Nominations are now being sought for the Ned E. Kalb Community Leadership Award. The award was established in 2011, following the passing of Mr. Kalb, a true leader in La Porte County for many years. The award honors and memorializes Ned Kalb’s life and deeds in La Porte County and beyond. Joint sponsors of the award are the Purdue Extension Office of La Porte County and Leadership La Porte County, two organizations that Ned Kalb impacted.

“Ned was a key founder of Leadership La Porte County, and we are dedicated to preserving his legacy with this annual award,” stated Monica Komasinski, Executive Director, Leadership La Porte County. “He spent several years in the early 1980’s guiding and facilitating a new leadership training program which led to the formation of the organization now known as Leadership La Porte County,” she added. Ned spent fifteen years as the Purdue Extension Director in La Porte County, where he served on many boards, both public and private. He was an educator and connector and did it with little fanfare and recognition. After leaving Purdue Extension, he went overseas to teach under-developed countries to be self-sufficient through modern farming and business methods.

The award was given out annually but has not been given out since 2020 due to COVID. We are excited to bring the award back and present it at the Purdue Extension Annual Meeting.

Nominations are being sought for the 10th annual award now through February 28th. John Coulter, James Dworkin, George & Dory Morley, Diana Werner, Cynthia Hedge, Herb Higgin, Elaine Shurte, June Lenig and Ed Merrion are past recipients of the award. Nominees can be individuals or organizations. “We are looking to recognize people or groups who are demonstrating servant leadership to improve our county in a quiet and behind-the-scenes way,” Komasinski said. “We are proud to partner with Purdue Extension on this annual award.”

A panel of local leaders will select the winner, who will be announced and honored at the Extension Annual meeting taking place March 20th at the Silver Palace in La Porte.

Nomination forms are available from the Leadership or Extension Offices. Call Leadership at 219-325-8223, or Purdue Extension at 219-324-9407 or 219-874-5611 for more information. You can request a form also by email to: kulman@purdue.edu  , mfoell@purdue.edu  or info@leadershiplaportecounty.com . You may also complete an online nomination form .