April 15, 2008

Fort Wayne, IN - Fort Wayne neurosurgeon Dr. Rudy Kachmann and his wife Rhonda are well known for their philanthropy efforts in northeast Indiana. Those efforts on behalf of IPFW were recognized today, April 15, 2008, with the dedication of the newly re-named tennis courts in their honor. The Kachmann donation, which will be used for an annual tennis scholarship for the next eight years and for improvements to the tennis center, was initially announced last summer.

At today's dedication ceremony, IPFW Chancellor Michael A. Wartell thanked the Kachmann's for their generous support of IPFW. "Thanks to people like Rudy and Rhonda, IPFW is a better place. As a publicly assisted university, we rely on their generosity to help us serve our students and community at a higher level," he said. Athletics Director Tommy Bell echoed Wartell's remarks when he said, "We are delighted to have such an avid tennis fan and Fort Wayne Tennis Hall of Fame member like Rudy Kachmann and his wife, Rhonda, support our tennis program. Their contribution will go a long way in helping our student athletes complete their education and compete in their chosen sport."

The new wind screen on the outside of the new Dr. Rudy and Rhonda Kachmann Tennis Center

For nearly 40 years, Dr. Kachmann has been a practicing neurosurgeon, literally healing the minds and bodies of those he treats. He has also been a long-time supporter of the community, dividing his time and efforts among many interests, including the Day Break Children's Shelter, where he is on the board of directors; the Boys and Girls Club; the Unity Youth Choir and WFWA-PBS 39. He has been active in other ways, too, including as founder of the Kachmann Behavioral Foundation, and co-founder of the Kachmann Mind Body Institute. Dr. Kachmann is also recognized as a terrific tennis player and member of the Fort Wayne Tennis Hall of Fame.

Chancellor Michael A. Wartell, Rhonda Kachmann and Dr. Rudy Kachmann cutting the ceremonial ribbon

Rhonda Kachmann has been involved in community issues for more than 20 years, serving both former Mayors Winfield Moses and Paul Helmke on various commissions and as one of Fort Wayne's representatives to the National Leadership Conference. Mrs. Kachmann is a lifetime member of the Purdue University President's council and is a sustaining member of the YWCA Circle of Women. She is a member of the boards of directors at WFWA-PBS 39 and the Fort Wayne Philharmonic. While in college at Indiana University, Mrs. Kachmann was heavily involved in music programs and programs for underprivileged and autistic children. Her devotion to those programs continues today with her total support for advancement of the arts, for programs designed to help children in need, and to give voice to victims in our community.

The new state-of-the-art scoreboard at the Dr. Rudy and Rhonda Kachmann Tennis Center

Following other brief remarks, the Kachmann's, along with Wartell, Bell, and others, took part in a ceremonial ribbon cutting in which a replica of a tennis net was used. Dr. Kachmann and current IPFW student-athletes Arturo Salgado and Amy Recht then engaged in the first official volley on the newly renamed courts.