February 11, 2016
By Catherine E. Porter
marketing and communication ’16
Trine University’s Innovation One partnered with the YMCA of Steuben County to see new technology light up.
Nathaniel Scroggins, a Lilly intern and design engineering technology senior at Trine University, worked with Tri-State alumnus Nick Santino to redesign
his New York-based company’s swimming reaction lights. After improving the light design
throughout his summer internship with Innovation One, Scroggins was able to see his
project put into practical use at the Y last week.
The YMCA’s Wavemakers swim team reacted positively to the new equipment installed Jan. 20. In late January, a swim competition at the Steuben County YMCA tested the swim reaction lights with a bigger group of swimmers from the DeKalb County and South Bend YMCA clubs.
Swimming reaction lights were created to improve the field of competitive swimming by making it easier to distinguish the start signal. Rather than listening for an auditory signal in a loud arena, swimmers can focus solely on their lanes and watch for the visual signal provided by the lights. Scroggins’ redesign of the lights cut the costs of production dramatically and improved their aesthetics and functionality.
The lights are manufactured at Trine University with Scroggins operating the small business.
Michaela Doiron hopes to one day design prosthetics for children or veterans, and the Trine University biomedical engineering major has made two big strides toward that dream.
Trine University’s annual Trine Day, a celebration of the university as well as an opportunity to support its mission, set records for number of donors and funds raised, bringing in more than $160,000 for scholarships, academic and athletic needs, and student organizations.
Aylee Rupert's experience in the Wabash County Fellowship Program set her up for a successful launch to her career.