May 5, 2022
Dear Colleagues,
Before we head into the weekend, I wanted to share two exciting updates with you.
Dwyer Healthcare Simulation Center
Moments ago, the IU Board of Trustees approved the Dwyer Healthcare Simulation Center project. The Dwyer Healthcare Simulation Center will be a state-of-the-art, expanded nursing and health sciences simulation center developed here at IU South Bend, thanks to a lead gift of $5 million from the Vera Z. Dwyer Charitable Trust. The project will transform Parkside Hall into high-tech, flexible space for the IU South Bend’s radiography program and nursing programs.
The renovated space will provide a new energized lab for radiography students to practice taking real X-rays, a capacity not currently available on campus. The Center will also allow faculty to teach more students in one lab, thus expanding program enrollment capacity. In addition, it will provide new space for sonography training, a high demand course of study in the imaging and technology program. For nursing students, this renovation will expand simulation and skills training capacity. Other spaces will include an informal learning area as well as support spaces such as debrief rooms, control rooms, storage rooms, and office space. The Center will accommodate future growth to meet regional demand for highly trained health care professionals.
I am deeply grateful to the Vera Z. Dwyer Charitable Trust for this generous gift, which will help IU South Bend health sciences students receive cutting edge education and equip our community with professionals ready to meet the future of health care. This new facility will help to recruit more students to our health sciences programs while also helping the campus meet program accreditation requirements for expanded simulation space and energized labs.
Funding for the project, estimated to cost $8.2 million, will come from gifts and grants provided by local foundations, healthcare organizations, individuals, and capital repair and replacement funds provided annually by the university. The funding of this project will not impact general fund budgets since the costs of construction will be free of debt financing. Rather this is an example of a project that leverages external sources of funding in order to invest in rapidly growing programs. Design and construction drawings are expected to be completed by September 2022, with construction bidding to begin in October 2022. Students are expected to be working and learning in the Center by Fall 2023.
New Vice Chancellor for University Relations and Advancement
I am also pleased to announce Rob DeCleene as IU South Bend’s next vice chancellor for university relations and advancement. Many of you know Rob as a fixture in our community. He currently serves as Executive Director for Visit South Bend Mishawaka and Executive Vice President of the South Bend Regional Chamber of Commerce. A proud IU alum, he has also been engaged for many years with the ÂþÂþߣ Alumni Association. I hope you will help me welcome Rob to the IU South Bend community. He is looking forward to working with everyone to advance the goals of our new strategic plan and create an even stronger culture of philanthropy for our campus. Rob will begin his role on June 1, 2022.
I would like to thank Tom Stevick for his leadership as interim VCURA over these past three years. Tom will remain with us through early August in a reduced time base capacity to help Rob get a solid start.
I look forward to sharing more updates with you at next week’s Coffee with the Chancellor. As a reminder Coffee with the Chancellor will take place on Wednesday, April 13 from 3:00pm to 4:30pm in the University Grill. Learn about Sexual Assault Awareness Month activities, recent points of pride, and updates on our campus budget efforts. As always, bring questions, as well as stories of achievements. Instructions for joining via Zoom will be available at by 2:30pm the afternoon of the event.
I look forward to seeing you next week!