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Indiana University Kokomo will celebrate the achievements of the Class of 2024 at its Commencement ceremony on Tuesday, May 7.
The ceremony will honor the 625 members of the Class of 2024, who represent 43 Indiana counties, 16 states, and 14 countries. More than 33 percent of the class is first generation college students, and 24 are graduating with a 4.0 grade point average.
Eighty-one students are earning master’s degrees, 544 are earning bachelor’s degrees, and 17 are receiving associate degrees. Some students earned more than one degree.
Andrea Méndez Rodríguez, Valladolid, Spain, will represent the class as student speaker. Madesynn Freeman, Kokomo will lead singing of the National Anthem and Alma Mater. Hannah Sandefur, Kokomo, will lead induction of the class into the IU Alumni Association.
The School of Nursing and Allied Health Professions has the largest number of graduates, with 120 earning the Bachelor of Science in Nursing. The second most frequent degree being earned is the Bachelor of Science in Business, with 74.
Chancellor Mark Canada will present the graduating class at 10 a.m. at the IU Kokomo Pavilion. The outdoor ceremony recognizes December 2023, May 2024, and August 2024 graduates. A reception in Alumni Hall and the Quad will immediately follow the ceremony.
“At IU Kokomo, students always come first,” Canada said. “My colleagues and I relish the opportunity to recognize and celebrate them at this time, the culmination of their years of study.”
Commencement planner Tara Scott, assistant director of development, congratulated the Class of 2024.
“Commencement is my favorite day on campus,” she said. “Our students work tirelessly each day, spending countless hours on homework, projects, and presentations. Most of this year’s graduating class did not get a high school graduation due to COVID, and they are looking forward to celebrating this achievement with so many friends and family.”
In the event of inclement weather, the ceremony will take place at the Pavilion if it is raining, but will be postponed if there is lightning, or the weather worsens. Those attending should watch the IU Kokomo website at kokomo.in.edu for updates.
Free parking is available on campus, with campus police and emergency management assisting.
No tickets are required, as seating is general admission. Accessible seating is available. Gates open at 8 a.m., the procession will start at 9:45 a.m. and the ceremony will begin promptly at 10 a.m. unless postponed for weather.
The ceremony will be livestreamed at commencement.iu.edu.
Ivy Tech Kokomo tops state in Day of Giving
Ivy Tech Day – the annual statewide Day of Giving supporting the greatest and most immediate needs of students attending Indiana’s largest, open access postsecondary institution – resulted in 2,892 individual contributions over 24 hours totaling more than $395,000. Contributions received on April 23 far exceeded 2023 results and will create opportunities for Ivy Tech students to improve their lives while driving Indiana’s economy forward.
Ivy Tech’s Kokomo Service Area, which includes Cass, Fulton, Howard, Miami, Pulaski and Tipton counties, garnered 268 gifts totaling $41,687, far exceeding last year’s numbers of 171 gifts and $25,000 in donations.
Ivy Tech Day brought alumni, students, and friends of the College together to celebrate more than six decades of achievement and opportunity in communities across the state. Events at Ivy Tech’s 45 locations throughout Indiana – including 19 campuses – connected Hoosiers to the mission of the state’s community college system.
“Ivy Tech is Indiana’s community college, and our alumni, students, employees and community members once again demonstrated their commitment to our mission of delivering higher education at the speed of life,” said Dr. Sue Ellspermann, president, Ivy Tech Community College. “We are so grateful for their generosity, which will support our efforts across the state to prepare Hoosiers for the high impact careers of today and tomorrow.”
Dr. Ethan Heicher, chancellor of the Ivy Tech Kokomo Service Area, said April 23 was an exciting and incredibly rewarding day. “Know that giving at this level makes a tremendous impact as we work to assure our students can achieve their educational goals,” he continued. “Thank you to faculty, staff, alumni, retirees, community donors, board members and sponsors for making this day such a success!”
Ivy Tech contributes $3.9 billion annually to Indiana’s economy, including a net impact of $3.6 billion from 93 percent of alumni who work in the state. The College contributes to 1 of every 70 jobs in Indiana. Nearly 200,000 Hoosiers are pursuing high-quality education and training at Ivy Tech, 40 percent of whom are the first in their families to attend college and 25 percent are students of color. More than 8 in 10 Ivy Tech alumni graduate without any student debt.