Press release from Ivy Tech Community College
(Lawrenceburg, Ind.) - Ivy Tech Community College, both statewide and at the Southeast region, will experience its largest graduating class in history. An estimated 15,500 students will receive credentials during graduation programs at the 14 Ivy Tech regions. Over 450 of these graduates are from the Southeast region, which serves Jefferson, Dearborn, Ripley, Ohio and Switzerland Counties as well as the bordering areas of Cincinnati, Ohio and northern Kentucky.
The Ivy Tech Southeast commencement ceremony will be held at 1:00 p.m. Sunday, May 13, 2012 in the Collier Gymnasium of the Horner Health and Recreation Center at Hanover College. Graduating students will receive an Associate of Applied Science degree, Associate of Science degree, Associate of Arts degree or a Technical Certificate from the School of Business, School of Education, School of Health Sciences, School of Liberal Arts and Sciences, School of Public and Social Services, or School of Technology.
The previous record number of Ivy Tech Southeast graduates was 407 last year.
The commencement speaker will be Dr. Tony Bennett, Indiana’s Superintendent of Public Instruction. Bennett was elected to the post in 2008, establishing high expectations for all Indiana students. His objectives included achieving a 90% graduation rate, a 25% pass rate for high school students taking advanced placement coursework and a 90% pass rate for both the state’s English and Math assessments. Working closely with Governor Mitch Daniels and the Indiana General Assembly, Bennett has led efforts to improve Indiana’s educational system with the most important changes focusing on ensuring every classroom in Indiana has an effective teacher. Under Bennett’s leadership academic progress in Indiana has risen to new heights of success.
Bennett received a doctorate degree in Education and his Superintendent’s License from Spalding University. He earned a Certification in Secondary Administration and Supervision, a Master of Science in Secondary Education, and a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education from Indiana University Southeast.
Bennett is married and the father of four children, including one set of triplets. He has served as a teacher, basketball coach, assistant superintendent, and superintendent.
Ivy Tech Community College is the state’s largest public postsecondary institution and the nation’s largest singly accredited statewide community college system serving nearly 200,000 students annually. Ivy Tech has campuses throughout Indiana. It serves as the state’s engine of workforce development, offering affordable degree programs and training that are aligned with the needs of its community along with courses and programs that transfer to other colleges and universities in Indiana. Ivy Tech is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association.
Ivy Tech Southeast has campuses at Lawrenceburg and Madison and an instructional site at Batesville.
