What kinds of stories does PNW Pioneer cover?

Updated

PNW Pioneer is the student news site of Purdue University Northwest, and its coverage centers on campus news, student life, sports, and national or business topics that affect students. It is a useful source if you want a student-press view of what is happening at PNW and in Northwest Indiana, rather than official university announcements.

Campus news and university decisions

The site reports on changes and recognition that directly affect PNW students. Examples from its coverage include:

  • A Computer Graphic Technology program placed on a list for elimination, with students expressing disappointment about the decision.
  • A 2025 Higher Education Impact Award from Angeles Investors of Chicago recognizing the university's support of startup innovators.
  • A university donation of backpacks to 1,000 families.
  • A nickname switch described as a new chapter in the PNW story.

This category is where you will find stories about academic programs, awards, and institutional changes.

Student life and community stories

PNW Pioneer runs first-person and community-focused pieces under labels such as "PNW POV." These include interviews with students about how they weathered the August storm that left 370,000 Northwest Indiana residents without power, and a report on new dorm residents coping with modern technology and lifestyle changes. The site also covers practical student topics, such as honor societies helping students launch careers and nursing students learning to use AI as a patient-care tool.

Sports coverage

Sports stories include the debut season of the flag football team, a STUNT junior named GLVC Scholar-Athlete of the Year, and student reactions to the planned Chicago Bears stadium in Northwest Indiana. The site also reported on the NCAA lifting its prohibition on college athletes betting on professional sports.

National and business topics relevant to students

Some coverage connects national issues to student experience, such as NFL fans facing the cost of several pricey subscriptions to watch games, and business alumni returning to campus for Alumni Week to inspire and connect with students.

How to use the site

If you want to follow a specific topic, browse the section labels used on the site (News, Sports, PNW POV, Business) or use the "Story Suggestions" form to propose coverage. The form asks for a PNW email and a suggestion, so you need a valid PNW email address to submit one.