Trine University will present an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree to Chuck Surack, founder and chairman of the board for Sweetwater, during its Commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 7.

Based in Fort Wayne, Sweetwater is the top online retailer of music instruments and pro-audio equipment in the United States, employing more than 1,800 team members focused on serving more than one million customers each year.

The son of 1956 Tri-State College (now Trine University) graduate Jim Surack, Chuck Surack has achieved entrepreneurial success driven by a passion for music.

In 1979, music began to take over Surack's entrepreneurial talents when he founded Sweetwater Sound as a four-track recording studio in the back of his VW bus. Surack gained a national reputation for his skills while providing custom sound design and recording studio consulting to many well-known artists. Throughout the '80s and '90s he built Sweetwater into a team known for its tremendous technical expertise and customer-focused approach to helping others realize their musical dreams and aspirations.

In addition to Sweetwater, Surack owns more than 10 other businesses under the Surack Enterprises umbrella including SweetCars, Sweet Aviation, Sweet Helicopters and Longe Optical in Fort Wayne.

Beyond business, Surack and his wife Lisa are passionate about serving their community. It was this passion that lead them to start the Surack Family Foundation to continue making a difference an even greater impact in northeast Indiana. As leading philanthropists in the region, they have served in numerous volunteer roles and regularly give to over 600 organizations annually.

Trine University's Commencement begins at 10 a.m. and will be held in the Keith E. Busse/Steel Dynamics Inc. Athletic and Recreation Center. Tim Tebow, former Heisman Trophy winner and current ESPN broadcaster and noted philanthropist, will deliver the Commencement address.