Holy Family Breaks Ground On Game-Changing Expansion Of Newtown Campus

NEWTOWN TOWNSHIP, PA — Holy Family University ceremoniously broke ground on a "game-changing" expansion of its Newtown campus with the acceptance of $1.5 million in state funding for the project.

The money will be used to convert an existing building on University Drive - formerly used by LaSalle University - into its Newtown West campus. The work will include construction of new classrooms and labs, roof work, technology upgrades, and surface paving.

The project, which university officials are calling transformative, will create a new learning space featuring a state-of-the-art nursing simulation corridor, biotechnology labs in partnership with the Pennsylvania Biotech Center in Doylestown, a business entrepreneurship center, and AI and cybersecurity programs, all designed to equip students with the skills needed for success in today’s marketplace.

“Holy Family University’s Newtown West project is a visionary expansion that will create game-changing opportunities for our students and bring more innovation and growth to the greater Bucks County community,” said Dr. Anne Prisco, president of Holy Family University. “This vital funding is bringing together groundbreaking programs in biotechnology, AI and cybersecurity, and entrepreneurship, providing our graduates with marketable skills for careers that are in high demand throughout the region.”

Dr. Prisco continued, “Bucks County and the Commonwealth are essential partners in Holy Family’s success. With an ever-growing population of students, faculty, and staff coming from this area, we are excited to enhance the education we are providing with marketable skills that are in high demand in the county.”

Holy Family University's Newtown West Campus on University Drive. (Jeff Werner/Patch)

Holy Family University's Newtown West Campus on University Drive. (Jeff Werner/Patch)

She also personally thanked Sen. Steve Santarsiero and Rep. Perry Warren for their support in advancing “this innovative vision for our students and the Bucks County community.”

Santarsiero and Warren helped secure the $1.5 million in funding for the project, including $1.3 million through the Pennsylvania Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program and $200,000 through the State’s Department of Community and Economic Development’s Local Share Account program.

“The expansion of the Holy Family campus in Newtown will provide additional space to offer quality education for its students, as well as an opportunity to expand the biotech incubator footprint across our county,” Sen. Santarsiero said.

“I’m really excited to see this project unfold and I’m looking forward to be back here for the ribbon cutting once things unfold,” said Santarsiero, who earned his Master's degree in education from the university.

“I’m grateful for what you are doing in Bucks County,” he told university leaders, “but also for the partnership you have with the Pennsylvania Biotech Center - a collaboration that will help the next generation get into STEM. And that’s something that can lead to very bright careers and futures for young people. I’m really excited to see that.”

Added State Rep. Perry Warren, “We are especially pleased to help kick off the groundbreaking here and to be back when the time comes for the ribbon cutting to see the completed work and to help publicize Holy Family’s role in employing our residents, educating our students and spreading the good word of Holy Family’s educational mission in and around Newtown.

“Cross-collaborative projects like this will continue to grow our region as a biotech destination while exposing students to cutting-edge fields and opportunities," the lawmaker continued.

“We are fortunate to have the Holy Family campus in and serving our community, and this state grant helps fund a project that will benefit Holy Family students and our local economic development organizations,” Rep. Warren said.