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City of Kokomo supports ‘quality of place’ efforts at Ivy Tech campus

Last Updated on September 12, 2019 by cassnetwork

KOKOMO, Ind. — For a number of years, the City of Kokomo has been focused on creating a “Quality of Place” environment in the community through landscaping, redesigning traffic flow, and addressing areas of blight – all designed to make Kokomo a better place for its residents and businesses and more attractive for economic development. By earmarking $250,000 for a leadership gift to Ivy Tech, city leaders are helping to improve the “quality of place” at the College’s transformed Kokomo Campus.

Mayor Greg Goodnight and six members of the Kokomo Common Council recently had the opportunity to tour the construction site and see how that appropriation is being put to use. The donation has allowed for substantial upgrades to the new campus quad, adding additional landscaping, lighting, welcoming seating areas, and an expanded trolley stop.

“I want to thank the council members for coming together and supporting this project,” Mayor Goodnight said. “While touring Ivy Tech, and seeing the progress first hand, it was clear nothing was missed and every detail was considered.

“The design makes this a world-class campus we all should be proud of,” he continued. “The students will benefit immediately and Kokomo will benefit when those students bring the skills they have learned into our community and our workforce. “

Construction crews are hard at work completing the quad, with its walkways and green spaces that will link academic buildings, student services, and faculty offices with appealing common areas to gather and study or socialize. The goal is to create a real “sense of place” for students, faculty, and staff that will inspire interaction and collaboration and offer more opportunity for student engagement.

“This new outdoor space will be a centerpiece of campus pride,” Chancellor McCurdy said. “Many of our students rely on public transportation and will benefit from an upgraded trolley stop. The entire community will enjoy the walking paths and meeting spaces. We are grateful for the city’s support in upgrading our campus.”

Kokomo City Councilman Mike Wyant represents the First District, which includes the Ivy Tech campus.

“The Ivy Tech project is awesome. It’s going to be ‘top of the line’ and I’m so proud to be part of it,” he said. “It’s all about the young people and I can just envision the students out on the quad, talking, studying, just enjoying the space. What a great opportunity to get the education they need in such a great place – right here at home.”

For City Council President Bob Hayes, the importance of the project can be seen in the classrooms and labs being finished in the new Health Professions Center and advanced manufacturing space.

“The many ways Ivy Tech is collaborating with FCA shows how the College is working with our local businesses,” Hayes said. “Creating educational spaces that look like FCA’s industrial spaces, local doctor’s offices, and operating rooms is an example of how Ivy Tech is listening and responding to the needs of our employers so graduates are ready to succeed when they first step into the workforce.”

Other council members who participated in the tour were Don Haworth, Tom Miklik, Cindy Sanders, and Janie Young.

The City of Kokomo’s gift is part of a campaign to raise $3 million in contributions from businesses, organizations, and individuals in area communities to complete the $43 million transformation of the Kokomo Campus that is currently under way. Kelly Karickhoff, executive director of resource development at Ivy Tech Kokomo, said gifts to the capital campaign support some of the amenities that will add to a “real campus feel” that will benefit students and the community. For more information, contact Karickhoff at kkarickhoff@ivytech.edu or 765-252-5501.

SOURCE: News release from Ivy Tech Community College Kokomo Region

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