IU Northwest Presents: An Evening at the Hard Rock

On Wednesday, April 22, Indiana University (IU) Northwest hosted its signature fundraising event of the year, IU Northwest Presents: An Evening at the Hard Rock on IU Day at the Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana. The event supported student scholarships while celebrating student success, campus growth, and the university’s future.

Held in conjunction with IU Day — IU’s system-wide celebration of philanthropy and community — the evening brought together students, alumni, faculty, and regional leaders for a night of reflection, connection, and giving.

Guests enjoyed dinner and cocktails, heard remarks from university leadership and students, and had the opportunity to network while learning more about initiatives shaping the campus. Student art and research were on display, showcasing the variety of talent at the university.

The program opened with remarks from Director of Development Kendra Bartlett and Student Body President Gabe Ashbach, who emphasized the shared experience that connects IU Northwest students.

“While our majors, our ages, our backgrounds and our future aspirations may differ, the one thing that we all agree on is that IU Northwest is the place where we are encouraged to discover, create, collaborate and become the best version of ourselves,” Ashbach said.

Speakers throughout the evening reinforced a central message: investing in students is an investment in the Region’s future.

IU Northwest Chancellor Arrick Jackson highlighted the realities many students face in balancing academics with work, family responsibilities, and financial pressures.

“They are stretching 24 hours further than most of us ever imagined possible,” Jackson said. “What they are doing is not easy. It takes discipline, resilience and an extraordinary level of commitment.”

Jackson emphasized that donor support does more than cover costs — it gives students the ability to fully focus on their education.

“When financial pressures are lifted, students can direct their energy toward learning, discovery and growth,” he said. “Our students no longer have to choose between paying tuition or covering a medical bill, between buying textbooks or buying groceries. Your generosity restores time, reduces stress and, perhaps most importantly, affirms that their dreams are worth investing in.”

The evening additionally highlighted strong community partnerships, particularly with Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana, which has donated more than $7 million to local initiatives since opening five years ago. Through its “Do Well by Doing Good” scholarship program, developed in partnership with the Urban League of Northwest Indiana and IU Northwest, Gary residents have access to full-tuition scholarships.

Vanessa Allen-McCloud, president of the Urban League of Northwest Indiana, spoke about the impact of those opportunities.

“A partnership between businesses, nonprofits and education helps share the opportunities right here,” Allen-McCloud said. “Students who have overcome incredible obstacles now have a full ride for four years. That is empowerment. The next scientist may come from IU Northwest, or the next teacher, elected official, business executive, or even chancellor or vice chancellor.”

Allen-McCloud encouraged attendees to spread awareness of the program, emphasizing that opportunity grows through community connection and outreach.

The event also showcased new student-centered spaces on campus designed to support both academic success and overall well-being. Interim Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management and Student Affairs Dorothy Frink highlighted initiatives funded through a $900,000 federal grant aimed at addressing students’ basic needs. She emphasized how taking a holistic approach to help with more than just grades make a huge difference.

One example is the RedHawk Refuel food pantry, which has expanded to include fresh and refrigerated foods, offering students both nourishment and dignity. Another is the Crimson Corner, a student lounge designed to foster connection and community on the non-residential campus.

“It gives students a reason to remain on campus between classes. It creates opportunities for connection without pressure. It turns passing moments into meaningful ones. Not every student joins a club, and not every student goes to an event, but almost any student can say, ‘Do you want to play?’ In that moment, a connection begins. Those connections matter because when students feel connected to a place and to the people within it, they are more likely to stay, persist and succeed,” Frink said.

A newly opened Student Success Center in Hawthorn Hall also provides a central hub for advising, studying, and collaboration, reinforcing the university’s commitment to student support.

Throughout the evening, one theme remained clear: student success does not happen in isolation. It requires partnership between universities, businesses, nonprofits, and the broader community. The event concluded with a student success trivia game that guests were encouraged to participate in to win prizes.

As IU Northwest celebrated a decade of IU Day, the message resonated strongly: when a community invests in its students, it builds a stronger, more vibrant future for everyone.

For more information about Indiana University Northwest, visit northwest.iu.edu.