THE SKY'S THE LIMIT
TIFFIN UNIVERSITY'S DRONE ACADEMY TAKES OFF In March of last year, Tiffin University launched a new program that has since become a renowned entity in the State of Ohio and beyond. The Drone Academy was founded as a response to the ever-growing usage of Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) technology in multiple industries and fields, such as law enforcement, agriculture, transportation and others. The Academy features academic classes, training seminars, community outreach programs, certification opportunities and recreational activities like Community Fly Days.
We also have David Gierhart, who is our photography expert, Dr. John Schupp, who does a fantastic job with our outreach coordination programs and Russell Jones, our Drone Racing Coach. In addition to these fine individuals, the support of our local law enforcement, specifically that of liaison Officer Drew Westenbarger, also helps our drone academy flourish. Finally, the biggest thank-you of all goes to our Board of Trustees, President, Provost and the campus community for supporting and believing in our mission."
In addition to organizing many events and programs of its own, the Drone Academy also frequently collaborates with other academic and co-curricular entities at the University, in the areas of real-estate development, agriculture, the transportation industry, digital media, law enforcement efforts and many others.
The TU Drone Academy participated in the 2022 commencement ceremony by getting birds-eye-view video footage of the student and faculty procession to the Heminger Center.
"The formation of TU's Drone Academy acts as further evidence of our commitment to providing the most innovative education for our students," said Dr. Peter J. Holbrook, Provost and Chief Academic Officer. "For years, we've remained upto-date on the shifting needs of industries and employers, so that when new trends arise, we're among the first to add them to our curriculum. TU graduates who were involved with the Academy will now have a competitive edge as they enter their respective fields." Shortly after its creation, the Academy was designated to participate in the Unmanned Aircraft Systems Collegiate Training Initiative (UAS-CTI) through the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). This allows the Academy and University to collaborate with the FAA in order to provide aid to students pursuing a career in drone aviation. The designation also provides the opportunity to partner with industry professionals, local government officials, members of law enforcement and other organizations to provide experiential learning opportunities for students.
This beautiful aerial photo was taken using TU's drone technology.
In the summer of 2022, the Drone Academy received a grant of $99,850 from the State Transportation Innovation Council (STIC), a sub-committee of the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT). The Drone Academy was the only applying entity to receive the Ohio STIC’s Incentive Program funding in 2022 and plans to use the resource to aid Ohio’s State Highway Patrol Accident Reconstruction Unit. Through these efforts, the Academy hopes to reduce traffic disruption times, lower the risk of harm for members of ODOT and law enforcement, reduce the cost of documenting accidents and ultimately save Ohio millions in related expenses. "One of the keys to our success is our team. I have the help of some amazing people," said Owen Fritz, Drone Academy Director. "I must always thank my Assistant Director, Bruce Chambers, who has been in the drone space for over 20 years. 29 / THE SKY'S THE LIMIT