Denise Feser, is chair of the Marian University Board of Trustees

General introductions and welcome:

• Father Barry, Marian’s Campus Chaplin who will lead us in a blessing
• Ted Gary, AMG Engineering. On Marian’s engineering task force that led this project
• President Daniel J. Elsener
• Governor Eric Holcomb
• Dr. Binh Tran, Founding Dean of the E.S. Witchger School of Engineering
• William Witchger, representing the Witchger family and Marian, Inc.

Additional thanks to:

• Dr. Kenith Britt, Marian’s Chief Operating Officer and Chancellor
  
• Dr. Tom Enneking, Professor and Senior Advisor to the President
• Al Leighton, former chief financial officer, treasurer, and secretary for Marian Incorporated

This $81M project would not be possible without the Witchger family and Marian, Inc.

William Witchger, son of Marian Chairman Bill Witchger, has been Vice President of Operations at Marian, Inc. since returning from China in 2012. William moved to Shenzhen China in 2009 to open Marian’s manufacturing operations and office there. Under his leadership, our Shenzhen operation grew from 1 employee (him) to more than 1,800 when he returned in 2012.

William graduated from Notre Dame University and worked for IBM in Chicago. Following IMB he worked for a startup company, Endeca, that was then acquired by Oracle before joining Marian in 2008 as Manager of IT and Business Development. He has been exposed to many areas of our business and is well equipped to continue growing Marian.

Welcome President Daniel J. Elsener to the podium for remarks 

Throughout his leadership, Marian University President Daniel J. Elsener has given a very generous effort, bold vision, commitment to transformational education, stewardship, and deep faith in God's call to be a transcendental influence in the world. He became the eighth president of Marian University (formerly Marian College) on August 1, 2001. 

Recently, Daniel J. Elsener was recognized as one of the Indianapolis Business Journal Media companies (IBJ Media) 250 most influential and impactful leaders in Indiana. 

Read more about Daniel J. Elsener, here.

Welcome Founding Dean Dr. Tran to the podium. 

Binh Q. Tran, Ph.D., began his role as the founding dean of the E. S. Witchger School of Engineering at Marian University, June 1, 2021. 

Dr. Tran is nationally recognized for his research and academic areas of focus in telehealth/telemedicine, health information technologies, biomedical instrumentation, and imaging and cardio-pulmonary biomechanics, in addition to serving on the editorial board of several engineering journals.

Building Dedication and Blessing 

Father Barry Fischer, C.PP.S. serves as campus chaplain. He joined Marian University in March, 2019 from Saint Joseph’s College (Rensselaer, Ind.) where he served as Rector.

As campus chaplain, Fr. Fischer is responsible for promoting a vibrant sacramental life on campus; supports the growing practice of Eucharist Adoration; collaborates with the Campus Ministry team to promote the spiritual growth of all students, and; promote the Catholic faith tradition throughout university life. Additionally, Fr. Barry supports Marian University's Saint Joseph’s College, a mission-based collaboration he helped establish when Rector in Rensselaer.

Closing Remarks and Ribbon Cutting