Purdue University Northwest Represented as Bicentennial Torch Passes across Indiana

Purdue-Northwest-colorAs the Indiana Bicentennial statewide Torch Relay makes its way across Indiana, Purdue University Northwest will be represented during the torch’s upcoming run through the region, with two well-known members of the Westville and Hammond campus communities and several PNW alumni selected as torchbearers.

Those with a PNW connection taking part in the Torch Relay include James B. Dworkin, Purdue University North Central chancellor emeritus, who will be among the torchbearers representing La Porte County, and John Friend, retired athletic director for the Calumet campus for 21 years who now serves as a consultant to the athletic department, who will help to represent Lake County.

The local torch schedule Local runners will carry the torch through La Porte County on Oct. 8 from 1:30 to 6 p.m.; Porter County on Oct. 9, between 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Lake County on Oct. 9 from 1:30 to 5 p.m., and Oct. 11 from 9 to 10:30 a.m. All times are central time.

Dworkin will carry the torch as the 21st runner out of 32 in La Porte County. It is estimated that the torch will reach Dworkin at about 3 p.m. It will be passed to him at the intersection of Johnson Road and County Road 400 North and he will carry it about .8 miles north on Johnson Road to its intersection with U.S. 20.

“It is a great honor for me to be selected as a torch bearer in La Porte County, where I spent more than 16 years working to improve the quality of life by enhancing educational opportunities for all residents,” said Dworkin. “I am thrilled to be among such an esteemed group of La Porte County residents who have been selected as torchbearers.”

Friend will be one of 20 individuals who will carry the torch through northern Lake County on Oct. 9. He will receive the torch at about 3 p.m. on 61st Avenue at its intersection with I-65 in Hobart and will continue east for about a mile. An additional 10 torchbearers will complete the Lake County relay on Oct. 11.

“I truly appreciate being nominated and selected for this once-in-a-lifetime event,” said Friend. “Being a history buff, I enjoy this connection to the 200th anniversary celebration of our state. It is an honor to be part of history.”

Alumni torchbearers Local alumni of the Purdue Northwest campuses who are among the Indiana torchbearers include:

Lake County

  • Mary Goolik
  • Matthew Valuckis

La Porte County

  • Tommy Hertges
  • Russell Klosinski

Porter County

  • Christina Matoski

A statewide event The state relay began Sept. 9 in Corydon, the state’s original capital city, and will end Oct. 15 on the Statehouse Grounds in Indianapolis after traveling an average of 72 miles a day as it passes through each of the state’s 92 counties,

A map and complete list of relay dates and times can be found at http://indianatorchrelay.com/relay-info/

More than 2,200 individuals statewide were selected as torchbearers. Torchbearers are current or former Hoosiers who were nominated for the honor based on their public service, achievement, acts of heroism and volunteer service.

One of the major commemorative events of the 2016 Bicentennial celebration, the relay offers unique aspects as the torch will be transported by runners as well as those using modes of transportation that are symbolic of Indiana’s history and heritage, including watercraft, farm equipment, a racecar, horse and wagon, antique automobile and others.

Purdue University Northwest Purdue University Northwest (PNW), a comprehensive regional university within the Purdue University system, has two campuses in Hammond and Westville in Northwest Indiana. The university was formed by the unification in 2016 of the former Purdue University Calumet and Purdue University North Central. With more than 15,000 students and nearly 70 undergraduate and graduate degree programs, Purdue Northwest is Indiana’s fifth largest public university. For more information about PNW, visit www.pnw.edu.