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.
Lauren and Chris Salerno
Hamilton County
Lauren Salerno has made an unmeasurable difference in the opportunities to support Ivy Tech students throughout Indiana as a volunteer and through her personal giving. While her support centers around the Hamilton County campus, Lauren has led Ivy Tech’s Circle of Ivy initiative for the entire state and now serves as the Ivy Tech Foundation Board chair. Lauren and her husband Dr. Christopher Salerno established the Salerno Family Endowed Scholarship to help students who want to become a nurse. In addition to this gift, as a lifetime member of the Circle of Ivy, Lauren established an endowment for the Circle of Ivy. Lauren’s legacy of service and leadership in support of Indiana is supreme.
Catrina Tate
Indianapolis
Catrina (Lane) Tate has made a career of leading others. Catrina graduated from Ivy Tech Indianapolis in 2012, earning her Associate of Applied Science in Business Administration. Catrina, originally from Gary, began her career at Teacher’s Credit Union 19 years ago, and today is Vice President of Retail. Catrina has taken on various supervisor roles – including the management of three locations during her time as a branch manager. Today, Catrina leads a team while working to make a positive impact at TCU and the industry. She is co-chair of the credit union’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Taskforce and serves as First Vice Chair for Girl Scouts of Central Indiana Board of Directors. She is a past mentor for Habitat for Humanity and has established a scholarship in her name at Ivy Tech. Catrina was a 2021 winner of the David R Sage Award, and a CLD Minority Achievers nominee.
The City of Kokomo and Howard County
Kokomo
The City of Kokomo and Howard County make our community better by emphasizing quality of place, economic development, and educational attainment – and they recognize the important contributions Ivy Tech Kokomo. They have supported our scholarship fundraising efforts along with our Doing the Dream Diversity event, job fairs, and leadership programs. Both also have supported two important initiatives: the $43 million Kokomo Campus Transformation and the development of Ivy Tech Kokomo’s Industry 4.0 Lab supporting Smart Manufacturing and Digital Integration skills training, which are vital to the area’s industrial sector. As the campus prepares for potentially hundreds of students associated with the $2.5 billion EV battery plant under construction, we are grateful for the support from the city and the county. The 3.3 million-square-foot StarPlus Energy plant, a joint venture of Stellantis and Samsung SDI, is expected to employ 1,400 when completed in 2025.
Cleveland Cliffs
Lake County/Valparaiso
Cleveland-Cliffs has been a financial friend of Ivy Tech for more than 26 years. The company is the largest flat-rolled steel producer in North America and the main source of steel production serving Northwest Indiana. For years Cleveland-Cliffs has supported the Chancellors’ scholarship event – the Meet the Need initiative – for students. It also partners on the electrical technology certificate program to help improve the lives of students at the Lake County and Valparaiso campuses. Cleveland-Cliffs is committed to public service in the region, and they’ve made it their business to stay involved in what’s happening locally. They understand there is a need in every community and remain committed to partnering with non-profit organizations, including the company’s footprint through in-kind contributions and financial support.
Wabash Heartland Innovation Network (WHIN)
Lafayette
Wabash Heartland Innovation Network (WHIN) has partnered with Ivy Tech Lafayette since 2019, giving nearly $1.1 million in grants to various programs, primarily in agriculture. WHIN serves 10 counties in North Central Indiana and is working to develop the region into a global epicenter for digital agriculture and next-generation manufacturing – one that is empowered by data science and Internet-enabled sensors of all types. The organization’s regional cultivation initiative is designed to increase the vitality, education, and connectivity of the Wabash Heartland region.
Jim and Charlotte Helms
Lawrenceburg
Since 1963, Jim Helms has dedicated his life to education by serving in a wide variety of roles including high school teacher, guidance counselor, basketball coach, and high school principal. Helms’ initial involvement with Ivy Tech was in 1976 when he served on the Southeast Regional Board of Trustees. He continued to serve as a Trustee until he was hired as the Executive Dean in 1998 for the Lawrenceburg and Batesville campuses. In 2001, Helms was named Chancellor of the Southeast Region, which included Lawrenceburg, Batesville, and Madison. Under Jim’s leadership as Chancellor, the college’s vision to expand Ivy Tech in Southeastern Indiana with new state of the art facilities in all three communities was brought to fruition. During his 16-year tenure as Chancellor, the College experienced a massive and unprecedented growth period of enrollment, curriculum, and programs. Jim was also instrumental in launching the now statewide Dual Enrollment initiative creating partnerships with the area high schools to offer college credits to high school students. After retiring in 2014, Jim continued his involvement with Ivy Tech, along with his dedication to meet the educational needs of Indiana residents, by serving on the statewide Foundation Board of Directors until 2018. In 2021, Jim was selected as the Lawrenceburg Citizen of the Year in honor of his outstanding community activism & dedicated regional support for the citizens of the City of Lawrenceburg & Southeast Indiana. Jim & Charlotte Helms have been married for 58 years, and together have funded two separate scholarships through Ivy Tech Foundation. The Jim & Charlotte Helms Scholarship fund was established to assist students in reaching their educational goals. They also did not hesitate to establish the Jim & Charlotte Helms Emergency Scholarship fund when they were made aware of a tragic situation an Ivy Tech student was facing and wanted to ensure students would be able to continue their education despite unforeseen situations they may encounter.
The Community Foundation of Madison and Jefferson County
Madison
The Community Foundation of Madison and Jefferson County (CFMJC) has been a true partner and supporter of our Ivy Tech community for more than three decades. The Foundation has supported initiatives as far ranging from endowing a scholarship, outfitting our Paramedic classroom, expanding campus broadband service, supporting our emergency aid fund, and beautifying our campus with more than 20 new trees. The Foundation is making our campus, along with Madison and Jefferson counties, better.
Randy Ballinger
Marion
Randy Ballinger is professionally and personally committed to making Indiana a better place to live – including for students at Ivy Tech. Randy – a graduate of Purdue University with a degree in agronomy and turfgrass science and a graduate of the National Institute of Golf Management – served on the Ivy Tech (state/Marion) board of directors from 2018-2022. He’s been recognized numerous times for his leadership in the state’s golf industry – including recipient of the National Golf Course Owners Association Champion’s Award and the Indiana Golf Course Owners Course of the Year Award. Away from the course, he’s been recognized for his support of Indiana’s communities: Randy was honored with the Hoosier Homestead Award and the Indiana Governor’s Hoosier Hospitality Award. He’s a past vice president of the state’s tourism board and he’s a three-term past president of the Grant County Convention Recreation and Visitors Commission.
Sheila Johnson
Muncie
Sheila Johnson has been a servant leader for Ivy Tech Muncie for 50 years. Her career began in 1973, making her the longest-serving state employee in the history of the college. Throughout her tenure, she has held various executive positions in the Office of Administration, working diligently under 9 previous chancellors. It is often said that she has trained nine chancellors and played a vital role in assisting thousands of students in achieving their education goals. Early in her career, she was the Executive Assistant to President Gerald Lamkin father of Indiana’s community college system. She has had many opportunities offered to her in Indianapolis but has chosen to serve in Muncie her entire career.
Currently as Chief of Staff, Sheila’s responsibilities extend far beyond the smooth operation of the campus. She has consistently demonstrated her exceptional leadership abilities and unwavering commitment to excellence. Her expertise and diligence have been instrumental in ensuring that our institution functions seamlessly, and her exemplary management skills have earned her the trust and respect of our entire community.
As the liaison for the Campus Board of Trustees, she helps maintain a cohesive and well-informed administrative structure. Her strategic thinking, combined with her strong work ethic, has resulted in significant advancements for the students.
Sheila K. Johnson has had as strong impact on our Ivy Tech Foundation through her consistent giving over the course of her 50-year tenure. Her dedication, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to Ivy Tech’s mission have been a driving force in Muncie. She embodies the qualities and values that the benefactor of the year seeks to honor. She is a well-deserving recipient of this prestigious recognition.
Glen and Carolyn Thornburg
Richmond
Glen and Carolyn Thornburg are a faith-driven couple. They have committed time, talent, and financial support to many local and international organizations with a shared mission to love and support people from all walks of life. Their most recent gift is both personal and a meaningful way to help Ivy Tech students for years to come. Glen and Carolyn became members of the Cornerstone Society and established the endowed Grant Huldane Thornburg Legacy Scholarship in memory of their son, a United States Marine Corps veteran. This endowment ensures a legacy that will change the lives of Ivy Tech students forever. Additionally, their early involvement in the Young Life program impacted countless young people in the Richmond area. Glen and Carolyn are admired by all who have the pleasure to meet them.
The Caesars Foundation of Floyd County
Sellersburg
The Caesars Foundation of Floyd County, a private foundation created to benefit the Floyd County community, has been an important partner to our campus and community. The Foundation’s philanthropic focus traditionally falls into the categories of grant making to charitable non-profit organizations, educational scholarships, and program-related investments that encourage economic development. Since its inception, the Caesars Foundation has awarded more than $57 million to Floyd County organizations and schools. The Sellersburg Ivy Tech foundation’s benefactor, Caesars Southern Indiana, has contributed more than $69 million to the Sellersburg Ivy Tech Foundation since 1999. Excluding annual scholarships, Caesars Foundation of Floyd County has contributed more than $500,000, which includes its most recent gift of $100,000 to support the renovation of a new Student Life and Development Center.
Donna and Dick Pfeil
South Bend
For more than 10 years, Donna and Dick Pfeil have been one of the strongest supporters of Ivy Tech South Bend-Elkhart campus, specifically the Culinary Program. They created the Donna & Dick Pfeil Hospitality Administration Scholarship in 2016 and have supported Ivy Tech’s annual fundraising event, which started as the Culinary Dinner nearly 20 years ago and has evolved into the Ivy Impact Gala. Both Dick and Donna are known for their philanthropic commitment to the Michiana area. Together, they have funded the Pfeil Innovation Center for Beacon Health System employees and the Pfeil Innovation Center at Bethel University for students and staff. Dick and Donna continue to be visionaries for Ivy Tech South Bend-Elkhart. Dick currently serves on the Board of Trustees for the college, while Donna is a member of the Circle of Ivy. Their commitment to Ivy Tech students persists as they continue to partner with the College through new opportunities.
Union Health
Terre Haute
Union Health and Ivy Tech Terre Haute have been linked for many years. Union Health is an integrated health system and the Wabash Valley’s largest employer. It has served the health care needs of West Central Indiana and East Central Illinois residents for more than 130 years. Union Health’s mission is to provide compassionate health care of the highest quality while leading communities to their best health and wellness. Union Health has served as a clinical site for Ivy Tech Terre Haute students for more than 50 years and employs more than 600 Ivy Tech graduates, which is equal to nearly 20 percent of its total staff. In the spring, Union Hospital Foundation awarded Ivy Tech a $1 million gift to expand the School of Nursing and support the School of Health Sciences.
