Ivy Tech's "Grow Ivy" Campaign Concludes at Over $3.5 Million

Bloomington, Indiana-Ivy Tech - Bloomington celebrated the conclusion of the most successful fund-raising campaign in its history Thursday, March 23rd during a reception held to thank the campaign cabinet at Chapman's Restaurant and Banquet Center. Launched exactly one-year ago - "Grow Ivy Tech-The Campaign for Our Community"- raised a total of $3,574,702 in gifts and pledges from more than 400 organizations, businesses and individuals, surpassing its original goal of $3 million by over 19 percent.

John Whikehart, Ivy Tech Community College - Bloomington Chancellor thanked the campaign co-chairs, honorary chairs and 111 member campaign cabinet for their leadership. "Campaign co-chairs Connie Ferguson, Mayor Maloney and Carol Touloukian, honorary chairs Bill C. Brown, Lee Marchant and Joan Olcott and the campaign cabinet provided great leadership throughout the campaign. They met the challenge of bringing the campaign to a successful conclusion and deserve to be commended for their outstanding work."

Along with the chairs and cabinet campaign, Whikehart also thanked Steve and Connie Ferguson, chairs of the Major Gifts division, members of the Life and Health Sciences division which included Steve Bryant, John Stephens, Ruth Ann Morris, Carol Touloukian and Dan Peterson, Community division chairs Angela Parker and Ron Tarsi, and Jennie Vaughan, chair of the Family division. "The division chairs were instrumental in meeting our goal. We could not have done it without them," said Whikehart.

Whikehart said the completion of the Grow Ivy Tech campaign marks another significant milestone in the college's history. "It's very humbling and gratifying to have this level of support from our community, alumni, students and friends. This level of giving suggests our communities are supportive of the college's mission and they believe that the college carries out its mission effectively and efficiently."

"Grow Ivy Tech - The Campaign for Our Community" was the direct result of rapidly increasing enrollment (for example, the college experienced an 11.7 % increase in spring 2006 over spring enrollment in 2005) and the addition of several new programs, like biotechnology and radiation therapy, that require extensive laboratory space and equipment. The campaign featured four initiatives: funding life and health sciences initiatives; increasing scholarship monies to meet the needs of students; growing the opportunities for the region's Center for Civic Engagement; and future expansion of current facilities.