Kristeena Sarver, a Trine University engineering senior, participates in Order of the Engineer ceremony

2013 Jun 28

Forty-five seniors in Trine University's Allen School of Engineering & Technology were inducted into the Order of the Engineer during a recent ceremony.

Kristeena Sarver, a Computer Engineering major from Whitehouse, participated in the May 3 ring ceremony in Best Hall.

The ring ceremony is the public induction of candidates into the Order of the Engineer, an organization that fosters a spirit of pride and responsibility in the engineering profession, bridges the gap between training and experience and presents to the public a visible symbol identifying the engineer, according to www.order-of-the-engineer.org.

During the ceremony, engineering students are invited to accept the Obligation of the Engineer and a stainless steel ring is placed on the smallest finger of the working hand. The obligation is a creed similar to the oath attributed to Hippocrates that is generally taken by medical graduates and which sets forth an ethical code. The obligation contains parts of the Canon of Ethics of major engineering societies and initiates pledges to uphold the standards and dignity of the engineering profession and to serve humanity by making the best use of Earth's resources, according to the Order of the Engineer website.

VK Sharma, Ph.D., dean of the Allen School of Engineering & Technology, reminded inductees that success calls for the "softer skills," such as communicating with others, along with technical and professional skills. Sharma encouraged students to "find a balance between professional and family activities, to strive for continuous learning and to maintain a positive attitude."

Darryl S. Webber, Ph.D., associate professor in the Allen School, asked each pledge to come forward when he read their name. Then, each pledge placed his/her working hand through the 12-inch diameter opening of a ceremonial stainless steel ring and a ring was placed on the pinky finger by John Wagner, Ph.D., chair of the chemical engineering department.

Trine conducted its first ring ceremony in November 1978.

Trine University, an internationally recognized, private, co-educational, residential institution, offers associate, baccalaureate, and master degrees in programs to students in engineering, mathematics, science, informatics, business, teacher education, communication, criminal justice, golf management, social sciences, and various other fields of study. Trine is a member of the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association and offers 21 varsity sports. Its golf program includes the university-owned 18-hole championship Zollner Golf Course. Founded in 1884 and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (www.ncahigherlearningcommission.org), Trine operates a 450-acre main campus in Angola, Ind., and education resource centers throughout Indiana, Arizona and Michigan.