University of Akron mechanical engineering student Nicholas Spring of Lucas, Ohio, has been selected as the first participant in an innovative new cooperative education program from The University of Akron’s College of Engineering, the Defense Metals Technology Center (DMTC), Lockheed Martin, and the U.S. Army Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center (ARDEC).
For the co-op, Spring will spend this semester at ARDEC’s New Jersey facility, and he will continue the program in fall 2009 at Lockheed Martin’s Akron facility, and in summer 2010 at ARDEC.
Spring will work in ARDEC’s Prototype Fabrication Laboratory, learning the practical application of his academic training, and assisting with existing Army projects, particularly in the machining and fabrication of titanium. To be selected for the program, Spring met academic and other qualifications required by the program’s sponsors. The sponsors are subsidizing the program for the students, which includes paid tuition and fees, books, lodging, travel reimbursement, a weekly stipend and a laptop computer.
Charles Clark, DMTC executive director, says the cooperative program is a tremendous asset for UA engineering students and the participating employers.
"This program has created a unique avenue for students to gain access to invaluable hands-on and real-world experience that will greatly enhance their employment credentials. We are pleased to give Nicholas this opportunity, and we are excited to see the program grow from here."
“Our students have high expectations for their careers after they graduate from the university, and with good reason,” adds Dr. George Haritos, dean of UA’s College of Engineering. “By attending one of the fastest-growing engineering colleges in the United States, students at The University of Akron benefit from outstanding faculty members and innovative learning opportunities such as this new co-op program. Our placement of engineering graduates is nearly 100 percent, so it is clear that employers like what they are seeing from our students.”
The Defense Metals Technology Center was formed in January 2007 to establish an industrial base capable of affordably producing strategic metals. The organization addresses the needs of the U.S. military in the development and manufacture of vital defense materials. Utilizing the combined strengths of the business, metals industry, military and academic sectors, the DMTC is a direct response to the U.S. Army Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center's call for an industrial base that competitively increases the production of defense materials. For more information, visit the Defense Metals Technology Center.