Published: February 25, 2008 05:06 pm         

Ivy Tech capital campaign reaches 50 percent of goal

Funds will be used to complete new Center for Workforce Development

TERRE HAUTE — Ivy Tech Community College announced recently that it is undertaking a capital campaign that will raise funds to complete its Center for Workforce Development and that the campaign has reached more than $830,000 of the $1.5 million goal.

“Changing Lives … for Tomorrow’s Workforce” is a regional campaign to complete the advanced manufacturing and automotive training center. Located in the Vigo County Industrial Park, the Center for Workforce Development is an 82,000-square-foot facility that provides space for Ivy Tech’s Manufacturing and Industrial Technology, Electronics, Design Technology, and Automotive Technology programs, and its Workforce and Economic Development department.

Less than 11 months ago, a study was conducted to understand the needs of local manufacturers and automotive leaders. Based on the findings, the college developed a strategic plan to meet those needs and money raised in this campaign will be used to retain state-of-the-art equipment and labs, student scholarships, and technology and staff endowments.

Mark Fuson, president of Fuson Pontiac Buick Cadillac & GMC Trucks, and Robert Brown, president and CEO of Tri Aerospace, LLC, have been selected as co-chairmen of the campaign.

In the past five years, Ivy Tech-Wabash Valley Region has increased enrollment by 21.8 percent – from 4,521 students to 5,506 for 2007 fall 10-day count. In order to address the needs of students who are a part of this tremendous growth pattern, Ivy Tech is building partnerships with community leaders who will join the college by investing in their community and in the bright futures of Ivy Tech students.

Ivy Tech believes that education is the answer to many of the challenges facing today’s work force. While the state meets some of the needs of a community college and tuition meets other financial needs, this project offers a tremendous opportunity for the private investor to help Ivy Tech provide quality programs that meet the needs of students and the work force.

For information on the “Changing Lives … for Tomorrow’s Workforce” capital campaign, contact Becky Miller, executive director of Resource Development, at (812) 298-2361.

Ivy Tech Community College is the state’s second-largest public postsecondary institution, with more than 100,000 students enrolled annually. Ivy Tech has 23 campuses throughout Indiana. It serves as the state’s engine of work force development, offering affordable degree programs and training aligned with the needs of its community, along with courses and programs that transfer to other colleges and universities in Indiana. It is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

The Wabash Valley Region offers 26 degree programs and eight locations throughout the area.