A Crown Point native and graduate of Calumet College of St. Joseph, educator and community leader Brian Pillar has dedicated his life to giving back to those around him. More than two decades ago, his passion for basketball evolved into a love for teaching, shaping a career built on education and service.
“I became a teacher because I wanted to be a basketball coach. When I started, in order to be a high school basketball coach, you actually had to work at the school. As I went on though, I got into teaching and ended up enjoying that more. I gave up basketball and have been happily teaching ever since,” Pillar said.
Pillar teaches business management and personal finance and serves as chair of the business department at Bishop Noll Institute. He began teaching at the Catholic high school in 1998 and returned in 2016 after working in public schools. The reason? The students.
“I knew the environment — I graduated from Andrean High School, so I know what Catholic schools are like,” Pillar said. “It was the students who brought me back; just knowing the quality of students I would have here was more than enough to bring me back.”
While Pillar strives to give his all to his students, he says they are the ones who ultimately give back to him.
“The most memorable moment for me is when I run into a former student years later and they say something like, ‘You know, Mr. Pillar, now I get what you were talking about back then.’ A lot of times as teachers, we don't know how we influence students on a day-to-day basis. We like to think we're doing a great job, but until you actually run into some former student who tells you how you've affected their life, you really don't know,” Pillar said.
Pillar was recognized for his contributions as a dedicated educator and community leader with the prestigious Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award, a high honor given to individuals who demonstrate a lifelong commitment to volunteer service and positively impact society.
“I was absolutely stunned,” Pillar said. “It was an incredibly humbling experience and something that I cherish greatly. Simply being able to see the impact of what you’re doing is important, and I believe everyone should give back to their community.”
One of Pillar’s many contributions to Bishop Noll was helping develop the school’s STREAM Lab, which features multiple 3D printers, a Glowforge printer, a maker space, and other valuable assets to students. The facility is a leading space in the region for STEM education.
"When I came to Bishop Noll in 2016 we had a STEM program, but we were flying by the seat of our pants — there wasn’t really a structured curriculum," Pillar said. "At my previous school, we used Project Lead The Way for our STEM program, and I saw the value and benefits of it. I encouraged the administration to look into it, and that’s the direction we’ve taken ever since."
Outside of education, Pillar is a member of the Indiana Elks Association, a nationwide fraternal order dedicated to scholarships, youth programs, and veteran support.
"It's an absolutely wonderful organization. My grandfather, father, and brother were all Elks. I joined when I turned 21 — the youngest age allowed — after my father gifted me my first year of dues for my birthday. I've been a member ever since. For the first 15 to 20 years, I wasn't very involved, just an ordinary member. Then, leadership opportunities arose and I jumped at them," Pillar said.
Giving back to the community is a core value for Pillar and his family. Collectively, they have raised more than $16,000 for Camp Millhouse, helping 27 individuals attend.
“Our son Dustin will be celebrating his 40th birthday in March, and he has been attending Camp Millhouse for years. He has Down syndrome, and camp is something he looks forward to every year. We took it on as our charity to help more individuals attend,” Pillar said.
Not everyone is fortunate to have guidance and support in life, and Pillar strives to offer it to those in need.
“Just remember, it's not about you. Leadership is about the people working with you, not for you. It's about giving them credit, supporting their efforts, and helping them succeed,” Pillar said. “Ego has no place in public service or community work — you do it for others, not for yourself.”