Busse is Trine commencement speaker

Trustee founded Steel Dynamics

Trine University Trustee and Steel Dynamics founder Keith Busse will deliver the address at Trine University’s commencement Saturday, May 9. The processional will begin at 10 a.m. in Hershey Hall. The university will award him an honorary business doctorate in honor of his achievement and contributions.

Busse has earned some of the most prestigious awards given by the iron and steel industries, and the highest civilian award given by the Indiana Governor—the Sagamore of the Wabash.

Busse founded Steel Dynamics in 1993 in Butler, Ind., setting an international record by building the plant in 14 months with only $280 million. The start-up business surpassed any previous steelmaking effort anywhere in the world. In 2002, his Columbia City, Ind. mill began operation and became the nation’s most profitable structural steel mill in operating income per ton. His re-start of a Pittsboro, Ind. mill in 2004 produced outstanding profit in only four months.

He subsequently purchased the $1.1 billion Omnisource Corp., one of the nation’s largest processors of metallic scrap. With the Omnisource addition, the company has the capacity to generate $6-$8 billion in net sales. It is included in the S&P mid-cap 400 and NASDAQ 100 indexes. It was named Most Admired Company by Fortune magazine in 2008.

In addition to receiving the top industry and state awards, Busse is a nationally recognized entrepreneur. He was listed in Business Week in 1997 as one of the country’s top 10 entrepreneurs. He was a national finalist in Ernst & Young’s Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year in 1997 and Young Entrepreneur of the Year in Manufacturing in 2003.

His charitable work includes chairing the National Kidney Foundation Cadillac Open and serving on the board for Junior Achievement and the Community Foundation, all in Fort Wayne; and serving on the board for Northeast Indiana Corporate Council and Regional Economic Development.

He has served on the Trine Board of Trustees since 2003. His company provided the steel and design for the new University Center, and he has contributed regularly to the Annual Fund for scholarships, equipment, and campus improvements.