Central State University President on board with DeWine’s budget
Feb. 2, 2023 — Central State University President Dr. Jack Thomas was on hand for Gov. Mike DeWine’s 2023 State-of-the-State address to the Ohio General Assembly on Jan. 31, 2023, highlighting DeWine’s priorities in his proposed budget for fiscal year 2024-2025.
“I was excited to hear Gov. DeWine stress the importance of keeping Ohio’s talented young people in the state,” Thomas said.
To help with that, the governor stated that his budget will include $5,000 annual scholarships rewarded to Ohio students graduating in the top 5% of their class if they choose to attend a college or university in Ohio.
To help make college more affordable, the governor announced his budget will include need-based financial aid to students choosing to enroll in community colleges or university regional campuses. Additionally, DeWine talked about how his budget will expand the eligibility for Ohio College Opportunity Grants and increase the scholarship amount to $6,000.
Thomas said, "The proposed enhancement of OCOG will be transformational for Central State students and for Ohio students across the state. Gov. DeWine's proposals will be helpful to Ohio residents who demonstrate the highest levels of academic success and the highest levels of financial need. Removing financial barriers for students encourages them to continue their education at a post-secondary institution like Central State."
Last November, Central State University celebrated the opening of a newly constructed Honors Residential Hall with a second Honors Hall currently under construction.
According to Vice President of Administration and Chief Financial Officer Curtis Pettis, the University is growing and the upgrades to campus are necessary.
"As we see the needs of the world and the community, and in preparing our students, we must have facilities that allow them to compete with any of the different new industries that are coming forth. As a University, we must make sure that we compete nationally and globally. We want to place the institution in a position where students are able to do well. The growth in enrollment and the need to serve our students in preparing them for the world, for careers beyond Central State, creates the need for growth and development,” he said in the August edition of a President’s Corner Podcast.
The two-year-old Honors College has an enrollment of 357 Central State students, according to Dr. Paul A. Schlag, executive director of Honors College and International Affairs. "The best part of my job is meeting with CSU’s outstanding students to develop plans for their success. We have incredibly talented, highly motivated, and extremely competitive students who want to change the world for the better. These students consistently impress me with their creativity, drive, and grit," he said.
"Students can come here and get a world-class education," Thomas said. "We have an outstanding faculty and staff who are second to none, and we encourage our students to think big, to dream big, and achieve their goals. If their minds can conceive it, then they can certainly achieve it."
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About Central State University: Central State University is a public HBCU and 1890 Land-Grant Institution with a 135-year tradition of preparing students from diverse backgrounds and experiences for leadership, research, and service. Central State ranks among U.S. News & World Report’s best colleges in five categories, including Best Undergraduate Engineering Program and Top Public Schools. The University fosters academic excellence within a nurturing environment and provides a solid liberal arts foundation and STEM-Ag curriculum leading to professional careers and advanced studies globally.
EEO Statement: Central State University, an 1890 Land Grant Institution, is committed to the full inclusion of all people and does not discriminate based on race, age, ancestry, color, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, HIV / AIDS status, marital or family status, military status, national origin political beliefs, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact the Department of Human Resources at (937) 376-6540. Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity institution.
