Ivy Tech Community College Celebrates Local Faculty, Alumni, and Benefactor

Honored alumni and benefactors

MADISON, Ind. – Ivy Tech Community College honored local faculty as well as a Distinguished Alumni and Benefactor at recent events.

The College honored each for their exemplary work with students and the College community during the past year. A selection committee made up of alumni, past winners, State Trustees, faculty representatives, and college administration selected the honorees based on nominations from students, fellow faculty members, and Ivy Tech staff.

“For anyone associated with the College, this year is a year for excitement and reflection,” said Ivy Tech President, Dr. Sue Ellspermann. “Our excellent faculty, inspiring alumni, and strong partnerships allowed us to reach this point, and we have an incredible opportunity to celebrate the impact on our communities throughout Indiana.”

The Faculty President’s Award Honoree was Kami True, Assistant Professor and Program Chair of Nursing. Kami True has been an integral part of the college for the past seven years. Kami True brings a wealth of expertise to her role by specializing in Medical Surgical Nursing with a focus on leadership and management. An alumna of Madison Consolidated High School, she earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, followed by a Master of Science in Nursing from Western Governors University.

The Adjunct Faculty President’s Award Honoree was Julie Van Laar, Adjunct Instructor of Humanities. Julie currently teaches philosophy on the Madison Campus and through IvyOnline.  She has taught Introduction to Philosophy, Ethics, and Philosophy of Religion over 70 times across three campuses since 2014. As a certified Philosophical Counselor, Julie partnered with campus leadership in establishing the nation’s first campus-based philosophical counseling program. Through her practice, Julie supports students as they examine their core beliefs and values and work to create more satisfying lives.

The Distinguished Alumni from Madison was Tammy Allen. Tammy Allen focuses her work on improving the lives of people who face medical challenges. Tammy graduated from Ivy Tech Madison with her LPN & RN licenses before completing her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Western Governors University. Her early career focused on hospital care. Since 2013, Tammy has worked for DNV, a leading certification organization. DNV provides hospital accreditation and certification and is the second-largest entity in the U.S. – behind the Joint Commission – to provide these services. Under Tammy’s leadership, DNV partnered with their maritime colleagues to provide the first and most extensive global certification of maritime infection control operations during the COVID pandemic.

The Honored Benefactor from Madison was The Community Foundation of Madison and Jefferson County. The Community Foundation of Madison and Jefferson County (CFMJC) received acknowledgement during the Chancellor’s Luncheon in November, with the honor accepted by Bill Barnes, President and CEO of CFMJC. CFMJC has been a true partner and supporter of our Ivy Tech community for more than three decades. The Foundation has supported initiatives as far ranging from endowing a scholarship, outfitting technology in the Paramedic training center, expanding campus broadband service, supporting our emergency aid fund, and beautifying our campus with more than 20 new trees. The Foundation is making our campus, along with Madison and Jefferson County, better.

About Ivy Tech Community College

Ivy Tech Community College is Indiana’s largest public postsecondary institution and the nation’s largest singly accredited statewide community college system, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Ivy Tech has campuses throughout Indiana and also serves thousands of students annually online. It serves as the state’s engine of workforce development, offering associate degrees, short-term certificate programs, industry certifications, and training that aligns with the needs of the community. The College provides a seamless transfer to other colleges and universities in Indiana, as well as out of state, for a more affordable route to a bachelor’s degree. Follow Ivy Tech on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn for the most up-to-date information.