Lima, OH – A ample donation from American Honda Motor Company has led ohio State Lima to rename its robotics lab in the manufacturer’s honor, signaling a deepened commitment to workforce development and advanced manufacturing education in the region.
The $200,000 investment, announced today, will bolster robotics and engineering programs at Ohio State Lima and three additional regional campuses – Marion, Mansfield, and Newark – totaling $100,000 for each location. The funding aims to provide students with hands-on experience and prepare them for careers in a rapidly evolving industry. This partnership underscores Honda’s dedication to cultivating a skilled talent pipeline within Ohio, a state central to its manufacturing operations.
“We do have the demand, and the earlier we can get them with the hands-on experience, the better that they’re going to be able to learn throughout their college years, as well as into ramping up into Honda experience or other manufacturers as well,” explained Bob Nelson, executive vice president of American Honda Motor Company. “It’s really about being committed to the students in the state and to manufacturing in the state. Of course, we’d like to recruit these students, but it’s really about making manufacturing strong.”
The donation directly supports Ohio State Lima’s mission as a land-grant institution focused on community benefit. “The partnerships that we’re seeing with some of our local manufacturers really allow us to believe that they know that what we’re doing is what’s best for our community, and that’s really what we’re designed to do,” said Dr. Margaret Young,dean of Ohio State Lima.”So that’s what I’m really excited to see, is the way in which these manufacturers believe in what we’re doing and helping to support us.”
The newly named Honda Robotics Lab will serve as a hub for innovation and training, equipping students with the skills needed to meet the demands of the modern manufacturing landscape.