Indiana University Northwest will thank its donors, alumni and friends at the Chancellor’s Medallion and Bicentennial Launch Celebration to benefit student scholarships at 5:30 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 12, at the Avalon Manor, 3550 East Highway 30, Merrillville, Ind.

This year’s celebration holds special significance, as it also serves as the Bicentennial Campaign Launch Celebration, kicking off IU’s first-ever university-wide philanthropic campaign, with a record goal of $2.5 billion to be raised by 2020.

Indiana University President Michael A. McRobbie will be among the special guests at the celebration, at which IU Northwest Chancellor William J. Lowe will award the prestigious Chancellor’s Medallion to its distinguished honorees:

-       Calvin “Cal” and Cathy Bellamy
-       Northern Indiana Public Service Company

“I am proud to present the Chancellor’s Medallion, the highest honor to be presented by the Chancellor of IU Northwest, to these two friends, who truly represent the ‘margin of excellence’ for our campus,” Lowe said.

“These honorees have all rendered distinguished service to the University and Northwest Indiana community. Their efforts and exemplary philanthropy have been instrumental in advancing IU Northwest, and, in particular, supporting our greatest asset, our students.”

For sponsorship and ticket information, please contact Cathy Mezzacapo in the IU Northwest Office of Development at (219) 980-6801, email cmezza@iun.edu or visit www.iun.edu/medallion.

Meet the 2015 Chancellor Medallion recipients:

Calvin “Cal” and Cathy Bellamy

For many years, Cal and Cathy Bellamy have been active community volunteers for charitable causes throughout Northwest Indiana and within their own community of Munster. Both Cal and Cathy have committed their leadership and dedication to worthwhile causes ranging from improving schools and mentoring young children, to serving as board members for local charities and developing affordable housing.

Cal, a proud IU alumnus, earned his B.A. from IU Bloomington with highest distinction, and his J.D. from the University of Michigan Law School with honors. He joined Bank Calumet in 1975, where he served as the institution’s President and CEO for 24 years until the bank was sold in 2006. He is currently a Partner with Krieg DeVault LLP, where he focuses on estate and business succession planning. He also is president of the Shared Ethics Advisory Commission, an all-volunteer organization providing training on ethical decision-making for employees of the 20 Northwest Indiana communities who are members. 

Cathy earned her B.A. from Albion College. Over the years, Cathy has served as a member and former president of Friends of the Hospice of the Calumet Area, and board member and clinic volunteer of Catherine McAuley Clinic of Franciscan St. Margaret Health in Hammond. She also mentors children in reading at Wallace Elementary School in Hammond.

Both Cal and Cathy have been involved with IU Northwest in a variety of capacities over the years. Cal currently serves as a member of the Chancellor’s Board of Advisors, Chancellor’s Commission on Community Engagement, and the School of Public and Environmental Affairs (SPEA) Advisory Board. Cathy has been involved with IU Foundation’s Women’s Philanthropy. Both are members of the IU Alumni Association and the 1820 Society.

Northern Indiana Public Service Company

Headquartered in Merrillville, NIPSCO is one of the seven energy distribution companies of NiSource. With more than 821,000 natural gas customers and 468,000 electric customers across the northern third of Indiana, NIPSCO is the largest natural gas distribution company, and the second largest electric distribution company, in the state.

Their goal is to provide continued safe and reliable power for their customers now and in the future. With this in mind, NIPSCO is focused on addressing aging natural gas and electric infrastructure as part of a multi-year modernization plan.

Beyond delivering safe and reliable energy, NIPSCO is committed to supporting and enhancing the quality of life across northern Indiana through community partnerships, volunteering, charitable giving and economic development. Each year, the NIPSCO team donates time, money and other resources to hundreds of local philanthropic organizations.

IU and IU Northwest are grateful for NIPSCO’s enduring support. Their endowed scholarship has been endless in ensuring that our students can earn their IU degree, and their generosity also assisted in the campus’s beautification efforts with the installation of the entry gates located at Broadway and 33^rd Avenue.

NIPSCO team members are active volunteer leaders at IU Northwest in multiple ways, including serving on the IU Northwest Board of Advisors, the IU Northwest School of Business and Economics Advisory Board, and through their attendance at the IU Northwest Chancellor’s Commission on Engagement.