Society of Innovators at Purdue University Northwest inducts class of 2020

Individuals from Northwest Indiana who contributed to furthering cultural, economic, and educational opportunities in the Region the past year, now are among other trailblazers whose behind-the-scene efforts made a lasting impression.

The Society of Innovators at Purdue University Northwest recognized its 2020 Innovators in a virtual event Nov. 19. A replay of the event is available on the organization’s YouTube page.

A total of 28 individuals and team members were inducted as part of this year’s class. Honorees included:

Individual Inductees

• Ken Barry, executive director, City Life Center, Gary
• Magesh Chandramouli, associate professor of computer graphics technology, Purdue University Northwest, Hammond and Westville
• Emily Edwards, founder, Emily’s Foods / Paradise Icing, Schererville
• Jamie Fankenhauser, owner, Bun’s Soapbox, Valparaiso
• Matt Hanson, clinical assistant professor of marketing, Purdue University Northwest, Hammond and Westville
• Jake Miller, owner, JEM Custom Shoes, Michigan City
• Jared Riddle, professor of English, department chair, Ivy Tech Community College, East Chicago
• Daniel Schultz, teacher, Hobart High School, Hobart

Team Inductees

• ArcelorMittal, team led by Richard Clausius, East Chicago
• Centier Bank, team led by Chris Campbell, Merrillville
• Economic Development Corporation Michigan City, Indiana with Michigan City Area Schools, team led by Clarence Hulse, Michigan City
• Tonn and Blank Construction, team led by Jon Gilmore, Michigan City
• Top Flight Hockey, team lead by Quinton Oster and Dan Mikrut, St. John

Videos of each 2020 inductee can be viewed by subscribing to the Society’s YouTube page.

The Society of Innovators, established in 2005 and previously affiliated with Ivy Tech Community College, has about 1,600 members who have been inducted in recognition of their contributions to Northwest Indiana business, culture, and society. It affiliated with Purdue University Northwest in August 2018.

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Larry Avila

Larry is an award-winning journalist with more than 25 years of experience working with daily newspapers and business-to-business publications around the Midwest. Avila is a Michigan native and a graduate of Central Michigan University.

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