Purdue University Northwest breaks ground on Calumet Hall, expanding student housing options (2025)

Purdue University Northwest (PNW) broke ground on its third residence hall, Calumet Hall, on
April 17,. The 42,000-square foot facility is expected to open for the fall 2026 semester and will
provide 150 beds, a common kitchen, laundry facilities, student study areas and a student
lounge.

Located on the northeast corner of 173rd Street and Woodmar Avenue, Calumet Hall is
designed to bring resident students closer to the heart of campus than ever before. The new
residence hall is just minutes away from classrooms, as well as student services such as the
Student Union Library. Calumet Hall also accommodates an increased demand for students
who want a residential experience, such as the growing number of PNW Pride student-athletes.
The construction process, led by Berglund Construction, is already underway.

“Today marks an exciting step forward in our ongoing efforts to create a vibrant, engaging and
student-centered experience here on campus,” PNW Chancellor Kenneth C. Holford said.
“We’re deeply committed to providing not only an outstanding academic environment, but a
complete college experience — one that fosters community, connection, and a sense of
belonging. This new residence hall is more than just a building — it’s a space designed to be a
home away from home and a place where students can gather, unwind and build lifelong
friendships.”

Malcolm S. DeKryger, Purdue University Board of Trustees member, took part in the
groundbreaking ceremony.

“PNW is a school that warmly receives students, cares compassionately about their education
and teaches them to be contributing citizens to the Region and beyond,” DeKryger said. “PNW
is transforming itself from a commuter campus into a residential campus. That comes with all
the student life and activities that a big university has. It is meeting the needs of young people,
and they are responding with their feet – they are coming to PNW.”

Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr., has experienced that growth firsthand, both as the
city’s mayor and a PNW alumnus. He spoke at the groundbreaking ceremony, praising the
university for its commitment to the community and efforts to invigorate student life.

“This campus has been a cornerstone of Hammond for a long time, not just geographically, but
economically, culturally and intellectually,” he said. “With the groundbreaking of this new
residence hall, we’re taking another important step forward in strengthening the connection
between Purdue Northwest and the City of Hammond. When students live on campus, they stay
more engaged and connected, both to the university and their community. That means more
foot traffic in our neighborhoods, more energy in our local economy, and more opportunities for
our Region to retain the talented people who begin their journeys at PNW.”

PNW’s Student Government Association President Chloe Belford also spoke at the ceremony.
As a resident assistant, she has both lived and worked in PNW’s University Village and
understands the impact a residential experience can provide a student.

“Residents support one another through tough times, support each other’s victories and grow in
ways they never imagined,” Belford said. “I felt that sense of community that makes a dorm
more than a place to sleep – it makes it a home. That’s why today’s groundbreaking is so
meaningful. We’re not just adding another building to our campus. We’re creating new spaces
for connection, for belonging, and for students to write their own stories just like I did. Calumet
Hall represents the future of student life at Purdue Northwest.”

To learn more about Purdue University Northwest and life on campus, visit pnw.edu.