High-powered drones buzzed in Ohio Northern University’s King-Horn Center during the University’s first-ever “Drone Day,” on May 1, offering students a hands-on introduction to aerial technology.
Approximately 175 ONU construction management, manufacturing technology, and civil engineering students participated in the action-packed educational day, learning about the ways that drones are rapidly changing their future professions.
“Drones are transforming the construction and civil engineering industries by enhancing efficiency, safety, and data accuracy,” said Douglass Degen, instructor of construction management and the event’s organizer.
Degen explained that drones are now widely used for surveying and mapping, construction site monitoring, infrastructure inspection, environmental assessments, and even disaster response—helping organizations to save time, cut costs, and reduce risks. For example, drones can detect cracks, corrosion and other structural issues in hard-to-reach bridges and towers without putting human lives at risk.
“The global drone services market is expected to grow significantly in the coming years,” he noted, “with demand increasing in construction, agriculture, real estate, and film.”
With few opportunities in Northwest Ohio to explore drone technology, Degen brought government and industry experts to campus to give students a first-hand look at the field. The morning featured educational presentations, while the afternoon was a field demonstrations. Students had the opportunity to try basic and advanced drone maneuvers.
Degen, who holds an FAA small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) Remote Pilot certification, prepares ONU students in his Construction Surveying course to take the FAA Remote Pilot Certification exam.
His hope is that Drone Day will ignite interest in drone careers. “There’s high demand and competitive salaries for drone pilots and technicians.”
Hunter Buckland, a first-year construction management student, is taking Construction Surveying this semester, and said Drone Day expanded upon the material he’s learning in class.
“It was a really interesting day and I learned a lot. I am definitely interested in working with drones in the future, either in my career or on the side.”
A special thank you to Kokosing Construction Company and Woolpert LLP for their generous sponsorship of “Drone Day” on Ohio Northern University’s campus.
And many thanks to the industry experts who kindly shared their time and knowledge with ONU students: Kevin Sapp, Kokosing Construction Company; Brian Stevens, Woolpert, LLP; Donavan Powers, State of Ohio; Drew Ritzler, USDA; Adam Stang, Mark Hanes Construction; Brady Ferres, Mosser Construction Company; Jim Uphaus, Rhodes State College; Adam Wehrman; Rhodes State College; and Josh Zwez, Allen Soil and Conservation District.