PFW ACM
Purdue Fort Wayne
About PFW ACM

Computing beyond the classroom.

PFW ACM is Purdue University Fort Wayne's student chapter of the Association for Computing Machinery. We create practical, social, and interdisciplinary ways for students to explore computing outside the classroom.

Help students try new technical work, build confidence in teams, meet people with shared interests, and connect computing to real projects and communities. You do not need to be a computer science major or already know how to code.

45
University-registered members

Up from roughly 8 registered members two years earlier.

188
Discord community members

Students, alumni, and community members participate at varying levels.

14
Games completed at GGJ 2026

Created by student teams during the chapter's 48-hour game jam.

What we actually do

The chapter is intentionally broader than a single major or technical niche. Members can participate in the areas that interest them and skip the ones that do not.

Global Game Jam→

A 48-hour, team-based game development event where programmers, artists, writers, designers, musicians, and first-time developers build something together.

National Cyber League→

A recurring cybersecurity program built around preparation, mentoring, individual practice, and team competition across practical security categories.

Talks & Workshops→

Student and guest sessions on topics such as cybersecurity, EDR/XDR, surveillance technology, game development, and other areas members want to explore.

Projects & Community→

Open-source projects, synthetic datasets, student-organization collaborations, technical experiments, and opportunities to learn by building.

A chapter built around participation

  • Membership grew from roughly 8 to 45 university-registered members over two years.
  • The chapter's activities regularly include students outside computer science, including engineering, mathematics, theatre, humanities, and other disciplines.
  • PFW ACM has maintained a nationally competitive National Cyber League program while deliberately creating a path for newer students to gain experience.
  • Global Game Jam has become one of the chapter's largest events and emphasizes student ownership, teamwork, and project delivery under a short deadline.

2026–27 officers

Mathew MurphyChair
Meghan KatakdaundeVice Chair
Ojas TalgoankarTreasurer
Sabene RizviSecretary
Kris WilliamsAdditional Officer
Treasure ChandlerAdditional Officer
Prakhar VermaSIG Officer
Brian WaltzSIG Officer
Mary JohnsonSIG Officer

The chapter in practice

PFW ACM students presenting a Global Game Jam project in an auditorium
Students turned the 2026 Global Game Jam showcase into an impromptu auditorium presentation session.
Cybersecurity guest talk hosted by PFW ACM
An industry cybersecurity talk connected competition skills with real-world practice.
PFW ACM students visiting the Parkview Mirro Center
A Parkview Mirro Center visit gave students a look at computing, simulation, and technology in healthcare.