July 7, 2009

WABASH, Ind. – Ivy Tech Community College Wabash, Heartland Career Center and the Learn More Center of North Manchester have received a combined total of $55,800 from the Pauline Barker Education Trust. Ivy Tech Wabash will receive $20,000, allowing the college to provide much-needed scholarship assistance to Wabash students. The funds will be used to offset the cost of tuition, textbooks and supplies.

The Learn More Center will receive $5,000 from the Pauline Barker Education Trust. The center will use the funds to purchase literacy tutoring materials, allowing it to continue its efforts of providing literacy education and support throughout Wabash County.

Heartland Career Center will receive $28,800 in funding which will enable it to continue to provide its GED program during the summer months. In addition, it also will allow Heartland to continue its Displaced Workers and Community Corrections programs.

Finally, the three institutions were awarded $2,000 jointly to purchase vouchers from the Wabash County Transit service. These vouchers will be shared between the three institutions and will be used to help students who are experiencing transportation difficulties stay enrolled in their academic programs.

“We are very grateful to the Pauline Barker Education Trust for this grant,” said Brad Thurmond, Ivy Tech Wabash Executive Director. “Once again, the Pauline Barker Education Trust has found a way to support the educational goals of our students. By providing these scholarship funds, more students will have access to higher education. These funds will go a long way toward helping Wabash County learners achieve their dreams.”

Debra Brauneller, director of the LearnMore Center, stated, “This is an exciting opportunity for the Learn More Center. We are grateful for another generous gift from the Pauline Barker Education Trust. This will allow us to continue to provide much-needed materials and supplies to our students.”

Pete Dupont of Heartland Career Center was equally pleased.

“These funds will allow us to continue providing our GED preparation program during the summer months. It will also allow us to expand services in our community. The Pauline Barker Education Trust has been very generous and we are grateful for its support.”

Pauline J. Barker set up the education foundation which bears her name to provide support for basic literacy education, adult education, vocational training and re-training of youth and adults. Miss Barker was born in Wabash on January 4, 1910, and died August 3, 1999. She was a life-long resident of Wabash and is remembered as the manager of Rock City Café, a position she held for forty-five years before her retirement. The Pauline Barker Education Trust is administered by First Merchants Trust Company.

Ivy Tech Community College Wabash is located at 277 N. Thorne St. For more information contact the Ivy Tech campus at (260) 563-8828. Registration is now under way for fall classes.

Ivy Tech Community College is the state’s largest public post-secondary institution and the nation’s largest singly-accredited statewide community college system with more than 130,000 students enrolled 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 Community College Kokomo Region serves Cass, Fulton, Howard, Miami, Tipton and Wabash counties and includes campuses or instructional sites in the communities of Kokomo, Logansport, North Manchester, Peru, Rochester, Wabash and Winamac. To learn more about Ivy Tech, visit www.ivytech.edu.

The Learn More Center of North Manchester is located at the Town Life Center at Seventh at Bond St. For more information contact the Learn More Center at (260) 982-6138.

Heartland Career Center is located in Wabash just off U.S. 24 at 79 S. 200 W. For more information, contact Heartland at (260) 563-7481.

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