INDIANAPOLIS – Ivy Tech Community College will celebrate a major milestone this month as the college celebrates its 50^th anniversary.

The college was established on March 15, 1963 as Indiana Vocational Technical College and offered one academic program and had an enrollment of just over 3,000 students.  Today, the college offers more than 125 areas of study and enrolls nearly 200,000 students annually.

Once a small vocational and technical school, Ivy Tech is now the nation’s largest singly accredited statewide community college system with 14 administrative regions, 31 degree-granting campuses and classes in nearly 100 locations throughout the state. 

Over its 50 year history, the college has served over one million Hoosiers.  Nearly 97 percent of all Ivy Tech graduates stay in Indiana after graduation and directly and positively impact the state’s economy.

“No other college in the nation has made such a significant impact on its students and state in such a short period of time as Ivy Tech,” said Thomas J. Snyder, Ivy Tech President.  “What an exciting opportunity for the staff, faculty, students and citizens of Indiana to be part of such a historic moment, allowing all of us within the Ivy Tech family the chance to reflect on our past and celebrate our present while aggressively pursuing a bright future.”

On Tuesday, in celebration of Ivy Tech’s 50^th year, the Indiana General Assembly passed a resolution honoring Ivy Tech’s 50 year anniversary.  The resolution can be found online at http://www.in.gov/legislative/bills/2013/SRESP/SC0029.html.

In honor of Ivy Tech’s 50^th year, the college will award 50 honorary degrees at its upcoming 2013 commencement ceremonies this May.  In addition, the College has set a bold goal of increasing the number of graduates to 50,000 annually by 2025.

The goal of 50,000 graduates by 2025 ties to the college’s new Accelerating Greatness 2025 strategic plan, which is also being rolled out in the college’s 50^th year.  The plan was recently approved by the State Board of Trustees and will help the United States grow from 40 percent of working adults holding an associate degree or higher to 60 percent by the year 2025 in order to meet a higher education goal of returning the United States to number one in the world of postsecondary attainment.  Ivy Tech is the first school in Indiana to align its completion goals with the state of Indiana completion agenda in such a systemic way.

Since 50^th anniversary celebrations only come along once, Ivy Tech will make the most of this opportunity by celebrating 50 Years of Changing Lives at each of its locations statewide and throughout the entire year of 2013.  The celebration will culminate with a 50^th Anniversary Celebration Gala on Friday, September 6, 2013 at the JW Marriott in Indianapolis.  For more information about the gala, please visit www.ivytech.edu/50th.

The college is encouraging everyone in the State to wear the color green on Friday, March 15, 2013 – the day that officially marks the college’s 50^th anniversary – and throughout that weekend.

In addition, the college is encouraging any students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends of the college to share their memories or historical photos of Ivy Tech at www.ivytech.edu/50th.  Submissions will be shared online as they are collected.

A listing of other Ivy Tech celebratory events can also be found at www.ivytech.edu/50th.

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. It is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association.