Trine breaks ground on addition

Trine University broke ground Friday on a 26,000-square-foot addition to its Best Hall of Science and announced the official naming of the Rinker-Ross School of Health Sciences.

The $6.6 million expansion project, announced in February, will add seven laboratories, 12 offices and group study spaces to Best Hall, along with 140 new parking spaces, which are currently under construction.

The Rinker-Ross School of Health Sciences is named in honor of retired Dr. James R. Rinker of Binghamton, New York, a 1958 Trine alumnus, who designated a $2.5 million estate gift for the Best Hall addition.

"Learning takes all forms here at Trine University: Whether it's engineering, whether it's business, education, arts and science or health sciences, our students go beyond the classrooms and labs and have daily opportunities to breathe life into the knowledge and skills that they're developing," said Trine University President Earl D. Brooks II, Ph.D., during a groundbreaking ceremony. "Regardless of the major or the background or the discipline, every student at Trine University passes through this facility."

Praising Rinker, Brooks said, "His support, dedication and generosity will ensure a first-class learning environment to support all students of Trine University."

Also recognized for their support of the project were Drs. Rick L. and Vicki L. James, Keith and Cindy Turner and William and Barbara Dubois. Rick James is a 1977 Trine alumnus and chair of its board of trustees, Keith Turner is a 1976 alumnus who also serves on the trustee board and William Dubois is a 1966 alumnus.

Those not in attendance, but recognized for their financial support of the expansion of Best Hall, included Thomas Tecco, a 1972 Trine graduate and his wife Suella; Charlotte Brent, a 1988 Trine graduate; and Randall Plank, a 1975 Trine graduate.

The Best Hall expansion includes biology, chemistry and multipurpose laboratories to serve students in engineering, health sciences, sciences and other fields of study. Two new group study spaces also are planned. The expanded space will be ready in January 2017.