Richmond Region News

Ivy Tech bringing Incognito, a critically acclaimed play, to campus for Black History Month

Richmond- Nationally recognized author and actor Michael Fosberg brings his riveting personal story of self-discovery, Incognito, to Ivy Tech Richmond’s campus on Friday, Feb. 17 at 6 p.m. in Johnson Hall. The play is a special Black History Month event. It is free and open to the public, students and staff.  After the performance there will a reception for the author. His memoir also will be available for sale. Reservations are encouraged at 765-966-2656 ext.1228 or email tsmith@ivytech.edu.

Fosberg raised in a white working class Chicago family always felt different. He couldn’t quite figure out why. Then at 34, his mother reveals the family secret - he is a Black man. Fosberg takes the audience on his personal journey learning about his other family, their history and himself. It is a trip that changes his life forever.

Chicago Tribune drama critic Richard Christiansen says this journey is a “deeply moving” one for both actor and audience.  Through Fosberg’s experiences of discovering his father and his roots, he examines how people construct their personal identities. In this process, he leads his audience to confront their own thoughts about race.

In addition to acting and writing, Fosberg teaches acting as a part of the Northwestern University National High School Institute Cherubs program. His memoir Incognito: An American Odyssey of Race and Self Discovery was published in 2009.

For further information and reservations, call 765-966-2656 x 1228.

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February 15

Summer registration opens today at Ivy Tech Community College Richmond

Richmond– Registration for the Summer 2012 term opens today at Ivy Tech Community College Richmond. New students and continuing students are encouraged to register for courses as soon as possible, as classes will fill up quickly. Fall 2012 registration begins March 15.

Summer school provides 2012 high school graduates and college students returning home for the summer an opportunity to earn valuable college credits at $107.80 per credit hour on campus or online.

First time college students get a head start on their college careers by completing required courses in summer. Both new and continuing students can reduce the time and cost of a degree by enrolling in Summer courses.

New students should visit ivytech.edu/admissions to fill out a free application for admission and review the enrollment steps that must be completed before registering for courses. Continuing students should see their academic or faculty adviser before enrolling in classes.

For additional information call 765-966-2656 x 1202.

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.

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Ivy Tech Richmond recognizes 653 Dean’s List students for fall semester

Richmond – Ivy Tech Community College Richmond named 653 students to the Dean’s List from among the 4,000 students enrolled in fall 2011. More than 15,000 students statewide were named to the Dean’s List for fall semester.

The Dean’s List recognizes degree-seeking students with 12 or more credit hours in their program of study at Ivy Tech who are enrolled in a minimum of six credit hours during the semester and earned a grade point average of 3.5 or higher.

Chancellor James Steck said, “Our students work exceptionally hard to balance their jobs, family and class obligations. We are proud of their accomplishments and determination to succeed.”

“I’m so proud of the hard work these students have put forth through the fall semester,” said Ivy Tech President Thomas J. Snyder.  “The Dean’s List recognizes an incredible accomplishment by each one of these students, and to have more than 15,000 students named to the Dean’s List shows just how dedicated Ivy Tech students are to their education.”

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.

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January 11

Ivy Tech Spring Term Welcome Week features Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society Commit to Complete campaign

Richmond- Ivy Tech Community College Richmond’s Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society (PTK) continued its campaign to have new and returning students commit to complete a certificate and/or associate degree. Fall term 2011 over 600 students signed commitment forms and a banner displayed in Johnson Hall on the Richmond campus

Spring Welcome Week Jan. 9 – 13 activities include daily opportunities on the Richmond and Connersville campuses for students to sign the commitment pledge, receive buttons and wrist bands identifying their comment to the goal.  The campaign, Commit to Complete, is a national effort to increase community college graduates by 5 million by 2020. The week will end with a celebration and pizza in Connersville Thursday and Richmond Friday.

In addition to Welcome Week activities the Phi Theta Kappa chapter has nominated two members for the All-USA Community College Academic Team/Indiana Academic Team. Lynn Baldwin, Centerville, and Jennifer Scantland, Palestine, Ohio, are the Society’s 2012 nominees. The state and national winners will be announced at the Phi Theta Kappa national convention April 12 in Nashville.

New Society members inducted in December include: Cambridge City: Jeanene Hensley, Centerville: Xavier Mullins, Eddie Wheeler, Connersville: Lisa Armstrong, Susan Bishop, Peggy Lingg, Melissa Rowe, Karen Schube, Hagerstown: Rebekah LaVere,  Richmond: Danny Capps, Uzochukwu Ekwealor, Rebekah Johnson, Michelle Lewis, Megan Liebert, Sarah Phillips, Daniel Story, Claudia Stuckey, Regina Thompson, Juliana Todd, Angela Yates, Dana Grimm, Union City: Craig Thomas, Williamsburg: Michelle Day and Ohio members Arcanum David Laughead, New Paris: Kylie Richie and Union City: Robert Sanders.

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January 13

Ivy Institute enrolling students now for 30-week Welding Program

Ivy Institute of Technology is enrolling students now for the 30-week Welding program that starts April 9 on the Ivy Tech Community College Richmond campus.

The program is designed to prepare students in as little as eight months to find an entry to mid-level position in the manufacturing/welding industry. The Ivy Institute of Technology Welding program focuses on giving students the skills and knowledge required by industries where there is a high demand.

The 30-week program includes instruction and hands-on lab activities.  Classes are technology focused, with math, reading and writing exercises embedded in class projects instead of traditional classroom settings.  Classes meet 30 hours per week (6 hours per day).

After completing the program students take exams for industry certifications and credits that can be applied toward Technical Certificate and Associate of Applied Science degree programs at Ivy Tech Community College.

Financial aid and VA Benefits are available for this program. Modern welding and manufacturing requires highly qualified individuals with a specific skill set.  Prospective students should contact: Jim Stokes, assistant professor/department chair, Welding Institute, jstokes@ivytech.edu, (765) 966-2656 ext. 4017, or Jason Abshear, Welding Institute Instructor, wabshear@ivytech.edu, ext. 4117, or go to ivytech.edu.

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.

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January 17

Recycling project raises $2,585 for Ivy Tech Richmond’s Green Technology Scholarship

Richmond – The fall semester Science of Traditional and Alternative Energy class recycling project at Ivy Tech Community College added $2,585 to the funds raised by previous classes’ recycling projects. Together the classes have raised almost $7,900 of the $10,000 needed to endow the Green Technology Endowed Scholarship. The spring 2012 class recycle project is underway.

Each semester the Science of Traditional and Alternative Energy class has taken the course recycling project to a new level. The first class raised $25 for scholarships and each class project since has raised several thousand dollars more.

Krista Morisen’s class organizes the recycling project as part of their class work each semester. The students create brochures and fliers, send letters to area businesses to promote the project. and have local drop off point events. The drop off points on several Saturdays in both Richmond and Connersville is for smaller recyclable items.

Area residents and businesses contribute to the recycling efforts. The class accepts: paper, cardboard, scrap metal, iron, copper, aluminum, cast metal and large items such as stoves, refrigerators, washers and dryers, autos and auto parts, mowers and metal machinery from the donors.

“We continue to have incredible results with this project. Each class works really well together. Thanks go to the residents and businesses in Wayne, Union and Fayette counties that support the project,” Morisen said.

Students leading the fall recycle campaign included: Shane Shook, Thomas Snowden, Tyler Collins and Aaron Haller. For additional information about the 2012 spring project contact Morisen at kmorisen@ivytech.edu.

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January 31

Ivy Tech Community College Richmond Technology Programs receive accreditation

Richmond - Four programs in the School of Technology at Ivy Tech Community College Richmond have been accredited by the Association of Technology, Management and Applied Engineering (ATMAE).

Ivy Tech’s Advanced Manufacturing, Automotive Technology, Construction Technology and Industrial Technology programs have been accredited for six years through 2017. The programs in Automotive Technology, Construction Technology and Industrial Technology have been accredited since 2001. The three year old Manufacturing Technology program received its first accreditation.

Peg Terrell, School of Technology dean, said, “Reaccreditation confirms the quality of our programs and signifies our high academic standards to which faculty adhere. Programs must be continually reviewed and updated to ensure they meet the rigid standards for curriculum, faculty knowledge and field experience.”

She pointed out that each of these accredited programs offers students the opportunity to quickly prepare for jobs in industries with a high number of job openings today and into the foreseeable future. “These industries will continue to have openings due to the large numbers of employees reaching retirement age and the small number of applicants with the technology skills needed for today’s jobs,” she said.

The Automotive Technology program also is an Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certified program. Students in this program can choose an emphasis in automotive service or automotive service management.  Students in the Construction Technology program can choose an emphasis in residential light carpentry, electrical or Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning.

Industrial Technology program students can choose an emphasis in machine tool, welding, electrical or industrial maintenance. Advanced Manufacturing students plan to work at companies that have implemented team oriented design, production, quality and maintenance systems in the manufacturing environment.

ATMAE accredits technology programs in colleges, universities and technical institutes and has been accrediting programs since 1967. Purdue and Indiana State Universities’ technology programs and Ivy Tech Community College regional campus technology programs have ATMAE accreditation.

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Ivy Tech Community College Richmond Chancellor James Steck to retire in June 2012

Richmond- James L. Steck, Chancellor of Ivy Tech Community College Richmond announced this week he will retire at the end of the Spring 2012 term. 

Steck joined Ivy Tech Richmond in 1985 as Chair of the Technology Division and served as Dean of Instructional Affairs and Executive Dean before being named Chancellor in 1997. 

During Steck’s tenure the Ivy Tech Richmond campus added Johnson Hall and renovated McDaniel Hall and expanded offerings on the Connersville campus.  The student enrollment has doubled since 2005 to more than 5,000 students a year.  There are eight schools, 26 programs and over 60 degrees currently offered on campus and online by Ivy Tech Richmond.

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December 9, 2011

Ivy Tech Richmond Recognizes Employee Service

Ivy Tech Community College Richmond recognized employees for years of service, community volunteerism and support for the Ivy Tech Foundation at a luncheon December 9.

Eugene Ayton, Equal Opportunity Officer and Business Administration faculty member, was recognized for 16 years of service. Ayton, former Business Administration program chair and Human Resources Director, is retiring at the end of the 2011 Fall term

Ayton also was a human resources executive at the Ford Motor Company in Connersville and Philadelphia, and the Mead Corporation in Dayton, Ohio. He is active at Bethel AME Church as Associate Minister and Fisherman Male Chorus member. He is a former member of the Townsend Center Board, Starr-Gennett Board, United Way Allocation Committee and Richmond Police Department Merit Commission.

Other employees recognized for years of service include: Lindy Covalt, 30 years; Diana Pappin, Jeff Plasterer, 25 years; Brenda Bennett, Susan Zurwell, 20 years; Stephanie Alexander, Linda Przybysz, Melissa Smith, Tina Smith and Leanna Angi-White, 15 years; Delores Hazzard, Tami Lamb, Tammy Lowe, Brian Olsen, Julia Sherck, Kristin Sweet and Candi Tutterrow, 5 years.

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Ivy Tech Richmond site of Finance Fitness Fun Fest, Spooky Family Fun Night October 28

Richmond- The fourth annual Ivy Tech Richmond Finance Fitness Fun Fest is partnering with the college’s Spooky Family Fun Night Friday, October 28 to provide fun and useful financial information for students, their families and area residents.

James Cunningham, an internationally known, award-winning comedian and speaker, will highlight Friday evening’s events on the Richmond campus. His fast-paced, interactive reality show Funny Money creates insights into handling personal finances. Cunningham takes this fun and entertaining approach to dealing with money to dozens of college campuses across North America each year. He combines comedy, advice and the opportunity to win cash prizes into a fun and useful event. Funny Money starts at 6:30 p.m. in Johnson Hall’s Stidham Auditorium and is part of a series of events designed to help attendees grapple with the realities of paying for college, home and family needs in today’s economy.

The Finance Fitness Fest events begin at noon in Johnson Hall. Dr. Jacqualyn Green will lead Managing Stress to the Max. At 1 p.m. Tina Gutierrez will lead Laughter and Yoga, and at 2 p.m. Kerri Krumal will lead Digging Out of the Financial Hole. Attendees will be able to visit informational displays from 3-6:30 p.m. staffed by financial and health professionals. The Wayne County Health Department will offer flu shots (adults $18, children 6mo - 18yrs $14) billed to Medicaid, Medicare for eligible recipients and receipts provided for private insurers.

From 5:30-6:30 p.m. meals will be available to participants and their families with a completed vendor attendance card. Cunningham’s 6:30 p.m. Funny Money presentation includes audience participation and cash prizes. Following the session attendance prizes will  be awarded. The Spooky Family Fun Night for children will be from 6-7:30 p.m. It includes a magic workshop with magician Tony Truitt, a Halloween Trail and treats.

The event’s sponsors include U.S. Bank, Wayne Bank and Trust, NATCO Credit Union, First Bank, Indiana University East, Richmond Furniture Gallery, Galileo Charter School, Meijer, Follett Bookstore, Johnson Chiropractic, Texas Roadhouse, Walmart and Ivy Tech Student Success and Student Life.

For adult and children’s reservations and additional information contact Sharon Lilly at sbrothers@ivytech.edu, 765-966-2656 ext. 1203 and visit ivytech.edu/richmond/studentlife/events.html. Additional Finance Fitness Fun Fest sessions are planned on the Connersville Ivy Tech campus, Tuesday, October 25.

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Ivy Tech Richmond pilots new remedial education models preparing students for college coursework, improving completion rates

Richmond- Ivy Tech Community College Richmond is piloting three Math and English skills courses designed to quickly prepare students to move into college level coursework and increase their college completion rates. These new model courses and three others are being offered this Fall at 10 Ivy Tech Community College campuses. 

The Ivy Tech Richmond pilots introduce students to new learning approaches that quickly improve their Math, English and workplace skills and readiness for college level coursework.  The courses include computer based learning strategies and individual coaching and tutoring.

The Accelerated Learning Project (ALP) enrolls students in two classes. Students enroll in college level 111 English and 093 Academic Skills. The two courses meet on the same day enabling students to attend the college level course followed by the Skills course with concentrated support and assistance in developing English writing skills. The model has been successful in other states with increased course completions and college completion rates. The ALP program also is being piloted on the Muncie campus.

The Online Instruction with Tutoring for K-12 Math course is a self-paced program using an online learning system with online tutors. The students are monitored by their online Math mentor/tutor and the instructor who is a K-12 math teacher. The mentor tracks the student’s progress and follows up when assignments aren’t completed. The course also is being piloted on the Kokomo, Terre Haute and Indianapolis campuses.

The third pilot course is a Co-requisite in the new 30 week Ivy Institute of Technology program. This online, self-paced and computer lab-based course includes an instructor available to monitor who is to monitor progress, provide assistance and support learners. The students study introduction to applied technology and electricity, applied math, fluids and thermodynamics and workplace skills that include reading comprehension, listening, writing and teamwork. The program has diagnostics to assess content mastery and student progress. The course also is being offered on the Warsaw, Indianapolis, Terre Haute, Anderson and Sellersburg campuses.

Implementing new strategies to increase Indiana college student success and graduation rates are part of Governor Mitch Daniels statewide focus on increasing college completion rates. Indiana ranks forty-first in the percentage of adults with a college credential. More than two-thirds of Indiana’s community college students require remediation to start college level coursework.

Students on Ivy Tech campuses also are joining in the effort to improve student completion rates. Chapters of the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society are promoting Commit to Complete on community college campuses. Recently the Ivy Tech Richmond chapter launched a new Commit to Complete initiative with over 600 students pledging to complete their degree programs during Welcome Week in August.

The Ivy Tech remediation projects and Indiana University’s projects to create highly structured intervention strategies to support student success at its regional campuses are being funded by a $1 million innovation grant from Complete College America to the Indiana Commission on Higher Education’s proposal, “Smarter Choices, Faster Completion.” Indiana was one of 10 states winning these grants that are funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

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September 23, 2011

Ivy Tech Richmond Student Recycling Project to Raise Money for Scholarships
Collection Dates October 1, 29 and November 19 in Richmond and Connersville

 Richmond-The Ivy Tech Community College Science of Traditional and Alternative Energy class is sponsoring a recycling project in Wayne, Fayette and Union Counties. Proceeds will go to an Ivy Tech scholarship for area students. This is the fourth semester students in this class are collecting recyclables to endow an Ivy Tech Richmond scholarship. The long-term goal is to raise $10,000. The amount needed to endow/assure a scholarship will be awarded annually.

Class members are accepting the following materials for recycling: paper, cardboard, glass, scrap metal, iron, copper, aluminum, cast metal and large items such as stoves, refrigerators, washers and dryers, autos and auto parts, mowers and metal machinery. They cannot accept electronics such as TV’s, computers and monitors.

Donors with large articles or a large collection of material should call Tyler Ledbetter at 765.960.0141 or Spencer Worthington at 765.914.8161 to schedule a pick up. Pickups can be scheduled until through November 19.

Donors of large articles will receive a receipt for tax purposes from the Ivy Tech Community College Foundation.

Drop off dates and times for smaller items are October 1 and 29 and November 19 from noon until 4 p.m. in Richmond and Connersville. The drop-off points are the Richmond Kroger Plaza parking lot on East Main Street and the Ivy Tech Connersville campus, 717 West 21st St.

All donations will be accepted. All proceeds from this project go to the Ivy Tech Community College Foundation Scholarship Fund.

Questions about the project should be directed to Ledbetter, Worthington or the course instructor Krista Morisen at kmorisen@ivytech.edu.

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