Benefactor Awards

Benefactor Awards

The Foundation’s mission is to partner with donors to invest in Ivy Tech Community College students, faculty, and programs to build stronger communities and a better Indiana. Our success depends on the support of generous benefactors who give of their time, talent, and treasure to support its mission.

Ivy Tech Foundation annually honors an individual, corporation, or foundation that has changed the lives of our students and the communities in which they live, learn, and work by providing exceptional philanthropic and volunteer leadership. This award celebrates the gifts and volunteer service the recipients have bestowed on the college.

2024 Benefactor Award Recipients

Harrah’s Hoosier Park Racing & Casino
Anderson

Opening their doors in 1994, Harrah’s Hoosier Park Racing and Casino has consistently given to the Anderson Ivy Tech campus since 1996. Their generosity has supported dozens of students and campus initiatives over the years including student scholarships, emergency aid assistance, and program support. Harrah’s Hoosier Park is a valuable member of the Anderson community and the Ivy  Tech family.

 


Bill C. Brown
Bloomington

Bill C. Brown began selling life insurance to other students as a sophomore at Indiana University. Today, Bill C. Brown Associates is a widely recognized and award-winning Indiana agency. Bill has committed significant time to Ivy Tech, serving on our local and state boards.

 

Mary and Bob Orben
Columbus

Mary and Bob Orben are big supporters of the Columbus community. They have uplifted many organizations over the years including Columbus Regional Heath Foundation, Our Hospice, United Way, Lehigh University, First Presbyterian Church and Ivy Tech, where they have been donors for more than 25 years with gifts supporting scholarships and innovative equipment.

 

Shawn McCoy on behalf of Deaconess Health System
Evansville

Shawn McCoy joined Deaconess Health Systems in 1991 and was appointed chief executive officer in 2017. He is a member of the board of managers for The Women’s Hospital, The Evansville Surgery Center, Memorial Hospital and Health Care Center, Baptist Health Deaconess Madisonville, and the Indiana Health Care Collaborative. Shawn serves on the Ivy Tech Campus Board of Trustees

 

Lois Kaufmann-Hunsberger
Fort Wayne

Lois Kaufmann-Hunsberger began at Ivy Tech as an adjunct faculty member in 1981 before becoming full-time in 2011. Lois retired in May. Terry & Lois Kaufmann-Hunsberger established an Endowed Scholarship in 2014 that directly supports the Early Childhood Learning Center, the laboratory preschool program of the Early Childhood Education Department.

 


Noblesville Rotary Club
Hamilton County

The Noblesville Rotary Club was established nearly 70 years ago on the principle of “Service Above Self.” The club is dedicated to serving and supporting the community through donations and volunteer involvement. Among the club’s big accomplishments is the establishment of the Noblesville Rotary Club Scholarship Fund at the Ivy Tech Hamilton County campus.

Cherylynn Schilling
Indianapolis

Cherylynn Schilling is president and owner of Powers Engineering where she handles day-to-day business operations, business development, and project management. In 2023, she established a scholarship to support students pursuing careers in engineering and construction. The LOIS Scholarship, named in her grandmother’s memory, aids Ivy Tech Indianapolis students coming from underrepresented communities.

 


The Gingerich Family of the Chariot Automotive Group
Kokomo

The Gingerich Family of Kokomo (represented by Lisa Gingerich Hearn and Rex Gingerich), owners of the Chariot Automotive Group, have been strong supporters of Ivy Tech’s Kokomo campus for 25 years. They have donated toward scholarships, services and facilities that benefit our students and the community. Their support directly contributed to the $3 million capital campaign that finished the transformation of the Kokomo campus.

 


Tipmont
Lafayette

Tipmont is the 5th largest Rural Electric Membership Corporation in Indiana, serving more than 25,000 members and covering much of the geographic footprint of the Lafayette campus. Tipmont has contributed $115,000 in scholarships to students studying Energy Technology as well as technology worth $94,000 to the Lafayette campus. Tipmont has supported the campus with $204,000 since 2010. 

 


Powers Health
Lake County

Powers Health, an evolution of Community Healthcare System, has been a friend of our Lake County campus for more than 21 years. Powers Health is committed residents of Northwest Indiana and has supported the Chancellors’ Scholarship event and the Meet the Need initiative for students, among other Ivy Tech programs. These contributions improve the lives of students at the Lake County and Valparaiso campuses in Northwest Indiana.  

Dearborn Community Foundation
Lawrenceburg

Dearborn Community Foundation has helped donors make a difference in Dearborn County for more than 20 years, working with hundreds of donors and volunteers to change the lives of people in their communities. More than $40 million in grants and scholarships have been awarded in the organization’s 20+ year history – strengthening the work of non-profits through grants and providing aid to students for post-secondary education.


North Healthcare
Madison

Norton Healthcare has provided quality care to everyone it serves for more than 130 years along with leadership for Norton King’s Daughters’ Health, the local hospital in Madison. Our partnership with Norton Healthcare is crucial in training students in our health science and nursing programs. The support of our facility renovation and expansion at the Madison campus underscores their commitment to Ivy Tech.

 

Satyavanthi Dronamraju
Marion

Satyavanthi Dronamraju is an accomplished assistant professor of mathematical sciences and STEM at our Marion Campus, where she also leads global studies initiatives. With a deep commitment to education and community service, Satya’s passion for Ivy Tech’s mission and values runs deep, shaped by her own experiences growing up in India. Whether it’s tutoring students on weekends, donating calculators, or providing financial assistance, Satya is committed to making education accessible for all.

 

Jones Brothers Trucking
Muncie

Jones Brothers Trucking has been an employee training pioneer for more than 25 years. Ivy Tech Muncie sought out collaborative partners to develop and launch a CDL initiative and Jones Brothers Trucking embraced the opportunity, underscoring its commitment to high standards in safe and effective driving training. The success of the CDL program has had profound impact – facilitating high-wage career opportunities and enhancing the overall quality of life in the community.

 

Debra Edelman
Richmond

Debra Edelman is a successful entrepreneur and leader in the recycling industry. She and her late husband, Jack, started The Recycling Center, Inc. in 1974. Debra is passionate about giving back to the community, supporting the Ivy Tech Foundation and many other organizations. Debra’s most recent contribution combines two of her passions: education and healthcare, resulting in the newly renovated healthcare simulation labs. And we’re excited to announce the new Healthcare Education Center at our Richmond campus will be named after Debra.

 

Martin Padgett
Sellersburg

Martin Padgett is the CEO of Dr. Black’s Eye Associates and former CEO of Clark Memorial Health. Martin recently was honored with the 2024 Ivy Tech Sellersburg Ivy Impact Award, which recognizes people who have made a lasting impact on education, the community, and the lives of others. Martin and his wife, Sue, are endowing a scholarship for future students pursuing healthcare careers. Martin is on the Sellersburg Campus Board and has previously contributed to the Sellersburg Capital Campaign Committee.

 

Tina Patton
South Bend/Elkhart

Tina Patton is a mother, pastor, wife, and businesswoman who embraces the power of compassion, love, and integrity to fulfill her purpose. Tina’s impact at Ivy Tech South Bend/Elkhart has been significant as board president, Circle of Ivy member, and a fierce advocate for elevating young people in our community through quality education. Tina also is Board Treasurer for The United Religious Communities, Saint Mary’s College and Indiana United Ways.

 

Putman County Community Foundation
Terre Haute

The Putnam County Community Foundation has partnered with Ivy Tech for nearly two decades and has provided more than $1 million supporting the college and its students. The Foundation recently provided the lead gift to support a new, state-of-the-art nursing simulation center at our Greencastle location. The Foundation – a family of more than 360 donor-established charitable funds with an endowment valued at more than $45 million – is a pillar of the community.

 

J. Scott and Tina Kleppe
Valparaiso

Scott and Tina Kleppe have been friends of Ivy Tech for more than 17 years. Scott has been President and CEO of Valparaiso-based SENSIT Technologies and has worked with Ivy Tech on many programs. SENSIT is a major supplier of gas detection instruments around the globe. Tina, meanwhile, runs the family farm and has passion for helping animal rescues. The Kleppe’s have supported the Chancellors’ scholarship event, the Meet the Need initiative for students, and an endowed scholarship for Advanced Manufacturing and Technology students.

 

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