PNW MARKS IMPACT AT 10TH ANNIVERSARY GALA
Purdue University Northwest hosted more than 600 supporters last month at Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana for its 10th anniversary gala.
The event, which primarily served as a major fundraiser, secured more than $450,000 in gifts made in support of scholarships for current and future PNW students, according to a release.
The gala was also punctuated by the celebration of its annual PNW Alumni Hall of Fame induction and alumni awards. Deno Yiankes, chairman of Chimera Hospitality Corp., and former president and CEO of Investment and Developments with White Lodging, was recognized as the 2026 inductee for his more than three decades of distinguished leadership in hospitality and tourism management.
PNW alumni Ryan Elinkowski, Erin Okamoto Protsman and Spencer Summers were also honored for their accomplishments across different professional career stages. The three received the Pride of PNW Alumni Award, the PNW Campus Pride Alumni Award and the Power Onward Emerging Leader Award, respectively.
MRVAN ANNOUNCES HEALTHCARE MEETING
U.S. Rep. Frank J. Mrvan, D-Highland, recently announced that he will hold a Healthcare Affordability Listening Session from 5-6:30 p.m. June 18 at the Dean and Barbara White Community Center, 6600 Broadway, Merrillville.
“I look forward to hearing directly from constituents about their current healthcare experiences and concerns,” he said in a release. “This input is invaluable for my efforts to advocate for policies in
our nation’s capital that reflect the needs and priorities of our region.”
NEW FINANCE LEADER JOINS VALPARAISO UNIVERSITY
Valparaiso University President The Rev. Brian Konkol recently announced the appointment of Loren Chandler as vice president for finance and administration and chief financial officer, a release said.
Chandler, who joins the university June 22, brings decades of executive leadership experience with expertise in financial stewardship, strategic planning, operational leadership and collaborative governance, the release said.
Most recently, the release said Chandler served as chief operations and finance officer for The Catholic Health Association of the United States, which represents the Catholic health ministry, the largest group of non-profit health care providers in the nation.
Before his role with the Catholic Health Association of the United States, Chandler served in executive leadership positions with Sinai Health System in Chicago and Methodist Hospitals in Indiana, the release said.
FRESH START MARKETS HOSTING SAFETY EVENTS
Franciscan Health’s Fresh Start Markets across Northwest Indiana are hosting events in July to provide groceries to those experiencing food insecurity while offering summer safety education for the whole family, according to a release.
The Grill, Chill & Stay Safe events will provide frozen hamburger patties, hot dogs, buns and watermelons in addition to other food options for Fresh Start Market shoppers.
The Fresh Start Markets in Munster, Crown Point and Michigan City allow those in need to shop free of charge, thanks to a partnership between the Franciscan Health Foundation and the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana, the release said.
The first event is scheduled to take place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 1 at the Fresh Start Market at 301 W. Homer St. in Michigan City. Call 219-221-4153.
The second event is scheduled to take place from noon to 4 p.m. July 21 at the St. Clare Community Services Center at 1121 S. Indiana Ave. in Crown Point, and the final event is scheduled to take place from noon to 4 p.m. July 22 at the Franciscan Physician Network Hammond Clinic at 7905 Calumet Ave. in Munster. For those events, call 219-407-6948.
NWI MASON CONTRACTORS GOLF OUTING RETURNS
The Northwest Indiana Mason Contractors Association will host its annual golf outing Aug. 20 at White Hawk Country Club in Crown Point.
The outing offers a unique opportunity for industry professionals to strengthen relationships and expand their networks, a release said.
Registration is now open for sponsors and golfers, who will enjoy a VIP day of golf, networking, food and beverages, contests, raffles and premium golf gifts. Registration is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. with a shotgun start at 10 a.m. Early registration is encouraged; the price per foursome is $650.
Sponsorship packages are available at www.nwimca.org/golf-outing.
CENTIER BANK WINS STATEWIDE AWARD
Centier Bank, Indiana’s largest private, family-owned and operated bank, recently received the Indiana Bankers Association Commitment to Community Award for outstanding community service performed during 2025, a release said.
The award was presented last month during the IBA Mega Conference in Indianapolis.
Winners were chosen out of 18 Indiana-based entrants across three categories. Centier Bank won in the Large Banks category, representing banks with $3 billion or more, the release said.
In 2025, Centier’s community service efforts included:
•More than 27,000 hours of volunteerism logged.
•More than 700 of its 1,100 associates volunteered.
•More than 550 hours of Financial Education were provided in its communities.
LEADERSHIP NORTHWEST INDIANA APPLICATION OPENS
The Leadership Institute at Purdue Northwest has opened applications for the 2026-27 Leadership Northwest Indiana program.
The leadership program, facilitated by a team that includes faculty members from the PNW College of Business and leadership practitioners, meets once a month for eight months, according to a release, and provides research-based leadership content and skill-building for participants.
Applications are now open for the 2026-27 Leadership Northwest Indiana program, which starts in September on the Hammond campus. Visit pnw.edu/leadership-institute or contact the Leadership Institute at leadershipinstitute@pnw.edu for information.
