Ivy Tech Community College Fort Wayne and Warsaw is recognizing three employees for their hard work and dedication to the college and its mission. During the Employee Holiday Party on Dec. 5, the second annual Tony Awards and the seventh Gaylord Moore-Gaines and Sharen Thornburg Employee Engagement Award winners were announced.
Fifteen individuals were nominated for the Employee Engagement Award, which began in 2018 and was named after two dedicated and engaged employees. Recipients are nominated by their peers for their positive contributions to the college and for overall making it a better place to work.
A committee of faculty and staff honored Assistant Registrar Cari Foust with the 2024 award. She was nominated by several of her peers and hailed for her positive attitude and organizing employee events throughout the year like carry-ins and fun competitions to boost morale.
“I am truly honored to receive the employee engagement award, and I would like to send a heartfelt thank you to all my coworkers,” Foust says. “Receiving this award has shown me the importance of making a positive impact and that it doesn’t go unnoticed.”
Foust was one of five finalists for the award. Other finalists were Kelsey Bickel, Anthony Booker, Bob Huffman, and Sarah Remaklus.
The Tony Awards were named after the mascot Tony the Titan and introduced in 2023 to recognize one faculty member and one staff member. The College’s cabinet awards individuals who demonstrate professional excellence and embody the Ivy Tech mission.
Colby Allen, program chair of surgical technology, received the faculty Tony Award. He started his program when he began at the college and has watched it grow 100 percent. In three of the last four years, he’s boasted a 100 percent graduation certification exam pass rate and an average retention of 85 percent. He’s also quick to volunteer for college events like A Reason to Taste and the Halloween Trunk or Treat.
“I am incredibly humbled, and it was unexpected,” says Allen. “I come to work every day and try to make where I work better, and it was incredibly humbling to see that recognized. I wouldn't have gotten to where I am today without the mentorship of those around me investing in me.”
Joyce Baker is the Director of Career Coaching and received the staff Tony Award for consistently exceeding expectations, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to student success, and tackling every task with professionalism and enthusiasm.
“Receiving this award is a true honor,” says Baker. “I'm grateful for the opportunity to support students and community members in their career pursuits. A big thank you to my incredible team of career development professionals in the Ivy+ Career Link Department. The support and camaraderie at Ivy Tech Community College have been truly inspiring, and I'm proud to be part of such a caring community.”
These awards are two ways Ivy Tech Fort Wayne and Warsaw celebrates its employees at a local level. Throughout the year, employees are recognized internally through the Cheers for Peers initiative and statewide awards and ceremonies. Learn more about what it’s like to work for Ivy Tech at ivytech.edu/careers.
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.
