Senior adviser named at IUN
Indiana University Northwest has named Adriel Hilton as its Senior Adviser to the Chancellor, according to a release.
Hilton comes to IU Northwest with 23 years of experience across higher education and state government. In his most recent role, Hilton served as the Vice President of Institutional Strategy and Chief of Staff at Columbia College Chicago, the release said.
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Hilton earned his doctoral degree in Higher Education Administration from Morgan State University, the release said. He earned his MBA from Webster University, a graduate degree in Applied Social Science (Public Administration) from Florida A&M University and an undergraduate degree in Business Administration from Morehouse College.
Hammond announces new Calumet Avenue development
The City of Hammond, through the Hammond Redevelopment Commission, has officially approved the sale and development of a site located at 6538-42 Calumet Ave., formerly home to Bowl Era Lanes and Somethin’ Good restaurant.
The site, according to a release from the city, will soon be transformed into a three-tenant commercial plaza. The development will feature a Jack in the Box restaurant with a drive-through, along with two additional restaurant spaces, it said.
This project marks a milestone commercial investment for Hammond’s 4th District, bringing the first major retail development the area has seen in decades, the release said.
PNW sets open house information sessions
Purdue University Northwest has scheduled fall Preview PNW Open House events at the Hammond and Westville campuses. The free events provide valuable information about the university’s academic programs, admissions process and paying for college, a release said.
Guests are welcome to attend either of the upcoming events:
Hammond from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Oct. 17 at PNW’s Hammond campus, 2200 169th St.
The Westville Experience from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Nov. 19 at PNW’s Westville campus, 1401 S. U.S. 421, Westville.
Visit pnw.edu/preview to register. Application fees will be waived for those who attend an admissions presentation and complete an application during the event and admissions counselors and financial aid professionals will be available throughout the day, the release said.
Repay named 2027 president of Association of Indiana Counties
Lake County Commissioner Mike Repay was installed as the 2027 President of the Association of Indiana Counties during the association’s annual conference Sept. 23 in Fort Wayne.
Repay, D-3rd, who serves as President of the Lake County Board of Commissioners, will lead the statewide organization representing county government officials from all 92 Indiana counties during 2027, a release said.
Repay’s election marks the return of the AIC presidency to a Lake County official for the first time since 1989, when Lake County’s Richard G. Galambos served as president.
Methodist appoints Behavioral Health leader
Methodist Hospitals recently appointed Robert Hittmeier as Director of Behavioral Health Services, a release said.
Hittmeier comes to Methodist with more than 35 years of experience in the behavioral health field. He received both his bachelor’s degree and master’s degrees from Eastern Illinois University, studying psychology and guidance and counseling, the release said.
Hittmeier joins Methodist as leader of the hospitals’ new partnership with Synergy Behavioral Healthcare.
Influential Women Awards mark 15 years
Organized by the Northwest Indiana Influential Women Association, the 15th annual influential Women banquet brought together more than 1,000 attendees from dozens of companies and organizations to celebrate the finalists and the 30 award winners, a release said.
Some of the winners included:
Overall: Up and Coming Woman of the Year: Nicole Pomeroy, Manufacturing Engineer, Hitachi Global Air Power; Influential Woman of the Year: Jessica Corral, Executive Director, Valparaiso Creative Council Inc.
Community Leader of the Year: Renee Connelly, Consultant, Gary SouthShore RailCats.
Supporter of the Year: Jennifer Young, Executive Officer, Home Builders Association of Northwest Indiana.
For additional winners, visit https://www.nwiiwa.org/winners-alumni-1.
Hobart launches online economic development portal
The City of Hobart has launched CivicServe, a new online platform for economic development programs and applications, beginning with the City’s Workforce Education Grant.
CivicServe provides a dedicated online location for businesses and applicants to submit economic development applications, upload required materials, track application status and communicate with City staff during the review process, a release said.
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CivicServe is specific to the City’s Economic Development programs and does not replace other online systems, such as OpenGov or CivicPlus, currently used by the City of Hobart, the release said.
Businesses and applicants can access CivicServe through the Economic Development section of cityofhobart.org or directly at hobartin.civicserve.com.
PNW opens nominations for Alumni Hall of Fame
Purdue University Northwest is inviting nominations for the PNW Alumni Hall of Fame.
The PNW Alumni Hall of Fame honors distinguished graduates from across the history of the PNW Hammond and Westville campuses, according to a release. Nominations are sought for alumni who are leaders in their fields, involved members of their communities and who have engaged with PNW beyond their time as students.
Nominations will be accepted through Nov. 13. Honorees will be announced in January and invited to be recognized at the Alumni Hall of Fame reception and awards ceremony April 8.
Nominations can be completed by Nov. 13, 2026. To view specific criteria for each category and access the nomination form, visit pnw.edu/hall-of-fame.