Ivy Tech Community College Bloomington recognized alumna Marce Johnson as the recipient of the 2026 Distinguished Alumni Award and Connie and Steve Ferguson as Benefactors of the Year. The award recipients were recognized during a statewide Ivy Tech Foundation celebration in Indianapolis, Ind. on Sept. 25.
Johnson serves as the executive director and CEO for the Owen County Chamber of Commerce. She leads initiatives that strengthen small businesses, expand workforce opportunities, and support regional growth. Johnson has played a key role in fostering partnerships that enhance economic development and improve quality of life throughout the Owen County community. Since assuming her role, she has championed entrepreneurship, workforce readiness, and community collaboration.
The Fergusons have made a significant and lasting impact on Ivy Tech Bloomington and the broader southern Indiana region through their time, talent, and extraordinarily generous investments. Their support has funded scholarships, entrepreneurship programming, nursing education, and numerous other campus initiatives that expand opportunities for Ivy Tech students and beyond.
Connie has provided decades of leadership through service on the Bloomington Campus Board of Trustees, helping guide the college’s growth and success. Beyond Ivy Tech, the Fergusons have championed education, healthcare, workforce development, historic preservation, and an overall commitment to strengthening the lives of others and communities throughout the region.
Marce Johnson and Connie and Steve Ferguson represent the very best of Ivy Tech’s mission in action."
– Chancellor Erik Coyne, JD, Colonel, US Air Force (ret.)
"Their leadership, extraordinary generosity, and dedicated service create opportunities for students and families, and strengthens the communities we serve. We are grateful for their contributions and proud to celebrate our honorees with these prestigious awards," said Chancellor Coyne.
The Distinguished Alumni Award is the college’s highest honor for alumni achievement and recognizes graduates who have made a last impact on their professions, communities, and Ivy Tech through professional, philanthropic, or volunteer accomplishments.
The Benefactor of the Year Award honors individuals, corporations, or foundations that have changed the lives of Ivy Tech students and the communities where they live, learn, and work by providing exceptional philanthropic and volunteer leadership.
For more information, visit giving.ivytech.edu/distinguished-alumni-and-benefactors-2026/.
About Ivy Tech Community College
Ivy Tech Community College is Indiana’s largest public post-secondary institution and the nation’s largest singly accredited statewide community college system. Ivy Tech serves more than 200,000 students annually and offers associate degrees, certificates, and workforce training in more than 70 programs across Indiana. The College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is committed to providing affordable, high-quality education aligned with the needs of Indiana’s workforce.
