December 02, 2025
By Avalon Schnelker
English ’27
Dr. Liberatore received the 2025 David Himmelblau Award for Innovations in Computer-Based Chemical Engineering Education. The award recognizes an individual or group for making new and novel contributions to computer aids for chemical engineering education. The award citation reads: For his innovative, fully-interactive, web-based chemical engineering textbooks with auto-graded, randomized problems as well as quantifying student engagement and success.
He also gave an invited presentation based on his 2024 award for Award For Excellence in Engineering Education Research. His presentation was titled, “Beyond the Textbook: Data-Driven Research, Interactive Learning, and Creating Creative Problems.”
“I tried to mix gratitude for my students and colleagues co-authoring the engineering education research papers over the last decade as well as overcoming failure,” he said.
Dr. Liberatore also presented talks or posters on video-inspired problems written by students, generative AI or both; high reading participation in a first engineering thermodynamics course; chemical engineering summer school; and chemical engineering faculty development.
Alexandra Davidson, a current Trine MBA student and 2024 chemical engineering graduate, co-authored one of these presentations.
The AIChE annual meeting invites chemical engineering professionals and educators from around the world to share their findings, research, innovations and advancements in their field.
At the 2024 AIChE annual meeting, in addition to receiving the Award for Excellence in Engineering Education Research, Dr. Liberatore was named an AIChE Fellow, recognizing superior attainments, valuable contributions, and service toward chemical engineering.
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.