‘Next Step’ for reuse of Ashford Campus

The Ashford University campus property has been transferred from the Clinton Catalyst group to a foundation. Clinton Catalyst purchased the Ashford properties when the school closed and has been marketing the property.

Head of Clinton Catalyst Brian Clem told KROS NEWS the value of the transfer was 28-million dollars but no money was exchanged in the transfer.

Clem said Clinton Catalyst retained the athletic complex and the BW residence hall.  He hoped to have announcements about those properties in the new future. Read More for the official statement issued on the transfer.

Next step taken in making STEM High School a reality “In furthering  the effort to create the Iowa International STEM Academy at Clinton, today we are taking the next step in opening the Iowa International STEM Academy by bringing the Asian Education Foundation in as a core partner. Along with the local community, business leaders and the State of Iowa we intend to make the grass roots vision created by this community a reality” said Brian Clem of Clinton Catalyst

Sale of the former Ashford campus to an Oregon based Non-Profit organization- the Asian Education Foundation – was made for the purpose of operating an International STEM Academy to educate local, state,  national and international students. The Academy will be a boarding and day high school.

It will be in the nature of a selective Academy focusing on Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Studies (“STEM”). A vast majority of  the students will be from the local region and State of Iowa.

Originally AEF was organized for educational purposes to foster education and understanding between American youth and Asian cultures.  AEF has decided to expand its activity into Iowa by operating an educational facility for exceptional high school students from the U.S., Asia and other parts of the world. The Goal of AEF is to provide a world-class, living-learning environment for students seeking a  quality and robust STEM curriculum.

“The Asian Education Foundation is proud to join the effort to fulfill  the community inspired vision to re-open the former Ashford Campus as  a school once more – benefitting local kids, the regional economy and  the State of Iowa by partnering with the local community, the state  and international partners to develop a best of class STEM high-school  opportunity” said Yuhong Dong, the Executive Director of Asian Education Foundation.

AEF anticipates partnering with the surrounding K-12 School Districts,Post- Secondary Institutions throughout Iowa, regional and State  companies, national foundations, philanthropies and other U.S. STEM Academies.

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AS A CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION UNDER SECTION 501(C)(3) OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE.  ALL DONATIONS ARE TAX DEDUCTIBLE.

About Dave Vickers

Dave has been News Director since 1983 and has been Station General Manager since 1999. Dave has also served on the Board of Directors of the Iowa Broadcast News Association and the Iowa Broadcast Association and has served on the Iowa Freedom of Information Council.
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