50 years after graduation, Steven Trimble prepares to celebrate his Golden Reunion

Arizona State University’s graduating classes of 1970 and 1971 will return to Tempe for their Golden Reunion celebration on Dec. 13 and 14.

Each year, the ASU Alumni Association hosts a time-honored university tradition of recognizing Sun Devil graduates from 50 years ago. During the two-day reunion, Golden Grads will have the opportunity to reconnect with their fellow graduates for a welcome breakfast at Mirabella, take tours of campus, be inducted into the Golden Circle during a candle-lighting ceremony and lead the procession at the university’s fall commencement ceremony.

One graduate from the class of 1971, Steven W. Trimble, isn’t the first — or even second — person in his family to attend a Golden Reunion. Trimble’s mother and father both graduated from ASU in 1941 and 1942, respectively, and attended their reunions 30 years ago. His mother was largely involved in her community as she was an elementary school teacher, served as a Cub Scout den mother and volunteered at a local hospital — all while raising three sons. 

“I believe ASU was instrumental in preparing her to make all these contributions to society,” Trimble said. He added that his father, who served as the business manager for the State Press during his time in college, realized the value of education at ASU. "He remained a lifelong learner until his passing in 2012.”

Trimble’s family ties to the university significantly impacted his decision to attend ASU. 

“In 1928, my grandparents sold their farm in Illinois and moved to Tempe with the dream of all five of their children gaining a college education at ASU,” he shared, adding that they would be proud to know that not only did all of their children become ASU graduates, but many of their grandchildren and great-grandchildren are Sun Devils, as well.

While working toward his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, Trimble shared that many of his professors had a profound impact on him and his educational journey. Many of his professors, such as P. K. Stein, Richard Ditsworth, Carleton Moore, Charles Backus and Dean Thompson, imparted their wisdom on life and expertise in their fields; for Trimble, this was instrumental in preparing him for the engineering profession. 

“They are the reason I decided to finish my career by teaching as a professor of practice in mechanical and aerospace engineering at ASU for the past 15 years,” he said.

Though Trimble stopped teaching courses at ASU two years ago, he remains involved with the university and engineering community. In addition to writing a textbook with a fellow professor, he volunteers with the Fulton Grand Challenges Scholars Program and Entrepreneurial Mindset, an initiative to integrate entrepreneurship into the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering. Trimble recently has begun helping ASU design capstone mechanical engineering courses for its online program.

“I am proud to be an ASU alumnus and part of the ASU faculty,” he said. “ASU has grown into an outstanding research university, yet it still emphasizes undergraduate education. I resonate with ASU’s emphasis on innovation, inclusion and diversity.”

Trimble is most looking forward to meeting former classmates and sharing stories at the Golden Reunion celebration.

For more information on ASU’s Golden Reunion and to learn more about the upcoming reunion, visit https://alumni.asu.edu/events/golden-reunion. 

ASU's Tau Beta Pi group pictured in the 1971 yearbook. Steven Trimble is in the back row, third from the right.