Media Information
Ivy Tech Community College
Contact: Amanda J. Billings

Phone: (812) 330-6222

E-mail: abillings7@ivytech.edu

March 26, 2004

Ivy Tech Announces New Advocacy Group

Bloomington, IN. Ivy Tech Community College–Bloomington today announced the formation of a resource development council, a new advocacy group whose purpose is to help facilitate the mission of the College. An inaugural meeting will take place on Monday, March 29 at Ivy Tech.

Membership of the Resource Development Council includes John Abshire (former Abshire Oil Company executive), Chris Bauer (VP Business Development, Monroe Bank), Bill C. Brown (Bill C. Brown Associates and member of Ivy Tech Foundation), Jack Cody (Entrepreneur and Ivy Tech Alumnus), Jim Crabb (Carpenter’s Local Union #1664 and Ivy Tech Regional Trustee), Fred Dunn (Entrepreneur), Melanie Hart (President, TASUS Corporation), Ron Jensen (Former Development officer for Indiana University School of Optometry), Karla Kamstra (President/Co-Founder of Pets ALIVE!), Miles Kanne (former Cook Inc. executive), Amy Kruzan (Director of Bloomington Operations, SIHO), Bill Lloyd (Attorney), Mayer Maloney (Publisher, The Herald-Times), Tom McDonald (Attorney), Joan Olcott (Community Volunteer), Tom Risen (President and CEO, United Commerce Bank), David Sabbagh (Member, Bloomington City Council), Vickie Temple (Owner, Bloomington Hardware Company, Inc.), Dr. Carol Touloukian (Indiana University School of Medicine), and John West (Managing Broker, FC Tucker/OBR Realtors).

The Resource Development Council will support the Region’s commitment to give students the skills and experience necessary to compete in a changing world by helping the College’s development team secure additional resources. “A community college resource development council has a special task,” comments Ivy Tech chancellor John Whikehart. “Its role is to assist the College in providing a complete education for its students. While state funding covers the essentials such as classrooms, faculty, and basic equipment, additional dollars are needed to prepare students for the world beyond the classroom.”

“All resources raised through the efforts of the Resource Development Council will be used to help students function effectively in work and civic scenarios, and to this end, will support public efforts such as Ivy Tech’s plan for a Center for Civic Engagement and the recently launched O’Bannon Institute for Community Service,” says Tom Risen. In addition, funding will also support scholarships, equipment, and other resources needed to prepare students to meet workforce needs. Affirms Amy Kruzan: “I look forward to being part of the team that continues to build the unique and valuable asset that Ivy Tech has become in this community.”

The network of connections created by the addition of the Resource Development Council will be invaluable as Ivy Tech embarks upon upcoming initiatives. “We are honored to have these 20 individuals associated with Ivy Tech Community College–Bloomington,” Whikehart states. “The depth of knowledge, experience, and