Published: May 15, 2008 11:29 pm            

More than 400 receive degrees from Ivy Tech

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Growing up in Guatemala, a college education seemed out of reach to Norma Saenz. She immigrated to the United States at age 17 and later moved to Logansport.

She was the mother of a young son, Jared, and was expecting her daughter, Abbigail, when she decided it was time to take action toward her dream of a college degree.

“Ivy Tech seemed to be close to me, and it was very family-supportive,” she said. “I was looking for something that would be close to me, close to my house and close to my baby.”

Thursday, Saenz was one of the 424 people earning degrees from Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana Kokomo Region. She earned an associate of science in paralegal studies, and plans to continue her education at Indiana University Kokomo. Her career plans include working as a translator in the court system and attending law school to become an immigration lawyer.

The excitement was nearly tangible in Memorial Gym as the graduates processed into the gym. Cameras flashed, parents lifted small children into their arms to see above the crowd, and some clapped or cheered when they spotted their graduate.

High in the bleachers, a small girl in a flowered dress bounced up and down on her toes, chanting, “Mom-my, Mom-my, Mom-my,” until finally, a friend pointed her mother out in the line.

“I see her!” she shouted in excitement.

Chancellor Stephen Daily commended all the graduates for their hard work, noting that graduates range from 20-year-olds who came to Ivy Tech straight from high school and older students who come “with a wealth of life experience.”

Betina Scott is one of those with life experience, who worked several full-time and part-time jobs without finding the right one. She earned an associate of applied science degree in manufacturing and industrial technology, with a specialty in computerized numerically controlled machines. She starts a new job at Indiana Dimensions Inc. on Monday.

“I was pretty fortunate about that. My teacher was the one who recommended me to go there,” she said.

At her job, Scott will run a computerized numerically controlled router, making trim molding from wood. She likes that it is a creative job.

She chose her field, which is traditionally a male-dominated field, because she likes working in a factory environment.

“I knew I would have to have a skilled trade to get anywhere in that field,” she said, adding that a friend advised machines are going to computer, rather manual, control, and she should consider that.

She’s excited about being a college graduate, after three years of going to school, and also about setting a good example for her daughter, Serenity, who starts kindergarten in the fall.

“As soon as I’m finishing school, she’s starting school. Neither of my parents went to school, but now both of [her daughter’s] parents will have graduated from Ivy Tech. Maybe she can get a bachelor’s degree when she graduates from high school.”

In addition to awarding degrees, college officials recognized Jean Koch, chair of the School of Business, as the distinguished alumnus award winner.

Koch talked about how choices impact your future. For example, she had dropped out of Ball State University before her senior year, and when her oldest child was two, her father agreed to send her back to finish her degree in business education, while her mother would baby-sit.

Her father told her, “You never know when you might need that degree,” so she finished it. A few years later, she was widowed, and used her degree to become an instructor at Ivy Tech.

“If I had made different choices, I probably would not be standing here,” she said.

She urged graduates to “strive to be part of the group that makes things happen, not the group that watches things happen.”

Koch also asked students to consider what decisions and choices they made leading to their graduation and what choices they will make to use those degrees.

Ivy Tech Provost Donald Doucette also had words of encouragement, saying that graduation is “not the end, but the beginning of your new life with an Ivy Tech degree.”

He encouraged them to use their degrees not just to improve their own lives and those of their families, but “to make your community and this great state a better place to live.”

He remembered as a child, President John F. Kennedy challenged Americans to go to the moon.

“Consider what your generation’s moon shot will be,” he said, adding that Bona, from the rock band U2, says eliminating world hunger and poverty could be that goal.

“Like the moon shot, it’s a hard but reachable goal. We are proud of you. Now go make us prouder. Be good and do good.”

Danielle Rush may be reached at (765) 454-8585 or via e-mail at danielle.rush@kokomotribune.com

        

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