CCSJ raises $168K at annual event
Calumet College of St. Joseph raised more than $168,000 recently at its 60th Annual Trustees’ Scholarship Gala at the Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana in Gary, according to a release.
Juan Andrade Jr. received the St. Joseph the Worker Award, one of Calumet College of St. Joseph’s highest honors, while Hammond Councilman Mark Kalwinski, D-1st, received the Brother Gerard Von Hagel Alumni Award, which is given each year to a CCSJ alum who exemplifies the values of respect and understanding. Precious Blood Ministry of Reconciliation received the Corporate Leadership Award.
All proceeds from the Scholarship Gala directly benefit CCSJ students and enable Calumet College of St. Joseph to provide educational access for underserved populations, the release said.
Infectious disease physician joins Franciscan
Dr. John Dougherty, an infectious disease specialist, is now part of the Franciscan Physician Network and is accepting patients in Michigan City, a release said.
Dougherty attended medical school at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago. He completed his residency in internal medicine at New York University in New York. His fellowship in infectious diseases was completed at Duke University School of Medicine in Durham, North Carolina.
He is accepting new patients at Franciscan Health Medical Pavilion, Suite 3E, 3500 Franciscan Way in Michigan City. Call 219-861-5539.
Finalists chosen for PNW Big Sell pitch competition
Purdue University Northwest has announced the finalists for the 2025 PNW Big Sell pitch competition, a release said.
The 2025 Big Sell will start at 1 p.m. May 3, providing a space for aspiring entrepreneurs to pitch their business concepts for a chance to win seed funding, the release said. First through third place winners can win funding totals of $10,000, $3,000 and $1,000, respectively.
The PNW Big Sell is sponsored by Northern Indiana Public Service Company and PNW’s College of Business and Commercialization and Manufacturing Excellence Center.
The finalists are: Max Beller, Caiden Carlson, Alexis Karahalios, Dhara Patel, Nabeel Rabie, Allyson Straka, Orion Traulle, Felipe Trejo, Ashton Verbish, Paul Walczak and Donna Webster.
For more information, visit pnw.edu/the-pnw-big-sell.
Four-day machining program announced
Ivy Tech Community College’s Lake County campus is launching a four-day skills training program that aims to help area industries fill open jobs and grow the regional workforce, according to a release.
The new CNC Automation & Programming Skills Training program focuses on lathe and mill skills within industrial machining firms. CNC, or computer numerical control, is a manufacturing method that automates the control, movement and precision of machine tools through the use of preprogrammed computer software.
The course, open to individuals as well as industries looking to upskill their workforce, will be offered from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. June 23-24 and June 30-July 1 at Ivy Tech’s East Chicago location, 410 E. Columbus Drive. Cost is $1,200 per person, the release said. Those interested can register at https://link.ivytech.edu/CNCSkillsTraining. For information, contact dramirez52@ivytech.edu or SkillsTraining@ivytech.edu.
Black Chamber plans May 8 seminar in Hammond
The Black Chamber of Commerce of Northwest Indiana will host a seminar/mixer on grant writing with AI, according to a release.
Participants will learn how AI can help with winning grant writing while networking with other entrepreneurs and business owners from 6-10 p.m. May 8 at The Clipper Room at the Hammond Marina, 701 Marina Drive, Hammond. Cost is $50 per person. Call 219-802-0229 for reservations and information.
Poll worker support earns Porter County national notice
The Porter County Office of Elections and Voter Registration has been named one of 53 winners of the U.S. Election Assistance Commission’s Clearinghouse Awards recognizing best practices in election administration, according to a release.
Also known as the “Clearies,” the awards celebrate programs that took place during the 2024 presidential election year. Winning jurisdictions range from counties with less than 25,000 registered voters to states with more than 22.9 million.
Porter County was honored for its work improving poll worker support in the small/medium jurisdictions category for best practices in recruiting, retaining and training poll workers, the release said.
Lake County Forever at 90% of funding goal
The head of Legacy Foundation, Lake County’s community foundation, said the Lake County Forever campaign has hit the 90% mark of its $1.9 million goal with less than 90 days left in the campaign, according to a release.
Lake County Forever is a partnership between Legacy Foundation and Lilly Endowment Inc., which is matching every dollar donated to the campaign with an additional $2 through June 30. The fund drive is expected to generate nearly $6 million for nonprofits throughout the county, said Kelly Anoe, President and CEO of Legacy Foundation, in the release.
All the donations will go into unrestricted funds, which means Legacy Foundation’s Grants Committee will have the flexibility to provide grants to a much wider array of nonprofits, the release said. Interested donors can go to legacyfdn.org, where they’ll find a direct link to a donation page.
More than $10K raised for Ivy Tech Day
Ivy Tech Community College’s Lake County campus raised more than $10,000 to support scholarships and programs on this year’s Ivy Tech Day, the college’s third annual day of giving, a release said.
More than 2,800 alumni, friends and partners across Indiana donated $483,813 on April 8 to help more than 200,000 students across Ivy Tech’s 19 campuses. The Lake County campus received donations totaling $10,025.
This year’s total brings the three-year cumulative giving statewide to more than $1 million since the first Ivy Tech Day in 2023. The contributions fund the greatest needs at each campus, the release said.
FAITH Farms dinner recognizes nutrition effort
FAITH (Families Anchored in Total Harmony) CDC recently hosted its Appreciation Dinner at Sole Cafe in Gary, honoring the staff, community partners and program participants for their continued support of the Food is Medicine Program, a release said.
Faith Farms is committed to addressing systemic challenges surrounding food insecurity and chronic health conditions.
Partners whose collaboration has aided Faith Farms’ continued impact were also honored. They include: Community HealthNet, Methodist Hospitals, Edgewater Health, Marram Health Care, Oak Street Health, Indiana University Northwest’s School of Urban Medicine, IUN C.U.R.E., the Lake County Health Department, the Legacy Foundation, NorthShore Health Centers, the local chapter of AARP, and a host of dedicated physicians and medical providers.
To learn more about how to support Faith Farms and join the Food is Medicine movement contact Farm Administrator Freida Graves at 219-880-0850 or email faithgaryin@gmail.com.
PNW Day of Giving set for April 30
Purdue University Northwest invites community members to support PNW students April 30 by making a gift during its annual PNW Day of Giving 24-hour fundraiser.
PNW Day of Giving is the university’s largest and most successful campaign that benefits student scholarships, academic and athletic programs, and resources that benefit PNW students, a release said.
Supporters are encouraged to visit dayofgiving.pnw.edu on April 30 to make a gift of their choice to PNW. To contribute, visit dayofgiving.pnw.edu from 11 p.m. April 29 through 11 p.m. April 30 and select “Donate” or “Give Now” to make a gift. Supporters may also call 219-989-2323 to make a gift.
Supporters can select from 100 funds across 16 units to benefit students. For information, visit pnw.edu/day-of-giving.
