Ivy Tech Community College Northwest Volume 4, Issue 8 April 2010 T HE IVY LINE Ivy Tech Northwest s Student Life Newsletter Events to Watch Out for: April: SGA Officer Elections (2010-11 year) will be taking place at the Valpo campus on April 7th from 1-4pm in the main commons, on the Gary campus April 14th from 11:30am-2:30pm in the Student Lounge, at the Michigan City campus on April 15th from 11:30am- 3:30pm in the cafeteria., and April 21st in East Chicago. Please check with your campus Student Life Coordinator for details. Annual Graduation Banquet: Friday, April 30, 2010. All graduating students will be eligible for 1 free ticket for themselves (to be picked up at Grad Fest, and after that from their campus Student Life Coordinator). Graduates can purchase up to 2 guest tickets ($25 each) at their campus Business Office after Grad Fest. Faculty and staff can purchase up to 2 tickets at $25 as well.. The last day to purchase tickets is April 14th. May: Graduation, 11:00am on May 8th at the Genesis Center in Gary. EC SGA Spirit of Chicago Dinner Cruise Monday, May 10th 5-9:30pm. Sign-up deadline April 7th. Last day of the Spring semester is May 9th. Summer Session begins May 24th. THAT IVY TECH FLAIR Anxious. Nervous. Excited. Overwhelmed. Expectant. Joyous. These adjectives describe what many of our 2010 graduates are experiencing as we near the close of the academic year and they prepare to close one chapter of their lives and move forward onto another. This was perhaps most visible during our region s Grad Fest celebrations last week, when the air seemed to be permeated with a sense of realization of accomplishment (obtaining caps and gowns, banquet tickets) and a looking forward into the future (visiting with fouryear colleges). It s time for our grads to remove the mandatory yellow IT lanyard with its ID tag and flair, such as buttons that proclaim Graduate in Progress, or pins that signify a particular affiliation with a student club or organization, such as SGA, PTK and KBD. (We do, of course, hope that you keep these items as mementos of your time with us.) We the staff and faculty at Ivy Tech, who don our own flair, such as buttons asking When do YOU graduate? and pins that remind our students that WE BELIEVE IN YOU couldn't be more proud of our graduates, having seen most of them enter hopeful for a change in life, a need to grow academically as well as professionally. It is bittersweet to see our graduates leave our classrooms, our over-crowded parking lots, our hallways. Yet it is with much faith in what Ivy Tech represents in providing our students with a firm foundation in education by which we send them off to grow, prosper, flourish...and hope that they do keep in touch. H OW CAN I GET INVOLVED STUDENT LIFE? Student Life, which spans from club and organization membership to events, activities, fundraisers and community involvement, focuses on ways to engage students interests for the benefit of the individual, the college, and the surrounding community. Networking and ITCC buttons, pin and SGA logo forging connections is one of the main purposes of Student Life. You may, for example, choose to join the SGA, which is the governing student body, or you may be interested in a discipline-specific club such as the Student Nurses Organization or the Mortuary Science Club or applying for membership into one of our distinguished honor s organizations, such as PTK or KBD. Contact your campus Student Life Coordinator for information on how you can become involved in all Student Life has to offer.
Volume 4, Issue 8 Page 2 G ARY CAMPUS SGA SUPPORTS THE FIGHT AGAINST CANCER The Gary Campus was seeing yellow. The SGA expressed their support in the fight against cancer on throughout the month of March in several ways. First, the staff and students really show support with over $1100 in donations for the American Cancer Society in the Daffodil Sale. Second, on March 25 th the Gary Campus participated in Wear Yellow Day. Majority of the campus supported this cause by wearing yellow suits, shirts, ties, etc. Everyone including staff and students participated in such a great cause. The members of SGA felt this was a great idea because in the month of March there was a daffodil sale throughout the region. Yellow was worn on the day adjunction with the delivery of the Daffodils. Members of the SGA also wore as well as handed out stickers from the American Cancer Society that read I m dressing down to share hope. Overall the month of March was a success with contributing to the American Cancer Society in donations and wearing yellow. The SGA expressed the interest in making this an annual event. E AST CHICAGO SGA IS ON THE MOVE! For those of you who I have not had the pleasure of meeting, I am the newest member of the Student Life team and your campus SGA advisor, Tonya Kidd. I began serving in this role in late December and I am thoroughly enjoying my time with Ivy Tech I am thrilled to work with the staff and faculty, along with the East Chicago Student Government Association! We have had a lot of fun planning events for you, such as February s Health Fair (free chair massage, anyone?), Black History program (Kenny s Ribs yummy!), and Slice With the Vice (pizza-pizza). In March, we had an exciting trip to view the Blue Man Group performance in Chicago; in April, we are sponsoring a seminar on financial management, and will also be presenting you with an actionpacked Spirit Week; and in May we will be enjoying a leisurely dinner cruise on Lake Michigan. Our officers are working hard to ensure that you receive a wellrounded college experience by supporting your hard studies with events that inform, encourage, and empower you we hope that you have benefited from our efforts. Please be reminded that a portion of your tuition is allotted to fund these SGA-sponsored events and activities; for this reason, you are encouraged to participate in all of our meetings and planning sessions. We welcome your involvement in SGA on any level, from attending our meetings and casting your votes to filling out an application to hold office in the SGA. Please contact me at tkidd1@ivytech.edu if you would like more information about the SGA or any of the upcoming events. We value your input and welcome your presence!
Volume 4, Issue 8 Page 3 V ALPARAISO NEWS As the end of the semester is quickly approaching, the campus is bustling with activities. On March 17 th, there was an ARC Blood Drive and, once again it was a success, having our students, faculty and staff donating nearly 40 units. On March 3rd the SGA held a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society s Daffodil Days, and we raised $340.00 in orders and $20.00 by giving away popcorn for every 50 cent donation. Thank you to all who donated. On March 25 th, Grad Fest was held here on campus, and we had quite a large turnout. Graduates picked up their banquet tickets and caps and gowns, received free popcorn from the SGA, giveaways, chips and beverages, and they got the opportunity to visit with some four-year colleges and inquire about continuing their education. ON BEHALF OF THE VALPO SGA, CON- GRATULATIONS TO ALL OF OUR GRADUATES! WE ARE SO VERY PROUD OF YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENT & WISH YOU CONTINUED FUTURE SUCCESS! In the next few weeks, we will be announcing the recipients of the SGA Scholarship, and we ll be holding a celebratory reception breakfast on May 7th at 10am to congratulate our winners. We ll also be holding our SGA Officer Elections on Wednesday, April 7 from 1-4pm in the main commons, so be sure to stop by to vote for your representatives and receive free goodies from your SGA! Mary Eaton, Valpo SGA President M ICHIGAN CITY NEWS It's finally here: Graduation! Today I went upstairs, right outside of the business office, and sat down just to watch everybody for a minute and reflect on my first semester here at Ivy Tech, which doesn't seem all that long ago. I saw friends talking and laughing, plans being made for later and, of course, a few disgruntled faces (probably just got done testing!). All and all, though, I wanted to see how this college has affected my life as well as those of others over these last two years. I asked Tracy George (a graduate this semester), What has the last two years of your life been like while here at Ivy Tech? She replied, "Graduation is upon us, and we don't realize how fast the time goes until it's here and gone. Over the course of the last year, I have seen many changes from the SGA. There are new activities every semester, we got a new popcorn machine for school use, and things are starting to spice up a little here! Everyone looks forward to more activities in the future. This is how I made my new friends, and this has been a great accomplishment for me as a student here at Ivy Tech. Ivy Tech has provided a better economic future for my family and me. Thank you Ivy Tech." As I look back on my own personal journey through Ivy Tech, I am in awe about who I was at first and who I have become in two short years. When I first walked in the doors for my first classes, I was just another student coming to class, doing homework and taking tests. I thought to myself that there had to be more to college life than this. That's when I was introduced to the SGA. Now, as I finish my term as president and graduate on to more opportunities, I look at how much fun I had and how I got to meet so many new people that I would not have had the pleasure to meet otherwise. I want to personally thank everyone I've met through this whole experience and, to the graduates... SEE YOU ON THE RED CARPET!!!!!! Brandon Lamberson, Michigan City SGA President
Page 4 Volume 4, Issue 8 Aladdin Oil Change Oasis 1689 W. Lincoln Highway/ US 30 Merrillville, IN 46410 219-769-6457 Show a valid Ivy Tech I.D. upon arrival and receive $5.00 off a Full-Service Oil Change Hours: Mon Fri. 8-7 Sat. 7-4 Southlake Nautilus Total Fitness Centers Locations: Hobart, Merrillville & Valparaiso Regular membership fees are $39 a month plus initiation fee. Ivy Tech discount: No initiation fee & $19.50 a month! Contact Maureen Janeczko (219-945- 1197)at the Hobart location, M-F 8:30-3:30 for sign-up information. mjaneczko@southlakenautilus.com Dell Computers Ivy Tech now has an agreement with Dell Computers that offers all students and employees a significant discount on select Dell products. Check out www.dell.com/ivytech to see the special prices being offered to Ivy Tech employees and students. Check out, for example, the AMD-powered enterprise level OptiPlex 740 Minitower priced at $575, a savings of $423. This is just one of four specially priced computer bundles being offered to our students. You can order from www.dell.com/ivytech or call the Dell sales team at 800-695-8133 (option 2) and use the Ivy Tech Community College member ID# US12526708. Indiana University Northwest Savannah Fitness Center Gary, IN Ivy Tech Students can use IUN s Savannah Fitness Center for a discounted price. Ivy Tech students pay $30 per semester. Student must provide their Ivy Tech ID for proof with the Fitness Center Application. The form is turned in along with payment to the IUN Bursar s Office Hawthorne Hall. Locker fee is $10 per semester and you must furnish your own lock. For more information, call: 219-980-6793. Sam s Club Collegiate Membership College comes with plenty of new expenses. But with a Collegiate Membership, watching your money is a no-brainer. You'll receive amazing values on groceries, computer gear, laundry detergent and so much more - plus a $15 Gift Card when you sign up (and again when you renew the next year)! It's all the benefits of Membership for just $40 annually. In addition, you'll get two Membership cards, one for you and one for a household member, so you can even share the savings with a friend (18 and over). Just visit your local Sam's Club to sign-up today. Bring your Ivy Tech ID with you and request the Collegiate Membership.
Upcoming Regional SGA Meetings East Chicago April 1st at 3:45pm Valparaiso April 6th at 12pm and April 21st at 11am. Michigan City April 8th at 1pm in the cafeteria. Club Meetings Valparaiso Human Services club meets every Wednesday at 9am. ICUC will meet on April 6th and 20th as follows: Gary (C106), EC (215B) and Valpo (C208) April 6th & 20th Valparaiso SNO meeting from 4-6pm in April 2010 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat April 24th PTK meeting at 12:30pm at the Gary campus. Upcoming Events April 1st Census Day. Be sure to be counted! April 8 Pride and Pedestal. Society of Innovators First of the Year Networking Event at Towle Theatre, 5:30pm April 9 Mystey Dinner at Aberdeen Manor in Valparaiso. $50 per ticket. Contact Cindy Hall at 219.464.8514. April 12-14 Body Sculpting class. Mondays and Wednesdays from 6-7pm. Contact Josephine Blockson at 219.981.4430. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 This Month s Events Around the Region... April 13 International Student Reception. Valparaiso campus; main commons from 5-6pm. April 14th Valparaiso Student Nurses Organization Health Fair. Main Commons. 10am-4pm. April 19-23 East Chicago Spirit Week April 30 SGA Graduation Banquet at Duneland Falls in Portage. 6pm reception. 7pm dinner. Northwest Region Student Life Staff Jennifer Riggs Director of Student Life, Development and Leadership Northwest Region jriggs@ivytech.edu 219-981-1111 x 2397 April Gabbert-Strang Student Life Coordinator Valparaiso Campus agabbertstrang@ivytech.edu 219-464-8514 x 3044 Artensia Kennedy Student Life Coordinator Gary Campus akennedy42@ivytech.edu 219-981-1111 x 2286 Tonya Kidd Student Life Coordinator- East Chicago Campus tkidd1@ivytech.edu 219-392-3600 x 275 Deanna Schoof Student Life Coordinator- Michigan City Campus dschoof@ivytech.edu 219-879-9137 x 233 Join the Student Life and campus SGA Group Pages on Campus Connect to stay up to date on information and activities! In Campus Connect, click on the Group tab in the top right and go to Group Index. Click on the arrow next to your campus for the drop down menu. Select Student Organizations, then select your campus SGA page. For the Student Life page, click on the arrow next to the Gary Campus, then select Social and Cultural and join the Student Life and Leadership page. NOTE: All regional groups are listed under the Gary campus under Student Organizations. Ivy Tech Northwest Student Life Web Page: http://www.ivytech.edu/northwest/acareer/studentlife/index.html