The PNW Design Studio at Purdue University Northwest’s School of Engineering is operational.  

The site features state-of-the-art equipment, offering a new level of experience in design and innovation for engineering students, the college said. A ribbon-cutting ceremony was recently held to recognize the contributions of PNW alumnus Stewart McMillan, and his wife, Kathryn, whose donations made it possible to establish design studio.

“Purdue Northwest was there for me at a critical time in my life,” McMillan said, who will serve as PNW’s commencement keynote speaker in May. “We have a lot of theoretical engineers (but) what we need are more engineers who can turn ideas into actions, then into reality.”

The 8,000-square-foot studio provides creation, assembly and maker spaces that will serve student competition and senior design project teams, as well as provide support for teaching and experiential learning across the PNW School of Engineering. The studio also will bring together engineering students and faculty and help to facilitate work on projects with external stakeholders in the community, industry, Northwest Indiana and neighboring states.

“The programs offered in and supported by this building will give students the skills needed to be successful in the working world – collaboration, working in cross-disciplinary teams, learning new tools and methods for the development and presentation of ideas, and ultimately the creation of innovative products and services,” said Dietmar Rempfer, director of the PNW School of Engineering.

McMillan is accomplished engineer and founder of Valparaiso-based Task Force Tips Inc. McMillan went on to receive the university’s first degree in interdisciplinary engineering while working full-time at his family’s business.

“I would not have become an engineer and our family business would not have moved forward had I gone downstate,” McMillan said. “Purdue Northwest was there for me and I want it to be there for others.”