INDIANAPOLIS — A Trine University sophomore was among 30 first-generation college
students recognized at the 29th annual “Realizing the Dream” banquet hosted by the Independent Colleges of Indiana
(ICI) on Nov. 3.
Taylor Davis of Fort Wayne, an exercise science major, received a $2,500 check to
help with college costs. Her “most influential” teacher/mentor, Pamela O’Reilly, publications/English
teacher at R. Nelson Snider High School in Fort Wayne, received a $1,000 professional
development grant.
Trine University alumnus and board chair Dr. Rick L. James served as keynote speaker
for the event. James, who began working at Auburn Foundry after he graduated from
high school, learned all aspects of foundry operation, and, in 1989 he and a partner
founded Metal Technologies Inc. Today the company has sales in excess of $500 million
and more than 1,100 employees.
Students were selected from each ICI member institution for outstanding achievement
in their freshman year and for successfully advancing toward their bachelor’s degree.
Awards are made possibly by a grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. to ICI. The event was
held at the Sheraton Indianapolis at Keystone Crossing.
“We are so grateful to the Lilly Endowment for making this inspirational program possible,”
said David W. Wantz, ICI president and CEO. “We are proud, too, that because of the
higher graduation rates of our ICI colleges and universities, these students are significantly
more likely to realize the dream of completing their degrees in four years.”
Photo: From left, David Wantz, president and CEO of the Independent Colleges of Indiana;
Taylor Davis; and Dr. Rick L. James, chairman and CEO of Metal Technologies Inc. and
chair of the Trine University Board of Trustees.
