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.
2019 Benefactor Award Recipients
Jim Ault
Jim Ault has been a dedicated advocate for Ivy Tech Anderson since 2009, inspiring and motivating his peers and other community leaders to support the mission of the college. Jim has consistently given his time, talent, and gifts to Ivy Tech Anderson over the last ten years and has actively served on the Foundation Board since 2013. Jim was instrumental in the fundraising for and planning of Anderson's new building in 2015. Because of the work of committee members like Jim, Ivy Tech Anderson is now able to offer our students world-class education in a state-of-the-art facility.
Leo Braddock
Leo Braddock is the President of the newly formed, non-profit, Children Shouldn't Hunger. Leo and his organization wrote a grant for a greenhouse and community garden on the Ivy Tech Sellersburg Campus and was awarded $25,000 to benefit both the campus and greater community. Leo has been actively engaged in the State Board through many significant changes in the college history and now continues to leave a legacy of community and philanthropy.
Harry D. Brickley, Jr., M.D.
Harry D. Brickley Jr. M.D., received his Bachelor of Science from Indiana University Bloomington in 1950 and his Doctorate of Medicine from the Indiana University School of Medicine in 1953. In 2016, Dr. Brickley founded the Dr. Harry Brickley Farm Foundation, Inc. Recently, he established two endowed scholarships for both the Marion and Fort Wayne Campuses in memory of his parents, Harry and Ina Brickley. Dr. Brickley's gifts will ensure their legacy is honored for many years to come.
Brooks Construction Company, Inc.
John Brooks is Executive Vice President, and his daughter, Margaret Brooks, is Strategic Information Technology Manager at Brooks Construction. The Brooks Construction, Inc. Scholarship was started in 2018, and students following the Academic Heavy Highway Curriculum Pathway are eligible to apply for full tuition assistance. John and Margi, along with Brooks Construction, have also supported Fort Wayne's annual Ivy Tech gala, A Reason to Taste, since 2014. With their help, last year's gala raised more than $100,000 for scholarships and academic programs.
City of Lawrenceburg
The 20 year partnership between the City of Lawrenceburg and Ivy Tech Community College has resulted in the creation of two exceptional Ivy Tech facilities. The City of Lawrenceburg was instrumental in the funding efforts of the Lawrenceburg Lakefront Campus construction in 1999, the Riverfront campus in 2006 and most recently the expansion of the Advanced Manufacturing Center at Lawrenceburg's Lakefront Campus in 2016. This partnership also provided Indiana residents the opportunity to pursue high-demand careers in manufacturing in their community resulting in a highly trained workforce required for local businesses to stay globally competitive.
Lori and Steve Danielson
Lori and Steve Danielson are dedicated, passionate members of the Terre Haute community. In 2012, Lori joined the Ivy Tech Terre Haute Board of Trustees where her passion for Ivy Tech quickly grew. She now serves as the Chair of the Board where she inspires others to have the same passion for Ivy Tech, including her husband, Steve. The Danielson's financial support has been significant to the campus but even more so the number of people in the community they have connected to Ivy Tech is invaluable.Most recently, Lori chaired the Terre Haute campus's Precision Agriculture and Diesel Technology capital campaign which raised more than $2.5 million and allowed for the renovation and development of the 26,000 square foot lab space.
Susannah Dillon
Susannah (Sue) Dillon was first introduced to Ivy Tech Indianapolis when she met a young student named Christian. Sue was so touched by Christian's eagerness to better himself and his family that she assisted him through the process of enrolling in Ivy Tech Indianapolis and covering his tuition and books. Sue established the William T. Harger Endowed Scholarship in honor of her late father. Mr. Harger was a civic leader, church and community supporter, and owner of Harger Farms in Noblesville. The first William T. Harger Scholars will receive their award this fall. Sue's gift will leave a long legacy of not only lifting up one generation, but changing the lives of their families to come.
Duneland Health Council
Lake County, Valparaiso, and Michigan City
Duneland Health Council's vision for assisting Ivy Tech Community College through academic scholarship prepares students to be workforce ready. The increase of La Porte County students who are enrolled in any of the Ivy Tech Health Care programs at the campuses in Michigan City, Valparaiso and Lake County has resulted in more citizens having the opportunity to pursue their dream of a college education.One hundred and forty-one students have completed their degree from 2010 through the current semester, and an additional 35 students are working toward degree completion. Duneland Health Council has generously provided individuals with scholarships needed to graduate and qualify for health care positions in the workplace. They truly have made it possible to offer pathways for student success and a stronger Indiana.
First Bank of Richmond
First Bank Richmond has a long history of giving toward many initiatives for Ivy Tech Richmond, including gifts for scholarships, unrestricted giving, program support,and technology. An endowed scholarship was established during the campus' major gift campaign in 2014 and ensures that impact will continue in perpetuity. This past year, First Bank Richmond gifted Ivy Tech Richmond a leadership gift which enabled the campus to install a video wall in Johnson Hall. This wall is used for innovative presentations for events, recognition, recruitment, classroom enhancement experiences,and awareness initiatives.
George and Frances Ball Foundation
The George and Frances Ball Foundation, as a strong community advocate for Ivy Tech Muncie, provided a $2,000,000 gift for the Muncie Campus renovations and their contribution has been recognized by the naming of one of the campus facilities as the George and Frances Ball Building. The Foundation has been a constant partner to education since its inception in 1937, following the legacy of George Ball, a local champion for education.
Nelda & Thomas Hickey
Premier Nelda Hickey retired from Ivy Tech Evansville in 2000 after serving more than 26 years in various roles. Her husband, Dr. Tom, is an Ivy Tech alumnus, earning a degree in photography. Throughout their history with Ivy Tech, they have been active donors to the College and to community organizations like the Posey County Community Foundation and their church. In recognition of their servant leadership, the Evansville campus staff and faculty lounge is named the Hickey Lounge. The Tom and Nelda Hickey Alumni Scholarship is awarded to a deserving student each year. The Hickeys enjoy forging relationships with each and every student recipient.
Kokomo Grain
Kokomo Grain has had a positive impact on Ivy Tech Kokomo since 1988. Members of the Ortman family have invested their time, talent and treasures over the last 30 years by collaborating with Ivy Tech Kokomo to provide educational opportunities for students throughout the region. Former President and CEO Mick Ortman and his wife Betty served on Ivy Tech Kokomo's Vision Campaign cabinet from 2007-2010,helping to raise funds for scholarships, equipment, and programs. Their son, Scott Ortman, the current President and CEO, served as a member of Ivy Tech's Kokomo Region Board of Trustees from 2015 to 2019, representing the agriculture sector
National Center for Complex Operations
The National Center For Complex Operations, Inc. (NCCO) is a non-profit organization that operates to drive innovative solutions to make our nation more secure and our economy more prosperous. NCCO supports the Ivy Tech Columbus Cyber Academy located at Muscatatuck Urban Training Center in Jennings County and offers the residents of North Vernon and its surrounding counties a unique training opportunity that leads to high wage,high demand careers. Graduates make a positive economic impact when they return to their home communities.
Jim Shook
Jim Shook provided faithful support to Ivy Tech Lafayette for more than twenty-five years, highlighted by the gift he and co-donor, Sandy Pearlman, made to significantly expand the acreage of the Ivy Tech Lafayette laboratory farm. A humble man, it was his desire to remain anonymous for his giving during his lifetime. He passed away on November 16, 2018.Having a farm on Ivy Tech Lafayette's campus provides students with real-life experience while completing an Associate Degree or the Pathway to Purdue program.Jim's gift of property adjacent to the campus enabled the college to have a laboratory farm and greatly expanded the opportunities for students in the Agriculture program.
Kathy & Randy Vernon
In appreciation for the thoughtful care and professionalism provided by Ivy Tech Bloomington Radiation Therapy students, they established an endowed scholarship to support future generations as they pursue careers in this important medical specialty.The long-term reach of this gift is exponential, as graduates bring their skills, knowledge and experience to thousands of patients who undergo radiation therapy each year.Through the strength of their example, Kathy and Randy have also inspired many others in the Bloomington region to establish similar endowments to support students in the health sciences.
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