Westville - A Purdue University Northwest milestone was reached Friday afternoon as the ceremonial first basketball shot was taken in the new H.D. Kesling Gymnasium, located in the James B. Dworkin Student Services and Activities Complex on the North Central campus.
Taking the first shot was Austen Kesling, grandson of Dr. and Mrs. Peter Kesling who made a $1 million donation to the Student Services and Activities Center building fund to secure the right to name the gymnasium for Peter’s father, H.D. Kesling.
Austen, great grandson of H.D., was a noted basketball player for La Porte High School from 2004 through 2007. He graduated from Purdue University in 2011 with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management and he continues to play basketball for a league in Michigan City.
Visitors to the gymnasium were greeted with the words “H.D. Kesling Gymnasium” emblazoned on the entryway wall. Inside the gymnasium, the Purdue University Northwest new athletic mascot, the Pride, is the focal point of the center court.
“I am extremely proud that the Kesling name will be a permanent part of the building and will serve as a daily reminder to our students, staff, faculty and guests of the Kesling’s support and their commitment to PNC and our community,” said Purdue North Central Chancellor James B. Dworkin.
Dr. Kesling explained that he was inspired to name the gymnasium for his father, H.D., who was an outstanding high school basketball player in Logansport and a member of the team that made it to the 1918-19 state quarterfinals.
He excelled in class and in basketball. “If it wasn’t for basketball, he might have stayed down on the farm and never had the opportunity to attend college. However, he continued his excellent study habits, graduated from Loyola Dental School and in 1924 began practicing dentistry in La Porte,” said Dr. Kesling.
Before the Purdue North Central campus was built, the family built an office across the street in the late 1950s. Dr. Kesling said that when his father heard that Purdue was building a campus right across the street, he had said “Oh, God, I’m so happy!”. He was relieved there would be a school built and not a junk yard.
“This is why all of the Kesling family is proud to have his name associated with the new gymnasium,” said Dr. Kesling. “We hope that his story serves to inspire future students during their academic years.”
The Purdue University Board of Trustees recently named the Student Services and Activities Complex in honor of Dworkin, who will retire as chancellor on June 20. He has held that position since January, 2000. Thomas Keon will be taking over as Chancellor of PNW.
When asked about his retirement this year, Dworkin said, “I feel like I am leaving on a very positive note. I’m very happy to see the building being completed. This is a dream I’ve had for about 10 years so to see this being completed and to be able to see the first shot here in the gymnasium today and also to be able to hold graduation ceremonies here makes me feel very excited.”
“You know, my philosophy on life is everything comes to an end sometime and it’s better to go out on a high note than it is a low note,” said Dworkin. “I feel like everything’s been working pretty well. I’m just very happy to turn it over to Chancellor Keon and I think he’ll do a great job.”
According to Dworkin, this year’s Purdue University North Central Graduation will be the last as Purdue North Central; However, it will be the first of many ceremonies to take place on the North Central campus since 1969.
Dworkin said that this year’s graduation will be nostalgic for him. “Every graduation I’ve done has been over at Valparaiso University and this will be the first time and my last year I’ll be able to lead the students in graduation in this wonderful new facility.”
The H.D. Kesling Gymnasium will have a bleacher seating capacity for 1,361 with a total event capacity of 2,065. The main basketball court can be divided into two separate courts through the use of a ceiling-hung divider and the gymnasium can accommodate additional net sports such as volleyball and badminton.
The 2016 commencement ceremonies will be taking place in the H.D. Kesling Gymnasium on May 16th and 17th. A reception for the graduates will take place in the building’s Great Hall immediately following each night’s ceremony.
Photos shot by Andrew Rowe