Ivy Tech South Bend-Elkhart Gets $2.5M Gift

(photo courtesy Ivy Tech Community College)

The Ivy Tech Community College South Bend-Elkhart Campus has received a $2.5 million donation from Larry and Judy Garatoni. Ivy Tech says the funding will enable facility renovations, training equipment purchases, and student scholarships.

“It is important to recognize and support the great work that Ivy Tech is doing now to prepare our region for the future,” said Larry Garatoni. “We are very fortunate to have great leadership and an excellent and dedicated staff at our South Bend and Elkhart campus locations. I strongly encourage others to engage with and contribute to Ivy Tech and invest in the future of our great region.”

Ivy Tech says the gift will improve the facilities that support student services at the College’s South Bend location. It will also support advanced manufacturing and information technology training at the campus’ Center for Advanced Manufacturing and Automation which is expected to open this fall at the college’s Elkhart location.

“Larry and Judy’s gift will help transform both locations of our South Bend-Elkhart campus,” said Ivy Tech’s South Bend Elkhart Chancellor David Balkin. “The Garatoni family understands that a career-focused education is the best pathway that many students have for a successful life.”

The new 10,400-square-foot structure, will allow Ivy Tech to support the needs of regional manufacturers in the fields of Automation and Robotics and Artificial Intelligence.