(ANGOLA) – Trine University has found their next President.

Rick L. James, Chair of the Trine University Board of Trustees, announced that following a search, the Board has hired Dr. John Shannon to be the 17th President of Trine, effective June 1.

Shannon will take over for Dr. Earl Brooks II, who served as Trine’s President for 23 years. James also announced that Brooks will remain involved with the University, and will serve in the newly created role of University Chancellor.

Shannon says he is thrilled and honored to be named President of Trine. Following the tremendous success of Dr. Brooks is certainly a challenge according to Shannon, but he says he assumes this role knowing this university has never been stronger, both academically and financially.

Shannon currently serves as Trine provost and senior vice president. The position was created last year to provide additional leadership resources to accommodate growing enrollment and expanded academic offerings, and to enable the university to fully explore and embrace exciting opportunities. Before being named provost, Dr. Shannon served two stints as vice president for academic affairs at Trine, first from 2012 to 2015, and returning in 2018 after leading academics at the Indiana Institute of Technology in the interim.

In his new role as chancellor, Dr. Brooks will continue to serve the university in a variety of ways, including fundraising, providing oversight of the development of Trine Fort Wayne, which will house the College of Health Sciences, and providing additional support and counsel to the Trine board and incoming President Shannon.