Mennonite College of Nursing Simulation Center at Illinois State University receives dedication

NORMAL, Ill. (WMBD) — Illinois State University cut the ribbon on its future of healthcare training Thursday.

Along with a ribbon cutting, a dedication ceremony was held for the Mennonite College of Nursing Simulation Center.

Aondover Tarhule, university president, shared the feeling he had finally having the building open to students.

“We have been talking about this building for so long,” he said. “You know, the things that we thought we could do if we had a few been like this to actually be in this room where we have this events taking place and students taking classes here. It’s very exciting.”

The entire project cost $18 million, which was approved by the Board of Trustees in 2021. Funding of the center breaks down to $2 million in private funds, $2 million in federal funds and $14 million in university money.

Tarhule also said this new construction will help the university financially.

“Before this building, we could only take in about one hundred students per year, which was like ten percent of the eligible qualified students who wanted to come here,” he said. “This building allows us to double that number to two hundred students. And so the additional tuition revenue is what is going to help us pay back the debt.”

The center is located on West Willow Street in Normal, right across from the Bone Student Center’s parking lot.

According to a press release from the university, with a high demand for nurses, the simulation center provides much-needed space and allows the Mennonite College of Nursing to enroll more students.

Comments were made by Tarhule, Mennonite College of Nursing Dean Judy Neubrander, Student Nurses Association President Emily Brownlie, and Congressman Darin LaHood.

Following the ribbon cutting, tours of the new facility were given.

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