Donor impact highlighted at Chancellor’s Guild dinner

KOKOMO, Ind. - Indiana University Kokomo celebrated donors whose partnership provides educational opportunities for students at its annual Chancellor's Guild dinner.

Chancellor Mark Canada said the event was extra special this year because it also commemorates an IU Kokomo milestone.

"This is always one of my favorite nights of the year, because throughout the year, I get the chance to see how each of you support our campus, celebrate our students' achievements, and make a difference on our campus," he said. "But this event is special this year. Tonight, I get to celebrate you and our campus's 80^th anniversary."

IU President Pamela Whitten also welcomed guests, thanking them for the impact they have made on students, faculty, the community, and beyond.

"As we observe the 80^th anniversary of IU Kokomo, we celebrate its historic past as well as the many ways the campus is paving the way for a brighter future - a future driven by innovation, shaped by our students, and led by alumni, friends, and community members like those we honor tonight," she said.

Whitten noted that 85 percent of the nearly 18,000 students enrolled on the five IU regional campuses are Indiana residents, with 39 percent coming from rural areas and 28 percent being first-generation students. By delivering accessible, affordable, high-quality education, the regional campuses provide them with knowledge, skills, and qualification to earn higher paying jobs and have successful careers in the state. Nearly 63 percent of regional campus alumni work in Indiana after earning their degree.

She applauded the spirit of community cooperation embodied by the event's honorees, as well as previous Chancellor's Guild members who have supported construction of the Student Activities and Events Center, Innovation Hall, student scholarships, athletics, the Cougar Cupboard, and the campus.

"Your extraordinary generosity, and the incredible passion you have for IU have made a profound difference in the lives of IU Kokomo students," Whitten said. "Your support has also had an enormous impact in furthering IU's reputation as one of America's leading public universities. Thanks to your philanthropic support, kindness, and leadership, IU Kokomo has not only persevered for eight decades, but continues to move forward and thrive. Please accept my sincere thanks and appreciation for your generosity, dedication, and loyalty to IU Kokomo."

Crystal Jones, vice chancellor for university advancement and media and marketing, noted that the dinner honors those who have given $1,000 or more in the calendar year.

Beth Brooke, Bucheri McCarty and Metz, and Robert Mullen and Diana Delgado were inducted into the Remarkable Legacy Society, which honors those who have given $75,000 or more to the IU Foundation to benefit any IU Kokomo fund.

Special guests included Ken Iwama, IU vice president for regional campuses and online education; Kokomo Mayor Tyler Moore; State Sen. Jim Buck and Judy Buck; and Bill Hunt, son of Virgil Hunt, IU Kokomo's' first director.

Forty-two donors were honored as members of the Seiberling Society for giving more than $5,000 during the year. Each one received a set of glasses created by House of Glass in Elwood.

Seiberling Society members honored, listed alphabetically, included:

Sita C. Amba-Rao, Ph.D.

American Online Giving Foundation

Don and Gail Beaton

Dr. Ray and Dr. Mary Bonhomme

Beth Brooke

Bucheri McCarty & Metz LLP

Capitol Sports Center, Inc.

Chariot Management Group, LLC

Robert and Deborah Christensen

Community First Bank of Indiana

Community Foundation of Howard County, Inc.

Steve and Barb Conner

Ernst & Young Foundation

First Farmers Bank & Trust, Inc.

Randy and Esther Fishman

Robert Ford II

Court and Dawnya French

Geenex Solar LLC - Indianapolis

Judy and Mike Golitko

David Gossman

Susie Grayson

Dan Grundmann and Julie Paris

Joan and Robert Hoch

Howard County UAW CAP Council

Bill and Nancy Hunt

Hal and Sherry King

Philip L. Kintzele, D.B.A.

Kokomo Grain Company

Betty Lasbury

Kathleen Ligocki and Pete Rosenau

Richard Lounsbury Foundation Inc.

National Audubon Foundation

Nipsco

Scot and Lisa Ortman

PPG Industries Foundation

Security Federal Savings Bank

Angie and Brian Shockney

Jeff and Lisa Smeltzer

Solidarity Community Federal Credit Union

Amanda and Shannon Sturgil

Thrush-Thompson Foundation, Inc.

Phil and Melissa Williams

Education is KEY at Indiana University Kokomo.