PNW redesignated in cyber defense
Purdue University Northwest, through its College of Technology, has again been designated as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD) by the U.S. National Security Agency (NSA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), according to a release.
The redesignation, valid through 2029, underscores PNW’s commitment to a well-established cybersecurity program and high standards for education, research and future workforce development, the release said.
As a CAE-CD designated university, PNW students have the opportunity to compete for scholarships, conduct research on real-world problems, participate in nationwide competitions and attend dedicated cybersecurity job fairs, the release said.
For more information, visit pnw.edu/cybersecurity.
MAAC Foundation lauds 39 new graduates
In partnership with the Northwest Indiana District 1 Firefighter Training Council, the MAAC Foundation is announcing Fire Academy
graduates, according to a release.
The 39 graduates completed an 11-week training program that included instruction in fire suppression, hazmat operations and technical rescue, along with other firefighting skills, the release said.
Graduates included: Donavan Barrier, Cool Spring; Mitchell Bleck, Cedar Lake; Rodney Bowman, Schneider; Kimberly Bowser, Lake of Four Seasons; Jacob Carden, Kouts; Rebecca Carpentier, Union; Brianna Carter, Griffith; Jennifer Covington, Griffith; Noah Deyarmin, St. John; Mark Fogle, Union; Ezekiel Gomez, Munster; Elliot Granados, Boone Grove; Jaela Gudeman, Kouts; Cristofer Haro, Cool Spring; Collin Hatfield, Highland; Monica Torres, Crown Point; Logan Klahn, Rensselaer; Katherine Knauerhaze, Lake Hills; Cory Krieter, Lake of Four Seasons; Kevin Little, Lake Hills; and Kevin Martinez, Highland; Troy Matthis, Griffith; Zachary Myers, Highland; Ian Myszak, Dyer; Ryan Parker, St. John; Jenna Nelson, Lowell; Amy Ryan, Highland; Grant Sanders, Morgan; Jacob Sell, Crown Point; Ali Soto, Munster; Nicholas Steele, Highland; Logan Stein, Dyer; Gabrielle Szumlas, Munster; Nicholas Thomas, Boone Grove; James Vahl, Lake of Four Seasons; Hayden Warne, Rensselaer; Robert Beier, Schneider; Zachary Writt, St. John; and Willie Hall, Lake Hills.
Alliance sets ‘Plastic Free July’
Valparaiso University, Mermaid Straw and the Recycling and Waste Reduction District of Porter County have collaborated to establish the Plastic Reduction Alliance of Northwest Indiana, according to a release.
The newly formed alliance’s goal is to create discussion about innovative solutions and collaborative efforts to significantly reduce plastic pollution in Northwest Indiana. At meetings, concerned community members are brought together to take action against the threat of plastic waste, the release said.
Last year, the team participated in “Plastic Free July” where businesses committed to reducing plastic waste for the month of July.
The effort will be repeated this year, the release said.
For more information, visit the event page at https://www.facebook.com/events/444899211528045. Questions should be sent to julie.peller@valpo.edu.
Franciscan Health Crown Point’s Family Birth Center recertified
The Indiana State Department of Health recently recertified Franciscan Health Crown Point’s Family Birth Center as a Level III obstetric and neonatal Level of Care facility through May 2027, according to a release.
Level III hospitals are equipped to care for complex maternal medical conditions and obstetric complications as well as infants requiring neonatal intensive care, the release said.
Among the requirements for a Level III birth center are demonstrated experience and capability to provide comprehensive management of severe maternal and neonatal complications, an onsite intensive care unit, advanced imaging onsite and nurses with advanced, continuing education in maternal-fetal nursing including the management of women with complex maternal illnesses and obstetric complications, the release said.
To learn more, call 219-757-6330.
Rotary annual dinner June 26 at VU
The Rotary Club of Valparaiso will host its annual Changing of the Guard dinner June 26 in the Harre Union on Valparaiso University’s
campus, according to a release.
President Bob Franko will welcome Mary Joe Murphy Jaime as the club’s next president.
Jaime is a Private Client Executive at Ethos Insurance & Risk Management. She has been a club member since 2019 and resides in Valparaiso, the release said.
The dinner will also include a White Rose Ceremony honoring three Valparaiso Rotarians who died in the last year: Byron Smith, a club member for 51 years; Spero Valavanis, member for 42 years; and 31-year Rotarian Sharon Kish.
The Valparaiso Rotary Club meets each Monday at noon at the Harre Union on Valparaiso University’s campus. For information on the event, email Franko at rfranko@vnanwi.org
Northwest Health – Porter receives chest pain center accreditation
The American College of Cardiology (ACC) has selected Northwest Health – Porter, as an accredited Chest Pain Center, according to a release.
The hospital was awarded Chest Pain Center Accreditation with Primary PCI last month based on an onsite evaluation of the staff’s ability to evaluate, diagnose and treat patients who may be experiencing a heart attack, the release said.
As required to meet the criteria of the accreditation designation, health facilities comply with standard Chest Pain Center protocols and
are equipped with a robust hypothermia program for post-cardiac arrest treatment, the release said.
Innovators invite nominations for 2024 awards
Now in its 20th year, the Society of Innovators at Purdue Northwest has opened nominations for the 2024 Innovators Awards, according to a release.
In addition to inducting individual and team honorees, two other awards will be considered: Richard C. Sussman Prize for Team Innovation and the John H. Davies Lifetime Achievement Award.
Individual and team applications can be found at the Society of Innovators’ website at www.pnw.edu/soi. There is no fee to nominate
and self-nominations are encouraged. The deadline to submit nominations is Aug. 30. More information can be found online at pnw.edu/innovators-awards or by reaching out to societyofinnovators@pnw.edu.
The Society of Innovators Awards Luncheon will take place on Nov. 20 at the James B. Dworkin Student Services and Activities Complex on Purdue Northwest’s Westville campus, 1401 S. U.S. 421, Westville.