Trine enrollment up

University builds housing for students

Trine University has increased enrollment at its main and branch campuses and will house a larger resident student population this fall. Students began classes at the main Tri-State Campus in Angola on Aug. 26. Students at the School of Professional Studies campuses in Fort Wayne, Angola, South Bend/Mishawaka and Merrillville will begin classes on Sept. 2.

Trine's Dareen McClelland, left, hands out information to students moving into campus housing on Aug. 23.

While the new class of 499 at the main Angola campus tops last year’s 489, the highest at the university in 10 years, Trine’s Vice President for Enrollment Management Scott Goplin says other enrollment numbers are also cause for celebration.

Total main campus enrollment will reach 1,337, up 7 percent from last year’s 1,249, and represents the highest enrollment on the campus in 31 years. Overall enrollment, including all School of Professional Studies branch campuses, is projected at 1,740, an increase of 6 percent over last year’s 1,614. On-campus residents stand at 937, up 16 percent from last year’s 810.

Trine University has prepared for its projected enrollment increase by constructing three new student apartment buildings in 2007, and four more buildings overlooking Zollner Golf Course open this year. One building, designated as honors housing for academically talented freshmen, is completed and housing students this fall. The other three will open in December.

Trine has also enhanced academic programs for the higher number of students, offering majors in hospitality and tourism management, informatics, and music this fall. Five-year bachelor of science and master of engineering degrees for civil and mechanical engineering students were introduced in 2007.

A sweeping infrastructure upgrade has brought a new University Center to central campus and the renovation of the C.W. Sponsel Administration Center. Shive Field has been rebuilt with artificial turf for football, two athletic fields have been added, and Thunder Sports Park has been renovated. Upgrades to the T. Furth Center for Performing Arts, Franks School of Education, and Ketner School of Business are in the design stages, along with a new stadium for football, soccer, and lacrosse. A new field house and recreation center with 200-meter indoor track, batting cages, and other amenities is now under construction, with completion scheduled for April 2009.