Carl Cayhill

When Carl Cayhill enrolled at Purdue University North Central for the summer semester of 2006, he vowed to get involved on campus.

Cayhill, a Chesterton resident, came to PNC after spending several years at another university and admitted he wasn’t sure what to expect.

He quickly discovered “there was so much more to do here.” He became part of Student Support Services, he joined the TRIO Club, became a Student Government representative and became part of the Fine Arts, Convocation and Events Committee (FACE). He served as vice president of TRIO Club and is in his second year as FACE Committee president.

“Being part of the campus community has given me a sense of pride in myself and my community,” said Cayhill.

He takes particular pride in his accomplishments with the FACE Committee, which is responsible for organizing student events on campus. The committee had languished for a period of time and Cayhill sought to change that.

“It went from being a club that people didn’t recognize to a club that people wanted to be a part of. When people know that when FACE is involved in something, it will be a quality event. People want to come to be a part of our events,” he said.

“The committee members want to have fun and the enthusiasm is catching. I work very hard at making sure people are involved and having a good time.”

Being a FACE Committee member means that Cayhill has become an event planner and coordinating everything from dances to teddy bear drives. He’s enjoyed this so much that he has changed his career aspirations.

When he came to PNC, he had his eye on an accounting career. He’s now looking at becoming an event planner.

During the past three years, Cayhill has gotten to know his peers at other campuses through his club activities. He finds the exchange of information helpful and the contacts and camaraderie invaluable.

“The support I’ve received has been tremendous. That means a lot to me,” he said. “I also want to make sure that in return I help other people as much as possible, too.”

Cayhill encourages other students to get involved on their campus and in their communities.

“You should work hard to accomplish something, you should want to make a difference,” he said. “The more you do, the more you want to do.”

But he also realizes that he is on campus to earn a degree and he anticipates receiving his bachelor’s degree in May, 2009. When he earns his degree, he will be the first in his family to graduate from college.

“You can expect the loudest party when I graduate,” he promises.

It will be a well-deserved celebration.

“At one time I never thought I’d get as far in college as I have,” he admitted. Cayhill, 31, explained that being an adult attending college and tending to home and work responsibilities can be daunting at times.

“I’ve had the time of my life here. PNC has allowed me to grow academically and as a person. Coming to school has allowed me to learn what I want to do and given me direction and purpose in life,” he said. “When I started to think ‘I can’t do this’ I realized that everyone in my family has succeeded in something, and I will be the first one to graduate from college.”

In the meantime, Cayhill is not one to sit back and relax. “Every day I make sure I learn something new. I expect a lot from myself.”

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