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IU, Vectren to be honored by Indiana Society of Chicago on Dec. 2
Nov. 21, 2000
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- The Indiana Society of Chicago will salute another long-time Hoosier institution, Indiana University, at its annual reception and dinner Dec. 2.
The society's events will begin at 5:30 p.m. in the International Ballroom of the Chicago Hilton and Towers Hotel, 720 S. Michigan Ave.
Also being honored is Vectren Corp., an energy holding company headquartered in Evansville, Ind., which through regulated subsidiaries Indiana Gas, SIGECO and Vectren Energy Delivery of Ohio, offers gas or electricity to nearly 1 million customers in areas covering nearly two-thirds of Indiana and portions of West Central Ohio.
Last year, the society honored the Indiana Historical Society and the State of Indiana.
The Chicago-based society, with members in business, government and education, has strong ties to the state of Indiana. The society was founded in 1905 by transplanted Hoosier notables John T. McCutcheon and George Ade. Each December it recognizes, in a high-spirited celebration, outstanding Indiana institutions and leaders.
"We offer Hoosier hospitality in the big city -- a one-of-a-kind opportunity to meet old friends and make new ones," said Robert L. Ganchiff, the Indiana Society's president.
The society also is involved in a number of philanthropic activities and provides educational scholarships. Two IU students are receiving scholarships from the society this year.
"I was most pleased to hear that Indiana University would be honored by this distinguished group," said IU President Myles Brand. "The ties that Hoosiers maintain to their home state are lasting ones, and we at IU are proud of our role in Indiana's past, present and future. I'm sure this will be an outstanding event. I'm looking forward to a memorable evening."
Ganchiff said IU is being honored because it is one of the nation's top public research institutions and a state leader in economic development. More than 115 academic programs at IU are ranked among the top 20 in their fields nationwide and are offered to 93,775 students on eight campuses. The university partners with the state business community to foster Indiana's continued economic competitiveness.
The university also is a technological leader. IU hosts the network operations center for Abilene, an Internet2 backbone network for research and education, and consistently has been called one of the nation's "most wired" campuses.
"As an Indiana-headquartered company, committed to meeting the energy needs of Hoosiers, we are quite proud to be recognized by the Indiana Society of Chicago," said Vectren Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Niel C. Ellerbrook. "Indiana has enjoyed a vibrant economy, and our growth as a company has paralleled the prosperity of the state. Our focus remains on supplying competitively priced, reliable energy that enables our local communities to attract new business growth."
Ganchiff noted that Vectren is not a typical utility. While efficiently supplying the energy needs of about a million customers, principally in Indiana and Ohio, Vectren, as an industry innovator, has a number of successful affiliate companies. The provision of products and services by these affiliates such as fiber-optic-based communications services, natural gas pipeline and water systems, construction, and energy marketing illustrate how Vectren is distinguishing its regional presence.
At the dinner, the Indiana Society will offer an all-Hoosier line-up of entertainers. Actor and comedian Jim Gaffigan, who stars in the new CBS situation comedy, "Welcome to New York," will headline the evening. On the show, Gaffigan, a Chesterton, Ind., native, plays a former Indiana TV weatherman trying to hold his own on the Big Apple's "AM New York" newscast. The show is produced by another Hoosier, David Letterman, and his production company, Worldwide Pants.
Gaffigan also starred in the recent movies "Three Kings" and "The Thomas Crown Affair."
Also performing will be a jazz combo comprised of students in the Jazz Department at the IU School of Music, and Straight No Chaser, a highly-acclaimed IU student a cappella singing group. They will play a big musical part in the evening.
In addition, the society will renew a long-standing tradition with the return of the reigning Miss Indiana, Betsy Bobel. Ken Beckley, executive vice president of H.H. Gregg and a past president of the IU Alumni Association, will serve as the master of ceremonies.
For more information about or tickets to the Indiana Society event, contact Madeleine Lebedow of Moorevents Inc. at 312-951-9850 or isoc@moorevents.net
(George Vlahakis, 812-855-0846, gvlahaki@indiana.edu)