FORT WAYNE - Earl Brooks II was inducted into the Greater Fort Wayne Business Hall of Fame.

The Junior Achievement Business and Education Leadership celebration honored three community leaders on Thursday, September 21 at the Grand Wayne Center in Fort Wayne.

Former president of Trine University, Brooks was inducted to the Greater Fort Wayne Business Hall of Fame along with Mike Packnett the former chief executive officer at Parkview.

Also, honored at the ceremony was Chris Rupp, senior accountant with DWD CPAs & Advisors, with the The Ove Jorgensen Spirit of Leadership Award.

The Greater Fort Wayne Business Hall of Fame was created in 1984, "to recognize leadership and dedication to entrepreneurship, each year Junior Achievement's BEL (Business, Education, and Leadership) Awards event honors business leaders," said the Junior Achievement of Northern Indiana BEL Award's website.

"These men and women are creating jobs, encouraging employee growth and shaping the successful companies that are essential to a community's economy. While fulfilling the personal and professional commitments which ensure family, business and community success, they are also sharing their experience with the next generation, and they are giving time and financial resources to their communities."