PNW Sparks Innovation and More in Northwest Indiana

3 weeks ago 0

PNW Hosts SPARK Summit

The Society of Innovators at Purdue University Northwest organized the first SPARK Summit in May, drawing about 150 students from six high schools across Northwest Indiana. This event took place on the Westville campus of PNW. The goal was to inspire students towards creativity, innovation, leadership, and entrepreneurship through a one-day program, as per a release from the university.

Participants attended keynote speeches and interactive workshops, designed to foster problem-solving, build confidence, encourage collaboration, and develop skills necessary for the future. Among the notable speakers were Charlie Kimball, an INDYCAR driver and innovation speaker, and Olivia West, a branding strategist and motivational speaker. Sessions concentrated on overcoming challenges, building personal brands, collaborative creativity, and fostering an innovation-driven mindset.

For more details, visit pnw.edu/soi.

NWIBRT Announces 2026 Leadership

The Northwest Indiana Business RoundTable (NWIBRT) has announced the appointments for its 2026 Executive Committee. Their leadership comprises professionals from diverse industries, committed to enhancing safety, workforce development, and operational performance in construction and industrial fields across Northwest Indiana.

The 2026 Executive Committee includes:

Chair: Robert Joseph, ArcelorMittal USA Research
Vice Chair: Jacob Lenson, Purdue University Northwest
Treasurer: Adam Fauth, NIPSCO
Secretary: Dewey Pearman, Construction Advancement Foundation
Executive Director: Andrea Pearman

The Board of Directors features industry leaders like Mike Anderson from Steel Cities Steels and Jim Arendas from the Construction Advancement Foundation, among others.

HealthLinc Expands in Newton County

HealthLinc is set to inaugurate its new Newton County office on June 5 with a public celebration in Morocco. The opening event will feature complimentary health screenings, opportunities to meet healthcare providers, giveaways, free food, and family-friendly activities.

Located at 102 E. State St., the event will include a brief ceremony at 11:30 a.m. HealthLinc Newton aims to broaden access to affordable, comprehensive healthcare services in Newton County and nearby areas. As a federally qualified health center, it provides services regardless of patients’ financial capacity.

For further information, contact Jodie Wexelberg at [email protected].

Free Suicide Prevention Courses

Franciscan Health is collaborating with Sounds of Sarah and the Lake County Health Department to offer free suicide prevention courses this summer. The QPR Suicide Prevention Course, designed by the QPR Institute, seeks to lower suicidal actions through effective training.

The classes, scheduled for June 17 and August 4 from 10 a.m. to noon, will be held at Sounds of Sarah, located at 2057 W. Glen Park Ave. in Griffith. Registration is required and can be done here.

2026 PNW Big Sell Winners

Purdue University Northwest recently announced the winners of the 2026 PNW Big Sell, the annual pitch competition targeting entrepreneurs. From a pool of competitive video entries, ten finalists were selected to deliver live six-minute pitches. The event seeks to provide seed funding and support for emerging entrepreneurs.

The awarded winners were:

First Place ($10,000): GlucoCare, presented by Simrah Khan
Second Place ($3,000): Low Angle, presented by Kenneth Webster
Third Place ($1,000): The ANT Tool, presented by Aaron Farrer

For more information on the PNW Big Sell, visit pnw.edu/entrepreneurship.

Community Baby Shower

Franciscan Health plans a free community baby shower for expecting mothers. The Tea and Tiny Kicks Community Baby Shower will provide information about the Count the Kicks app, aiding pregnant women in monitoring fetal movements for healthier pregnancies.

The event will occur from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on June 27 at the Gary Public Library and Cultural Center. Expectant mothers and a guest can enjoy educational sessions, gifts, and community resources. Registration is required.