William Ranallo
Fall 2024
Oklahoma State University is a land-grant institution reimagined for the 21st century. Through innovation and education, OSU is determined to become a nationally leading institution in Aerospace and related areas. This strategic focus addresses critical societal needs while contributing to economic growth and technological advancement.
Dr. Hanchen Huang, Dean of the College of Engineering, describes in a personal interview how this focus on innovation strengthens OSU’s Future:
Aerospace innovation drives Oklahoma’s economy through innovation and entrepreneurship and improves safety of Oklahomans through tornado monitoring, for example. Further, aerospace innovation leads to the education of engineers and the training of a workforce in support of Oklahoma’s economy.
OSU’s forward approach reflects its historic land-grant mission of serving Oklahoma through education, research, and economic development. On the other hand, it sets a new course toward state-of-the-art technologies that will meet the needs of a rapidly changing world. This paper discusses how OSU’s strategic initiatives are not only fulfilling its foundational purpose but also positioning Oklahoma as a hub of national and global innovation.
It finds the fulcrum of this transformation in the Oklahoma Aerospace Institute for Research and Education, or better still, the OAIRE. The Institute represents the epitome of OSU’s commitment to aerospace, marrying leading-edge research with practical application. By examining OSU’s partnerships with industry giants, government agencies, and educational institutions, this study reveals how those collaborations are not just driving Oklahoma’s growth they are redefining how a land-grant university can reshape a state’s economy and contribute to the broader U.S. aerospace sector.
Oklahoma’s future is deeply intertwined with the success of its aerospace initiatives. According to the university’s uploaded video, We Are Land Grant, they explain that not only are these key sectors in innovation, but they are also foundational to the state’s economic strategy. As job growth projections for the state indicate a 10.4% overall employment increase from 2020 to 2030, outpacing the national average (Oklahoma Employment Security Commission). The state needs to adapt to the drive in high-wage job creation and attract transformative investment. This project will delve into how OSU is making use of its aerospace programs to create a ripple effect on economic growth-foster innovation, develop a highly skilled workforce, and open the doors to high-demand careers. In so doing, OSU meets the needs of the state but positions itself to be a beacon of excellence in an industry so important to the nation’s future.
The evolution of aerospace in Oklahoma is written with a rich sense of history—a story that parallels the land-grant mission itself. The Morrill Act of 1862, designed to establish land-grant institutions, was supposed to equip the people with the skills to advance the agricultural and mechanical industries. While aerospace was not part of that original vision, its eventual inclusion speaks to the relevance of that act. Aerospace has become one of Oklahoma’s key economic pillars, its aviation heritage traces back to the early 20th century. This is a natural outgrowth of that legacy, showing how the land-grant mission has not only survived but has thrived in modern challenges.
This investigation will explore how OSU’s aerospace strategy serves as a vibrant example of the way land-grant institutions are able to meet the challenges of today’s economy. I look forward to underlining, upon investigating this transformation, how the forward-looking approach adopted by OSU will provide the blueprint for the numerous universities set to take the lead within the aerospace research and education sectors while remaining true to their foundational tenets of public service, research, and education.
The Historical Importance of Aviation to Oklahoma
Oklahoma’s deep-rooted connection to aviation and aerospace dates back to the early 20th century, with significant developments taking place during World War II. The establishment of Tinker Air Force Base in 1941 marked a critical turning point, propelling Oklahoma into the heart of the nation’s defense and aerospace activities. Initially, the base served as a hub for military aircraft maintenance, logistics, and repair, but its enduring legacy has been the formation of a broad aerospace sector, with Oklahoma now boasting a concentration of aviation talent and infrastructure.
The Oklahoma Department of Aerospace & Defense reports that the state’s aerospace sector contributes over $44 billion in annual economic activity. This sector supports nearly 120,000 jobs and is home to more than 1,100 firms, including both established companies and startups. The state’s aerospace workforce has grown to become the nation’s largest by employee count, underlining Oklahoma’s strategic importance in the national aerospace landscape (Oklahoma Department of Aerospace & Defense). The economic impact has been significant, not only through the direct contribution of the aerospace industry to the GDP but also through secondary effects in manufacturing, research, and logistics. These developments continue to fuel Oklahoma’s economic resilience, creating a robust foundation for innovation.
OSU’s growing role in aerospace coincides with the evolution of the land-grant mission. From its humble beginnings in agriculture and mechanical arts, the land-grant model has continuously adapted to new challenges. OSU’s embracing of aerospace exemplifies how the land-grant mission can evolve to address contemporary economic demands serving not only the needs of Oklahoma but contributing to a global industry that is essential to national security, technological innovation, and financial strength.
Aerospace at OSU OAIRE places OSU among the tier-one universities leading in research and education in aerospace. Focusing on unmanned aerial systems, sustainable aviation technologies, and advanced materials, the boundaries of what is possible are being pushed. None of these initiatives are strictly research projects but a commitment to solve real-world problems affecting not only Oklahoma but also global problems within the aerospace industry.
Among the most valuable contributions of OSU is leading UAS research. In successful collaboration with the Federal Aviation Administration and other industry leaders, the university earned national acclaim for pioneering technologies that could be applied commercially, agriculturally, and for defense. This is an example of how OSU research can have practical and far-reaching implications. Collaborations with NASA toward enhancing airspace safety illustrate well the practical, far-reaching impact of OSU research.
Partnerships are the bedrock of OSU’s aerospace strategy. In partnering with aerospace giants like Boeing, OSU ensures that its research meets industry needs, fuels innovation, and fosters local economic growth. These collaborations create opportunities not just for the university but for the entire state. Furthermore, OSU’s commitment to working with K-12 schools and community colleges ensures that Oklahoma’s next generation of aerospace professionals is ready to take the helm.
At the center of OSU’s aerospace efforts is workforce development. Programs through OAIRE prepare students for success in this high-growth industry. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Among engineering disciplines, aerospace engineering stands as one of the best-paid, with a median salary of $128,000 and an average job growth rate for 2022-2033 of 6% more than average, higher than any other occupations (U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics). In Oklahoma, jobs for new engineering graduates get a 50% tax credit for reimbursed tuition costs for the first 4 years of employment, and Oklahoma graduates up to 10% of wages paid during the first 5 years of employment (Maximum of $12,500 per employee annually) (Oklahoma Department of Commerce). Workforce development at OSU positions Oklahomans for success in capitalizing on the boom, while meeting labor needs and fulfilling the nation’s needs in the aerospace sector.
Economic Impacts of OSU’s Aerospace Programs
The aerospace programs at OSU continue to stand among the leading drivers of Oklahoma’s economic growth, part of creating a high level of paying jobs and bringing serious investments. As a matter of fact, it is amazing how aerospace contributes 6% to Oklahoma’s GDP. Through research and partnership building, Oklahoma State University is creating Oklahoma as a more desirable place for companies in the aerospace industry, thus growing its influence in that critical industry.
One of the most valuable things OSU does is attract global investment. Research at OAIRE in UAS and sustainable aviation technologies has attracted the interest of several international companies looking to partner with the university. Those investments create jobs, but more than that, they spur entire industries-manufacturing, logistics-economic development across the state.
More importantly, OSU’s focus on workforce development will ensure that Oklahoma remains competitive in the aerospace industry. Training students in high-demand fields and aligning its programs with industry needs, OSU prepares the next generation of engineers, technicians, and researchers who will further drive growth in this sector. According to the Aerospace Industries Association Nationally, the aerospace and defense (A&D) industry has grown significantly, with a workforce of over 2.2 million employees in 2023, reflecting a 4.8% growth rate from the previous year (Aerospace Industries Association). The need for these engineers will continue to increase, making OSU’s role in shaping the workforce all the more critical to the future success of the state and the nation.
Aerospace: National Consequences
In fact, OSU’s aerospace programs help make a difference, not just in Oklahoma’s future, but across the country. It enables national security, economic competitiveness, and the advancement of technologies. With OSU’s research into autonomous systems, advanced materials, and sustainable aviation technologies, the U.S. will remain competitive in the global market.
These are some of the federal agency partnerships involving NASA and the Department of Defense that place OSU in the driver’s seat in the development and implementation of national priorities. By doing this, OSU is enhancing the nation’s technological capability through safer airspace, better-performing aircraft, and further improved national defense.
But more importantly, OSU’s research in sustainable aviation has the potential to solve possibly the biggest challenge facing the industry: environmental impact. Aviation accounts for about 2.5 percent of global CO2 emissions, and OSU’s work in biofuels, lightweight materials, and energy-efficient propulsion systems places the university as a leader in the global push for greener aviation.
Reimagining the Land-Grant Mission for the 21st Century
A lot can be learned from OSU regarding how the land-grant mission can continue to evolve into its place of pride in serving the needs of a rapidly changing world. Projects such as OAIRE-the Oklahoma Aerospace Institute for Research and Education-OSU address critical issues ranging from advanced drone technology, including aerospace defense, to improved tornado monitoring systems that impact not just the lives and limbs but even public and economic safety. These efforts show how land-grant institutions can be relevant and impactful while remaining true to their core mission of education, research, and public service.
For example, OSU’s UAS program, ranked among the best in the nation, has achieved unparalleled advances in precision agriculture and disaster response, showing how aerospace innovation can address local and global challenges. Partnerships with organizations such as NASA and the U.S. Department of Defense make OSU a key contributor to the national aerospace agenda, fitting economic development with the most recent research.
This is a modern-day interpretation of the land-grant mission-a kind of blueprint for universities nationwide. Combining advanced technology with public service goals, OSU is one of those showing how universities can reinvent themselves for the 21st-century challenges. Take for example its workforce development-a cadre of engineers and aerospace professionals needed by industry the university develops a brighter future, but most importantly, it prepares the next generation to lead in very vital sectors.
By example, through its revolutionary approach, OSU will have paved how other institutions will follow, meaning the land-grant philosophy will, even more so, drive progress to serve the public good in transformative ways.
Conclusion
The commitment of OSU to innovation in aerospace reconfigures the future course of events for the university and the state of Oklahoma. Programs like OAIRE at OSU are integrating pioneering research, workforce development, and strategic partnerships to address the challenges of the aerospace industry. This focus not only strengthens OSU’s land-grant mission but also positions Oklahoma and the U.S. for global leadership in aerospace. Now, OSU is setting a powerful example for other universities by embracing the future and adapting to new demands, proving that the land-grant philosophy, rather than merely surviving, has prospered in the 21st century.
References
Aerospace Industries Association. (2024, Sep 09). 2024 Facts & Figures. https://www.aia-aerospace.org/news/2024-facts-figures-american-aerospace-and-defense-remains-an-economic-powerhouse/
Dr. Hauchen Huang, personal communication, Nov 04, 2024
Elizabeth Pollard, personal communication, Dec 08, 2024
Oklahoma Department of Aerospace & Defense. (n.d.). Oklahoma aerospace industry. (2023, May 04). Aerospace Industry. https://oklahoma.gov/aerospace/aerospace-industry.html
Oklahoma Department of Commerce. (2024, August 12). Aerospace + defense. https://www.okcommerce.gov/doing-business/business-relocation-expansion/industry-sectors/aerospace-defense/
Oklahoma Employment Security Commission. (2024, Sep 06). Industry and Occupational Employment Projections. https://oklahoma.gov/oesc/labor-market/employment-projections.html
Oklahoma State University. Oklahoma Aerospace Institute for Research and Education. (2023, February 24). https://go.okstate.edu/aerospace/
Oklahoma State University. We Are Land Grant [Video]. Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKUa785coQk U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2024, August 29). Aerospace engineers. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/aerospace-engineers.htm
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