Purdue University Northwest will recognize five university alumni through its expanded 2025 PNW Alumni Hall of Fame awards.

The awards recognize accomplished graduates across different stages of their careers.

The 2025 PNW Alumni Hall of Fame class includes Nicole Kupchik, Nicole Kupchik Consulting CEO, and Mason Macenski, Miromatrix Medical vice president of clinical and regulatory affairs.

The university recognized three additional PNW alumni for their innovation, leadership and service. Rick Calinski, NIPSCO director of public affairs and economic development, received the Pride of PNW Alumni Award. Debbie Bachmann, PNW administrator of Honors Student Leadership and Programming, was awarded the PNW Campus Pride Alumni Award. Ayana Clark, A&J Branding founder and United Power for Action & Justice organizer, won the Power Onward Emerging Leader Award.

PNW Chancellor Kenneth Holford welcomed Kupchik and Macenski to the Alumni Hall of Fame.

“Both of them have had remarkable careers that were foundationally influenced by their undergraduate journeys at PNW,” Holford said in a press release. “We also look forward to recognizing Rick Calinski, Debbie Bachmann and Ayana Clark for their inspiring examples of the lasting impact of a Purdue University Northwest education.”

The PNW Alumni Hall of Fame honors alumni who are leaders in their fields, involved members of their communities and who have engaged with PNW beyond their time as students. The honorees are selected and recommended through a peer-nominated process. Their merits are assessed through the PNW Alumni Advisory Board.

 The 2025 Alumni Hall of Fame class will be honored April 3 during a reception and dinner. The event will take place at PNW’s Alumni Hall in the Student Union Library Building in Hammond.

“We congratulate all of our amazing 2025 honorees for their impressive accomplishments and dedication to Purdue Northwest, and we are excited to celebrate them this spring,” Katie Holderby, PNW director of alumni engagement, said.