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Purdue Fort Wayne Opens Surack-Sweetwater Music Industry Building, Equipping Students With One-of-a-Kind Recording Console
In a ceremony that marked a turning point for the university’s music program, Purdue University Fort Wayne unveiled the Surack‑Sweetwater Music Industry Building on Tuesday. The 26,000‑square‑foot complex, named for Sweetwater founder Chuck Surack, opens its doors to students as the campus’s newest hub for recording, rehearsal, and instruction.
Inside the new building, three purpose‑built recording studios, a series of rehearsal rooms, and a large classroom accommodate the expanding music technology curriculum. The space is designed to give students hands‑on experience in every stage of modern production, from tracking to mastering.
The project was financed largely with local taxpayer dollars and multi‑million‑dollar grants from Sweetwater and the Edward D. & Ione Auer Foundation. Sweetwater, headquartered in Fort Wayne, is the largest online retailer of musical instruments and professional audio equipment in the United States, and its support reflects a strong partnership between industry and academia.
Perhaps the most eye‑catching feature is a top‑of‑the‑line audio console that is one of only two in the world. The other console sits in London’s Abbey Road Studios. PFW’s College of Visual and Performing Arts dean, Elisabeth Honn Hoegberg, said the console will give students hands‑on experience with equipment that is ‘looking forward into the future,’ preparing them for careers in music production and engineering.
Surack, who founded Sweetwater in 1987, has championed the building for years. In a statement, he said the facility will help students see the breadth of opportunities in the music industry and added that his own career began ‘almost 50 years ago’ when such resources were scarce. His remarks underscore the evolution of music technology over the past five decades and the importance of accessible learning environments.
The Auer Foundation, a private charitable organization based in Fort Wayne, has a long history of supporting arts and education in the community. Its grant to the project aligns with its mission to fund music, arts, and youth services. The foundation, named after philanthropists Edward D. and Ione Auer, has supported local initiatives for decades.
Since the university split from Indiana University–Purdue University Fort Wayne in 2018, its music program has grown rapidly. The new building is part of a broader strategy to position Fort Wayne as a top‑10 music city in the region over the next decade, a goal articulated by Surack in recent statements. This initiative reflects the city’s commitment to cultivating a vibrant music ecosystem that supports local talent, industry partners, and educational institutions.
The facility will open in time for the fall 2026 semester, providing students with state‑of‑the‑art resources for recording, mixing, and mastering. The inclusion of a world‑rare console is expected to attract students from across the country and enhance the university’s reputation in music education. By integrating cutting‑edge equipment and a comprehensive curriculum, the facility aims to elevate the quality of training available to aspiring producers and engineers. The console’s presence also provides a unique learning opportunity that aligns with industry standards. Its presence will also serve as a draw for prospective students seeking hands‑on experience with world‑class equipment.
The Surack‑Sweetwater Music Industry Building represents a significant investment in the future of music technology education. It also underscores the partnership between local industry leaders and higher education institutions in fostering the next generation of music professionals. The collaboration illustrates how strategic investments can create lasting benefits for students, the local community, and the broader music industry.
The building’s opening is a milestone for PFW, Sweetwater, and the Auer Foundation, and it signals a new chapter in Fort Wayne’s cultural and economic development as a music hub.
Inside the new building, three purpose‑built recording studios, a series of rehearsal rooms, and a large classroom accommodate the expanding music technology curriculum. The space is designed to give students hands‑on experience in every stage of modern production, from tracking to mastering.
The project was financed largely with local taxpayer dollars and multi‑million‑dollar grants from Sweetwater and the Edward D. & Ione Auer Foundation. Sweetwater, headquartered in Fort Wayne, is the largest online retailer of musical instruments and professional audio equipment in the United States, and its support reflects a strong partnership between industry and academia.
Perhaps the most eye‑catching feature is a top‑of‑the‑line audio console that is one of only two in the world. The other console sits in London’s Abbey Road Studios. PFW’s College of Visual and Performing Arts dean, Elisabeth Honn Hoegberg, said the console will give students hands‑on experience with equipment that is ‘looking forward into the future,’ preparing them for careers in music production and engineering.
Surack, who founded Sweetwater in 1987, has championed the building for years. In a statement, he said the facility will help students see the breadth of opportunities in the music industry and added that his own career began ‘almost 50 years ago’ when such resources were scarce. His remarks underscore the evolution of music technology over the past five decades and the importance of accessible learning environments.
The Auer Foundation, a private charitable organization based in Fort Wayne, has a long history of supporting arts and education in the community. Its grant to the project aligns with its mission to fund music, arts, and youth services. The foundation, named after philanthropists Edward D. and Ione Auer, has supported local initiatives for decades.
Since the university split from Indiana University–Purdue University Fort Wayne in 2018, its music program has grown rapidly. The new building is part of a broader strategy to position Fort Wayne as a top‑10 music city in the region over the next decade, a goal articulated by Surack in recent statements. This initiative reflects the city’s commitment to cultivating a vibrant music ecosystem that supports local talent, industry partners, and educational institutions.
The facility will open in time for the fall 2026 semester, providing students with state‑of‑the‑art resources for recording, mixing, and mastering. The inclusion of a world‑rare console is expected to attract students from across the country and enhance the university’s reputation in music education. By integrating cutting‑edge equipment and a comprehensive curriculum, the facility aims to elevate the quality of training available to aspiring producers and engineers. The console’s presence also provides a unique learning opportunity that aligns with industry standards. Its presence will also serve as a draw for prospective students seeking hands‑on experience with world‑class equipment.
The Surack‑Sweetwater Music Industry Building represents a significant investment in the future of music technology education. It also underscores the partnership between local industry leaders and higher education institutions in fostering the next generation of music professionals. The collaboration illustrates how strategic investments can create lasting benefits for students, the local community, and the broader music industry.
The building’s opening is a milestone for PFW, Sweetwater, and the Auer Foundation, and it signals a new chapter in Fort Wayne’s cultural and economic development as a music hub.