Purdue University North Central 1401 S US Highway 421 Westville, Indiana 46391

PNC Women’s Association

8 Purdue North Central Women’s Association

PNCWA 2011‐2012 Officers Executive Board

President Maria Watson 785-5243 watsonme@pnc.edu

Vice President Laura Odom 785-5545 odoml@pnc.edu

Secretary Jo Nellessen 926-6756 jnelle00@msn.com

Treasurer Tricia Jauquet 785-5234 tjauquet@pnc.edu

pictured (l‐r): Jo Nellessen, Maria Watson,  Tricia Jauquet, Laura Odom 

Standing Committee Chairs Community Service Laura Weaver 785-5742 laweaver@pnc.edu General Program All members Membership Mary Spiess

785-5237 mspiess@pnc.edu Newcomer Laura Weaver 785-5742 lweaver@pnc.edu Newsletter & Website Open Publicity Deb Pratt

785-5486 djpratt@pnc.edu Trips Judy Jacobi

785-5593 jjacobi@pnc.edu

Fat Tuesday

Bake Sale Tuesday,

February 21, 2012 9:00 am — 1:30 pm

Spring 2012 www.pnc.edu/pncwa

PNC Women’s Association

I sincerely wish everyone had a very happy holiday with their families and friends and hope of a bright and prosperous new year! I’d like to reflect on these past few months with our theme “Embracing Friendship” in mind. This year brought a few new employees to PNC and I’m excited that I’ve made some wonderful and lasting friendships. And I have also rekindled some “old” friendships from the past that are extremely joyful and fulfilling. These women that have come into our lives fulfill a niche……they are accepting of all your quirks and faults. They are understanding, trustworthy and always have your back.

A few highlights from this past fall include our continued association with the student Social Work Club and the KinderCones School Supply Project. This project provided all the kindergartners at Pine Elementary School in Michigan City with schools supplies and a PNC backpack. Our Fall Bake Sale raised over $578 for the BIG PINK CHECK. Our fall luncheon featured the first Silent Basket Auction. What an amazing success we had with this auction. It was so exciting to see all the different baskets and their goodies. We managed to raise $600 at this event. Oh and we have new babies! Our Vice President, Laura Odom, gave birth to Maya Lydia on October 20 and our former Newsletter/Website guru, Jamie Haney, gave birth to Connor Brian on November 28. We wish them many blessings with the new additions to their families!

This spring we are looking forward to many exciting activities. Our Spring Bake Sale will be held Tuesday, February 21, 2012 and

we will need your assistance. Judy Back will be basking in glorious Arizona weather while we will be missing out on her fabulous banana bread. So we will need all hands on deck baking away to make this fundraiser as successful as the Fall Bake Sale! All proceeds support the BIG PINK CHECK. Our Spring Luncheon with guest speaker, Kristi Marsh, will be held Saturday, April 28, 2012 from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm. Purchase your tickets early to reserve your spot; $20 for members and $25 for non-members. The Spring Bus Trip to Chicago will be held on Saturday, April 14, 2012 and is $85 for members and $95 for non-members. Find more information on this exciting trip on page 2.

Please do take a look at our Interest Groups and join in on the fun! It’s a great way to become involved with PNCWA and start forming friendships that will last a lifetime!

I look forward to seeing you at the many activities and events that are planned for the Spring.

Message from our PNCWA President 

Maria Watson 2011-2012 PNCWA President

Spring Luncheon and Annual Business Meeting “Creating a Healthier Home” 

Kristi Marsh, founder of Choose Wiser, is the featured speaker at the PNCWA Spring Luncheon on April 28. Diagnosed with aggressive breast cancer at age 36, and with three young children, Marsh started on a quest to eliminate harmful chemicals from her life. Now a proponent for environmental health, her passion is to share her knowledge and journey with others.

Luncheon guests will get a glimpse of the harmful ingredients in our household and cleaning products and how we can all become more vigilant consumers. A question and answer session will follow.

Her website, www.choosewiser.com, outlines the interaction between environmental toxins and your health. In Marsh’s words “It’s learning about the products we smother on our skin, foods we devour, and surroundings in which we immerse ourselves. It’s about selecting simpler products for ourselves and our families.”

Kristi has been recognized by Prevention Magazine’s Picture of Health, Clean Water Action’s 2011 John O’Connor Award, and Healthy Living Magazine’s Champion of Health 2010 Awards. She resides near Boston and helps in fundraising events for the Dana Farber Cancer Institute.

This luncheon is open to anyone, on campus and in our local communities, interested in a healthier life. The cost for PNCWA members is $20 and for non-members the cost is $25. The event is open to men as well. Groups wishing to attend may reserve their own table. Make your reservation by completing the form included in this newsletter and return it to the address on the form by April 13. Also, don’t forget about the popular basket auction with proceeds benefiting the BIG PINK CHECK! For additional information or questions, please contact Debra Pratt at 785-5486 or djpratt@pnc.edu.

Kristi Marsh, founder of Choose Wiser and inspirational author of Little Changes, shares current‐event concerns and can‐do tips about:  the products we smother on our skin  

foods we devour  

and surroundings in which we immerse ourselves  

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Welcome Debbie Gann

Vicki Jankowski Michelle Miller

Mary Jane Novak Mary Jane Novak

Jayne Rush

Donna Schoof Kim Stantz

Nia Ayara Stein Martha Swanson

Katie Timm Melissa Westphal Benefiel

to our newest PNCWA members—we’re glad you're here! 

If you would like to join PNCWA, return the enclosed form with your membership dues.

2012 Spring Bus Trip “Lettuce” Entertain You… 

The ‘Art’ of Flora, French Food, a Successful Restaurant Franchise, Haute Couture and Scarff’s Sculpture Studio

On Saturday, April 14, join us for our semi-annual bus trip hosted by Judy Jacobi, assistant vice chancellor of Marketing and Campus Relations. Begin with a Continental Breakfast at 7 am in Schwarz Hall Vending Room at PNC; leave campus by 8 for our perennial first stop at Trader Joe’s. Prepare yourself for a day packed with docent-led experiences and loads of ‘take home value!’

We’ll have a guided tour of a treasured Victorian Glass House, the Lincoln Park Conservatory. Walk through its famous Palm House, Fern Room, Orchid House and Show House filled with spring blooms. Be astounded by ancient ferns, towering palms, carnivores and hermaphrodites! Smell the fragrant tropical flowers in this charming and colorful oxygen-rich environment: great for the complexion!

Walk across the street to the delicious French Bistro, Mon Ami Gabi, one of 80 Lettuce Entertain You establishments. Hear about the franchise and a bit about wine pairings with lunch. (Bring cash if you’d like wine.) While there, choose among three fantastic French entrees in addition to salad

and the coup de grace, their mouth watering ice cream profiterole for dessert. Lunch is included in the price of the trip.

Our bus then takes us to the Chicago History Museum for a fascinating look at its exhibit, “Charles James: Genius Deconstructed.” This late American artist-engineer and renowned iconic master of haute couture design created precious few of these voluptuous, elegant dresses, and mainly for his friends. Michael Hall, the Chicago History Museum’s Costume Mount and Replica Fabricator, along with

Curator Timothy A. Long, built full scale replicas of these designer gowns and “support systems” hidden beneath. Hall takes us on his personal tour of James’ life and work and into the small gallery where he will elaborate upon the splendid examples of James’ breathtaking fashions painstakingly recreated there. This is a hands-on visit! Round out the day visiting our PNC Odyssey Sculpture curator of 13 years, sculptor S. Thomas

Scarff in his Sedgwick Sculpture Studio which takes up an entire Old Town city block. We’ll meet some of his sculpture partners, all of whom have displayed gorgeous large scale works on campus. Hear how they do what they do. We’ll be back on campus by 6:30 at the latest.

Experience all this for just $85 for PNCWA members and $95 for non-members. What a bargain!! Seating is limited so please be prompt as trips sell out quickly! Members and guests receive preference just until March 17, after which the public is invited. As usual, your paid reservation is the only reservation we take.

Please send your check made payable to PNCWA to Liz Bernel, PNC, 1401 S. Hwy. 421, Westville, IN 46391. Money will only be refunded if we are able to fill your

seat. For more information, please contact Bernel at 219-785-5719, ebernel@pnc.edu

Information on the PNC Women’s Association, all of its membership benefits and interest groups can be found at www.pnc.edu/pncwa. To join PNCWA, include a check for $15 payable to “PNCWA Membership.”

Photographs courtesy of the Chicago History Museum. 

Great friends are hard to find, difficult to leave and impossible to forget.

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PNCWA’s Interest Groups (You must be a member of PNCWA to participate in the Interest Groups)

Gardening/Nature Co-Chairs — Joan Wisniewski 785-2765 wisniews2@aol.com Susan Bagby 872-7126 srbagby@yahoo.com The Gardening/Nature Interest Group meets April through August to monitor twelve bluebird nest boxes on the Westville Campus. Members alternate weeks to gather and check progress of each of the nest boxes and record findings. Encouraging Eastern Bluebirds to nest in the boxes is the main focus, however, Tree Swallows and House Wrens also use the nest boxes to build nests, lay eggs and raise their young. As we walk the campus each week, we also enjoy watching and listening to other birds including American Robin, Scarlet Tanager, Bobolink, Northern Cardinal, Eastern Meadowlark, Black-capped Chickadee, Downy Woodpecker, Red-tailed Hawk, Chipping Sparrow, Tufted Titmouse, Willow Flycatcher, Red-winged Blackbird, and Barn Swallow. No expertise is required in either birding or gardening as we strive to share knowledge while enjoying the great outdoors. Whether you are interested in birding, gardening, or if you simply want to enjoy the beautiful campus, please feel free to join our groups.

GIRLS JUST WANNA HAVE FUN Co-Chairs — Liz Depew 785-5239 edepew@pnc.edu

Ella Taylor 785-5531 etaylor@pnc.edu The Girls Just Wanna Have Fun Interest Group was formed so females of all ages could get together, socialize, network, raise funds for charity and just have fun! Check out our Girls Just Wanna Have Fun blog at www.pncwagirlsjustwannahavefun.blogspot.com/. INTERNATIONAL FRIENDSHIP GROUP Chairs — Martha Garcia-Saenz 785-5522 mgarcia@pnc.edu The International Friendship Group gathers to celebrate women as they share culture, traditions, and friendship. Light refreshments will be served. Programs this spring include:

“Bamboo Construction Around the World” Tuesday, February 14, 2012 12:00 pm SWRZ 119 Bamboo is called the wood of the 21st century. During this presentation, you will have the opportunity to learn about the myths, legends, traditional and modern uses of bamboo in construction as the main and fundamental structure, as well as for flooring, windows, decorations, utensils, tools etc. Presenter: Martha Garcia-Saenz, associate professor of building construction management and technology and past president of the PNC Women’s Association.

“Gaviotas, A Village to Reinvent the World” Tuesday, March 20, 2012 12:00 pm SWRZ 119 Gaviotas is a sustainable village located in a harsh environment of a treeless eastern savannah in Colombia. This is a place where small scale and affordable technology respects the people and the planet. You will be transported to a place where sustainable development and appropriate technology is a reality – a place that the United Nations named "a model for the developing world." Presenters: Kenneth Kincaid, assistant professor of history and Martha Garcia-Saenz, associate professor of building construction management and technology and past president of the PNC Women’s Association.

Sew-Bee-It Quilters Chair — Lynne Reglein 926-5587 lreglein@msn.com Meets 2nd Saturday of each month at 9:00 am in LSF 144 at PNC Sew-Bee-It Quilters was formed to foster the art of quilting and to encourage, through education, a high standard of design and technique of quilting’s various forms. Our quilters represent the largest of PNCWA’s Interest Groups, and members have been attracted from all surrounding cities and rural areas. A mentoring program is in place to encourage new quilters and support existing quilters with their projects. At each meeting, members demonstrate techniques and share challenges. Our diversity of quilting fundamentals and expertise contribute to the ingenuity and growth of the individual’s experience. As a group, we make and donate quilts for community projects such as young mothers, Spring Valley Shelter in Valparaiso, Pioneer Land in LaPorte, and the Chesterton Resale Shop for the Relay For Life. We also encourage others to join us for our All-Day Quilt Sews for Charity held twice a year. This year, the Sew-Bee-It Quilters are doing something a bit different. Since we have so many new people and so many UFO's (unfinished objects) and we all love Eleanor Burns, we will be doing a block a month from her Underground Railroad Sampler book. That will leave us more time to finish up the UFO's and to spend on making more Comfort Quilts.

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PNCWA Spring 2012 Calendar of Events Saturday, February 11, 2012 Sew-Bee-It Quilters Interest Group 9:00 am LSF 144 Contact—Lynne Reglein 926-5587 Tuesday, February 14, 2012 International Friendship Group “Bamboo Construction Around the World” 12:00 pm SWRZ 119 Contact—Martha Garcia-Saenz 785-5522 Tuesday, February 21, 2012 Fat Tuesday Bake Sale 9:00 am—1:30 pm SWRZ & TECH Contact—Maria Watson 785-5243 Thursday, March 8, 2012 PNCWA Board of Directors Meeting 1:00 pm Tech 160 Saturday, March 10, 2012 Sew-Bee-It Quilters Interest Group 9:00 am LSF 144 Contact—Lynne Reglein 926-5587

Tuesday, February 14, 2012 International Friendship Group “Gaviotas, A Village to Reinvent the World” 12:00 pm SWRZ 119 Contact—Martha Garcia-Saenz 785-5522 Thursday, April 12, 2012 PNCWA Board of Directors Meeting 1:00 pm Tech 160 Saturday, April 14, 2012 Spring Bus Trip to Chicago “Lettuce” Entertain You… 7:00 am—6:30 pm PNCWA Member Preferred Reservation Deadline: March 17, 2012 $85 members/$95 non-members Contact—Liz Bernel 785-5719 or ebernel@pnc.edu Saturday, April 21, 2012 Sew-Bee-It Quilters Interest Group 9:00 am LSF 144 Contact—Lynne Reglein 926-5587

Saturday, April 28, 2012 Spring Luncheon & Business Meeting “Creating a Healthier Home” 11:00 am to 1:30 pm LSF 144 Reservation Deadline: April 13, 2012 $20 members/$25 non-members Contact—Debra Pratt 785-5486 Thursday, May 10, 2012 PNCWA Board of Directors Meeting 1:00 pm Tech 160 Saturday, May 12, 2012 Sew-Bee-It Quilters Interest Group 9:00 am LSF 144 Contact—Lynne Reglein 926-5587 Saturday, June 9, 2012 Sew-Bee-It Quilters Interest Group 9:00 am LSF 144 Contact—Lynne Reglein 926-5587

Some said it was the “best trip ever.” Our recent PNCWA trip to the popular 18th Annual SOFA CHICAGO (International Sculpture Objects and Functional Art Fair) and The Intuit Show

of Folk and Outsider Art at Chicago's Historic Navy Pier's Festival Hall was a unanimous hit. With tummies full of bagels and donuts, we stopped first at our favorite Trader Joe’s to load up on cheeses, coffee, dips, snacks, wine, flowers, nuts, spreads etc, etc.

What a huge array of dazzling, intricate, inspiring objects and art greeted us at the SOFA event! It proved impossible to visit what seemed like miles of exhibits within the 110,000 plus square foot hall. Everything from jewelry to wood to glass, bronze and fiber art and everything in between was artfully displayed. Tour guide Jacobi did not disappoint en route. After providing much Chicago “color” we cruised past the 26 foot windblown “Seven Year Itch”-inspired, “Forever Marilyn,” by Seward Johnson. Called “a bit mischievous” by some, the heft of her skirt counterbalanced beneath by 22,000 pounds of weight, one hopes the halter dress-clad Marilyn weathers well the Chi-cago winter before leaving her subway grate in early 2012. We hope you will join us in the spring for our next ‘’Day Tripper’’ adventure.

Fall, 2011 PNCWA Bus Trip Knock your Socks Off Art at SOFA CHICAGO! 

The  Sew  Bee  It Quilters met  at  PNC on  December  10  to  open  presents made  from  fabrics  found  in  our Brown Bag exchange  in  the Fall.   No one knew who was working on  their material.  With  all  the  different, unique  and  imaginative  presents, there  was  a  great  Show  &  Tell,  as shown  in  these pictures. Chairperson Lynne Reglein said “It’s a pleasure to be  a  part  of  this  great  group  of quilters. Everyone shares their talents and  we  learn  from  each  other  and take great pride in our work.”  

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PNCWA Board Approves Student Scholarship First student scholarship to be awarded at 2012 Spring Luncheon and Annual Meeting.

The Purdue University North Central Women’s Association (PNCWA) Scholarship has been established to provide financial assistance for deserving female Purdue University North Central students. The scholarship will be funded through designated donations from PNCWA members and supporters, and through fundraising efforts coordinated by PNCWA.

PNCWA will have the authority and responsibility for administering the Scholarship. PNCWA will also be responsible for monitoring the availability of applications informing all applicants of application deadlines and requirements, determining recipients of Scholarships and announcing recipients. A subcommittee of PNCWA members, consisting of at least one administrative/professional or clerical/service staff member, one faculty and one community member, will be formed by PNCWA to evaluate the applications and to determine the recipients of the Scholarship.

The funds will be disbursed through the Bursar’s Office during the fall semester in accordance with the financial aid disbursement calendar. The recipient is restricted to use the funds for tuition and course fee expenses only and no change will be refunded to the recipient. The number and amount of Scholarships will be determined and posted each academic year. The Scholarship is renewable up to four years.

In the event the recipient fails to register for classes, the Scholarship will then be awarded to the chosen alternate. The Financial Aid Office and the Bursar’s Office will be given the names of the Scholarship recipients as well as the alternates(s). Initial eligibility for the PNCWA Scholarship includes: Only female applicants are eligible for this Scholarship. Applicant must be formally accepted to Purdue University

North Central in a program that leads to a bachelor’s or master’s degree.

Applicant must be enrolled for at least twelve (12) credit hours and not be on academic probation.

A current PNC student applicant must submit a copy of their unofficial PNC transcript. A newly admitted PNC student applicant must submit a copy of their high school transcripts.

Applicant must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale. Applicant must have submitted a FAFSA for the upcoming

academic year.

Preference will be given to applicants based on the following: Applicants exhibiting financial need. Applicants that reside in the surrounding counties of La Porte,

Porter and Starke. Applicants that demonstrate a commitment to community

involvement and the purpose of PNCWA. Interested students should complete the following form and

submit it to the Dean of Students Office (Library-Student-Faculty Building, Room 103) no later than 4:00 pm on Monday, April 2, 2012. Applications should be submitted in a sealed envelope address to PNCWA Student Scholarship and include the following: Scholarship Application Form (can be obtained from

www.pnc.edu/pncwa/) A typewritten personal essay, no more than two (2) pages

double-spaced, describing why she could benefit from this scholarship—elaborating on work, school, family, church, and other involvements. The essay should also include a paragraph describing the student’s ambitions for the future.

A copy of the applicant’s unofficial PNC transcript (for current PNC students) or high school transcript (for incoming PNC students).

One (1) letter of reference from a current or former employer/supervisor, academic advisor/professor, or member of the community who can attest to your character and commitment to academic excellence and/or community involvement.

Any questions regarding the PNCWA Student Scholarship should be addressed to PNCWA President, Maria Watson at watsonme@pnc.edu or at (219) 785-5243.

It’s the time of year to nominate members for the 2012-13 PNCWA officers. The election will be held just prior to our spring luncheon on Saturday, April 28, 2012. We hope you will be a part of the election process and join us for the luncheon and program. Find out more information on the Spring Luncheon in the article on the front page of this newsletter.

PNCWA offices to be filled include

vice president, secretary and treasurer. Since the vice president automatically succeeds to the office of president, Laura Odom will be next year’s president.

Be on the lookout for your nomination letter and form. All current members of PNCWA are eligible to submit nominations, to be nominated, and to vote in the election. Nominations must be postmarked or received on or before

April 6, 2012. They may be mailed to Mary Jane Eisenhauer, PNC Department of Education, 1401 S. US Hwy 421, Westville, IN 46391, or emailed to meisenhauer@pnc.edu.

Thank you in advance for your participation and support of The Purdue North Central Women’s Association.

Make Your Mark with PNCWA PNCWA seeking nominations for the 2012-13 Elected Officers. 

Don’t forget! Spring Luncheon Silent Auction

Saturday, April 28, 2012  

Support PNCWA’s Student Scholarship  by donating and bidding on a  

Silent Auction Basket!  

Need a basket theme idea?  Contact Susan Pearson at spearson@pnc.edu. 

PNCWA Women Emb

The PNCWA women and  their guests enjoyed an outstanding  luncheon  this  past  fall.  PNC’s  chef, Keith Peffers, outdid himself with a gourmet meal of chicken marsala with wild mushrooms, rainbow trout,  garlic  mashed  potatoes,  acorn  squash, sugar  snap  peas,  salad  with  walnuts,  dried  cranberries  and white  vinaigrette dressing  and  a sweet  finale  of  apple/cranberry  pie.    What  a  delight to enjoy a superbly prepared meal and the company  of  friends,  old  and  new,  and  what  a value  for  such  a  wonderful  lunch  and  inspiring, interactive program. Following  lunch,  Lorelie  Weimer,  Executive  

Director of Indiana Dunes Tourism, addressed the group on  the wonders of  the  Indiana Dunes and beyond.   Her  presentation  provided  a wealth  of ideas  for all us  “locals”  to get out and enjoy  the wonders  around  us…right  in  our  own  backyard. Whether  walking  the  Dunes  coastline  or  going Beyond the Beach,  it was  inspiring to ponder the possibility of a fall trail walk or taking the kids on a beach adventure. 

I’m sure there were others,  like me, who were inspired  by  Lorelie  and  the  beauty  of  her  visual presentation. So, on the first Friday of November, I was fortunate to have my sisters visiting and we traveled  to  the  Jasper  Pulaski  Fish  and Wildlife Area  to view  the Sandhill Crane migration.  If you haven’t done  this – do  it – and  if you have, you know what  an  impressive  sight  and  sound  it  is.  We arrived with about an hour of sunlight  left  in the day. As the sun set, we watched as hundreds more  cranes  came  flying  back  to  the  already crowded  fields  for  the  night.  It  was  our  own  National Geographic experience. Be  sure  to  take binoculars. Also a  first at a PNCWA  luncheon, was a silent 

auction of baskets  filled and donated by PNCWA members.  They  ranged  from  themes  of Quilting Treasures, Purdue, The Cocktail Hour, Halloween, Sinai  Forum,  and  many  more.  This  was  well  received  by  the  luncheon  guests  and  a  great  success  as  $600  was  raised  for  the  annual  BIG PINK CHECK gift to PNC. 

Right in Our Own Backyard

bracing Friendship

We will be friends until forever, just you wait and see.

- Winnie the Pooh