Press Releases
Ohio BMV pilots self-service kiosks with help from OARnet
New initiative will increase public accessibility to motor vehicle services
In an effort to make its services easier to access, the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) recently announced the launch of nine self-service kiosks at deputy registrar and retail locations around the state. These kiosks, currently in a pilot phase, will allow Ohio drivers to renew their vehicle registration and print out their new registration cards and validation stickers while minimizing wait times at the BMV.
OARnet awarded National Science Foundation grant to develop STEM training and research resources for higher education
Facing a growing need for secured education cyberinfrastructure, OARnet and partners will develop the Virtual Research-Education Ohio (VROhio) program
The National Science Foundation (NSF) has awarded OARnet a planning grant to develop a network of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) training and research resources for smaller higher education institutions in the state of Ohio.
In December 2020, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine allocated $12.1 million through the Governors Emergency Education Relief program to upgrade OARnet's last-mile internet connections to 40 colleges and universities.
Governor DeWine, Lt. Governor Husted announce broadband expansion project in East Cleveland
OARnet helps bring affordable high-speed internet access to underserved community
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Lt. Governor Jon Husted announced a new broadband expansion project located in the City of East Cleveland. The pilot project launched today will connect residents to reliable, low-cost high-speed internet.
Husted announces broadband pilot project expanding access in rural northwestern Ohio
Lt. Governor Jon Husted, Director of InnovateOhio, announced the launch of several innovative projects involving OARnet at Riverside Local Schools to expand access to broadband for students in rural northwestern Ohio.
Lt. Governor Jon Husted, Director of InnovateOhio, today visited Riverside Local School District in Logan County to announce the launch of several innovative projects at the school that are funded through Ohio’s K-12 Broadband Connectivity Grant and that will help provide affordable high-speed internet access to a student population that is largely underserved by broadband.
Last Mile Enhancement Program brings tenfold increase in broadband speed to 41 Ohio colleges and universities
Students, faculty to benefit from faster connectivity, expanded access
Ohio Department of Higher Education (ODHE) Chancellor Randy Gardner and OARnet have announced the $12.1 million Last Mile Enhancement Program to increase broadband speeds by 1,000% at 41 Ohio colleges and universities.
The award will also enable all 87 OARnet-connected colleges and universities to double their internet subscriptions for two years beginning Jan. 1, 2021. The added capacity will enable more bandwidth-intensive applications and better facilitate remote instruction.
OARnet elevates Fullmer to chief technology officer, Wise to director of networking
Changes to organizational structure enhance OARnet’s capabilities and efficiency
The Ohio Academic Resources Network (OARnet) announced today the promotion of Mark Fullmer to chief technology officer and the appointment of Aaron Wise as his replacement as director of networking, effective immediately.
Reflecting Fullmer and Wise’s expertise and leadership, these changes are key to ensuring OARnet’s long-term success as one of the most advanced statewide network infrastructures in the United States.
Behind the scenes: What it really takes to pull off a seamless national debate at a small college
An estimated 8.3 million people tuned in to watch the fourth Democratic debate on the evening of Oct. 15, 2019. Twelve hopeful presidential candidates took to the stage at Otterbein University in Westerville, Ohio, a suburb of Columbus. Many viewers may be surprised to find out that Otterbein is a small, private, liberal-arts college because of the seamlessness of the broadcast. Behind the scenes, hundreds of hours of work, strategy and partnership with OARnet went into making such a production successful.
Chancellor appoints Shah as OARnet executive director
Former OARnet leader returns to Ohio after four years leading Texas network
Pankaj Shah, president and chief executive officer of the Lonestar Education and Research Network (LEARN) in Texas, has been named the seventh executive director of the Ohio Academic Resources Network (OARnet).
Schopis set to retire as OARnet executive director, CTO
Schopis wraps up 23-year career with statewide broadband network June 30
OARnet Executive Director and Chief Technology Officer Paul Schopis will retire June 30, following a two-plus-decade career that has made an enormous impact upon Ohio’s statewide IT network organization.
Denis Walsh appointed interim executive director of OARnet
Telecommunications veteran to step in for Schopis, who will retire June 30
Longtime OARnet staff member Denis Walsh will serve as interim executive director of the statewide network organization beginning July 1, 2019, taking the reins after the June 30 retirement of current Executive Director Paul Schopis.
