Retiring PNC Chancellor, Former Calumet Athletic Director among Torchbearers for the Statewide Indiana Bicentennial Torch Run

PNW-Represented-on-Olympic-Torch-Run_01Purdue University Northwest will be represented during the upcoming Indiana Bicentennial statewide Torch Relay this fall, with two well-known members of the North Central and Calumet campuses and several PNW alumni selected as torchbearers for the torch’s 2,300-mile journey across Indiana’s 92 counties.

Those with a PNW connection selected to take part in the Torch Relay include James B. Dworkin, who will be among the torchbearers representing La Porte County, and John Friend, representing Lake County.

Dworkin served as chancellor of the Purdue North Central campus for more than 16 years and retires from that position on June 30. Friend was athletic director for the Calumet campus for 20 years prior to his retirement and still serves as a consultant to the athletic department.

The Torchbearers
Local alumni of the Purdue Northwest campuses who are among the Indiana torchbearers include:

Lake County
Mary Goolik
Matthew Valuckis

La Porte County
Tommy Hertges
Russell Klosinski

Porter County
Christina Matoski

PNW-Represented-on-Olympic-Torch-Run_02In all, more than 2,200 individuals statewide were selected to be torchbearers. These torchbearers are current or former Hoosiers, representing all walks of life. They were nominated for the honor based on their public service, achievement, acts of heroism and volunteer service.

The Torch Relay
The Bicentennial Torch Relay is designed to inspire and unify Hoosiers as one of the major commemorative events of the 2016 Bicentennial celebration. The relay will begin Sept. 9 in Corydon, the state’s first capital, and will end Oct. 15 on the Statehouse Grounds in Indianapolis.

The torch will be passed from torchbearer to torchbearer. The relay will offer unique aspects as the torch will be transported by runners as well as those using modes of transportation that are symbolic of Indiana’s history and heritage, including watercraft, farm equipment, a racecar, horse and wagon, antique automobile and others.

The torchbearers will travel an average of 72 miles a day, passing through each of the state’s 92 counties.

Purdue University Northwest
Purdue University Calumet and Purdue University North Central have unified to become Purdue University Northwest (PNW), a comprehensive regional university within the Purdue University system. When it welcomes its first class of students this fall, PNW will become Indiana’s fifth largest public university, enrolling more than 15,000 students and offering some 70 degree programs.