At the end of the OMI’s first century of operation, the advent of electricity revolutionized both industry and the programs of the OMI. So too, in the 1990s, computer technology revolutionized academic programs and practices. Drafting tables gave way to computer networks. At the end of the twentieth century, new programs in Information Engineering Technology, Computer Science Technology, and Computer Engineering Technology began to draw as many students as resources could be stretched to support.

Today, new growth sweeps the college much as it did a century ago. Evening students in the information technology programs have expanded enrollment beyond current capacity, and new programs in horticulture and culinary science are on the horizon. Planning is underway to expand the campus footprint to meet these needs and to assure that hands-on learning and low student/faculty ratios (typically 15/1) continue to be the trademarks of OMI-CAS.

The OMI College of Applied Science carries forward the founding vision of the Institute:

• That the opportunity to learn should be available to all those who are able and willing to participate.
• That liberal learning in the arts and sciences should form the academic core of technical education.
• That learning is applied, and designs are functional.
• That technology responds to societal needs and promotes societal well-being.

Maria Curro Kreppel, November 20, 2002.

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