February 13, 2025
The Trine University Board of Trustees recently approved the promotion of eight university faculty members.
"We congratulate these individuals on their promotion in rank. Each has completed a rigorous peer review process to receive this recognition for their outstanding teaching, scholarship and service," said Tony Kline, Ph.D., vice president for academic affairs. "The dedication of all our student-centered faculty to the personal, academic and professional growth of our students is central to Trine University and its mission."
Promoted to assistant professor
The university promoted Jeffrey Raymond from instructor to assistant professor.
Raymond has taught in three different departments at Trine: Physics, Chemical Engineering and Biology. Within his current role, he developed a new microbiology course tailored to Trine’s growing nursing and surgical technology programs.
He was recognized with the Frank and Julia Gelet McKetta Excellence in Teaching Award in 2022.
Promoted to associate professor
Seven faculty were promoted from assistant professor to associate professor: Justin Bock, Franks School of Education; Gurudutt Chandrashekar, Ph.D., Wade Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering; Jackie Delagrange, College of Graduate and Professional Studies; Roberta Gagnon, Department of Design Engineering Technology; Philip Downs, Ph.D., Franks School of Education; Rizacan Sarikaya, Ph.D., Wade Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering; and Jennifer Berube, Ph.D., Brooks College of Health Professions.
Bock was praised by students for being well-prepared, treating them with respect and encouraging participation. He has participated in and presented at multiple professional development opportunities, winning education and excellence in teaching awards.
He serves the university on multiple committees in addition to his primary role as a faculty member in the Franks School of Education. He is also the placement coordinator for all practicum experiences for education students.
Chandrashekar was praised for adding overload hours to support his department and colleagues while maintaining the quality of his instruction and mentoring and advising individual students. He has participated in multiple teaching and learning workshops in addition to serving on the university’s Curriculum and Academic Standards (CAS) committee.
He has advised 10 senior design projects, including serving as a principal investigator and advisor of Trine University’s AIAA Design-Build-Fly (DBF) team. In that role, he applied for and received a $6,000 grant from the Indiana Space Grant Consortium (INSGC).
Letters of recommendation from former students cited Delagrange’s quality as a mentor and a committed educator.
She has received numerous teaching awards, including the Gerald H. Moore Overall Excellence in Teaching Award in 2024. She previously served the university as chair of the Department of Criminal Justice.
Gagnon serves as faculty advisor for Trine’s chapter of the Society of Women Engineers. In that role, she has facilitated the chapter’s attendance for several years at the organization’s annual conference. She also has served as a liaison with Branch County, Michigan, for activities and programs that connect Trine University design engineering technology students with opportunities there.
She has been part of numerous training sessions and teaching conferences. She also served on an American Society for Engineering Education Technology Division White Paper Review Committee.
As a former superintendent of Southwest Allen County Schools, Downs continues to be involved with training and presentations for Indiana school boards. He is also active with several superintendent professional organizations.
He is the university liaison for the Northeast Indiana Superintendent Study Council and serves on the Trine Graduate Council. He is also very involved with the Transition to Teaching program in the Franks School of Education.
Sarikaya has contributed to multiple peer-reviewed journal articles and scholarly presentations in addition to participation in professional organizations. He recently completed his Ph.D. and continues professional development through attendance at the Fort Wayne Teaching and Learning Conference as well as opportunities provided by the university’s Center for Teaching Excellence.
He serves the university on multiple departmental committees in addition to advising more than 40 majors and regularly participating in college admission events.
Berube’s students rate her well on the delivery of her course material and her availability outside of class to help students. She received the College of Health Professions Excellence in Teaching Award in 2024.
She has contributed to multiple peer-reviewed journal articles and completed a poster presentation at the Eastern Nursing Research Society Annual Scientific Sessions. She also serves as a peer reviewer for the American Journal of Critical Care and serves the university on the Faculty and Curriculum Committee.
Trine University Theatre will present a free matinee of “The Somewhat True Tale of Robin Hood” to local school groups and homeschool students grades K-5 in the Ryan Concert Hall of the T. Furth Center for Performing Arts beginning at noon on April 3.
The 65th annual Northeastern Indiana Tri-State Regional Science Fair, hosted by Trine University on March 15, drew projects representing all areas of science from northeast Indiana elementary, middle and high school students.
Trine University’s Master of Science in Business Analytics degree program, offered through the College of Graduate and Professional Studies, is sixth in recent national rankings of most affordable programs in that field.