Local Heroes and Bright Minds: Celebrating Community Achievements

Purdue University Northwest is honoring the legacy of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. with events on both the Hammond and Westville campuses. These celebrations are free and open to the public, offering a chance to reflect on King's impact. The Hammond campus will host its event on January 15th, featuring a keynote speech by Shontrai Irving, a PNW alumnus and professor. Meanwhile, the Westville campus will hold its celebration on January 19th, with Kiahna W. Davis, CEO of Mind Your Business Accounting and Business Consulting, delivering the keynote address. In other news, the MAAC Foundation has recently graduated 11 new firefighters after an intensive 11-week training program. These new recruits are now ready to serve their communities, having gained skills in fire suppression, hazmat operations, and technical rescue. The graduates come from various towns across Northwest Indiana, including Portage, Michigan City, and Whiting.NIPSCO's Hope for the Holidays campaign has also made a significant impact this season. The campaign donated $239, 425 to 23 organizations across NIPSCO’s service area, supporting food security, family sustainability, and housing services. Additionally, NIPSCO employees contributed over 800 new toys to local Toys for Tots chapters, spreading holiday cheer to families in need. For those interested in health and wellness, Northwest Health is offering a free seminar on weight-loss options. Dr. Andrew Martin will discuss bariatric surgery, GLP-1 medications, and how these approaches can complement each other. The seminar will cover the benefits of bariatric surgery, recovery timelines, and lifestyle changes. This event is part of the Northwest Health HealthyU series, providing valuable information on various health topics. Lastly, Purdue University Northwest has once again been recognized for its outstanding cybersecurity program. The university received the International Council of Electronic Commerce Consults’ Academia Circle of Excellence Award for the third consecutive year, highlighting its commitment to education and innovation.