Awardees include a pastor; contact center manager; automotive dealer; digital retail director; entrepreneur; and corporate VP/sustainability officer
Northwood University is pleased to announce its 2022 Class of Outstanding Alumni, which includes an array of professions, from the clergy to the boardroom.
“This esteemed collection includes a pastor, contact center manager, automotive dealer, digital retail director, entrepreneur and corporate vice president and sustainability officer,” stated Northwood President Kent MacDonald. “The professionals in this class represent the best of our alumni — all leaders within their respective fields.”
The honorees include:
• John Duckworth (1990) — A senior pastor at Gethsemane Baptist Church in Westland, who credits the “grand learning experience” he experienced at Northwood as shaping his approach for the world. Duckworth’s proudest accomplishments include being named 2020 Pastor of the Year by the National Christians in Action organization; serving as a board member for Henry Ford Health Systems; being selected by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to the Protect Michigan Commission for COVID-19; having his church’s 50th anniversary recognized by President Barack Obama; and implementing a partnership with the Westland African American community and Westland Police Department.
• Trisha Habucke (1985) — Digital retail director for Ford Motor Co., where she has worked for 37 years. Rising to a leadership position with one of the world’s most iconic companies was only possible for Habucke because she combined knowledge of the industry with knowledge of the latest technology, two areas where Northwood excels. She also credits her immersion in The Northwood Idea with giving her the survival skills necessary to stay in that position. She has earned several impressive honors, including 2019 Crain Communications Notable Women of STEM; 2015 Mobile Marketer Woman to Watch; 2015 Mobile Marketing Association Marketer to Watch; and 2014 Business Insider 32 Most Powerful Women in Mobile Advertising. Habucke resides in Birmingham.
• Pam Nash (1986) — Contact center manager, Americas, for DuPont, the Delaware-based chemical company that resulted from a merge-and-split arrangement with Dow, Inc. She has been with DuPont for four years after spending 20 years with Dow. Her favorite Northwood memory was meeting the man who would become her husband, Tim Nash, a longtime leader of Northwood’s faculty and administration who currently serves as vice president emeritus and director of The McNair Center for the Advancement of Free Enterprise and Entrepreneurship. Northwood would not be where it is today without the longstanding support of Pam Nash and the entire Nash family. Pam and Tim Nash reside in Midland.
• Christina Salmon (2015, 2016) — Owner of Clink and Co. Designs, a wedding planning and design business. In addition, Salmon works as an account executive with iA American Warranty Group in Farmington Hills. Salmon has quickly emerged as a leader among Northwood’s younger alumni, serving as a member of the NU Gala committee in 2021 and then stepping up to chair the event for the fall of 2022. The bonds forged during her time at Northwood with her Delta Zeta sisters remain so strong that several are business partners and will be bridesmaids when Salmon brings together some of the key elements in her life: planning her own wedding to fellow Northwood alum Logan Renas.
• Arthur White (1990) — Owner of AW Auto Group, which operates four automobile dealerships in the Detroit area. His success leverages what he learned in Northwood’s Automotive Marketing program, as well as the relationships he developed on campus. White has been generous with his time, talent, and treasure for 32 years, including consistent participation in Northwood’s annual giving program, volunteering on the automotive council, and inspiring his children to attend Northwood as well. White lives in Milford.
• Michael Witt (2006) — Vice president of environment, health and safety/chief sustainability officer for Northrop Grumman Corp., a multinational aerospace and defense technology company with 90,000 employees and annual revenue in excess of $30 billion. Witt took over the role about a year ago after 23 years with Dow, Inc., where his Northwood experience helped him develop knowledge around the role of business in enabling sustainable enterprise. He credits his Northwood M.B.A. for giving him insight that has propelled him to these leadership roles. Witt resides in Arlington, Virginia.
The 2022 Outstanding Alumni will be honored Sept. 16 at Bennett Sports Center — Riepma Arena at Northwood University’s Midland campus. A reception will be held at 6 p.m., followed by the dinner and program at 7. Tickets can be obtained online.
For more information, visit the Outstanding Alumni website.
