Where would we be without Ivy Tech Community College? The College delivers practical, high-quality, cost-effective higher education and job training, enabling thousands of residents to strengthen the workforce in Northwest Indiana. The College has experienced unprecedented growth over the past decade. The global economy has placed a greater demand than ever before on high-technology training, making it an ongoing challenge for Ivy Tech to maintain its high standards of quality.

For Northwest Indiana to be competitive in the future, Ivy Tech must take an even greater role in workforce education and technical training. That new role will require additional financial resources. Even in a tight economy, the State of Indiana has recognized this need and stepped up to help build a new campus, helping Ivy Tech meet our needs as a community. I am proud to help chair Ivy Tech's first-ever major capital campaign in Northwest Indiana: "Building Education...Expanding Opportunities." This campaign will bring private resources to the table to make Ivy Tech as good as we expect and need.

This campaign to raise a MINIMUM OF $2 MILLION will help supplement state funding and provide the equipment and technology resources Ivy Tech needs to deliver highly-effective, technically-competent workers. Quality employees help businesses compete in today's economy, but also attract new industry. In short, this campaign will enhance Ivy Tech's ability to contribute to future economic development of the region. I invite you to join me and other members of the campaign cabinet in investing in this important initiative. I hope you will help us "Build Education and Expand Opportunities" for students in Northwest Indiana by making a thoughtful gift to this campaign. Thank you for the opportunity to present our case.

Sincerely,

Mark T. Maassel
President, NIPSCO