Photo of a Lion Sculpture with a Gold Overlay

Victories & Heroes

Your Campaign for Purdue University Northwest

At Purdue University Northwest, we are transforming lives and the region we call home. We invite you to join us in celebrating PNW’s “Victories & Heroes” by making a gift to change students’ lives and further PNW’s positive impact on the community.

SUPPORT PNW STUDENTS

Celebrating PNW’s “Victories & Heroes”

All Updates
The Honorable Diane Kavadias Schneider poses in judicial robes in a courtroom

Classroom to Courtroom: PNW Alumna Diane Kavadias Schneider

A legal trailblazer who has transformed Northwest Indiana’s judicial landscape, PNW alumnus Diane Kavadias Schneider (B.S. ’71, M.A. ‘23) is committed to empowering the next generation of PNW leaders.

Stewart McMillan in firefighter gear.

Engineering a Legacy: PNW alumnus Stewart McMillan

PNW alumnus Stewart McMillan (B.S.,’77) has dedicated his life to making a difference. A passion for service, which fueled his career, now inspires McMillan’s support for PNW and its current students.

Jeff Strack in a suit and tie poses with his PNW Alumni Hall of Fame award (a lion statuette).

Building a Foundation for Success: PNW alumnus Jeff Strack

A family legacy in the community and a commitment to giving back inspire Jeff Strack’s support for Purdue University Northwest. A PNW Alumni Hall of Fame inductee, Strack appreciates how PNW helps students, many of whom are first generation, achieve success.

Exploring our Heroes’ Impact

Logo: Alumni Hall of Fame Purdue University Northwest

PNW Alumni Hall of Fame

Honoring distinguished graduates of the Purdue University Northwest campuses.

PNW athletics logo: a diagonal treatment of P, N and W, with P in gold, and a roaring lion's head atop.

PNW Athletics Hall of Fame

Celebrating outstanding athletes and individuals from throughout our history.

License plate mockup with a PNW logo and text reading, "Indiana, Luv PNW, Purdue Northwest"

PNW License Plate

Starting Jan. 1, 2026, any Indiana resident can support PNW students by selecting a PNW plate option when you renew at the BMV.

 

Investing in a Brighter Future

At Purdue University Northwest, we’re passionate about helping students succeed.

Our contributions foster academic excellence, relieve financial burdens and enhance opportunities for students—creating a ripple effect of positive change that extends well beyond our campuses.

PNW Champions and Changemakers

Black and white photo of Nils K. Nelson

An Enduring Legacy

PNW organic chemistry professor Nils K. Nelson’s impact includes scholarships for today’s students—and a state-of-the-art building named in his honor.

Recognizing Nils Nelson

Chenn Zhou, PNW's NIPSCO Distinguished Professor of Engineering Simulation in the College of Engineering and Science

A Distinguished Researcher

Chenn Zhou is the NIPSCO Distinguished Professor of Engineering Simulation in the College of Engineering and Sciences—the first faculty member at Purdue Northwest to achieve the distinguished professor title.

Meet Professor Zhou

David A Roberts

Investing in Impact

Alumni Hall of Fame inductee David Roberts and wife Susan Roberts have generously supported the Roberts Impact Lab at PNW, a workspace for entrepreneurship, innovation and education collaboration.

Discover What’s Planned

Kara Griffin

Supporting Students in Need

PNW staff member Kara Griffin gives because she understands how faculty and staff members’ gifts spur students to keep working toward their lifelong goals.

See Her Impact

 

PNW Athletic Director Emeritus John Friend, pictured while on staff at Purdue Northwest

A PNW Icon

Coach John Friend’s long and successful career as a football coach, basketball coach and athletic director at Purdue University Northwest transformed the lives of many.

Remembering John Friend

Dr. Maria Longas is pictured.

A Generous Giver

A generous estate gift let Professor Emerita of Chemistry Maria Longas support PNW students long after leaving the classroom.

Honoring Her Advocacy

David Pratt

Finding Meaning in Mentorship

Associate Professor of Education David Pratt has poured his heart into mentoring students at all levels during his career, from K-12 settings to college students.

Supporting Student Success

Damien Gabis

Strong Stewardship

In 2018, Damien (pictured) and Rita Gabis made the largest gift in PNW history with the donation of Taltree Arboretum and Gardens (now Gabis Arboretum at PNW).

Establishing an Oasis