Bloomington campus raised over $40,000 on Ivy Tech Day, second highest in state
Tuesday, April 23, 2024, marked the College’s second annual Ivy Tech Day of Giving, an online fundraising event aimed at generating resources to support the more than 190,000 students statewide, and the more than 11,500 students at Ivy Tech Bloomington. The Bloomington campus received 124 gifts, totaling more than $40,000, the second highest in the state. Dollars raised go toward the area of greatest need fund.
Statewide, Ivy Tech received 2,892 gifts, totaling more than $395,000 to support students across Indiana. Contributions will create opportunities for students to improve their lives while driving Indiana’s economy forward.
Ivy Tech Day brought alumni, students, employees, industry, and friends of the College together to celebrate. Local partners for Ivy Tech Day included Gables Bagels and Mother Bear’s Pizza. Ivy Tech Bloomington hospitality students hosted a mocktail bar and employees celebrated with a cookout and pie that person activities.
“Ivy Tech is Indiana’s community college, and our alumni, students, employees and community members once again demonstrated their commitment to our mission of delivering higher education at the speed of life,” said Dr. Sue Ellspermann, President, Ivy Tech Community College. “We are so grateful for their generosity, which will support our efforts across the state to prepare Hoosiers for the high impact careers of today and tomorrow.”
Ivy Tech Bloomington contributes nearly $79 million annually to the regional economy, including a net impact of nearly $52 million from alumni working in the region. Statewide, Ivy Tech contributes $3.9 billion annually to Indiana’s economy, including a net impact of $3.6 billion from 93% of Ivy Tech graduates who stay in Indiana to pursue their careers.
Monroe County lawmakers: New Green Alert will help find missing, at-risk veterans
A new public notification similar to Indiana’s Amber Alert will soon help first responders locate missing and at-risk veterans thanks to efforts supported by Monroe County legislators. A new law, which passed during the 2024 legislative session, will create a Green Alert to notify the public that a veteran or military service member is reported missing and believed to be at risk of being hurt or hurting themselves. The alert will function similarly to the state’s successful Amber Alert for missing children and Silver Alert for missing seniors.
“Having an alert specifically for veterans and service members could help emergency workers determine the type of response needed,” said State Rep. Dave Hall (R-Norman). “It’s great to see Indiana adopt a Green Alert, and I hope it prevents tragedies like suicide and leads to more veterans getting the help they need.”
A Green Alert could be issued by the Indiana State Police for veterans, active service members, Indiana National Guard members and reservists within 48 hours of the individual being reported missing. Like other alerts, the notification will include a description and last known location of the individual and if they are considered at-risk to themselves or others.
According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Indiana’s veteran suicide rate is higher than the national average. In 2021, nearly 140 Hoosier veterans died by suicide and over 6,000 died nationwide.
For 24/7, confidential crisis support, veterans or their loved ones can dial 988 then press one or send a text to 838255 for the Veterans Crisis Line. Callers do not have to be enrolled in Veteran Affairs benefits or health care to connect. Hoosiers can also visit veteranscrisisline.net and join a chat with a VA responder.
House Enrolled Act 1021 passed unanimously out of the Indiana House of Representatives and Senate, and received support from the Military/Veterans Coalition of Indiana, the American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, Veterans of Foreign Wars and the National Guard Association of Indiana.
Stay safe while operating off-road vehicles
With the coming of warmer weather, off-road vehicle (ORV) enthusiasts are eager to ride. Indiana Conservation Officers reminds the public to operate ORVs responsibly and remember to follow these safety rules:
- Always wear a Department of Transportation (DOT)-compliant helmet. All riders under 18 years of age are required by law to wear a helmet while operating an ORV. Goggles, long sleeves, long pants, and over-the-ankle boots are also recommended.
- Never operate or ride while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
- Never carry a passenger on an ORV designated for one occupant, and don’t ride with more than one passenger on an ORV specifically designed for two occupants.
- Children should only ride ORVs if they meet the minimum age designated by the manufacturer of that ORV.
- Riders younger than 14 years of age are required to be supervised by an adult at all times when riding an ORV.
- ORVs are primarily designed to be operated off-road and should be operated at a speed where the operator can control the ORV and stop in time to avoid a collision.
- On side-by-side style ORVs, in addition to helmets and other safety equipment, seat belts should be worn by the operator and any passengers.
To learn more about ORV safety visit offroad-ed.com/indiana and register for a comprehensive online off-road recreational vehicle course.
Indiana State Police Seeks Recruits for the 86th Recruit Academy
***DEADLINE EXTENDED***
The Indiana State Police is accepting applications for the 86th Recruit Academy for traditional and lateral applicants. Individuals interested in beginning a rewarding career as an Indiana State Trooper must apply online at IndianaTrooper.com. This website provides a detailed synopsis of the hiring process and information on additional career opportunities with the Indiana State Police. Note: If you have already applied for the 86th Recruit Academy you do NOT need to reapply. Please contact a recruiter about participating in the testing.
Applications must be submitted electronically by 11:59 pm (EST) on Tuesday, April 30, 2024. Applications submitted after the deadline will not be accepted for the 86th Recruit Academy.
This Week in Hoosier History
1924 – Indiana Governor Warren McCray resigned from office after being convicted of mail fraud. He was replaced by Lieutenant Governor Forrest Branch. McCray spent three years at the federal prison in Atlanta. President Herbert Hoover granted him a full pardon in 1930.
For more local news . . . Check out our archived episodes of What’s Happenin’ and Talkin’ Sports with Nick Jenkinson