About Our Class
The Ohio State Skydiving Class is offered during Fall, Spring, and Summer quarters through the School of Physical Activity and Educational Services (PAES). The idea for a collegiate skydiving class was initially presented to the university in 2002 by Dr. Brian Smith, a skydiver and faculty member in the biological sciences. Smith presented his class proposal to Chuck Shiebler, the director of the PAES Sports, Fitness, and Health Program. While many universities would have balked at the idea of a credited class devoted to skydiving, Ohio State jumped at the opportunity. The first Introduction to Skydiving class, with almost fifty participants, was offered in the spring of 2003. As of October 2009, over 1000 students have enrolled in the one credit-hour course. The class is currently organized by OSU graduate student and skydiving instructor Jen Olson, who took over in 2005 after Smith accepted a faculty position at Arizona State University.