On April 19, the Calumet College of St. Joseph (CCSJ) celebrated its Board of Trustees’ 59th Scholarship Gala at Hard Rock Casino in Gary. The proceeds of this annual event help CCSJ provide its students with much-needed scholarship aid. Students, alumni, faculty, sponsors and friends of the school were in attendance.
The gala also featured an award ceremony in which the St. Joseph the Worker Award, the Corporate Leadership Award and the Brother Gerard von Hagel Alumni Award were given to individuals who have made a significant positive impact on their communities. Attendees enjoyed beverages during the cocktail hour before partaking in a delicious dinner and dessert.
Larry Meyers, the chairman of the CCSJ Board of Trustees, explained why the money raised at the gala is a vital resource for CCSJ students.
“Many of our students are the first in their family to attend college and they might not be receiving all the financial help they need from home,” Meyers said. “The money we raise at the gala enables more of them to be able to attend college and benefit from getting a higher education.”
Shannon Sistrunk, one of the Student Scholars who was spotlighted at the gala, is a graduating senior studying Digital and Studio Arts. Sistrunk, who captains the CCSJ dance team and is a peer ambassador, benefits from the scholarship fund that the money raised at the gala will support.
“Our school has a strong family aspect,” Sistrunk said. “I believe that events like the gala are important because they bring alumni back and give them a chance to interact with current students. These events are also a great way to show people in the general community what our school is about and get to know us better.”
After dinner was served, Dr. Amy McCormack, the president of CCSJ, invited three Student Scholars to come up on the stage and present the three awards to the winners.
Dorwynn Smith III, a junior Digital and Studio Art student and Indiana National Guardsman, presented the St. Joseph the Worker Award to Dr. Edward Williams. Williams was recognized for the many contributions he has made to his community, such as providing job opportunities for residents throughout the Region through his business Lakeshore Employment and Training Partnership, Inc.
Jenine Boyles, a senior Kinesiology student, presented Hasse Construction with the Corporate Award. Hasse Construction, the contracting company that built the new CCSJ dorm complex, received this award in recognition of their firm commitment to quality work after over 100 years of business.
Mackenzie Lanman, another senior Kinesiology student at CCSJ, presented Fran Condo Drozdz, an alumnus of CCSJ who graduated in 1967, with the Brother Gerard von Hagel Alumni Award. in recognition of Condo Drozdz’s decades of activism work. Her philosophy has guided her throughout her life and activities.
“Do good for your community,” Condo Drozdz urged. “No matter what your god of understanding is, you have to have faith and believe in something bigger than you. When you do good, the good comes back to you and you find the answers to your questions. Be persistent. Listen to your heart and your gut.”
McCormack explained why she considers both Condo Drozdz and her husband Stan Drozdz – another CCSJ alumnus – to be truly inspirational individuals.
“Fran and Stan are always there to support people who need it,” McCormack said. “Although they're very significant people in their own right, you would never know it because they never focus on themselves. They're always talking about how they can help other people. I think that attitude of serving is representative of the Calumet College of St. Joseph. We want to instill in our students the same ethic of service and the motivation to do good that Fran and Stan have exhibited their entire lives.”
The celebration continued well into the evening as the guests continued to enjoy their drinks and chat amiably with one another, reconnecting with old friends and making new acquaintances. The Connexion Band put on a stellar live performance, giving the attendees the chance to show off their moves on the dance floor.
To learn more about the Calumet College of St. Joseph, check out their website at www.ccsj.edu.
