Marian University Launches Engineering School

(photo courtesy of Marian University)

Marian University is expanding its engineering program with the creation of the E.S. Witchger School of Engineering, which includes plans to offer undergraduate degrees in various disciplines.

The Witchger family owns and operates Indianapolis-based Marian Inc, a global manufacturer of component parts for the medical, electronics, and automotive industries.

A ceremony was held Tuesday at the campus in Indianapolis to celebrate the program.

The Catholic institution says priorities during the start-up include facilities and equipment, endowed scholarships, endowed faculty positions, and other key needs such as curriculum design, and student recruitment.

The university says it has already reached halfway in a $50 million fundraising goal to build a new engineering facility and to hire a dean.

Marian says about $25 million has been committed so far from the support of seven donors.

The school says pending approval from the Higher Learning Commission, the degrees offerings will concentrate in electrical and computer engineering, mechanical engineering, and chemical engineering

The inaugural class for the E.S. Witchger School of Engineering will enter Marian in Fall 2022

Marian says it intends to continue to recruit students into the dual-degree program with Purdue University for the Fall 2021 semester.