John Norberg

John Norberg is an Indiana Hall of Fame journalist, writer, author, humorist and a chronicler of the human condition living in Lafayette, Ind. He's also the father of three adult children and has five grandchildren to spoil. He retired in August, 2013 from his positions as a presidential speechwriter and director of development communications at Purdue University. He wrote a humor column for the Lafayette Journal and Courier from 1972-2014. During his time at the Journal and Courier, he also was known for his award-winning news and feature stories, most about residents in the north-central Indiana area. He won more than 50 state and national reporting awards. A nationally respected and award-winning speechwriter as well as a public speaker, he is the author of eight books, including co-writing the story of Jerry Ross, who is tied with one other astronaut for the most launches in the world. "Spacewalker: My Journey Through Space and Faith as NASA's Most Frequent Flyer," published by Purdue Press, details Ross’ journey from a loving family in rural Indiana to the role he played in establishing the International Space Station. Norberg's latest book is the story of Purdue University, “Ever True: 150 Years of Giant Leaps at Purdue University” also published by Purdue Press. It tells the history of Purdue through poignant and sometimes humorous stories about the lives of people who built Purdue into a preeminent University. Norberg, who was born April 12, 1948 in Oak Park, IL, grew up on the northside of Chicago in Skokie and Mount Prospect. He graduated from DePauw University in Indiana in 1970 and settled in that state. He started his newspaper career at The Brazil (IN) Daily Times before signing on at the Journal and Courier in 1972. He left the newspaper business in 2000 to become a speechwriter for the president of Purdue. He continues to post his writing at johnnorberg.com and can be followed on Twitter, @norbergj, and on Facebook. Norberg also has written articles for various national publications, including the Saturday Evening Post, the Christian Science Monitor, USA Today and Time magazine. He has been interviewed on CBS Sunday Morning and by numerous newspaper, television, and radio shows including NPR. He received the prestigious Purdue University Boilermaker Award for his contributions to the university. Besides his family and writing, Norberg is fond of old movies, sports (Cubs, White Sox, Bears, Bulls, Black Hawks, Purdue Boilermakers), singing in the car, comfortable shoes, travel and ice cream, not necessarily in that order. More at johnnorberg.com