The Society of Innovators at Purdue University Northwest welcomed approximately 150 high school students from six Northwest Indiana high schools to the inaugural SPARK Summit in May at PNW’s Westville campus.
Designed to inspire creativity, innovation, leadership and entrepreneurial thinking, the one-day experience brought together students for keynote presentations, interactive workshops and conversations focused on problem-solving, confidence, collaboration and future-ready skills, a release said.
Students heard from nationally recognized speakers and facilitators, including INDYCAR driver and innovation speaker Charlie Kimball and branding strategist and motivational speaker Olivia West. Sessions focused on overcoming obstacles, building personal brands, creative collaboration and developing an innovation mindset. To learn more, visit pnw.edu/soi.
Guest speakers at the Society of Innovators at Purdue Northwest’s 2026 SPARK Summit included, from left, Matthew Jones, Faith N. Spencer, Charlie Kimball, Olivia West, Emmani Ellis and Jason Williams. (Photo provided by Purdue Northwest)
NWIBRT announces 2026 appointments
The Northwest Indiana Business RoundTable recently announced its 2026 Executive Committee officers.
The organization’s board leadership team represents a broad cross-section of industries dedicated to advancing safety, workforce development and operational excellence throughout Northwest Indiana’s construction and industrial sectors, a release said.
NWIBRT’s 2026 Executive Committee officers are: Chair — Robert Joseph, ArcelorMittal USA Research; Vice Chair — Jacob Lenson, Purdue
University Northwest; Treasurer — Adam Fauth, NIPSCO; Secretary — Dewey Pearman, Construction Advancement Foundation; and Executive
Director — Andrea Pearman.
The group’s 2026 Board of Directors members are: Mike Anderson, Steel Cities Steels; Jim Arendas, Construction Advancement Foundation; Joe Coar, Franciscan Health; Debie Coble, Goodwill Industries of Michiana Inc.; Kevin Comerford, Construction Advancement Foundation; Lisa Daugherty, Center of Workforce Innovations; Rick Foor, Cargill Inc.; Audra Peterson, Porter County Career and Technical Center; Ryan McCoy, Ports of Indiana; Robert Joseph, ArcelorMittal USA Research; Joseph Lampert, Cleveland-Cliffs Inc.; Dan Marchetti, Urschel Laboratories Inc.; Dewey Pearman, Construction Advancement Foundation; Andrea Pearman, NWIBRT; Tish Roach, Building and Construction Resource Center Inc.; Aco Sikoski, Ivy Tech Community College; Ryan Soultz, Blue Chip Casino Hotel & Spa; Tom Ruffner, United States Steel Corp.; Rick Weber, Powers Health; Peter Raketic, Cline Avenue Bridge; Jacob Lenson, Purdue University Northwest; Adam Fauth, NIPSCO; Sarah Ahlborn, Cleveland-Cliffs Inc.; John Sabotnik, NIPSCO; Colleen Watson, Cleveland-Cliffs Inc.; Chris Shabi, Cleveland-Cliffs Inc.; Patrick Kennedy, Cleveland-Cliffs Inc.; and Tina Piech, Franciscan Health.
HealthLinc to open Newton County office June 5
HealthLinc will open an office in Newton County June 5 with a community celebration in Morocco.
HealthLinc Newton, which has been serving patients in Newton County, will host the celebration from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 102 E. State St., Morocco. A brief ceremony will take place at 11:30 a.m.
The event is open to the public and will include no-cost health screenings, opportunities to meet providers, giveaways, free food and family-friendly activities, the release said. HealthLinc Newton expands access to comprehensive, affordable health care services in Newton County and surrounding communities. As a federally qualified health center, HealthLinc provides care regardless of a patient’s ability to pay, according to a release.
For more information, contact Jodie Wexelberg at jwexelberg@healthlincchc.org.
Franciscan, partners set suicide prevention courses
Franciscan Health is teaming up with Sounds of Sarah and the Lake County Health Department to present free suicide prevention courses this summer.
The QPR Suicide Prevention Course is based on a curriculum developed by the QPR Institute and aims to reduce suicidal behaviors by providing innovative, practical and proven suicide prevention training, the release said.
Franciscan Health is presenting the course from 10 a.m. to noon June 17 and Aug. 4 at Sounds of Sarah, 2057 W. Glen Park Ave. in Griffith. Registration is required. Register at fran.care/qpr.
Winning concepts and presenters for the 2026 PNW Big Sell included, from left, The ANT Tool, third place; GlucoCare, first place; and Low Angle, second place. (Photo provided by Purdue Northwest)
PNW Big Sell winners announced
Purdue University Northwest awarded seed funding to three entrepreneurs during the 2026 PNW Big Sell, the university’s annual pitch competition designed to support aspiring entrepreneurs and early-stage business ventures.
Ten finalists were selected from a competitive pool of two-minute video submissions and advanced to present six-minute live pitches for an opportunity to earn startup seed funding and connect with Northwest Indiana’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, a release said. The competition awarded $10,000 for first place, $3,000 for second place and $1,000 for third place.
The 2026 winners included: 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 about the PNW Big Sell and entrepreneurship opportunities at PNW, visit pnw.edu/entrepreneurship.
Free community baby shower is planned
Franciscan Health is teaming up with community partners to provide a free community baby shower for expectant mothers.
The Tea and Tiny Kicks Community Baby Shower will feature information on the free Count the Kicks app, which assists pregnant women in monitoring their baby’s movements to help ensure a healthy pregnancy, a release said.
The shower will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. June 27 at the Gary Public Library and Cultural Center, 220 W. 5th Ave. in Gary. The event will feature free educational sessions, gifts, community resources and more.
The event is free for expectant mothers and a guest, but registration is required. Registration is available online at https://franciscanhealthcare.formstack.com/forms/tea_and_tiny_kick_community_baby_shower_expectant_moms_