Trine CCH honors leadership, recognizes faculty at annual banquet

The Christian Campus House at Trine University honored the ministry’s leaders for their longtime, faithful service and recognized a faculty member for his dedication to students during the organization’s 39th annual banquet on Saturday, March 22.

The CCH Board of Directors surprised Travis Wilhelm, lead campus minister, and his wife Cheryl with an award for 25 years of ministry at CCH.

“(Travis’s) priorities have never wavered,” said Dwight Savage, board president from 2014-2025, in presenting the award. “They have always been to meet the needs of the students, and more importantly, his desire to reach one more for Christ.”

“I know it wasn’t easy for Cheryl to pack up the kids, go on retreats and mission trips, knowing that Travis’s attention would be on his students. The lessons about motherhood, submission, service and community were not lost on those who observed her testimony and commitment to Travis and CCH.”

Savage was honored earlier in the ceremony for his work as a board member and board chair. He had been part of the board since 2003.

“If you’ve ever been anywhere close to the CCH campus, you’ve seen the work and the effort of Dwight,” said Craig Williams, current board president. “Dwight has guided the board in spirit, and in leadership, and in his faithfulness.”

“Dwight has been more than the president I worked under, he has been a mentor, a friend and a father figure in my life,” Travis Wilhelm said.

Distinguished Faculty

CCH also honored Allen Beatty, assistant professor in the university’s Ketner School of Business, with its annual Distinguished Faculty Award.

The award is voted on by the CCH senior class.

Beatty has been at Trine since 2022. In addition to his teaching duties, he oversees the university’s Voluntary Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program each year, which provides income tax assistance to low-income residents.

He also worked with the Community Humane Shelter of Steuben County on a project that allowed Trine students to conduct an audit for that organization.

He received the Charles William, Nelle Paris, & Mary Ann McKetta Excellence in Teaching Award in 2024.

Beatty earned his Bachelor of Science in finance and business management at Franklin University and holds a Master of Taxation from Capital University Law School.

"Al Beatty is the definition of a person who goes above and beyond for others,” said Samantha Kopach, a senior majoring in accounting. “Consistently, he selflessly gives his time and efforts to help his students with anything from understanding class material to researching potential job opportunities."

CCH seeks to help Trine University better the student community as a whole by creating a ministry that serves their spiritual needs.