Breaking barriers: Kilburger Scholar’s story from OHIO Lancaster to doctoral research

When Greg Shaw first stepped onto the campus of Ohio University Lancaster in 2019, he couldn’t have imagined how far his academic path would take him.

Now, just six years later, this proud Charles Kilburger Scholar has completed his master’s degree in biomedical engineering and is already pursuing a Ph.D. It is a journey made possible largely through the opportunities and support provided by the Kilburger Scholarship.

A Fairfield County high school graduate, Shaw began his academic career close to home.

“I initially attended OHIO Lancaster during high school and decided to apply to Ohio University/ OHIO Lancaster during my senior year because I wanted a cost-effective place to do my general education credits,” he recalled.

As a middle school student, Shaw had participated in the campus’ Kids in College program which sparked a lasting curiosity.

“The Kids in College program was super interesting and fostered a deep interest in the STEM fields,” he said. That early spark would later shape his career path.

Selected as a Charles Kilburger Scholar, Shaw entered OHIO Lancaster with a full-tuition, four-year scholarship for Fairfield County seniors who graduate from a Fairfield County high school. To maintain eligibility, recipients must keep a minimum 2.7 GPA, complete two years at OHIO Lancaster, and then transition to the Athens campus.

“The Charles Kilburger Memorial Scholarship is an extremely generous scholarship that allows students to complete a degree, tuition-free, on the Lancaster campus or even relocate to Athens for completion of degrees not available at OHIO Lancaster,” said Martha Tanedo, assistant director of financial aid advising at Ohio University. “This has been so beneficial to students who are ready to pursue a college degree but may not be ready or able to begin on the Athens campus. Qualifying students are invited to submit an essay as application for this scholarship in addition to completing the FAFSA and OHIO application by first-priority consideration deadline.”

Supporting local students, changing lives for the better

“Greg Shaw’s journey is a powerful testament to the transformative impact of access, opportunity and early academic engagement,” said Dr. Lewatis McNeal, vice provost for regional higher education and partnerships at Ohio University. “The Kilburger Scholarship exemplifies how regional campuses like OHIO Lancaster not only serve as launching pads for academic and professional success but also play a critical role in nurturing talent right here in our local communities. Greg’s accomplishments remind us of the life-changing potential that exists when we invest in students’ aspirations and remove barriers to their success.”

“It was life-changing,” Shaw said of being named a Kilburger Scholar. “Being selected took so much pressure off the financial burden that post-secondary education poses. I am super grateful and felt honored to be part of this group.”

He credits the scholarship with unlocking doors that may otherwise have remained closed.

“The lack of student loan debt opened a door for me to pursue post-graduate education,” Shaw said. “Without the scholarship, I would likely have started a job with my undergraduate degree and not been able to pursue research.”

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That passion for research is now at the heart of his Ph.D. work. After earning a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, Shaw earned a biomedical engineering master’s degree and now studies under Dr. Brian Clark, focusing on neuromuscular physiology and blending his mechanical engineering skills with biomedical challenges.

“During my undergraduate degree, I learned how to learn… a set of techniques and skills which enable me to be a better researcher,” Shaw explained. “I apply what I learned to neuromuscular physiology.”

Shaw’s path was not always straightforward. A manufacturing engineer internship between junior and senior year revealed a misalignment with his aspirations, steering him toward his current academic vocation. Through conversations with his undergraduate advisor, he discovered his passion lay in biomedical research.

“When I envision my life five to ten years from now, I would like to be doing research at an R1 university or in an industry-funded position. However, at the end of the day, I just want to continue to learn,” Shaw said.

That vision is well aligned with the environment Ohio University fosters. OHIO is one of only five public institutions in Ohio and among just 135 public universities nationwide to achieve R1 status, a prestigious designation that reflects its leadership in advanced research, scholarship, and creative activity.

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From groundbreaking work in health and medical sciences to innovations in aviation and space exploration, Ohio University provides an environment where scholars and researchers can thrive. For Shaw, the Kilburger Scholarship opened the door to this world of discovery and demonstrated not only the value of an OHIO education, but also the boundless opportunities it makes possible.

Looking back, Shaw recognizes how critical his time at OHIO Lancaster was.

“Without this scholarship or OU, I don’t think I’d be where I am today,” he said. “I probably would have taken my first mechanical engineering job out of undergrad and worked on paying down student loans. I probably wouldn’t have met the people who shaped my undergraduate education and made me into the person I am today.”

He offers this advice to future scholars: “Take your time and truly figure out what you enjoy doing. You will be more fulfilled than if you simply follow a set of instructions. Take opportunities as they come and enjoy each serendipitous moment.”

Reflecting on his collegiate journey, Shaw adds: “My journey to where I am today has been long, non-traditional, and filled with roadblocks. But each roadblock presented an opportunity to learn more about myself and my goals.”

About the Charles Kilburger Scholarship

The Charles Kilburger Scholarship is open to Fairfield County students who enroll full-time at Ohio University Lancaster Campus after completing four years at a Fairfield County high school. Preference is given to students who demonstrate financial need and academic merit. 

The full-tuition, four-year scholarship enables recipients to complete two years at OHIO Lancaster before transitioning to the Athens campus, providing an affordable and life-changing pathway to higher education and beyond.

You can learn more about this scholarship or others offered by OHIO Lancaster here.