Ivy Tech Community College Fort Wayne’s Office of Student Life is hosting a Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Mural Rededication Ceremony open to students and the public Wednesday, Jan. 18 from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the Student Life Center (3701 Dean Drive). The MLK mural was recently reimagined by the college’s Visual Communications program.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Mural in the Student Life Center
The rededication is also being made possible through efforts of the college’s Diversity Council and the new Black Student Union (BSU). BSU’s president, members of the Visual Communications department, and campus leadership will give speeches during the ceremony.
Afterwards, everyone is invited to a free lunch in the college’s Student Life Commons that includes pulled meat sandwiches (chicken, pork, and beef), chips, beans, and more. Attendees may also receive a stuffed bear with an MLK quote t-shirt.
Ivy Tech Community College Fort Wayne is holding its 14th graduation of inmates from the Chain O’ Lakes Correctional Facility in Albion, IN. These 10 individuals will receive their welding certificates after successfully completing their training. Since the program’s inception in May 2018, more than 100 individuals have graduated with welding or CNC certificates.
“It’s gratifying to work with incarcerated individuals and see them get a second chance and a high-paying job,” said Joe McMichael, Executive Director of Ivy+ Career Link at Ivy Tech. “We look forward to building our partnership with the Department of Corrections and help strengthen the futures of underserved populations for years to come.”
WHEN:
1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Jan. 13
WHERE:
Ivy Tech Fort Wayne’s North Campus
Steel Dynamics, Inc. Keith E. Busse Technology Center
Every year, two select groups of 12 people are chosen to spend six months in the Golden State with a goal of becoming certified Porsche technicians. Imagine Caleb DeKeyser’s excitement when Porsche chose him for the program—thanks, in part, to an Automotive Technology degree and guidance from Ivy Tech Fort Wayne faculty.
Caleb describes his experience at the Porsche Technology Apprenticeship Program (PTAP) as a “bootcamp” for all things Porsche. It involves spending half a year in California while living in housing the company provides and dedicating nearly every day to working on cars. He says the knowledge he gained there could’ve filled an entire year. But when you work with Porsche, it’s quality over everything else.
“It’s basically everything that’s within other car companies magnified times ten because you’re not working on a $20,000 car, you’re working on a $200,000 car,” Caleb says.
It wasn’t just luck that earned him his place in PTAP. Hard work got him to where he is today, a trait he’s carried from a young age.
As an early teen, the Michigander saved up money to buy a dirt bike. He says he and his brother liked to tinker with and modify it. From dirt bikes, they experimented with four-wheelers before moving on to cars. Caleb loved working with all aspects of it, from maintenance to performance.
“We liked going fast, the thrill of it, and when I bought cars, I’d always liked going off-roading and driving fast.”
Working with performance cars became his dream. So, when his parents moved from northern Michigan to Angola, Ind., he went off to Tennessee for college in hopes of making that dream come true. He was only there a year before he needed a change, so he opted for a school close to home: Ivy Tech Community College Fort Wayne.
Caleb didn’t foresee himself working with luxury cars, but he put in the work for an Automotive Technology technical certificate. Not only did he squeeze three semesters into two, but he also worked part time while commuting to and from Angola.
Porsche Technology Apprenticeship Program (PTAP) in California; provided by Caleb DeKeyser
“If you pay attention and get as much out of it as you can, then you can do some damage in the shop.”
His effort paid off as teachers took notice. Caleb credits automotive instructor Paul Wright for noticing the work he was putting in and helping him land his dream opportunity. He says Wright got him in contact with Porsche Fort Wayne, where Caleb began working with the Audi’s while continuing his education. PTAP gave him a career boost, and he’s now a fully certified Porsche technician.
At 23, he’s living a life many people dream about: happily married, a soon-to-be father, and working a job he loves while living without college debt. But Caleb’s ambition is still strong, and he hopes one day he can open his own shop.
For those pursuing a similar path, he offers this advice: pay attention in class, work hard, and don’t let buying tools bring you into debt.
Ivy Tech Community College Fort Wayne is excited to announce a new partnership with 80/20 LLC. that extends 80/20 employees’ tuition reimbursement program to their children and grandchildren for the first time in the industry. A generous grant funds this initiative from the Don Wood Foundation to Ivy Tech.
“80/20 is honored to be awarded the Don Wood Memorial Scholarship Fund,” said Vicki Cook, HR Director at 80/20. “This will allow Don Wood’s legacy to continue with the company he built and connection he had with Ivy Tech. We are excited to give this back to the employees, employees’ children and grandchildren.”
Through the Achieve Your Degree (AYD) initiative at Ivy Tech, eligible employees and their families can receive tuition reimbursement when they enroll into programs related to manufacturing and business. Families can also apply for the $5,000 Don Wood Foundation Scholarship by contacting the human resources department at 80/20. The decision to award the grant reflects 80/20 founder Don Wood’s love for both the company and Ivy Tech, where he received his second degree and served on the Regional Board of Trustees.
“This is a wonderful program that speaks not only Don Wood’s dedication to both Ivy Tech and 80/20, but also fits squarely into his desire to help fund scholarships for people to advance in their career,” said Don Wood Foundation President and CEO Laura Macknick. “The unique approach and focus on collaborative partnerships could serve as a pilot for similar programs in the region to help fill the need for skilled employees in the manufacturing sector.”
This pilot program was constructed to support Wood’s mission of creating more opportunities for people seeking a career in industrial trades, advanced manufacturing, leadership, and innovation. He passed away in March 2019, but his legacy lives on through the Don Wood Foundation, which has long supported Ivy Tech through programs like Northeast Indiana FAME and the WorkMatters program on Ivy Tech Muncie’s campus.
“Ivy Tech is honored to play a part in extending Don Wood’s legacy further into the community by building pathways to an invaluable education,” said Ivy Tech Fort Wayne Chancellor Kim Barnett-Johnson. “This is a pivotal opportunity for 80/20 employees and their families that strengthens our mission to meet people where they are to help them create the future they want.”
In celebration of the new partnership, 80/20 and Ivy Tech are hosting a registration fair for employees and family members interested in joining the program Jan. 6 from noon to 4 p.m. at the company which is in Columbia City. Ivy Tech enrollment specialists will be there to provide general admissions and application assistance.
Deborah Pitzer, Dean of the School of Manufacturing, Engineering, and Applied Sciences
Ivy Tech Community College Fort Wayne and Warsaw has selected Deb Pitzer as the Dean of the School of Manufacturing, Engineering, and Applied Sciences. Along with leading and overseeing faculty and programs, she’s hoping to set new standards and create a culture of appreciation for all employees and students.
“I’m really excited because I come from the school, and I’m hoping that knowing what I know from my job as department chair, I can help students and faculty better from this position,” says Pitzer. “I want them to know they can come to my office whenever they need any help or just need someone to sit and listen. My door is open.”
Pitzer has worked with Ivy Tech full-time since 2006, filling a variety of roles including department chair of Machine Tool Technology and assistant professor. She also served the college as adjunct faculty for three years before that. Prior to lending her skills to the college, she worked for nearly 10 years as an advanced manufacturing engineer at General Electric.
“I’m excited to have Deb as our newest Dean,” says Heidi Fowler, Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs. “She brings 17 years of experience as an Ivy Tech department chair into the role, and I can’t wait to see how she shapes and leads the School of Advanced Manufacturing, Engineering, and Applied Sciences.”
Pitzer earned her MBA at Indiana Wesleyan University and her BS in Mechanical Engineering Technology from Purdue University Fort Wayne. She holds several certificates from the National Institute of Metalworking Skills (NIMS) including Drill Press Skills, Manual Milling Skills, Job Planning, Benchwork and Layout, and Measurement, Material and Safety.
Happy Holidays from Ivy Tech Fort Wayne & Warsaw! A special thank you to all of our community partners and alumni who made this video possible. We appreciate every chance we get to show the amazing things that are happening as a result of your hard work. Wishing everyone a great year ahead!
Ivy Tech Community College Fort Wayne invites students and the community to connect with employers at the Human Services Mini Career and Job Fair Wednesday, Dec. 7 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Anthony Commons on Coliseum Campus.
Representatives from more than a dozen local businesses and organizations will be there to discuss their companies and the opportunities available. Those attending include:
Bowen Center
Parkview Health
Amani Family Services
Lutheran Health Network
Goodwill Industries of Northeast Indiana
Lunch will be provided for attendees from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. while supplies last. No reservations required. If you have any questions, contact Anh Dinh Lapsley at alapsley6@ivytech.edu.
Ivy Tech Warsaw students could win free tuition when they sign up for spring courses at the Dec. 6 Registration Fair at Warsaw’s campus on Silveus Crossing.
Attendees can stop by any time between 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. for an easy way to schedule for the spring semester which begins Jan. 17. Anyone who attends is automatically entered to win FREE spring tuition and can enjoy free coffee and food. Students are asked to register as soon as possible to reserve their spots before classes fill up.
The fair is open to everyone, and attendees are encouraged to apply to the college beforehand to streamline the enrollment process. Those interested can sign up at link.ivytech.edu/warsaw.
Ivy Tech Community College has honored John Lynch of Fort Wayne as one of 39 individuals across the state selected to receive the 2022 President’s Award, the highest honor for Ivy Tech faculty and adjunct faculty. Fort Wayne’s Timothy (Tim) Spear was also nominated for the Gerald I. Lamkin award.
John Lynch, Accounting Program Chair; selected to receive 2022 President’s Award
The College recently honored each one of the winners for their exemplary work with students and the College community during the past year. A selection committee made up of alumni, past winners, State Trustees, faculty representatives, and college administration selected the honorees based on nominations from students, fellow faculty members, and Ivy Tech staff.
“The impact our faculty members have on our students extends far beyond the classroom,” said Ivy Tech President, Dr. Sue Ellspermann. “In addition to excellence in teaching, faculty members are often advisors, mentors, and role models for our students. We are proud to recognize their excellence, passion, and dedication to Ivy Tech and the communities in which they live and serve.”
“Mr. Lynch has served our college in a multitude of ways. Although, he makes it clear through his everyday work that teaching and mentoring our students is always his number one priority,” wrote Eric Allmon, Dean of the School of Business, Logistics, & Supply Chain. “His tenure has stretched through the names of Indiana Vocational Technical College, Ivy Tech State College, and finally Ivy Tech Community College. Through all of the changes, one thing has remained constant in the Accounting program at the Fort Wayne campus – John Lynch.”
Tim Spear, Nursing Adjunct Faculty; nominated for the Gerald I. Lamkin Award
The College also honored Marquis E. Songer (Terre Haute) with the Glenn W. Sample Award Founder’s Award for Excellence in Instruction and Cynthia Carlson (Anderson) with the Gerald I. Lamkin Award. Sample and Lamkin are two former Ivy Tech presidents. Sample helped to found the College when it was still the Indiana Vocational Technical College and served as president from 1973-1980. Lamkin served as Ivy Tech president from 1983-2007, overseeing the growth of the College from a vocational school to the state’s community college.
The first recipient of the Provost Award for Excellence in Honors and Teaching Service, Milan Andrejevich, was also honored. The award is presented to a faculty member who has made significant contributions to the Ivy Tech Honors College in the areas of curriculum development, honors instruction, advisement and mentorship, assessment of student learning, multicultural experiences, and student research.
The winner of this year’s awards were as follows:
Glenn W. Sample Award
Marquis E. Songer – Assistant Professor and Program Chair, Machine Tool Technology (Terre Haute)
Gerald I. Lamkin Award
Cynthia Carlson – Associate Adjunct Faculty, Life Sciences (Anderson)
Provost Award for Excellence in Honors and Teaching Service
Milan Andrejevich – Professor, History (South Bend-Elkhart)
Here’s a full list of the statewide honorees:
Faculty Honorees (by Ivy Tech location):
Anderson: Mark Robbins – Assistant Professor and Assistant Department Chair, Natural Sciences
Bloomington: Daniel James O’Neill – Assistant Professor and Program Chair of Anatomy and Physiology
Columbus: Amanda Burkman – Faculty, School of Nursing
Evansville: Andrea Jefferson – Associate Professor, Elementary and Secondary Education Program Chair
Fort Wayne: John Lynch – Program Chair, Accounting
Hamilton County: Nicol Bradberry – ProgramChair, Business
Indianapolis: Terri Fleming – Department Chair, Healthcare Specialist Programs
Kokomo: Tara Kaser – Assistant Professor of Education, Dean and Program Chair Education
Lafayette: Tami Andrade – Assistant Professor and Assistant Program Chair, School of Nursing
Lake County: Louis Fadel – Assistant Professor, Science Department
Lawrenceburg: Bradley Fentress – Associate Professor, Mathematics
Madison: George Tackett – Assistant Professor, Program Chair, School of Advanced Manufacturing, Engineering, and Applied Sciences
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