10th Anniversary Gala
Thank you for joining us to celebrate PNW’s 10th Anniversary Scholarship Gala. Through your generosity, we raised more than $450,000 to support PNW student scholarships.
Support Students and Commemorate Our 10th Anniversary!
You can amplify your incredible generosity by making a gift to support Purdue University Northwest student scholarships.
Donors who make a qualifying gift will receive a signed PNW South Shore poster.*
* Minimum gift: $75 for large posters (24” x 36”) and $50 for medium posters (12” x 18”).
Purdue University Northwest Chancellor Kenneth C. Holford delivers his remarks to the audience at the university’s 10th Anniversary Gala, hosted at Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana.
Lisa Goodnight, vice chancellor for Institutional Advancement at PNW, introduces PNW alumnus Deno Yiankes, the 2026 inductee to the PNW Alumni Hall of Fame.
PNW Chancellor Kenneth C. Holford, right, is joined by artist Kristina Knowski to unveil the university’s specially commissioned South Shore poster commemorating the university’s milestone 10th anniversary celebration.
Deno Yiankes (BS’88), makes remarks at PNW’s 10th Anniversary Gala as he is inducted to the PNW Alumni Hall of Fame.
Deno Yiankes, a 1988 PNW alumnus and chairman of Chimera Hospitality Corporation, was honored as the 2026 inductee to the PNW Alumni Hall of Fame during the university’s 10th Anniversary Gala.
Over 600 supporters and guests joined Purdue University Northwest leaders to celebrate a decade of changing students’ lives at the university’s 10th Anniversary Gala, hosted at Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana. Over $450,000 was raised to support scholarships benefiting current and future PNW students.
PNW alumni, from left, Spencer Summers (BS’22; MBA’23); Erin Okamoto Protsman (BA’88; MA’01); and Ryan Elinkowski (BA’11) join PNW Chancellor Kenneth C. Holford for a group photo after being recognized with awards during the university’s 10th Anniversary Gala.
Several PNW Alumni Hall of Fame inductees joined the university’s 10th Anniversary Celebration. Those pictured with PNW Chancellor Kenneth C. Holford (center) include, from left, Alfredo Sori (BS’89); Mitchell “Mason” Macenski (BA’86); Deno Yiankes (BS’88); Stewart McMillan (BS’77); The Honorable Diane Kavadias Schneider (BS’71; MA’23); Robert Johnson III (AAS’89; BS’91; MS’96); and Jeff Strack (MBA’00).
A guest bids on silent auction items at PNW’s 10th Anniversary Gala. The auction was put together by students, alumni and staff of PNW and raised additional funds for student scholarships.
More than 600 guests enjoyed the PNW 10th Anniversary Gala. Pictured (from left) are: Neeti Parashar, professor of Physics; Raida Abuizam, associate vice chancellor for Academic Affairs and professor of Operations Management; Julie Wiejak, assistant vice chancellor for University Recruitment and K-12 Strategy; and Liz Depew, vice chancellor of Enrollment Management and Student Affairs.
A specially commissioned South Shore poster, which was unveiled at PNW’s 10th Anniversary Gala, depicts a bright scene with graduates ascending toward two of the university’s distinct lion statues.
2026 Hall of Fame Inductee
Deno Yiankes (BS’88)
Yiankes’ legacy of generosity and leadership includes an integral role supporting the Dean and Barbara White Family Foundation and the Bruce and Beth White Family Foundation’s joint transformational $5 million gift establishing the White Lodging School of Hospitality and Tourism Management at PNW.
Additional 2026 Honorees
Thanks to Our Generous Sponsors
Founder
Visionary
Champion
Innovator
Leader
See what’s planned as Purdue Northwest celebrates a decade of changing students’ lives.
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