Northwood University is proud to announce the recipients of the 2025 Outstanding Alumni Awards, which honor alumni who have significantly impacted their professions and communities and have demonstrated their commitment to Northwood and The Northwood Idea.
“We are incredibly proud to recognize these exceptional alumni who have distinguished themselves through their professional accomplishments and dedication to service,” stated Senior Alumni and Engagement Officer Julie Adamczyk. “Their success stories reflect the strong foundation and values they gained during their time at Northwood.”
Achievement Award Honoree is a Pioneer Woman in the Automotive Industry
Receiving this year’s Achievement Award is Eve Knudtsen (’85, Hayden, Idaho), who is president of Knudtsen Chevrolet, a family business that has proudly served Northern Idaho and Eastern Washington for nearly 80 years. As a pioneer woman in the automotive industry, Knudtsen has broken barriers by driving innovation and growth in a competitive marketplace, while honoring tradition by building upon her family’s legacy of excellence.
Leadership Award Recipients are Two Alumni Couples
Nikki (’09) and Bob Paschall (’08) and Michelle (’91) and Greg Waller (’91) are this year’s Leadership Award honorees.
Residents of Whitmore Lake, Michigan, the Paschalls have both built successful careers in the automotive aftermarket industry. Nikki is the customer experience marketing manager at Michigan CAT, which has sold and serviced a wide variety of equipment throughout Michigan for over 60 years. Bob is regional manager, key accounts and performance, at DRiV Incorporated, a leading global supplier of innovative light and commercial vehicle products and services.
The Wallers are residents of Flint, Michigan, who both built successful careers in the accounting industry. Michelle earned her BBA in accounting and has since retired following a successful accounting career. Greg serves as managing principal at Lewis & Knopf, CPAs, P.C., where he has built an impressive 34-year career that began immediately after his graduation from Northwood. Greg and Michelle credit Northwood for instilling strong values and ethics within its graduates while fostering lifelong connections and relationships that continue to enrich the lives of alumni.
Both couples remain heavily involved with Northwood. Nikki and Bob Pascall sponsor and attend the annual Northwood University International Auto Show. They are also Project 100 investors, and they recruit students at Northwood career fairs. Nikki also serves on the Alumni Council Board. Michelle and Greg Waller participate in the Alumni Legacy and Go M.A.D. golf outings, and they also support Project 100. Michelle also serves as president of the Fast Break Club, a fundraising initiative dedicated to supporting Northwood Women’s Basketball, demonstrating her ongoing commitment to student-athlete success.
Suburban Accessories Sales Manager is Young Alumni Awardee
This year’s Young Alumni Award recipient is Ryan Caldwell, a 2015 graduate from Royal Oak, Michigan. Caldwell is a sales manager for Suburban Accessories in Troy, Michigan, powered by Suburban Automotive Services, which is the largest original equipment manufacturer (OEM) accessory parts distributor in the United States, overseeing sales and distribution of OEM accessories to franchised General Motors and Ford dealerships across 17 states. Caldwell remains deeply involved with his alma mater and was honored in 2023 as part of Northwood’s inaugural Class of 20 Under 40.
Service Awardee is Army Veteran and Great Lakes Bay Region Entrepreneur
Kevin Shark (’12, MBA ’25) served as an infantry mortar man on active duty at Fort Irwin’s National Training Center from 2006 to 2008. Shark played a crucial role in preparing Army units for overseas deployments in the challenging environment of the Mojave Desert. Following active duty, he continued serving in the U.S. Army Reserves from 2008 to 2010, where he performed the solemn duty of Military Funeral Honors for over 200 veterans throughout Michigan, providing dignity and respect to those who served our nation. An entrepreneur, Shark owns Great Lakes Shark Sock Co. and Shark Family Farms. He also works as a new car sales specialist at Garber Linwood, and serves on the Bay County Road Commission. A resident of Pinconning, Michigan, Shark is also active in the Great Lakes Veterans Bay Coalition.
The Outstanding Alumni Awards will be presented during an awards banquet from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025, in the Hach Student Life Center in the Bennett Sports Complex at Northwood University in Midland, Michigan. Northwood University invites the community to celebrate these exceptional individuals and their accomplishments. Tickets are available online at https://www.northwood.edu/alumni/alumni-news-events/annual-alumni-events/outstanding-alumni/
