When it comes to judging the quality of an investment, few people are more qualified than a bank president. That's why the Ivy Tech Foundation is proud to have the support of United Community Bank of Lawrenceburg and its President and CEO, Bill Ritzmann. Given UCB's support of the College, it's clear that the bank recognizes that an investment in Ivy Tech offers an unparalleled rate of return.

When Ritzmann learned that the Lilly Foundation was offering a matching gift for funds raised by Indiana institutions of higher education, he saw an opportunity for the bank's not-for-profit subsidiary, UCB Charitable Foundation, to make the most of its contribution to Ivy Tech. The Lilly program provided a $1.25 match for every dollar contributed by UCB Charitable Foundation, which allowed for

the establishment of an endowed scholarship called the Dearborn County Lilly Foundation Scholarship. The scholarship provides financial assistance to students who are residents of Dearborn County.

Ritzmann - who has served on the Ivy Tech Foundation's Board of Directors since November, 2004 - saw a great opportunity to not just more than double their gift, but also help strengthen the workforce in his community.

"Ivy Tech Community College graduates provide a direct return on our investment," Ritzmann says. "Most graduates remain in our community where they have a direct impact on our local economy."

One student who has benefitted from UCB's gift is Abby Johnson. Johnson, currently enrolled in the Office Administration Program at Ivy Tech's Lawrenceburg campus, has achieved considerable academic success. As a result, she was chosen to be part of Proctor and Gamble Successway Co-op Program, which gives students a paid position and valuable real-world experience in their chosen field. While continuing her studies as a full-time student, she has successfully completed two full-time, 20-week sessions in the Co-op in an administrative capacity.

"I would like to thank UCB Charitable Foundation for choosing to invest in my future," Johnson states. "I will finish my Associates of Applied Science degree in Office Administration this coming May 2009. I hope to use my degree to pursue a permanent, full time position at Procter & Gamble."

UCB's investment is clearly paying off—for Ivy Tech students and its community. And as students like Johnson become part of the workforce, it's an investment that will pay dividends for decades to come.

The Dearborn County Lilly Foundation Scholarship allows students like Abby Johnson to pursue their academic and career goals.