Trine′s homecoming reaps big rewards

Trine′s homecoming reaps big rewards

ANGOLA, Ind. – Trine University welcomed friends, trustees, donors and alumni home to campus during its 2012 homecoming festivities.

“This fall, Trine University will serve nearly 2,500 students, a 92 percent increase from the 1,300 students served in 2000. We are at capacity residentially with 1,100 students. This type of success did not happen by accident or without the hard work of dedicated faculty and staff, donors and friends, trustees and Trine’s students. This success is the result of a total institutional effort dedicated to recruitment, retention, education and preparing young men and women for the future,” said Trine University Earl D. Brooks II, Ph.D. in his address to guests at the 17th annual Touchstone Dinner and annual Homecoming Dinner.

Several awards were given during the homecoming events. Jorja J. Allen was named the Woman of Distinction for 2012. Allen graduated from Tri–State University in 1978 with a degree in Business Administration. She and her husband Jerry, a Tri–State 1978 Mechanical Engineering graduate, reside in Westfield, Ohio. In May 1995, Jorja Allen received the university’s Distinguished Service Award. In 1998 Allen was awarded an honorary doctorate degree from Tri–State University in Business Administration. The Jerry and Jorja Allen School of Engineering is named in their honor.

Trustee and 1977 Business Administration graduate, Rick L. James was awarded the 2012 Pillar of Success Award along with the Distinguished Service Award. James is also a member of the Trine University trustees and is currently serving as Chairman. In 1997 James co–founded Metal Technologies Inc. Metal Technologies is a global metal casting company that offers high quality parts and value–added processes for a variety of industries. The Rick L. and Vicki L. James University Center has been named in recognition of the university support given by Rick and his wife Vicki.

Alumnus Greg Ilko, AE ’94 received the Trine University Outstanding Achievement Award, and Casey Pierce, DET ‘07, received the Distinguished Service Young Alumnus Award.

Ilko is vice president of Kappa Sigma fraternity′s alumni. Since 1997, Ilko has worked for CrossRoad Engineers, P.C. In 2006, he became a vice president and senior project manager, overseeing the organization’s site development department. The Outstanding Achievement Award is given to an alumnus or alumnae who has attained a high level of accomplishment in his or her profession, is well thought of in his or her community, and who upholds the ideals of Trine University.

Pierce, currently lives in China while working for iwis Drive Systems, a German company headquartered in Munich. Pierce still stays connected to his alma mater serving on the design engineering technology advisory board. The Distinguished Service Young Alumnus Award is presented to a recent alumnus or alumnae who has performed outstanding service to society through his or her profession, has garnered personal and community achievement and has manifest interest in Trine University.

Amy Schneider, CE ’98, and Nicholas Wellman, PE ’00, were inducted into the university’s Athletic Hall of Fame.

Schneider was the Tri–State Tennis Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player in her freshman year. In 1995 she was recognized by the Wolverine Hoosier Athletic Conference as an All–Conference player. In her junior year Schneider repeated her All–Conference award, participated in Regionals and qualified for the NAIA National Tennis Championship leading her team to the university’s best finish in school history. Schneider is currently a professional licensed engineer at G2 Consulting Group in metro Detroit.

During his time at the university, Wellman put his stamp on the football program seizing the top spot in four career records and four single season records. Lettering as a freshman quarterback in 1996 he was named captain his next three years. While setting records and receiving All–Conference honors throughout his college career, Wellman led the Thunder to their best record in the short four–year history of the program. Wellman is currently a high school teacher in Portage, Ind.

In addition to awards being received, the 2012 homecoming festivities included a ground breaking and dedication. The new Jim and Joan Bock Center for Innovation and Research was launched with a groundbreaking ceremony. The new facility will house the growing biomedical engineering program, research labs, Innovation One and the Technology Commercialization Lab. Trustee and 1954 mechanical engineering alumnus Jim Bock and his wife, Joan, contributed a major gift to put the vision for this center into action.

The Sponsel Mural was dedicated during homecoming. The mural is in the Rick L. and Vicki L. James University Center. It honors Dr. Clifford W. Sponsel and his wife, Dr. Juliette Cummins Sponsel. The hand–glazed artwork reflects the life of Clifford Sponsel, who graduated from Tri–State College in 1931 with a civil engineering degree. He celebrated his 102nd birthday in July. The mural highlights their love story, life’s passions, philanthropic efforts and endless devotion to volunteerism.