More than 2,000 NWI students celebrated at Ivy Tech graduations

She has always advocated for higher education, encouraging both of her children to pursue a college education. However, she never seemed to have time to pursue her own degree.

Throughout Cunningham’s life, she had operated a preschool, worked in office management and ran a business with her now ex-husband.

“Life just kind of got in the way of me doing it,” Cunningham said.

However four years ago, after retiring she finally had the time to work for a general studies degree at Ivy Tech Lake County.

After beginning her studies, she was invited to the Honors College, a fully virtual curriculum offered by the community college which includes more rigorous academic coursework.

While her classes were online, she still was involved on campus, being part of the Phi Theta Kappa honors society and hosting events for students over the age of 50.

This past spring, Cunningham took part in a regional academic honors conference where she presented her paper about academia’s readiness for non-traditional older students.

“I’ve gained confidence that I didn’t know I had,” she said. “I’ve done things that I didn’t know that I could do.”

Cunningham said she would like to work with Ivy Tech or other higher education institutions to help recruit and set programs for students over 55 years of age.

“I just believe there’s a whole avenue out there for colleges to look at (with) the non-traditional student,” she said.

Cunningham is now the oldest Honors College graduate from Ivy Tech statewide. 

And despite mobility issues, she was one of over 1,000 students to receive their associate degrees and certificates during the Ivy Tech Lake County campus commencement ceremony at the Gary Steel Yard on Friday.

Another one of those graduates was Peter Chukwuenezie Nwoye, who earned his associate’s in industrial electrical technology. Nwoye was born in Nigeria and learned basic electrical skills in high school. Nine years ago, the 34-year-old immigrated to the United States after his elementary school teacher encouraged him to earn a college degree.

“(The teacher) told me that I’m so much talented that it would be better for me to migrate to the United States,” he said.

After attending a couple of community colleges in Illinois, he finally found that Ivy Tech would give him the education and training he wanted.

Nwoye currently has a paid apprenticeship for a glass company in Chicago Heights, Illinois, and intends on working towards his bachelor’s degree at Purdue University Northwest, studying electrical technology relating to renewable energy.

One day before, graduates of Ivy Tech Valparaiso and Michigan City campuses and their families gathered inside the Athletics-Recreation Center at Valparaiso University to see the over 1,100 students obtain their associate degrees and certifications.

Many of the graduates included current high school students from surrounding schools, including Hobart, Chesterton, Valparaiso, Michigan City and Portage. These students obtained college credit by taking dual credit courses.

Ivy Tech President Sue Ellspermann told the graduates to continue to seek learning opportunities given the rapidly changing industries because of the rise of artificial intelligence and other technology. 

“Now more than over we need people who learning doesn’t stop on graduation day, but with a growth mindset to continue to learn, adapt and add new competencies and credentials throughout your life,” Ellspermann said.