College of Engineering
Prepare to change the world. The T.J. Smull College of Engineering educates the next generation of creative problem solvers. One of the top 25 undergraduate engineering schools in the country, we produce engineers and computer scientists who blaze trails and harness technology for the betterment of humankind.
Facts to Build On
Here, you’ll discover who you are and what you can do.
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99% Of 2024 engineering graduates found a job within six months, 96% reporting
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12 In the nation for undergraduate engineering at universities without a PhD program, according to U.S. News & World Report
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4500+ Alumni network
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100% Placement in co-op program
Message from the Dean
Welcome to the T.J. Smull College of Engineering, where we are committed to providing individual attention to our students to help them succeed. Our students take part in experiential, hands-on learning in small classroom settings with dedicated, accessible professors. For over 100 years, engineering faculty have worked closely with students to help them graduate and achieve success beyond their dreams. Today, we’re proud to be ranked among the top 50 undergraduate engineering schools in the nation, and to provide our students a great education in a state-of-the-art facility. I look forward to welcoming you to campus!
- J.D. Yoder, Dean of the T.J. Smull College of Engineering
The space to unleash your potential
We’ve designed our engineering programs with your needs, interests and futures in mind. And our building is centered on relationships, collaboration, innovation and academic rigor. It’s an inspired space for learning, creating and growing.
Find your passion, and go for it
We build educational experiences around your interests. Our rigorous academic programs provide a solid foundation in engineering principles.
Concentrations
Further specialize your course of study with a concentration in the following areas:
Reach for your dream career
Employers seek out our graduates, telling us they are some of the best prepared engineers and computer scientists they’ve ever encountered. Here’s where you could end up:
Competition Teams
Want to build a concrete canoe, radio-controlled airplane or off-road vehicle that can stand up to the competition? Every year ONU teams travel to regional and national competitions where they’re pitted against engineering students from top schools across the U.S. We’re proud of our excellent standings year after year in these competitions.
Change the world
Forget what you think you know about engineers. You can teach. Heal. Entertain. Help others.
All the teachers are very ready to help you with absolutely anything. If they’ve got a free minute, they’re there for you.Mallory Weininger, civil engineering major
Push the boundaries. Learn by doing
The foundation of engineering and computer science is action. Here you’ll put into practice everything you learn.
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Our mission is to engage students through personal relationships and high-impact educational experiences to maximize their success.
Our core values are:Personal Relationships. We foster the development of strong relationships between students, faculty, staff and alumni.
Engagement. We engage everyone in the educational process through distinctive curricular and extracurricular activities.
Opportunity. We provide unique educational opportunities that fully develop individuals into practicing engineers and computer scientists.
Development and Success of Individuals. We seek to help each individual achieve success in pursuit of their personal and professional goals.
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ABET accreditation is a measure of quality and an official seal of approval of our programs by a nonprofit, non-government organization recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
It means that a team of highly skilled professionals from industry, academia and government scrutinized every aspect of our programs – curriculum, faculty, facilities and more – to ensure we meet high standards.
It signifies that our programs are capable of producing graduates who are ready to lead the way in innovation and emerging technology.
Our bachelor’s degree programs in civil engineering, computer engineering, electrical engineering, engineering education and mechanical engineering are all accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET. Our bachelor’s degree program in computer science is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET.
See Program Educational Objectives and Student Outcomes for each program in the college here.
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Fall Engineering Enrollment 2020 2021 2022 2023 Civil Engineering 103 128 129 125 Computer Engineering 46 40 49 54 Computer Science 46 58 67 72 Electrical Engineering 64 72 79 79 Engineering Education 7 6 5 6 Mechanical Engineering 292 310 313 331 Engineering Exploratory (Undecided) 12 31 28 18 Total 570 645 670 685 Engineering Graduates 2019-20 2020-21 2021-22 2022-23 Civil Engineering 24 18 19 23 Computer Engineering 8 9 6 10 Computer Science 8 9 3 11 Electrical Engineering 5 10 16 11 Engineering Education 1 1 2 2 Mechanical Engineering 41 42 67 66 Total 87 89 113 123 -
On campus you’ll find a variety of active and award-winning student organizations. Several are dedicated to engineering and computer science. By participating, you’ll develop leadership skills, network with professionals, make lifelong friends, gain knowledge about your chosen profession, volunteer, and have the chance to travel to regional and national conferences. Campus opportunities include Joint Engineering Council (JEC), Polar Robotics Club, and Innovators of Ohio Northern (ION). Honoraries and Greeks include Tau Beta Pi, Upsilon Pi Epsilon and Phi Sigma Rho. Professional organizations include American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE), Association for Computing Machinery (ACM), Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineering (IEEE), Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), and Society of Women Engineers (SWE).
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In a world of accelerating change, the skills you learn today can be obsolete tomorrow. What will stand the test of time, however, is a mindset. The Kern Entrepreneurial Engineering Network (KEEN) at ONU was created to cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset among undergraduate engineering students. The entrepreneurial mindset is one that embraces change, blending technical understanding with the desire to craft innovative solutions that create extraordinary value for others. Ohio Northern University is among 50 elite schools invited to join KEEN, and it’s one of the few institutions to be with the network since its inception in 2005.
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Why wait until you graduate to make a difference? You can start now. Tackle real projects in local communities that improve lives.
First-year engineering students participate in an engineering design cornerstone project, working on teams to apply basic engineering skills toward practical, community service-based solutions. The challenge culminates in a day-long design showcase for judges including college advisory board members. In recent years, students have created tools to assist those who are differently abled and designed toys for underserved youth.
For local impact, check out EPICS: Engineering Projects in Community Service. Students team up to solve engineering challenges for local organizations. Read about how we built a replica Mars rover for the Armstrong Air and Space Museum in Wapakoneta, Ohio; refurbished a concrete base for historical Civil War cannons in Forest, Ohio; upgraded the village of Ada’s website; adapted toys to match the capabilities of children with different physical disabilities; and constructed a wooden pedestal for a cast-bronze bell for the Ada First United Methodist Church.
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Some ONU engineering students participate in research experiences for undergraduates, called REUs. These usually take place at large research institutions or government labs. REUs are highly competitive. You have to apply and be accepted by the group sponsoring the research. But ONU students have an excellent rate of placement. Our engineering and computer science students have participated in REUs at Duke, Georgia Tech, Case Western, Notre Dame, Ohio State and the Mayo Clinic, working in the areas of nano-technology, wind turbines, biomedical, automotive and more. We also offer an REU for ONU engineering students through the Evans Student Research Fellowship Program. This program provides 10 weeks of paid work during the summer for two students assisting ONU engineering professors with their research projects. Evans Fellows are selected through a competitive application process.
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At ONU, we feel a keen sense of responsibility to do our part to increase interest in the engineering field. Through camps and outreach programs, we expose hundreds of young people to engineering every year. We spark curiosity, build interest and generate excitement for engineering among students in elementary through high school. Learn more.
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Females: Find out what it’s really like to be an engineering student at Ohio Northern during a special on-campus overnight experience. You’ll be grouped with current ONU engineering women, so feel free to pick their brains. Ask them anything. You’ll get the answers you seek and an honest depiction of what life is like as a female engineering student at Ohio Northern. Hosted once a year by the Society of Women Engineers, this event includes opportunities to learn more about the various disciplines of engineering, a scavenger hunt to familiarize yourself with ONU’s campus, and other bonding activities with current and prospective students.
For more information about the SWE Overnight, please contact Laurie Laird, director of corporate & alumni relations and assistant professor of mechanical engineering, at l-laird@onu.edu or 419-772-2421.
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Dr. Keith Buffinton
Executive Director, Coalition for Transformational EducationMr. Wm. Bryce Burgett
Co CEO, Kokosing, Inc.Mr. Foster Clark
Director of Business Development, Marathon Petroleum CorporationMr. Bruce Hollinger
President, Boca Mfg, LLCMs. Jessica L. Howley, PE
Director Telecom Planning, AEPMr. Mike Koralewski
Chief Supply Chain Officer, First SolarDr. Chuck LaBerge
Professor of the Practice of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering, UMBCMr. Bruce LeMaster
Vice President of Manufacturing, Obsidian Solutions Group, LLCMs. Laura Macknick, MA CFRE
President and CEO, Don Wood FoundationMr. Scott McClintock
Project Manager and Civil Engineer, Kass Corp./ 2AW LimitedMs. Jennifer O'Brian, PE
Director of Innovation North American Building Products, Worthington EnterprisesMs. Joanna Pinkerton, PE
Senior Vice President, HNTEMr. Timothy Quellhorst
Retired Senior Vice President, Crown Equipment CorporationDr. Rajan Rajendran
Consultant, Five Rivers Research and Consulting LLCMr. Justin Schultz, PE, RCDD, CTS, LEED AP
Principal Associate/Electrical Engineer, Korda/Nemeth EngineeringMs. Sarah Schwab
Sub-Section Manager - Production Technologies, GE AerospaceMr. Brendan Thompson
President, Thermoplastic Components Inc.Mr. Tim Thompson
Senior Director, Software Development, NPI Americas, RokuMr. Michael Tschanz
Director, Engineering Technology and Analysis, The Walt Disney Company
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Jun.
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2025 ONU Cedar Point Day
ONU Cedar Point Day is Saturday, June 21, 2025! REGISTER Take advantage of special group pricing…
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Polar Bear Club Celebration of Athletics Golf Outing
REGISTER Save the date and make plans to join…
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The opportunities are endless--and they are just waiting for you to grab!
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Faculty Listing
With small class sizes, you will get to know your faculty and they know you. Ask questions, meet one-on-one for guidance and many opportunities for research and networking. Click below for the College of Engineering faculty listing.
College of Engineering
107 Lehr Kennedy525 South Main Street
Ada, Ohio 45810
419-772-2371
engineering@onu.edu
