The Merrillville School Board voted Tuesday to name two facilities after trailblazing women connected to the district.

A special education center inside its own wing at Pierce Middle School will be called the Judy C. Dunlap Pirate Academy and sports fields and tennis courts on the high school’s athletic campus will honor retired athletic director Janice Qualizza.

The Merrillville School Board voted Tuesday to name the high school’s athletic outside sports complex after former athletic director Janice Qualizza, seen here in 2023 when she was honored at her retirement. (Carole Carlson/Post-Tribune)

Dunlap, who’s a school board member, started her education career as a special education teacher in 1987. She later became a dean and principal in the Gary Community School Corp.

Dunlap is the first Black resident elected to the school board and later became the first Black woman elected president of the board.

She also served on the Northwest Indiana Special Education Cooperative board.

Superintendent Dexter Suggs cited Dunlap’s “unwavering commitment to all students,” in recommending the honor.

He said it would be a lasting reminder of her contributions in fostering opportunities for all students.

Qualizza, who retired in 2023, served as Merrillville High’s athletic director for 45 years. She was Indiana’s third woman athletic director.

She ushered in an era of top-grade athletic facilities that totaled about $54 million. They included a gym, swimming pool, 10 tennis courts, a track, soccer field, baseball and softball fields and a clubhouse.

The Demaree football stadium opened in 1992 but received a major upgrade in 2008 that included an artificial turf field, training, film, and shower rooms.

Qualizza was inducted into the Indiana Sports Hall of Fame in 2022.

Suggs said she played an instrumental role in shaping and advancing Merrillville’s athletic program.

“It fostered community pride and left a lasting legacy that positively influenced coaches and athletes.”

Suggs said the district is planning a dedication ceremony honoring the two women next year.

In other business, Rob Moore, who represented the Indiana Department of Workforce Development, presented a program of excellence award to Merrillville’s adult education program.

Former director Sherri Green, who recently retired, accepted the award along with new director Hollenda Jeha and staff members.

Moore cited Merrillville for exceeding its enrollment in the 2024-25 school year; improving its measurable skill gains to 69% and exceeding its number of graduates from 19 to 22.

He said 65 students earned industry-recognized credentials and a workforce education initiative drew 45 students.

The board also approved the Skillman Corp., of Merrillville, as its construction management vendor and Gibraltar Design, of Indianapolis, as its architect for the renovation of the first floor at Merrillville High.

The project includes the conversion of the current cafeteria into a culinary arts learning center for CTE students.

Suggs said the district would await cost and design options from the two vendors before finalizing contracts.

Carole Carlson is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/19/merrillville-renames-facilities-for-two-women/