1974 to 1978 was a period of great technological changes in the electrical Technology program at Purdue. I’m perhaps one of the very few who started studying tubes and ended building and programming m icroprocessors. Purdue was never bashful about introducing leading-edge electronics into the classroom and to this day I still search out new technologies.
Rick Vanderwielen
Electrical Engineering Technology '78
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Rick Vanderwielen

Electrical Engineering Technology '78

A long- time Hoosier, Rick Vanderwielen of Cicero is a 23-year resident of Hamilton County. He is the founder of Indiana Automation, Inc. (later integrator.com), Flexware Integration, and five other companies in Hamilton county. Rick’s most recent entrepreneurial endeavor is founder of HomeTown Television Corporation, Channel 19.

Rick is an accomplished businessman. In 1997, he was named as One of the 100 Most Influential Businessmen in Indiana by the Indiana Chamber of Commerce. In 2003, he was designated as Person of the Year by the Noblesville Daily Times and Riverview Hospital. In addition, he was named the 2004 Businessperson of the Year by the Noblesville Chamber of Commerce.“There is no doubt that being in the right place at the right time with the right skill set was my recipe for success. I’m a driven individual, self-actualized and I have taken calculated risks to achieve my successes.” Rick’s companies also have been recognized as Growth 100 winners by the IU Kelley School of Business and earned the Blue Chip award.

Rick also makes time for community service. He has served on advisory boards at Purdue, the Hamilton County Judicial Task Force, and the Riverview CEO search committee. His most recent appointment includes serving on the board of directors for Riverview Hospital.

He and his wife Nancy live on Morse Reservoir. They have two children, Brent and Lisa Norris, and a granddaughter Alydia Norris.

This was originally written for the Distinguished Technology Alumni Awards in 2005.