News @ Purdue Calumet

Purdue Calumet honors top employees for 2012-13

Five Purdue University Calumet employees have received 2012-13 awards for outstanding service to the university.

Award recipients are:

• Outstanding Administrative Leader: Assistant Vice Chancellor for Educational Opportunity Programs Roy L. Hamilton of Gary;
• Outstanding Administrator: Senior Career Services Coordinator Deborah Blades of Hebron;
• Outstanding Operations Technical Employee: School of Technology Administrative Assistant Laura Dorsch of St. John;
• Outstanding Clerical Employee: University Village-Housing Clerk Ila Muller of Hammond; and
• Outstanding Service Employee: Physical Facilities Maintenance Worker Tom Sanchez of Merrillville.

Outstanding Administrative Leader Roy L. Hamilton

He provides oversight for programs relating to military veterans, 21^st Century Scholars, students with disabilities, underrepresented students and academic progression of student athletes. Last year, his campus unit secured a $100,000 grant to support a student program for military veterans that is considered a model in Indiana. He also conceived, established and implemented the university’s Academic Athletic Monitoring Program that assists student-athletes in their academic progression. Additionally, he leads the university’s annual Martin Luther King Day Convocation program and observance.

“It is an extremely humbling experience to have others recognize me for my work and passion,” he said. “I attribute my success to having a body of colleagues who have mentored me and have been critical and supportive of my efforts here at Purdue Calumet. It is encouraging to have others recognize me for work that does not seem work because of my love for it. Every day I come to campus is an opportunity for me to be creative and assist in transforming lives.”

He holds a baccalaureate degree from Morehouse (Ga.) College and a master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin.

Outstanding Administrator Deborah Blades

In her Career Services role, she coordinates on-campus recruiting, employee development and student and alumni job fairs that have exceeded employer participation goals by 20 percent. She also has collaborated in developing a specific job fair for military veterans. Additionally, she has developed mobile applications and used social media to connect jobs via non-traditional methods. Campus peers have applauded her innovation, work ethic and attention to detail.

“I am humbled to be named Purdue Calumet’s Outstanding Administrator and be recognized for something I am truly passionate about,” she said. “Assisting students, alumni and community members reach their career goals is an amazing feeling. I am thrilled to be able to share this honor with my Career Services team members.”

Outstanding Operations Technical Employee Laura Dorsch

Among her numerous contributions, she has created spreadsheets and maneuvered databases that have allowed seamless delivery to School of Technology clients. Colleagues have applauded her efforts to effectively prioritize multiple client requests, as well as her knack for turning stressful situations into a working environment of collaboration.

“Not everyone has an opportunity to work in a place that they truly love,” she said. “For me, working in the School of Technology is such a place. It gives me the opportunity to work with great people as part of a team and to make a difference in the education of our students. This award, not only recognizes my efforts, but it recognizes the great team that we have within the School of Technology.”

Outstanding Clerical Employee Ila Muller

This recipient has been praised for working tirelessly to enable efficient organization of her operation. Involved in decision-making, meticulous to detail, engaging and personable, she is considered an ambassador for her unit in assisting students and staff. Beyond her direct responsibilities, she has served as co-coordinator of Purdue Calumet’s Lake Area United Way campaign, and assisted with campus participation at the Lake County Fair and with Black History Month.

“This award means so much,” she said. “It was such a nice surprise, and I am very grateful. I take pride in my work, and to be recognized with this award is truly appreciated!”

Outstanding Service Employee Tom Sanchez

For 28 years, he, diligently, has helped maintain campus buildings and offices by fixing the broken and installing the new. His job runs the gamut of securing doors to helping students change their flat tire. His campus peers applaud his skill and efficiency in responding to countless last minute requests.

“I am very honored and thankful of all my fellow co-workers who help each other when needed to complete our tasks and provide service to our customers,” he said. “I have enjoyed working here and hope to continue helping in any way I can.”

The 2012-13 Purdue University Calumet Outstanding Service Award recipients (l to r) Roy Hamilton, Laura Dorsch, Chancellor Thomas Keon, Deborah Blades, Ila Muller and Tomas Sanchez

Class of 943 spring graduates to be honored
at Purdue Calumet Commencement 5/19

Purdue University Calumet will honor a graduating class of 943 undergraduate and graduate candidates during Commencement Exercises Sunday (5/19) at the Radisson Star Plaza Theater.

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Among those graduating from
Purdue University Calumet Sunday (5/19) are . . .

Construction management and engineering technologies student Brianne Slick.

For her senior project, the 25-year-old Merrillville resident developed sanctuary restoration plans, including anticipated refurbishing costs, for the once majestic downtown City Methodist Church of Gary after the church had been abandoned nearly four decades. Brianne has accepted a job as an estimator with an electrical contractor in Denver, Colo.

Physics student Andrew Jackura.

After previously earning a baccalaureate degree in mechanical engineering at Purdue Calumet in 2011, the 24-year-old Highland resident returned for more. A course he took within his ME curriculum fueled an interest in physics. He now plans to attend Indiana University to work on a Ph.D. in theoretical nuclear physics.

Computer graphics technology student Igor Manevski

The 26-year-old Merrillville resident and native of Macedonia has been intrigued by animation since watching TV as a youngster and taking special notice of the “fantastic animated scenes and their details.” For his senior design project, he developed a series of 3-D, rigid body animated scenes. One is a sports car that he brought to life from his own design inspired by Lamborghini and other super/hyper cars. He is optimistic about landing a job in the graphics unit of a Chicago mobile application company.

Hospitality and tourism management student Jessica Oxford.

Desiring to transfer from a southern Indiana institution, she did her homework and determined that Purdue Calumet’s HTM program was just what she wanted. Three years after enrolling at Purdue Calumet she is graduating. The 26-year-old, full time student from Crown Point also works full time for Horseshoe Casino and plans to continue to do so after graduation.

Former Illinois residents Raymond and Brigid Lukas, now of Dyer

Raymond, 35, is a military veteran and former plumber who has overcome three brain surgeries due to pituitary adenoma to complete work on a communication degree. His wife, Brigid, 34, who is graduating in sociology-criminal justice and human development & family studies, is receiving the School of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences’ Chancellor Medallion as the School’s top student. Ray and Brigid, who have renovated their home while attending Purdue Calumet, also have a 3-year-old son and 6-year-old daughter.

Biological sciences student Alexandria (Alex) Starr.

Alex, 22 of Plymouth, helped lead the Peregrines’ women’s basketball team to national prominence and a 21-10 record this season. The NAIA Division II All-America honorable mention selection also has been active in Student Government, presided over the university’s Student Athlete Advisory Committee, served on the campus’ National Residence Hall Honorary and was selected to participate in the American Red Cross National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Leadership Program in Washington, D.C. She plans to begin optometry school this fall.

Management student Brandon Rukes.

A pre-enrollment phone called he received from a professor helped impress Brandon, 21, of Griffith that Purdue Calumet was the school he wanted to attend. Enrolled in and employed by the Honors Program, he made friends, had a great experience and even earned Indiana Student Employee of the Year recognition in 2012. His degree in management includes majors in accounting and finance. An internship he served with U.S. Steel’s Gary Works plant last summer has blossomed into a full time job he begins in the plant’s Accounting Department early next month.

Purdue Calumet / Merrillville construction
senior focuses on restoring Gary church

The prospect of restoring Gary’s once majestic downtown City Methodist Church after nearly four decades of neglect may seem highly unlikely.

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Dyer couple, Illinois natives will
graduate together from Purdue Calumet

Few students excuse themselves from the first day of class, but Purdue University Calumet’s Raymond Lukas had a good reason for leaving his Spanish 101 instructor, Barbara Shinovich, a phone message two days before the 2011 fall semester began.”

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