Purdue University Northwest announces 2025 Alumni Hall of Fame award winners

Purdue University Northwest (PNW) will honor five exceptional university alumni through its expanded 2025 PNW Alumni Hall of Fame awards that recognize accomplished graduates across different stages of their careers.

Included in the fourth annual PNW Alumni Hall of Fame class are Nicole Kupchik, CEO of Nicole Kupchik Consulting, Inc., and Mason Macenski, vice president of Clinical and Regulatory Affairs at Miromatrix Medical Inc.

In addition, the first recipient of the Pride of PNW Alumni Award is Rick Calinski, director of Public Affairs and Economic Development for Northern Indiana Public Service Company (NIPSCO).

Calinski is one of three standout PNW alumni recognized in new award categories for demonstrating excellence in their careers and who continue significantly contributing to and impacting the PNW community. The other awardees are Debbie Bachmann, administrator of Honors Student Leadership and Programming at PNW; and Ayana Clark, founder of A&J Branding and organizer for United Power for Action & Justice.

“We are proud to welcome Nicole Kupchik and Mason Macenski as distinguished PNW alumni to our growing Alumni Hall of Fame,” said PNW Chancellor Kenneth C. Holford. “Both of them have had remarkable careers that were foundationally influenced by their undergraduate journeys at PNW. We also look forward to recognizing Rick Calinski, Debbie Bachmann and Ayana Clark for their inspiring examples of the lasting impact of a Purdue University Northwest education.”

We are proud to welcome Nicole Kupchik and Mason Macenski as distinguished PNW alumni to our growing Alumni Hall of Fame.

PNW Chancellor Kenneth C. Holford

The PNW Alumni Hall of Fame honors university alumni who are high-achieving leaders in their fields, involved members of their communities and who have engaged with PNW well beyond their time as students. The 2025 PNW Alumni Hall of Fame class will be honored April 3 during a reception and dinner inside PNW’s Alumni Hall in the Student Union Library Building, 2200 169th Street, Hammond, Ind.

“We congratulate all of our amazing 2025 honorees for their impressive accomplishments and dedication to Purdue Northwest, and we are excited to celebrate them this spring,” said Katie Holderby, director of Alumni Engagement at PNW. “Our Hall of Fame honorees are selected and recommended through a peer-nominated process, and their merits are assessed through our PNW Alumni Advisory Board.”

Ticket and sponsorship information can be viewed at pnw.edu/hall-of-fame. A portion of registration proceeds will support the PNW Alumni Legacy scholarship.

About the 2025 PNW Alumni Hall of Fame class

Nicole Kupchik

Nicole Kupchik (AAS’93) and Mason Macenski (BA’86) comprise the 2025 PNW Alumni Hall of Fame class. Inductees to the Hall of Fame are recognized for distinguishing themselves in their careers, making exemplary contributions to PNW and their communities, by virtue or meritorious efforts, and inspiring future generations of PNW students.

Kupchik, who resides in Washington state, has built a career as a critical care registered nurse (RN) for over 25 years. She earned her associate’s degree in Nursing from PNW in 1993. She went on to earn her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Nursing from the University of Washington. During her career, Kupchik has earned the Washington State March of Dimes Nurse of the Year Award in Research and Innovation for research on the implementation of therapeutic hypothermia treatment after cardiac arrest. As a critical care educator, she has also earned two Washington State Qualis awards for Patient Safety and Clinical Leadership.

Mason Macenski

Macenski, who resides in Minnesota, is the vice president of Clinical and Regulatory Affairs at Miromatrix Medical Inc., a body organ bioengineering firm and subsidiary of United Therapeutics Corporation. Macenski is a first-generation PNW graduate from Hammond, Indiana and earned his bachelor’s degree in Psychology in 1986. He went on to earn a doctorate degree in Behavioral Pharmacology from the University of Minnesota. Macenski manages the application process to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for Miromatrix’s bioengineered transplantable organs, including a decellularized kidney. He continues to support PNW students through the Michael and Geraldine Macenski Behavioral Scholarship.

Three additional PNW alumni recognized for innovation, leadership and service

Rick Calinski

Rick Calinski (BS’03; MBA’10) is the recipient of the Pride of PNW Alumni Award, which recognizes alumni who embody the values and mission of PNW, showcasing leadership, integrity, innovation and commitment to making a positive impact on society. Calinski in his position at NIPSCO supports external affairs with community, governmental, business and media leaders in NIPSCO’s service territory.

Debbie Bachmann (AS’11; BS’14) is the recipient of the PNW Campus Pride Alumni Award, which recognizes PNW faculty and staff members who are alumni and have made significant contributions and impacts for the PNW campus community and student experience. Bachmann has served PNW students for 21 years and in her current role supports PNW Honors College students in their extracurricular and philanthropic engagements, as well as connecting students with internship and employment opportunities.

Ayana Clark (BA’17; MA’19) is the recipient of the Power Onward Emerging Leader Award, which recognizes alumni aged 35 and younger who have demonstrated emerging and unique innovation, creativity and success in their chosen careers. Clark leads Chicago-based A&J Branding, helping politicians, businesses and nonprofits connect with communities in impactful ways.

To view full bios of new and past inductees, see the different award categories and learn more about the PNW Alumni Hall of Fame, visit pnw.edu/hall-of-fame.

Debbie Bachmann

Ayana Clark