Ivy Tech grads safeguard the city’s present-and its future
Two extraordinary South Bend men have taken new leadership positions with the city-and both are Ivy Tech Community College graduates. Police Chief Darryl Boykins and Fire Chief Howard Buchanon II share a dedication to keeping South Bend safe, improving the city’s quality of life, being a positive influence on children, and promoting the benefits of education.

Chief Boykins gets his start at Ivy Tech
Chief Boykins began his career paths at ivy Tech’s South Bend campus in 1973. One of his business professors recommended him for a part-time position at Dodge Manufacturing. That quickly evolved into a full-time position producing and designing tools. He was doing well, and earning more than he ever had before. Still, he stayed in school, attending classes in the evenings.

“I wanted to pursue my education,” Chief Boykins states. “It never crossed my mind to quit school. I just had to take it one class at a time.”

He graduated with an associate degree in business administration, and continued to work at Dodge Manufacturing for another ten years. Then he made a career change, working as a security officer and activity director for the University of Notre Dame’s DuComb Center.

Later, Chief Boykins took a position with the South Bend Police Department. He worked his way up the ranks, enjoying a distinguished career and receiving several honors for his hard work and dedication to the community. These achievements culminated in his appointment as chief in December 2007, making him the first African American police chief in South Bend history.

Chief Buchanon trains for the next stage of his life
Around the time that Darryl Boykins first enrolled at Ivy Tech, Howard Buchanon was starting his career with the South Bend Fire Department. Like Chief Boykins, Chief Buchanon’s dedication made for an impressive progression through the ranks. Last year he was promoted to Fire Chief, and has comfortably settled into his role.

At 56 years old, Chief Buchanon is immensely satisfied with his career, but he is also preparing a retirement that will allow him to pursue a lifelong interest.

“I’ve always loved photography,” he says. “It’s always been a hobby of mine.”

This interest prompted him to take classes with his son Travis, who was studying at Ivy Tech Community College. Chief Buchanon hadn’t been in a classroom since 1969, but he quickly rekindled his passion for learning. In 2006, he graduated with an associate degree in Visual Communications, specializing in photography.

“It seems like I suddenly got smart,” he jokes. “My teachers told me that my life experience more than made up for everything else.”

Leading by example
Even though Chief Boykins and Chief Buchanon attended Ivy Tech for very different reasons and at different times in their lives, they’ve both found it to be a catalyst in improving the community.

Chief Buchanon had the opportunity to influence his classmates when he was enrolled at Ivy Tech, where he served as a mentor to many of his fellow students. They admired him not only for his position in the community, but for his persistence in earning his degree one class at a time, while also succeeding at work. As a result, everyone he spoke with listened to his message about the importance of getting an education.

“There is a program at Ivy Tech for everybody,” he said. “No matter what level you are at, there is a place for everyone here.”

Chief Boykins also advocates for Ivy Tech Community College, and for the benefits of higher education overall. He says that a college degree is now a minimum requirement for those who want to work for him.

“Higher education is a big push,” he said. “I tell the kids that there are always alternatives. All of our police officers these days have at least an associate degree, so these kids are seeing really positive influences and they ask questions.”

Both men believe that it’s very important to begin talking about college when children are very young. Chief Boykins is active with the Boy Scouts, Boys & Girls Club, and Big Brothers/Big Sisters. He also was integral in developing tennis and boxing programs for inner city youth, and he hopes to do even more to keep kids active during the summer months and after school.

“I try to get kids involved and teach them to be considerate of others,” Chief Boykins states. “I show them that they can do anything they want and that they have choices. It’s important to teach kids to help people and show that kindness to others can get you far.”

Chief Boykins and Chief Buchanon make that message clear every day, just by the sheer power of their example. Through their success, they are encouraging the next generation of leaders to dream big, work hard, and give something back to their community. Because of them, South Bend is in very good hands-and will be for some time to come.