World Sponsors:
Bank Calumet
Indiana University Northwest
NIPSCO
Northwest Indiana Forum
Regional Development Company
Valparaiso University
Hemisphere Sponsors:
Bank One, Indiana, N.A.
Gary/Chicago Intl. Airport
Hoeppner, Wagner & Evans
Horseshoe Casino Hammond
Indiana Botanic Gardens
Jack Gray Transport
Mercantile Bank
Whiteco Industries
Continent Sponsors:
BKD, LLP
Center for International Programs-PUC
Centier Bank
Customs Imports
Distance Education & Extended Learning-PUC
Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana
Sand Ridge Bank
The Annual Gala was held at Sand Creek Country Club loacated at 1001 Sand Creek Drive in Chesterton. The International Evening featured:
Businesses and organizations sponsored the international students who attended the 2005 Gala. Our thanks go to the sponsors who are listed on the right below the slide show.
For lifetime achievement in promoting international awareness and understanding in Northwest Indiana
Dr. Surjit Patheja was born, raised and educated in Burma (currently Myanmar). He is a graduate of Rangoon University Medical College and trained in the Rangoon General and Mandalay Hospitals. He established a family practice in Burma and practiced there from 1961-64. He arrived in the United States as a refugee in 1964 and spent the next 6-7 years on the East coast completing his internship and residency. He is board certified in Radiology and Nuclear Medicine. He has lived in Northwest Indiana since 1971 and has worked at Porter Memorial, Starke Memorial and Pulaski hospitals where he has served in many senior management and administrative positions.
Dr. Patheja has spent many years devoting his energies to promote international awareness and understanding in Northwest Indiana through his involvement and commendable support in various organizations. He has been a member of the Valparaiso Chapter of Rotary International for a long time and has stayed actively involved in World Community projects. Some of the projects he has been involved with are:
Additionally he has established scholarship and grants for Radiology technology students at Porter, Dollars for Scholars in the Valparaiso Public Schools and established the Chair at Valparaiso University on "World Religions and Ethics" to promote Peace and World understanding.
Dr. Patheja has also been a staunch supporter of his native Sikh community in the Chicago region having been a founding member of the Sikh Religious Society in Chicago and also having served as its president. He has also been involved with the Asian American Medical Society and the Indian American Medical Society.
For continuing success in exporting and conducting international business
The business started when William Urschel designed the Gooseberry Snipper in 1910 to remove the stem and blossom ends from gooseberries. This invention signaled the start of a small company in Valparaiso, Indiana that would later become Urschel Laboratories, Inc., known worldwide for precision-engineered size reduction equipment.
Urschel continues to experiment with new ideas and has invented many revolutionary machines for the food industry, expanding their market to over 100 countries worldwide. The company has direct offices in both Europe and Asia as well as independent agents worldwide. Roughly 50% of the overall business is export.
To this day, Urschel Labs is still owned and operated by the direct descendants of William Urschel, while retaining the word "Laboratories" in its name because of a commitment to continuous development of new machines, the improvement of existing Urschel® machines, and the development of innovative solutions to size reduction applications.
For service, enthusiasm and effort in contributing connections and business to Northwest Indiana with a business presence
Hansjoerg Enderlin was born in Freiburg, Germany and apprenticed in machine building and culinary arts. He soon traveled to Switzerland and then the United States, achieving national recognition as a chef and serving stints with Hilton, Sheraton, Marriott, and Radisson hotels.
During the late seventies and throughout the eighties, he helped put the Holiday Star Plaza on the map as a Four-Star and Four-Diamond facility by serving as its very creative Food and Beverage Director.
In his commitment to Northwest Indiana, he has been involved with the area's National Chefs Association and the Ivy Tech Culinary Program, as well as Purdue Calumet's Restaurant and Hotel Program.
With wife Hermine, he is owner of Ludwig's Club Cafe at 7206 Calumet Avenue in Hammond — a neighborhood restaurant that features local, regional, continental, and European cuisine "especially accented toward the German taste buds," as Hans says, thus bringing a slice of the world to Northwest Indiana!
Hans and Hermine are residents of Hebron, Indiana and have a daughter, Claudia, and son, Thomas. They are also proud grandparents!
For long commitment and significant contribution to the Northwest Indiana World Trade Council
Gideon Falk was the co-founder of the Northwest Indiana World Trade Council in 1988. He has served in many capacities including President, Vice President, Co-Editor of the Ambassador, and Chair of almost every committee. He has been a council member for seventeen years.
Dr. Falk has played an instrumental role in many WTC accomplishments which include: receipt of a significant state grant to develop an extensive database of Northwest Indiana companies involved in export and import; recruitment of numerous business professionals to join the council; and the attracting of prominent business leaders to serve on the Board.
He has also written articles for the WTC and publications, encouraged scores of business professionals to participate in the Council's activities, and to increase their export activities.
Gideon is an active consultant who travels to many parts of the world regularly and who works on many international projects.
For humanitarian activities, building bridges between Northwest Indiana and the world
Under Marshal Bundren’s guidance, the International Seamen’s Center is a refuge for seamen arriving at our port of Indiana. Marshal gives them access to communicate with their loved ones in their home town. He offers them reading materials and extra clothes if they need them. Marshal transports the seamen to local stores such as K-Mart. Also, he takes them places such as Chicago for events.
A lifelong native of the Region, Marshal Bundren has maintained resdence in Gary for the past fifty years. He is a graduate of Calumet Township Schools and Indiana University Northwest. A veteran Military Policeman with USAREUR, he served his active duty in Nuremberg, Germany. A former United Steelworker with local 3008, he worked at US Steel in Gary for the Production Planning Department in the Tin and Stainless Division for several years after returning from Germany. Marshal began volunteering at the International Seamen’s Center - Burns Harbor in 1975 under the direction of the founding chaplain, Rev. Casimir Vincent.
Marshal became director/chaplain of the Center in 1984 when the Northwest Indiana Baptist Association extended him a call to that position. He is a missionary chaplain under the auspices of the North American Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention. He has served as an officer and on the Boards of Directors of the ecumenical North American Maritime Ministry Association, the evangelical Port Ministries International, and the Milwaukee Christian Seafarers’ Friend Society.
A member of Ross Baptist Church in Calumet Township, he has served as volunteer church organist for thirty-five years as well as bus driver and secretary for the Sunday School. All of Marshal’s family of origin live in Lake and Porter counties, and Marshal counts as his most ardent supporters and dependable volunteers his parents, Lafayette and Oma Bundren of Ranburn Woods. His hobbies include collecting everything especially invitations to lunch or dinner.
Northwest Indiana World Trade Council
Phone: 219.670.3018
Sycamore 314
3400 Broadway
Gary, Indiana 46408
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