Lenny Corso is a Vietnam era veteran who served with the U.S. Army Special Forces as a "Green Beret" medic from 1966-69. During his time in the military, he completed airborne paratrooper training at Ft. Benning, GA and entered the extensive special forces medical training program. He refined his medical skills at Brooke Army Medical Center at Ft. Sam Houston, Texas, Ireland Army Hospital, Ft. Knox, KY, and Womack Army Hospital at Ft. Bragg, NC. He earned his “Green Beret” in July-1968 at the John F. Kennedy Center for Special Warfare at Ft. Bragg, NC. He was assigned to special operation teams and became the senior medic for cross training other special forces soldiers in life saving medical care.
Upon receiving his honorable discharge from the military, he returned to Indiana State University to complete his bachelor’s degree in health science. He then acquired the position of Director of Health Education for the Southeast Health Center of the Methodist Hospital consortium in Indianapolis, Indiana. He continued his education by earning a master’s degree in physiology and health science at Ball State University; and then earned a medical certificate from the Indiana University School of Medicine Physician's Assistant Program.
In 1977, he moved to northwest Indiana and served as a physician's assistant in the field of occupational medicine. During his tenure as a P.A., he was responsible for providing medical services to nearly 2,000 employees. He also designed and developed the initial “Employee Assistance Program” to address alcoholism and substance abuse within the workplace. He also initiated the first “Prescription Exercise Program” for all employees to lower health care costs through healthy lifestyle changes.
After 10 years in occupational medicine, he moved on to Wyeth Pharmaceuticals where he became a territory manager for 25% of the state of Indiana. During his tenure, he became a certified medical representative working with various hospitals, clinics, pharmacies, and medical specialties. He retired in 2006 after nearly 20 years in the pharmaceutical industry.
ln 2007, he became an adjunct faculty member with lvy Tech Community College at the Valparaiso, Indiana campus. He has been teaching advanced human physiology over the past seventeen years to medically oriented students. He also provides motivational and inspirational presentations on how to overcome adversity in life to students and organizations. In addition, he serves as the faculty liaison for the Ivy Tech Student Veterans Organization for military veterans who are returning to college. In 2014 and in 2024, he was nominated by students and faculty for the "Adjunct Faculty of the Year" award for the Valparaiso/Michigan City campuses which he received.
He has been active in many civic and community activities serving in different capacities which include board membership and leadership positions for the United Way of Porter County, American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, American Lung Association, American Red Cross, YMCA, Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter County, American Legion Post #94, Caring Place-Domestic Abuse Shelter, Valparaiso Kiwanis, and the Valparaiso Kiwanis Foundation.
He has been a member of the Valparaiso Kiwanis Club for nearly 30 years. During this period, he has served in a variety of key positions for several committees such as the scholarship committee, wheelchair ramp team, Special Olympics, “Salute the Recruits” program, which honors high school graduates who will enter military service upon graduation; and the “Veterans Appreciation Dinner” which is the largest event honoring veterans in Northwest Indiana. He was honored as the Valparaiso "Kiwanian of the Year" (2007); and served as president of the Valparaiso Kiwanis Club (2019-2020) which is the third largest in the world.
He has served as the president of the HIV/AIDS Advisory Council for the Valparaiso Community Schools for 15 years (1995-2010) developing educational curriculum for middle school and high school students. He has been the anatomy & physiology coach for the Valparaiso Science Olympiad team, at Thomas Jefferson Middle School, which has earned 31 Indiana State Championships and 2 National Championships. Furthermore, he developed and coordinated the Valparaiso Junior Basketball Program, which provided basic basketball instruction for nearly 2,000 participants for 20 years (1992-2012). He was named the "Volunteer of the Year" by the United Way Agency (2010) and by the Porter County Boy's & Girl's Club (2012) for his involvement with the youth of the community.
His efforts, along with the LHS "Class of 1964", were essential in providing the energy, leadership, and organization for the installation of the “Military Wall of Honor" which recognizes LHS graduates and attendees who have served our country.
He has been married for 51 years to Sandy Pollard-Corso, who has been in the field of education for 30 years and is now retired. They have two daughters, Andrea, and Erica, who are graduates of Indiana University.
“I am very humbled by this wonderful honor. As a student, I was just an average, ‘shy & quiet’ kid who was never involved in any clubs, activities, or sports in high school. I guess there is something to be said for being a ‘late bloomer’ in life."
- Lenny Corso