Marianne Glick and Mike Woods pledge $500,000 matching gift to Ivy Tech’s Relief Fund efforts
Ivy Tech Community College State Board of Trustees member, Marianne Glick, and her spouse, Mike Woods, have committed $500,000 in matching funds across the state for Ivy Tech’s newly established COVID-19 Relief Fund to assist students.
The COVID-19 Relief Fund will provide increased flexibility to assist the Lake County and Valparaiso/Michigan City campuses in meeting unforeseen challenges head-on in the coming days. Our campuses specifically have $40,000 in matching funds available. The funds will be entirely supported by unrestricted charitable donations and gifts at any level to help meet our campus’s time-sensitive needs. We must secure local matching funds by April 30, 2020, in order to benefit from the Glick gift.
“We wanted to do something to help Ivy Tech students at this challenging time,” Marianne and Mike shared. “We hope this gift will inspire others to open their hearts to enable our students to have access to the resources they need to stay in school and stay healthy.”
“This investment will go directly to students,” Louie Gonzalez, chancellor of the Lake County campus, said. “Many can’t pay for books and supplies. It’s the little things that keep students from continuing their educational journeys. This is our way of helping their dreams come true.”
“Providing support to our students to achieve their career aspirations is always our top priority,” Aco Sikoski, chancellor of the Valparaiso campus, said. “We know that many of our students need support outside the classroom or lab as they are facing many challenges in their life, especially during this difficult time. We very grateful for our trustee, Marianne, and her spouse for their generosity and we are hopeful that we will be able to maximize funds to our students will be supported.”
One student said, “As a single mom, I am so thankful for my Ivy Tech education and the scholarship support received. Thank you to the donors who helped make this happen. It has changed my life! I could not have done it without you.”
“As always, our top priority is to safeguard the health and well-being of our students,” Ellspermann said. “Many of our students already faced challenges including juggling work, family and school, food insecurity, childcare needs, and even housing uncertainty. We are incredibly humbled and grateful for Marianne and Mike, and their pledge of $500,000 in matching funds across the state. This makes it possible for us to truly help our students who need it now more than ever.”
For more information on the Covid-19 Relief Fund and where to donate please visit impact.ivytech.edu/COVID.Relief.Fund
About Ivy Tech Community College
Ivy Tech Community College serves communities across Indiana, providing world-class education and driving economic transformation. It is the state’s largest public postsecondary institution and the nation’s largest singly accredited statewide community college system. It serves as the state’s engine of workforce development, offering high-value degree programs and training that are aligned with the needs of its communities, along with courses and programs that transfer to other colleges and universities in Indiana. It is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association.
About the Ivy Tech Foundation
The Foundation’s most important function is to provide support for Ivy Tech Community College beyond state appropriations and student fees. Its overall program of work focuses on meeting student needs. The Foundation’s work is made possible by donations from friends of Ivy Tech. The Foundation distributes these donations as designated by the donor to support students and the College’s strategic initiatives.
