BLOOMINGTON – Ivy Tech Community College’s Bloomington campus will hold its annual spring commencement ceremony on Friday, May 13 at 6 p.m. in the Indiana University Auditorium, where it will confer approximately 1,002 Associate degrees and certifications to graduates.
“Commencement is the culminating event for our graduates and their families, and our campus looks forward to this ceremony every year,” said Chancellor Jennie Vaughan. “My son will graduate with his Master’s degree on the same day this year, so I’ll be celebrating our students from a distance while also celebrating my son! I can relate to the excitement that families feel for the graduate in their lives. My hope is that all of our graduates take this day to celebrate their hard work and persistence before moving along to the opportunities they’ve created for themselves.”
The commencement address will be given by Associate Accelerated Program (ASAP) graduate, Ivy Tosti, Associate of Science in Liberal Arts. Tosti chose Ivy Tech after one year out of high school because she could take classes close to home and it was affordable. She was a 21st Century Scholar and member of Phi Theta Kappa international honor society. Tosti will graduate with Magna Cum Laude honors.
An honorary degree will be presented to Ivy Tech Bloomington benefactor Joan Olcott, for her more than 11 years of steadfast support of the college. Olcott has served as an honorary chair for Ivy Tech Bloomington’s capital campaigns and established an endowed scholarship in healthcare for students pursuing degrees in nursing, radiation therapy and respiratory therapy. In appreciation of her service, friendship and sustained support, the campus named its library in her honor in 2006.
New this May, Ivy Tech Bloomington is conferring degrees to 16 graduates of the recently established Associate Accelerated Program (ASAP) in Liberal Arts. ASAP was designed to provide students (21 and under) with the opportunity to earn an associate degree in as little as 11 months. Beginning in summer 2016, two new ASAP programs will begin in Business Administration and Education.
Some of the graduates who will be celebrated at commencement are a husband and wife, honors students, international students, transfer students, employees, military veterans and those who have found employment because of their education and training at Ivy Tech.
The number of students graduating with honors is 199, with 17 graduating Summa Cum Laude for maintaining a perfect 4.0 grade point average.
The campus is graduating 13 international students representing the countries of China, Republic of Senegal, Kingdom of Bahrain, Ghana and Saudi Arabia, and will confer degrees to 17 military veterans.
Approximately 75 Associate of Science in Nursing degrees and 36 Practical Nursing degrees will be awarded.
There are 48 graduates who are members of Phi Theta Kappa international honor society. Phi Theta Kappa honor society recognizes and encourages scholarship through leadership and academic excellence among two-year college students.
Each year, Ivy Tech Bloomington recognizes students for outstanding academic achievements. Academic program chairs have chosen 33 students to receive this award. Outstanding Student award recipients include:
Accounting Shauna Hanners
Biotechnology (Associate of Science) John Thomas
Biotechnology (Associate of Applied Science) Alexandra Schwab
Business Administration Adem Poturkovic,
Computer Information Technology John Pobalis
Criminal Justice Laura Lawson
Cyber Security/Information Assurance Joshua Chastain
Design Technology Robert Seger
Early Childhood Education Nouf Kurdi
Education Rebekah Rogers
Electrical Engineering Technology Corey Nikirk
Engineering Technology Logan Ray
Fine Arts Jeff Grounds
General Studies Taversia Borrelli
Healthcare Specialist Tina Simons
Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Camella Owens
Homeland Security/Public Safety Kelley Blair
Hospitality Administration Sapphire Dickinson
Humans Services Safiyyah Abd’Llah
Industrial Maintenance Thomas Combs
Kinesiology Priscilla Laird
Liberal Arts Donna Brown
Network Infrastructure Thiam Cisse
Nursing (Associate of Science) Delver Sotomayor
Nursing (Associate of Science Transitional) Dana Spradlin
Office Administration Julie Hardy
Paralegal Studies Daisy Lamptey
Paramedic Science Kira Incollingo
Practical Nursing Jessica Patton
Radiation Therapy Oxana Ocran
Respiratory Care Amanda Worthington
Software Development Tiana Deckard
Supply Chain Management Logistics Bobby Jeanette
Ivy Tech Community College offers associate degrees and certifications that can lead directly to a job or provide students the option to transfer to a four-year institution to finish their bachelor’s degree.
About Ivy Tech Community College
Ivy Tech Community College is Indiana's largest public postsecondary institution and the nation's largest singly accredited statewide community college system, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Ivy Tech has campuses throughout Indiana and also serves thousands of students annually online. It serves as the state's engine of workforce development, offering associate degrees, long- and short-term certificate programs, industry certifications, and training that aligns with the needs of the community. The College provides a seamless transfer to other colleges and universities in Indiana, as well as out of state, for a more affordable route to a bachelor's degree.
