Ivy Tech Community College News

WARSAW – Ivy Tech Community College North Central Chancellor Thomas Coley announced the appointment of Tom Till as director of the college’s Orthopedic and Advanced Manufacturing Training Center (OAMTC) in Warsaw, Ind.

Till, a graduate of Ivy Tech’s Machine Tool Technology program, also earned an associate of science degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology from Purdue University and a bachelor of science degree in Applied Management from Tri-State University. Till is also a Johnson & Johnson Certified Six Sigma Black Belt.

Prior to joining Ivy Tech, Till retired from his position as Manufacturing Engineering Science & Technology manager at DePuy Synthes Joint Reconstruction, which he joined in 1988. He also served as Manufacturing Engineer manager and Manufacturing Development engineer at DePuy. Till began his career at Gripco Fasteners in South Whitley, Ind. where he held positions as a machinist, computer numeric controls (CNC) programmer, and tool designer.

Additionally, Till has been a member of the OrthoWorx Advanced Manufacturing Committee since February 2011.

“We congratulate Tom on becoming the new director at the Orthopedic and Advanced Manufacturing Training Center. We also commend Ivy Tech for recognizing the need for this new position and filling it with an industry expert to help drive the OAMTC to the next level. Tom brings strong industry perspective through his knowledge and experience. We look forward to continuing to work with him to meet the workforce needs of the industry cluster and advance the OrthoWorx Education and Workforce Development Initiative,” stated Sheryl Conley, chief executive officer, OrthoWorx.

Ivy Tech Community College is the state’s largest public postsecondary institution and the nation’s largest singly accredited statewide community college system serving nearly 200,000 students annually. Ivy Tech has campuses throughout Indiana. It serves as the state’s engine of workforce development, offering affordable degree programs and training that are aligned with the needs of its community along with courses and programs that transfer to other colleges and universities in Indiana. It is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association.

INDIANAPOLIS – A report released by the Indiana Commission for Higher Education (CHE) shows that 2011 Indiana public high school graduates that chose to attend college chose Ivy Tech Community College by a two to one margin over any other public institution of higher education in Indiana.

The CHE’s Indiana College Readiness Report released this Spring indicates that 26 percent of the graduates (8,870) that enrolled in public colleges or universities enrolled at Ivy Tech. The next closest institution was Indiana University-Bloomington with 13 percent of the graduates. Purdue University-West Lafayette (9.9 percent), Ball State University (9.6 percent) and Indiana University-Purdue University-Indianapolis (7.8 percent) rounded out the top five schools of choice.

The full report can be found at:
http://www.in.gov/che/files/StateofIndiana.pdf

In addition to the nearly 9,000 high school graduates that enrolled in Ivy Tech that following Fall, over 10,000 more in-state students (graduated high school sometime prior to 2011) began their education with Ivy Tech that same term. Many of those 10,000 students were adult learners as the Community College annually enrolls the majority of such students in Indiana.

Ivy Tech Community College is the state’s largest public postsecondary institution and the nation’s largest singly accredited statewide community college system serving nearly 200,000 students annually. Ivy Tech has campuses throughout Indiana. It serves as the state’s engine of workforce development, offering affordable degree programs and training that are aligned with the needs of its community along with courses and programs that transfer to other colleges and universities in Indiana. It is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association.

MUNCIE – Ivy Tech Community College has selected Kelsey Batten to serve as the college’s Executive Director of Marketing and Communications for its East Central Region. She began her position on May 16. Batten replaces Betty Wingrove who retired earlier this year.

“We are pleased to have Kelsey join our team. She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience from the private sector, including market research and brand experience, that will be incredibly valuable to Ivy Tech,” said Dr. Andrew Bowne, Chancellor of Ivy Tech’s East Central Region. “The market for students is becoming increasingly competitive, and Kelsey’s background and abilities will be a great asset to Ivy Tech. We have high expectations related to student recruitment and we know Kelsey and her team will exceed them.”

Batten most recently served as Marketing Manager at Verallia North America, where she led the external public relations and communications efforts, as well as the marketing and research initiatives for the food, beverage and spirits sector. These duties allowed her to gain experience in creating and implementing marketing plans, branding, project management, case studies and more. She was also involved in creating three to five year business plans and budget management. Additional leadership experience stems from serving as Project Manager for cross-functional projects, including international projects. 

Batten has also previously served as an Account Executive for The Herald Bulletin and Backyard Broadcasting.

Batten earned her Bachelor’s degree in Telecommunications and her Master’s of Business Administration from Ball State University.

Ivy Tech Community College is the state’s largest public postsecondary institution and the nation’s largest singly accredited statewide community college system serving nearly 200,000 students annually. Ivy Tech has campuses throughout Indiana. It serves as the state’s engine of workforce development, offering affordable degree programs and training that are aligned with the needs of its community along with courses and programs that transfer to other colleges and universities in Indiana. It is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association.

INDIANAPOLIS — Ivy Tech Community College has selected Jennifer Fisher to serve as the college’s Executive Director of Employee Benefits. She will begin her position on May 29.

Fisher brings 15 years of experience in policy and financial management, working with retail, transportation, and stock holding organizations.

She most recently served as the Benefits Manager for Republic Airways Holdings, Incorporated, where she was responsible for the oversight and administration of all retirement plans and health and wellness programs for more than 9,000 represented and non-represented employees. In addition to overseeing her own staff within the Benefits Department, Fisher was responsible for legislation compliance, oversight of retirement plan conversions, and the implementation of company-wide wellness initiatives and employee recognition programs.

Prior to her role at Republic Airways Holdings, Fisher served as Director of Corporate Human Resources and Fringe Benefit Programs for Vanguard Services, where she negotiated contract and service agreements with insurance companies and retirement service providers, managed benefit and administration staff, and oversaw open enrollment for more than 500 employees.

She has also served as Manager of Office Administration and Personnel as well as Accounting Project Coordinator for Vanguard Services. Fisher also served as a National Management Trainee under Sears.

Fisher earned her Bachelor of Arts in Communications and English from Purdue University and earned a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Butler University.

Ivy Tech Community College is the state’s largest public postsecondary institution and the nation’s largest singly accredited statewide community college system serving nearly 200,000 students annually. Ivy Tech has campuses throughout Indiana. It serves as the state’s engine of workforce development, offering affordable degree programs and training that are aligned with the needs of its community along with courses and programs that transfer to other colleges and universities in Indiana. It is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association.

(Ivy Tech Southeast) – Ivy Tech Community College dedicated a state-of-the-art campus facility at Batesville, Indiana today (Tuesday, May 14, 2013).  The building was originally the Batesville location of Forethought Financial Group, a subsidiary of Hillenbrand Industries.  The first floor has been renovated for use by Ivy Tech Community College Southeast.  Forethought now leases the second story of the building from Ivy Tech.

Ivy Tech President Thomas J. Snyder spoke at the dedication and ribbon-cutting, issuing remarks of appreciation to the Batesville community for its strong financial support of the acquisition of the Batesville Campus.  Other speakers included Rick Fledderman, Mayor of the City of Batesville; Jim Roberts, Superintendent of the Batesville Community School Corporation; John A. Hillenbrand II, representing the Hillenbrand Family Foundation; Jody Fledderman, President and Chief Operating Office of Batesville Tool and Die Company; Bill Gutzwiller, a member of the Ivy Tech State Foundation Board of Directors and an advocate of expanding Ivy Tech in the community; and, Chris Lowery, representing Hillenbrand, Incorporated and President of the Batesville Community School Corporation.  Each speaker, for varying reasons, told of the importance of Ivy Tech to the Batesville community.

Recently constructed campuses at Madison and Lawrenceburg and a second building at Lawrenceburg dedicated in 1999 give Ivy Tech modern, outstanding campuses throughout the Southeast Region.  The Region serves Ripley, Jefferson, Dearborn, Ohio and Switzerland Counties in Indiana as well as the bordering areas of Cincinnati, Ohio and northern Kentucky.

Ivy Tech Community College’s new campus in Batesville, Indiana is located on Highway 46 East.  A dedication and ribbon-cutting officially opening the facility was held today with Ivy Tech administrators, area state legislators, and community leaders participating in the ceremony.

Ivy Tech Community College and St. Vincent Health Ministries are proud to announce a partnership that has resulted in the new St.Vincent Clinical Education Center at Ivy Tech Anderson’s 53rd Street campus. The Center includes a state-of-the-art, multi-function hospital educational simulation lab.

A public open house of the St.Vincent Clinical Education Center is being planned for Wednesday, May 15, from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

“Documented research shows that 90 percent of community college students remain in their community after graduating. This is evident by simply walking through the corridors and departments of our local hospitals and talking to staff. Ivy Tech Community College remains strongly committed as a partner to local hospitals and we are honored that St.Vincent made the decision to partner with us on this state of the art training center,” said Ivy Tech President Thomas J. Snyder.

The Center, which recently took top honors in Interior Design awarded by the American Institute of Architects (AIA), includes a simulated hospital environment. Extensive research and collaboration between the college’s School of Nursing and School of Health Sciences, along with the nursing and educational departments of St. Vincent Anderson Regional Hospital, resulted in an elaborate design for the 6,500-square-foot center.

The clinical site’s eight simulation laboratories will immerse students in hands-on education with patient simulators from across the lifespan, allowing them to experience realistic patient care scenarios. Through application of clinical nursing skills and critical thinking, students will learn how to respond to medical conditions in a safe, professionally guided and supportive environment.

While most post-secondary institutions tend to focus on one or two specifically equipped areas of simulated experiences, Ivy Tech’s design attempts to maximize utilization of space by making it multi-purpose and highly flexible.

The Center has been designed to be a highly adaptable training space that recreates a wide variety of clinical experiences. Some of those spaces include:

• Level III Trauma/Operating Room
• Emergency/Clinical Beds
• Physician Examination Room
• Reception/Nursing Station
• Labor, Delivery, Recovery, and Postpartum Room
• NICU/ Respiratory Therapy

“Our mission at Ivy Tech is to provide the Anderson and East Central Indiana community with the most highly skilled and prepared healthcare professionals possible. It is not only our commitment to the healthcare community, but to the community in which we live,” said Jim Willey, Vice Chancellor/Dean of the Ivy Tech Anderson campus. “We believe this clinical simulation lab will provide our students the environment necessary to develop their skills and will provide the community experienced, trusted and valued employees and caregivers.”

“In alignment with our mission to improve the health of individuals and communities, we are honored to join Ivy Tech to support, facilitate and enhance the wellbeing and prosperity of our neighbors and our entire East Central Indiana. This vital partnership gives us the opportunity to further serve individuals throughout our community by working to further develop and fully leverage their skills, talents and abilities,” said St.Vincent Northeast Region President Tom VanOsdol. “The three ministries that comprise the St.Vincent Northeast Region (St.Vincent Anderson Regional Hospital, St.Vincent Mercy Hospital and St.Vincent Randolph) are united in our emphasis on quality, clinical excellence and patient safety. The clinical education center will benefit our entire region by attracting the best and most highly skilled nurses to further our mission. Our own staff will be enriched as they learn new skills and have the opportunity to refine their outstanding existing talents through practice and facilitated scenario training in the simulation lab.”

“We feel this is absolutely essential as we offer a wide variety of certification and degree programs tailored to the needs of our local healthcare providers. Whether it is a new student starting his or her educational journey with us or a local veteran healthcare worker seeking new skill sets, Ivy Tech continues to be one of the premier providers of healthcare professionals in East Central Indiana,” said Dr. Willey.

Ivy Tech and St. Vincent Anderson Regional (formerly Saint John’s Health System) have a long history of partnership in healthcare education with the hospital providing clinical sites, instructional support, mentoring and equipment for campus labs. Ivy Tech also is a title sponsor of the Children’s Clinic Classic golf tournament.

Ivy Tech Community College is the state’s largest public postsecondary institution and the nation’s largest singly accredited statewide community college system serving nearly 200,000 students annually. Ivy Tech has campuses throughout Indiana. It serves as the state’s engine of workforce development, offering affordable degree programs and training that are aligned with the needs of its community along with courses and programs that transfer to other colleges and universities in Indiana. It is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association.

St.Vincent Anderson Regional Hospital is a sophisticated, comprehensive, fully-diversified healthcare organization, providing a full range of quality healthcare services to East Central Indiana and, for some services, throughout Indiana. It is a member of St.Vincent Northeast Region, which also includes St.Vincent Mercy Hospital in Elwood and St.Vincent Randolph Hospital in Winchester. St.Vincent Anderson Regional Hospital is particularly well known for cancer care, women’s services, behavioral health, cardiovascular, rehabilitation services, surgical/medical services, and home health services. It is a ministry of St.Vincent Health, the state’s largest healthcare employer, with 20 health ministries serving 47 counties in central Indiana.

INDIANAPOLIS – In honor of Ivy Tech Community College’s 50th anniversary this year, the college will award 58 honorary degrees at its 14 commencement ceremonies across the state.

Each of this year’s honorary degree recipients will receive an Associate of Science in College and Community Service, in recognition of their commitment to education and Ivy Tech Community College.

This year also marks Ivy Tech’s largest graduating class with an estimated 16,700 credentials to be awarded, up from 15,500 last year.

In addition, the College has set a bold goal of increasing the number of graduates to 50,000 annually by 2025. The goal of 50,000 graduates by 2025 ties to the college’s new Accelerating Greatness 2025 strategic plan, which is also being rolled out in the college’s 50th year.  

Over its 50 year history, the college has served over one million Hoosiers.  Nearly 97 percent of all Ivy Tech graduates stay in Indiana after graduation and directly and positively impact the state’s economy.

This year’s honorary degree recipients are as follows:

Northwest Region
Kris Emaus
Thomas Keilman
Norman D. Steider
Sgt. Louis T. Stewart

North Central Region
Thomas and Dorthy Corson
Robert Dunn
Dane and Mary Louise Miller
Jean Northenor
Richard and Donna Pfeil
Frank Zink

Northeast Region
Merland Beyler
Dr. Robert Dettmer
Janet Geib
Representative Ben GiaQuinta
Senator Robert Meeks

Lafayette Region
William J. Beard
Joseph T. Bumbleburg
Steve Golliher
James K. Risk III

Kokomo Region
Richard Ford
Dr. Robert A. Lee
Betty Ortman
Rick Ortman

East Central Region
James F. Ault
Ronald K. Fauquher
Hurley Goodall
Sheila K. Johnson
Henry A. Olynger, Jr. & Patricia J. Edwards

Wabash Valley Region
F. Richard Nicoson
Fred and Nancy Rubey
Vern Tincher

Central Indiana Region
Terry L. Bowen
Lorene Burkhart
Congressman Andre Carson
Meredith Carter
William Turner

Richmond Region
Stephen C. Borchers
Ann L. Franzen-Roha
Avis M. Stewart

Columbus/Franklin Region
David M. Galle
William A. Harmon
Kelly Ann Higgs

Southeast Region
Bill Gutzwiller
Al Huntington
Peter Resnick

Southwest Region
Susan J. Ellspermann
James A. McCarty Sr.
Gina N. Moore
Alfonso R. Vidal

Southern Indiana Region
Cecile A. Blau
Jerry Finn
M. Diane Murphy
Dale Orem

Bloomington Region
Judy O’Bannon
Vi Simpson
Viola Taliaferro
George Taliaferro

Ivy Tech Community College is the state’s largest public postsecondary institution and the nation’s largest singly accredited statewide community college system serving nearly 200,000 students annually. Ivy Tech has campuses throughout Indiana. It serves as the state’s engine of workforce development, offering affordable degree programs and training that are aligned with the needs of its community along with courses and programs that transfer to other colleges and universities in Indiana. It is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association.