IWU's New Kokomo Education Center to Open Dec. 1

Indiana Wesleyan University's new Kokomo Education Center at 1916 E. Markland Ave. will open for classes on Monday (Dec. 1).

The 9,000-square-foot building, which cost $1.7 million, includes six classrooms and offices. Classes will be held in the building weeknights and on Saturdays, and the facility will be leased during the day for conferences and business meetings.

IWU's College of Adult and Professional Studies began offering classes in Kokomo more than a decade ago. For the last five years, IWU has leased educational space at 207 W. Sycamore St. in downtown Kokomo.

"The opening of the new Kokomo Education Center will allow us to expand our class offerings in the Howard County area," said Dr. Mark Smith, vice president of IWU's adult education division. In the next three to five years, Smith said, IWU hopes to double its Kokomo enrollment to about 250 students from the current 125.

Construction of the new Kokomo facility began July 1.

Indiana Wesleyan is an evangelical Christian comprehensive university that is committed to liberal arts and professional education. IWU was founded in 1920 and is affiliated with The Wesleyan Church, which has its international headquarters in Indianapolis.

Just over 2,500 students are enrolled in traditional classes on IWU's main campus in Marion. Almost 7,500 adult learners are enrolled in classes at multiple sites throughout Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky and via online programs.

Besides Kokomo, IWU has regional education centers in Fort Wayne, Indianapolis and Columbus, Ind.; Louisville, Ky., and Cleveland, Ohio. Plans are also moving forward for regional campuses in Shelbyville, Ind., and in Cincinnati and Dayton, Ohio.