Business teacher Don Manning explains a concept to students in the Entrepreneurship class at Southport High School.
The project’s centerpiece is an innovation facility for Perry Township students on the UIndy campus at the northeast corner of Hanna and State avenues. The brand- new building will anchor the expansion of the township’s entrepreneurship graduation pathway for Perry Meridian and Southport juniors and seniors. It’s supported by a $40 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. “I’m really excited for what this partnership means for our students,” said Perry Township Schools Superintendent Dr. Patrick Spray ’94. “Thanks to Lilly Endowment’s support and our collaboration with UIndy, our students will gain real-world experiences in a career-focused setting that will help them explore their interests and develop the skills they need to thrive.” But this could just be the beginning. Leaders see this as an opportunity to rethink how K-12 and higher education
Hundreds of high school students will soon be coming to the University of Indianapolis campus every day to learn the foundational skills needed to succeed in school and in their futures. A new partnership between Perry Township Schools and UIndy is designed to both empower students to transform their lives and communities and show what’s possible when K-12 and higher education work together in new ways. “Our guiding light through this program is to empower the Southside,” said Melissa Morris, Perry Township’s Director of Grants and Strategic Partnerships. “Sometimes there’s a gap between our students and their dreams. We want to help them see what’s possible—and provide them with the skills and tools to turn those dreams into reality.”
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MAGAZINE // SUMMER 2026
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