St. Bonaventure University has been awarded a $1 million grant from New York state to purchase lab equipment for the university’s new School of Health Professions.

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo today announced $21.3 million in grants for capital projects at 35 colleges and universities across New York. The funding comes from the Higher Education Capital Matching Grant Program.

The equipment will be used for all programs in the School of Health Professions, with much of it going toward new programs in Nursing, Occupational Therapy and Physician Assistant Studies.

“This will enable our students to use state-of-the-art tools and methods to prepare for careers in the health services industry,” said Dr. Joseph Zimmer, provost and vice president for Academic Affairs. “We are building the School of Health Professions from scratch so proper equipment is vital. This grant will help us immensely in achieving our goals.”

For every $1 of state funds awarded, colleges and universities match with at least $3 of their own funds.

The university began renovation this summer on Francis Hall, which will be home to the School of Health Professions.

The university offers undergraduate programs in Health Science, Public Health and R.N. to B.S. in Nursing, with graduate programs being developed in Occupational Therapy and Physician Assistant Studies.

The HECap Program is a competitive grant program that provides critical matching funds to campuses enabling them to build, renovate and renew facilities. The projects funded with HECap grants create jobs and benefit students, campuses and communities.

Since its inception in 2005-06, the HECap program has leveraged $270 million in state funds to fund projects across the state.

With colleges’ 3:1 match, the total infrastructure investment from HECap funded projects is more than $1 billion. That investment has created 13,000 jobs, including 6,000 construction jobs that paid prevailing wage.

______________

About the University: The nation’s first Franciscan university, we believe in the goodness of every person and in the ability of every person to do extraordinary things. St. Bonaventure University cultivates graduates who are confident and creative communicators, collaborative leaders and team members, and innovative problem solvers who are respectful of themselves, others, and the diverse world around them. Named the #1 regional university value in New York and #2 in the North by U.S. News and World Report, we are establishing pathways to internships, graduate schools and careers in the context of our renowned liberal arts tradition.