September 7, 2011
09/08/11 Representatives of Ancilla College and the Marshall County Community Foundation were on hand to celebrate the opening of the College’s new math laboratory as part of the Assistive Developmentally-Enhanced Program and Technology (ADEPT) program.
Funded through a grant provided by the Marshall County Community Foundation, the lab will serve as a key component in the implementation of the ADEPT program at the Donaldson-based campus.
Grant monies specifically addressed renovation and the purchase of new computers for the lab.
Under the terms of the agreement, Ancilla College will work with the Marshall County Workforce Development and Plymouth School Corporation to assist GED students ready to enter college courses by offering on-site college-level placement testing at the GED educational site.
Ancilla staff will host quarterly orientations to assist these students with college readiness information such as financial workshops, library research workshops, and writing workshops. Ancilla College will also offer free classes to GED students who have graduated and are in need of remedial math or English writing classes.
“This initiative is designed to help prepare the workforce in skills identified by Indiana’s Chamber of Commerce (ICC) needed to compete in the new economy: writing and math skills, critical thinking, information literacy, teamwork, and use of computer technology,” said Dr. Joanna Blount, Dean of Academic and Student Services at Ancilla College.
Ancilla College President Dr. Ron May expressed his gratitude towards Marshall County Community Foundation.
“This project represents the continued partnership between Ancilla College and the Marshall County Community Foundation,” said Dr. May. “Working together, we continue to improve the educational opportunities for citizens of Marshall County. We are indeed grateful for the grant from the Foundation for making this math lab possible.”
According to James Erwin, Grants Committee Chair of the Marshall County Community Foundation, Ancilla College’s application was very well received and reflects well on the partnership between the College and the Foundation.
“Ancilla’s application was very well written,” said Erwin. “It included significant contributions by the requesting organization and strong collaborations. All of these are key considerations. It was great working together with multiple organizations. This truly is a community effort to have this project come through.”
Linda Yoder, Executive Director of the Marshall County Community Foundation, believes the new initiative will have a very positive effect on the local community.
“We are very pleased to be part of this initiative,” said Yoder. “It addresses two areas that have been identified as priorities through feedback from the Marshall County community – economic development and increasing skills and education needed to attain new employment opportunities. We are excited to see the lab open and look forward to seeing the great results this will offer to Marshall County residents in improving those skills that can bridge to better economic opportunities.”
Ancilla College is a Catholic, two-year, co-educational, liberal arts college in Donaldson, Indiana sponsored by the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ.
Photo: (from L to R) – Dr. Ron May (President of Ancilla College) and Linda Yoder (Executive Director of the Marshall County Community Foundation) prepare for the honorary ribbon cutting at the opening of the College’s new math laboratory.