Pioneering Progress

“This historic gift allows NIU to realize fully our vision of building for a healthier tomorrow by creating a modern space designed to foster innovation, transdisciplinary collaboration and interprofessional practice, and will enable our students and faculty to deliver on the promise of healthcare technology to improve patient care and health outcomes,” said NIU President Lisa C. Freeman.

A Bold Vision for Health and Innovation

Set to be located at the northwest corner of Lucinda Avenue and Annie Glidden Road, on the site of the soon-to-be-demolished Lincoln Residence Hall, the Baustert Bahwell Health Technology Center promises to be a multi-functional, state-of-the-art facility that will reshape how NIU prepares future clinicians and healthcare professionals. Encompassing nursing, public health, audiology, biomedical engineering, anatomy and more, the center’s modern labs and high-tech classrooms will promote research and unparalleled hands-on learning experiences.

Construction of the $87 million facility is expected to begin in 2026, thanks in part to a $77 million commitment from the State of Illinois Capital Development Board. Of that amount, $7.7 million has already been allocated for planning and design, which got underway in 2022.

The Baustert Bahwell Health Technology Center will serve as an academic powerhouse and a critical resource for the broader community. Plans include audiology, physical therapy, and speech-language pathology clinics, alongside research, teaching and innovation spaces that will maximize collaboration and flexibility.

Thanks to the Baustert Family Foundation’s $40 million gift, NIU can enhance and expand the center’s offerings. Specifically:

• $10 million will cover the remaining construction costs.
• $14 million will fund programmatic development, including acquiring the latest technology, faculty endowments, and student scholarships.
• $14 million will be placed in a restricted facility endowment maintenance fund for ongoing support.
• The remaining $2 million will go to the Northern Fund, backing emerging projects across the university.

A Legacy of Philanthropy

In 1971, James Baustert co-founded Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc., a Minnesota-based manufacturer of implantable cardiac devices, which later became a subsidiary of Boston Scientific. Notably, James is co-credited for the creation of the lithium-powered pacemaker. This device revolutionized healthcare by delivering a reliable, long-lasting energy source, directly contributing to the extended lives of millions with heart conditions. James’ passion and ingenuity enhanced patient safety and mobility while also paving the way for future advancements in implantable medical technology. His career was marked by a relentless pursuit of innovation, and saving and improving countless lives across the globe.

Having started their journey together at NIU, James and his wife, Theo, channeled their successes into decades of meaningful philanthropic work, particularly through the Baustert Family Foundation, established in 2016. The foundation has supported a range of health and human services nonprofits in Minnesota, Illinois and beyond.

“NIU is where my parents met and began their lives together,” said Jeff Baustert, son of James and Theo and spokesman for the Baustert Family Foundation. “This gift is a marriage of a need by NIU and a focus of interest from our family. It stands as a culmination of my parents’ legacy in the medical device industry and their support of education and research. NIU’s plans for the Health Technology Center were a perfect fit for us.”

A Catalyst for Future Success

The NIU Foundation, the official recipient of the Baustert Family Foundation gift, collaborates with NIU to fund initiatives that elevate the university’s academic, research and outreach mission. The generosity of the Baustert Family Foundation underscores the power of philanthropy to drive innovation and serve the greater good.

“The Baustert Family Foundation gift is emblematic of the philanthropic potential we envision for NIU,” said Catherine B. Squires, vice president for University Advancement and president and CEO of the NIU Foundation. “Their generosity will fund student and faculty excellence at NIU for decades to come. We hope this investment will inspire future philanthropy—delivering benefits not only to Huskies but to our entire region and beyond.”

The Baustert Bahwell Health Technology Center is also poised to strengthen the educational landscape for the entire region, shaping the next generation of skilled healthcare providers, while also playing a crucial role in helping stem out-of-state enrollment trends that threaten the state’s future economic and social well-being. For thousands of potential transfer students, like those who attend regional community colleges, the allure of prominent programs in bordering states like Indiana, Wisconsin, Iowa, Missouri, Michigan and Ohio is strong. With the reality of modern labs, high-tech classrooms and a multidisciplinary approach available to them in their own backyards, The Baustert Bahwell Health Technology Center will serve as a powerful tool to recruit and retain Illinois’ future health care professionals.

“NIU’s Baustert Bahwell Health Technology Center represents an exciting opportunity for our graduates in health professions,” shares Dr. David Hellmich, president of Sauk Valley Community College in Dixon, Illinois.

“This state-of-the-art facility will open doors for community college students, providing access to cutting-edge research and clinical training and collaborative learning experiences that will strengthen the entire healthcare workforce in our region. For our Impact Program students, this partnership means even greater access to advanced educational pathways and hands-on experiences that will empower them to make a real difference in their communities.”

Looking Ahead

President Freeman shared, “We’re grateful that [James and Theo] built on their connection to NIU by investing in the future of our institution, our students and our faculty, by telling the world that this is a place where dreams are realized, where talent is matched with opportunity, and where our students, faculty and our alumni have the potential to be the change that they want to see in the world.”

With demolition of Lincoln Residence Hall on the horizon, the Baustert Bahwell Health Technology Center marks a monumental leap forward for NIU’s commitment to education, research and community impact. This new hub of health technology and collaboration honors its storied past while propelling the institution—and the broader region—into a healthier, more innovative tomorrow.