OSU awarded first-of-its-kind $450,000 grant

STILLWATER, Okla. — OSU was awarded $450,000 in grant money Wednesday, for its training of aviation maintenance workforce. It is one of the first-ever grants to be given through the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018.

The Aviation Maintenance Technical Workers grant is geared toward establishing a training pipeline for addressing the needs of Oklahoma’s aviation maintenance workforce. These workers make up a large part of the aviation and aerospace industry in Oklahoma.

OSU President Kayse Shrum said the grant is an example of how the university is pushing aerospace forward at OSU and across the state.

“When it comes to aerospace, our state has an opportunity to lead, and that leadership begins right here at Oklahoma State, where we are focused both on advancing research and empowering a skilled workforce that can propel our state forward,” Dr. Shrum said.

U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), who established two grant programs within the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018, praised OSU’s commitment to advancing the aerospace industry in Oklahoma.

“Oklahoma would not be able to thrive without aviation maintenance technical workers,” Inhofe said. “It is essential that we find ways to improve their career opportunities and ensure they have the proper training to keep up with the ever-changing aviation industry. I am proud to have seen this funding through to the finish line and I know Oklahoma State University will put it to good use, educating the next generation of aviation maintenance professionals.”

Notably, aviation pioneer and OSU alum Wally Funk visited OSU in October after she became the oldest person to travel to space with Jeff Bezos and his Blue Origin crew.

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