Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana Northwest has announced the names of the eight recipients of the The Fifth Annual Chancellor’s Scholarship. The students, two from each campus, were chosen because of their scholastic achievements and commitment to education. The eight will be honored at the dinner which will be held at the Avalon Manor, 3550 E. Highway 30 in Merrillville on October 5 at 6 p.m. The theme of the dinner is “Changing Lives: Creating A Better Future.”

“While our tuition rates are lower than most state universities, we still have students who may experience financial difficulties and have to interrupt their studies,” said Ivy Tech Chancellor J. Guadalupe Valtierra. “These scholarships are intended to help outstanding students continue their education when they run into difficulties or when they don’t quite qualify for full financial aid.”

To be eligible, students must have completed 15 hours in a degree program, have a minimum grade point average of 3.75, reside in one of the seven counties served by the Ivy Tech Northwest Region and submit an essay. Based on the student’s essay and financial need, final determinations were made by a committee of administrators and faculty. The awardees for the 2006 – 2007 academic year are: Rosa Nelia Garcia and Deborah Gooden, Gary Campus; Tammi Robison and Barbara Diller, Michigan City campus; Shannon Gollnick and Patricia Talbot, Valparaiso campus; and Mozell Hill and Raquel Santos, East Chicago campus.

The students represent a broad spectrum in age and experience. Deborah Gooden is a 55- year-old mother of three who returned to college many years after graduating from high school. After losing her job during a life-altering bout with cancer in 2002, Deborah decided to return to school to pursue her high school diploma and associate degree.

“I want to be a role model that shows people that it’s never too late to attend college. Even through my illness and late start in gaining my high school diploma, I’m now on track to achieving all of my dreams!” she said.

Shannon Gollnick works as a full-time paramedic in East Chicago and donates time and resources to the Muscular Dystrophy Association and the Salvation Army. Gollnick says, “I take great pride in both my education and my work. My educational goals have not only made me a student of management, but also a student of leadership.” After graduation, he plans to continue his education and ultimately earn his MBA.

Eugenia Sacopulos, coordinator of the scholarship and dinner said, “We are very happy that the community has embraced this event. Many of these students have shown great tenacity to continue their education in the face of adversity. Some have continued their commitment to community service while attending college and taking care of families. We are fortunate to have them as students at Ivy Tech. We like to think that Ivy Tech is changing the lives of our students.”

Tickets for the dinner are $50. For more information call, Rosa Rodriguez at 981-4419.

View our PowerPoint Show with information about our Scholarship Recipients.