Ivy Tech Community College Fort Wayne and Warsaw celebrated its 54th Annual Commencement Ceremony on May 10 at Allen County War Memorial Coliseum. The College graduated more than 2,300 students in Fort Wayne and Warsaw and awarded 3,100+ degrees, certificates, and technical certificates.
STUDENT SPEAKER: The class of 2024’s student speaker was Emmanuel Sheard, who graduated with his certificate in Entrepreneurship.
“This was not an easy road to get to—this moment right here,” Sheard said in his 2024 Commencement address. “But somehow, we have all found ourselves here ready to accept our diplomas and certificates. This race has ended but the next one has just begun, and I hope to see you all at the finish line.”
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 winners are Bry Corcran from the School of Arts, Sciences, & Education, and Patrick Ittner from the School of Advanced Manufacturing, Engineering, and Applied Sciences.
The Curtis Award winners are chosen from among the Ivy Tech Fort Wayne/Warsaw Outstanding Student Awards, which are awarded to one student per academic school. This year’s Outstanding Student Awards went to the following students:
- Patrick Ittner, Advanced Manufacturing, Engineering & Applied Science
- Bry Corcran, Arts, Sciences & Education
- Matthew Kirsch, Business, Logistics & Supply Chain
- Laura Read, Entrepreneurship & Innovation
- Caleb Master, Health Sciences
- Matteo Catalano, Information Technology
- Stefanie Pettigrew, Nursing
- Melonie Stegemann, Public Affairs & Social Services
“When you leave here today, you’ll be taking your first steps to a better tomorrow—a journey that began the moment you started at Ivy Tech,” Chancellor Dr. Kim Barnett-Johnson said during the ceremony. “You’ve built a community that stretches from your classrooms to the Indiana General Assembly. A team of community leaders, teachers, family, and friends that will follow you no matter where life takes you.”
PRESIDENT’S AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN INSTRUCTION: Each Ivy Tech across the state nominates the winner of its President’s Award, which goes to a full-time faculty member, for the Glenn W. Sample Founder’s Award for Excellence in Instruction. The Ivy Tech Fort Wayne/Warsaw nominee is Program Chair of Mathematics Karen Jones.
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/Warsaw nominee of the statewide Lamkin Award is nursing adjunct Kristin Bassett.
SPECIAL NOTE: Students and guests used #IvyTechGrad to share celebratory moments on social media. Use the hashtag to view graduation photos and messages of encouragement on Instagram and Facebook.
This was not an easy road to get to—this moment right here, but somehow, we have all found ourselves here ready to accept our diplomas and certificates. This race has ended but the next one has just begun, and I hope to see you all at the finish line.
– Emmanuel Sheard | 2024 Student Speaker
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.
