ONU launches project to move forward together
Oct. 15—ADA — Ohio Northern University alumni have joined together to raise money that will impact the next generation of college students. On Saturday afternoon, ONU publicly launched its campaign 'Forward Together' to support students for years to come.
The team created the campaign to raise money for student scholarships, teaching and learning excellence, facilities for the future and the Northern Fund. Each category prioritizes the future of students, recruiting faculty and a general fund for potential needs. From the generous contributions of alumni, ONU has raised $88 million of its $100 million goal for the campaign.
Recently appointed ONU President Melissa Baumann thanked the alumni for their contributions.
"We have amazing alumni and donors who gave in troubled times," said Baumann. "They are still stepping up to make this education affordable for all of our students and future Polar Bears. This is all about affordability and keeping this accessible."
Ohio House District 83 Representative Jon Cross (R-Kenton) joined the tailgate launch party. Cross met with Baumann to discuss the job force in Ohio. In the Ohio House, he plans to introduce the Grow Ohio Act next year.
"We will do internships where we offer 30% tax credit on paid internship wages so businesses can re-invest," said Cross. "Create a merit-based scholarship program to recruit high school students around the country. It will be a $25,000 scholarship that becomes a forgivable loan if you take a job in Ohio. Any that goes to a two-year school, we'll throw some more money to get a four-year degree. If you graduate from any school, public or private, if you take your first job in Ohio, you do not have to pay state income tax for three years. That's our plan to complement what ONU and other colleges are doing."
In addition to legislation, Cross focused on connecting college programs to available jobs in Ohio.
"Honda has just announced a new EV battery facility that includes a $700 million dollar investment in the Logan and Shelby County facilities," added Cross. "We want to help connect students to job opportunities so they don't have to go far. If we had about a million more people in our population we probably would not have the workforce shortage that we have."
Scholarships: $50 million
Teaching and Learning Excellence: $30 million
Northern Fund: $15 million
Facilities for the Future: $5 million
Reach Precious Grundy at 567-242-0351.
