Last Updated on November 6, 2016 by cassnetwork
KOKOMO, Ind. — Thanks to the generosity of three dozen women in a new organization called Circle of Ivy, students in Ivy Tech Community College’s Kokomo Region are getting $8,000 in new support.
The money has been earmarked for three projects over the next year – one to support the field trips and enrichment activities that make Ivy Tech’s ASAP (Associate Accelerated Program) effort so valuable to participants, a second to help cover membership fees for students who qualify for the Phi Theta Kappa honor society, and a third to fund short-term childcare so qualified students are able to attend class in emergency situations.
Members of the “Women in Philanthropy” group selected the three projects last week from a list of nine proposals that had been submitted by Ivy Tech faculty and staff.
“The Circle of Ivy was established last year as a statewide women’s giving circle committed to raising funds to diminish barriers to higher education,” said Michelle Simmons, president of Ivy Tech’s Kokomo Campus and a founding member of Circle of Ivy. “In one year, we’ve grown to 36 members in the Kokomo Region and collectively raised the $8,000. The three projects selected by Kokomo Region members will meet that mission to open doors to many of our students.”
Statewide, the organization has grown to 249 members and, in its first year, raised a total of $68,000 to support Ivy Tech students. The group celebrated last week at a luncheon in Indianapolis. At the luncheon, members saluted Jean Cole of Logansport, a long-time supporter of the College whose service as a founder of Circle of Ivy was honored this summer with a $10,000 endowment established by her family to support Circle of Ivy initiatives.
“The Kokomo Region boasts the second highest number of members in the state, topped only the Indianapolis Region,” said Kelly Karickhoff, the region’s executive director of Resource Development. “We will be recruiting new members – staff, faculty, alumni, students, community friends – to join us in this exciting opportunity to help more students next year.”
To learn more about Circle of Ivy and its initiatives, contact Karickhoff at kkarickhoff@ivytech.edu or 765-252-5501.
SOURCE: News release from Ivy Tech Community College