Bagpiper to Herald Start of Ivy Tech Classes Monday

August 18, 2005      

Bloomington, Indiana Ivy Tech-Bloomington Chancellor John Whikehart and traditional Highland bagpiper Ian Arthur will welcome the college’s largest enrollment of students ever as they begin the first day of the 2005-2006 academic year. Classes begin at 7:30 am on Monday, August 22 on the Bloomington campus.

John Whikehart, Ivy Tech Community College – Bloomington Chancellor, says that the first day of fall semester is an important day of welcome for students. “For some it’s the first step forward in higher education, and for each it’s definitely another step toward a career and a personal contribution to the economic development of our local communities. It’s the next step in a lifetime of learning for all of us, not just the students. That’s exciting, and it should be fun. I’ll be at the door with Ian to greet them and hopefully get their day started with a smile.”

Free food, giveaways and activities await students during “Welcome Week,” a series of events geared to introduce students to the campus. Students can drive “Jeff Gordon’s Pepsi Car/NASCAR Simulator” on Tuesday from 12 pm-6 pm, enjoy free coffee and bagels from 8 am-11 am on Wednesday and eat nachos and cheese served to them by the Chancellor on Friday from 11am-1 pm.

Ivy Tech offers two-year associate degree programs that either lead to immediate job-readiness or transfer to a four-year baccalaureate program. Ivy Tech-Bloomington offers two-year Associate of Science and Associate of Applied Science degrees, one-year Technical Certificates, shorter term Career Development Certificates, workforce certification preparation and testing, as well as continuing education courses for personal and professional enrichment.