LIMA, OH (WLIO) - Ohio State Lima and the Lima Ford Engine Plant are teaming up to strengthen education for engineering students.
The Engineering Education and Manufacturing Center was on full display Friday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the newly minted facility.
The partnership between Ohio State Lima and Ford is a long one, but now the long-term lease between the two provides a state-of-the-art space for engineering and manufacturing students to sharpen their skills and get hands-on experience to prepare them for the workforce after graduation.
For Ford and Ohio State Lima, it was a great day to signify the bright future ahead for both parties as well as the students, who have even more resources at their disposal to become the best and brightest Lima has to offer.
"I think Ford Motor Company, when you look at the history, it's all about people providing opportunities for students, ties to that initiative that Ford has. And also, I think that this partnership allows Lima, the Lima Engine Plant, and the region to have a competitive advantage," said Lamar Jones, plant manager at the Lima Ford Engine Plant.
"The establishment of this 20-year lease and this partnership really allows us and affords the students an opportunity to be confident in the fact that this facility is going to be a place where they can go to learn and to innovate and to create and to find their passion and to find a way to make a meaningful life through manufacturing," stated Margaret Young, interim dean and director of the Ohio State Lima campus.
Ohio State Lima student Josh Niekamp spoke at the event as well and talked about how important the new facility is to enhance students' learning at the branch.
"I am very excited to finally put everything I've worked towards to finally put into action a little bit more. You can see it a little bit more in the co-ops, and that's always nice, but finally getting out there, full-time job using everything that you know, it's gonna be great," commented Josh Niekamp, an OSU Lima student.
State and local officials were present as Lima Mayor Sharetta Smith and State Representative Susan Manchester both spoke about the new facility.
