Paul Sommer named Good Neighbor for Valparaiso
The city of Valparaiso has named Paul Sommer as its Good Neighbor recipient for 2024, recognizing his exemplary commitment to the community.
Sommer is a Valparaiso podiatrist who has lived in Valparaiso for more than 50 years. He has
translated his talent for endurance sports into ways to raise funds for philanthropic causes. In 2011 he carried Kyle Polhemus through the Valpo triathlon to raise money for those with Duchenne’s Muscular Dystrophy.
The city of Valparaiso introduced the Good Neighbor recognition program in 2020 to promote
neighborhood involvement and community service. To learn more about the annual Good Neighbor recognition, view the nominees and learn how to nominate someone, visit the Community Engagement page at Valpo.us.
‘Superintendent’s Spotlight’ series starts with Mount Baldy program
Indiana Dunes National Park Superintendent Jason Taylor is kicking off his “Superintendent’s Spotlight” series on Dec. 16 with a program on the history and status of Mount Baldy.
The free, one-hour program starts at 7 p.m. at the Indiana Dunes Visitor Center located at 1215 N. Indiana 49 in Porter. During this spotlight, there will be a presentation on the history and status of Mount Baldy, a discussion of current challenges, a range of potential solutions, and the park’s intended path forward, along with a panel Q&A session. If you can’t attend in person, a virtual option via Teams is available at: https://tinyurl.com/mmp5f3z7.
Additional public programs will be announced later in 2025 and may take place at other locations in the park. For more information on this and other programs at Indiana Dunes National Park, call 219-395-1882 or visit www.nps.gov.
PNW College of Technology recognized for cybersecurity workforce development
Purdue University Northwest’s College of Technology earned a 2024 Academia Circle of Excellence Award from the International Council of Electronic Commerce Consults (EC-Council) in recognition of high-quality teaching that prepares and qualifies students and professionals to enter the cybersecurity workforce.
PNW’s College of Technology has partnered with the EC-Council since 2019 by incorporating two of the council’s accredited certifications, Certified Ethical Hacker and Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator, into its program curricula. Working professionals, including military members, law enforcement and other first responders, have benefitted from PNW’s Cybersecurity Workforce Certification Training by earning both certifications. The certifications qualify students and professionals to understand proactive network protection and digital forensics analysis techniques. PNW Computer Information Technology and Cybersecurity undergraduate students are also eligible to earn the certificates through their degree paths.
Students and program participants are led by Michael Tu, director of PNW’s Center for Cybersecurity and professor of Computer Information Technology, and Chuck DeCastro, lecturer of Computer Information Technology, in preparing to take the certification exams.
PFAS webinar set for Thursday
Purdue’s Institute for a Sustainable Future & Hoosier Environmental Council will host a Thursday webinar entitled “PFAS — Forever Chemicals: Everywhere, Everyday & What They Mean to You! Examining Risks, Regulations, and Resilience.” The webinar starts at 10 a.m. Thursday.
Join experts to discover how per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances – known as PFAS – are a part of our daily lives, understand the health risks they pose, and get up to date on the levels and impacts here in Indiana. The webinar will also explore developments in PFAS-related policies.
To register, visit https://tinyurl.com/32e6d8yy.
DSC Early Learning to host Family Fun Night
Duneland School Corporation’s Early Learning team will host a Family Fun Night entitled: Join the Journey ALL ABOARD! for Early Learning Connections from 5 – 6:30 p.m. on Jan. 16 at the DSC Trojan Learning Center, 601 W Morgan Avenue in Chesterton, Entrance Door 9.
Families can attend a free, informational, fun-filled evening to explore the world of early childhood opportunities.
