Lamkin, announced his plans today (August 28) after serving has Ivy Tech Community College’s President since January 1, 1983.  He is the longest standing current president of a public institution of higher education in the state and has been a member of the Ivy Tech staff in various capacities since 1967.

“My time at Ivy Tech has been the most rewarding times of my life.  We have made tremendous strides in establishing an effective and enriching community college system for the state of Indiana.  In order for the state to reach its economic and workforce development goals, Ivy Tech must be in a position to provide the training and education that is needed to prepare thousands of Hoosiers for the jobs of the future.  I am so proud to say that Ivy Tech Community College can, and will continue to deliver on this important role in our higher education system,”  Lamkin said.  “It has always been about the students for me.  Having seen nearly 250 graduations, there is nothing that matches the joyful celebrations that take place at Ivy Tech graduation ceremonies.  That may be what I will miss the most as I leave this terrific community college.”

Under Lamkin’s leadership as President, Ivy Tech has seen its enrollment increase by over 300 percent to nearly 106,000 students annually, making Ivy Tech the second largest post secondary institution in the state.  When Lamkin was named President, of what was then named Indiana Vocational Technical College, Ivy Tech had an operating budget of $42.6 million.  The school became Ivy Tech State College in 1995 and in 2005 Governor Mitch Daniels signed Senate Bill 296 making Ivy Tech the state’s community college and thus changing its name to Ivy Tech Community College.  Today Ivy Tech has an operating budget of $267.7 million.

“Very few people who have a dream get to see it become real. Gerald Lamkin is the father of the community college system in Indiana. He has led Ivy Tech to its central position in the economic future of Indiana,”  Governor Mitch Daniels said.

“President Lamkin’s leadership is unmatched.  He took what was a dream of his, to create a full-service community college, and made it a reality for thousands of Hoosiers around the state.  It does not do justice to say Ivy Tech is a better community college because President Lamkin instead it is fair to say that Ivy Tech IS a community college because of President Lamkin.  The trustees will be forever grateful to him and his wife Louise for their dedication to Ivy Tech, its faculty and staff and most importantly its students,”  said Ivy Tech Community College State Board of Trustees’ Chairman William R. Goins.

Just as enrollment has increased during Lamkin’s tenure so to have the contributions made to the Ivy Tech Foundation increasing from just over $350,000 to over $13.5 million.  In addition the total net assets the Foundation manages have increased from $1.24 million in 1983 to over $46.7 million this year.

“It has truly been a pleasure for me to be able to work side by side with President Lamkin.  He has helped mold higher education in Indiana.  His solid reputation and connections have helped us reach out to individuals and companies who have invested in Ivy Tech and its students,” said Ivy Tech Foundation Chairman Cornelia Brown.

Ivy Tech Community College is comprised of 14 administrative regions and 23 campuses throughout the state.  One of Lamkin’s key objectives as President has always been to provide access to affordable education to Hoosiers around the state.  Ivy Tech has consistently had the state’s lowest tuition and the support for Ivy Tech in communities around Indiana has seen the college increase from 153 buildings owned and/or leased in 1983 to 216 buildings today, an increase of over 40 percent.  Capital projects approved for Ivy Tech over the last 24+ years have totaled over $320.2 million.

“On behalf of our students I want to thank all of the communities and government leaders that have embraced and supported Ivy Tech.  Because we have been able to increase the number of locations where Ivy Tech courses are offered, we have been able to provide higher education to thousands of Indiana residents,”  Lamkin said.

Since 1983 nearly 750,000 Hoosiers have attended Ivy Tech.

Lamkin first become a member of the Ivy Tech staff in 1967 as an accounting and management instructor in Indianapolis.  For the next five years he served as the Accounting and Management Chair, Director of Education, Business Manager and Director of Community Services in Indianapolis and as the Director of Development for the Anderson, Marion and Muncie campuses.  In 1972 he was named Vice President for the college and Dean for the Anderson, Connersville, Marion, Muncie and Richmond campuses,  He served in that capacity for seven years.  In 1979 he was named Vice President for Regional Operations and performed those duties until being named President in 1983.

A national search will be conducted for Lamkin’s replacement.   President Lamkin will serve as the President-emeritus.