Merrillville job fair deadline extended until Tuesday

Businesses will have more time to register as vendors for Merrillville’s upcoming job fair, according to a release.

Employers have until Tuesday to secure their vendor space for the job fair that’s scheduled for 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. July 30 at the Dean and Barbara White Community Center, 6600 Broadway in Merrillville.

Interested businesses can visit merrillville.in.gov/jobfair for more information and to register, the release said.

PNW students earn spring 2025 Dean’s List honors

The Purdue University Northwest 2025 spring semester Dean’s List recognizes 1,746 undergraduate students for their academic achievements.

Qualifying students sustained an overall grade point average of at least 3.5 and a semester grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.

Students from 19 different states and international students from 34 different countries were recognized on the PNW 2025 spring semester Dean’s List. For a full listing of recognized students, visit pnw.edu/deans-list.

Franciscan Alliance announces new leadership appointments

Franciscan Alliance recently welcomed several new leaders to key roles in its healthcare ministry following recent retirements, according to a release.

The Mishawaka-based nonprofit Catholic healthcare ministry appointed the following four experienced healthcare professionals to senior vice president, vice president and chief medical officer positions:

Dr. Gerald Maloney, chief medical officer

Michael Englehart, senior vice president for Franciscan Physician Network/Specialty Physicians of Illinois LLC and Franciscan Post-Acute Services

Dr. Joseph Schnecker, chief medical information officer

Tim Murphy, vice president of strategy

Maloney is taking on the Franciscan CMO position following decades at Geisenger Health in Danville, Pennsylvania, where he spent the last 19 years as a physician executive and his last eight as chief medical officer.

Englehart assumes the senior vice president for Franciscan Physician Network/Specialty Physicians of Illinois LLC and Franciscan Post-Acute Services role after more than two decades in healthcare.

Schnecker is taking on the position of Franciscan’s CMIO from his current role as Franciscan’s medical director of information services, which he has held since 2019.

Murphy is assuming the role of vice president of strategy following his role as Franciscan’s COO/CFO for Franciscan Physician Network, Specialty Physicians of Illinois LLC and Franciscan Post-Acute Services.

Valpo Parks official earns certification

Valparaiso Parks Department Recreation Superintendent Madison Bell recently achieved the National Parks and Recreation Association’s Certified Park and Recreation Professional certification, a release said.

The Certified Park and Recreation Professional certification is the national standard for all parks and recreation professionals who want to be at the forefront of their profession, the release said.

Valpo U begins religious major

Valparaiso University will launch its new major in religious studies, a program that encourages students to explore and engage with religion as a lived, cross-cultural and comparative discipline, according to a release.

One of the primary goals of Valpo’s religious studies program is to spark curiosity about global religious practices and equip students with the knowledge and experience to connect with their neighbors, both nearby and around the world, the release said.

The religious studies program will work with other faith-based organizations on campus, including the University’s Division of Calling and Spiritual Life and its Christian Formation and Leadership Program, the release said.

US 12 construction to start Monday

Indiana Department of Transportation contractor Superior Construction Co. is expected to close U.S. 12 under Indiana 249 beginning on or after Monday, according to a release.

U.S. 12 will first be closed in the eastbound direction for approximately three days, the release said. Traffic going eastbound on U.S. 12 will be diverted to southbound Ind. 249 and can use the official detour of U.S. 20 and Indiana 149. Traffic will have access to eastbound U.S. 12 from northbound Ind. 249.

U.S. 12 will then be closed in the westbound direction for approximately three days on or after July 17, the release said.

The official detour will follow Ind. 149 and U.S. 20. Westbound U.S. 12 will have access to northbound Ind. 249 (Port of Indiana) but not southbound Ind. 249.

Surgeon joins Northwest Health

Dr. Jeremy Luedtke, a general surgeon, recently returned to Northwest Medical Group, according to a release.

Luedkte practiced at the Northwest Medical Group in LaPorte for several years before relocating to Wisconsin and has now returned to the organization, the release said.

He is accepting new patients at the Northwest Medical Group – General Surgery office located in the Medical Plaza at 85 E. U.S. 6, Suite 240, in Valparaiso.

After completing his surgical critical care fellowship at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, Luedtke served as a general surgeon and critical care physician at Prevea Allouez Health Center in Wisconsin, general and robotic surgeon at Northwest Health – La Porte, St. Clair Hospital in Wisconsin and general minimally invasive robotic surgeon, critical care intensivist and endoscopist at Surgical Associates of Neenah.

Call 219-983-6240.

— staff reports