Indiana University Northwest Dedicates New $45 million Arts & Sciences Building

GARY, Ind., Aug. 25, 2017 /PRNewswire-iReach/ -- Dignitaries from across the state are gathering today for the official opening of the new Arts & Sciences Building on the Indiana University Northwest campus in Gary, Ind. Coinciding with the beginning of the fall semester, the dedication represents a new beginning for the city and surrounding region as well, with the building continuing the university's commitment to help Northwest Indiana thrive.

Located on the IU Northwest campus at 35th and Broadway, the 126,000-square-foot Arts & Sciences Building is shared by the university and Ivy Tech Community College, with innovative learning spaces and cutting-edge technology available to students at both schools. In addition, an art gallery, 500-seat professional mainstage theater, and 100-seat black box studio theater are available for students and the community to enjoy.

"We are proud to see the building serve as an educational cornerstone and creative hub for Northwest Indiana," said IU Northwest Chancellor William J. Lowe. "A tangible symbol of hope for a brighter future, the new Arts & Sciences Building represents growth, economic development, increased access to arts and culture, and a very real investment in delivering on our mission."

According to city officials, the building is among the most significant investments in the city of Gary in the last 50 years and is poised to make a long-term positive impact. Micah Pollak, assistant professor of economics at IU Northwest, estimates that "as the $45 million dollars turns over in the regional economy, it may be multiplied to as much as $70 to $80 million."

Much of that return is expected to come through an increased number of bachelor's degree holders who transition from Ivy Tech and from improved educational opportunities in arts and sciences for IU Northwest graduates overall. "A well-educated workforce is key to attracting new development, increasing economic growth, and re-energizing communities," said Pollak.

About Indiana University Northwest

One of eight campuses of Indiana University, IU Northwest is located in metropolitan Northwest Indiana, approximately 30 miles southeast of Chicago and 10 miles from the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore. The campus has a diverse student population of approximately 4,000 degree-seeking students and 1,500 dual-degree-seeking students. The campus offers Associate, Baccalaureate and Master's degrees in a variety of undergraduate, graduate and pre-professional degree options available from the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Health and Human Services, the School of Business and Economics, and the School of Education. The campus is also host to IU School of Medicine-Northwest-Gary, which actively involves students in research and local healthcare needs through its four-year medical doctorate program. IU Northwest emphasizes high-quality teaching, faculty and student research and engagement on campus and in the community. As a student-centered campus, IU Northwest is committed to academic excellence characterized by a love of ideas and achievement in learning, discovery, creativity and engagement. Indiana University Northwest is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer committed to achieving excellence through diversity. The University actively encourages applications from women, minorities, veterans, persons with disabilities, and members of other underrepresented groups. For more information, please visit www.iun.edu.

Media Contact:Erika Rose, Indiana University Northwest, 219-981-4358, erikrose@iun.edu

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SOURCE Indiana University Northwest