May 06, 2026
Trine University honored faculty members during its annual year-end awards ceremony, held prior to Commencement on Saturday, May 2.
McKetta-Smith Excellence in Teaching
The McKetta-Smith Excellence in Teaching Awards were established for the faculty by Trustee Emeritus John J. McKetta, Ph.D., in 1989.
John Liu, Ph.D., associate professor, Wade Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, was honored with the Professor Gerald H. Moore Overall Excellence in Teaching Award. He also received the Charles & Sue Ragan Gelet Excellence in Teaching Award in Engineering.
The Helen Smith McKetta Excellence in Teaching Award was presented to Jenna Waterman, assistant professor, Master of Physician Assistant Studies program.
The recipient of the Robert Andrew & Anne Ewing Smith Excellence in Teaching Award in Health Sciences was Vinnie Lang, assistant professor, Department of Exercise Science.
The recipient of the Robert Ewing & Gail Stewart Smith Excellence in Teaching Award in Arts and Sciences was Jill Noyes, assistant professor, Department of Humanities and Communication.
The recipient of the Merle J. & Anna Mae McKetta Thomas Excellence in Teaching Award in Education was Chelsea Superzinski, assistant professor, Franks School of Education.
The recipient of the Charles William, Nelle Paris, & Mary Ann McKetta Excellence in Teaching Award in Business was Evan Gustin, assistant professor, Ketner School of Business.
The recipient of the Steve & Mary Yacynch McKetta Excellence in Teaching Award in Engineering was Jarred Finnerman, Ph.D., assistant professor, Department of Design Engineering Technology.
The recipient of the Frank & Julia Gelet McKetta Excellence in Teaching Award was Rizacan Sarikaya, Ph.D., associate professor, Wade Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering.
The recipient of the John J. & Mary Gelet McKetta Excellence in Teaching Award in Engineering was Kinsey Cotton Kelly, Ph.D., associate professor, Bock Department of Biomedical Engineering.
Additional awards
Four adjunct faculty members received the Outstanding Adjunct Award, recognizing teaching excellence and exceptional service to the university: Caitlyn Freese in the Brooks College of Health Professions, Shawn Snyder in the Franks School of Education and Richard Parkinson, D.B.A., and Abigail Scheg, Ph.D., in the College of Graduate and Professional Studies.
Four individuals received the Service Award, which recognizes a faculty or academic staff member who has gone well beyond regular duties and has committed an extraordinary amount of time, resources and dedication to the betterment of Trine University: Josh Pranger, instructor and executive director of academic operations for the College of Graduate and Professional Studies; John Curtis, director of assessment and accreditation for the College of Graduate and Professional Studies; Renee Shipe, institutional researcher and reporter; and Wendy Yagodinski, assistant professor and chair of the Department of Computer Science and Information Technology.
Three faculty members received the Faculty Scholarship Award, which recognizes an individual who has gone well beyond regular duties and has dedicated much time and effort to produce quality scholarly work as a faculty member at Trine University: James Miller, Ph.D., assistant professor in the Wade Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering; Gaganpreet Hundal, Ph.D., assistant professor in the College of Graduate and Professional Studies; and Tricia Widenhoefer, DPT, associate professor, Doctor of Physical Therapy program.
The Excellence in Teaching award, honoring a strong commitment to teaching and student success, was presented to three faculty: Kara Wilson, assistant professor, Master of Physician Assistant Studies program; Erica Hutton, Ph.D., assistant professor and director of the Cold Case Unit, Department of Criminal Justice; and Sarah Franzen, Ph.D., College of Graduate and Professional Studies.
Vickie Kern, instructional designer in the College of Graduate and Professional Studies, was honored with the OER Excellence Award, presented to those who have shown a strong commitment to effectively incorporate open, affordable education resources for students.
The Barrenbrugge Award for Faculty Excellence, based on the criteria of excellence in teaching, achievement in research or other scholarly endeavors and service to the university, was presented to Jeremy Rentz, Ph.D., Schantz Distinguished Professor in the Reiners Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering.
The Jannen Renaissance Scholar Award, which honors a breadth of interest and accomplishment consistent with Renaissance ideals and encouraging students and faculty to aspire to such breadth, was presented to Matthew McLin, Ph.D., assistant professor in the Department of Humanities and Communication.
Mitch Daniels, former governor of the state of Indiana and former president of Purdue University, shared advice with graduates he said were entering a world he described as “the most promising and most uncertain and treacherous” as Trine University held Commencement ceremonies on May 2.
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.