Purdue University Northwest: A Legacy of Notable Alumni

Purdue University Northwest (PNW), a public university with campuses in Hammond and Westville, Indiana, has a rich history and a growing list of accomplished alumni. Established in 2016 through the merger of Purdue University Calumet and Purdue University North Central, PNW builds upon a legacy of providing accessible, quality education in Northwest Indiana. The PNW Alumni Engagement office serves more than 73,000 PNW alumni.

The Foundation of Purdue University Northwest

The roots of PNW extend back to World War II, when both the Calumet and North Central campuses offered technical courses as part of a national defense training program. Following the war, these campuses transitioned to offering for-credit college courses, laying the groundwork for the modern Purdue University Northwest.

The Hammond campus, PNW's main residential campus, spans 167 acres (67.6 ha) and is located 25 miles (40.2 km) from downtown Chicago. This campus houses 17 academic and recreational buildings, a fitness center, student housing, the White Lodging Center for Hospitality and Tourism Management, and a Challenger Learning Center. Key buildings on the Hammond campus include:

Nils K. Gyte Science Building: Originally called the Center Building, it was the first building on the Hammond campus in 1951.
E.D. Anderson Building: Named in 1969 after the Hammond Chamber of Commerce chairman who offered Purdue the land for the Calumet campus.
Andrey A. Potter Laboratory Building: Built in the 1970s and named after a long-term Purdue West Lafayette dean of engineering.
Student-Faculty Library Center: A 155,000 square foot structure also known as the Student Union and Library building.
Lawshe Hall: Completed in 1973 to house the campus’ administration and enrollment management center.
Porter Hall: Purchased in 1980 from the School City of Hammond, initially housing departments and offices.
Donald S. Powers Computer Education Building:
Classroom Office Building: Added in 1996 to accommodate the growing campus.
Indianapolis Boulevard Counseling Center: Opened in 2018, housing the Couple & Family Therapy Center and the Community Counseling Center.

The Westville campus is located near Highway 421 and includes three academic buildings, a student services and activity center opened in 2015, and a veterinary emergency facility. Key buildings on the Westville campus include:

Schwarz Hall: The first building on the current location, built in 1967 and named in honor of Robert F. Schwarz in 1984.
Library-Student Faculty Building: Established in 1969.
North Central Veterinary Emergency Center: Opened in May 2002.
The James B. Dworkin Student Services and Activities Complex: Opened on October 16, 2014, and named in honor of former Chancellor James B. Dworkin.

PNW also includes the Gabis Arboretum, a 300-acre oak preserve near Valparaiso, Indiana, offering educational and recreational opportunities. Officially becoming part of Purdue University Northwest in 2018, Gabis Arboretum at Purdue Northwest provides an enriching, natural habitat for public, educational, conservation and recreational use.

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Academic Excellence and Opportunities

Purdue University Northwest offers a wide array of undergraduate and graduate programs across more than 70 areas of study, including a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree. The university is organized into six colleges and three schools, providing students with a diverse range of academic paths. PNW has everything you need to succeed, balancing a small-school feel with state-of-the-art resources to advance you in your career. At Purdue University Northwest, small classes and supportive professors will help you build the hands-on skills and connections you need to thrive in more than 70 areas of study, from cybersecurity to psychology.

Athletics: The PNW Pride

The Purdue Northwest athletic teams, known as the Pride, compete in the NCAA Division II Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC). PNW achieved full D-II member status in 2019-20. Purdue University Northwest student-athletes compete in 22 sports.

Notable Alumni: Shaping Industries and Communities

PNW alumni have made significant contributions in various fields, from business and healthcare to public service and the arts. The university recognizes outstanding graduates through the Alumni Hall of Fame and other awards.

Alumni Hall of Fame Inductees

The PNW Alumni Hall of Fame honors distinguished graduates who have achieved exceptional success in their careers and made a positive impact on their communities. Inductees include:

David A. Roberts (2022): Chairman, President, and CEO of Carlisle Companies Incorporated.
Thomas McDermott, Jr. (2024): The 20th mayor of the city of Hammond. As mayor, he has supported Purdue Northwest in its mission and growth.
The Honorable Diane Kavadias Schneider (2024): Northwest Indiana native and earned her bachelor’s degree in English from PNW in 1971.
Jeff Strack (2024): President and CEO of Indiana Grocery Group, which does business as and operates Strack & Van Til stores.
Alfredo "Al" Sori (2024): Retired after a distinguished career from Kiewit Corporation.
Stewart "Stu" McMillan (2024): Founder of the Multi Agency Academic Cooperative (MAAC) Foundation in Valparaiso, Indiana.
Mitchell “Mason” Macenski (2025): He continues to support PNW students through the Michael and Geraldine Macenski Behavioral Scholarship.
Nicole Kupchik (2025): CEO of Nicole Kupchik Consulting and Education, which specializes in providing critical-care education and consulting services for nursing professionals.
Deno Yiankes (2026): Launched Chimera Hospitality Corporation, a privately held investment and asset management firm focused on the hotel sector.

Pride of PNW Alumni Award

This award recognizes alumni who embody the values and mission of PNW, showcasing leadership, integrity, innovation, and commitment to making a positive impact on society. Recipients include:

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Rick Calinski (2025): Director of Public Affairs and Economic Development for NIPSCO and also serves on PNW’s College of Business Advisory Board.
Ryan Elinkowski (2026): CEO of Meals on Wheels of Northwest Indiana.

Power Onward Emerging Leader Award

This award recognizes alumni aged 35 and younger who have demonstrated emerging and unique innovation, creativity, and success in their chosen careers. Recipients include:

Ayana Clark (2025): Leads Chicago-based A&J Branding.
Spencer Summers (2026): Economic and Business Development Manager at Northern Indiana Public Service Company (NIPSCO).

PNW Campus Pride Alumni Award

This award recognizes PNW faculty and staff members who are alumni and have made significant contributions and impacts for the PNW campus community and student experience. Recipients include:

Debbie Bachmann (2025): Supports PNW Honors College students in their extracurricular and philanthropic engagements.
Erin Okamoto Protsman (2026): Continuing lecturer of Communication and Creative Arts at PNW.

Other Notable Alumni

Chad Patrick: Former Purdue Northwest Baseball pitcher Chad Patrick officially earns the big league dream as he was named to the Opening Day roster for the Milwaukee Brewers of the 2025 Major League Baseball (MLB) season.

Alumni Engagement and Support

The PNW Alumni Engagement Office provides various opportunities for alumni to connect with their peers, future alumni, and the university. These include career connections, on- and off-campus events, and other engagement activities. Alumni can show their Pride through events, in the community, and by purchasing a PNW license plate, which supports scholarships for students.

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