Nation’s largest singly accredited community college holding statewide Ivy Tech Day on April 11
By Lesley DeVoss—
MUNCIE,IN—For students carving out a career, a day can mean everything. On April 11, Ivy Tech alumni, friends, and people across Indiana can help the College develop the next generation of Hoosier healthcare professionals, manufacturing specialists, entrepreneurs, and others by participating in Ivy Tech Day, the College’s first-ever Day of Giving.
Starting at midnight – for 24 hours – alumni and friends everywhere can support the College’s 19 campuses and 173,000 students who are building brighter futures for themselves and for those around them. The Ivy Tech Foundation, which is organizing the statewide day, wants to reach 600 gifts in recognition of the College’s 60th anniversary.
“Ivy Tech Day is a big moment for our entire College family,” said Sue Ellspermann, president, Ivy Tech Community College. “As Indiana’s community college, we want to create a fun, memorable way to come together and demonstrate our collective passion for our students, the college, and our communities. I believe our donors, alumni, students, employer partners, faculty and staff, and friends in the community will rally in celebration of Ivy Tech’s impact and 60th anniversary.”
Bishop Dr. Keith ONeal graduated from Ivy Tech Muncie-Henry County in 2004. He continued his educational journey at Indiana Wesleyan to earn a bachelor’s degree in accounting and completed his Doctorate of Ministry at Duke Divinity School at Duke University in 2020. ONeal holds the office of Continental Bishop for the Jabula new life Ministries Worldwide. He serves as the COO of Jabula North America, oversees churches in Indiana, and has affiliations and oversight with ministries in Venezuela, Colombia, Jamaica and Belize. ONeal and his wife, Reva, serve as Lead Pastors at a growing multi-cultural, multi-generational church on the northeast side of Muncie where hundreds gather to worship every week. Along with serving as Lead Pastor he is also the CEO of two childcare centers: Destiny Christian Academics Central and Yorktown.
ONeal serves on several community boards including the Muncie Community School Board, the Chamber of Commerce, Second Harvest Food Bank, the Collective Coalition of Concerned Clergy and the Ivy Tech Foundation Board of Directors. He has served on the United Way of Delaware County board, Sheriff’s Merit board, Hillcroft Services board and was a 2020 recipient of the Chairman’s Award from the Muncie Delaware County Chamber of Commerce.
“Ivy Tech has provided me and countless others with the opportunity to continue our education. Whether it’s a high school student through the dual credit program or someone like me who is a 41-year-old adult returning to school after many years, Ivy Tech is accessible to anyone with a desire to further their academic goals,” ONeal said. “My Ivy Tech experience has played an integral part in the success I have enjoyed these last 20 years.”
Supporters will be able to contribute toward the future of Ivy Tech by visiting ivytech.edu/giveday\muncie. Participants can contribute through the Ivy Tech Foundation – whether it’s $6 or $6,000 or more – starting at midnight. The Foundation encourages everyone associated with Ivy Tech to wear green and share videos and photos on social media showing their passion for the College and expressing why they are participating in Ivy Tech Day. Alumni and friends can use the hashtags #give2ivy and #growivygrow to show their support. Supporters will be able to follow the Foundation all day long on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram.
Ivy Tech Muncie has provided t-shirts to local restaurants to encourage giving, will present a leader board on the Day of Giving, and completed a strategic email communications plan. Moving into the Day of Giving, faculty and staff are excited to participate in the support of students.
Ivy Tech was founded 60 years ago on March 15, 1963. Today, Ivy Tech contributes $3.9 billion annually to Indiana’s economy, including a net impact of $3.6 billion from alumni working in the state. Eight of ten students who graduate from Ivy Tech do so without student debt. Additionally, Ivy Tech:
- Graduates more nurses with 2-year degrees than any college in the nation, and most stay in Indiana to pursue their careers.
- Contributes to 1 of every 70 jobs across Indiana.
- Awards more than 40,000 credentials and certifications each year, and nearly all who graduate – 93 percent – stay in the Hoosier State.
Ivy Tech Day is part of the Foundation’s 5-year, $285 million campaign.
“Our graduates make real impacts throughout our communities. They take the challenges that they face and come out on top every time. Our graduates are the solution to the problems faced by local industry,” Chancellor Jeffrey D. Scott said. “Through our community of students, alumni, faculty, and partners, we can make our communities stronger.”
About Ivy Tech Community College
Ivy Tech Community College is Indiana’s largest public postsecondary institution and the nation’s largest singly accredited statewide community college system, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Ivy Tech has campuses throughout Indiana and also serves thousands of students annually online. It serves as the state’s engine of workforce development, offering associate degrees, short-term certificate programs, industry certifications, and training that aligns to the needs of the community. The College provides seamless transfer to other colleges and universities in Indiana, as well as out of state, for a more affordable route to a Bachelor’s degree. Follow Ivy Tech on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn for the most up-to-date information.
About the Ivy Tech Foundation
The Foundation’s most important function is to provide support for Ivy Tech Community College beyond state appropriations and student fees. Its overall program of work focuses on meeting student needs. Invest IN Ivy Tech, a $285 million statewide fundraising campaign, provides greater opportunity for each of the College’s 19 campuses to educate, train, and support all 92 of Indiana’s counties. Learn more at www.ivytech.edu/InvestINIvyTech.
