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Distinguished Alumnus Award
Established in 1998 to recognize Ivy Tech alum that have made significant strides in their chosen profession, The Distinguished Alum Award is the highest award that be bestowed on an Ivy Tech alum.
2006 Ivy Tech Community College - Central Indiana Distinguished Alumnus Award Winner
Michael A Connor, Hospitality '89
Michael personifies the mission of Ivy Tech Community College – Central Indiana in changing lives by working hard to share the transformation that education brought to himself. Through his work, he has given back to the Indiana economy, the local hospitality industry and to the students of Ivy Tech Community College with excellence in service so that others may also experience this transformation.
Michael graduated from the Ivy Tech Community College – Central Indiana Hospitality Administration program with a specialty in hotel management. He completed his Bachelor Degree in Business Management from Indiana Wesleyan University. In his 20 year career, Michael has worked in various positions within the hotel industry, working his way up to his current position as General Manager for both the Residence Inn Northwest and The Courtyard by Marriott Northwest. Michael was instrumental in the opening of The Courtyardby Marriott Northwest, involved in all phases of the projectincluding the planning, the construction and the opening phases. Under Michael’s leadership, the property, has earned the second highest score, out of 460 hotels nationwide, for quality control within its concept area. While managing this property, Michael was tapped to oversee the planning, construction and opening of another Marriott concept hotel, Marriott Residence Inn. Because of Michael’s management expertise, the Residence Inn Northwest recently received Marriott’s Platinum award for quality and customer service, ranking second out of all the Residence Inn concept hotels in the nation. Michael also serves on the board of the Greater Indianapolis Hotel and Lodging Association.
In addition to Michael’s success in the hotel industry, Michael has been very involved with Ivy Tech and the students in the Hospitality Program. He has been serving as a part-time instructor for Ivy Tech Community College – Central Indiana Hospitality Administration program, teaching Front Office and Housekeeping Supervision courses in the Hotel Management specialty. He also teaches Purchasing, Food & Beverage Cost Control and Menu Design & Layout in the Technical Core of the program. Michael serves as the Chairman of The Advisory Council for the Hospitality Administration program. Michael has mentored many Ivy Tech Hospitality students in their externships and has provided employment to many students over the years. Recently a graduate of the Ivy Tech Hotel Management program, whom Michael mentored, worked his way up to Assistant Manager in the Residence Inn Northwest and became instrumental in the hotel receiving the Marriott Platinum Award.
Michael’s community involvement includes serving as the Marriott Business Council Fund Raiser for the Riley Children’s Hospital, a Pro Start Mentor and participating in the Garfield Park Neighborhood Association.
Awards and recognition include Quality Assurance Top Operations Award Marriott International 2005, Marriott International Platinum Award 2003-2005, Marriott International Gold Award 2003-2005, Indiana Department of Education (DECA) Business Person of the Year 2004, Marriott President’s Award 1999-2003, Edmond Gass Award for Outstanding Service in Culinary Arts 1997 and featured in Careers in Travel, Tourism and Hospitality publication 1998.
Distinguished Alum Award Nomination Form
Established in 1998 to recognize Ivy Tech alum that have made significant strides in their chosen profession, The Distinguished Alum Award is the highest award that be bestowed on an Ivy Tech alum.
The criteria for the award are as follows:
Legacy Scholarship
Purpose of the Scholarship
To provide aid to a deserving student or students who want to pursue their education at Ivy Tech Community College and are children of an Ivy Tech graduate.
Amount of Scholarship
The Ivy Tech Alumni Association will award $1,000 annually to a student or students chosen from the applications submitted. the entire award may be given to one student or divided among selected students based on need and qualification. Part-time students may receive up to $500, and full-time students up to $1,000.
Guidelines and Eligibility
Selection
The committee reviewing the applications will award a scholarship or scholarships based on applicant's academic excellence, community involvement and civic leadership.
Award Restrictions
The scholarship must be applied first to Ivy Tech Community College tuition and fees, and second to books and supplies. Any remaining award dollars can be used for the student(s)' living expenses.
Deadline
Applications must be submitted to the Alumni Association office on or before the October 1 date prior to the following spring semester. The scholarships are awarded for a spring semester.
Application
To apply for the Legacy Scholarship, download the application and submit the application to :
Ellen Mathia, Room 311
Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana
50 West Fall Creek Parkway North Drive
Indianapolis, IN 46208-5752
Past Distinguished Alum Recipients