ONU Dedicates the Don Wood Foundation Advanced Metal Technology Lab

Engineering students at Ohio Northern University’s (ONU) T.J. Smull College of Engineering have a new laboratory to help prepare them for careers in advanced manufacturing.

The University dedicated the Don Wood Foundation Advanced Metal Technology Lab at a celebration Thursday, Oct. 10. The lab was made possible by a $1.05 million grant from the Don Wood Foundation.

The private Fort Wayne foundation is dedicated to the advancement of manufacturing, entrepreneurship, leaders, and related education in the Midwest. Its generosity allowed ONU to add the state-of-the-art metals lab to supplement its already-strong machine shop. Additions included a 3D metal printer, laser cutting machine, and a laser welder. Students are using the equipment for coursework and projects, including senior-level capstone design projects.

“This is an amazing new asset for our students and our program,” said J-D Yoder, Ph.D., dean of the T.J. Smull College of Engineering. “It will help ensure our graduates have career-ready skills, and we will be able to assist industry in the region by partnering on real-world metals projects to improve their manufacturing processes. We are one of the few undergraduate engineering programs in the country with this state-of-the-art equipment. “

“The Don Wood Foundation is proud to partner with Ohio Northern University on this investment in their engineering program,” said Don Wood Foundation President and CEO Laura Macknick. “The equipment in this laboratory is critical to both the northeast Indiana and northwest Ohio regions due to the significant need by many manufacturers focused on metals. ONU’s campus is close to Allen County, Indiana, as well as surrounding communities and has a huge potential in helping meet the demand for high-quality, hands-on engineering education.”

“ONU shares the Don Wood Foundation’s commitment to meeting the workforce needs of advanced manufacturers in our region, and we’re grateful for their support,” said ONU President Melissa J. Baumann, Ph.D. “This grant recognizes both the quality and outcomes of our engineering program. Thanks to their generosity, we’re able to provide an educational experience in metals that is second to none.”

Regularly ranked as one of the top undergraduate engineering programs without a Ph.D. program in the country (#12 nationally and #1 in Ohio, according to U.S. News and World Report), ONU’s T.J. Smull College of Engineering offers programs in civil engineering, computer engineering, computer science, electrical engineering, engineering education, and mechanical engineering.

The Don Wood Foundation
The Don Wood Foundation is a private foundation established in 2018 by Don Wood, founder of 80/20, Inc., that serves and supports innovators, leaders, collaborators, and skilled workers with the potential to create and sustain opportunities in manufacturing. The Foundation partners with nonprofits and educational institutions to provide sustained investment that supports the development of a diverse workforce through exposure, education, and training to create strong communities rooted in the advancement of manufacturing. For more information, please visit DonWoodFoundation.org.

Ohio Northern University
Located in Northwest Ohio, Ohio Northern University is a private, United Methodist Church-affiliated institution that offers distinctive, nationally recognized programs of study. Its integrated liberal and professional education combine practice with theory, and are complemented by excellent co-curricular and high-impact experiential offerings. More than 3,000 students are enrolled this 2024-25 academic year in more than 40 undergraduate and graduate programs. In 2024, ONU graduates enjoyed a 96% placement rate in full-time jobs and graduate school admissions. Ohio Northern University offers the best value of any university in Ohio and the Midwest, according to 2025 rankings by the Wall Street Journal and U.S. News and World Report. To learn more about Ohio Northern University, visit www.onu.edu.