Visit our other websites

  • Fulton County Calendar
  • Miami County Calendar
  • Cass County Calendar
  • Pulaski County Calendar

Ivy Tech’s Kokomo Region celebrates 2017 commencement

KOKOMO, Ind. — Ivy Tech Community College Kokomo Region – which includes campuses and instructional sites in Kokomo, Logansport, Peru, and Rochester – celebrated its 2017 commencement Friday, May 12. Hundreds of family members and friends gathered in the Kokomo Event & Conference Center as the College conferred 827 degrees and certificates on 530 recipients.

David Bathe, chancellor of Ivy Tech’s Kokomo and Lafayette Region, congratulated the graduates for perseverance in achieving their credentials despite the challenges and sacrifices they faced.

“I know I speak for all of Ivy Tech Kokomo Region’s faculty and staff in expressing our pride in these students and their accomplishments,” Bathe said. “We also see the ceremony as an opportunity to acknowledge the support of family and friends who helped make these accomplishments possible.” Allison Barber, chancellor of WGU Indiana, the state’s online, competency-based university, gave the address to the candidates. In her role with WGU, Barber, an Indiana native, champions college attainment for working Hoosiers who have some college but have not yet earned a degree.

Angela Bailiff of Greentown represented the graduates as student speaker at the commencement. Bailiff came to Ivy Tech as an adult, 30 years after she dropped out of high school. The daunting decision to go back to school was a life-changing one. Graduating with an Associate of General Studies degree, she will begin work this fall on a bachelor’s degree in the School of Education at Indiana University Kokomo. Her goal is to become a college English instructor, perhaps returning to Ivy Tech, and a children’s author. While at Ivy Tech, she earned Dean’s List status every semester and induction into Phi Theta Kappa, the international academic honor society for community college students, serving as general vice president of the Alpha Pi Phi chapter in Kokomo.

Those honored during Friday’s ceremonies included John Adler, retired United States Air Force colonel and owner of Adler Feed Express, recipient of an honorary Associate of Science in College and Community Service degree in recognition of his contributions to the College, the state, and the nation; Gwenn Eldridge, department chair of Liberal Arts and Sciences and associate professor of English, recipient of the President’s Award for Excellence in Instruction; Dr. David Sturgeon, adjunct instructor in Dental Assisting, recipient of the Adjunct Faculty Award for Excellence in Instruction; Yesenia Martinez of Logansport, a 2010 Ivy Tech graduate who currently serves as a case manager with Counseling Partners LLC of Lafayette, recipient of the Alumni Achievement Award; and graduating student Bailey Pownell of Peru, recipient of the Dr. Pam Lewis Award for Academic Excellence.

Members of Ivy Tech Kokomo Region’s graduating class of 2017, listed by hometown, include:

Akron
Elisia Orianna Chairez
Timothy Paul Czarnecki
Brittany Meier

Amboy
Dustin J. Heath
Elizabeth Smith
Rachel J. Sprong
Savannah Marie Vincent

Andrews
Jason S. Shenefield

Arcadia
Sarah Elizabeth Lawhorn
David J. Martin
Elijah Kristopher Schroeder
Melissa Ann Scott

Bloomington
Alyssa Lynn Lytle
Bringhurst
Charlotte Hannah Bailey

Bunker Hill
Rachel E. Colwell
Daylan E. Guffey
Tayanita Ann Hodges
Chelsea D. Rose

Burlington
Hayden Mathew Crume

Burnettsville
Natasha R. Benedict
Katlyn Elizabeth Emery

Burrows
Brandy N. Martin

Camden
Candice Nicole Gatchel

Carmel
Megan R. Murray
Abigail L. Reed
Nicholas D. White

Cicero
Raechelle L. Ewing
Christopher P. Kelly
Megan Ann Patterson
Emily Susan Wuerch

Columbus
Nathaniel C. Shoop

Converse
David A. Yoder

Culver
Amy J. Ashley

Cutler
Emily Kathrynn Green

Delphi
Natasha Calisto
Jessica L. McVay

Denver
Mindy D. Jaberg
Kayla J. Madden
Allison Marlee
Paige Myers
Andrew T. Myers

Elwood
James R. Borum II
Griffin Alexander DeBaun
Lisa Renae Pope

Fairmount
Joseph I. Greentree
Justin Allen Harshman

Fishers
Shannon L. Lawler

Flora
David Monticue
Susan Lynn Turrill

Fort Wayne
Mariah K. McFarlane

Fulton
Jennavive M. Magnum
Cullen A. Smith

Galveston
Christopher Thomas Burke
Carol Sue Craw
Kathryn Einstein
Haley Rochelle Maxwell
Courtney Alexis McCloskey
Floyd D. McCoy
Angie L. McKinney
Jade Alexandra Munsey
Sarah Beth Schutt
Brittanie D. Seals

Gas City
Kate Leigh Ann Duecker
Susan Capri Ellis
Tiffany K. Geiger
Jeremy Lane Herring
Jacob Andrew Wright

Goldsmith
Jesse L. Kerfoot

Greentown
Angela J. Bailiff
Jonathan Cordell
Kylie E. Freeman
Brittani L. Hinson
Brock E. Newton
Curtis M. Siler
Corey M. Sommers
Kathy Sue Sparling

Hartford City
Stacy Lynn Bole

Hope
Lincoln D. Jasper

Indianapolis
Kelly E. Circle
Sherelle Clark
Gloria Ekissi
Lucas W. Myers

Jonesboro
Katey Jo Rice

Kewanna
Caitlynn Gourley
Rachelle Marie Sherman

Kokomo
Johnny Leif Alvarado
Jason Allen Andreas
Camry M. Archer
Samantha Jo Baker
Elizabeth Maegan Bales
Eliot E. Banaszak
Josephine Banaszak
Kaitlin N. Banush
Theresa Lavern Bates
Caitlyn M. Beck
Abigail M. Bell
Adam Bird
Tyler Jacob Bird
Tiffany A. Blackburn
Shane Micheal Boles
Alaina Renee Bradley
Tonya J. Bradley
Kenneth E. Broniak
Ciera L. Brown
Nicole L. Bumgardner
Paul A. Butzin
Carla Lynn Calvert
Matthew B. Campbell
Rheticia A. Cannon
Lisa Marie Barnett-Carpenter
Keyton John Charlesworth
Joseph L. Chauvaux
Kimberly Chavez
Audriana Clark
Brandy R. Coak
Bret Coleman
Tiffani Lynn Collins
Stephanie Denise Cosley
Sally L. Crider
John R. Danley
Amanda L. Day
Logan M. Day
Shannon Kazuyoshi Derks
Andrew J. Dougherty
Codie A. Dowell
Hali R. Downs
Leota Irene Duke
Cynthia M. Dulin
April Dawn Duncan
Patience O. Ebikwo
Amy Marie Edwards
Kelli A. Elkins
Tristan E. Fausett
Deborah K. Fortier
Charlie L. Fourkiller
Andrea Nicole Lynn Fulton
Ariana Jewel Getts
Heather Gonzalez
Kynzee R. Halter
Elijah James Hammel
Mark Bennett Hardy
Gage D. Hayden
Chryl L. Hayes
Kiara J. Haynes
John Philip Heffernan
Benjamin D. Henn
Jason Clyde Henry
Michael Herr
Bernadine M. Higgins
Dustin Max Hinkle
Danielle R. Hobson
Jacqueline M. Holloway
Brittony Rian House
Patricia Humphrey
Damon G. Huntley
Roegena L. Ile
Zachary Adam Jackson
Martha Stacy Johnson
Cortney M. Justice
Jessica L. Keel
Ryan Matthew Kendall
Lowen Q. Killibrew
Eun-Sung Kim
Chelsea Autumn Leigh King
Danielle M. Lackowski
Alexis R. Lawhead
James A. Lawson
Xuan Li
Joshua Lindley
Craig Anthony Louks
Teri L. Marks
Christopher Micheal Marr
Madison A. Marshall
Mark Anthony Martinez
Tori R. McAninch
William Mac McCartney
Amanda S. McDaniel
Joseph V. McGowen
Cassie J. Mckillip
Loretta L. McNally
Bria Symone Merriweather
Natalie Lyn Meyers
Alexandria Elaine Millikan
James Earl Montgomery
Jerrad E. Moore
Karissa Ann Morris
Owen Munson
Scott Myers
Alexandria G. Name
Melissa M. Name
Brandon M. Niber
Shelly Dawn Nile
Trisha Norfleet
KeeJoh Patrick Deem O'Hearon
Katherine Renee Orzech
Joseph Nelson King Osborne
Jasmine A. Overman
William Anthony Overton
Maddisen Padden
Arielle Nicole Pagan
Darral Gene Peoples, Jr.
Jeffrey A. Philapy
Alexander Donald Thomas Plude
Micheal P. Plummer
Ashton N. Poynter
Justin Kyle Raborn
Lucie LeaAnn Rance
Adam S. Reed
Clayton D. Reed
Luke T. Reed
Kasey Ann Reeve
Kelsey L. Reinhart
Alexander J. Reith
Erica J. Rickner
Bradley Dean Riggs
Micale Robinson
Timoa J. Roler
Angela Mae Ione Ross
Jennifer M. Rush
Maranda L. Russell
Kabrina K. Scardino
Sarah R. Schwartz
Tamara M. Shannon
Anna K. Sharp
Katelyn Irene Shelley
Briley Ann Shellman
Gayle A. Sherman
Dennis R. Shoaf
Styles D. R. Small
Shamar T. Smiley
Andrea Smith
Erin M. Stapleton
Brooke Nicole Stewart
Cherice N. Stigger
Meagan Rose Stonebraker
Kasey M. Taylor
Natasha LeAnn Thieke
Johnny Vargas Tubia
Joseph A. Turner
Heather Renae Underwood
Paige Van De Velde
Lyndsy R. Varnado
Rachel Marie Vega
Sierra LaShay Waggoner
William P. Walker
Dionne R. Wallace
Angela L. Washington
Tracy Louise White
Lauryn A. Wiles
Danielle Elaine Williams
Jimmy Lee Williams
Sarah B. Williams
Amanda D. Wilson
Anita K. Wooldridge
Andy J. Wright
Breanna Dawn Wright
Theresa L. Wright
Jenna Diane Yeakley
Amber R. Zehringer
Heather Rene Zeis-Forrey

Lafayette
Alana Ann Curtis
Tina L. Davis-Brown
Taylor R. Decker
Sydney Renee McKinney
Kayla Jean Salsbery

LaFontaine
Kaylee Marie Cummins

Lagro
Debra E. Shepherd

Laketon
Christie Lynn Edwards

Ligonier
Shaley Kathryn Kosel

Logansport
Eduardo Aguilera Arellano
James I. Balbuena
Jessica Michelle Boots
Anthony A. Botsford
David E. Boucher
Amy M. Brannick
Michell A. Chanley
Danny Lee Cole, Jr.
Alexandria N. Corcoran
Chelsea Renee DeBarge
Shayla L. Doty
Anastasia Alexa Evers
Tyrone E. Flowers
Lucia Rosario Garcia
Melissa L. Gleitz
Angel J. Gonzalez
Bradley L. Grigsby
EmmaLeigh M. Gunther
Lacey Lynn Harrell
Nicole M. Heckard
Minerva Hernandez
Flor Maria Hernandez-Luis
Jason W. Huff
Elizabeth Marie Humphrey
Robert P. Irwin
Marisol Islas Hernandez
Jessica R. James
Jordan Alexander Johnson
Amanda C. Jones
Bailey N. Kelley
Kayla D. Kennedy
Brett J-T Kepner
Julie A. Kestle
Venus Lia Kinkade
Tammy Krpan
Madison Shae LaOrange
Daniel Lopez Morales
Mu Lwee
Alexis Lane Lytle
Marcelo Martinez
Christina H. Miller
Tera L. Montgomery
Jennifer L. Moss
Sierra Mughmaw
Matthew Thomas Nelson
Leonardo Olridge
Dominique Orozco
Stephanie Lynn Overholser
Isle Palencia
Erika Amary Peltz
Cassidee Perry
Lucia Floridalma Ponce
Debra K. Powers
Sarah Ann Putnam
Amanda K. Raderstorf
Jessica J. Ramirez
Angel L. Rance
Mickayla Joan Rans
Alondra Lizbeth Reyes-Rivera
Adam B. Rivard
Stormie L. Rivera
Erika Salgado
Maria Del Carmen Salinas
Moon Say
Miranda Lynn Schmicker
Nicole M. Schroder
Andrea Louise Shepard
Carrie D. Sherer
Amanda K. Shively
Johnathan F. Shock
Caitlynn LeeAnn Sink
April M. Small
Hayden Oscar Smith
Travis James Steffel
Brooke R. Stotler
Soledad Tafolla Rodriguez
Evelyn R. Toloza
Traci Lynn Weida
Edward H. Wilkiinson
Sarabia L. Williams

Lucerne
Joshua M. Day

Macy
Martha L. Conrad
Alexis L. Lackman
Michael N. Rasmussen

Marion
Jane M. Hampton
Kaden Andrew Harrison
W. Ted Johnson
Michael R. Marley
Quinshanna S. Porter-Love
Chelsea Dee-Ahn Renbarger
Courtney M. Seeler
Tyler Allen Warren

Martinsville
Carl J. Clark

Matthews
Jeanette Marie Breese

Midway
Brittany Renee Allen

Monterey
Crystal Rouse

Monticello
Kasha Danielle Kearney

Muncie
Hannah J. Moody

New Castle
Danielle Elise Flagg

Noblesville
Ashley A. Garner
Karen D. Harding
Jeanne L. Henry
Sarah Reel

North Manchester
Chesney Louise France
Rebecca L. Hoffman
Ashley D. Robinson
Christina M. Smith

Orestes
Shawn Michael Shepard

Peru
Melody Ann Anderson
Anne-Marie Elizabeth Bass
Lori A. Beattie
Andrew Lee Bishop
Jamie Michelle Bishop
Carmen Mae Boone
Joshua C. Boothby
Willean Bowen
Nathan Bowman
Sheila C. Briner
Megan M. Bryant
Angela Camuy
Cordelia Marie Cole
Christopher C. Cover
Lindsey Ann Dehner
Teresa M. Fitzgerald
Coda Fouts
John C. Frazier
Ethan A. Gahs
Debra L. Hipsher
Della K. Hoff-Barr
Kylie Noel Holland
Breona L. Hollarman
Christian Jewell
Jessica Marie Jobe
Mary L. Keaton
Alicia N. Maggart
Katiria E. Maldonado
Moriah Lee Grace Mercer
Rafael Antonio Molina
Corey Ann Monroe
Jon P. Oakley
Dustin D. Parks
Briana N. Pebley
Jeremy Dustin Phillips
Blake H. Pond
Briley Elaine Prater
Michael Alexander Reichert
Brittany H. Ritchie
David J. Roberts
Nicole E. Rorvik
James S. Seidle
Tiffane Dawn Sloan
Cheyenne A. Sons
Jacob Samuel Stevens
Robert M. Sucharski
Benjamin Thompson
Katie L. Townsend
Sheila Marie Wade
Shannon L. Walker
Alize K. T. White
Brandon S. Williams
Sierra A. Williams
Ashley Dawn Wold
Josiah Paul Wrightsman

Pierceton
Zachary J. Lee

Plainfield
Amanda Catherine Grewe

Roann
Stephanie R. Archer
Lucia Ann Click
Melinda R. Hudson
Robert O. Lynn, IV

Rochester
Ryan C. Blocker
Ashley M. Chipps
Kristie D. Culp
Paige Marie Eriks
Leslee Lynne Goss
Travis S. Herrell
Austin Jarrod Howell
Rasma Jo Melton
Han Nguyen
Hannah J. Shaffer

Royal Center
Crystal R. Gunter
Ashley Nicole Scott

Russiaville
Kelli Rene Davis
Aaron B. Dukes
Catherine Sue Dukes
Hayley D. Faulkner

Sedalia
Heather Marie Santos

Sharpsville
Tasha N. Cohee
Danielle M. Hale
Michael D. Pfeiffer
Autasha R. Stroud

Sheridan
Sara Marie Belcher
Miranda M. Rose

Star City
Brenda Jean Warner

Summitville
Cody W. Grimme
Meaghan Breann McDaniel

Swayzee
Shawn R. Larrowe

Sweetser
Joy L. Dufendach

Thorntown
Crystal Dawn Richardson

Tipton
James V. Altherr III
Kristen Boyd
Maia R. Calvert
Christina K. Chilson
Victoria M. Crail
Linda Michele Hendricks
Philip Hirtzel
Brittanie Nicole Jordan
Jordan K. Mahaney
Walter Trey Mauck
Dustin Lynn McCool
Alisha Rochelle Park
Ryan M. Schmitt
Michael P. Shuck

Twelve Mile
Tyler Lowe

Valparaiso
Katharine N. Murphy
Amy Lynn Tague

Wabash
Philip R. Balay
Robert W. Beets
Celesta A. Brown
Sarah D. Castle
Joshua D. Clark
Nicholas Dunn
Samuel G. England
Sheere Nadine Enser
Tanya Marie Gatchel
Amy Elizabeth Harden
Andrea N. Hill
Aaron Taylor Kelly
Megan Elizabeth Lane
Rachael Lee McDaniel
Angel R. Miller
Chandler Blaine Harold Murphy
Dana Denise Nelson
Chelsea Nickles
Kristen L. Poehler
Scott Alan Pretorius
Stephanie Ann Seymour
Michelle Renae Workman

Walton
Brenda Ivette Ayala
Bailey Sue Pownell
Jacob T. Seay
Jennifer Stine

Warsaw
Morgan Alexis Holsclaw

West Middleton
Benny R. Hillis

Westfield
Monica Lauren Goldner
Bailey E. Hart
Brookly Miller
Kimberly Ann Overmyer

Whitestown
Angela K. Bennett

Winamac
Stephanie Nichole Boomhower
Fred A. Furlano, Sr.
Kali J. Griggs
Alecia Mae Stamper

Windfall
Mary Alaina Turner