Pictured: Rev. Dr. Eric Albert Zimmer, Rep. Frank J. Mrvan and USF Crown Point students Pershana Ramsey, Philip Branoski and Nathaniel Kemp.
CROWN POINT, Ind.—The University of Saint Francis Crown Point announced the acceptance of a Community Project Funding grant of $225,000 in a news conference Friday at the campus, 12880 Mississippi Parkway.
USF President Rev. Dr. Eric Albert Zimmer appeared with Rep. Frank J. Mrvan of the First Congressional District of Indiana to announce the grant. Faculty, administration members and USF Crown Point students also attended the event.
“USF Crown Point continues to grow and respond to the needs of northwest Indiana, both in terms of developing citizens and developing healthcare in this area of Indiana,” Rev. Dr. Eric Albert Zimmer said. “We’re very grateful for Rep. Mrvan having shepherded all this hard work to help us receive this grant. We’re expanding our facility and outreach to the community and all these things show a bright, bright future not just for USF Crown Point, but for this part of our great state.”
The funding will support the acquisition of equipment and other student needs for the USF Crown Point site. USF Crown Point expanded in size and scope for the 2021-22 academic year, adding several new degree programs. The grant will support efforts to expand a strong pool of medical professionals to serve northwest Indiana’s growing health needs.
“This is a check with dollar amount but, more importantly, it gives hope and promise to students and to our healthcare providers,” Rep. Frank J. Mrvan said. “It says to the community we are here to produce a result so we can help people who want to be in the workforce and make a difference by helping people facing their most vulnerable times.”
The grant is the result of a Community Project Funding request that was included in the final version of Fiscal Year 2022 appropriations legislation. On March 9, 2022, the House approved the appropriations package, and on March 10, 2022, the Senate approved the legislation, including Congressman Mrvan’s requests, by a vote of 68-31.
The University of Saint Francis Crown Point is a regional site of the University of Saint Francis in Fort Wayne, Ind., a private Catholic university in the Franciscan tradition. USF Crown Point makes academic excellence and a values-based education available to northwest Indiana-area students. Among its programs are many healthcare-related majors, including nursing, surgical technology, radiologic technology and medical laboratory technician. The associate of liberal studies degree includes student-designed concentrations.