2024 Alumni Hall of Fame Inductees

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Terry is the second of seven children in the Lee Family, all Crown Point High School graduates. Parents Charles and Joan (Julian) Lee moved the Clan to Crown Point. Indiana in 1962.

He attended River Forest, Taft and is a 1967 graduate of Crown Point High School. Music was always an educational tool in the Lee family. Terry was a member of the church choir in Gary and Crown Point, attending the Royal School of Church Music Academy. A member of the 1965 State Marching Band champion Crown Point High School and the 1966 State runner up band, He was also a 4-year member of the Concert Band and A Capella Choir at Crown Point. After High School he attended Porter Business College in Indianapolis. A forty-year career in the steel industry resulted in his death (sudden cardiac death). After many surgical procedures, his quest for a new outlook led him to the newly formed Crown Point High School Alumni Association. Serving foe over 15 years including his current position on the Board of Directors, he was the longest serving president.

A founding member of the East/West Girls Basketball All-Star Game in Gary, Indiana he coached a young girl from Crown Point in a summer tourney. Perhaps the best player he had ever coached, she led a team of graduated seniors to the championship as an eighth grader. Her name: Nancy Cowan.

Terry also coached in the Hobart City Youth Basketball League and served on its Board of Directors. He taught girls basketball at the Chesterton YMCA.

Executive Editor, producer, and writer of “Indiana Girls Basketball Magazine” led to a short stint as sportswriter for the Lake County Star Newspaper in the late seventies and early eighties, and he was a Certified IHSSA Basketball referee.

Cruising on Princess Cruise Line has been Chris and Terry’s choice of relaxation (25 so far) as they continue to fill their bucket list of places and sights to see.

Terry and his wife Christine (Arnold) have between them 6 Children and 19 grandchildren. They met at Crown Point High School and found each other again over 24 years ago, Christine is the current Treasurer of the CPHS Alumni Association. Daughters Michelle (Dan), Laurie (Dave), Christine (Eric). Sons Rick (Megan), Patrick (Tanya), and Jason Keep it all moving forward and Grandchildren Brittany, Mollie, Savannah, Amber, Logan, Andrew (Hannah), Bailey, Casey. Dylan, Jerimiah, Adam, Ryder, Brianna, Abby, Wyatt, McKenna, Dominic and Elijah keep it real.

Nancy was born in Crown Point the second youngest of 8 children to Donald and Theresa Cowan. She has 3 brothers and 4 sisters; Mike, Lori, Rose, Sue, Pat, Dick and Cris.

She attended Crown Point schools until graduation in 1984 from Crown Point High School. While at CPHS, she played 4 years varsity basketball under Hall of Fame Coach Tom May. Nancy finished her senior year as a co-captain of the undefeated 1984 State Championship Team. 

She was awarded the 1984 Mental Attitude Award for Scholarship, Athletic Ability, Mental Attitude and Leadership during her 4 years of high school basketball. She was also named to the 1984 Indiana All-Star Team and was the runner up for Indiana Miss Basketball. Nancy was an Academic All-American and received numerous other awards.  In addition, she played Varsity tennis 4 years at #2 singles and ran cross country.

She was President of the CPHS Class of 1984 and graduated in the top 10 of her class. She has continued to be active with the Class of ‘84 Reunion Committee. 

She earned a basketball scholarship to University of Kentucky and played there 1 year. She transferred to Indiana University and received a scholarship, where she finished her basketball career. Nancy received the IU Varsity Club Scholastic Achievement Award in recognition of exemplary academic achievement while pursuing varsity athletics in 1987. Nancy graduated from IU Kelly School of Business with a double major in Marketing and Management. 

She began her professional career working for Caterpillar Inc in Peoria, IL in Sales and Marketing. After getting married and moving to Bloomington, IN, she started working for Cook Medical in Bloomington, IN in 1992. She worked 27 years at Cook in various management, product development, training and sales positions. She achieved several major accomplishments at Cook including 2017 Sales Representative of the Year. 

Nancy was inducted into the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame in 2009 as a member of the Silver Anniversary Team. In that same year, she was also inducted as a member of the 1984 Undefeated State Championship Team. In 2013, she was inducted into the Indiana Basketball HOF as an individual. 

In 2018 she started her current position as a Medical Device Specialist at Braun Interventional Systems and attained Elite Club in 2021.

She has been active supporting the community in her past roles as a member of the CP Board of Works, Board Member of the CP Community Foundation and member of the local Tri Kappa Chapter. She has enjoyed coaching various youth sports including St Mary’s CYO basketball as well as CP youth programs for basketball, softball and soccer. She was a Volunteer Girls Basketball Coach under Coach May for several years. She enjoys running, exercising, golfing, gardening, walking her dogs and spending time with family. 

Nancy is married to Frank Eksten (32 years) with 2 children Erik and Anna. 

Annie is the daughter of Eli and Barbara Kvachkoff. She has three brothers,

Doug (Patty), Steve (Jodi), and Eli (Gloria). She credits her parents and

brothers for any and all success she has attained. They have always been

supportive of everything she has done. Her brothers toughened her up as

she would play against them as a kid, and her dad was her ultimate coach.

Her mom would be her rebounder for her when she needed to get her

shots in for the day.

Annie is a 1985 graduate of Crown Point High School where she played

varsity all 4 years in volleyball and basketball. She also served as her class

president her senior year. She led her basketball team to the State

Championship 3 years in a row. Her sophomore year, they were Runners

Up, and her junior and senior years, they were State Champs. Annie was

selected the State Finals MVP both her junior and senior year. She was a

Carnation and Converse All American her junior and senior years as well.

She was Miss Basketball Runner-Up her senior year. She was inducted

into the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame in 2013. She was Crown Points all

time leading scorer until last year. She credits Coach May and her

teammates for any and all success. Having the BEST teammates and the

BEST coach around truly is what made Annie the player she was.

After graduation, Annie went on to play basketball at Purdue University for

four years. She was named MVP her senior year and earned the Varsity

Walk Award. Annie led Purdue to their first ever NCAA appearance in

school history in 1989. She was later named to the All Decade Team at

Purdue. Annie graduated with an Elementary Education Degree. She has

taught for 31 years, 27 of them in the Crown Point School System. Annie

also served as the head varsity basketball coach at Crown Point for 4 years

before stepping down to be able to watch her kids in their sports.

Annie still resides in Crown Point and currently teaches Math at TAFT

Middle School. She is married to her husband of 33 years, Artie Equihua.

Together they have 3 amazing children. Taylor CPHS -2013, Artie CPHS

2015, Alex CPHS-2018. Annie’s favorite pastime has always been

coaching and watching her kids play their sports. Her kids are truly her

greatest accomplishment.

Thank you for recognizing me for this award. There are so many more

deserving people, but it is much appreciated.

 Breanne Zolfo is a nationally recognized philanthropist whose coffee shop in Crown Point, Indiana - Café Fresco - has gained recognition for its acts of kindness and Community Love.

Her mission of helping others in need spreads beyond her Cafe.  She has served as an intake counselor for battered women's shelters, founded and taught her own ESL school, and started the non-profit "Community Love" to empower everyday people to bring kindness into their own lives and the lives of the community around them.

Breanne is also a motivational speaker, speaking across America about her mission. She has appeared on CBS This Morning and Steve Harvey-among various other outlets. 

 Rich is the first-born son of Bee and Jackie Roberts. He is the older brother to Terry and Scott, all of whom graduated from Crown Point High School. While attending CPHS, he played football and basketball under head coaches Dave Schaeffer and Harry Allison, respectively. Both his football and basketball teams were conference champions his senior year, 1967-1968. Rich was an all-area football player in the Hammond Times, president of the Hi-Y club, officer in the Letterman’s Club, and a Junior Rotarian. 

Upon his graduation from CPHS, Rich attended college at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb. There, he continued his football playing career and graduated in 1973 with a bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education. NIU is also where his coaching career began, as he assumed the role of head freshman football coach, in addition to his role as a graduate assistant on the football staff. He received his Master of Science degree in Education from NIU in 1974.

Rich began his teaching and coaching career in the northwest suburbs of Chicago in Township High School District 214. His professional career included 34 years as a business education and physical education teacher. His coaching career spanned 41 years at the collegiate and high school level, including 20 years as a head football coach and 6 years as a head basketball coach. Rich is proud of his many accomplishments over the course of his career which include many honors and awards while his teams enjoyed a tremendous amount of success. These accomplishments include: numerous Principal Awards, ‘Who’s Who Among Teachers in the U.S.’ (2002), coach of the Accounting Team, Athletic Director, 7 Illinois High School Association football play-off appearances as a head coach, multiple Mid-Suburban League conference championships as head football and basketball coach, multiple Mid-Suburban League Football Coach of the Year awards, selected to coach numerous football All-Star and Shrine Games, celebrated a football state championship in 1986 as Defensive Coordinator, was a founding member of the Suburban Football Coaches Association of Chicago, 30-year member of the American Football Coaches Association, presented at numerous coaches and college clinics, and sat on the ICA All-Star Game Selection Committee. In 2010, Rich was inducted into the Illinois High School Football Coaches Hall of Fame. This induction into the CPHS Alumni Association Hall of Fame is a momentous and honorary capstone to his career as an educator, coach, and mentor.

 After graduation from CPHS in 1969 I moved to Grand Rapids Michigan and attended Davenport College of Business. In 1976 I moved to Chicago and began working for an executive recruiting firm. 

In 1981 I started my own recruiting business. After marrying and having a son I ended up moving to Las Vegas and continuing my recruiting business, it is at that time I began volunteering in the court system to advocate for foster children.

In 1996 I was elected to the State Board of Education and served as President of the CASA Foundation. In 1998 I co-formed the Children’s Advocacy Alliance (CAA) a self-funded child advocacy group at the same time served as a Gubernatorial appointment as Vice-Chair of the Children’s Trust Fund for the State of Nevada. This is a fund that is devoted to groups preventing child abuse. The board decides where the roughly $1.3 million per year will go.

In 2006 I was appointed by the governor to sit with legislators on a committee to study the Adam Walsh act and make recommendations.

In 2010 the Governor appointed me to serve on the Judicial Elections and Election Practices group which hears complaints from judicial candidates about their opponents.

Over the years I’ve learned how to work with legislators to pass laws both in state and nationally. My volunteering has given me back far more than I’ve given. As a result of my volunteering, I appeared on “The O’Reilly Factor” discussing sex offender issues, ABC World News with Peter Jennings and every news talk show at the time in Nevada.

I was the State of Nevada’s leader to “Hill Day” in Washington DC for the Child Welfare League of American educating legislators on the issues surrounding child welfare and won “The Commissioners Award” given out by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services to one person in each state every other year and recommended by their governor for outstanding service towards children.

I now live in Henderson Nevada near my son and his family. I enjoy the TCM festival, traveling, genealogy, football, and my family.

 Jeff is the son of Edward and Audrey Wilkinson, lifelong Crown Point residents. He has two (2) brothers, Rex, residing in Coral Gables FL, and the CP class of 70, and Todd, residing in Ft. Lauderdale FL, and the CP class of 1974. 

Jeff attended Taft elementary – entered in its inaugural opening in 1956 – and Junior High school and graduated in 1967 from Crown Point HS where he was a member of the letterman’s club for football and golf and was the marching band Drum Major. 

Jeff graduated from Morehead St. University in Kentucky, with a degree in Health, Physical Education and Recreation after a three & half year enlisted service in the Marines during the Vietnam war. 

He then accepted a Marine commission as a Tank Officer and served for thirty years, retiring as a Colonel of Marines, Commanding Armor Units from Platoon to Battalion, and Senior Staff assignments in Washington DC and both U.S. based Marine Divisions – he is recipient of numerous awards and decorations. During his military service, he’s most proud of his service within the military communities where he served as President of two Department of Defense (DoDEA) School Boards at Ft Knox Army Post and Quantico Marine Corps Base. 

Upon retirement from the Marine Corps, Jeff moved to Carmel Indiana where he began consulting for various colleges and Universities, building their online military education outreach programs. He continued his pursuit of being a believer in Lifelong Learning, receiving an MBA from Indiana Wesleyan University to accompany his Military Masters Degree in International Relations and Strategic Planning. 

He was also honored as a Kentucky Colonel while assigned to Ft. Knox, and Sagamore of the Wabash for his two years’ service as the Superintendent of the Indiana Soldiers and Sailors Children’s Home.

 John Ward Wheeler, the son of John J. and Virginia (nee Ward) Wheeler,  was born on May 31, 1893.  His family’s history in Crown Point is as old  as the community itself.  He was the great-grandson of local Civil War  hero, Colonel John Wheeler, who was killed at Gettysburg in 1863 for  whom Wheeler Middle School Point was named.  John Ward Wheeler was the  great-great grandson of Crown Point’s founder Solon Robinson. 

John Ward Wheeler graduated from Crown Point High School in 1911.  He  graduated from Purdue University in 1916 with a Bachelor of Science  degree in Civil Engineering.  Like his great-grandfather, John Ward  Wheeler attained the rank of colonel in the US Army.  He served in the  US Army Corps of Engineers (USACOE) in World War I and World War II.  Colonel John Ward Wheeler had a distinguished military career. His  civilian career as a transportation engineer was equally impressive.  In  the 1930’s, Wheeler served as Indiana Governor Paul McNutt’s Highway  Commissioner.  He served on Purdue University’s Board of Trustees from  1937 until 1942 when he returned to active duty in the USACOE.   

Following WWII, he served as the Assistant to the President of the  Chicago Burlington and Quincy Railroad.  During this period, he was a  consultant to the Association of American Railroads.  Purdue University  conferred an honorary doctor of philosophy degree upon him for his  outstanding accomplishments on the USACOE’s Alcan Highway and Burma Road  transportation projects.

On September 26, 1954, John Ward Wheeler was severely injured after  being thrown from his horse, Babe, while riding at the family’s estate  east of Crown Point.  The accident crushed three vertebrae in his back  and, as a result, John Ward Wheeler was a paraplegic for the rest of his  life.  John Ward Wheeler faced the challenges of life in a wheel-chair  with the same “soldier-like” determination shown throughout his life.   Despite nearly constant pain, John Ward Wheeler was a source of  strength, kindness, and good humor to his family.  He passed away in May  1970 and was survived by his wife Ruth and sons Harold, Henry (“Hank”),  and John.

Larry is the son of Robert and Marilyn (Foss) Geisen.  He has two sisters, Cathy (Larry) Maglish and Nancy Geisen.

Attended St. Marys Catholic School where he enjoyed playing  Basketball, Football and Track.  He went on to attend Crown Point High  School and again played Basketball and Football (Captain senior Yr). He  served as Vice President of CPHS Student Council along with his close  friend Jeff Georgas who was President. He was a member of the Latin and  Letterman Clubs.

Larry graduated from Purdue University Krannert School of Business in  1988. Then attended and graduated from the Worsham College of Mortuary  Science in Chicago.  He then joined his father in the family business,  Geisen Funeral Home in Crown Point as the 5th Generation Geisen to come  into the family business.  Larry’s son Anthony has just joined the  family business in September 2018 as the 6th generation.  The Geisen  Funeral Home proudly celebrated its 150 year anniversary in 2017, which  was started by Peter Geisen in 1867 in Crown Point.  The Geisen Funeral  Home is one of Indiana’s oldest family operated business and one of the  oldest funeral home in the country. In addition to the Crown Point  location, Larry has added locations in Merrillville, Hebron and Michigan  City.

Larry is proud to have received for the past five years the “Pursuit  of Excellence Award” from the National Funeral Directors Association.   An award only given to roughly 200 of the nation’s 20,000 funeral homes  for excellence in family service, community involvement, employee  retention and education.

Larry is a lifelong member of St. Mary Catholic Church where he  currently serves on the Finance Council. He is a board member of the  Crown Point Community Foundation, and a member of the Crown Point Rotary  Club.  He is a former board member for over 10 years of the Crown Point  Cal Ripken Baseball and was proud to have been one of the coaches of  the Crown Point Cal Ripken 2013 World Series Champions which his son  Nick played on.  He also enjoyed coaching his daughter Alle in  basketball and son Anthony in Jr. Bulldog Football.

Larry still resides in Crown Point with his high school sweetheart  and now wife of 28 years Kim (Watson), together they have 3 children  Alle, CPHS-2011, Purdue 2015, Ryerson Steel, Chicago, Anthony CPHS  2013-Purdue 2017, Geisen Funeral Home) and Nicholas CPHS 2019-Butler in  the fall)

 Kara is the daughter of Dr. J. Robert and Carole Mayden and one of  seven children. She attended St. Mary’s elementary school and was a  cheerleader in both 7th and 8th grades.

She was a member of the Women’s Varsity Club and co-captain of the  swimming and gymnastics teams and marched as a Cadet in the Crown Point  Marching Band.   Her mentor, Mr. Charles Bowman, encouraged and  challenged her within his Advanced Biology program.

Kara graduated from Indiana University Northwest in Radiologic  Technology in 1978 and pursued her interest in Diagnostic Ultrasound at  the Maryland Institute of Ultrasound Technology her principal clinical  training was at Johns Hopkins Hospital graduating as Valedictorian in  1979.  She accepted a position within the Perinatal Department at Yale  University Medical Center. This high-risk pregnancy center was known for  its pioneering work, in fetal ultrasound, having developed many of the  standards, used in managing both normal and high-risk pregnancy.  Kara’s  main interest is the detection of fetal structural and genetic  malformations.  Her work includes the performance of in-utero fetal  surgery, such as, the transfusion of blood into a fetus with severe  anemia or when a fetus has a life threatening blockage to the kidneys.

Kara has received national recognition for her contributions to the  field of ultrasound and while in college, received the Frederick Sample  Student Excellence Award for her work on the Umbilical Vein Diameter in  Rh Isoimmunization.  She went on to develop a nomogram which measured  the size of fetal orbits, which today, allows the detection of genetic  and other life-threatening fetal conditions. Her research was published  in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology in 1983.  Kara was a  member of Yale’s invitro fertilization program; one of the first in the  country. Kara currently lives in Nashville, Tennessee with her husband  of 31 years, Dr. Dean R. Argo (Class of 1977).  Kara enjoys substitute  teaching for special education and elementary-aged students.  They have  two children, a daughter Taylor, a pediatric physician, at the  University of Minnesota and a son, Ben who will graduate from Western  Michigan University with a degree in Aviation Management.

Jean was raised on the family farm in Crown Point, and while  attending high school, participated in basketball, track, French Club,  and served as vice-president of the National Honor Society.  She  graduated in 1979 as one of the class valedictorians, and in 1983  graduated from Valparaiso University with highest distinction receiving  her Bachelor of Science in Education with a certification in reading. In  1986, she earned her Master of Education from Valparaiso University.   Jean taught first and third grades at Watson Elementary School in the  Lake Central School Corporation from 1983-1993 until her third child was  born.  During her years at Watson Elementary, Jean served on many  committees.  From 1983-1993, Jean was a member of the Kankakee Valley  Reading Council serving terms in many officer positions.  In 1996, Jean  received her Elementary Administration and Supervision License from  Purdue University.

While raising her family, Jean has coached softball and Little League  teams, worked on numerous school committees, and in 1998 served on the  National Commission Accreditation Team for District Accreditation.  Jean  sings in her church choir, teaches Sunday school, and has been a Boy  Scout leader for 17 years serving as Assistant Cub master and Committee  Chairperson and Chaplain, Scout Sunday Chairperson, Merit Badge  Counselor, and Blood Drive Coordinator for Troop 48.  As a leader, she  is the recipient of the Boy Scouts’ God and Service Award and the Cross  and Flame Award.

Jean and her wonderful husband, Del, have been married for 32 years  and have been blessed with six incredible children and one adorable  grandson:  Eric (Kayla and son, Augustus) works in the business field as  a Program Manager; Ashley (Dan) teaches high school English; Adam is a  Landscape Architecture Associate; Alex will graduate in May 2018 with a  degree in Heavy Equipment and Automotive Engineering; Andréa is a  college sophomore majoring in digital media arts/photography; and Anne  is a junior at CPHS with plans to become a veterinarian.  Jean’s family  is the 5th and 6th generation of Wagonblasts to  live on the family farm established in 1849, where they raise hay,  soybeans, and wheat. To relax, Jean plays fast pitch softball, and  enjoys most any other sport, photography, music, gardening, and reading  works by Christian authors.

Ken Myres was born in Gary, Indiana and grew up in Crown Point.   He  attended St. Mary’s grade school and graduated from CPHS in 1969.

Ken started his professional career in public accounting, joining  Arthur Young and Company in Chicago after graduating with a degree in  Business from Indiana University in 1973.  He moved to San Diego in 1977  where he embarked upon a restaurant career spanning more than four  decades.

Ken held executive, C-level and Board positions with private and  public restaurant and retail companies including Foodmaker, U.S.A.  Cafes, Blockbuster, the Metromedia Restaurant Group and Romacorp, Inc.  where he was President of Tony Roma’s.  He is currently President and  CEO of YEBII, which recently acquired fast casual Asian concept Banh  Shop.  His group also owns and franchises several other major  international casual restaurant brands operating in major airports  throughout the U.S. and Canada.

Ken is a frequent speaker at restaurant, legal and franchise industry  conferences and events and also serves on the Advisory Board of the  School of Business at Townview Magnet in Dallas, Texas, one of the  highest ranked high schools in the country.

Ken is married to Debbie (Naum), also a CPHS and IU graduate.  They  have 3 married children, Erin and husband Josh, Matt and wife Hannah and  Megan and husband Austen.  They have two grandchildren, Harry and  Lilly.  Ken and Debbie live in Richardson, Texas but still have many  friends and family members in Crown Point.

Ken attributes his success in life to his faith, family, friends and  the many mentors who have taught and inspired him.  Ken will also be  happy to share stories with you of the many dedicated CPHS teachers who  made an impact on him.

Mary Elizabeth Davis received both her name and a home when she came  to Crown Point at the age of 6. She lived on Ellendale Farm in the care  of Mary Ellen Davis, who adopted her at the age of 13.  She attended St.  Mary’s School and graduated from Crown Point High School in 1939.  She  was class salutatorian; participated in debate, theater and girls’  basketball; and was editor-in-chief of the yearbook.he received a  bachelor’s degree from the University of Chicago in 1943, and afterward  she remained at the university and taught labs, receiving her M.S. in  physiology in 1944.  She entered the University of Chicago medical  school and received her M.D. there in 1948. After internship at  Passavant Hospital in Chicago, she began her medical practice in Crown  Point in 1950 as a partner of Drs. Birdzell and Steele, in a building at  124 North Main Street owned by Louise Kincy, where Dr. Birdzell and Dr.  John Iddings had practiced together since 1938.  

She is believed to be  the first female MD to have a general medical practice in Lake County.  Action by legislators created the Crown Point Hospital Authority, which  approved the establishment of St. Anthony Medical Center (now known as  Franciscan Health Crown Point).  The hospital opened its doors March 1,  1974.  She was on the board from 1974 to 1976 and was chief of medical  staff in 1976 and 1977.  She was also medical director of the St.  Anthony Nursing Home from 1976 to 1995. Dr. Carroll was certified by the  American Board of Family Practice.  She was a member of the American  Medical Association, the American Academy of Family Practice and the  Indiana Academy of Family Practice (on the board of which she also  served).   She was a member of the Lake County Medical Society, serving  on its board from 1972-93 and as president in 1981-82.  She practiced in  Crown Point for about 45 years, retiring in 1995 at the age of 74. She  married William F. Carroll in December of 1947, and they lived on  Ellendale Farm for the remainder of their lives.   Carroll became a  lawyer in Crown Point.  In the midst of their busy professions, they  raised four children:  William Jr., a retired chemist in Dallas, TX;  Mary Ellen, a lawyer in Chapel Hill, NC; and James and Catherine, both  now deceased.  Outside of medical practice, she offered service to the  community as a lifelong member of the Tri Kappa service sorority; as a  member (and past president) of the St. Mary Home and School Association;  and as a member of the St. Matthias Parish Council.  Mary Davis  Carroll—Dr. Mary—passed away January 23, 2000 at the age of 78.

 Dr. Jawor was born in Chicago, Illinois and grew up in Crown Point,  Indiana graduating from Crown Point High School in 1989.  She attended  Ball State University receiving a Bachelor’s and then Masters of Science  in Biological Sciences and then moved to the University of Dayton to  complete her Doctorate.  Following a post-doctoral appointment at  Indiana University, Dr. Jawor became a faculty member at the University  of Southern Mississippi as first an Assistant and then Associate  Professor of Biology.  Recently Dr. Jawor began a position as a Program  Director for the National Science Foundation.  Dr. Jawor is an author on  over 30 peer-reviewed scientific publications, is a co-author on a  chapter in the book Snowbird: Integrative Biology and Evolutionary Diversity in the Junco,  and has had her research highlighted on NPR’s A Moment of Science and  other internet media outlets.  Dr. Jawor’s research has focused on the  evolution and expression of animal behaviors and the hormone mechanisms  that control and influence behavioral expression in a variety of bird  species.  Recently she has begun work investigating the hormonal and  genetic controls of vocal learning in adult birds with collaborators at  New Mexico State University and Georgia State University.  Dr. Jawor and  her husband SFC Geoffrey Williams currently live in Texas where, when  time permits, they enjoy hiking and bird watching and both plan on  getting back into bike riding once life settles down a bit.

 Dr. Lou Sertich was born in East Chicago, IN, and moved to Crown  Point to enter Crown Point High School in 1970. He was active as a  percussionist in band and orchestra, and in student council, where he  served as President his senior year. Lou attended the University of  Notre Dame, majoring in economics and pre-med. He graduated in only  three years. Loyola University presented Sertich with a Master Degree  after completing a research thesis at its Dental School in Maywood, Il.  Indiana University School of Dentistry granted Sertich a Doctorate in  Dental Surgery in 1982. He then returned to the area to start his  clinical practice and raise a family. Dr. Sertich married his high  school prom date, Pam Hill, also from the class of 1973. They have three  children, Maureen, John and Matthew. Dr. Sertich has had a successful  dental practice in Merrillville for 35 years. He has earned a Fellowship  from The Academy of General Dentistry and International College of  Dentistry, as well as numerous awards from the Northwest Indiana Dental  Society. For spare time, Dr. Sertich flies a federally seized ex drug  plane, enjoys travel and fishing. He is still waiting for grandchildren.

Mr.  Dillon was born and raised in northwest Indiana, with the exception of  being a Rotary Exchange student in Belem do Para, Brazil for his junior  year of high school. He was active in swimming, cross county, and band.  After graduating from CPHS he received an appointment to West Point and  graduated in 1990, commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the US Army  Field Artillery. His active assignments took him to various locations in  Germany. In 1995 he transitioned to the US Army Reserves, and started  his civilian career in logistics. He has been recalled to active duty  and deployed several times including Iraq 2003, again in 2004 to July  2005, Afghanistan in 2012 and Saudi Arabia 2013-2014. In March 2014, as a  Lieutenant Colonel, he became Battalion Commander of 3rd Battalion, 335th Regiment at Fort Sheridan, IL. In December 2015 he was confirmed by the  US Senate for promotion to Colonel. Mr. Dillon has been active in civic  and veteran affairs. He resides in Western Springs Illinois with his  wife DeeAnn and their two children, Sam and Leah. 

Mike is the son of Robert and Nancy Toman, and older brother to Mary and  Barbara. Mike was an honors student at CPHS whose activities included  Choir, jazz band, and community youth theater group Mellow-Dramatics.  Mike attended Indiana University and the University of Rochester, where  he received a PhD in economics in 1983. After moving to Washington, DC,  Mike worked for Resources for the Future, a research think tank  concerned with natural resources and environmental issues. He also  served on the staff of the White House agency, the Council of Economic  Advisers. He has worked at the Inter-American Development Bank and the  World Bank, international organizations that provide technical  assistance as well as loans to eradicate poverty and promote the  economic development of lower-income countries. In his current position  at the World Bank, Mike has traveled to a number of countries. Mike and  his wife, Toi Carter (an attorney at George Washington University), live  in Bethesda, Maryland and enjoy attending plays, travel, and quiet  weekends at their cabin. Mike’s daughter Julia is a physician doing her  residency and his son John is a PhD student in computer science. 

 Keith  Perry was active in HI Y, science club, FFA, and served as a class  officer at CPHS. He competed in varsity football, basketball, and track.  He attended Indiana State Teachers College where he majored in biology  and health science education. After graduation in 1960 he taught biology  at Lowell High School and coached football, basketball, and baseball.  In 1963, he was awarded a National Science Foundation Fellowship to  Kansas State Teachers College where he obtained a Master of Science  degree, with a major in biology and minor in organic and biochemistry.  After obtaining his degree he returned to teaching biology at Lake  Central High School where he served as Science Department chairman.  While teaching, Perry did post-graduate studies in botany at the  University of New Hampshire, mathematics and physics at Purdue  University, Science Laboratory Techniques at DePaul University in  Chicago, and biology and organic chemistry at Indiana State University.  During his tenure at Lake Central High School, he served as the Science  Fair Director, a Calumet Regional Science Fair Committee member, and  presented numerous workshops on laboratory techniques for elementary  school teachers. He was listed in the publication Leaders of American  Elementary and Secondary Education. He received the Westinghouse Award  of Honor for Meritorious Work with science students and was a finalist  for the Indiana Outstanding Biology Teacher of the Year Award. In 1976,  Perry earned a fellowship to study for his Ph.D at Indiana State  University in Educational Administration. After obtaining his doctorate  in 1978, Dr. Perry was employed by DeKalb County Central United School  District as a building level administrator, later becoming business  manager, and then superintendent of schools. Dr. Perry is a firm  believer that obtaining a sound education is one of the keys to  achieving a successful life. Supporting his belief, he is a regular  contributor to the Indiana State University Scholarship Foundation, as  well as, providing tuition scholarships to local deserving students. Dr.  Perry and his family have lived in Auburn, Indiana, for over 36 years. 

Dr. William F. Carroll, Jr. holds a Ph.D. in Organic  Chemistry from Indiana University.   He received his M.S. from Tulane  University in New Orleans, and a BA in Chemistry and Physics from DePauw  University in Greencastle, IN.  He is currently Vice President,  Industry Issues for Occidental Chemical Corporation in Dallas, and also  Adjunct Professor of Chemistry at Indiana.Bill has received  Distinguished Alumni Awards from both Indiana and DePauw.  He has also  received numerous ACS Division and Local Section awards, including the  Public Affairs Award from the Chicago Section.  He holds two patents,  and has over seventy publications in the fields of organic  electrochemistry, polymer chemistry, combustion chemistry, incineration,  plastics recycling and popular music history.He is a proud member of  the Crown Point High School Class of 1969 and is married to the former  Mary B. Cooke, originally from Elkhart, IN.  They have three adult  children, Allison, Will and Quinlan, and reside in Dallas, Texas. 

Susan received her Ph.D in Neurobiology from Harvard  University and did a postdoctoral fellowship in the Department of  Neurobiology at Stanford School of Medicine. She is an HHMI Professor,  an appointment that recognizes faculty who are making outstanding  contributions to undergraduate education. Susan is an elected member of  the National Academy of Sciences. This is one of the highest scientific  honors in the U.S. She joined the Dept of Biology at Stanford in 1989.  In the lab she and her students study the development of cerebral  cortex, focusing on the mechanisms by which newly generated neurons  migrate into the proper positions and form correct and specific  connection with other nerve cells. Outside of the lab, Susan is often  found with a camera in hand. She is an award winning wildlife  photographer. 

Ms. Caldart is the Executive Director of the Milwaukee  Justice Center (MJC). The MJC utilizes volunteer attorneys to help low  income unrepresented litigants navigate the court system. Dawn was  selected to receive the 2014 National Award from Marquette University  Law School for her work in public service. In 2010 Dawn was selected by  the Wisconsin Law Journal as a Leader in the Law for demonstrating  outstanding leadership, vision and legal expertise in Wisconsin’s law  community. Ms. Caldart is a graduate of Marquette University Law School  (J.D.2001) and Purdue University (B.S. 1988) and has a long history of  serving the under served. She is a former partner of First, Albrecht  & Blondis, where she represented plaintiffs in the areas of  employment law and civil rights. She is also a Former Director of Legal  Services at the AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin, where she targeted  HIV and AIDS related discrimination through litigation, education and  advocacy. Dawn lives in Milwaukee with her husband, Tom, and her  daughters, Alemitu and Selame. 

After Terry graduated from Crown Point High School he  attended Manchester College in Indiana. He attended graduate school in  Theology and worked as a reporter for the Church of the Brethren before  teaching English at Louisburg College in Louisburgh, North Carolina.  Terry Pettit then went to work at Nebraska University as the women’s  volleyball coach where he coached from 1977-1999 helping to build the  Nebraska Cornhuskers volleyball program into a national power. Terry  received the Big 8/Big 12 Coach of the year distinction in 1985, 1986,  1989, 1990, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1994 and the AVCCA National Coach of the  Year in 1986 and 1994. 

Bob  began his childhood in Crown Point and has continued into adulthood.  Bob is a 1959 graduate of CPHS.  He served in the United States Navy  from 1959 to 1962. Bob taught at both Taft Junior High and Crown Point  High Schools where he coached and officiated gymnastics, football, and  wrestling. He is currently a State Farm Insurance Agent. Bob has served  on the Crown Point Planning Commission and as a board member of Crown  Point School District. He is currently the President of the Holding  Corporation of Crown Point. Bob has always given of himself to the  children and community of Crown Point. 

 Honorable Randall L. Dunn was appointed as bankruptcy judge in 1998.

Elaine J. Oehmich, M.F.A., is a nationally acclaimed painter of sound.

Her visual sound paintings represent synesthetic visions of  wind, music  and  birdsong. Having the faculty of chromosthesis, whereby  vision is   stimulated by sound, she sees the sound as a moving,  changing, tangible   entity in space, laced with color, value, texture  and line in three   dimensional forms. Ms.   Oehmich completed  her Bachelor of Arts from Indiana University (1978)   and Master of Fine  Arts from Savannah College of Art and Design (2001).   She taught at  Appalachian State University form 2001-2005. Her next   project is the  Visual Sounds of Paris, France

Bill  started his career  as a Naval Flight Director in 1969. He rose to the  top of his career by  taking on various administration and command  positions. Today, he is  one of the few people earning the rank of Rear Admiral Upper Half in the United States Navy. 

Penny was always told “she was  not college material.” Oh, were those  naysayers wrong! Penny graduated  from Ball State University where she  went on to be a high school teacher  in Ohio. She then obtained her  Master’s  in education from Utah State. 

After moving to Bakersville, CA,  she  became the Dean at their University. After being accepted into the   Doctoral Program at La Vern College, she moved to Foothills College to   become the Acting President.  

  Eric  received his B.A. in Journalism from  Indiana University. In 1996 he  went on to be a Statehouse and political  reporter. Although Eric was  known for the multiple awards he received  from the Associated Press, he  is also known for being a five time  Jeopardy champion.