KOKOMO, Ind. — Indiana University Kokomo thanked the donors whose partnership provides educational opportunities for students at its annual Chancellor’s Guild dinner.
The event, hosted by Chancellor Mark Canada, celebrated donor impact, with a focus on the Groups Scholars Program.
“This is always one of my favorite nights of the year, because throughout the year, I get the chance to see how each of you support our campus, celebrate our students’ achievements, and make a difference on our campus. But, on this night, I get to celebrate you,” he said.
Donor funds allowed IU Kokomo to start a Groups Scholars Program, which provides academic, financial, and social support to selected underrepresented Indiana college students through graduation. IU created the program in 1968 with funding from the IU Foundation Wellhouse Society, a university-wide fund that pools contributions of all sizes from alumni and supporters to support the university’s needs.
“It’s an excellent example of how multiple contributions, in gifts of all sizes, make a significant impact on the future of Indiana University and Indiana University Kokomo,” Canada said.
Groups Scholars faculty Meg Galasso, associate librarian and Nick Baxter, assistant professor of psychology; and student Briana Madrigal shared their perspective of the program’s impact.
Madrigal said she almost didn’t come to GROUPS after finding out the friend she signed up with was in a different class, but she’s glad she persisted.
“Joining GROUPS and taking the summer courses truly made me more confident of what was to come ahead in my first year here at IUK,” she said. “Every one of the GROUPS faculty made sure to let us know that help from them was always available through the year, and they surely kept up with that. Not only am I grateful for the head start that GROUPS offered, but I am also grateful for all the abundant resources that it has provided it truly feels like a family on campus.”
Crystal Jones, vice chancellor for university advancement and media and marketing, noted that the dinner honors those who have given $1,000 or more in the calendar year.
Dr. Ray and Dr. Mary Bonhomme, David Gossman, Security Federal Savings Bank, and the Spencer Education Foundation were inducted into the Remarkable Legacy Society, which honors those who have given $75,000 or more to the IU Foundation to benefit any IU Kokomo fund.
Forty donors were honored as members of the Seiberling Society, for giving more than $5,000 during the year. Each one received a hand-blown glass vase created by House of Glass in Elwood.
Seiberling Society members honored, listed alphabetically, included:
American Online Giving Foundation
Don and Gail Beaton
Dr. Ray and Dr. Mary Bonhomme
Beth Brooke
Bucheri McCarty & Metz LLP
Capitol Sports
Chariot Management Group, LLC
Robert and Deborah Christensen
Community Health Network, Inc.
Community First Bank of Indiana
Community Foundation of Howard County, Inc.
Steve and Barb Conner
Doug Eglen and Lynette Hazelbaker
Randy and Esther Fishman
First Farmers Bank & Trust, Inc.
Robert Ford II
Court and Dawnya French
Judy and Mike Golitko
David Gossman
Joseph and Susan Hendricks
Robert and Joan Hoch
Bill and Nancy Hunt
KeyBank Foundation
Hal and Sherry King
Philip L. Kintzele, D.B.A.
Kokomo Grain Company
Pat and Sue McGavic
McGavic Outdoor Power Equipment Inc.
Robert Mullen and Dianna Delgado
NiSource Charitable Foundation
Scot and Lisa Ortman
Julie Paris and Daniel Grundmann
Security Federal Savings Bank
Jeff & Lisa Smeltzer
Smith-Fuqua Foundation
Solidarity Community Federal Credit Union
Amanda and Shannon Sturgil
Thrush-Thompson Foundation, Inc.
UAW-Howard County CAP Council
Phil and Melissa Williams
Education is KEY at Indiana University Kokomo.
