TERRE HAUTE, Ind – Friday May 15th Ivy Tech Community College concluded the Spring 2020 Semester.
More than 1,100 graduates completed approximately 1,500 associate degrees or certificates.
These graduates will enter the workforce in Clay, Daviess, Greene, Knox, Parke, Sullivan, Vermillion, and Vigo Counties and beyond. Some will become front line workers in the fight against COVID-19. Others will impact our community through their work in public service organizations. Graduates will get to work, bringing knowledge and skills to advance our local industries. Some will also transfer to four-year institutions to continue their education.
In response to a graduate survey, Ivy Tech Terre Haute has made the decision to invite graduates to participate in the May 2021 commencement ceremony, for a traditional in-person experience. Graduates will also receive custom gift boxes this year with Ivy Tech keepsakes and will be recognized in Ivy Tech’s social media throughout the month of May.
The Ivy Tech Terre Haute Class of 2020 includes nearly 200 high school students. Most completed their Ivy Tech credentials at little or no cost by taking Ivy Tech dual credit classes at their high schools. The majority of high school age graduates completed the “Start as a Sophomore” program to earn a 30-credit hour technical certificate that transfers to all Indiana public four-year institutions. High school students also earned certificates in career fields including healthcare, business, agriculture, machine tool technology, and welding.
Ivy Tech graduates have varied plans for their careers and continued education.
Makynzie Gerig is a Sullivan High School student who completed the Ivy Tech Start as a Sophomore program. She will be starting as a sophomore at Indiana State University in the Honors College to major in mechanical engineering technology and minor in advanced manufacturing and lean six sigma.
“Ivy Tech has allowed me to challenge myself throughout high school with my dual credit classes and prepare me for the classes I will be taking in the future!” she said. “I will now have a lot of my first year college classes out of the way because of the opportunities Ivy Tech has given me! There were many long nights of studying and homework to make sure I passed my classes I took through Ivy Tech. It was all worth it in the end; the classes I’ve taken have left me feeling knowledgeable and prepared for what’s to come.”
Alyssa Hadley, a respiratory therapy graduate, will join the ranks of those on the front line treating COVID-19 patients. Hadley will work as a PRN respiratory therapist at both Greene County General Hospital and Good Samaritan in Vincennes. She is currently a student worker and can transition to a therapist after passing her board exams. Hadley started her Ivy Tech journey in the Twin Rivers program at Shakamak High School, which allowed her to take tuition-free healthcare classes at Ivy Tech while she was still in high school.
“I have mixed emotions, but I want to do the most I can to relieve some of the therapists who are currently working in the field,” said Hadley. “I want to make a difference in people’s lives. In respiratory, we see patients in all different areas, from neonatal to trauma. It is very rewarding to be able to help all departments.”
Paula Meehan, a registered respiratory therapist for over 30 years, is now graduating from Ivy Tech’s Associate of Science in Nursing program. While completing school, Meehan worked up to 32 hours per week at Terre Haute Regional in the respiratory unit. As a nurse, she will transition to Regional’s intensive care unit.
“I have worked on the front lines before as a therapist, but I have always wanted to be a nurse,” she said. “It is so rewarding. Right now, COVID can be very challenging but COVID could go by a different name next year. I remember when HIV came out. I was young and had just started working in healthcare. Then, something else came along. My message to incoming nursing students is to ‘Go with your heart.’ If nursing is in your heart, you will learn to work smart, stay up to date with standards and follow those standards. We will always need good caregivers.”
Tyson Cargal, graduate of the Ivy Tech human services program and addiction studies certificate program, will also enter the workforce to serve our community. Cargal is the director of Truman House and works with those in recovery from addiction. As a student, Cargal was a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, Student Leadership Academy and he also became involved in the Wabash Valley Recovery Alliance. He is the 2020 recipient of Ivy Tech Terre Haute’s C. Huston Isaacs Award. Cargal is now enrolled at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College to pursue a bachelor’s degree in human services with a minor in psychology.
“I wanted to help others, so human services was a perfect field for me to go into,” said Cargal. “At the Truman House, we teach that we don’t have to be defined by our past. If I can help just one person turn their life around, that’s a priceless gift. That person can carry it onto the next, and create a ripple effect. I also feel the impact that our guys have on the community by going out to do community work together. They make an impact on themselves, and it allows them to give back to the community.”
Cargal is a single father of four and hopes his education will inspire his children.
“I’m trying to do whatever I can to set an example. That’s priceless to me,” he said. “I tell them Ivy Tech is a great place to start.”
Holly Zehner is graduating from the machine tool technology program and has already started her career working at Enjet Aero, programming CNC Machines to produce parts for the aerospace industry.
“Machining is something I’ve always had a love for,” said Zehner. “My dad was a tool and die maker for over 30 years so I grew up with a love for it. Machine Tool Technology is amazing in that you can take a simple block of metal and turn it into something valuable. I have absolutely loved my whole experience with Ivy Tech.”
Ivy Tech Terre Haute graduates are encouraged to share their success stories and photos at http://link.ivytech.edu/grad to be featured on social media throughout the month of May.
Ivy Tech registration is open for summer and fall. The first step to enroll is to apply at ivytech.edu/applynow. Contact Ivy Tech Terre Haute at ivytech.edu/visitus.