HOBART | There were several firsts at Indiana University Northwest's 22nd annual Gala Celebration Thursday night, including the first visit to Northwest Indiana by IU President Michael A. McRobbie since becoming university president last July.

It also marked the first time the gala featured wine pairing, in which guests could match up special wines with meat and pasta dishes. "This is a thank you to our donors," said Pat Giannini, IUN associate vice chancellor. "We've tried to do something different with the wine pairings. We just thought it would be fun."

The event, held at Avalon Manor, was expected to draw 340 people.

IUN Chancellor Bruce Bergland said he purposely kept his welcoming remarks short.

"I've developed a reputation of having a short presentation, and people love it. We don't want people to worry about a lot of speeches.

"This is a real fun party. We do this just to say thank you. We design it that way."

There also was talk about the future at IUN, particularly the anticipated opening of the new College of Health and Human Services, which is expected to begin offering courses next fall, according to Bergland. "It's going to be fantastic for Northwest Indiana." Added McRobbie, "It's a way of focusing the campus's resources on the needs of the region."

Additionally, IUN is the only regional campus with a medical school. The current two-year program is expected to become a full four-year program within a few years.

Earlier in the day, Laurie McRobbie, the IU president's wife, joined Gary school officials for ribbon-cutting ceremonies for the science lab at Frankie W. McCullough Academy for Girls and the Writers' House at Dr. Bernard C. Watson Academy for Boys. The ceremonies celebrated the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Center for Research and P-16 Collaboration at the IU School of Education and the Gary School Corp. to work together in developing the schools for boys and girls in fourth through sixth grades.