Purdue Northwest Celebrates the Fall Class of 2020

More than 1,000 Purdue University Northwest students have successfully completed the requirements of their undergraduate and graduate degrees as the fall 2020 semester draws to a close.

PNW celebrates with its graduates their determination in persisting to earn their degrees.

“You’re in a very unique situation in that you’ve had to adapt and change significantly during the final period of time that you have been here at PNW,” Chancellor Thomas L. Keon said in a video address to the graduates. “You have … a big advantage over many, because you’ve had to adapt, you’ve had to change, and I’m sure many of you have come up with some very strong, innovative ways to make the end of your college career successful. Take that ability to change and adapt and use it as you go forward with whatever you do.”

Keon and PNW Student Government Association President Oriana White will present their messages to the graduates virtually via the website.

See Commencement Videos and Meet Fall 2020 Graduates

“You have made connections here at PNW with your mentors, with your instructors and your professors, and you’ve also created an amazing network,” White said. “This network is going to launch you into your careers, it’s going to help you move forward in anything that you choose.”

White earned undergraduate degrees from PNW in Communications and Human Resources, and is currently a graduate student at the university working toward a master’s degree in business administration. In addition to her work with Student Government, White works as a graduate assistant in the PNW Office of New Student Orientation and serves as social media coordinator of the Public Relations Club.

During her undergraduate years, White received PNW’s Outstanding Undergraduate Student Service Award, was a member of Lambda Pi Eta, the communications honor society, began her service with Student Government, served as president of the Public Relations Club and as a campus ambassador, and worked on campus.

Chancellor’s Medallion Honorees

Nine graduating seniors have earned the Chancellor’s Medallion by achieving the highest grade point average from each college. Recipients of this distinguished honor are as follows:

College of Business

• Abdullah Alabdali (Valparaiso, Ind.)

College of Engineering and Sciences

• Baylee Carpenter (New Carlisle, Ind.)

College of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences

• Brandon Gargano (Crown Point, Ind.)
• Amy Nieves (Chesterton, Ind.)
• Joel Tokarczyk (Lake Village, Ind.)

College of Nursing

• Lauren Wright (South Bend, Ind.)

College of Technology

• James Cansler (Olympia Fields, Ill.)
• Anthony Laas (Lake Station, Ind.)
• Matthew Valant (Hebron, Ind.)

Celebrating Our Graduates

PNW graduates marked their accomplishments at our Westville Graduate Celebration Events last weekend. Browse the slideshow to see if you spot someone you know!

In a year unlike any other, PNW students relied on their inherent grit, perseverance and ability to Power Onward.

PNW proudly celebrates our graduates!

PNW graduate Cameron Neely celebrates his degree by posing in front of the memorable "Tres Bon Tricycle" sculpture on Purdue Northwest's Westville campus

A PNW grad shows off his degree. Beyond being a monument to hard work, a PNW degree also represents a network of mentors, instructors, professors and peers.

Safety was the focus at PNW's Graduate Celebration Events were center, with masks and social distancing built into the events.

Getting ready to celebrate safely.

Graduates are well-prepared to keep learning and innovating.

Even as PNW graduates like Timothy Paul Power Onward to their next steps, they will always look back fondly at their time at Purdue Northwest.

By the Numbers

PNW’s 2020 fall graduating class consists of 1,009 candidates, including the conferring of one doctoral degree, 198 master’s degrees and 810 baccalaureate degrees. According to PNW’s Office of the Registrar, the candidates earning bachelor’s degrees represent the College of Business with 151; 88 in the College of Engineering & Sciences; 162 from the College of Humanities, Education & Social Sciences; 339 from the College of Nursing; and 70 in the College of Technology.

The fall graduating class represents students who have completed their degree requirements at the end of the summer or fall semesters.