Kurt D. Dykstra Inaugurated as Eighth President of Trinity Christian College - Photogallery

Distinguished guests, delegates from academic institutions and learned societies, alumni, faculty, staff, students, and friends of the College filled the Ozinga Chapel Auditorium on Friday, November 6, 2015, to celebrate the inauguration of Kurt D. Dykstra, J.D. as the eighth president of Trinity Christian College.

The voices of Trinity’s Concert Choir, directed by Dr. Helen Van Wyck and musical selections performed by  Minkyoo Shin, D.M., the Brass Quintet, Soprano Soloist Ivy St. John ’18, and Mark Peters, Ph.D. filled the auditorium.

Erick Sierra, Ph.D, associate professor of English, led the invocation. Sharon Robbert, Ph.D., interim provost welcomed everyone.  Past presidents were recognized by Board of Trustees Executive Committee member Felecia Thompson, D.Min. The litany was led by Rev. Dr. Matthew Floding of Duke Divinity School and Vice President for Student Life Becky Starkenburg.

Dykstra was officially introduced to the community by Terry Van Der Aa, Chair of the Presidential Search Committee.  Incoming Chair of the Board of Trustees Robert Buikema, J.D. formally invested President Dykstra and presented him with the medallion symbolizing his new role.

The new president was enthusiastically welcomed by Halie Wisse ’16, president, Student Association, Doug Van Wyngarden ’08, chair of the Staff Council, David Klanderman, Ph.D., vice chair of the Faculty Association, and Bradley Laninga ’89, chair of the Alumni Association.

Dr. James Bultman, president emeritus of Hope College, delivered the inaugural address.

Bultman spoke fondly of Kurt and Leah Dykstra and how their commitment to Trinity and its students will deeply enrich the College. Bultman highlighted that “leadership matters” and expressed his abundant confidence that with President Dykstra leading Trinity, our promising future is filled with opportunity.

Rev. Dr. Trygve D. Johnson, dean of the chapel of Hope College, offered the commissioning prayer. President Dykstra offered his response including his hope that our “burden would be light.”

Nicole Saint-Victor ’12, worship coordinator and conductor, led the Gospel Choir in the Doxology, joined by all attendees.  Dr. Helen Van Wyck led the Concert Choir in the closing anthem and Rev. Dr. Willis Van Groningen, chaplain and dean of spiritual formation, offered the benediction.

The historic and joyous event was preceded earlier this week by an inaugural chapel service in which President Dykstra interviewed one of Trinity’s founders, Dr. George DeJong; a student welcome on Wednesday at the BBC; a special service during Outcry; and an Academic Showcase featuring outstanding student and faculty collaborative work.  On Friday afternoon, faculty members Cini Bretzlaff-Holstein, Dr. Abbie Schrotenboer, Dr. John Sebestyen, and Dr. Aron Reppmann hosted a panel discussion of ideas of community and creativity from the perspectives of their disciplines and work.  The panel’s theme was inspired by Wendell Berry’s 2012 Jefferson lecture “It All Turns on Affection.”

The inauguration provided the perfect start to the College’s first-ever Fall Fest Weekend, a wonderful melding of Family Weekend and Homecoming.

For more information about President Kurt D. Dykstra, visit  www.trnty.edu/bio.html.

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