When Dr. Amy McCormack first came to Calumet College of St. Joseph as its new president in 2017, one of her top priorities was to build and strengthen bonds with the local communities surrounding the college in Northwest Indiana. Several events this month highlighted that initiative at the college, which is sponsored by the Missionaries of the Precious Blood.
On July 2, celebrating her one-year anniversary as president, Dr. McCormack invited the staff and faculty to the Mascot Hall of Fame (MHOF) in Whiting, Ind., where the college is also located. This facility, due to open in December, will be a state-of-the-art interactive children’s museum.
The college is partnering with the museum staff to develop lesson plans and STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) learning experiences around the theme of professional team mascots. CCSJ students in education and the sciences will be developing the learning opportunities as part of their own classroom assignments.
The college also took part in summer community events. On July 4, CCSJ staff and students marched in the annual Independence Day parade in Whiting. Participants included Dr. McCormack and Br. Jim Ballmann, C.PP.S., who is in ministry at the college.
College personnel will also volunteer at the Whiting Pierogi Fest on July 27-29. the Whiting-Robertsdale Chamber of Commerce says that the annual event “celebrates Eastern European food and culture with a wacky, familial twist.”