Ivy Tech Community College recognized as inaugural recipient of Collegiate Purple Star of Indiana award

After a successful campaign of supporting veterans in 2025, Ivy Tech Community College became the recipient of the inaugural Collegiate Purple Star of Indiana designation. The Purple Star award is a distinction that recognizes Indiana postsecondary institutions that are motivated to provide support for U.S. military-affiliated students.

Lenny Corso, professor in the Adjunct Faculty-Science Department at Ivy Tech Community College, has seen the trajectory of the college over the years as a Vietnam veteran. He believes the Collegiate Purple Star recognition tells a story of how the college has showcased a deep commitment to veterans across all 19 campuses throughout the State of Indiana. 

“The college environment in the 1960s and 1970s was filled with apathy and, in some cases, hostility towards veterans,” Corso said. “In today’s environment, it’s refreshing to see the change in attitude. Ivy Tech has become a leader in accommodating and recognizing veterans for their services to their country. Comprehensive support at all campuses is essential in providing the services veterans need during college, which is especially important if a veteran needs to move to another Indiana location for various reasons.”

Corso believes that it’s important that everyone tries to support their local veterans as much as possible throughout the year.

“Individuals often express their feelings with the statement, ‘Thank you for your service,’ which is appreciated,” Corso said. “Veterans need to know there are individuals and organizations that are willing to help them in any way they can. For many veterans, young and old, there can be challenges. It is comforting for them to know where they can go with a specific contact person who can assist them, and this will provide the emotional support many of them need to work through many issues.”

Ben Fugate is an employee consultant at Ivy Tech Community College. As a disabled veteran, this is a recognition that’s deeply personal to him.

“It was an honor to serve on the committee and to play a role in bringing additional resources to Ivy Tech,” Fugate said. “The Collegiate Purple Star represents more than an award; it reflects a commitment to creating a space where veterans feel understood, supported, and valued. For the Ivy Tech family, it confirms that we are doing the work the right way. Being able to help create a place where veterans can find camaraderie, assistance with disability resources, financial aid support, and a true sense of belonging is something I am incredibly proud of.”

Fugate believes that veterans bring discipline, leadership, and resilience. These veterans may carry invisible challenges from their service, which is what makes a recognition like this one so valuable when it comes to providing access to tools and resources in the community.

The Purple Star program assesses institutions on admissions, financial aid, and career development. As an adjunct faculty member for 19 years, Corso was approached very early in his teaching career at the Ivy Tech Valparaiso campus regarding ideas on how to assist veterans. 

Over those years, a goal to identify veterans when they apply to college was developed. As a result, this helped the college staff to provide the guidance needed to complete their own personal goals.

The Valparaiso Ivy Tech campus also created a Student Veterans Organization many years ago, which is a student organization led by veterans to provide input on the ideas and challenges veterans may face on campus. All student veterans are invited to two major dinners at no cost, as well as the Valpo Kiwanis Club and Valparaiso Rotary Club, both of which are sponsored by Ivy Tech.

The “Salute the Recruits” dinner honors all of the high school graduates enlisting in the military upon graduation. This dinner is held at the Porter County Expo and attracts over 400 people each May. The Veterans Appreciation Dinner, sponsored by the same organizations, usually draws more than 500 people every November. 

Resources such as the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), and Disabled American Veterans (DAV) help provide a variety of services, and Ivy Tech has developed contacts within each of these organizations.

“Ivy Tech stands out because it truly understands the veteran experience,” Fugate said. “From admissions staff who are knowledgeable about military transcripts to financial aid teams who understand benefits for Veterans Affairs to career development efforts that connect education directly to employment, Ivy Tech removes barriers rather than creating them. The focus is always on helping veterans move forward with clarity and confidence.”

Consistency is important for Ivy Tech, as it has developed a statewide identity of assisting veterans. Looking ahead to 2026, Ivy Tech hopes to continue creating strong partnerships, expanding workforce-aligned training, and increasing awareness of veteran-specific resources.

“We want to create more opportunities for camaraderie, improve access to disability resources, strengthen financial aid support, and continue to connect veterans to meaningful careers,” Fugate said. 

Ivy Tech also hopes to do veteran stand-down events on campus in Porter County this year to provide meals, haircuts, clothing, and essential services all in one location.

For more information on Ivy Tech Community College, you can visit ivytech.edu.