By Jarod Davis
Communication ’20
When she arrived at Trine University, Shannon Scott’s goal was to be the first design engineering technology graduate to earn a 4.0 grade point average.
" Trine’s engineering program provided me with the knowledge base and discipline to apply what I have learned and adapt to real industry needs. "- Shannon Scott
“At the very beginning of my freshman year at Trine, I somehow (too confidently) told Professor (Tom) Trusty that I would be his first DET student to graduate with a 4.0,” she said. “After making this promise, I couldn’t let him or myself down on such a commitment.”
She achieved that distinction in spring 2019 and was awarded the R. B. Stewart Award, given to the graduating senior who exemplifies Trine University’s values through achievement in scholarship, leadership and citizenship.
“It was unbelievably gratifying to graduate with a 4.0 and prove to myself that I could complete this goal that I had for so long,” she said.
Shannon now works for Stryker Medical as a manufacturing engineer and is setting even greater goals for herself.
Shannon’s journey in design engineering technology began with a Design Engineering class she enjoyed in high school. She saw Trine as a good opportunity to learn from professors as well as gain independence.
“I was looking for a school that could provide small class sizes and dedicated professors who could help me get the most out of my degree,” she continued. “Trine was a good distance from home, allowing me to be independent and grow in a new environment.”
At Trine, Shannon was a four-year volleyball player, member of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee, and a resident assistant for Trine’s honors dorm, all while maintaining a perfect GPA.
All her hard work paid off, as she now works in her dream career at Stryker, which manufactures and markets specialty medical equipment for the treatment, transfer and transport of patients. Shannon said her extracurricular experiences at Trine taught her management and leadership skills as well as self-confidence, while her education gave her the foundation to learn the specific processes used at Stryker.
“Trine’s engineering program provided me with the knowledge base and discipline to apply what I have learned and adapt to real industry needs,” she said.
