Dave Ryan, president of the Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce will be the featured speaker at the Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana Northwest Chancellor’s Scholarship Dinner. This is the fifth year of the dinner which will be held at the Avalon Manor in Merrillville on Thursday, October 5th at 6 p.m.

Ryan has been an active participant in economic development and commerce in Northwest Indiana for the past 28 years. He is former owner of the Colonial Inn in Kentland, IN, served as manager of communications and public affairs at Northern Indiana Public Service Company (NIPSCO), and served on many economic development and chamber boards in Lake, Newton and St. Joseph counties. The theme of the dinner is Changing Lives…For A Better Future.

Eugenia Sacopulos, coordinator of the dinner said that over the past five years, the community has shown tremendous support for the scholarship effort. Sacopulos is hoping that this year will be the biggest year ever. Current enrollment within the northwest region of Ivy Tech that includes campuses in Gary, Valpo, East Chicago and Michigan City has risen. With the increased enrollment comes increased need for scholarships.

Tickets for the event are $50. The scholarship raises funds for Ivy Tech students who may have encountered financial hardships that would otherwise impede the completion of their education. Eight students, two from each of the four campuses in Northwest Indiana, will receive $1000. For more information, call 219-981-4419.