Leadership Northwest Indiana program completed
The Leadership Institute at Purdue University Northwest recently graduated its 2024-25 Leadership Northwest Indiana program cohort. The program, which is facilitated by a team that includes professors from PNW’s College of Business as well as leadership practitioners, met once a month for eight months.
The 38 graduates include: Debra Ackerman, La Porte Circuit Court Juvenile Probation Department; Marissa Adcock, Franciscan Health Crown Point; Lillian “Ruth” Antisdel, Antisdel; Irene Boone-Phillips, Franciscan Health Lake County Tobacco Prevention Coalition; Joseph Bunch, NOVA – La Porte County Juvenile Services Center; Jennifer Bush, NorthShore Health Centers; Melissa Campbell, City of Hammond; Victoria Charleston-Hanley, Regional Health Systems; Angie Chilcott, Town of Merrillville; Emily Cutka, Enbridge; Dontae Dennis, LaPorte County Juvenile Services Center; Kayanna Dilosa, Girl Coalition of Indiana; Pernevlon Ellis, City Colleges of Chicago – Olive-Harvey College; Michael Gagliano, Healthlinc; Paige Gonzalez, Alverno Laboratories; Joanna Guardiola, Town of Merrillville; Kyle Harris, Tonn and Blank Construction; Christine Iannucci, Partnered Up; Delia Lopez, White Oak Farm Venue; Lauren Marciniak, NorthShore Health Centers; Debbie Matthys, School City of Hobart/Geminus; Dominique Melendez, The Restoration House; Melissa Melendez, Lake County Public Library; Irma Moran, Geminus; LaShawn O’Neal, LaPorte County Circuit Court; LaTonya Orange, City Colleges of Chicago – Olive-Harvey College; David Pratt, Purdue University Northwest; Alexis Riley, NorthShore Health Centers; Erica Rios-Corbin, Griffith Police Department; Matthew Rogers, Tonn and Blank Construction; Marla Spann, East Chicago Public Library; Pitparnee Stompor, Purdue University Northwest; Patty Stovall, Sounds of Sarah Inc.; Courtney Wedryk, United Way Northwest Indiana; Helen West, City Colleges of Chicago – Olive-Harvey College; Monte White Sr., Hobart Police Department; Nila Williams, Franciscan Health; and Shantae Wofford, Girl Coalition of Indiana.
More information can be found online at pnw.edu/leadership-institute or by reaching out to the Leadership Institute at leadershipinstitute@pnw.edu.
Operating engineers make $10K United Way donation
United Way Northwest Indiana recently accepted a $10,000 donation from the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 150 during a special check presentation ceremony, according to a release.
David Fagan, Financial Secretary of Local 150, presented the check to the United Way at the Merrillville office.
The $10,000 donation will help support programs that strengthen communities and provide resources for individuals and families, the release said. To learn more, visit www.unitedwaynwi.org.
Franciscan hosting Grandparents Tea with partners
Northwestern Indiana Fetal Infant Mortality Review and Franciscan Health are teaming up with local healthcare and community organizations to host a free Grandparents Tea for expectant mothers and grandparents, a release said.
The event is scheduled to take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 7 at the Gary Public Library and Cultural Center, 220 W. 5th Ave. in Gary.
The Grandparents Tea will feature information on safe sleep practices, car seat safety and postpartum maternal warning signs to help support growing families. Northwestern Indiana Fetal Infant Mortality Review is hosting the event with lead agency Franciscan Health and co-sponsors the Gary Public Library and Powers Health.
The event is free, but space is limited and registration is required. Visit https://franciscanhealthcare.formstack.com/forms/grandparentstea.
PNW Innovators ask for ‘25 nominations
The Society of Innovators at Purdue Northwest has opened nominations for the 2025 Innovators Awards, a release said.
Now celebrating its 20th year, the Society of Innovators annual awards focus on the spirit of creativity and ingenuity by discovering, honoring and celebrating innovators from across the seven-county region of Northwest Indiana, the release said.
Individuals and teams are nominated via an online application. Anyone who lives or works in Northwest Indiana is eligible for consideration. All applications must be submitted through the online form on the Society of Innovators’ website at pnw.edu/soi. There is no fee to nominate and self-nominations are encouraged. The deadline to submit nominations is Aug. 15. More information can be found online at pnw.edu/innovators-awards or by reaching out to societyofinnovators@pnw.edu.
Opportunity Enterprises raises $520K at gala
Presented by Delta Theta Tau and title sponsor Property Management Inc. NWI, the 32nd annual Opportunity Enterprises Gala event attracted nearly 700 attendees and raised more than $520,000 for the Valparaiso-based disability services organization, a release said.
Emceed by Urschel Laboratories President Rick Urschel, OE’s gala featured speakers Sarah Kretzmann of Delta Theta Tau, OE board chair Beth Casbon, and OE President and CEO Neil Samahon.
Additional Gala event sponsors include Blue Chip Casino, Steels Cities Steels and Urschel Laboratories as Believe Sponsors; Do Goodies, In Touch Pharmaceuticals, Initium Creative, the Konopasek Family, McMillan Family Foundation, NIPSCO/NiSource Charitable Foundation, Precision Control Systems and Strack & Van Til as Hope Sponsors. For a complete list of sponsors and to learn more about the event, visit OEgala.com.
Franciscan Health FIT-Together program returns
Franciscan Health Michigan City’s free FIT-Together program, a family-centered approach to health and wellness, is open for registration, according to a release.
The six-week fitness program is intended for households with children between the ages of 8 and 15. FIT-Together addresses the well-being of every participating family member, including children, siblings, parents and parental figures, the release said.
FIT-Together takes place from 4:15 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays from June 17 to July 24 at The Temple Total Fitness Center, 1914 E. U.S. 20 in Michigan City. The program is free, but registration is required. To register or for more information, contact Community Health Improvement Coordinator Nila Williams at Nila.Williams@franciscanalliance.org or 219-283-9649.