Purdue University Northwest honored standout students, faculty and staff members for their accomplishments during the seventh annual Founders Day celebration on the Westville campus.
The celebration marks the university’s founding, and honors select employees for years of service. It also honors the recipients of the outstanding faculty, staff and student awards.
Four faculty members earned outstanding faculty awards in the following areas:
Outstanding Faculty Awards
- Teaching: Afshin Zahraee, assistant professor of construction engineering and management technology
- Scholarship: John Durocher, Nils K. Nelson associate professor of integrative human health
- Engagement: David Feikes, professor of hathematics, and Kim Scipes, professor emeritus of sociology
Staff members received awards in the following categories:
Outstanding Administrative Leadership Award
- Joy Colwell, director of graduate studies
- Matthew Wells, associate vice chancellor for external engagement and development
- Julie Wiejak, executive director of undergraduate admissions
Outstanding Management and Administrative Professional Award
- Matt Dudzik, assistant athletic director for facilities and recreational sports
- Steven Taylor, grounds and landscape manager
Outstanding Clerical Staff Award
- Susan Delatorre, administrative assistant, department of chemistry and physics
- JoEllen Sanders, administrative assistant, department of psychology
Outstanding Service Staff Award
- Eric Popa, lead groundskeeper
- Jeffrey Williams, service worker
Two students received awards for service:
Outstanding Undergraduate Student
Lizzy Campuzano, fourth-year psychology major
Outstanding Graduate Student
Kayla Vasilko, master’s of communication candidate
PNW also selected three alumni for its second PNW Alumni Hall of Fame class.
- Robert Johnson III, president and CEO of Cimcor Inc. in Merrillville, associates degree in 1989, bachelor's degree in 1991 and a master's in 1996
- Stewart “Stu” McMillan, founder of the Multi Agency Academic Cooperative Foundation in Valparaiso, bachelor's degree in 1977
- Alfredo “Al” Sori, retired from Kiewit Corp., bachelor's degree in 1989
A reception will take place June 8 at Purdue Northwest in Hammond.
“PNW is looking forward to recognizing our esteemed alumni in June,” said Katie Holderby, director of alumni engagement at PNW, in a press release. “The honorees exemplify leadership, innovation and giving back to their respective communities and institutions. The students, faculty and staff of PNW appreciate our alumni and their support as they continue to excel in their fields and support our students and institution to succeed as well.”
For more information about PNW, visit www.pnw.edu.
Caption: Afshin Zahraee, assistant professor of construction engineering and management technology earned an Outstanding Faculty Award for teaching. (Provided by PNW)
