global levels.
Ohio’s flagship engineering program, including programs of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, is committed to producing an exceptional engineering workforce that meets and exceeds the expectations of our industry and academic stakeholders. The value of a degree in materials science and engineering or welding engineering continues to grow through the accomplishments of our outstanding alumni.
In closing, the demolition of Watts Hall began on September 29 to make way for the second phase of Biomaterials and Materials Engineering Complex (BMEC). The new space will host STEM education focused teaching labs, first-year engineering classes, a new leadership suite for the College of Engineering, and the Department of Electrical Engineering’s materials research group. It is expected to be complete in 2025. While Watts Hall will remain in the annals of our department’s history, the title of our alumni newsletter will be retired with this issue.
Title suggestions for our alumni newsletter are currently being accepted. The public will have a chance to vote on the finalists before the end of this calendar year, and the winning title will be announced in the next alumni newsletter. Click here to enter a title suggestion for the Department of Materials Science and Engineering’s alumni newsletter.
Our next alumni newsletter will be published in January. Share your updates and news with us by contacting Libby Culley (culley.36@osu.edu).
Michael J. Mills
