Ivy Tech Bloomington to celebrate graduates at Commencement this Friday

Ivy Tech Community College Bloomington will host its annual Commencement Ceremony on May 10 at 6 p.m. at the Indiana University Auditorium, where it will celebrate the Class of 2024. Approximately 1,300 graduates have earned 1,750 associate degrees and certificates.

This is the first Commencement Ceremony that Chancellor Erik Coyne will preside over and marks his first full year leading the Bloomington campus.

Kevin Nguyen, president of the Student Government Association and computer science graduate, will give the commencement address. Nguyen is graduating with summa cum laude honors and was named outstanding student in his program of study. He will speak to his experience and growth as an Ivy Tech student leader.

“Ivy Tech’s computer science TSAP program allowed me to get an associate degree and then transfer to a four-year university, which is amazing,” Nguyen said. “That has made my life and career path and lot smoother, opening the doors to higher education for me.”

Nguyen will transfer to Indiana University this fall to earn his bachelor’s degree in computer science. In the future, he plans to work as a software engineer.

Marjie Risen, program chair for education at Ivy Tech Bloomington, will receive an Honorary Associate of College and Community Service degree for her 25 years of service as she retires from her position.

By the Numbers
Ivy Tech Bloomington is conferring 445 transfer degrees and certificates to graduates, 25% of all credentials awarded. Ivy Tech has transfer agreements with more than 100 in- and out-of-state schools, including guaranteed admissions programs to Indiana University.

The campus is graduating 370 Early College students that have earned credentials with high school dual credit. Four students have earned a full associate degree before high school graduation. Early College graduates earn an Associate of General Studies, Indiana College Core technical certificate, or certificate.

Local Early College high schools include Academy of Science & Entrepreneurship, Bedford-North Lawrence, Bloomfield, Bloomington North, Bloomington South, Eastern Greene, Edgewood, Hoosier Hills Career Center, Loogootee, Lost River Career Center, Mitchell, North Lawrence Career Center, Orleans, Paoli, Shoals, Springs Valley, Martinsville, Owen Valley, and West Washington.

A total of  113 Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN/RN) degrees and 49 Practical Nursing (LPN) certificates will be awarded--a 22% increase in nursing graduates over last year.

The campus is conferring 66 associate degrees and certificates, up from 44 last year, to 46 Achieve Your Degree™ (AYD) graduates. AYD is an employer-paid tuition assistance program that provides the chance for students to earn college credentials with no upfront costs. Locally, Ivy Tech has agreements with 18 employers.

Associate Accelerated Program (ASAP) students will earn 39 associate degrees and certificates among 24 graduates. ASAP allows students ages 21 and under to earn an associate degree in less than a year.

Six military veterans and eight international students representing the countries of China and Nigeria are graduating.

For more information about the ceremony and parking, visit ivytech.edu/bloomington/graduation.

Ivy Tech Bloomington offers more than 40 career and four-year transfer programs, with courses that start multiple times per year for quick entry and graduation. To get started, apply for free online at ivytech.edu/bloomington, call 812-330-6013, or email [email protected]. For information on free, short-term training programs at Ivy Tech Bloomington, visit ivytech.edu/bloomington/NLJ.