Region Leaders Honored with 2015 South Shore Leadership Awards

South-Shore-Leadership-Collage-05-08-15The South Shore Leadership Center presented its fourth annual Leaders as Heroes Celebration to recognize leaders throughout Northwest Indiana, who are dedicated to improving the quality of life in northwest Indiana, and have had an impact in their communities and have received little or no recognition for their achievements. This celebration honors these leaders as the heroes of our region for all that they have done and continue to do; and exemplify the core leadership principles educate, challenge, inspire, encourage, connect and engage.

The selection process was extensive, starting with nominations that were made by people throughout the region. 14 finalists were selected and announced prior to the event, then recognized and honored on Thursday, April 30 at the Leaders as Heroes Celebration. Of the 14 finalists, the Award Selection Panel selected five South Shore Leadership Award Recipients who were given the highest honor at this event with distinguished awards that represent each recipient’s leadership characteristics. The five award recipients were: Dion Campbell, City of Michigan City; O’Merrial Butchee, Ivy Tech Community College; Kimberly Smith, Early Learning Partnership of NWI; Geof Benson, Dunes Learning Center; and Jon Hoek, Belstra Milling Company. Five well deserving leaders of the Northwest Indiana region.

The final and honor of the evening was the South Shore Leadership Center’s Crest Award whose recipient is selected by the SSLC’s Board of Directors and is given an individual whose reputation as a leader is beyond repute and sets a standard for other leaders. The Crest Award is given to a leader who excels in every avenue of leadership and this year’s honor was awarded to Daniel Lowery, President of Calumet College of St. Joseph.

The South Shore Leadership Center looks forward to the continued success of the Leaders as Heroes Celebration. Leadership is the heart of the mission and vision of the center and it deserves to be recognized and honored. What better way than by the citizens in the communities these unsung heroes lead.