History

In 1952 a group of business leaders and professionals undertook a feasibility study to establish a two-year college in the Chicago area that would uphold Christian higher education from a Reformed world view. By April 1956 this visionary group had drafted a constitution and incorporated the Trinity Christian College Association. The first board of trustees was elected in 1959, and they purchased the Navajo Hills Golf Course in suburban Palos Heights, Illinois, for the campus. After remodeling the former clubhouse and pro shop, the College opened that fall with a class of 37 students taught by five full-time faculty members. 

As the response of the community grew and students embraced the College's unique perspective, it became evident that Trinity Christian College was fulfilling a greater need beyond providing a solid liberal arts education for two-year students. In 1966, the board initiated the process for the College to become a four-year, degree-granting institution. The first baccalaureate degrees were awarded in May 1971. 

Trinity developed a cohesive approach to its core curriculum of philosophy, history, English, and theology. In the years since its original vision was conceived, the College has kept pace with the changing educational landscape by offering a broader scope of courses and programs. The curriculum has expanded to include business, education, and nursing in addition to its traditional liberal arts focus. Today, there are adult learners seeking to complete their undergraduate degrees along with recent high school graduates exploring a future in disciplines such as information technology, graphic design, and social work. 

The student body has swelled to nearly 1000 undergraduates, taught by a dedicated faculty of more than 45 full-time and 51 part-time instructors. With a student/faculty ratio of 13:1, Trinity students receive individual attention that affirms their spiritual and academic experience. Although students are drawn from predominantly Reformed and Presbyterian church backgrounds, students also come from diverse traditions, including Baptist, Lutheran, Methodist, and Roman Catholic. 

With more than 30 majors, Trinity offers a variety of educational and ministry experiences including studies abroad; interim trips to the Philippines, South Africa, Jamaica, Italy, China and France; and internships with corporations and non-profit organizations. The College's proximity to the resources of metropolitan Chicago offers students an exceptional "classroom" that provides experiential learning opportunities. Inter-collegiate sports for men and women, student-run ministry programs, and a full scope of creative expression in fine arts and student publications complete the Trinity experience. 

In February 2001, the College dedicated the Martin and Janet Ozinga Chapel. This 1200-seat facility serves as a cultural and spiritual focal point for the student body as well as the greater community. The building provides practice and rehearsal rooms for the music department, and houses the campus ministries program under the direction of Chaplain Bill Van Groningen. The Grand Lobby has hosted a variety of events beneath its striking stained glass window, the first of a series of stained glass panels hung throughout the building designed to celebrate Trinity's mission in Reformed higher education. 

The new worship space has seen an increase in participation and enthusiasm among students at chapel serves held twice a week, and at weekly praise and worship services. 

The Heritage Science Center, completed in spring 2002, is a state-of-the-art facility, comprising 38,000-square feet of classroom and lab space for chemistry, biology, and physics programs, as well as classrooms and a lecture hall for technology and computer science studies. 

Increased housing demands were met in the summer of 2004 with the completion of Alumni Hall, a state-of-the-art residence hall aptly named to honor Trinity graduates. 

Plans for an art and communication center will provide Trinity students with ample space and tools to bring forth a whole new foray into the world of creative expression, with art and design studios, a graphic design lab, student gallery, and blackbox theatre for the performing arts. 

The ever-changing face of Trinity's campus will continue to expand and improve in the future, reflecting the heritage of its founders and the vision of its leaders.