DEFIANCE — Defiance College will receive $1,050,000 in a grant award from the Ohio Department of Higher Education (ODHE) as part of the Choose Ohio First (COF) initiative. The COF looks to significantly strengthen Ohio’s competitiveness within science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) disciplines and STEM education.

The grant will provide scholarships for DC students seeking a degree in the STEM field.

Choose Ohio First is part of the state’s strategy to develop and enhance STEM talent in Ohio.

“Defiance College has played a vital role in preparing STEM students for successful careers in Ohio, and I am pleased to have Defiance College among this latest group of Choose Ohio First awardees,” said Chancellor Randy Gardner.

Defiance College continues to focus on STEM programing, while remaining true to the college’s liberal arts roots. With recent renovations to STEM facilities, such as the Cyber Range, Exercise Science Lab, and Engineering Lab, as well as collaboration with the City of Defiance through the Defiance Research Alliance, Defiance College is proud to continue its dedication to the STEM field and expansion of an already robust community-based research curriculum.

“Defiance College is proud to support students as they begin to DEFIne their future,” stated Richanne C. Mankey, president of Defiance College. “The Choose Ohio First initiative will help further our focus on affordability and accessibility, as we strive to expand educational opportunities in the STEM field. We are grateful to the ODHE for the generous and ongoing support of scholarships for DC students.”