NiSource announces top leadership change at NIPSCO
NiSource has announced that Mike Hooper, president of the Northern Indiana Public Service Co., has left the company after a 13-year career with the organization.
Hooper will become president of We Energies and Wisconsin Public Service on April 1.
At NIPSCO, He is being replaced in the interim by Vince Parisi, president and chief operating officer of NiSource subsidiary Columbia Gas of Ohio, who will maintain both roles, the release said.
Merrillville-based NIPSCO has served the energy needs of northern Indiana for more than 100 years. As Indiana’s largest natural gas distribution company and the second-largest electric distribution company, NIPSCO serves approximately 859,000 natural gas and 483,000 electric customers across 32 counties, the release said.
VU program receives $137K state grant
Valparaiso University’s Bloom Scholars program has received a $137,329 grant from the State of Indiana Commission for Higher Education as part of a call for initiatives to support college student success, according to a release.
The funding has been used to hire and train two student success coaches, the release said.
VU’s program is designed to assist newly admitted first-year students — especially, but not exclusively, those that are first-generation or from underrepresented groups — for campus life academically, socially and culturally, the release said. The two new student success coaches, Griselda Montanez Serrano and Raymond Blackman, were hired in January.
The Bloom Scholars Program honors the legacy of the late Alan Bloom, Ph.D., a faculty member, campus leader and recipient of VU’s Martin Luther King Jr. Award.
Franciscan Crown Point, Michigan City locations offering new support groups
Franciscan Health Crown Point and Michigan City are offering new monthly free stroke support groups for stroke survivors, their families and caregivers, according to a release.
The Michigan City group will meet at 2 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month in the Mother Maria Theresia Conference Room at Franciscan Health Michigan City, 3500 Franciscan Way.
Attendees can park in the main entrance parking lot and enter through Entrance A.
The Crown Point group meets at 1 p.m. Central the first Wednesday of each month in the San Damiano Conference Room B at the new Franciscan Health Crown Point, 12750 St. Francis Drive. Attendees can park at the main entrance and enter through those doors.
For more information on the Crown Point support group, contact Stevie Shipley at 219-488-1385 or Stevie.Shipley@franciscanalliance.org. For more information on the Michigan City support group, contact Kelly Wise at Kelly.Wise@franciscanalliance.org.
VU starts masters program for social work
Valparaiso University has launched a Master of Social Work program,according to a release, preparing students to enter the field with the potential for professional opportunities.
The MSW degree allows students to enter the workforce as “advanced generalist practitioners,” the release said. These practitioners can find employment in schools and hospitals, managing nonprofits, advocating for community mental health and public safety and much more.
Starting in the fall, a part-time online program with limited summer residency will be available. A full-time, in-person program option begins in summer 2025. For students with their Bachelor of Social Work (BSW), an Advanced Standing option will start in summer 2026, the release said.
For more information, visit the website at valpo.edu/social-work/master-of-social-work/.
PNW celebrates student, faculty and staff achievements
Purdue University Northwest recently recognized several students, faculty and staff members, for accomplishments relating to their on-campus community-building and leadership, according to a release.
The awards were announced at the university’s recent Founders Day celebration. Dikshant Sharma, fourth-year Mechanical Engineering major, was honored as Outstanding Undergraduate Student, while McKenzie Dinga, Technology master’s student, was named Outstanding Graduate Student.
Three PNW faculty members were honored with outstanding faculty awards in the areas of scholarship, teaching and engagement. They include: Julia Rogers, assistant professor of Nursing — Scholarship; Hubert Izienicki, associate professor of Sociology — Teaching; and Jodi Allen, assistant professor of Nursing — Engagement.
PNW administrators and staff members also received awards, including: Outstanding Academic Administrative Leadership Award: Shuhui (Grace) Yang, department chair of Computer Science and professor of Computer Science; Outstanding Administrative Leadership Award (Staff): Karen Sullivan, director of Building Services; Outstanding Clerical Staff Award: Joan Buss, administrative assistant, department of Construction Science and Organizational Leadership: Mary Rose Sicinski, graduate program coordinator, College of Technology; Outstanding Service Staff Award: Dianna Vaughn, Print and Mail Services Coordinator; Outstanding Management and Administrative Professional Award: Noemi Elizalde, Graduation and Records Manager, Office of the Registrar; Salvador Cordova, assistant director for Programming and Administration, Office of Student Life.
Others receiving awards included: Gisele Casanova, interim chair of PNW’s department of Psychology and associate professor of Psychology, 2024 Purdue University system-wide Dreamer award; Shontrai Irving, clinical associate professor of Business Law, recognized for his 2023 Purdue Special Boilermaker Award. Kwangsoo Park, associate dean of the College of Business and director of the White Lodging School of Hospitality and Tourism Management, recognized for recently receiving the 2024 Purdue Focus Award.
