Auburn Gear alumni, execs welcomed to campus

Trine University welcomed executives and alumni from Auburn Gear to campus March 14 for a tour, lunch, and a special presentation of updated diplomas to the alumni.

Michael Lashure, vice president of engineering and quality at Auburn Gear, had enjoyed participating in the All Majors Career Fair in February. During that event, he learned that Tri-State University alumni can receive updated Trine diplomas if interested.

Lashure and Olivia Valencic-Miller, director of strategic partnerships at Trine, worked together to plan a visit to campus for Tri-State alumni working at Auburn Gear. The group included Victor Rockey 1977 BSME, Craig Wisner 1976 BSME and James Forrest 1991 BSME. During the visit, Earl D. Brooks II, Ph.D., Trine University president, and Marty Palmer, president and CEO of Auburn Gear, presented each alumnus with a Trine diploma.

The group also toured campus and enjoyed lunch in the Whitney Dining Commons.

“The alumni were amazed by the growth and development of the campus over the past decades,” said Valencic-Miller. 

Auburn Gear is one of many local companies that employ Trine graduates.

“We want to thank Auburn Gear for their continuous support of our university and our graduates,” said Valencic-Miller. “Additionally, we want to thank Victor, Craig and James for their more than 100 years of combined service in the field of engineering.”

Photo: Front, from left, James Forrest 1991 BSME, Donna Rockey, Craig Wisner 1976 BSME, Marty Palmer, president and CEO of Auburn Gear, Luke Lashure, a junior majoring in computer science and information technology at Trine, Michael Lashure, vice president of engineering and quality at Auburn Gear; back, Victor Rockey 1977 BSME, Earl D. Brooks II, Ph.D., Trine University president, Greg Henderson, vice president of sales and marketing, Auburn Gear, and Chris Crawford, team coordinator of manufacturing engineering, Auburn Gear.