Seniors in spotlight as May 4 commencement nears

ANGOLA, Ind. – Trine University is celebrating its senior students as they get closer to graduating on Saturday, May 4.

On Friday, senior engineering students were in the spotlight for the annual Engineering Expo Day. The special event showcased projects that ranged from a toll road interchange to robots to an air-filtration system.

Then, on Sunday, Trine recognized approximately 150 students during Honors Day.

During the expo, hundreds of visitors checked out a concrete canoe and steel bridge model outside Fawick Hall before venturing inside to see and hear about senior projects. Students were quick to explain their projects, including the impetus and how their invention or modification worked.

Visitors of nearly all ages enjoyed refreshments as they stopped at each project, listened to students and checked out the work. Prospective students and their families were among the visitors as Trine hosted Spring Frenzy Visit Day on Friday, too.

Honors Day in Fabiani Theatre on Sunday paid tribute to students from all majors, noting their accomplishments. Students from each of Trine's schools were named one by one as they walked across the stage to be handed their honor cords and stoles before being congratulated by Earl D. Brooks II, Trine president, and John Shannon, Ph.D., vice president for Academic Affairs.

All honor students are asked to wear the cords during commencement at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 4. For the first time since 1967, Trine has planned an outdoor ceremony in Zollner Athletic Stadium. Rece Davis, an ESPN commentator, will deliver the commencement address.

Julia Nell, a senior from Ada, Okla., will deliver the address for the class of 2013. She received the speaking honor because she is the recipient of the Robert B. Stewart Award. It is the highest award given to a graduating senior.

Nell, who is majoring in chemistry and forensic science, has accepted a full scholarship for doctoral studies at the University of Nevada Las Vegas. She plans to study radio chemistry with a focus on nuclear forensics.

Two students from the School of Professional Studies (SPS) received the Ed and Ginger Leonard Family Future Leader Award, which recognizes outstanding scholarship and service. Award recipients are Brad McDaniel of Auburn and Jaca Story of Van Buren, each is earning a Master of Science in leadership.  The Leonards were at Honors Day to congratulate each winner as the awards were presented by Mersiha Alic, dean of the SPS.

For more information about Trine's commencement, visit  www.trine.edu/commencement.