October 07, 2025
The event was held in the Keith E. Busse/Steel Dynamics Inc. Athletic and Recreation Center.
“Dr. Furth is truly a Renaissance man who has directly impacted the entire Trine University campus and its surrounding community through his generous support,” said Earl D. Brooks II, Ph.D., Trine University president. “He is and has remained a close personal friend, as well as a close friend and staunch supporter of his alma mater, along with his wife, Ema.”
“Dr. Furth has been amazing as a board member, an amazing trustee and has done more for this university than we can imagine,” said Dr. Rick L. James, chair of Trine University’s Board of Trustees. “Most importantly, I've always appreciated his willingness to tell me what he thought, whether I wanted to hear it or not.”
“I guess what you get out of this is if you get old enough, you’ll finally get recognition,” Dr. Furth joked. “I really thank Tri-State and Trine University, having given me the education to apply to be what I wanted and to have a wonderful family. Thank you, all of you.”
About Dr. Furth
A native of Argentina, Dr. Furth attended what was then Tri-State College by recommendation of that nation’s U.S. cultural attaché.
He graduated in 1954 with a Bachelor of Science degrees in mechanical engineering and a Bachelor of Science in chemical engineering in 1955. After completing these two challenging degrees, he went on to become an outstanding business leader.
He served as director of United Merchants and Manufacturers and the president of Sudamtex Group, which produced and marketed natural textiles and synthetic fabrics for the garment industry, as well as fiberglass products for the oil, marine, construction and automotive industries.
He also served as the director and principal shareholder of Cametion Corporation in the United States and Fudelar Corporation in Argentina.
Dr. Furth was a member of a Venezuelian Bank from 1985-90, the advisory board of the Georgia Institute of Technology from 1991-97 and a board member of United Merchants from 1980-89.
Dr. Furth has a long history of support for Trine University’s annual and athletic funds and campus development. He and his wife Ema established the Tomas Furth Scholarship Fund in 1992 to support mechanical and chemical engineering students.
Tri-State University awarded him an honorary Doctor of Engineering degree in 1994. He joined the Board of Trustees in 1997 and served for 27 years. His service on the board included the finance, audit and investment committees.
In 2009, he made a significant contribution to the university’s new performing arts center, resulting in the naming of the T. Furth Center for Performing Arts, which was dedicated in 2014.
Trine University awarded Dr. Furth the Pillar of Success in 2014. The award is the university’s highest honor, recognizing individuals for their achievements and accomplishments, leadership, service, philanthropy, and commitment to their community, their profession, and Trine University.
Dr. Furth has made multiple significant contributions to support the teacher education programs at Trine. The gifts were used to transform classrooms inside Shambaugh Hall and funded training for Franks School of Education faculty.
Isabel Soto, instructor, and her Spanish students have created an ofrenda (decorated altar) honoring Ana Boman, who taught Spanish in Trine University’s Department of Humanities and Communication for 16 years before she passed away last year.
Trine University has launched Dual Advantage, a new program that gives undergraduate students multiple pathways to earn both a bachelor’s degree and an advanced degree in less time than completing both degrees separately.
Trine University student organizations and the McKetta Department of Chemical and Bioprocess Engineering recently offered activities for girls interested in science and engineering at the 2026 STEM Expo hosted by the Girl Scouts of Northern Indiana-Michiana (GSNI-M).