Ivy Tech in Sellersburg graduates 424 students

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May 20, 2009

RICHARD GOOTEE The News and Tribune Wed May 20, 2009, 01:43 PM EDT

NEW ALBANY — For Patricia Jones Washington, graduation day marked an end to a journey started almost 10 years ago.

“Having the three children and being widowed, I knew I had to provide for them,” she said less than two hours before she and other new Ivy Tech Community College graduates took part in the ceremony at Northside Christian Church.

Her husband, Stephen, died in 1999, leaving behind three children — now ages 12 to 20.

Washington, 41, of New Albany, left with more than her nursing degree. During her stint on the Sellersburg campus, she was involved in many activities, including student body president, Phi Theta Kappa honor society and the college’s student-orientation program. She also worked as a licensed practical nurse during most of her college career.

Not bad for a woman who joined her first activity for extra credit and was a self-described misfit when she arrived in 2006. While she called Tuesday an end, Washington wants to eventually earn her master’s degree. With her new degree, she will become a registered nurse if she passes the licensing exam.

In all, 424 students applied for degrees, including the school’s first criminal justice class. One of its graduates, Heather Harris, received the prestigious Chancellor’s Award, partly because she never missed a class.

Borden resident Angela Penn also went to college as a single mother. One of two student speakers, Penn, 30, said she thought she would only attend class and get home to her two children. Now a member of Phi Theta Kappa and the president of the Business Professionals of America chapter, she said it was one of her first instructors, Rebekah Lynch, who sparked the desire to get involved on campus.

“She was able to get through to me in a way no other teacher had. At one point she looked at me and [said] ‘you are not allowed to be wrong.’ Some people may have been intimidated by that, but I took it as a challenge,” Penn said. “If I could measure up to her standards, then I could do anything I set my mind to.”

Everyone should go to college, but only when they are ready to be involved, Penn said, because “the tassel is worth all the hassle.”

She received an associate degree in business administration.

Ivy Tech President Thomas Snyder challenged every graduate — several of whom are a first for their family — to share their stories with the community.

“You’re the new generation. You are living this story. Tell your children, and tell your friends. Tell your co-workers, tell your supervisors: You are building America,” he said.

About 2,000 friends, family and other guests sent off the class of 2009, No. 38 for the Southern Indiana campus.

Louisville Mayor Jerry Abramson joked his invitation came across the Ohio River by mistake. At his first college graduation in the Hoosier state since his own from Indiana University, he said metropolitan areas, not state or county lines, key a region’s economic success.

“My friends, whether you are from my side of the river or your side of the river, the sunny side or the cloudy side, depending on who you talk to, the reality is we are in this together,” Abramson said. “We are a part of an economic engine called the Greater Louisville area.”

The college also honored former State Rep. Bill Cochran, among others, during the ceremony. Cochran received an honorary degree for his work in education.

Up until the end, Washington said fellow students pushed her to achieve. The nursing program requires students pass a math test with a 90 percent or higher before they graduate. Washington passed the test on her final of three tries. She said some of those who already passed the exam helped her and others who still needed to pass.

All three of Washington’s children watched their mother graduate — a feat they all said made them proud because it was so important to her. Oldest son, Kristofer, also attended Ivy Tech for a year with his mother.

Both mother and son liked the experience. Watching her mother go back to school also has changed eighth-grade daughter, Kristine, 14, her mother said. Washington’s youngest son, Kevin, is 12.

“Now she’s wanting more so to go to college, and she’s looking that way, where before she wasn’t really focused on it.” Washington said. “It makes me really proud that she sees the importance [of college] and she’s going to do something about it.”