Giving high school students today the best opportunities for their future is the goal of Purdue North Central. On November 5, the PNC Business School held a dinner for all high school students enrolled in dual credit classes through PNC. The dinner was an absolute blast, and it showed how college can be a stressful fun that will prepare anyone for the bright future they all have.
At the beginning of the dinner, a student and their family sat with one alumni and one professor. They then had to do an ice breaker challenge which involved a lot of teamwork. 6 cups were placed on the table, each one labeled with a different word like opportunities, fun, education etc. Each person at the table then had to grab a string that was connected to a rubber band. The rubber band was then used to pick up the cups and stack them in a pyramid formation. The idea of the game was to show the foundation and tiers of going through college.
“I knew I was home,” said Stephanie Kuziela, the clerk-treasurer of Chesterton and alumni of PNC, “I wasn’t just a name, the professors actually got to know me.”
PNC is making sure that students can one day have the opportunity to thrive in the world just like Kuziela. By having small class sizes and an affordable tuition, it is accessible for anyone wanting to plan out their future. PNC is also going through a change by merging with Purdue Calumet to become Purdue North West. The merge will bring in more major and future opportunities.
“Being in a dual credit class saves a lot of money,” Kurt Urbanski, a student at PNC said, “It’s more expensive in college and it gives you the chance to graduate early.”
PNC is doing a great job trying to bring students together in order to create a brighter future. By taking a dual credit course, students can earn college and high school credits. The classes themselves offer college style work loads so students can be more prepared for their upcoming road ahead. All the alumni and students who spoke during the dinner all said that keeping active and getting involved is the most important part because it builds social skills and opens the door to new possibilities and friendships. Everyone has a bright future ahead, and PNC is making sure their future is unlocked.