Alumnus supports arts, sciences

Trine University dean of the Jannen School of Arts & Sciences John Shannon, Ph.D., addresses students in the newly dedicated Rinker-Ross Memorial Foundation Biology Lab in Best Hall Sept. 28.

 

Trine dedicates Rinker-Ross Memorial Foundation Biology Lab

ANGOLA, Ind. – More than 150 students, faculty and administrators gathered to officially dedicate the Rinker-Ross Memorial Foundation Biology Lab in Best Hall on Trine University’s main campus Wednesday morning.

The lab is named in honor of the Rinker-Ross Memorial Foundation, which was founded by Dr. James Ross Rinker, who graduated from Tri-State College with a degree in business administration in 1958. Rinker was unable to attend the dedication ceremony, but expressed to university officials that he sees this recent contribution to Trine University as a reconnection to the college that helped give him the tools to lead a successful and fulfilling life.

Rinker took a commission with the U.S. Army after graduating from college. While in the service, Rinker continued his education and earned his doctorate in psychology in 1966. He served as a clinical psychologist for servicemen at assignments to multiple hospitals before finishing his career at Walter Reed Army Hospital in Bethesda, Md.

After his retirement as a major in 1985, Rinker returned to his family’s roots in Lexington, Ky., where he was actively involved in the family’s business of real estate and thoroughbred horses. He also maintained a practice as a psychologist.

He moved to Binghamton, New York, in the mid-1990s, where he has a practice in psychology with the local hospitals and serves on the board of directors at Lourdes Hospital.

Rinker also established the Rinker-Ross Memorial Foundation where he serves as CEO and to whom this biology lab is dedicated. The Rinker-Ross Memorial Foundation has been instrumental in providing capital funding for medicine and the performing arts in the Binghamton area.

“Dr. Rinker’s goals for his foundation fit seamlessly with our goals for this university,” said Earl D. Brooks II, Ph.D., Trine’s president. “He has captured our vision and embraces the changes and strides we are making. He sees that Trine is fast becoming one of the Midwest’s premier institutions, being recognized for our rigorous academic programs, our respected faculty, our committed alumni, and, most importantly, our high-achieving students.”

Trine continues to expand its footprint in the region with the growth of its biomedical engineering, science and arts programming, as well as development of a physical therapy program, expected to launch in 2013.

“These are all endeavors that Dr. Rinker is passionate about,” Brooks said. “He has committed to establishing capital equipment endowments through his estate and the foundation for the benefit of our pre-med, biomedical, physical therapy and performing arts programs.”

To share your news, contact Trine University communication specialist Lindsay Winslow Brown at winslowbrownl@trine.edu.