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Ohio State Representative Derrick Hall recently visited the �Ը������� University Airport, where he received an informational tour of the facilities hosted by College of Aeronautics and Engineering Dean Christina Bloebaum, Ph.D.

Rep. Hall, representing House District 34 — which includes Hudson, Stow, Tallmadge, Silver Lake, Munroe Falls, and portions of Akron — serves on the House Transportation Committee and the House Workforce and Higher Education Committee. The visit gave the representative a firsthand look at one of the region's most distinctive academic aviation assets.

Located four miles from the Kent campus in Stow, the �Ը������� University Airport is a public-use airport serving Northeast Ohio since 1920. It serves as the operational hub for the university's aeronautics programs, which includes one of the largest flight training schools in Ohio. The aeronautics programs also hold the most and longest continuous accreditation in the state from the Aviation Accreditation Board International (AABI). The college owns a fleet of 35 aircraft — the largest collegiate fleet in Ohio — and has recently expanded its offerings with a new Digital Engineering Design Center, a new undergraduate engineering program, and two new graduate aeronautics degree programs launching this fall, pending approval by the state.

Dean Bloebaum guided the representative through the airport's facilities, highlighting how the college prepares students for careers in aviation, engineering, and advanced air mobility — fields increasingly critical to Ohio's workforce and economic development. She also emphasized the university’s vision to expand airport operations to enhance regional capacity, strengthen industry partnerships and capabilities, and support emerging opportunities in advanced air mobility.

“The �Ը������� University Airport is a unique public-use asset serving Northeast Ohio,” said Bloebaum. “We have a tremendous opportunity to expand activities here to support workforce development, economic development, and innovation in aviation and advanced air mobility.”

Photo: Dean Christina Bloebaum, Ph.D. (left) poses with State Rep. Derrick Hall (center) and Assistant Dean Brian Neff during a visit to the �Ը������� Airport.