Ivy Tech Community College Evansville and Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation (EVSC) honored Rodolfo “Rudy” Montejano’s contributions to education and the community with a plaque dedication on Tuesday, Oct. 13, at the campus.
“Rudy’s vision helped expand educational opportunities for people across our region, and his commitment to students and community made a lasting difference,” said Ivy Tech Evansville Chancellor Daniela Vidal. “We’re honored to recognize his contributions and the legacy he built through service.”
During his tenure as executive director of resource development for then Ivy Tech Community College-Southwest Indiana in the early 2000s, Montejano helped advance a campaign with a $3 million goal that raised $8.8 million. The effort led to an additional $38 million in state funding and significantly expanded the Ivy Tech campus in Evansville at 3501 N. First Avenue.
“Rudy understood that education opens doors, and his work brought people together to create more opportunities for students. I’m glad his legacy continues to be recognized in the community he served,” said Dr. David Smith, former superintendent of the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation (EVSC).
Montejano later served as EVSC’s chief of staff from 2008 to 2015. During that time, he helped establish the EVSC Foundation, which raised $5.2 million to support the school corporation’s mission in its first seven years. His work also helped build planned-giving and corporate-sponsorship programs that support students, schools and athletics.
At Dr. Smith’s retirement from EVSC, a gift in Montejano’s honor helped establish a scholarship to help Early College students complete the program, which gives local high school students the opportunity to earn up to an associate’s degree before graduation, extending Montejano’s legacy of expanding educational opportunities.
The plaque recognizes a career marked by a commitment to education, community partnerships and expanded opportunities for students.