Education center honors Haggenjos

A local doctor was honored this week as the top clinical educator in the region.

The Northeast Indiana Area Health Education Center on Wednesday recognized Dr. Mark Haggenjos as its recipient of the 2021 Outstanding Preceptor Award.

Haggenjos, who works at IU Health Jay Family Practice, was honored for his service as a clinical educator for the Indiana University School of Medicine.

“Students working with Dr. Haggenjos are often amazed at how dynamic and engaging rural family medicine can be,” said Justin Tobyas, director of the Northeast Indiana Area Health Education Center, in a press release. “His dedication to his patients and their well-being has been an inspiration to the students he has mentored. His work is a shining example of the NEI-AHEC mission to provide excellent care to patients in rural and underserved areas while serving as a role model for future health care providers.”

Crouch earns award

Jason Crouch has been honored with the 2021 Edmond Gass Award for Outstanding Service in the Culinary Arts Field.

Crouch, a former Dunkirk resident and 2006 Jay County High School graduate, was presented with the award in May. He serves as executive chef for Embassy Suites by Hilton Hotel and Conference Center in Noblesville.

Named in honor of chef Edmond Gass, the Edmond Gass Award for Outstanding Service in Culinary Arts is given to an Ivy Tech Community College alumnus “who has demonstrated excellence in the field of culinary arts.”

Crouch received the Chef of the Year Award from the Indianapolis Chapter of the American Culinary Federation in May 2020. His previous honors include a bronze medal at the American Culinary Federation Competition.



Hosting training

ServSafe training will be available again at John Jay Center for Learning.

Training sessions for ServSafe, a food and beverage safety training program administered by U.S. National Restaurant Association, will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 26, Aug. 30, Sept. 27 and Oct. 25.

For more information, call John Jay at (260) 729-5525.



Applying

East Central Indiana Regional Partnership announced that seven of its member counties, including Jay, will apply for the state’s Regional Economic Acceleration Development Initiative (READI) program.

The state has made $500 million in funding available for the initiative that is designed to “promote strategic investments that will make Indiana a magnet for talent and economic growth.” Regions are eligible for up to $50 million in funding, on a one-to-four matching basis, with 75% of the local match coming from the private sector.

“We are excited and grateful for the opportunity to apply for the state’s READI program,” East Central Indiana Regional Partnership president Mindy Kenworthy said in a press release.

At their June 14 meeting, Jay County Commissioners approved $30,000 in funding for the county to be part of the grant effort.



Hosting job fair

The Indiana State Fair will host a job fair from 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday at Indiana State Fairgrounds & Event Center in the Pop Weaver Youth Pavilion, 1202 E. 38th Street, Indianapolis.

The state fair is looking for seasonal employees for the Indiana State Fair, which runs July 30 through Ug. 22. (The fair will be closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.)

For more information, visit indianastatefair.com.



Rucker a finalist

Scout Clean Energy CEO Michael Rucker has been selected as a finalist for the Entrepreneur of the Year 2021 Mountain Desert Region Award.

The award honors business leaders for “ambition, ingenuity and courage.” Rucker, whose company owns and operates Bitter Ridge Wind Farm in Jay County, was selected by a panel of judges composed of previous award winners and other business leaders.

“I am extremely honored and humbled to be placed in such an esteemed group of entrepreneurial leaders,” Rucker said in a press release. “I can attribute much of my success as an entrepreneur to the fact that my company is also my mission. I’ve been a crusader for the climate for my whole career.”

The winner will be announced July 28.



Patrick promoted

Indiana Chamber of Commerce announced this week that Rebecca Patrick will become its new senior vice president of communications.

Patrick has worked for the chamber since 2003, focusing on public relations media outreach and public policy communications. She will start her new role Aug. 1 as she takes over for the retiring Tom Schuman.

“Rebecca was the consensus choice for this role,” says Kevin Brinegar, Indiana Chamber president and CEO, in a press release. “Her strong knowledge of all aspects of the organization will allow for effective outreach to our members, the broader business community, government leaders and other stakeholders.”

The chamber also announced the hiring of Anthony Schoettle as director of communications.



Purdue partnering

Purdue University has signed a letter of intent to enter an agreement for WBAA radio AM and FM to be operated by Metropolitan Indianapolis Public Media, which currently operates WFYI public broadcasting in central Indiana.

The announcement of the agreement came Thursday. The change is pending approval from the university’s board of trustees and the Federal Communications Commission, with Metropolitan Indianapolis Public Media expected to assume operations of WBAA about Oct. 1.

“Like we’ve seen done at many other higher education institutions, Purdue University has been looking for a public radio partner to lead WBAA toward its next 100 years in Greater Lafayette,” Purdue senior vice president for marketing and communications R. Ethan Braden said in a press release. “WFYI is a strong public broadcasting entity, well-known and respected throughout Indiana, and we believe this agreement represents enhanced opportunities for our students, it preserves the experience that listeners enjoy today, and it extends WBAA’s reach and public service offerings.”



DG commits

Dollar General announced Wednesday that it has donated $1 million to Feeding America and will partner with the organization in an effort to provide access to food in rural areas and other underserved communities.

The company also plans to offer produce in up to 10,000 communities. It will target areas designated by the United States Department of Agriculture as food deserts.

“Food insecurity impacts communities across the country, and given that Feeding America projects that 42 million people may face hunger as a result of the pandemic, we want to be part of the solution for those facing this issue,” said Todd Vasos, Dollar General’s CEO, in a press release.