FORESEEING DOUBLE
A groundbreaking event at USF Crown Point paves the way for an expected doubling of footprint and enrollment at the northwest Indiana site. The new facility is expected to be completed in time for Fall 2021.
As University of Saint Francis President Rev. Dr. Eric Albert Zimmer lifted a shovel filled with dirt on Sept. 18, the symbolic gesture heralded the beginning of major growth at USF Crown Point. USF Crown Point’s footprint in northwest Indiana and its enrollment (currently 202 students) are both expected to double with the completion of a $7 million building project. The project begins this fall and is slated to be ready for the 2021-22 academic year. The university will add associate degree paths in radiologic technology and surgical technology for Fall 2021. Fr. Zimmer was joined at the ceremony by administration, faculty and staff of the university and representatives of Franciscan Alliance, which contributed a gift to the project. The university also recently received news of the awarding of a $1 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc., which will be put toward the expansion at USF Crown Point. “Northwest Indiana has shown an ever-increasing demand for quality healthcare professionals and USF is excited about preparing our students to meet that need.” Fr. Zimmer said. “We look forward to continuing our strong partnership with Franciscan Alliance, an organization dedicated to excellence and caring in all that it does.” Fr. Zimmer gave the blessing and delivered remarks of celebration and excitement over the growth expected with the project. Other speakers were Sister Jane Marie Klein, 36
saint francis magazine | fall 2020
Franciscan Alliance Chair of the Board of Trustees; Dr. Marsha King, Dean of USF Crown Point; Melissa A. Gonzalez, USF Crown Point student; Dave Uran, Mayor of Crown Point; Jon Gilmore, President and CEO of Tonn & Blank Construction; Dan Klein, USF Board of Trustees member; and Sandie Phalen, USF Crown Point Director of Marketing, Development and Enrollment. King expects the expansion of USF Crown Point to have an impact in many ways on the Franciscan Health facilities in northwest Indiana. “The expansion of our student population will impact Franciscan Health, our communities and those we serve,” King said. “Our current students and our future students will assist in filling those critical healthcare career vacancies for our Franciscan Health hospitals and organizations.” The new building will house classrooms, a biology laboratory and a significantly expanded Nursing Resource Center. There will also be new student areas to encourage collaboration. The Franciscan values at the heart of USF will also continue to make an impact on the healthcare community, King said. “Our students are knowledgeable and skilled and will go out and render exceptional care to their patients,” she said. “But what makes our students stand out is the embedding of our Franciscan values in their educational preparation here, embedded in the syllabi and courses, embedded in how we treat each other, embedded in their student experiences with
