OMS (Odle McGuire Shook)

 Creating an Environment for Learning

Contrary to what some people thought, Ivy Tech Bloomington became one of the fastest growing campuses in Indiana in the early 1990’s. Students could look past the rodents and the registrar’s office which was once a women’s restroom…because Ivy Tech Bloomington offered affordable classes for a quality education. By the late 90’s, not only did Bloomington’s campus beat Columbus in enrollment but they even considered using mobile classrooms stationed in the parking lot because of the growing number of students enrolling.

In 1997, Gov. O’Bannon signed a bill which allocated $2.6 million to plan and for land acquisition. The committee approved the plan and OMS started designing. They unveiled a 140,000-square-foot building made of limestone and brick. Estimating the projected increase in enrollment, the design was created at about 26,000 square feet larger than what it was originally, but it all worked out.

In June of 2002, the new building was completed and more than 500 people showed up for the dedication ceremony on August 14, 2002 and students began classes only 12 days later.

Students said they were excited and proud to walk into a beautiful glass atrium instead of an old complex with rodents hiding. This was not only a positive and empowering building for Bloomington, Indiana, it has made a positive impact on the students that choose Ivy Tech Community College for success.