SOUTH BEND, IND. (May 9, 2007) – Melissa Denton, of Milford, Ind., was named the 2007 Outstanding Alumnus at Ivy Tech Community College-North Central’s commencement ceremonies on May 4.  Denton graduated summa cum laude from Ivy Tech in 2000.

Denton was a stay-at-home mother of three children when she decided to pursue an associate of applied science in Business Administration with a Management specialty at Ivy Tech-Warsaw.  She was named to the All Indiana Academic First Team and the All USA Academic Third Team. 

Denton transferred to Tri-State University, graduating summa cum laude with a bachelor of science in Business Administration in 2004 while working full time at Ivy Tech-Warsaw. 

She first joined the college in 1999 as an administrative assistant and was promoted to project manager for the Department of Workforce and Economic Development.  Denton is responsible for the implementation of customized and open enrollment training programs for businesses and individuals in Kosciusko and Marshall counties.  She also serves as a chapter advisor for the Beta Zeta Kappa chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society. 

Denton is an active member of the Kosciusko/Warsaw Chamber of Commerce.  She is a member of the Workforce Development Committee; co-chaired the Kosciusko Career Expo Committee and is the chair of the Machine Tool Career Sub-committee. She has participated in the March of Dimes Walk America event for 14 years and the American Cancer Society Relay for Life for three years.  She has served as a competition judge for the Business Professionals of America for three years and participated in the Warsaw Community School Corporation’s Kosciusko Ed/Com.

According to Ivy Tech-North Central Chancellor Virginia B. Calvin, “Melissa has played a major role in the success of Ivy Tech’s Orthopedic and Advanced Manufacturing Training Center in Warsaw. She has worked tirelessly from the time initial building plans were developed. And now, she continues those efforts every day as she coordinates customized training for local business and industry.  She has been a significant contributor to her department, her campus, her region and to the college and is a true example of how Ivy Tech changes lives.”

Ivy Tech Community College is the state’s second largest public post-secondary institution with over 100,000 students enrolled annually.  Ivy Tech has 23 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 of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.