Purdue University Northwest opens nominations for 2026 Alumni Hall of Fame awards

Purdue University Northwest (PNW) is inviting nominations for impactful university alumni to be recognized and inducted into the PNW Alumni Hall of Fame.

The PNW Alumni Hall of Fame honors distinguished graduates from across the history of the university’s campuses in Hammond and Westville. PNW seeks nominations of alumni who are high-achieving leaders in their fields, involved members of their community and who have engaged with PNW well beyond their time as students.

“As we celebrate the 10th anniversary of Purdue University Northwest, we look forward to honoring our future 2026 PNW Alumni Hall of Fame and Alumni Award Winners and the many ways they are driving transformations in their communities,” said Katie Holderby, director of Alumni Engagement.

Nominees selected for inclusion will be inducted during PNW’s 10th Anniversary Gala on Friday, May 29, 2026, at Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana.

Nomination categories

Nominations for candidates for the 2026 PNW Alumni Hall of Fame class can be completed through the nomination form by Nov. 7, 2025. To view specific criteria for each category and access the nomination form, visit pnw.edu/hall-of-fame.

Nominations are invited in the following categories:

PNW Alumni Hall of Fame Award: To recognize and honor graduates of PNW, or legacy institutions Purdue Calumet and Purdue North Central, who have distinguished themselves and made exemplary contributions to PNW and their community, either by virtue or by meritorious efforts. Nominees must have demonstrated good citizenship and conducted exemplary professional careers as well as engaged with the PNW campuses to support and inspire future generations of students.

Power Onward Emerging Leader Award: To recognize PNW alumni aged 35 or younger, or who have graduated within the previous ten (10) years, who have demonstrated emerging and unique innovation, creativity and success in their chosen career, and whose accomplishments reflect admirably upon or bring honor to their Alma Mater.

Pride of PNW Alumni Award: This award honors alumni of PNW, or legacy institutions Purdue Calumet and Purdue North Central, who embody the values and mission of the university showcasing leadership, integrity, innovation and commitment to making a positive impact on society. Recipients serve as role models for future generations of students and alumni. This award recognizes alumni for their leadership and significant contributions to their specific industries and/or communities they live in.

PNW Campus Pride Alumni Award: This award is presented to faculty or staff members at PNW who have earned at least one degree from the Purdue Northwest campuses and have made a significant contribution and impact on PNW including the campus community and the student experience.

Previous honorees

The PNW Alumni Hall of Fame was established in 2022. Inductees to date include:

• David Roberts (BS’74), retired chairman, president and CEO of Carlisle Companies Incorporated
• Robert Johnson III (AAS’89, BS’91, MS’96), CEO of Cimcor, Inc.
• Stewart “Stu” McMillan (BS’77), founder of the Multi Agency Academic Cooperative (MAAC) Foundation
• Alfred “Al” Sori (AS’89, BS’89), former division manager of Kiewit subsidiary Mass Electric Transportation
• Thomas McDermott, Jr. (BS’96), the 20th mayor of the city of Hammond
• The Honorable Diane Kavadias Schneider (BA’71, MA’74, MA’23), the first female judge of the Civil Division of the Lake Superior Court; Court Administrator in the Juvenile Division and Magistrate in the County Division
• Jeff Strack (MBA’00), president and CEO of Indiana Grocery Group
• Nicole Kupchik (AAS’93), CEO, Nicole Kupchik Consulting
• Mitchell “Mason” Macenski (BA’86), Vice President, Clinical and Regulatory Affairs, Miromatrix Medical, Inc.

The PNW Alumni Award honorees in 2025 included:

• Pride of PNW Alumni Award – Rick Calinski (BS’03, MBA’10), Director, Public Affairs & Economic Development, NIPSCO
• Power Onward Emerging Leader Award – Ayana Clark (BA’17, MA’19), Organizer, United Power for Action and Justice
• PNW Campus Pride Award – Debbie Bachman (AS’11, BS’14), Program Administrator, Honors College, Purdue University Northwest

Purdue University Northwest

Purdue University Northwest (PNW) is a student-centered university that transforms lives through innovative education, impactful research and community engagement. Located in Northwest Indiana, near Chicago, PNW is recognized as a First Gen Forward Network Leader and an Innovation and Economic Prosperity University. PNW advances the socioeconomic mobility of its students and positively impacts regional development. For more information, visit pnw.edu.