Ivy Tech Madison awards honorary degree to President Lake Lambert

Ivy Tech Community College Madison is proud to announce that Dr. Lake Lambert, president of Hanover College, has been named the recipient of the 2025 Honorary Degree. The honorary degree was awarded during Ivy Tech Madison’s commencement ceremony May 10 in recognition of Lambert’s outstanding leadership and deep commitment to higher education and community collaboration.

Honorary associate degrees are awards by the Ivy Tech Community College Board of Trustees to individuals who have rendered significant service. An honorary degree is an academic degree for which a degree-awarding institution has waived the usual requirements, such as matriculation, residence, study and the passing of examinations.

Lambert is concluding his 10th year of service as Hanover’s 16th president. His decade of service has been marked by new program development and substantial investments in campus facilities and infrastructure. In Fall 2024, the College experienced its highest enrollment in history. Looking forward, Hanover is now leading “Jefferson Together,” a $30 million community development initiative, and will soon celebrate its bicentennial in 2027.

Lambert’s visionary leadership has been pivotal in establishing transformative initiatives with Ivy Tech Madison, including the Pell Promise program, Hanover and Ivy Tech nursing partnership, and the forthcoming veterinary teaching center. Lambert’s unwavering dedication to advancing higher education opportunities exemplifies his invaluable friendship and support for Ivy Tech Madison and its mission of educational attainment for all.

“Dr. Lambert’s dedication to student success, innovation and community advancement has made a lasting impact on Ivy Tech Madison and the broader region,” said Dr. Amanda Allen Harsin ’06, chancellor of Ivy Tech Madison. “We are honored to recognize his service with this degree.”