300 N. 17th St. has been welcoming students back to school for decades but Aug. 25 was the first time high school graduates entered its doors looking to further their education. After transitioning from high school to middle school, Noblesville Schools has sold the building to Ivy Tech, which has created its 32nd college campus in Indiana – and first in Hamilton County.
“It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity,” said Ivy Tech Hamilton County Campus President Dan Clark, a Noblesville resident. “Opportunity and results are different things. We have such a golden opportunity here. We just have to provide good results.”
After taking ownership of the former Noblesville East Middle School in June, Clark, 64, said the immediate priority was to create 11 to 12 classrooms and two to three computer labs.
“The second phase is to prepare another part for construction technology and advanced manufacturing, which will begin later this year,” he said, adding a much-needed new roof will be installed this month and construction is underway for a new parking lot where the old baseball diamond was located. “The third phase is a new entryway, new commons area and a study area.”
There are some plans to turn the basketball court in the gymnasium to college size.
“In the longer term, there are hopes of bringing more student services – food services and a bookstore – and many more classes on the second floor next fall,” Clark said.
Clark said the Hamilton County Campus will concentrate on business and construction technology. He said the campus will offer 30 to 40 courses in its first semester including several eight-week courses. Clark said a majority of its classes take place in the evening and the campus is looking to grow class availability during the day. While the Lawrence Campus is home to Ivy Tech’s nursing and pre-med classes, Clark said there are opportunities for Noblesville in other fields in the health sciences industry like radiology.
Clark said Ivy Tech offers one-year industry certifications; associate of arts and science degrees, which are transferable to four-year degrees (two years at Ivy Tech and two at another college); and associate of applied science or degrees in technical fields. In the spring, Clark said Ivy Tech will seek approval to award degrees at the Hamilton County Campus.
Clark said he is meeting with all six chamber of commerces to better understand what the economic and occupational needs are in Hamilton County.
“The schedule depends on demand and enrollment,” he said. “A lot of employment in Hamilton County is oriented toward technology and information systems. I think there is a potential competitive advantage for this campus to begin to offer certification and degrees in information sciences.”
