Laura Bush Praises Community Colleges at Ivy Tech Dedication
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David Slone-dslone@timesuniononline.com
Former first lady Laura Bush made her first public appearance in Warsaw Thursday for the Ivy Tech Community College building dedication.
After thanking everyone for letting her be there, Bush said she was thrilled to be in Warsaw for the dedication of the beautiful new building. She thanked Dr. Dane and Mary Louise Miller, whose names are on the Ivy Tech building, and everyone else who was present, especially the students.
“Community colleges are crucial centers for education for people who have made the determination to improve their lot and improve their lives,” Bush said in her brief remarks. “And Ivy Tech’s new building helps makes college level learning more accessible for people of this whole part of Indiana.”
Community colleges play an important role in the lives of students of all ages. She said community colleges have the flexibility to adjust their curriculum and train workers with new skills. When students learn new skills, they are contributing to the community.
The Ivy Tech facilities, located at 2545 Silveus Crossing, is the first permanent Ivy Tech building in Warsaw. Previously, Ivy Tech held classes in rented facilities.
Before Bush spoke, many other Ivy Tech, local and state officials spoke at the dedication.
Ivy Tech-North Central Chancellor Dr. Thomas G. Coley said Thursday was an exciting day for Ivy Tech and the Warsaw and Kosciusko County communities.
“Today, we dedicate the first permanent Ivy Tech campus in Warsaw. This project has been decades in the making. The people who advocated for Ivy Tech in Warsaw also advocated for this building in Warsaw,” Coley said.
Over the years, Ivy Tech has been in four different buildings. New programs have been added, and other programs have changed names. All have been possible because of the strong partnerships Ivy Tech has had.
Phil Metcalf, North Central Board of Trustees, said the board congratulates Warsaw and the area for supporting the capital campaign for the building.
“You saw the need and did what it took to meet the need,” Metcalf said.
More than 1,300 students are enrolled at Ivy Tech in Warsaw. The college is an important part of the community and state, Metcalf said.
David Findlay, a member of the Ivy Tech State Board of Trustees and Foundation Board, said there are more than 113,000 students in Ivy Tech’s statewide system. Ivy Tech is the largest community college in the country, he said.
The Indiana General Assembly has been supportive of the Ivy Tech building, Ivy Tech President Tom Snyder said. He recognized all the politicians or their representatives in attendance. He then asked State Sen. Ryan Mishler and State Rep. Rebecca Kubacki to speak.
Mishler said the building project was one of the first projects he worked on from start to finish as a state senator.
“I never thought this day would come,” he said.
Education is important to the state, community and country, said Kubacki, and “to see this facility here is beyond belief. Being here is an incredible honor.”
Snyder then recognized Warsaw Mayor Ernie Wiggins and city and county councilmen present.
After an Ivy Tech student spoke about how the college changed her life, Vice Chancellor and Dean Randy Maxson then spoke about how the building is a tribute to the commitment of those who saw it through. He praised the faculty and staff for all the work they put in with the move while still going about their jobs.
Thirty-four years ago, three people thought there should be an Ivy Tech in Warsaw. While Dale Tucker and Matt Dalton are now deceased, Jean Northenor said they would have been pleased to be at the dedication with her.
“Ivy Tech has been a real fun project for me,” Northenor said. “You might be surprised by this, but I got to meet and be best friends with (Indiana House Democratic Leader) Pat Bauer. I didn’t know him 34 years ago when we started all of this.”
The new building didn’t come without sacrifices, she said. The community was told that if they wanted their own Ivy Tech and out of rented facilities, it was told it had to start a capital campaign. Nearly $3 million was raised, which encouraged the state legislators to get behind the project.
Northenor thanked the capital campaign chairs, which included Findlay, Brad Bishop and Jo Lemon.
“We had a lot of fun and a lot of discussion, i.e. arguments, but we got it done and we are here today,” Northenor said.
She then thanked and recognized the many donors.
Snyder recognized Dr. Dane and Mary Louise Miller for their contributions and for letting Ivy Tech put their names on the building. Having the Millers’ names on the building is a recognition of the thousands of things the Millers have done for the community, Snyder said.
Miller spoke briefly, saying that they didn’t contribute to the building to have their names on it. They’re both great supporters of education.
After the Millers and Bush spoke, Maxson invited everyone to be a part of the community ribbon cutting. Each person received a complimentary ribbon-cutting pair of scissors. After that, attendees were invited to taste various food at different stations throughout the new building as they toured it.
He said, “We are your community college. You make us possible.”
