Ivy Tech welcomes students in style
COMMUNITY COLLEGE OPENS MONDAY WITH BAGPIPES AND A GREETING FROM THE CHANCELLOR
By Mike Leonard 331-4368 | mleonard@heraldt.com
August 22, 2011
In one account of the history of bagpipes, Scottish Highland armies used them to inspire their own forces and strike fear into the enemy as they marched toward the battlefield.
Ivy Tech Community College Chancellor John Whikehart will be shooting for the former when he brings bagpiper Ian Arthur in to play his pipes on the steps of the Connie and Steve Ferguson Academic Building this morning.
In what has become a tradition, Whikehart and Arthur will greet students bright and early when the Bloomington campus opens for fall classes today.
“This is the official start of the fall semester, in which many students begin or continue their journeys toward accomplishing their academic goals,” he said in a prepared statement. “I am proud to welcome them with open doors to Ivy Tech’s Bloomington campus.”
Today and Tuesday, students will get to indulge in a fresh start breakfast including coffee and pastries at the main campus, Liberty Drive and Liberty Crossing locations. Other Welcome Week activities include a cookout with live music today, a comedy show on Tuesday and student involvement fairs on Wednesday.
The third annual Welcome Week Music Fest will take place on Thursday at 7 p.m. Welcome Week Music Fest will be held on the main campus lawn and is open to Ivy Tech students, who are encouraged to bring their families and friends to the event.
This year’s Music Fest at Ivy Tech will have performances by Eric Radoux, Lindsay Smith and Vaughn & Co. In addition to free concerts, Ivy Tech students, friends and family will enjoy a photo booth, kids’ zone and fireworks finale. Attendees will also get the chance to win an iPad2 at the event.
Welcome Week events and activities are planned and hosted by Ivy Tech’s student Campus Activities Board.
The celebratory events of the week are for more than just show, according to assistant vice chancellor for student affairs Sam DeWeese. DeWeese said the more connected students are with their campus, the better they do academically.
“Ivy Tech’s Bloomington campus offers relevant and engaging activities through the Office of Student Support and Development, as well as through the Center for Civic Engagement,” he said.
“Offering a wide variety of experiences for students with diverse backgrounds are just some of the ways that Ivy Tech makes connections with our students.”
For more information about student life opportunities at Ivy Tech’s Bloomington campus, log on www.ivytech.edu/bloomington and click on Student Life, or click on Civic Engagement for volunteer options.
Ian Arthur opens another year at Ivy Tech Community College with a bagpipe serenade in this photo from 2009.. The bagpiper has become an opening-day tradition at the school. David Snodgress | Herald-Times
Whikehart
Copyright: HeraldTimesOnline.com 2011
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.
