December 01, 2025
By Avalon Schnelker
English ’27
The Trine Sales and Marketing Association held its third annual KSB Collegiate Sales
Cup on Nov. 12. The event gives students from all majors the chance to showcase their
sales skills.
Students had the opportunity to win cash prizes by completing a 15-minute role-playing
exercise. Connor Bayne of JH Specialty acted as a buyer.
Thirteen students with majors from finance to psychology competed.
Winners, in order of placement, were: Leyton Byler, a finance major from LaGrange,
Indiana; Isaac Pavona, a business administration major from Williamston, Michigan;
Josh Hartman, a sport management major from Whitestown, Indiana; Jacob Lautzenhiser,
a finance major from Hamilton, Indiana; James Ruple, a finance major from Delta, Ohio;
Gavin Kruise, a finance major from Milan, Michigan; and Kamryn Miller, a finance major
from Ottawa, Ohio.
Judges were Nick Lenzo and Colin Griffin of Federated Insurance, Tyler Benner of Indiana
Bureau Insurance, Jeff Gerke of Midwest America Federal Credit Union and Zach Lear
of JH Specialty.
The Trine Sales and Marketing Association is a student-led organization in Trine’s
Ketner School of Business. They provide interested students with opportunities to
learn more about marketing and sales with chances to build upon and strengthen their
skills.
Trine University’s annual Trine Day, a celebration of the university as well as an opportunity to support its mission, set records for number of donors and funds raised, bringing in more than $160,000 for scholarships, academic and athletic needs, and student organizations.
Trine University students learned about opportunities available with the Purdue Data Mine during a special presentation on April 10 in the Mark and Sarah Music/Ruoff Mortgage Esports Arena.
Trine University has received a lead gift from Dr. Rick L. James, alumnus and chair of the university’s Board of Trustees, and his wife, Dr. Vicki L. James, for a new building to house Trine’s business school.