Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
SOUTH BEND - Ivy Tech State College President Gerald I. Lamkin has appointed Robert Kovach acting executive dean of the Warsaw campus. Kovach is executive director of economic development and workplace learning for the statewide system.
Kovach is a former mayor of Mishawaka, from 1980 to 1983, and a former Indiana state senator from 1974 to 1978.
He held several administrative positions under governors Evan Bayh and Frank O'Bannon, including executive director of the Indiana Department of Commerce.
"From my days with the Department of Commerce I did visit [your] industries with the governor and Lt. Gov," Kovach said. "So I'm familiar with what a great community Warsaw is."
This will be Kovach's second stint as an acting dean. He served in that position on Ivy Tech's Elkhart campus from July 2002 through February 2003.
He has no idea how long he'll be acting executive dean at Warsaw.
"I've not had an opportunity to discuss that with Dr. Virginia Calvin (Region 2 chancellor) or President Lamkin," he said. "They're very concerned about the well being and prosperity of the students we serve. They'll want to make the transition to a permanent dean as seamless as possible.
"It's an exciting time for Ivy Tech. We're emerging, as we should, as the state's community college. The key to economic development is training and, in my humble opinion, everyone should think Ivy Tech."
Kovach will start next Monday and serve while a search is conducted for a permanent executive dean.
He will commute from Mishawaka each day, and will devote whatever time is necessary in the community.
"I believe Warsaw's campus is critical to the community," he said, adding that the local campus' needs were enumerated at a state board of trustees meeting yesterday in Indianapolis.
The space at the United Office Complex on U.S. 30 is already becoming cramped because of the influx of students in the last few semesters.
Joann Walgamuth, who held the position of dean since July 2000, retires from the college Feb. 27.
