More than 1,165 credentials conferred to Ivy Tech grads

BLOOMINGTON –  Ivy Tech Community College’s Bloomington campus held its annual commencement ceremony on Friday, May 10 at 6 p.m. in the Indiana University Auditorium, where it conferred approximately 1,165 associate degrees and certifications, up about 60 credentials over last year. At the ceremony, there were 335 graduates and nearly 2,400 friends and family members in the crowd.   

Maggie Nardi, paralegal studies graduate and SGA president, gave the commencement address. Nardi holds a bachelor’s degree in English and Creative Writing from IUPUI but worked various jobs when she decided to enroll in community college, setting her on a career pathway.

Two honorary degree recipients were recognized, including Charlotte Zietlow, a decades-long leader in local politics, civics, entrepreneurship, and community engagement, and Lynn Coyne, five-year campus trustee for Ivy Tech Bloomington and president and CEO of the Bloomington Economic Development Corporation (BEDC).

“Charlotte and Lynn have made significant contributions to higher education and our local economy over their years of service, for the benefit of students and families across Indiana,” said Chancellor Jennie Vaughan. “Between Charlotte establishing an endowed hospitality scholarship for Ivy Tech students, and Lynn’s invaluable counsel and development of strategic partnerships and guidance over the programs we offer, their honorary degrees are well-earned and it was a privilege to recognize the accomplishments of both.”

This year, Ivy Tech Bloomington graduated 113 Early College high school students that earned credentials through dual enrollment opportunities, with 13 of them already enrolled in either summer or fall sessions at Ivy Tech. Early College graduates earned either a certificate or statewide transfer general education core (STGEC) technical certificate, which enables them to go on to a state university with the entire 30 credit hour STGEC completed. Early College graduates are from Paoli, Loogootee, Bloomfield, Eastern Greene, Springs Valley, Bloomington North, Bloomington South, Edgewood, Martinsville, West Washington, and the Academy of Science and Entrepreneurship.

Ivy Tech Bloomington also conferred 68 Achieve Your Degree™ (AYD) associate degrees and certifications to 47 graduates. AYD is a tuition-deferral program in which Ivy Tech and employers collaborate to offer working adults the opportunity to earn associate degrees and certifications with no upfront cost to students. Locally, Ivy Tech has agreements with 17 employers and counting, and the college works with more than 160 companies statewide. Employers represent a variety of industries, including technology, medical, financial, and manufacturing.

Associate Accelerated Program (ASAP) graduates earned 75 associate degrees and certifications, out of 31 graduates. ASAP is a program that offers students, ages 21 and under, with the opportunity to earn an associate degree in as little as 11 months. Ivy Tech Bloomington offers ASAP degrees in liberal arts, education, business administration, informatics, and psychology.

The number of students who graduated with honors is 350, with 71 achieving summa cum laude status for maintaining a 4.0 grade point average.

Ivy Tech Bloomington conferred credentials to 27 military veterans, and graduated 7 international students representing the countries of South Korea, Colombia, Spain, China, Mongolia, and Ghana.

Approximately 75 Associate of Science in Nursing and 44 Practical Nursing degrees were awarded.