The Office of Student Life, Development, and Leadership announced hospitality student Maci Runkel as the March Bear of the Month!
Runkel is the current student president of two organizations, the American Culinary Federation and the Indianapolis Student Hospitality Association at Ivy Tech Indianapolis.
Runkel has competed in several competitions throughout her career, including the 2021 National Skills USA competition, in which she took third place. She was also awarded a bronze medal in the American Culinary Federation Pastry Chef of the Year as an apprentice alongside Ivy Tech Indianapolis Instructor Chef Matt Steinbronn.
"After finishing my degree in Hospitality here, I plan on transferring to IUPUI to receive my Bachelor’s in Tourism, Event Management, and Conventions," Runkel said. "I’m so thankful for all of my instructors and classmates here at Ivy Tech. I have learned so much from them and can’t wait to see where life takes us! Thank you for nominating and selecting me to be Ivy Tech’s March Bear of the Month!"
Here's what Runkel's nominator wrote:
“Maci is the student president of ISHA in the culinary center. She goes above and beyond for everyone she encounters. She is always more than willing to help and assist other students with issues they are having and helps them find solutions. She always makes time for extracurricular activities and events happening with the school. She has devoted a lot of her own personal time to getting more students to get more involved at school and engaging with other students. She's also very kind and overall a nice and helpful person. I'm very glad I met Maci my first semester at the Culinary Center. She has helped me tremendously and has been one of my biggest supporters.”
If you would like to nominate a student for Bear of the Month, please fill out this form.
The Bear of the Month award is designed to recognize student achievement and showcase accomplishments in academics, student leadership, and exemplary character traits. The Office of Student Life, Development, and Leadership announce the winner each month recognizing the selected student with a certificate, a small gift, and campus recognition.
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.
