Mortuary students, faculty and affiliated funeral homes assisted Ivy Tech's Educational Talent Search (ETS) in their back to school initiative. ETS kicked-off back-to-school with a goal of collecting 100 book bags for school children in Lake and Porter counties. On Saturday, August 25 local school children came to the Ivy Tech - Gary campus to pickup their bags.

Educational Talent Search (ETS) is designed to help students become interested in a career, stay in school and secure training after high school. ETS assists middle and high school students who have a desire to pursue post-high school educational training and show financial need. ETS can also help adults who are looking to enroll in a college/university, but are unsure of which direction to turn. The ETS staff also assists students in selecting educational and career opportunities.

Educational Talent Search assists in tutorial sessions in Math, English, and Science, Educational Workshops (ISTEP+, GQE, ACT, SAT), Math/Science Workshops, Field trips for academic and cultural enrichment, Summer Youth Camp, Individual and group financial aid counseling, College and University enrollment requirement information, Mentoring Program, Academic, career, and personal counseling.

ETS is funded through the United States Department of Education allows the program to provide these educational services free of charge.