Ivy Tech Indianapolis
2026 Commencement Recap
April 30, 2026
Ivy Tech Indianapolis honored the achievements of nearly 1,000 graduates, among the more than 4,800 who earned associate degrees, certificates, or technical certifications during a daylong celebration on Thursday, Apr. 30, 2026. The graduates ranged in age from 15 to 76, with the School of Advanced Manufacturing, Engineering and Applied Science representing the largest number of graduates.
A Sacred Rite of Passage
Nursing Pinning Ceremony
Honors the Class of 2026
The day began at 9 a.m. in the Conference Center and Culinary Institute (CCCI) with the Spring Nursing Pinning Ceremony — one of three such ceremonies Ivy Tech Indy holds each year — a symbolic passing of the lamp from Florence Nightingale’s legacy to the next generation of healers. This time-honored tradition celebrates Ivy Tech’s School of Nursing students' completion of the nursing program and welcomes them into the profession.
At the spring 2026 ceremony, more than 100 nursing graduates received their Ivy Tech pins, took the Florence Nightingale Pledge, and heard from a distinguished lineup: keynote speaker Kaitlyn Depinet, a proud 2015 Ivy Tech nursing alum; Dr. Diana Shenefield, dean of the School of Nursing; and student speakers Toluwanimi Akingbola and Reuben Kungu Kiarie.
Daniel Sandberg, president of the Student Nurses Association, was recognized as a Class of 2026 student who exemplifies leadership, service, and commitment.
Daniel Sandberg, president of the Student Nurses Association, was recognized as a Class of 2026 student who exemplifies leadership, service, and commitment.
“Today, each of you receives a pin, but what you truly receive is something far greater: a calling. Nursing is not simply a career. It is not merely a job title, a degree, or a set of technical skills. Nursing is a profession rooted in trust, shaped by sacrifice, and sustained by two essential virtues: integrity and servanthood. These are not just admirable traits in nursing. They are foundational. They are the very heart of what it means to care for another human being.”
- Dr. Diana Shenefield, Dean, School of Nursing
“When I was sitting where you are today, I did not have a perfectly mapped‑out plan. I didn’t know I’d become a Nurse Practitioner. I didn’t know I’d be working in wound care and clinical research. And I definitely didn’t know I would someday be standing at an Ivy Tech Pinning Ceremony as a speaker. What I did know was this: I wanted to take the next step, and Ivy Tech made that possible. Ivy Tech was accessible. It was rigorous. It was real‑world nursing. And most importantly, Ivy Tech believed in me before I fully believed in myself! Many of you are graduating from the traditional ASN track or the LPN‑to‑ASN track, just like I did. And I want you to hear this clearly: Your path is not 'less than.' Your degree is not a stepping stone; it is a foundation.”
- Kaitlyn Depinet, 2015 Ivy Tech Alum, MSN, FNP‑C, CCRP, WTA
“One thing that stands out about our journey is the community we built. Nursing school teaches you very quickly that you cannot do it alone. We leaned on each other when the stress was high, when we didn’t understand something in lecture, or when clinical experiences became emotionally challenging. We celebrated each other’s small wins, encouraged each other after difficult exams, and reminded one another why we started this journey in the first place.”
- Toluwanimi Akingbola, 2026 Nursing Graduate Speaker
“I want to take a moment to acknowledge something else: Not everyone who started this program with us is sitting here today. Some had to repeat a course. Some had to step away because life demanded it. Some realized their path was different. That doesn’t erase the effort they put in. It doesn’t erase their capability. Nursing school is demanding in ways that are difficult to explain unless you’ve lived it.
To those who had to pause — we’re cheering for you. Your timeline is still valid. Your dream is still possible.
To my classmates sitting here today — I am proud of you. We have seen each other at our most stressed. We’ve sent 'Did you pass?' texts. We’ve studied late into the night. We’ve had parking lot debriefs after clinical. We’ve questioned exam questions that made no sense. We’ve recalculated dosages ten times just to be sure.
There were tears. There was laughter. There were moments of pure exhaustion. And still — every semester — we came back. That says something about who we are. We didn’t just learn pathophysiology and pharmacology. We learned accountability. We learned that small details matter. We learned that being a nurse means being steady even when you feel uncertain inside. We learned that advocacy isn’t optional — it’s essential."
- Reuben Kungu Kiarie, 2026 Nursing Graduate Speaker
And as the Class of 2026 nursing graduates walked out, pins on hearts and degrees in hand, Natasha Bedingfield’s “Unwritten" rang out loud.
Commencement Ceremony
By 2 p.m., the energy shifted to a roaring celebration inside the Corteva Coliseum at the Indiana State Fairgrounds, where families, faculty, staff, and friends gathered to honor every graduate from the Class of 2026. The ceremony recognized those who completed their studies in fall 2025, spring 2026, and summer 2026.
Ivy Tech Indianapolis celebrated the conferment of 1,882 associate degrees and 4,389 certificates to the Class of 2026. This year’s graduates reflect the strength and diversity of Indiana’s largest Ivy Tech campus, which serves more than 36,000 students annually with the support of over 700 dedicated faculty and staff members.
The stage was set in the Coliseum for an afternoon filled with gratitude, inspiration, and forward-looking energy. Interim Chancellor Dr. Chad Bolser served as master of ceremonies, welcoming the North Central Army JROTC Program for the presentation of colors and the national anthem. Thereafter, he opened by honoring our veteran graduates, welcoming families, faculty, and graduates, and acknowledging the stage party seated before the Class of 2026.
Amira Ali, associate degree recipient in General Studies, served as graduate speaker.
Amira Ali, associate degree recipient in General Studies, served as graduate speaker.
Interim Chancellor Dr. Chad Bolser (left) served as master of ceremonies. Chief Ernest V. Malone (center) of the Indianapolis Fire Department was the VIP commencement speaker and honorary degree recipient. Dr. Martin Pollio, president of Ivy Tech Community College, delivered welcome remarks and presented awards.
Interim Chancellor Dr. Chad Bolser (left) served as master of ceremonies. Chief Ernest V. Malone (center) of the Indianapolis Fire Department was the VIP commencement speaker and honorary degree recipient. Dr. Martin Pollio, president of Ivy Tech Community College, delivered welcome remarks and presented awards.
Rose Wilson, Early Childhood Education program chair and associate professor, served as grand marshal.
Rose Wilson, Early Childhood Education program chair and associate professor, served as grand marshal.
Ivy Tech Indianapolis campus leadership and Board of Trustees members. Back row (left to right): Dr. Niki Fjeldal, vice chancellor of student success (farthest left); Dr. Chad Bolser, interim chancellor (second from left); Aaron Williams, trustee, Google, State Board of Trustees representative (third from left); Mario Rodriguez, chair of the Campus Board of Trustees, Indianapolis Airport Authority (third from right); Robert Henderson, trustee, Indiana State Building & Construction (second from right). Bottom row (left to right): Dr. Greg Bond, vice chancellor of enrollment services (farthest left); Hap Durkin, vice chancellor of development (second from left); Dr. Claire Maxson, vice chancellor for academic affairs (third from left); Fred Parker, vice chancellor of human resources (third from right); Tracey Tomchick, trustee, Eli Lilly and Company (second from right); Andy Cummings, chief operating officer (far right). Not pictured: Dr. Aleesia Johnson, trustee, Indianapolis Public Schools.
Ivy Tech Indianapolis campus leadership and Board of Trustees members. Back row (left to right): Dr. Niki Fjeldal, vice chancellor of student success (farthest left); Dr. Chad Bolser, interim chancellor (second from left); Aaron Williams, trustee, Google, State Board of Trustees representative (third from left); Mario Rodriguez, chair of the Campus Board of Trustees, Indianapolis Airport Authority (third from right); Robert Henderson, trustee, Indiana State Building & Construction (second from right). Bottom row (left to right): Dr. Greg Bond, vice chancellor of enrollment services (farthest left); Hap Durkin, vice chancellor of development (second from left); Dr. Claire Maxson, vice chancellor for academic affairs (third from left); Fred Parker, vice chancellor of human resources (third from right); Tracey Tomchick, trustee, Eli Lilly and Company (second from right); Andy Cummings, chief operating officer (far right). Not pictured: Dr. Aleesia Johnson, trustee, Indianapolis Public Schools.
Ivy Tech Indianapolis deans (left to right): Dr. Tammy L. Cooper (far left) – Business, Logistics and Supply Chain; Public Affairs and Social Services; Garatoni School of Entrepreneurship & Innovation; and Culinary Arts & Hospitality Management. Dr. Diana Shenefield (second from left) – Nursing. Patrick Benner (third from left) – Information Technology. Sara Shlaer (third from right) – Arts, Sciences, & Education. Mark Richards (second from right) – Advanced Manufacturing, Engineering, and Applied Science. Dr. Terri Fleming (far right) – Health Sciences.
Ivy Tech Indianapolis deans (left to right): Dr. Tammy L. Cooper (far left) – Business, Logistics and Supply Chain; Public Affairs and Social Services; Garatoni School of Entrepreneurship & Innovation; and Culinary Arts & Hospitality Management. Dr. Diana Shenefield (second from left) – Nursing. Patrick Benner (third from left) – Information Technology. Sara Shlaer (third from right) – Arts, Sciences, & Education. Mark Richards (second from right) – Advanced Manufacturing, Engineering, and Applied Science. Dr. Terri Fleming (far right) – Health Sciences.
“Many of you balanced demanding jobs, family responsibilities, and life’s unexpected challenges while continuing to show up, keep going, and finish strong. Years from now, when you look back on your time at Ivy Tech, I hope you will remember not only what you accomplished but also how resilient and determined you were along the way.”
Dr. Chad Bolser, Interim Chancellor, Ivy Tech Indianapolis
“Education needs to be lifelong. Make a commitment to yourself. This will not be the last commencement ceremony that you sit in. Continue on with your education. Find ways to continue to grow and challenge yourself to be sitting sometime in the future at another commencement ceremony so that once again, you can achieve something that will make a difference in your family's life forever.”
Dr. Martin Pollio, President, Ivy Tech
“Leadership is not about rank. It is not about position. It is not about telling people what to do. It’s about reminding them why they matter. It’s about owning our responsibility, owning the outcome, and setting the tone, even when the path ahead is unknown.
My friends, I don’t want you to lead by displaying examples of your power. What I’m asking you to do is lead by showing the power of your example. And while we often talk about leading others, we cannot forget that it also means guiding ourselves … through mistakes, through uncertainty, and through change.”
Chief Ernest V. Malone, Indianapolis Fire Department
“I had to learn that a setback is only a chapter, not the whole story. Each time I felt like I was falling behind, I surprised myself by pushing forward. Those moments taught me that we are often stronger than we think. Along the way, I also learned that growth is not always about doing more.
Sometimes it is about knowing when to step back, reflect, and choose what truly fits who you are. That is part of success.”
Amira Ali, 2026 Commencement Graduate Speaker
Grab the popcorn (and the tissues)! The 2026 Ivy Tech Indianapolis Commencement Highlight Video is here, and it’s packed with wins, walks, well-deserved cheers, and all the feel-good moments!
Grab the popcorn (and the tissues)! The 2026 Ivy Tech Indianapolis Commencement Highlight Video is here, and it’s packed with wins, walks, well-deserved cheers, and all the feel-good moments!
Thirty-six students from Arsenal Technical High School, Crispus Attucks High School, and George Washington High School graduated from Ivy Tech Community College weeks before receiving their high school diplomas.
Thirty-six students from Arsenal Technical High School, Crispus Attucks High School, and George Washington High School graduated from Ivy Tech Community College weeks before receiving their high school diplomas.
Ivy Tech Indy is honored to highlight
2,094
First-Generation Graduates
1,864
Honors Graduates
871
Early College High School Credentials Earned
1,531
School with Highest Credential Count - SAMEAS
264
Nursing & LPN Associate Degree Graduates
1,002
Largest Graduating Program - Building Trades Apprentice
More from Commencement 2026
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