Ivy Tech receives $75,000 gift from community cornerstone on its 75th anniversary
This article is brought to you by Ivy Tech Community College - Kokomo Region.
Kokomo Grain founder Mick Ortman always said, “You can never dream big enough.” After 75 years in business, his company is a major economic engine within the greater Kokomo community. But its greatest successes are found within its generosity.
Recently Kokomo Grain joined with Ivy Tech Community College – Kokomo Region to celebrate the business’ 75th anniversary, and of course the highlight of the milestone involved another philanthropic gesture in the form of a $75,000 scholarship.
“Kokomo Grain has stood as a symbol of vision, resilience, and community here in North Central Indiana for 75 years,” said Ivy Tech Kokomo Chancellor Ethan Heicher. “From its humble beginnings in 1950 to becoming a leader in the industry, Kokomo Grain has never wavered from its dedication to growing not only crops, but our community.
“As the Ortman family and Kokomo Grain celebrate this incredible milestone, they are planting new seeds of possibility with generous gift of $75,000 to create the Kokomo Grain 75th anniversary scholarship.”
The scholarship is directed at Ivy Tech students pursuing agriculture, business and education degrees, Heicher explained. The college was chosen for the scholarship because Kokomo Grain’s long commitment to the institution.
Founding CEO Mick Ortman and his mother Betty served on Ivy Tech Kokomo Vision Campaign cabinet for four years, during which time they showed their generosity through fundraising while supporting programming within the college. Additionally, current CEO Scot Ortman served as a member of Ivy Tech’s Regional Board of Directors.
The Ortmans have sponsored free public seminars for the college and have accepted interns and full-time employees who attended Ivy Tech. Kokomo Grain also made a generous donation to the college in 2019, enabling the establishment of a new computer lab to serve Ivy Tech’s agriculture and automotive technology center.
“Ivy Tech has been doing the hard work on the ground, making this a better community,” said Scot Ortman. “It is a great organization, and we’ve always been proud to be part of it. So, we are doing what we can to push them just a little bit further on down the road.”
Heicher expressed the college’s gratitude for the gift that will ensure educational attainment for generations to come.
“This gift continues a long legacy of support for Ivy Tech and our students,” said Heicher. “That legacy takes on a new life through education, ensuring that the next generation of our students can dream boldly, achieve greatly, and carry forward that tradition of excellence in our community. Here’s to 75 years of impact to a future made brighter through education!”