Ivy Tech Community College–Northeast celebrated its 41^st Annual Commencement Ceremony today at Allen County War Memorial Coliseum at 1:30 p.m. The college graduated a record-number 1,052 students in Fort Wayne with respective associate of science degrees, associate of arts degrees, associate of applied science degrees, certificates, and technical certificates. The college’s graduation rate is 34 percent higher than 2010 and 48 percent higher than 2009. Statewide, Ivy Tech graduated a record number of students estimated at 12,400.

Aja Michael, a graduating student from the Department of Hospitality Administration, was the ceremony’s keynote speaker after being chosen by college administration because of an essay submission to attend the college’s recent Disney Institute program in April. Michael spoke about what she has garnered through life—in experiences, in education, and in advice—and how qualities learned have an effect on our leadership skills and effectiveness in how we function in the workplace and in life. Michael is originally from Converse, Ind., and has been living in Fort Wayne for five years. She graduated with an Associate of Applied Science in Hospitality Administration with a concentration in Event Management. Michael decided to return to school and attend Ivy Tech to broaden her career options. Outside of Ivy Tech, she has worked as an education advocate at the YWCA Fort Wayne for five years. She also just completed an internship with Ivy Tech’s Marketing and Communications office this spring.

Melvin L. Curtis Award for Academic Excellence

Each year, the academic schools are given the opportunity to select one student to receive an Outstanding Student Award.

For 2011, these outstanding students are:

• Lisa Bonahoom, representing the School of Nursing
• Deanna Charcalla, representing the School of Liberal Arts and Sciences
• Julia Hughes, representing the School of Business
• Angela Moore, representing the School of Public and Social Services
• Lisa Mount, representing the School of Education
• Corey Smith, representing the School of Health Sciences; and
• Eric Stendahl, representing the School of Technology

The Melvin L. Curtis Award for Academic Excellence is presented annually to a graduate in recognition of outstanding scholarship and personal qualities, and the recipient is selected by a vote of the academic leadership of Ivy Tech Community College. The 2011 Melvin L. Curtis Award for Academic Excellence to Deanna Charcalla, representing the School of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Deanna Charcalla graduated Summa Cum Laude with an Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts. She plans to continue her studies at IPFW, where she will pursue a bachelor’s degree in mathematics with a minor in business. Her career aspiration is to become an actuary in the insurance industry. At Ivy Tech, she received the chancellor’s scholarship award, has been a member of student government, has maintained a 4.0 GPA, and has continued her passion for horse showmanship through continued leadership in 4H. She truly exemplifies the Ivy Tech ideal of academic excellence, and significant community and institutional involvement.

2011 President’s Award for Excellence in Instruction
and Glenn W. Sample Award for Excellence nominee

The Glenn W. Sample Award for Excellence in Instruction was established by Ivy Tech Community College in honor of the College’s former president for the purpose of recognizing an outstanding instructor. Each of the 14 regions selects a nominee, and the award is presented to the statewide winner. The finalists receive the President’s Award for Excellence in Instruction. The recipient of the 2011 President’s Award for Excellence in Instruction for Ivy Tech Community College–Northeast, is Abdalla Hazaimeh, Ph.D., program chair of Math and Physical Sciences. Hazaimeh joined the faculty and academic administration at Ivy Tech Community College–Northeast in 2007 as the Program Chair for mathematics and physical sciences. Prior to joining Ivy Tech, Hazaimeh has had faculty or administrative positions at Marian College, Trine University, Ferris State University, and Winona State University. He received his Ph.D. in Physics from North Dakota State University, his Master of Arts in Physics from Wichita State University, and his Bachelor of Science in Physics from Yarmouk University in his native country of Jordan.

Since joining Ivy Tech, Hazaimeh has made many significant contributions both on campus and within the Fort Wayne community. Many of his efforts are directed toward encouraging more primary and secondary students to pursue further study and careers in STEM fields—meaning science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. In fact, Hazaimeh is coordinating a new summer camp program next month which will be bringing students to our campus for a STEM camp. He is also co-chairing the regional STEM task force at Ivy Tech that was established in the past year.

Adjunct Faculty Award for Excellence in Instruction
and Gerald I. Lamkin Award for Excellence nominee

This year, the college introduced a new honor, the Gerald I. Lamkin Award. It was established by Ivy Tech Community College in recognition of the College’s former president for the purpose of recognizing top adjunct faculty members. Each of the 14 regions selects a nominee, and the award is presented to the statewide winner. The finalists receive the Adjunct Faculty Award for Excellence in Instruction. The recipient of the 2011 Adjunct Faculty Award for Excellence in Instruction for Ivy Tech Community College–Northeast, is Mr. Bruce Horne, instructor of Instructional Technology. Horne has been an adjunct professor in the School of Technology, teaching metallurgy fundamentals as well as introductory and oxyacetylene welding, since August 2006. He brings a wealth of real-world experiences to the classroom, including machining and rebuilding automotive engines, designing the gear box and pitch mechanism for the propeller system of a large vertical take off and land aircraft, contributing to the mechanical design and development of the rotors of large, steam turbine driven generators, as well as working as the Manager of Software Engineering for General Electric’s specialty transformer operation here in Fort Wayne. He earned a Bachelor of Science in aeronautical engineering from the University of Illinois, and a Master of Science in mechanical engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. After he retired from GE in March 2001, he continued to work as a consultant, and, in his spare time, started taking welding classes at Ivy Tech.