Press Release

September 16, 2022 | By Ohio Wesleyan University

Ohio Wesleyan is part of two Intel initiatives funded by the company’s new Semiconductor Education and Research Program. Schimmel/Conrades Science Center (shown here) houses OWU’s Department of Mathematics and Computer Science. (Photo by Mark Schmitter ’12)

Intel Impact

Ohio Wesleyan to Benefit from Company’s Semiconductor Education and Research Program

DELAWARE, Ohio – Ohio Wesleyan University is among the colleges and universities that will benefit from Intel’s newly announced $17.7 million investment in a Semiconductor Education and Research Program.

Intel broke ground Sept. 9 on a $20 billion semiconductor manufacturing site in New Albany, northeast of Columbus. In advance of the groundbreaking, the company also announced it would be investing $17.7 million in higher education over the next three years and $50 million over the next decade.

“This collaborative program will enable higher education institutions to address semiconductor manufacturing workforce shortages and technical challenges, and to innovate and develop new capabilities with an emphasis on chipmaking,” Intel stated in its announcement. “Intel expects this first iteration of the program to produce nearly 9,000 graduates for the industry and provide more than 2,300 scholarships over a three-year period, fostering a diverse homegrown talent pipeline.”

Ohio Wesleyan is among the universities included in two collaborations to be overseen by The Ohio State University. The initiatives are:

The Center for Advanced Semiconductor Fabrication Research and Education (CAFE). Intel committed $3 million to the initiative, a collaboration of 10 universities. It includes the creation of a 10-week summer research program open to undergraduate students in chemistry, physics, and some aspects of engineering.

According to Ohio State’s announcement: “The new center will lay the foundation for a sustained, highly skilled and diverse semiconductor manufacturing workforce by developing comprehensive experiential learning frameworks for both graduate and undergraduate students, all while paving the way for leading-edge device technologies through state-of-the-art research.”

The Ohio Partnership for a Diverse and Inclusive Semiconductor Ecosystem and Workforce. Intel committed nearly $1.5 million to this initiative, a collaboration of 23 education institutions.

According to OSU’s announcement: The network of “public and private universities, historically Black colleges and universities, community colleges and career-technical centers, proposes to develop an iterative, student-centered, curricular approach that supports the development of a diverse and inclusive semiconductor educational field and skilled workforce throughout Ohio.”

To learn about enrolling at Ohio Wesleyan and its more than 70 majors, visit owu.edu/admission or owu.edu/majors.


Founded in 1842, Ohio Wesleyan University is one of the nation’s premier liberal arts universities. Located in Delaware, Ohio, the private university offers more than 70 undergraduate majors and competes in 24 NCAA Division III varsity sports. Through its signature program, the OWU Connection, Ohio Wesleyan teaches students to integrate knowledge across disciplines, build a diverse and global perspective, and apply knowledge in real-world settings. Ohio Wesleyan is featured in the book “Colleges That Change Lives” and included on the U.S. News & World Report and Princeton Review “Best Colleges” lists. Connect with OWU expert interview sources at owu.edu/experts or learn more at owu.edu.