SPARK Summit at Purdue University Northwest
The Society of Innovators at Purdue University Northwest hosted approximately 150 high school students from six Northwest Indiana schools at the first SPARK Summit held in May at PNW’s Westville campus. This event aimed to inspire creativity, innovation, leadership, and entrepreneurial thinking among young attendees.
During the one-day summit, students participated in keynote presentations and interactive workshops focused on problem-solving, confidence-building, collaboration, and future-ready skills. Nationally recognized speakers included INDYCAR driver Charlie Kimball and branding strategist Olivia West. Sessions covered topics such as overcoming obstacles, establishing personal brands, fostering creative collaboration, and cultivating an innovation mindset.
For more information, visit pnw.edu/soi.
2026 NWIBRT Appointments
The Northwest Indiana Business RoundTable announced its 2026 Executive Committee officers, showcasing leadership across diverse industries in the region. These newly appointed leaders aim to enhance safety, workforce development, and operational excellence within Northwest Indiana’s construction and industrial sectors.
NWIBRT’s 2026 Executive Committee officers include:
- 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
Additionally, the 2026 Board of Directors consists of prominent figures from various organizations, such as Steel Cities Steels, Franciscan Health, Goodwill Industries of Michiana Inc., and many others.
HealthLinc Opens Newton County Office
HealthLinc will inaugurate a new office in Newton County, marked by a community celebration on June 5 in Morocco. Serving local patients, HealthLinc Newton invites the public to the event from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 102 E. State St., Morocco. Attendees will receive free health screenings, meet healthcare providers, enjoy complimentary food, and partake in family-friendly activities.
As a federally qualified health center, HealthLinc offers comprehensive and affordable healthcare services irrespective of a patient’s financial capacity. For further details, contact Jodie Wexelberg at [email protected].
Suicide Prevention Courses Offered by Franciscan
Franciscan Health teams up with Sounds of Sarah and the Lake County Health Department to provide free suicide prevention courses this summer. The QPR Suicide Prevention Course, crafted by the QPR Institute, aims to minimize suicidal incidents through effective, practical training sessions.
Hosted at Sounds of Sarah, the course will occur from 10 a.m. to noon on June 17 and August 4 at 2057 W. Glen Park Ave. in Griffith. Registration is requisite and available at fran.care/qpr.
PNW Big Sell Winners
Purdue University Northwest awarded seed funding to three entrepreneurs during the 2026 PNW Big Sell, an annual pitch competition supporting budding entrepreneurs and emerging business ideas. Ten finalists were chosen from a pool of two-minute video entries to advance to live presentations.
The winners and their prizes included:
- First Place ($10,000): GlucoCare by Simrah Khan
- Second Place ($3,000): Low Angle by Kenneth Webster
- Third Place ($1,000): The ANT Tool by Aaron Farrer
For more details on the PNW Big Sell, visit pnw.edu/entrepreneurship.
Free Community Baby Shower
Franciscan Health collaborates with local partners to offer a free community baby shower for expectant mothers. The Tea and Tiny Kicks Community Baby Shower will provide valuable information on the Count the Kicks app, assisting pregnant women in monitoring fetal movements for a safer pregnancy.
The shower is set for 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on June 27 at the Gary Public Library and Cultural Center. Free educational sessions, gifts, and community resources will be available. Expectant mothers and one guest can attend, but registration is necessary via this link.