Purdue Northwest raises more than $2 million on PNW Day of Giving

Purdue University Northwest’s Honors College coordinated more than ten on-campus activities April 24 to encourage participation in PNW Day of Giving, including a “Pie in the Face Challenge.”

Donor participation in day-long event hits historic record

Generous donors to Purdue University Northwest (PNW) contributed more than $2 million to support students during PNW’s 11th annual Day of Giving on April 24.

A record number of over 2,000 donations were made during the 24-hour event. The Pride Athletics received almost 900 gifts alone.

“We deeply appreciate the enthusiastic response of our community to PNW’s annual Day of Giving,” said Lisa Goodnight, vice chancellor of Institutional Advancement. “Day of Giving brings together PNW alumni, leading businesses and charitable organizations, friends of the university from all over the world, and our own students, faculty and staff to invest in our mission to transform lives and Northwest Indiana. This one-day effort continues to grow, setting new records for participation and gifts both of the last two years.”

PNW ranked third among 74 participating units in the Purdue system for total gifts received. PNW was ninth among participating units system-wide in total dollars raised. These achievements awarded bonus money to PNW. Participation in PNW’s Day of Giving increased by 9% from 2023, Goodnight noted.

Gifts to PNW support student scholarships, academic programs, Pride Athletics, student organizations and other strategic initiatives.

Day of Giving brings together PNW alumni, leading businesses and charitable organizations, friends of the university from all over the world, and our own students, faculty and staff to invest in our mission to transform lives and Northwest Indiana.

Lisa Goodnight, vice chancellor of Institutional Advancement

Highlights of PNW Day of Giving

Gifts of any size make a difference in supporting PNW students and programs. The growth in participation is one of the major achievements of this year’s annual Day of Giving. In addition, key partners to the university made contributions that will have lasting impact on the future of PNW and its students. Some notable highlights include:

• One of our alumni has bequeathed PNW a transformational gift, made in honor of their parents to spark positive change within our community for generations to come. The generous bequest totaled $650,000.
• The McMillan Family Foundation made a significant gift to the Sinai Forum for the 2024 season. Stewart McMillan, whose generous support to the PNW Design Studio and other upgraded facilities and student workspaces has made a significant difference to students, is a member of the PNW Alumni Hall of Fame.

• The following dedicated donors and organizations have continued to support the Purdue Northwest Sinai Forum at the program level over many years. They include Urschel Laboratories Inc. and its employees, Dr. David and Billie Bankoff, the John W. Anderson Foundation, Times Media Company and Blue Chip Casino, Hotel & Spa.
• PNW alumna and nursing entrepreneur, Nicole Kupchik, made a $160,000 pledge in November 2023, and then pledged another $90,000 for Day of Giving. Her scholarship supports College of Nursing students.
• PNW alumnus David Hays established a new scholarship for College of Business students with his $50,000 gift. This endowment embodies a commitment to honoring and nurturing a tireless spirit, dedicated to creating pathways for individuals to advance their careers through higher education.
• Lakeshore Public Media donated $65,000 in-kind to support the ongoing partnership with the Roundtable Perspective and the Communication students at PNW. This gift is made possible by PNW friends and community partners, Chuck Roberts, president and CEO of Lakeshore Public Media, and Carl Kurek, vice president of development at Lakeshore Public Media and a PNW alumnus.
• Horizon Bank created a scholarship for students in PNW’s College of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences (CHESS). This $25,000 gift is made possible by PNW alumnus and CHESS advisory board member, John Freyek, market president at Horizon Bank, and community partner Alexis Harris, Community Reinvestment Act officer.

For more information about the different ways you can support PNW with a gift, visit pnw.edu/giving.