Trine students earn Greater Fort Wayne Fellowships

By Annabelle Elder
Communication ’17

Two Trine University students have been selected to be part of the Greater Fort Wayne Fellows program this summer.

Brandon Goepfrich, a junior informatics major from Fort Wayne, and Megan Boston, a junior marketing major from Coldwater, Michigan, were selected to be part of the program, along with 11 other students from area universities.

The program includes a 12-week summer internship with a Fort Wayne employer along with personal development workshops, community engagement opportunities, networking events and social activities. Free housing is provided during the internship.

“I heard about the Greater Fort Wayne Fellowship program my sophomore year from another student,” said Boston. “I was interested in it, but the application deadline had already passed so I decided to apply again this year. I was constantly going to (employment specialist) Linda Cooper, asking her what I could do to make sure I would get noticed by the program.”

Goepfrich said he was drawn to the program by its leadership and community service opportunities, while the professional development aspect attracted Boston.

“They teach us how to be a better leader and intern, and I knew it would better prepare me for my future,” added Boston.

Fellows are selected on the basis of on-campus leadership experience, grade point average and commitment to community service. An extensive application process includes interviews and essays.

Goepfrich will intern with Franklin Electric, a leading provider of systems and components for moving water and fuel. He said he will be involved with network management and also serve as an administrative intern.

“I’m going to be helping with the network and making sure all the different devices are able to connect and make sure they can all get to the websites they need to,” Goepfrich said.

Boston’s internship will be at Tuthill Transfer Systems, which manufactures pumps for fuel and a variety of other fluids.

Both said they are looking forward to the opportunities the Fellows program will provide.

“I’m looking forward to honing my leadership skills, networking with more people and gaining more knowledge of the Fort Wayne area,” Goepfrich said.

“We have networking events and development workshops to help us be the best intern we can be, so I guess I am most excited to put all I learn from the workshops to use,” said Boston. “I’m looking forward to growing as an individual, being able to increase my leadership skills and help others.”