January 19, 2022
Trine University has appointed two new academic department chairs for the spring 2022 semester.
Chad Keefer, Ed.D., associate professor of physics, will be chair of the new Department
of Physics.
A Fort Wayne native who graduated from Northrop High School, Keefer has taught at Trine since 2005. He holds a Bachelor of Science in secondary science education, a Master of Arts in physics, Master of Arts in chemistry and Ed.D. in science, all from Ball State University.
Marissa Nichols, who had served as chair of the Department of Mathematics and Physics, will remain chair of the Department of Mathematics.
Debbie Richard, assistant professor, has been named department chair for the Ketner School of Business. She replaces Toby Swick, who retired at the end of the fall 2021 semester.
Richard has been at Trine since 2014, when she joined the university’s Office of University
Marketing and Communications as director of digital marketing. She transitioned to
a full-time faculty role in 2019 after teaching on an adjunct basis for several years.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts in business management, MBA and Master of Business and Organizational Leadership from Defiance College in Defiance, Ohio.
“It’s always a pleasure to welcome distinguished faculty members into new roles with increasing areas of responsibility,” said John Shannon, Ph.D., vice president for academic affairs. “We look forward to the growth each department will experience under Chad and Debbie’s leadership.”
Trine University’s first Associate of Science and Master of Science in nursing graduates, along with physician assistant and surgical technology graduates, received a welcome to the healthcare field from the leader of Cameron Health, herself a longtime nurse, during the university’s fall Commencement on Dec. 12.
Trine University’s Thunder Therapy Clinic, which provides pro-bono rehabilitation services to those in the Fort Wayne area with limited means, will offer occupational therapy beginning in January.
Six Trine University civil engineering seniors and two faculty members toured a cement plant and the Newburgh Lock and Dam, learned about the Ohio River Crossing project and traveled to bridge construction sites during a senior trip in November.