Trine Alumni Awards
Recognizing outstanding alumni
Trine University takes great pride in the success and accomplishments of its esteemed alumni. Each year, the university honors three alumni for achievements in their careers, the difference they have made in their communities and their dedication to Trine. Recipients are honored at the annual Touchstone Recognition and Homecoming Celebration Dinner.
Along with alumni awards, the Pillar of Success and Woman of Distinction awards are given to deserving candidates and recognized at the same Touchstone dinner. Recipients are determined by the university's President's Office.
Pillar of Success Award 
The Pillar of Success is the most prestigious award given by the university. As a pillar represents a vital, supporting position in any structure, so do the following individuals. They provide vital support through their commitment, loyalty and dedication. They have proven to be true Pillars of Success, advancing and securing the mission of Trine University and its future.
Rick Henvey, chief executive officer for Parkview Health, was named Trine University’s Pillar of Success during the university’s Touchstone and Homecoming Celebration Dinner on October 3, 2025.
2024 - James P. Fabiani
2023 - Charles L. Nedele
2022 - Keith M. Turner, BSME 1976
2021 - Dr. Keith E. Busse
2019 - Dr. Jack Shaw
2018 - Mayor Richard M. Hickman
2017 - Clifford D. Ryan
2016 - Richard L. Oeder, BSCE 1965
2015 - Larry E. Reiners, BSCE1965
2014 - Tomas Furth, BSME 1954
2013 - Lynn A. Brooks, BSBA 1975
2012 - Rick L. James, BSBA 1977
2011 - James D. Bock, BSME 1954
2010 - Lawrence D. Franks, BSME 1959
2009 - Mark E. Souder, US Representative 2003-2010 - Lawrence D. Franks, BSME 1959
2008 - William A. Gettig, BSME 1949
2008 - Robert L. Jannen*, BSCHE 1950
2007 - C.W. Sponsel*, BSCE 1931
2007 - Robert L. Remington
2006 - Ralph D. Trine, BSME 1961
2006 - Sheri G. Trine
2005 - Ralph W. Ketner, BSBA 1939
2004 - Robert E. Turner*, BSAE 1941
2003 - Jerry L. Allen, BSME 1978
2003 - Jorja J. Allen, BSBA 1978
2002 - Charles H. Taylor*, BSME 1936
2001 - John J. McKetta, Ph.D., BSCHE 1937
2000 - J. Glenn Radcliffe*, Ph.D., BSCE 1930
1999 - R. John Reynolds, Ph.D.
1998 - Dolores Tichenor, Ph.D.
1997 - John C. McBride*, BSBA 1948
*Denotes deceased
**No recipients awarded in 2020
Woman of Distinction Award
The Woman of Distinction Award was inaugurated in 2006 to honor Marjorie Bowstrom,
a Tri-State University Trustee, Zollner Corp. retired Board President and Chief Executive
Officer and Zollner Foundation Director. The award recognizes the powerful contributions
of women in the areas of philanthropy, business and education, and is presented annually
to a woman judged by the university to mirror the attributes Marjorie so admirably
represents. It signifies the university's high regard for the lofty achievements of
today's female leaders.
Trine University honored Kathy Eikenberry, known along with her husband Mike for her service and philanthropy throughout the Greater Fort Wayne area, with its annual Woman of Distinction Award during the university’s annual Touchstone and Homecoming Celebration Dinner on October 3, 2025.
2024 - Jennifer Danic
2023 - Debra Rhoads
2022 - Theresa E. Wagler
2021 - Suzanne Crouch, Indiana Lt. Gov.
2019 - Kathy Oeder
2018 - Jean A. Deller, Ph.D.
2017 - Cindy Turner
2016 - Rita M. Nedele
2015 - Judy A. Morrill
2014 - Vicki L. James
2013 - Joan D. Bock
2012 - Jorja J. Allen
2011 - Melanie N. Brooks
2010 - Sheri Trine
2009 - Frances Shevenaugh
2008 - Dolores Tichenor
2007 - Virginia Fabiani
2006 - Majorie Bowstrom
**No recipients awarded in 2020
Distinguished Service Award
The Distinguished Service Award is given each year to an alumnus/a who has performed outstanding
service to society in his or her profession, personal achievement or community; and
who has manifest interest in Trine University and has supported it by contributions
of time, talent and money; by recruitment of students; or by placement of graduates.
Tomy Cochran, a 1969 business administration graduate, received the Distinguished Service Alumni Award. He has served in many capacities across northeast Indiana. After graduating from Tri-State, he went on to work for 32 years at Magnavox and Raytheon in Fort Wayne. He earned membership in the Magnavox Quarter Century Club and served on the club’s board of directors.
2024 - C. Travis Wilhelm, BSEA 1999
2023 - Jennifer Sharkey, BSCE 2007
2022 - Ed Stowe, BSEE 1960
2021 - Ned Haylett, BSME 1972
2019 - Dr. James Ross Rinker, BSBA 1958
2018 - Patrick Sullivan, BSAE 1990
2017 - James R. Bullard, BSCE 1972
2016 - Edward R. Gerecke, Jr., BSCE 1970
2015 - Ann (Barrows) Cunningham, BSBA 1956
2014 - Michael P. Darch, BSBA 1967
2013 - James D. Bock, BSME 1954
2012 - Rick L. James, BSBA 1977
2011 - John R. Anderson, BSBA, 1974
2011 - George E. Higginson, BSBA 1963
2010 - Hubert N. Weikart, BSME 1956
2009 - Lynn A. Brooks, BSBA 1975
2008 - James M. Krzyzewski, BSME 1971
2008 - Mitchel E. Rhoads, BSBA 1966
2007 - William D. Dubois, BSCE 1966
2007 - Stephen R. LaHood, BSBA 1970
2006 - Joseph R. Mason, BSCS 1974, BSBA 1977
2006 - Jeffrey Posendek, BSED 1977
Recipients prior to 2006
*No recipients awarded in 2020
Outstanding Achievement Award
The Outstanding Achievement Award is given to an alumnus/a each year who has attained
a high level of achievement in his or her profession, is well thought of in his or
her community, and who upholds the ideals of Trine University.
Joe Schroeder, the first athlete in the 141-year history of Tri-State and Trine University to compete in the Olympics, was honored with the Outstanding Achievement Alumni Award.
2024 - John C. Carmichael, BSMK 2003
2023 - Kelly Ferneau, BSME 1990
2022 - Steward Cline, BSAE 1976
2021 - Carl Tilmann, Ph. D., BSAE 1987
2019 - Vipul Shah, BSCE, 1996
2018 - Kiruba "Rupa" Shanmugam, BSEE 1995
2017 - Sharon M. (Yates) McDonald, BSCJ 2000
2016 - Clifford D. Ryan, BSBA 1966
2015 - George W. Gilbert, BSBA 1973
2014 - Brian W. Ness, BSCE 1980
2013 - William F. Pett*, BSME 1953
2012 - Gregory J. Ilko, BSAE 1994
2011 - Timothy C. Adams, BAMA 1972
2010 - Raymond A. Stuckey, BSBA 1976
2010 - Steven R. Myers, BSBA 1981
2009 - Donald G. Jordan, BSCE 1954
2008 - Alan V. Dausman, BSCE1977
2008 - William C. Lusk, BSCE 1970
2007 - Philip J. O'Brien*, BSBA 1956
2007 - Karen A. (Klausing) Austin, BSCS 1986
2006 - William Becher, Ph.D., BSRE 1950
2006 - Irving A. Shepard*, BSAE 1938
2005 - Kurt Rim, BSCE 1958
2005 - Kwan Rim, BSME 1955
2005 - Kawang Rim, BSEE 1971
2004 - Patrick L. Mills, Ph.D., BSCHE 1973
2003 - James D. Bock, BSME 1954
2002 - John B. Pellegrino, BSCE 1960
2001 - Guido D. DiGregorio, BSEE 1966
2000 - Henry Tamagni Jr., BSME 1965
1999 - John N. Hester, Ph.D., BSCHE 1958
1999 - Thomas B. Boklund*, BSCE 1962
1998 - Kent W. Clapp*, BSBA 1969
1996 - Larry Thomas, BSBA 1967
*Denotes deceased
**No recipients awarded in 2020
Outstanding Young Alumni Award
The Outstanding Young Alumni Award is presented to an alumnus/a who is 40 years of
age or younger, and whom the Alumni Board and Administration recognizes as an accomplished
professional and role model in their chosen career, community activism and active
support of Trine University.
Tyler Benner, a 2008 sports management graduate, received the Outstanding Young Alumnus Award. Benner has been an insurance agent for Indiana Farm Bureau since 2016. He was the agency’s top producer in 2019 and was named a governor and premier agent in 2020. He serves on Indiana Farm Bureau’s Agent Advisory Committee as a voice for fellow agents.
2024 - Benjamin Syroka, BAGS 2016
2023 - Kayla Warren, BSACC 2006
2022 - Kelsey Ford, BSEDU, 2010
2021 - Garrett Day, BSCE, 2009
2019 - Steve Jbara, BSBA, 2010
2018 - Sarah Waidelich, BSME 2010
2017 - Ryan M. Ratkowski, BSDET 2008
2016 - Amanda M. (Hall) Sturgeon, BSBS 2002
2016 - James E. Sturgeon, BSME 2002
2015 - Vincent J. Barletto, BSEE 2004
2014 - Sarah L. Brown, BSBA 2014
2013 - Andrew R. Hein, J.D., BSCHE 1998
2012 - Casey R. Pierce, BSDET 2007
2011 - Mathew Iacobelli, BSBA 2009
2010 - Ezell Moore, BACOM 2003
2009 - Jason A. Stechschulte, BSCE 2003
2008 - Joseph D. Miller, BSME 1992
2008 - Ruth E. (Haaser) Wertz Ph.D., BSCE 2002
2007 - Jason O. Blume, BSME 2004
2007 - Jonathan O. Cress, J.D., BSBA 2002
2006 - Philip T. Evers, BSBA 1987
2006 - Trent E. Newport, BSCE 1992
2005 - Jason A. Stechschulte, BSCE 2003
2005 - Andrew Hinkle*, BSCHE 1997
2004 - Micha R. Oertel, BSCHE 1998
2003 - Scott G. Gruner, BSBA 1998
2002 - Byron L. Miller, MSCE 1984
2001 - Kyle Cordes, BSEE 1986
2000 - John M. Randall, BSCS 1986, BSEE 1988
1999 - Mark M. Sullivan, BSCE 1986
1998 - Bruce H. Smith, BSCHE 1981
1997 - William G. Stockberger, BSBA 1979
*Denotes deceased
**No recipients awarded in 2020
Spirit of Trine Award
The Spirit of Trine Award is awarded to an individual or individuals who demonstrate
continuous, selfless commitment to and devoted enthusiasm for Trine University through
involvement in and leadership of various areas of the university including, but not
limited to, creation of alumni enthusiasm, alumni re-engagement with the university,
campus organizations, alumni support and recruitment.
The university presented Rick Hoover with the Spirit of Trine Alumni Award. Hoover earned his aerospace engineering degree from Tri-State College in 1971. A member of the Alumni Association Board of Directors for 25 years and former president of the Board, Hoover has spearheaded efforts to engage alumni and support current Trine students through scholarships.
Nominate a candidate
Interested in nominating a candidate for an alumni award? Nominations can be submitted from July 1 to March 31 of the following calendar year.
Eligibility
Eligibility is limited to individuals who hold an associate, bachelor's or master's degree from Tri-State College, Tri-State University or Trine University. Nominations remain active for three award selection cycles.
If your nominations is not selected, you have the opportunity to add supplemental and/or updated information to the individual's nomination packet before the next deadline.
When nominating a recipient for Trine's Pillar of Success and Woman of Distinction Awards, please email alumni@trine.edu directly.
Selection Process
The Alumni Association's Board of Directors will review all nominations and propose at least two finalists for each award. The university administration, in coordination with the President and Board of Directors, will finalize the awardees in each category from the list of proposed finalists. Awardees will be informed by an official letter from the university President and Alumni Association's Board of Directors President.
Questions
For questions about Alumni Awards, please email Madison Prifogle, BACOM 2020, Alumni Award - Nominating Committee Chairwoman or email your inquiry to alumni@trine.edu.