Purdue University Northwest (PNW) welcomed three new individuals to its Alumni Hall of Fame on Thursday, April 4. Selected not just for their impact as leaders in their fields, but also as leaders in their communities and champions of PNW, the 2024 Alumni Hall of Fame inductees are all Region icons in their own ways.
Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott, Jr., retired Judge Diane Kavadias Schneider, and Strack & Van Til President & CEO Jeff Strack make up the class and were inducted at a reception and dinner hosted in PNW’s Alumni Hall at the Student Union and Library Building. They join previous inductees Robert Johnson III, President and CEO of Cimcor, Inc.; Stewart “Stu” McMillan, the founder of the Multi Agency Academic Cooperative (MAAC) Foundation; Alfredo “Al” Sori, retired division manager of Kiewit subsidiary Mass Electric Transportation; and David A. Roberts, retired chairman, president, and CEO of Carlisle Companies.
“This hall of fame is reflective of the strong bond between our university and its alumni,” said Pat Obi, White Lodging endowed professor of Finance in PNW’s College of Business, who introduced both Strack and McDermott. “The pride of the university is reflected in the value that the alumni bring to society, and the relationship that proceeds that benefit the alumni bring. That’s why all of us professors are proud to be part of this momentous occasion.”
Obi taught a number of the courses that Strack undertook as he pursued his Master of Business Administration, which he completed in 2000. Strack said he learned a lot in Obi’s classroom – tools that have helped him grow Strack & Van Til into one of Northwest Indiana’s largest grocery store chains. Yet, Strack said, those business lessons might not have been the most impactful thing he took away from Obi and his other professors at PNW.
“I think that what I found that was remarkable was the engagement that my professors had with me —they were invested in my success,” Strack said. “You build lifelong relationships with your professors. I think that’s what sets PNW apart, and that’s something that I’ll always remember.”
Judge Schneider, the first woman inducted into the PNW’s Alumni Hall of Fame, echoed similar thoughts, citing her education at PNW as foundational to her success. She holds three degrees from the university, a bachelor’s earned in 1971, a master’s in 1974, and a second master’s in 2023.
She is also no stranger to breaking barriers, having previously served as the first female judge of the Civil Division of the Lake Superior Court and having worked with Franciscan Health to create Indiana’s first countywide volunteer guardianship program.
“We learned here (at PNW) to always give back to our community, and that’s very, very important,” Judge Schneider said. “That’s something I teach students, as well as my children and grandchildren. When you have the fortune to be given so much, you must always give back.”
All three inductees have found creative ways to give back throughout their careers, such as McDermott’s championing of Hammond’s College Bound scholarship program.
Hundreds of students have attended PNW thanks to the scholarship, growing the alumni community that McDermott joined when he earned his bachelor’s degree in 1996.
McDermott credits the faculty he learned from at PNW with starting the chain of events that led to him meeting his wife, becoming mayor, and being in a position to help the university wherever he can.
“This is such an amazing place, you’re all so lucky to work here, so lucky to graduate from here,” he said. “To be recognized in the Alumni Hall of Fame is a tremendous honor. I get recognized for things from time to time, but this is one of those that I’ll never forget.”
The Alumni Hall of Fame Class of 2024 is enshrined in a set of plaques that decorate the walls of the Student Union and Library Building.
“Their achievements, accomplishments and generosity will be celebrated and inspire others to reach greater heights,” said Katie Holderby, director of Alumni Engagement at PNW.To learn more about Purdue University Northwest’s Alumni Hall of Fame, visit pnw.edu/hall-of-fame.
