Ivy Tech Northwest Mortuary Science Program receives full re- accreditation status

The Ivy Tech Northwest has received full re-accreditation for its mortuary science program. The full re-accreditation is for seven (7) years and is the maximum amount of time granted for accreditation by the American Board of Funeral Service Education. Ivy Tech's program began in the fall of 2003 at the East Chicago De La Garza campus with initial enrollment of 30 students and graduated its first graduates in 2005. When initiated, the program was the 55th mortuary science program in the United States. Currently, the program has 45 students and expects to graduate 20 in 2008. "The granting of full re-accreditation is a team effort. We could not have done it without our dedicated students, faculty, staff, and our advisory board and practicum sites," adds Rick Soria, program chair.

The full re-accreditation was granted on October 7 at the Committee on Accreditation (COA) meeting in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Committee reviewed the College's documentation, including curriculum and findings from onsite visits to the school. Academic Dean Dr. Debbie Halik and Mortuary Science Program Chair Rick Soria represented the College at the meeting along with Adjunct Professors Elden LaHayne and Kathleen Matuszak.

Ivy Tech Community College is one of the nation's largest statewide community college systems and the state's second largest public post-secondary institution with over 105,000 students enrolled annually. Ivy Tech has 23 campuses throughout Indiana. It serves as the state's engine of workforce development, offering affordable degree programs and training that are aligned with the needs of its community along with courses and programs that transfer to other colleges and universities in Indiana. It is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

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(L-R) Adjunct professor Kathleen Matuszak, Mortuary Science Program Chair Rick Soria, Dean of Academic Affairs, Dr. Debbie Halik, and Adjunct professor Elden LaHayne attended the National Funeral Directors Convention in Las Vegas where the mortuary science program was awarded re-accreditation status.