Mengting Ma

Mengting Ma, Trine mechanical engineering major

Physical and academic fitness mean a lot to Mengting Ma. She found both at Trine University when she traveled here from China to attend college.

She exercises in the Hornbacher Fitness Center routinely to stay physically fit, but the challenging nature of the engineering department also builds her mental muscles. "I won first place in the engineering quiz competition with my partner, Byrel Mitchell, in spring 2009, and the Martin Luther King Jr. essay competition," she said. "I received the President′s letters to acknowledge my academic achievement for 2008 fall and 2009 spring."

The small class sizes and dedicated teachers help international students transcend cultural barriers and integrate with the Trine student body. "I took Dr. Ira Jones′ class the first semester of college. Every time I have a problem, he always explains it to me very clearly and even relates it to other knowledge," she said. "He also cares about how my life is going, since he understands that it is harder for an international student to study here. That makes me feel very good. Even though I am not taking his class now, we still talk to each other often."

She loves Trine′s small-town setting, challenging academic programs and highly qualified faculty. "The teachers have high academic achievement. They are responsible and available to give help during or after class. The academic programs are highly recognized," she said.

She takes full advantage of the activities on campus as treasurer of the International Students Association (ISA) and as a member of the Multicultural Students Organization (MSO). She has performed Chinese dancing and calligraphy and created a display board about China for ISA activities, and has made a presentation in a local church about her MSO activities.