The three newest members of the PNW Alumni Hall of Fame encouraged students to work hard and always remember where they came from – no matter how successful they become.
“Do the best jobs you can do, never forget your roots, never forget where you came from and everyone that helped you along the way, it’s a very important life lesson,” said retired Judge Diane Kavadias Schneider, who earned a Bachelor’s degree in English from PNW’s predecessor school Purdue Calumet in 1971.
“Always reach back and pull someone forward, that’s my advice,” she said. “This place means so much to me, I made a lot of friendships here that have lasted me throughout my life.”
Kavadias Schneider was inducted in the Alumni Hall of Fame on April 4, along with Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott, Jr., and Jeff Strack, president and CEO of Indiana Grocery Group, which operates Strack & Van Til grocery stores. The hall is outside the Pride Cafe in SULB on the Hammond campus.
Strack, who earned a Master of Business Administration from Purdue Calumet in 2000, also believes in the importance of looking – and giving – back.
“I think as you continue on with your career and you look back at what helped with your foundation to be successful … [you learn] that if you get the opportunity, give back,” he said.
Strack said there are many ways to give back.
“Sometimes it’s not always just … financial,” he said. “It’s participating, coming by and talking to classrooms, being on advisory boards, etc., doing what you can to basically pay back for what helped establish yourself to be successful.”
For McDermott, who earned a bachelors in Finance from Purdue Calumet in 1996, has served as Hammond’s mayor for more than 20 years. He said students should cherish their time at PNW.
“I love this school. It changed my life,” he said. “I get a lot of awards and recognition but this to me is one of the biggest I’ll ever get.”
McDermott’s advice for students is to work hard.
“You guys could be superstars and probably will be,” he said. “[What] you get out of life is what you put into it. …You’re getting the education you need to be successful, and you know some people can take this and spin it into … a career where you make big impacts on people.”
The Alumni Hall of Fame was created after PNW’s 75th anniversary to recognize outstanding Alumni.
“I think it’s important for students to … see those faces, names …, stories …, [and] hopefully it’s inspirational,” said Katie Holderby, Director of Alumni Engagement.
Chancellor Chris Holford agrees.
“These are role models for our students, they see the value of Purdue Northwest and have gone on and done amazing things …, they have supported activities …, our students and [are] sharing their time with the institution.”
