John Jay marks 10 years

John Jay Center for Learning celebrated 10 years of innovative community education Wednesday.
To mark the occasion, a scholarship endowment fund has been established for John Jay students at The Portland Foundation.
“The John Jay story is about perseverance,” said former board president Doug Inman, noting that two years of planning took place before the center was launched. “Jay County seems to have this attitude that if you tell us we can’t do it, we go ahead and do it anyway.”
Partnering with the Jay School Corporation, Ivy Tech Community College, Indiana Wesleyan University and other providers of technical and higher education, John Jay has provided the opportunity for thousands of area residents to further their schooling.
“You have taught me to never, ever stop learning,” said John Jay alum Angela Paxson. “And you have changed my life.”
On April 30, Paxson received her bachelor’s degree from Indiana Wesleyan after participating in classes at John Jay Center in Portland.
“I couldn’t be prouder,” said another alum, Tisha Gierhart. “Without John Jay, I wouldn’t be here. … It was one of the best decisions I’ve made in my life.” Gierhart received her bachelor’s degree through Indiana Wesleyan’s LEAP program and is now manager of guest relations at Indiana University Medical Center/Ball Memorial Hospital, Muncie.
Portland Mayor Bruce Hosier presented John Jay executive director Cindy Cash with a proclamation in honor of the center’s 10th anniversary, and State Rep. Bill Davis read a letter from Lt. Gov. Becky Skillman for the occasion. “Jay County is an early innovator in community education,” said Skillman.
Founding president Doug Milligan paid tribute to former executive directors Sam Shoemaker and Rob Weaver as well as current and past board members for their efforts.
“This is not the end,” said Milligan. “This is only the beginning.”[[In-content Ad]]