On this episode of PNW Today, host Kale Wilk highlights the latest opportunities, research initiatives, and upcoming events at Purdue University Northwest.

The program begins with a conversation about undergraduate research and the annual Days of Discovery event, featuring Dr. Michael Zimmer, Associate Professor of Biological Sciences and Faculty Fellow for Undergraduate Research, along with PNW electrical engineering senior Kate Kilmer. They discuss how students can get involved in research, the benefits of working closely with faculty mentors, and how hands-on projects help students build real-world skills. Kilmer also shares her journey from pre-veterinary studies to electrical engineering and explains her research on machine fault detection using machine learning and AI.

In the second segment, admissions leaders Dr. Julie Wieczak and Raven Chant discuss upcoming admissions and campus preview opportunities for prospective students and families. The conversation covers Parent University, Preview PNW open house events, financial aid guidance including FAFSA, and how families can navigate the college search process with confidence.

Plus, the show highlights key campus updates, including the PNW Day of Giving, the Best of the Region voting campaign, and a celebration of the PNW ACHA Division I Men's Hockey Team qualifying for its third straight national tournament appearance.

Tune in to PNW Today for campus news, student success stories, and resources that help students and families discover what makes Purdue University Northwest a powerful place to learn, research, and grow.

Welcome to PNW Athletics Today, the official athletics podcast of Purdue University Northwest, hosted by Director of Athletics Rick Costello.

In this action-packed episode, we celebrate a decade of academic excellence and nine years of NCAA Division II competition as the Pride continues to thrive under the "students first, athletes second" model. With 23 sports and over 530 student-athletes, PNW Athletics is building a championship culture both in the classroom and in competition.

🏆 Featured Highlights Include:

• ⚾ A historic jersey retirement for MLB pitcher Chad Patrick of the Milwaukee Brewers — former GLIAC Pitcher of the Year, All-American, and the first PNW athlete drafted into a major professional sports organization.

• 🏒 Hockey dominance as the Pride defeats Hope College and advances in postseason tournament play.

• 📚 20 consecutive semesters with a 3.0+ department GPA, marking 10 years of academic achievement.

💥 Stunt Team Spotlight Head Coach Marshall Smith and student-athletes Maggie Underwood and Leah DeCeser break down the fast-growing sport of collegiate stunt — a dynamic blend of competitive cheer and gymnastics structured into a four-quarter head-to-head format. Ranked Top 12 in Division II, the Pride are pushing toward national playoff contention as stunt earns championship status at the NCAA level.

🏈 Flag Football on the Rise First-year Head Coach Micah Lowe joins team leaders Marilyn Myrick (QB1) and Morgan Ellis to preview the inaugural season of PNW Flag Football. With the sport gaining national momentum and Olympic recognition, the Pride prepare to compete at the collegiate level — including games at Hallas Hall, the Chicago Bears' practice facility.

🏀 Plus updates on:

• GLIAC men's basketball playoff push

• Record-breaking track & field performances

• Baseball, softball, and tennis season openers

• The expanding impact of women's athletics at PNW

From NCAA tournament aspirations to emerging sports status for stunt and flag football, PNW Athletics is building something special in Northwest Indiana.

🎧 Subscribe for weekly updates, student-athlete stories, championship highlights, and everything happening across Pride Athletics.

Go Pride!

PNW Today is your official source for campus news, alumni success stories, career development insights, and community impact from Purdue University Northwest.

In this February 12, 2026 episode, host Cale Wilk spotlights the upcoming PNW Alumni Hall of Fame and 10th Anniversary Gala, celebrating distinguished graduates who continue to shape Northwest Indiana and beyond. Featured guests include Director of Alumni Engagement Katie Holderby and 2026 Emerging Leader Award recipient Spencer Summers, Economic and Business Development Manager at Northern Indiana Public Service Company (NIPSCO).

Learn about:

• The PNW Alumni Hall of Fame and its impact on the Hammond and Westville campuses

• 2026 inductee Dino Yankees and alumni award winners making a difference in business, hospitality, and community leadership

• Spencer Summers' journey from PNW student to regional economic development leader

• How PNW alumni are driving workforce growth, high-wage job creation, and generational wealth across Indiana

The episode also highlights major campus updates, including:

• Spring admissions preview events

• National rankings for PNW's online nursing programs by U.S. News & World Report

• PNW Athletics milestones, including ACHA Division 2 Hockey qualifying for regionals

• The upcoming 10th Anniversary Gala at Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana

In the second segment, the PNW Career Center team shares expert advice on internships, networking, LinkedIn strategy, career exploration, resume building, employer expectations, and how students can leverage career services from freshman year through graduation—and even as alumni. Topics include career fairs, the Spring Career Expo, nursing meet-and-greet events, the Professional Clothing Closet, and lifelong career support for PNW graduates.

Whether you're a prospective student, current Pride member, alumni professional, or Northwest Indiana community partner, this episode of PNW Today showcases how Purdue University Northwest prepares students for meaningful careers and regional impact.

🎓 Learn more about alumni engagement: pnw.edu/alumni 💼 Explore career services: pnw.edu/career-center 🏆 Hall of Fame details: pnw.edu/hall-of-fame

Subscribe to PNW Today for weekly updates on PNW academics, athletics, alumni achievements, workforce development, and student success stories.

Check out PNW Today as we highlight opportunities to get involved on campus through Student Life and university housing

In this episode, we highlight Men's and Women's Soccer as well as Sports Fest happening September 13th