Ivy Tech Launches Fundraising Campaign

July 27, 2005      

BLOOMINGTON, IN – Ivy Tech Community College-Bloomington launched “Grow Ivy Tech-the campaign for our community,” during a kickoff celebration held tonight at the Bloomington Convention Center. The $3 million campaign for private support is the direct result of rapidly increasing enrollments and the addition of several new programs at Ivy Tech-Bloomington.

 While only in the third year at its new campus, Ivy Tech-Bloomington is in need of additional space to accommodate its rapid growth in the life and health sciences arenas. Additional space is needed for the college’s new biotechnology program which requires specialized equipment and biology laboratories. And other fields such as paramedic science, radiation therapy and respiratory care also require specially-designed laboratory space and additional full-time faculty.

 John Whikehart, Ivy Tech Community College – Bloomington Chancellor, says Ivy Tech-Bloomington provides important degree programs in the life and health science areas and plays a vital role in providing employers with the workers they need. “Our campus must grow so that we can provide the highly-educated and skilled workforce needed by our health care and medical manufacturing partners. The ‘Grow Ivy Tech’ campaign will contribute to the college’s capacity to produce workers in fields such as Biotechnology, Nursing, Paramedic Science, Respiratory Therapy, Radiology Technology, Radiation Therapy, Kinesiology and Health Information Technology.”

The $3 million campaign will also assist Ivy Tech-Bloomington in its effort to increase scholarship funding, provide support for the Center for Civic Engagement and allow for future growth. Approximately 40 percent of Ivy Tech-Bloomington’s operating budget relies on other sources of income such as gifts, grants and donations.

 Increasing scholarship monies is an important initiative at Ivy Tech-Bloomington. As more students attend school on a full-time basis, the demand for financial assistance is growing. Ivy Tech-Bloomington has a large number of students receiving financial aid for tuition support, but these awards cannot keep pace with the additional costs associated with child care, transportation, housing and utilities. Even with financial aid, the 2004 average unmet financial need is $4,700 per student.

 Ivy Tech-Bloomington Regional Board of Trustees Chairperson and Campaign Co-Chairperson Connie Ferguson says additional scholarship monies are always needed in all academic program areas to better prepare students for the workforce. “Need-based and academic awards are not gifts. They are investments that pay dividends to our community.”

Ivy Tech-Bloomington is committed to the community not only through its academic programs, but also through its Center for Civic Engagement. The Center for Civic Engagement provides students with the opportunity to learn the value of service while gaining the practical knowledge and skills needed to succeed in a highly competitive workforce.

 For example, the Center for Civic Engagement includes opportunities for accounting program students to help low-income families complete their tax returns, for future nurses to assist in public health clinics and for business students to write business plans for non-profit agencies.

 Campaign co-chair Dr. Carol Touloukian says the integration of Ivy Tech’s educational curriculum and community service results in mutual benefits to the students, the college and the community. “The Center for Civic Engagement is a resource for the entire community. Ivy Tech students receive a first-rate education in their field of study and the community receives needed support and service.”

 “Grow Ivy Tech” campaign co-chairs are Connie Ferguson, Mayer Maloney and Dr. Carol Touloukian. Honorary co-chairs are Bill C. Brown, Lee Marchant and Joan Olcott.