Ivy Tech Community College Fort Wayne & Kosciusko County celebrated its 56th annual commencement ceremony on Friday, May 8 at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum.
The College celebrated more than 2,000 graduating students in Fort Wayne & Kosciusko County and conferred more than 3,100 degrees, certificates and technical certificates.
Commencement 2026 Highlights
Student Speaker
The class of 2026’s student speaker was Dalen Banks, who graduated with a transfer degree in psychology from the School of Arts, Sciences & Education.
“Behind the scenes is always ugly,” Banks said in his address. “It is preparation for something that looks beautiful. Everybody here right now with a cap and gown on is the finished product.”
Melvin L. Curtis Award for Outstanding Student
The College gives two Curtis Awards each year: one recognizing an outstanding graduate from the College’s career and technical schools, and the other, the university/transfer schools.
This year’s career and technical schools award winner was Nahla Namasté from the School of Advanced Manufacturing, Engineering & Applied Science, and the College’s university/transfer schools award recipient was Anna Johnston from the School of Nursing.
The Curtis Award winners are chosen from among the Ivy Tech Fort Wayne & Kosciusko County Outstanding Student Awards, which are awarded to one student per academic school.
This year’s Outstanding Student Awards were awarded to:
- Aritzel Bahena – School of Culinary Arts & Hospitality Management
- Madison Hauptmann – School of Information Technology
- Jadon Heckaman – School of Business, Logistics & Supply Chain
- Anna Johnston – School of Nursing
- Jennifer Kaufeld – Garatoni School of Entrepreneurship & Innovation
- Amy Minard – School of Health Sciences
- Gracie Marzion – School of Public Affairs & Social Services
- Nahla Namasté – School of Advanced Manufacturing, Engineering & Applied Science
- Levi Stendahl – School of Arts, Sciences & Education
“To our graduates: You are an inspiration,” Chancellor Dr. Kim Barnett-Johnson said during the ceremony. “You are the reason we do what we do.”
President's Award for Excellence in Instruction
Each Ivy Tech campus across the state nominates the winner of its president’s award, which goes to a full-time faculty member, known formally as the Glenn W. Sample Founder’s Award for Excellence in Instruction.
The Ivy Tech Fort Wayne & Kosciusko County nominee is Associate Professor & Department Chair for Life Sciences, Diane Lewis.
Adjunct Faculty Award for Excellence in Instruction
Each Ivy Tech across the state nominates the winner of its Adjunct Faculty Award, which goes to a part-time faculty member.
These nominees are then eligible for the Gerald I. Lamkin Award for adjunct faculty members.
The Ivy Tech Fort Wayne & Kosciusko County nominee for the statewide Lamkin Award is Human Services Adjunct Dr. Rebecca Coleman.
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.
