The Hickey Alumni Scholarship was established in 1998 by Dr. Thomas and Nelda Hickey. Tom and Nelda have a long history with Ivy Tech. Nelda retired from Ivy Tech in 2000 as Business Office Manager, after serving for 26 ½ years. Tom retired from Bristol-Myers Squibb as Director of Veterinary Sciences. He took classes at Ivy Tech for three years and graduated from the Commercial and Industrial Photography program in 1980. He also served as the first president of the Ivy Tech Alumni Association at Evansville and later was a member of the Regional Advisory Council.
Nelda used her skills learned in the Business Office to serve as treasurer of a number of church and civic organizations. Tom put his photography degree to good use in photographing wildlife in all seven continents and presenting programs to schools, senior groups, church groups, and various civic organizations.
Tom and Nelda established this scholarship to assist Ivy Tech graduates who wish to make a career change or enhance their current career in some way. They realize that financial assistance is not always readily available for such circumstances.