On Thursday, September 18, Ivy Tech Community College held its 24th annual Chancellor’s Scholarship Event at Avalon Manor in Merrillville. This year featured 28 Ivy Tech students for the Class of 2025 from the Lake County and Valparaiso campuses who were awarded $1,500 scholarships in recognition of their academic achievements.
Students’ families, Ivy Tech faculty and staff, as well as donors and community supporters all turned out for this exciting ceremony. The event was supported by sponsors like Linde, the McMillan Family Foundation, Valparaiso University, Purdue Federal Credit Union, Cleveland Cliffs, and HealthLinc.
Aco Sikoski, chancellor of Ivy Tech’s Valparaiso, Michigan City, and La Porte sites, is pleased to see so many individuals come to support scholarship funding for students at the event.
“This event is outstanding,” Sikoski said. “It’s an opportunity for us to demonstrate the value of what we do for our students and the companies, organizations, and post-secondary educational institutions who partner with us. Ivy Tech is truly a community college. Over 92% of our students stay in the community after they graduate. As they support themselves and their families, they are working for local employers and ultimately improving the quality of life in the Region.”
Over the past 24 years, Ivy Tech has given scholarships to over 400 students, totaling over $620,000. These funds can help support all of a student’s academic expenses, including books and tuition. In order to be eligible for the scholarship, students must meet a demanding set of requirements. Chancellor’s scholarship recipients had to have a grade point average of 3.75 or above and already completed a minimum of 30 credit hours or more to be eligible.
Cindy Hall, executive director of resource development for Ivy Tech, oversaw the planning and execution of the Chancellor’s Scholarship Dinner.
“I hope each of the honoree’s leaves knowing that they’ve achieved something remarkable,” Hall said. “Much of the time, students go back and forth between school and home and never have the opportunity be celebrated. This event is intended to recognize them for their efforts. After 2020, everybody became isolated and we couldn’t hold events like this. We’re very excited to be back here in person to celebrate with a roomful of students, their families, and donors from throughout the community.”
Johnna Vaughan, a surgical technology student at the Valparaiso campus, delivered the invocation at this year’s event. In place of a guest speaker from the community, Hall and her team selected two Ivy Tech students to speak at the event. Each speaker was chosen on the basis of the quality of the application essay they wrote.
Alejandra Rosas, a physical therapist assistance student from the Lake County Campus and Kristen Danielson, a healthcare specialist student from the Valparaiso campus, reflected on their past, their inspirations, and their hopes for the future during their remarks.
Each student received a medal, a certificate and a congratulatory letter from Indiana First Congressional District Representative Frank Mrvan. Northwest Health and Linde were also presented with the Benefactor of the Year Award in recognition of the support they have lent Ivy Tech over the years. Each company received a framed tribute plaque of thanks from Ivy Tech as well as a congratulatory letter from Mrvan.
Heather Hart, interim chancellor of Ivy Tech’s Lake County Campus and the East Chicago, Gary, and Crown Point sites, will be relinquishing her position to incoming chancellor Dr. John Gipson. Because of its excitement and celebration of students, she is pleased that the Chancellor’s Scholarship Dinner was one of the last events she attends while still in office.
“I enjoy any opportunity we get to celebrate with our students,” Hart said. “Ivy Tech wraps its arms around its students and I believe that shows at this event. My hope is that everyone here will be inspired by our students, listen to their stories, and learn what obstacles they have overcome to get where they are today. These Chancellor’s scholarships support them a lot as they pursue their studies. We want to do all we can to support our students because even the smallest amount of help can change not only a student’s life but the lives of their family members as well.”
The attendees enjoyed a delicious three-course dinner prepared by the Avalon Manor staff, along with popcorn and candy provided by Chicagoland Popcorn and the Albanese Candy Factory respectively. Many attendees also lined up to take pictures at the photo booth, which was generously sponsored by Morfas Family Dentistry.
Visit ivytech.edu for more information on Ivy Tech Community College’s enrollment information, course offerings, and upcoming events.
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