Marian University cuts ribbon on facility which will house its new two-year college

INDIANAPOLIS—Marian University hosted nearly 200 guests today for a blessing, ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house at the facility that will house Saint Joseph College of Marian University – Indianapolis (Saint Joe Indy), its new two-year college. Classes are set to begin July 9.

The building, renamed Saint Joseph Hall, is a former church located at the northeast corner of 30th Street and Kessler Blvd., just two blocks west of Marian’s main campus. Marian acquired the property two years ago from an anonymous donor, and has spent more than $600,000 on renovations. Last year, the new Riverside High School held its first year of classes in the building, while its permanent home in the Naval Armory was being renovated.

“We have made tremendous progress since first announcing last fall that Marian would open a new two-year college,” Daniel J. Elsener, Marian University president, said. “Some of the students who will make up our first cohort are here today, and you can sense their excitement as they tour the building.”

Saint Joe Indy is a collaboration between Marian University and Saint Joseph’s College, which suspended operations at its Rensselaer, Ind. campus in May 2017. Over the past two years, Marian has welcomed more than 80 Saint Joseph’s College transfer students to its campus, most of whom have since graduated. It has also hired several former Saint Joseph’s College staff and faculty members, including the campus chaplain and associate director and dean of Saint Joe Indy.

Students will pursue associate degrees in Business Administration or Liberal Arts, and will earn their degrees in less than two years. Graduates will be granted automatic acceptance into Marian to pursue a bachelor degree, if they so choose.

Officials with Saint Joe Indy say its “earn and learn” model differentiates the college from other institutions of higher education. Students will be required to attend class only two-days-per-week (Tuesday and Thursday), allowing them to work at least three-days-per-week. The university is forming partnerships with area employers who are willing to commit to hiring Saint Joe Indy students for paid internships.

“Earn and learn is a win-win for the students and the local business community,” Jeff Jourdan, Saint Joe Indy executive director, said. “For many students, the biggest barrier to pursing a college degree is the financial commitment. Saint Joe Indy students get the best of both worlds – relevant, paid work experience to build their resume while earning their degree. And it’s also a win for central Indiana employers, who will be able to tap into a diverse, committed group of students who are looking to better themselves.”

Local employers who have committed to hiring Saint Joe Indy students for paid internships include Allison Transmission, Community Health Network, Infosys, Key Bank, One America, Shiel Sexton, SnapShyft, StatWax, The Heritage Group, Pondurance and The Brookfield Group.

Saint Joe Indy is still accepting applications for its first class.

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