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Trine University is a private university in
Angola, Indiana Angola is a city in Pleasant Township, Steuben County, Indiana, Pleasant Township, Steuben County, Indiana, Steuben County, Indiana, United States. The population was 8,612 at the 2010 census. The city is the county seat of Steuben County. Angol ...
. It was founded in 1884 and offers degrees in the arts and sciences, business, education, and engineering. Trine University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.


History

Trine was founded in 1884 as Tri-State Normal College and retained the reference to the "tri-state" area for more than 120 years because of its location in Indiana and proximity to Michigan and Ohio. In 1906, the school was renamed Tri-State College, and in 1975 Tri-State University. The school served its regional population, first as a teachers and engineering school with flexible evening and weekend courses and then broadening into a multidisciplinary institution with an expansion of daytime classes, an athletics program and more robust student life offerings. On June 1, 1963, Tri-State succeeded in achieving its initial regional accreditation. It has remained an accredited institution since that time, most recently extending its Level V accreditation until the next (2026) evaluation visit. Further, the Ketner School of Business was reaffirmed by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) on February 26, 2019.School growt
catalogued by the school's website
Accessed 28 Oct 2020.
In 2002 the school joined the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA), and, coinciding with the opening of the $650,000 Ketner Sports Complex, in Tri-State attained NCAA Division III provisional membership. Already with over 100 years of teaching engineering courses, in 2005 the university graduated its first class of Master of Science in Engineering Technology students. In 2008, the school's name was changed to the Trine University, in honor of
alumnus Alumni (singular: alumnus (masculine) or alumna (feminine)) are former students of a school, college, or university who have either attended or graduated in some fashion from the institution. The feminine plural alumnae is sometimes used for grou ...
Dr. Ralph Trine and his wife Sheri. The dropping of the "tri-state" identifier reflected a desire to brand the school as a nationally competitive private university, not to be mistaken for state-funded or associated with businesses or organizations nationwide also using the term "tri-state". During the 1990s, the university opened several satellite campuses throughout northern and central Indiana.


Campus

Trine's main campus covers 450 acres (1.8 km2) in Angola, Indiana. Programs in the university's College of Health Professions are housed at Trine's education centers in Fort Wayne. There also are education centers in Detroit, Michigan and Phoenix, Arizona.


Affiliations

Trine is a member of Midwestern Undergraduate Private Engineering Colleges (MUPEC) and accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCACS).


Academics

Trine offers
associate's degree An associate degree is an undergraduate degree awarded after a course of post-secondary study lasting two to three years. It is a level of qualification above a high school diploma, GED, or matriculation, and below a bachelor's degree. The f ...
s,
bachelor's degree A bachelor's degree (from Middle Latin ''baccalaureus'') or baccalaureate (from Modern Latin ''baccalaureatus'') is an undergraduate academic degree awarded by colleges and universities upon completion of a course of study lasting three to six y ...
s, master's degrees and a doctorate in more than 50 fields of study (39 traditional undergraduate degrees) and has a 17:1 student-to-faculty ratio. It launched a Master of Physician Assistant Studies degree in fall 2018 and is continuing to expand its health sciences programs, launching an online RN-to-BSN in 2020, a Master of Science in Nursing in fall 2021, and a Master of Science in Speech Language Pathology in fall 2022.


Student life

More than 2,000 students live on the main campus which hosts approximately 100 varied campus groups from professional or major-specific clubs, recreational sports, religiously affiliated groups, and an array of hobby or interest clubs.


Greek life

Fraternities and sororities have been a visible presence on the Trine campus for 100 years. The campus hosts ten honor societies that recognize scholastic achievement, complimenting 13 active undergraduate social fraternities and sororities. Local societies had been predominant during the earlier, non-accredited era of campus growth, but beginning in 1947, national fraternities and then sororities colonized and now make up the majority of chapters. Tri-State's first men's social fraternity, Sigma Mu Sigma formed in 1921, and its first women's social sorority, Sigma Alpha Gamma (local) formed in 1926. As of 2018, 26% of male and 19% of female undergraduates are involved in these groups. Chapters are listed in order of date established, with active groups in bold and inactive groups in ''italics''. Fraternities on the campus include: Active Fraternities * –
Alpha Sigma Phi Alpha Sigma Phi (), commonly known as Alpha Sig, is an intercollegiate men's social fraternity with 181 active chapters and provisional chapters. Founded at Yale in 1845, it is the 10th oldest Greek letter fraternity in the United States. The fr ...
, 1935 (FFC, formerly NIC) * – Tau Kappa Epsilon, 1947–1948, 1989 (NIC) Trine University's first chapter was originally the founding chapter of Sigma Mu Sigma fraternity, established on March 25, 1921, which over a decade spread to nine campuses. It was originally limited to Master Masons. With conditions worsening in the Great Depression, its small national organization voted in the Fall of 1934 to merge with , but the Tri-State ''Alpha chapter'' remained independent, likely due to non-accreditation. In 1936 it became the ''Psi chapter'' of Alpha Lambda Tau. That small non-NIC national would ''itself'' merge into in 1947 in ''another'' merger. Following this, the NIC demanded that revoke the charter for the group at Tri-State if they wanted to remain in the NIC because Tri-State College was still non-accredited. Hence, revoked the charter of its ''Beta-Epsilon chapter'' at its next Conclave. The chapter then affiliated with
Kappa Sigma Kappa Kappa Sigma Kappa () is the name of three separate college fraternities, sharing a common history and traditions but disconnected by decades and a break in organizational continuity. The original incarnation of Kappa Sigma Kappa was formed at Vi ...
in 1952. When small Kappa Sigma Kappa merged into
Theta Xi Theta Xi () is a North American Greek-letter social college fraternity. It was founded at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) on April 29, 1864. Of all the social fraternities today, Theta Xi was the only one founded during the Civil War. Its ...
in 1962, likewise a NIC fraternity, the chapter was again ineligible for the merger due to the accreditation status of Tri-State University. So the chapter petitioned Kappa Sigma and became a chapter of ''that'' fraternity in 1966, enduring until the accreditation turmoil had passed. This is the short history of the Trine University Kappa Sigma chapter. Decades after Tri-State University became accredited, established a new chapter on the campus in 1989. The new chapter retained the ''Beta-Epsilon chapter'' designation and honors the founding date of the original chapter, even though that original campus group is now a chapter of Kappa Sigma.
* –
Sigma Phi Delta Sigma Phi Delta () is an international professional-social fraternity of engineers. As "The Premier International Fraternity of Engineers", the organization is the only fraternity of its kind that draws its membership exclusively from male enginee ...
, 1947 engineering professional (formerly PFA) * – Kappa Sigma, 1966 (formerly NIC) * – Phi Kappa Theta, 1966 (NIC) Note, the Baird's Manual Online Archive shows this chapter as forming in 1943 out of a prior local called Alpha Gamma Omega, but the dates appear in error. Perhaps the local was dormant for a time, and then revived? The Phi Kap website clearly says its ''Indiana Alpha Gamma chapter'' was installed . *
Acacia ''Acacia'', commonly known as the wattles or acacias, is a large genus of shrubs and trees in the subfamily Mimosoideae of the pea family Fabaceae. Initially, it comprised a group of plant species native to Africa and Australasia. The genus nam ...
, 1967–1979, 2012 (NIC) * – Sigma Phi Epsilon, 1968 (formerly NIC) * – Delta Chi, 1969 (NIC) ''Fraternities whose names changed''
:: ''Square M Club (local), 1921-1921, became (see )'' :: – '' Sigma Mu Sigma, 1921–1936, 1940–1952, 1962–1966, became , , , and Acacia'' :: ''Four-Eleven Gang (local), 1922–1927, became (see )'' Fro
's ''Trine chapter'' history
accessed 9 Jan 2021.
:: – ''Beta Phi Sigma (local), 1922–1932, became '' :: – ''Phi Lambda Tau (local), 1925–1929, became (see )'' Noted in th
1956 ''Modulus'' yearbook
the Trine chapter of emerged out of an original local, then , then , and finally becoming .
:: – ''Phi Sigma Chi, 1927–1934, 1936–1949, became , reverted to , became (see )'' :: – ''Lambda Phi Epsilon (local), 1927–1929, became (see )'' :: – ''Gamma Eta Alpha (local), 1927–1931, became '' :: – ''
Phi Lambda Alpha Phi Lambda Alpha (), established in 1919 at the University of California, Berkeley was the first Latin American–based Greek Lettered collegiate fraternity in the Western United States. Phi Lambda Alpha (ΦΛΑ) fraternity established communicat ...
, 1929–1931, became '' :: – ''Beta Phi Theta, 1929–1969, became '' :: ''Catholic Club (local), 1929–1940, became (see )'' :: – ''
Alpha Delta Alpha Alpha Delta Alpha () was an American fraternity, established in 1920. It ceased operation as a national in with six chapters continuing as local organizations, and of these, at least three eventually merging into another national. History Alpha D ...
, 1930–1934, became (see )'' :: – ''Sigma Delta Rho, 1934–1936, reverted to , became (see )'' :: – '' Alpha Kappa Pi, 1935–1946, became '' :: – '' Alpha Lambda Tau, 1936–1947, became '' :: ''Kadimah Society, 1936–1948, became (see , then )'' :: – ''Alpha Gamma Omega (local), 1940–1965, became '' :: – ''Theta Mu Phi, 1948–1950, became (see )'' :: – ''Tau Kappa Lambda (local), 1949–1952, became '' :: – '' Alpha Gamma Upsilon, 1949–1968, became '' :: – ''
Beta Sigma Tau Beta Sigma Tau () was a social fraternity founded at Roosevelt University in . In , most of its active chapters were absorbed into Pi Lambda Phi fraternity. Beta Sigma Tau was known for being a fraternity "open to all Races and Religions". Histo ...
, 1950–1960, became '' Beta Sigma Tau merged with Pi Lambda Phi in late 1960. The Trine chapter did not follow the merger and reverted into a local called Beta Sigma Chi, which then joined in 1966 as a merger into an existing chapter or revival according to the Baird's Manual Online Archive. However, records indicate a re-chartering in 1989, with no detail on the absorption of in the two decades prior. :: – ''
Kappa Sigma Kappa Kappa Sigma Kappa () is the name of three separate college fraternities, sharing a common history and traditions but disconnected by decades and a break in organizational continuity. The original incarnation of Kappa Sigma Kappa was formed at Vi ...
, 1952–1962, reverted to '' :: – ''Beta Sigma Chi, 1960–1966?, revived '' :: – ''Tau Sigma (local), 1970–1981, became (see Triangle)'' :: – ''Nu Pi (local), 1981–1989, became Triangle'' ''Dormant Fraternities''
:: – ''
Phi Iota Alpha Phi Iota Alpha (), established on December 26, 1931, is the oldest Latino Fraternity in existence, and works to motivate people, develop leaders, and create innovative ways to unite the Latino community. The organization has roots that stem back ...
, 1931–1933? ( NALFO and NIC), dormant'' :: – ''Delta Kappa Phi (local), 1932-193x, dormant'' :: – ''
Sigma Delta Rho Sigma Delta Rho () was a small national men's fraternity founded on January 8, 1921 at Miami University of Ohio, the fifth general social fraternity to be formed at that school. It "disintegrated" in the spring of 1935 due to pressures of the Gr ...
, 1934–1935 (NIC), dormant'' :: '' Triangle, 1989–2008 (NIC), dormant'' Sororities on the campus include: Active sororities * – Kappa Sigma Alpha (local), 1991 * – Gamma Phi Epsilon (local), 1995 * – Phi Sigma (local), 1996 * –
Alpha Sigma Tau Alpha Sigma Tau (known as or Alpha Tau) is a national sorority founded on November 4, 1899, at Eastern Michigan University (formerly Michigan State Normal College). A member of the National Panhellenic Conference, the sorority has 83 active colleg ...
, 2008 (NPC) * – Theta Phi Alpha, 2012 (NPC) ''Sororities whose names changed''
:: – ''
Phi Sigma Sigma Phi Sigma Sigma (), colloquially known as Phi Sig, was the first collegiate nonsectarian Fraternities and sororities in North America, sorority to allow membership of women of all faiths and backgrounds. The sorority was founded on November 26, ...
, 1992–1996 (NPC), became '' :: – ''Alpha Omega Epsilon (local), 1999–2002, 2004–2006, became '' The Baird's Manual is also available online
The Baird's Manual Online Archive homepage
:: – ''Zeta Theta Epsilon (local), 1998–2012, became '' Noted b

accessed 17 Mar 2021.
''Dormant sororities''
:: – ''Sigma Alpha Gamma (local), 1926-193x, dormant'' :: – ''Kappa Tau Sigma (local), 1954-19xx, dormant'' :: – ''Omega Kappa (local), 1960?–19xx, dormant'' :: – '' Sigma Kappa, 1977–1983 (NPC), dormant'' :: – ''Zeta Eta Theta (local), 1982-19xx, dormant'' :: – ''Lambda Rho Mu (local), 19xx-19xx, dormant'' :: – ''Alpha Theta Pi (local), 2005-20xx, dormant'' :: – '' Kappa Beta Gamma, 2011–2016, dormant'' Honor and professional fraternities
Trine University hosts a number of honor societies. These include: * –
Chi Epsilon Chi Epsilon () is an American civil engineering honor society. It honors engineering students in the United States who have exemplified the "principles of scholarship, character, practicality, and sociability...in the civil engineering profe ...
, 1973, honor, civil and environmental engineering * –
Pi Tau Sigma Pi Tau Sigma () is an international honor society in the field of mechanical engineering, with most chapters established in the United States. It honors mechanical engineering students who have exemplified the "principles of scholarship, characte ...
, 1972, honor, mechanical engineering * – Tau Beta Pi, 1975, honor, engineering * –
Eta Kappa Nu Eta Kappa Nu () or IEEE-HKN is the international honor society of the Computer Science and Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). "The organization promotes excellence in the profession and in education through an emphas ...
, 1975, honor, electrical engineering * – Delta Mu Delta, 1977, honor, business * – Omega Chi Epsilon, 1980, honor, chemical engineering * –
Beta Beta Beta Beta Beta Beta ( or TriBeta), is a collegiate honor society and academic fraternity for students of the biological sciences. It was founded in 1922 at Oklahoma City University by Dr. Frank G. Brooks and a group of his students. As of 2012, it has ...
, 1980, honor, biological sciences * –
Pi Sigma Alpha Pi Sigma Alpha ( or PSA), the National Political Science Honor Society, is the only honor society for college and university students of political and social sciences in the United States. Its purpose is to recognize and promote high academic ...
, 1981, honor, political sciences * –
Phi Eta Sigma Phi Eta Sigma () is an American freshman honor society. Founded at the University of Illinois on March 22, 1923, it is the oldest and largest freshman honor society and has chartered three hundred and eighty-six chapters throughout the United Stat ...
, 1983, honor, first-year academic achievement * –
Sigma Tau Delta Sigma Tau Delta () is an international excelled English honor society for students of English at four-year colleges and universities who are within the top 30% of their class and have a 3.5 GPA or higher. It presently has over 850 chapters in ...
, 19xx, honor, English * Order of Omega, 2008, honor, Greek Life leadership * – Lambda Alpha Epsilon, 20xx, honor, criminal justice The school also features a Christian Campus House ministry.


Athletics

The Trine athletic teams are called the Thunder. The university is a member of the Division III level of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), primarily competing in the
Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association The Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) is an athletic conference that competes in the NCAA's Division III. There are nine teams in the conference, all located in the states of Michigan and Indiana. The Michigan Intercollegia ...
(MIAA) since the 2004–05 academic year. The Thunder previously competed as an NCAA D-III Independent during the 2003–04 school year; in the
Wolverine–Hoosier Athletic Conference The Wolverine–Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC) is a college athletic conference affiliated with the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), and it's heaquartered in Livonia, Michigan. The conference consists of twelve colleg ...
(WHAC) of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) from 1992–93 to 2002–03; and in the NAIA's Mid-Central College Conference (MCCC; now currently known as the Crossroads League since the 2012–13 school year) from 1959–60 to 1980–81. Trine competes in 25 intercollegiate varsity sports: Men's sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, ice hockey, lacrosse, soccer, tennis, track & field, volleyball, and wrestling; while women's sports include acrobatics & tumbling, basketball, cross country, golf, ice hockey, lacrosse, soccer, softball, tennis, track & field, triathlon, volleyball, and wrestling.


Ice hockey

Trine added men's and women's hockey as varsity sports in the fall of 2017.


Men's volleyball

Men's volleyball, which had last played at the varsity level in 2002, returned to full varsity status for the 2019 season (2018–19 school year) and plays in the Midwest Collegiate Volleyball League.


Facilities

Trine's Zollner Golf Course hosted the 2012 NCAA Division III Women's Golf National Championships.


Notable alumni

* Ralph Ketner – co-founder of Food Town, later to become Food Lion, a 1,300-store supermarket chain in the mid-Atlantic and southeast United States. * Isabelle French – President of the Society of Women Engineers from 1964 to 1966. * Gustavo Rojas Pinilla – the 19th President of Colombia from June 1953 to May 1957. An Army general, he mounted a successful coup d'état against incumbent President
Laureano Gómez Castro Laureano is a male name and a surname, both deriving from la, Laurentius, meaning " laurelled". Alternate spelling include Laurean (Romania, Spain, Italy, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Brazil, France, Mexico, Yugoslavia) and Laurian (Romania, Italy, Fran ...
(1889–1965), imposing martial law and establishing a dictatorship-style government in Colombia. Rojas enacted legislation that gave women equal rights to vote. He introduced television and constructed several hospitals, universities, and the National Astronomic Observatory. * Rupa Shanmugam – President and COO of SoPark Corporation in
New York New York most commonly refers to: * New York City, the most populous city in the United States, located in the state of New York * New York (state), a state in the northeastern United States New York may also refer to: Film and television * ...
. * Eric Watt – Gagliardi Trophy winner (Division III football's most prestigious individual award). * Adam Shiltz – All-MIAA Conference First Team Pitcher 2008. * Brett Halliday – Author famous for his Mike Shayne mystery series. * Joe Schroeder – Part of the USA men's rugby 7s team at the
2020 Summer Olympics The , officially the and also known as , was an international multi-sport event held from 23 July to 8 August 2021 in Tokyo, Japan, with some preliminary events that began on 21 July. Tokyo was selected as the host city during the ...
. * John J. McKetta – American chemical engineer known for his research on more efficient ways to create energy and the thermodynamic properties of hydrocarbons.


References


External links

*
Official athletics website
{{authority control Private universities and colleges in Indiana Educational institutions established in 1884 Education in Fort Wayne, Indiana Education in Steuben County, Indiana Education in St. Joseph County, Indiana Education in Lake County, Indiana Education in Maricopa County, Arizona Buildings and structures in Steuben County, Indiana Merrillville, Indiana 1884 establishments in Indiana