The Ivy Tech Distinguished Alumni Award is the highest honor given to recognize Ivy Tech Alumni. Selected through a highly competitive process, each recipient has made a lasting impac ton their community and on Ivy Tech through outstanding professional, philanthropic, or volunteer accomplishments.
Each year, up to 19 alumni from across the state are honored with the Distinguished Alumni Award at the Distinguished Alumni Celebration.
The alumni honored at this event represent the very best of what an Ivy Tech education makes possible. Alumni, faculty, staff, and friends are all encouraged to submit nominations online. Learn more about the criteria and selection process before you nominate.
2024 Distinguished Alumni Award Recipients
Joycelyn Scaife
Anderson
Joycelyn Scaife is director of human resources at Ivy Tech Anderson. Joycelyn earned her associate’s degree in accounting from Ivy Tech in 1996, a bachelor’s degree from Ball State in 2010 and more recently a master’s degree from Indiana Wesleyan.
Cindy Herrington
Bloomington
Cindy Herrington is chief nursing officer at IU Health Sound Central Region. Cindy began her nursing career as a graduate of the practical nursing program at Ivy Tech Bloomington in 1986. She also holds a Master of Science in Nursing, a Master of Science in Family Nurse Practitioner, and a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree.
Kassi Zeigler
Columbus
Kassi Zeigler is a branch relationship manager at Centra Credit Union. Kassi graduated from Ivy Tech Columbus with an associate degree in general studies. She completed Student Leadership Academy, was on the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Counsel, and was President and Vice President of the Student Government Association.
Malcolm Wickware
Evansville
Malcolm Wickware is an attorney in Evansville who runs his own practice, Wickware Law Office. He enrolled in Ivy Tech’s general studies program before earning a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Evansville. He earned his law degree at Southern Illinois University.
Cydney Bridges
Fort Wayne
Cydney Bridges is a registered nurse at Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis. She’s a Fort Wayne native who graduated from Huntington University in April of 2023 after starting her nursing journey in 2019 at Ivy Tech where she earned her CNA license.
Troi Wharton
Hamilton County
Troi Wharton is a marketing student at the Kelley School of Business in Indianapolis where she is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in business. Troi graduated from Ivy Tech in 2023 and was the Hamilton County Commencement Student Speaker, Board of Trustees Student Speaker, and Youth Empowerment Honoree.
Carrie Abbott
Indianapolis
Carrie Abbott is a business owner who focuses on popular treats. She founded Newfangled Confections in 2011, has acquired two other confections companies, and co-manufacturers several other confections. Carrie graduated from Ivy Tech Indianapolis and earned an AAS in Hospitality: Pastry & Baking Arts in 2010.
Nicole Nordman
Kokomo
Nikki Nordman is the owner of Pizza Quik in Peru and is an active supporter of causes throughout her community. In 2007, she earned an associate of applied science degree in business administration from Ivy Tech Kokomo.
Byran Zicherl
Lafayette
Byran Zicherl is a program manager for CLEAResult, the largest energy efficiency program implementer in the US and Canada. Bryan graduated with an associate degree in Energy Technology in 2015 and is a member of the Ivy Tech Alumni Council.
Rebekah Arevalo
Lake County
Rebekah Arevalo is Valparaiso University’s assistant vice president for Hispanic Serving Institution Initiatives. She also is chief of staff and board liaison. Rebekah earned an associate degree from Ivy Tech Lake County where she was vice president of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.
Belinda Eldridge
Lawrenceburg
Belinda Eldridge is a Registered Nurse and case manager at Mercy West Hospital in Cincinnati. She graduated from Ivy Tech Lawrenceburg with an associate degree in nursing in 2012 and continued her education by earning a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Indiana Wesleyan in 2019.
Brandon Tucker
Madison
Brandon Tucker is the 9-1-1 Director at Jefferson County Central Dispatch and has supported his community in many ways during seven years of dispatch experience. Brandon earned an associate degree in criminal justice from Ivy Tech Madison.
Monik Tetactle
Marion
Monik Tetactle is a first-grade teacher in the Marion Community School System at Allen Elementary School. Monik studied at Indiana University Kokomo, Ivy Tech Marion, and Ivy Tech Muncie, where she graduated Summa Cum Laude and was honored as the Outstanding Student. She graduated Cum Laude from Ball State in 2020.
Evan Shroyer
Muncie
Evan Shroyer, a teacher and mentor, is the new principal at East Washington Academy in Muncie. Evan earned an associate degree from Ivy Tech Muncie and bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Ball State.
Chloe Bennett
Richmond
Chloe Bennett is a creative specialist in the funeral industry where she markets funeral solutions to directors nationwide. Chloe graduated from Ivy Tech Richmond in 2018 with a degree in engineering technology before earning her bachelor’s degree in 2020 from Purdue in computer graphics technology.
Chris Jackson
Sellersburg
Chris Jackson is President and CEO of Dan Cristiani Excavating Company and DC Develop. Chris earned his associate’s degree in business management from Ivy Tech Sellersburg.
Carmen Tyson
South Bend/Elkhart
Carmen Tyson has been a valuable member of the Ivy Tech South Bend-Elkhart team since 2008 and currently is a coordinator in K-14. She earned her degree in medical assisting from Ivy Tech in 2021.
Nick Givens
Terre Haute
Nick Givens is Vice President and Chief Information Officer for Riddell National Bank. Nick graduated from Ivy Tech in 2006 with an associate degree in computer information systems and earned his bachelor’s degree in information technology from Indiana State in 2011.
Samantha Eriks
Valparaiso
Samantha Eriks is an investigator with the Lake County prosecutor’s office IV-D child support department. Samantha has a degree in criminal justice with a focus on juvenile justice and sociology, studying at IU Northwest and Ivy Tech Valparaiso. She was recently recognized as a Thompson Reuters (CLEAR) Everyday Hero.