OSU Announces New Aerospace Institute For Research

Oklahoma State University unveiled a new program it said will bring the state's aerospace industry into the next frontier.

University officials made the announcement Wednesday morning. They described it as a new way of bringing different aerospace organizations under one umbrella.

"It really brings the faculty together," College of Engineering Dean Paul Tikalsky said. "For us to then bring financial resources behind a center where they can all collaborate under."

Those with OSU said over the last 10 years, their aerospace engineering enrollment has grown over 62%, from 334 to 543 students.

"Oklahoma State covers the whole spectrum of everything that flies basically and all of the electronics and cyber security," Tikalsky said.

They also plan to expand its aerospace research and courses to Oklahoma City and Tulsa.

"Develop a strong workforce here in Oklahoma in the STEM areas so that we can ensure that Oklahoma's economy continues to grow," OSU President Dr. Kayse Shrum said.

Shrum said this will also help outreach to K-12 schools, creating a training pipeline and trying to add more community involvement.

"We are inspiring the next generation to pursue a career in STEM fields and particularly aerospace related fields," Shrum said.

For K-12 schools, the program will include career placement and other opportunities for students.  Officials said this summer, OSU welcomed 1,500 students to STEM camps.

"We'll try to help 55,000 kids in the school districts that surround us in getting more of those kids into engineering, provide scholarships for them," Tikalsky said.

OSU will also have over $80 million under contract this year related to aerospace education.