Bright Minds, Generous Hearts
Influential leaders, executives and researchers elevate our quality of life.
Welcome to our summer issue, which is packed with impressive examples of how our region's best and brightest are generously sharing their intellect, their great ideas and their time to improve quality of life for all.
The cover story focuses on the brightest minds–Indiana researchers and companies whose studies and products are battling everything from cancer to diabetic wounds. For example, Crown Point's IVDiagnostics has a new, non-invasive and fast way to track circulating tumor cells, without the need for taking a biopsy or doing a blood test. Purdue Calumet's Center for Innovation through Visualization & Simulation is assisting in a variety of studies, including one that's shedding new light on how the brain works, and another aimed at improving spine treatments. A Notre Dame researcher is working on a fast and inexpensive tuberculosis test that will be well-suited for less developed countries, where TB is most prominent. And local heart patients are now going home from the hospital with tiny, wireless implants that remotely monitor their heart and help prevent unexpected and unwanted returns to the hospital.
We also spotlight some of the area's most generous citizens, including those honored recently by the South Shore Leadership Center. One honoree was chosen for tireless faith-based efforts in churches, schools and prisons, another was lauded for work on behalf of the environment, and another has spent years furthering field of early childhood parent education and support.
For a dose of inspiration, check out Laurie Wink's stories of local women executives, who have demonstrated time and again that it's possible to excel in business while still making family a priority. And don't miss Lauren Caggiano's profiles of a dozen of the area's top attorneys, whose expertise has helped businesses thrive.
Our focus on education shares how local institutions and businesses are working together more closely than ever, to ensure that students are adequately prepared for a prosperous future. Together, they're creating degree programs and training opportunities that are a win-win for Northwest Indiana. Honing the region's labor force yields success for local employers, which in turn fuels the economy for everyone.
And speaking of the critical links through which businesses build local prosperity, our communications technology feature reveals how much economic development depends on powerful communications connections. Writer Michael Puente, meanwhile, tells us that solar power is more feasible and affordable than ever–and likely is coming to a rooftop near you!
The CEO profile tells the story of John Phair, whose Holladay Properties has provided the infrastructure for job growth across Indiana. It would be hard to overstate the importance that his work has had on the economy and quality of life in Northwest Indiana and beyond.
Check this issue's departments for helpful financial and technology advice, the latest arts and cultural happenings, and an important viewpoint on education. And finally, Ben Smith's exclusive sports report shares the story of how the Cubs came to South Bend.
Enjoy our current issue! And the rest of your summer!
–Glee Renick-May, Publisher
