GARY – The Ivy Tech Foundation has finalized the purchase of the former Halsted Building located at 3714 Franklin Street in Michigan City. The acquisition of the building includes an in-kind donation from Drs. Rade and Leslie Pejic of Michigan City. The $2.9 million in-kind gift from the Pejic’s is the largest ever for Ivy Tech’s Northwest Region and the third largest in the statewide system’s history.

The College has occupied approximately 33,000 square feet, of the 70,000 square foot facility since 1998 for classroom and administrative space. The acquisition will allow for renovation of the entire building and expansion of current academic programs and student services.

Currently, the campus offers business, hospitality, liberal arts, education, medical assisting and paramedic science courses. The College has plans to expand its Transportation, Distribution and Logistics (TDL) center programs to the Michigan City campus. The logistics industry is one of the fastest growing industries in Northwest, Indiana. According to a study by Purdue University the industry already generates revenue of $4.5 billion and employs 39,555 people in the region. The College has already developed and delivered a program to provide fast track logistics training at its Gary campus.

Chancellor J. Guadalupe Valtierra said, “Our mission is to prepare our graduates for participation in the competitive global economy, and the purchase of the building demonstrates our commitment to the residents of the Michigan City/La Porte area. We will not only continue to provide the educational opportunities that helped establish Ivy Tech in this community, but we will grow in our programs and partnerships to positively impact and help to change the lives of our students.”

In recognition of the in-kind gift element, the facility will be named in honor of Drs. Rade and Leslie Pejic.

Currently, the Northwest Region-with campuses in Gary, Valparaiso, East Chicago and Michigan City- has the nation’s fastest growing enrollment for campuses with enrollments between 5000-9900. It has the third largest enrollment in the Ivy Tech statewide system with nearly 15,000 full and part-time students. It also serves another 3,500 employees and citizens through the Department of Workforce and Economic Development.

About Ivy Tech Community College
Ivy Tech is the state’s largest public post secondary institution and the nation’s largest singly accredited statewide community college system serving nearly 200,000 students annually. Ivy Tech has 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 and a member of the North Central Association.