Education Leadership Appointment at Indiana University Northwest
Indiana University Northwest has appointed Andrae Marak as its new Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs starting June 1. Marak brings extensive experience in higher education leadership. Most recently, he was the Provost and Executive Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs at Roosevelt University in Chicago.
Previously, Marak held key roles including Dean of Graduate Studies and Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Governors State University. He was also a Division Head in the Division of Liberal Arts at Indiana University Columbus and served as Interim Director of the Honors Program at California University of Pennsylvania. Cindy Roberts, the interim Executive Vice Chancellor, will retire. Marak holds a Ph.D. in Latin American Studies, History, and Political Science from the University of New Mexico.
Car Seat Safety Event in Michigan City
Franciscan Health Trauma Services will host a free car seat safety event for Indiana residents from 3-9 p.m. on May 28. The event will take place at Franciscan Health Michigan City, 3500 Franciscan Way. A certified child passenger safety technician will demonstrate proper car seat installation. The child using the seat must be present for personalized guidance.
The safety check is free, but reservations are necessary. Registration can be completed online or by calling 219-488-1380. Additionally, seniors Jennifer Serrano and Alyssa Tracy, both from Michigan City High School, received scholarships to aid their post-secondary education in healthcare fields.
Scholarship Awards for Aspiring Healthcare Professionals
Two high school seniors from LaPorte County received Franciscan Health Michigan City Medical Staff Memorial Scholarships. Jennifer Serrano and Alyssa Tracy, both seniors at Michigan City High School, will use the scholarships for their healthcare studies. Tracy will study at Saint Mary’s College aiming for a career as a pediatrician, while Serrano intends to pursue health sciences at Valparaiso University to become a physician’s assistant.
Police Department Funding Approved by House Committee
U.S. Rep. Frank J. Mrvan announced the approval of Community Project Funding requests for police departments in Indiana’s First Congressional District. This funding is included in the Fiscal Year 2027 Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies Appropriations measure, which has passed the House Appropriations Committee.
The funding allocations are:
- $300,000 – Cedar Lake Police Department for radio communication equipment.
- $187,000 – Gary Police Department for tactical gear upgrades.
- $772,700 – Hammond Police Department for equipment and technology upgrades.
- $475,000 – Highland Police Department for portable radio communication equipment.
- $500,000 – La Porte Police Department for portable radio communication equipment.
- $170,000 – Lake Station Police Department for in-car computer replacements.
- $65,000 – Long Beach Police Department for portable radio communication equipment.
- $500,000 – Merrillville Police Department for equipment and technology upgrades.
- $250,000 – New Chicago Police Department for equipment and technology upgrades.
- $772,700 – Portage Police Department for portable radio communication equipment.
- $105,000 – Porter County Sheriff’s Office for body-worn cameras.
- $80,000 – St. John Police Department for a three-dimensional scanner for crash reconstruction.
Networking Event at Steel Yard
The Northwest Indiana Influential Women Association sponsors Women Take the Field on June 15 at US Steel Yard in Gary. The event runs from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. and includes watching a South Shore RailCats game against the Chicago Dogs from a private suite.
Attendees can walk or run the bases and enjoy ballpark food such as burgers and hot dogs. A cash bar will be available. Organizations can register for a custom link; individual tickets cost $25 without guest minimums or maximums. More information and tickets are available at the NWIIWA website.