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The new Ivy Tech campus includes an 85,000 square foot, two-story academic structure and an 18,000 square foot college and community conference center. It will serve as an anchor for additional development and continuing economic growth in Grant County.
“We are very excited about our new campus and the ability to meet the post-secondary education needs of the residents of Grant County and surrounding counties,” said Gail Chesterfield, chancellor for the East Central Region, which includes Marion, Anderson and Muncie campuses. “Not only will this new free-standing, college-owned facility in Marion allow Ivy Tech to significantly expand local academic programs and course offerings in direct response to local business/employer needs, but it will allow us to continue our mission of providing an accessible and affordable education to all.”
“We are confident that Ivy Tech and its new campus will have a positive impact not only on the economic development of Grant County, but also on the individual achievement, skill building and career opportunities for the community’s residents,” said Chesterfield.
Ivy Tech has been offering classes in Marion since 1978. Until the new campus was constructed, Ivy Tech-Marion spent its first 30 years in various storefronts, closed K-12 schools, medical office suites, and shared space with K-12 early childhood, alternative school, and secondary vocation school students.
Among the new facility’s many features are:
First energized Radiology Lab with equipment donated by Marion General Hospital
Hands-on Forensics Lab
State-of-the art science labs
Nursing and medical assisting suite
Flexible manufacturing technology lab
Flexible and adaptable classrooms to accommodate instruction alternatives, wireless technology, multipurpose usage, ands various class sizes
One-stop student enrollment/registration center
Student and employee fitness center
Atrium and patio student commons areas
Expanded bookstore
Workforce Certification Center
Technology-enhanced Library
Open-access student computing center
“It is exciting to have this new facility to serve the community needs for post-secondary education and training,” said John Lightle, vice chancellor/dean of the Marion campus. “We encourage members of the community to visit the new campus during the tours scheduled following the dedication or during our public open house.”
Ivy Tech Community College is of the nation’s largest singly-accredited statewide community college system and the state’s second largest public post-secondary institution with more than 110,000 students enrolled annually. Ivy Tech has 23 campuses throughout Indiana. It serves as the state's engine of workforce development, offering affordable degree programs and training that are aligned with the needs of its community along with courses and programs that transfer to other colleges and universities in Indiana. It is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
Images from top: 1.New Marion campus 2. Bella Crites, Marion campus Student Government Association President, with President Snyder and Chancellor Gail Chesterfield 3. Bella Crites speaking during the dedication ceremony 4. Bella Crites, Vice Chancellor John Lightle (left), Chancellor Chesterfield and President Snyder