Tri-State University to become Trine University, August 1
On Aug 1, 2008, Tri-State University will officially be renamed Trine University, as determined by its board of trustees after three years of deliberation. Tri-State President Earl D. Brooks II made a public announcement in May 2007 of the board’s intention to incorporate the name of the Ralph and Sheri Trine family, long-term university supporters and partners, into the new name. [ Read more ]Overview
Updated: MAY 16, 2008
Three years ago, the university hired an educational marketing firm from Minneapolis to help establish a reputation as a premier, private institution. The firm strongly suggested changing the name of the university because of the ambiguity the name Tri-State creates. An ad hoc committee was established to study the issue.
Using information supplied by the marketing firm and their own study of the issue, the committee determined that for Tri-State to become a nationally known private university, the name would have to change. Associations with the word “state” in the name could not be dispelled. The overuse of “Tri-State” for businesses locally, regionally, and across the country, and the numerous, unrelated “Tri-State” Web sites literally buried the university’s identity as an institution of higher learning.
The committee’s recommendation to make the change was brought before the board, which reached a decision to change the name of the university on Aug. 1, 2008. The board also agreed that any new name would include the name “Trine” in recognition of that family’s past and present support of the University.
Dr. Ralph Trine is a 1961 ME graduate. He, his wife, Sheri, and their family are ardent supporters of Tri-State and northeastern Indiana. They are a local business family, and employ over 25 TSU graduates from the schools of business and engineering today. No other family approaches their record of support, engagement, leadership, and service to TSU.
The institution’s evolution is clear. Its recognition in recent years as a comprehensive institution has led to rankings by U.S. News & World Report.
The university has demonstrated significant recent growth. The largest fall class in 10 years, 496 students, enrolled for fall 2007, representing a 33 percent increase over the previous year. Overall institutional enrollment increased 11 percent. Over the past five years, the university has undertaken a $90 million master plan to enhance its campus, programs, technology, and faculty. Of that goal, $50 million has already been invested in capital improvements. The board approved the name change as part of that momentum.