Tri-State University-President Dr. Brooks

Since his inauguration as the 16th president of Trine University in June 2000, Dr. Earl D. Brooks II has brought a strong academic background and substantial fund raising experience to Trine. He was the youngest college president in the state at his hiring, and the second youngest to serve as president of Trine. Within the last four years, Dr. Brooks has:

Initiated a complete revitalization of the enrollment management process;
Established a Middle College Program for local high school students;
Implemented the first master's degree program;
Reorganized academic units into five schools: the Allen School of Engineering and Technology, the Ketner School of Business, the Jannen School of Arts and Sciences, the Franks School of Education, and the School of Professional Studies;
Developed synergistic community partnerships with organizations including the Small Business Development and the Northeastern Indiana Innovation Center, both housed on campus;
Proactively driven fundraising for completion of several facility renovations including a new coffee shop, expansion of the enrollment center (Forman Hall), upgrades and renovations to Best Hall, creation of new student apartment-style housing, the Ketner Sports Center addition to Hershey Hall, the transformation of Sniff Hall into the new C.W. Sponsel Administration Center, the construction of new student apartments, and the new University Center and Center for Technology and Online Resources.
Expanded the Board of Trustees from 25 to 28 members, while instituting a new governance structure and establishing term limits;
Expanded the number of branch center locations through the state from four to seven;
Unveiled a new campus master plan in May 2006 to construct new residence halls, a multi-purpose athlete facility and implement a university-wide technology plan;
Four consecutive years of record financial success;
Trine was recognized in 2006 by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education as one of the top fundraising programs nationally;
Four consecutive years of recognition by the U.S. News and World Report as a leading comprehensive institution in the Midwest.

Under his tenure, the University has enhanced its 18-hole Zollner golf course, significantly improved existing residence halls, led campus beautification efforts and upgraded parking facilities.

Dr. Brooks also led the transition of Trine from the NAIA to NCAA Division III athletic status. The Thunder are now full members of the NCAA Division III and the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA).

Since 2001 alone, strategic, transformational markers under Dr. Brooks' assertive, visionary leadership include:

Enrollment: Applications have increased from 1,250 to 2,000; inquiries have increased from 5,000 to 10,000;
Tuition discounting has dropped from 47% to 34%;
Voluntary support (Annual Fund) has more than tripled, from $865,000 to $3 million;
A $90 million capital campaign has entered into the public phase, with over $75 million in gifts and pledges to date;
Academic offerings have been expanded to include new graduate programs;
Significant physical plant upgrades/enhancements

Career Summary

June 1, 2000 - Inaugurated Trine's 16th president
August 1997-May 2000- Executive Vice President, Wesley College, Dover, DE
1992-1997- Senior Vice President, Lincoln Memorial University, Harrogate, TN
Prior to 1992, diverse administrative and faculty positions at Lincoln Memorial
1977-earns baccalaureate degree from the University of Tennessee, where he also earned his M.S. and Ph.D. degrees

Memberships

Board of Directors, Indiana Technology Partnership (ITP)
Council of Independent Colleges (CIC)
National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU)
Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE)
National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO)
President, Michigan Intercollegiate Athlete Association (2006-2007)
President's Council and Board of Control, Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association
Board of Directors, Vice President, Executive Committee, Independent Colleges of Indiana

Dr. Brooks welcomes questions and inquiries at brookse@trine.edu.