News Stories

The Lincoln Laureate Student Awards honor Illinois college seniors for their leadership and service. This year, Trinity is pleased to announce that Matthew (MJ) Huizenga ’24 has been named the College’s Lincoln Laureate. 

Trinity’s fall play, The Crucible, occurred on November 10, 11, 17, & 18 in the Marg Kallemeyn Theatre. A full review was compiled by Julia Oostema, alumnus, 2023.

On November 4th, Trinity hosted its annual talent show, Trollstock. Students performed in front of a packed house in the Ozinga Chapel Auditorium, sharing each of their unique God-given talents.

Trinity Christian College nursing program graduates continued their perfect first-time pass rate on the NCLEX-RN exam. This success represents the fifth time in the past six years that the College has celebrated a 100% pass rate.

Each year, Trinity Christian College hosts its annual Fall Fest. Students, faculty, staff, and families come together to celebrate all of the blessings and opportunities that are present here at Trinity.

Trinity Christian College is like no other college in the sense of the opportunities it provides. The well-being of its students is emphasized through initiatives like Wellbeing Wednesdays and the Thrive Program.

Trinity Christian College announced today that the Board of Trustees has confirmed Dr. Aaron Kuecker as the College’s ninth president. Kuecker has served as interim president since April 2022.

Trinity Christian College is pleased to announce Andrew Marks as the new Vice President of Admissions, Athletics, and Financial Aid. Marks comes to Trinity with a wealth of experience in the higher education sector.

The life-changing value of a Trinity education has once again been recognized by U.S. News and World Report, which named Trinity to several of its “best” lists for 2024, including among the Top 15 Regional Colleges Midwest, #20 in Social Mobility, and a Top Value in the Midwest.

Join us weekly on Tuesday and Friday mornings from 10:40 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. in the Ozinga Chapel Auditorium. This semester in chapel, we will travel through the book of Genesis and learn how God cares about our stories.

Each year, Trinity Christian College gathers the community together for its annual convocation in the Ozinga Chapel Auditorium.

Despite the record-breaking heat in Chicagoland, faculty, staff, and student leaders gathered on Wednesday, August 23rd, to welcome the latest freshmen class for move-in day.

This summer, several Trinity alumni, staff, and faculty traveled to Italy to sing in and tour the magnificent basilicas of Rome, Assisi, and the Amalfi Coast. The trip was organized through Perform International.

A series titled Interdisciplinary Research as a Sharing of Gifts was recently highlighted in Christian Scholar’s Review.  This three-part series covered the topic of interdisciplinary work across biology, education, and nursing at Trinity Christian College.

As we reflect on a year of campus ministry, our team continues to ask questions that anticipate meaningful Christian formation: What is Jesus doing here, and, in turn, how are we staying in step with the life-giving moves of the Spirit?

Trinity’s Campus Diversity and Unity Committee (CDUC) is pleased to announce that this year’s recipient is Professor Laura Dávalos, Director of the Office of Learning Services.

This year’s Blueprints Weekend was held on Friday, June 16, and Saturday, June 17th. This tradition at Trinity Christian College is a time for incoming freshmen and their families to gather on campus for a summer pre-orientation, with registration activities planned throughout.

On June 7th, two college presidents officially forged a long-standing partnership on Trinity’s campus. Interim President Dr. Aaron J. Kuecker of Trinity Christian College and President Sylvia Jenkins of Moraine Valley Community College signed the Guaranteed Admission Partnership (GAP).

Money Magazine recently listed Trinity Christian College on their Top Colleges in America 2023 list.

Trinity Christian College was recently named to Phi Theta Kappa’s 2023 Transfer Honor Roll, which recognizes excellence in developing and supporting dynamic and innovative pathways for community college transfer students.

Every year, Trinity accepts extraordinary students dedicated to making a difference in the world. Trinity is pleased to announce our most recent Transfer Academic Excellence Scholars, Kaitlyn Harland of Byron, Illinois, and Natalie Gomez of Frankfort, Illinois, have both been awarded full-tuition scholarships to the College.

The Dean’s List is Trinity Christian College’s highest academic honor. Congratulations to all our traditional undergraduate students and adult programs students who met this distinction for the Spring 2023.

Randall Warners ’18, Database Developer at Trinity Christian College was recently announced as Trinity’s Staff Member of the Year for 2023.

Graduates were honored in a commencement ceremony while joining family, friends, professors, and staff on May 5th. This year’s event included traditional undergraduate, adult undergraduate, and graduate students from Fall 2022 and Spring 2023, all celebrating together on a beautiful spring evening in Chicagoland.

Since 2014, Associate Professor of Sociology and Department Chair Dr. Lenore Knight Johnson has been in the classroom at Trinity Christian College, diligently working alongside colleagues to raise the next generation of leaders and world changers. 

Twenty-three Trinity students and faculty drove five hours from campus to attend NCUR 2023, held at UW Eau Claire, Wisconsin from April 13th – 15th. The trip was led by Drs. Clay Carlson and Aron Reppmann, alongside colleagues Drs. Heng-Yu Chen and Ashley Roberts.

The SERVE Team recently volunteered their time, participating in the Annual Love Palos on Saturday, April 15th.

Dr. Abbie Schrotenboer, Associate Professor of Biology and Environmental Science majors Brendan Covell ’23 and Egna Setiawan ’23 attended and presented at The Wild Things 2023 Conference, which was held at the Rosemont Convention Center on February 25th.

On the evening of April 12th, the Nursing Student Organization (NSO) and Trinity Alumni Nursing Association (TANA) cohosted a networking event.

On March 30, 2023, The History Department at Trinity Christian College welcomed Dr. Jennifer Powell McNutt to present the inaugural Women’s History Month Lecture entitled, “Women and the Reformation Through the Lens of the Marys.”

This year we marked the Seventh Annual Trinity Tuesday, a day of giving across the Trinity community.  Through the support of over 802 donors and gifts, more than $164,000 was raised to help support students on campus today and secure the Trinity legacy for generations to come.

Trinity Christian College is pleased to announce the spring lecture schedule from faculty granted tenure. Tenure lectures are a celebration of the mature Christian scholarship of our faculty colleagues. 

On a beautiful spring-like day in February, Trinity Christian College hosted its annual Black History Month Lecture featuring Dr. Nathan Cartagena, Assistant Professor of Philosophy at Wheaton College.

The Serve Team at Trinity Christian College is a powerful group dedicated to Christ-centered service. This team organizes various service opportunities for all students, benefiting those both on and off campus.

Trinity’s transformational approach to providing realistic tuition pricing and paid internships has garnered the attention of multiple news and media outlets across the country, bringing the College’s plan for debt-free education to the forefront of the national student debt conversation.

Trinity’s Clinical Mental Health and Counseling program has received accreditation from CACREP (Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs) after a lengthy process that began in 2019.

Trinity is pleased to announce our most recent Founders’ Scholars for the incoming class of 2027, Nana Oye Adansi-Ofori from Joliet, Illinois, and Jessica Byrdak from Alsip, Illinois.

The Community Alliance Program (CAP) is an exciting new venture launched out of the Business Department at Trinity Christian College, focused on helping to support local businesses while giving students real-world paid job experience.

Chicago Semester, an off-campus urban experiential education program that serves college students by equipping them to pursue their vocational callings and emerge as professionals as they faithfully engage the city, has announced scholars selected for their Summer 2023 Scholar-In-Residence program.

Ryan Thompson’s exhibition, Crude Futures, which was held in the Seerveld Gallery, concluded on Thursday, February 2nd. Members of the Trinity community attended a closing lecture and reception.

Student Activities (STAC), Serve, and Future Teacher Association partnered to take Trinity students to Feed My Starving Children.

The Dean’s List is Trinity Christian College’s highest academic honor. Congratulations to all our traditional undergraduate students and adult programs students who met this distinction for the Fall 2022.

Resident assistants (RAs) play a valuable role in the Trinity community. As students and leaders on campus, they are invested in promoting the well-being of our students through meaningful collaborations, resources, and peer support.

Thanks to the generosity of a multi-generational Trinity family, the efforts of Trinity’s Alumni Board, and the greater alumni community, over $200,000 was raised through a matching opportunity to support future legacy students, growing the Alumni Scholarship Fund (ASF) endowment to more than six times its current amount.

A group of Trinity students had the opportunity to join Nicole St. Victor, Director of Multicultural Engagement, on Sunday, February 5th, for a church service at Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church in Chicago, IL.

Recent fall 2022 graduate Jenae Henao set out to have a regular college journey like any other, but what lay ahead was a far different picture than she had ever imagined.

Throughout February, Trinity will celebrate Black History Month with various events for our students, faculty, staff, and the greater Trinity Community.

What began as an idea between long-standing friends and colleagues has become a formational opportunity for faculty and staff at Trinity.

This January, Trinity Christian College Theatre students, faculty, and staff made their way to Michigan to participate in the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival for Region 3.

On January 16, 2023, the Trinity community gathered together to celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Thirteen students from Trinity Christian College traveled with Rev. Ben Snoek, Campus Pastor and Adjunct Professor of Theology, and Erin Pacheco, Director of Campus Worship and Visiting Assistant Professor of Theology.

We are excited to announce that this year, we will honor the graduates of Fall 2022 and Spring 2023 at one evening ceremony held off-campus at Ozinga Field with fireworks to cap off the celebration!

At Trinity, we have the opportunity to come together twice a week for in-person Chapel services on Tuesday and Friday mornings at 10:40 am in the Ozinga Chapel Auditorium.

Interim President Aaron J. Kuecker was featured on Newsy Tonight discussing the costs of college and more specifically what Trinity Christian College is doing to make costs more transparent for families.

May your heart rejoice in the abundant joy that Jesus brings to our world this Christmas. On behalf of everyone at Trinity Christian College, we wish you a wonderful Christmas and a blessed New Year!

When you consider Trinity’s proximity to all Chicago has to offer, students and graduates alike have endless opportunities to grow in their artistic career. We have a small school’s personal attention; no art student at Trinity falls through the cracks. The faculty knows what each of our students needs to get to the next level.

Giving Tuesday 2022 brought the Trinity community together with generous gifts that support our students, helping them to achieve their goals here at Trinity. 

This fall, Trinity staff, and students joined together to stage a haunting play titled By the Bogof Cats. The play followed Hester Swane, a woman who was abandoned by her mother atthe age of 7 and has remained on the Bog ever since.

Many higher learning institutions are trying to navigate changes about how the future of work is unfolding. Trinity Christian College’s newly hired Specialist for Vocation and Student Transitions within the office of The Cooper Center for Vocation and Career Development, is excited about the opportunity to evolve continually for the better.

Dr. Bill Boerman-Cornell, Professor of Education at Trinity Christian College, has recently released a new book titled Young Adult Literature and Spirituality:  How to Unlock Deeper Understanding with Class Discussion.

Bretzlaff-Holstein was featured in a video highlighting her presentation at this year’s Summer School held at Merton College at Oxford University.  The Topic at this year’s Summer School was Animals and Public Policy.

While the fall weather in Chicagoland brought wind and rain, the spirit of fun and fellowship was alive and well on the campus of Trinity Christian College for Fall Fest, our annual Homecoming and Parents’ Weekend.

Trinity provides a wide variety of opportunities for students to study off-campus and abroad. Programs are offered in Chicago, Spain, Ecuador, China, Romania, the Netherlands, and more.

This semester, Trinity re-imagined the traditional five-day week and shifted to a four-day class schedule. The goal was to provide students with the freedom and space to pursue their interests, catch up on homework, and take a deep breath.

President Aaron Kuecker, Ph.D., and Trinity colleagues are coming to California to connect with alumni and friends of the College.

In August, Trinity Christian Athletics agreed to a partnership with Opendorse, the leading NIL marketplace for collegiate student-athletes, to create a platform for student-athletes to develop partnerships with brands, supporters, and local businesses.

Trinity is also pleased to announce two new Dean appointments. Professor Dr. John Fry will be serving in a newly created position, Dean of Faculty, and professor Sundeep Vira was recently appointed as Dean of the Business Department.

Trinity is thrilled to announce the launch of the Tuition Transparency and Access Initiative. This transformational approach to college tuition and financial aid is designed to clarify and simplify the complex world of college pricing while also setting a price at a point that is accessible to anyone who wishes to pursue a private, Christian, higher education experience.

An education from Trinity Christian College does not just change lives—our graduates go on to change the world. And the life-changing value of a Trinity education has once again been recognized by U.S. New and World Report for 2023.

Trinity Christian College is pleased to announce Dr. Jerome Douglas as the new Vice President for Academic Affairs. Jerome has a deep understanding of the mission of Christian higher education and a commitment to the flourishing of Trinity faculty, staff, and students.

On a picture-perfect late summer morning, on August 31st, Trinity celebrated the start of this new academic calendar with a kickoff event.

The 64th Annual Convocation, which took place on August 30th, was a rich time of prayer and worship in the Ozinga Chapel Auditorium with the convocation address given by the 2021-2022 Professor of the Year, Dr. Aron Reppmann.

Trinity Christian College is pleased to announce Leah Fulton as the new Vice President for Student Success. Leah has been connected to the work at Trinity for the past year, serving as the coach and consultant for Trinity’s Diversity and Belonging Task Force.

Trinity Christian College is pleased to announce the appointment of the Rev. Benjamin P. Snoek as Campus Pastor. Snoek has been serving as Interim Campus Pastor since August 2021, following a nationwide search.

Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra (IPO) is excited to announce its 45th anniversary season, once again returning to the stage of the Ozinga Chapel Auditorium.

Over the past two and a half years, Mariah (Nelesen) Slenk ‘20 has experienced the body of Christ surrounding her like never before. Through several difficult medical diagnoses and the Covid-19 pandemic, Slenk knew she could trust her friends, family, and the Trinity community to support her when she needed it the most.

The dorms have been cleaned and prepped, the grounds have been well manicured, and the staff and faculty are ready to welcome students back! So, let us get you ready, whether your first year, your last or somewhere in between, we want you to have all the details you need to start this year strong!

Assistant Professor of Business, Sundeep Vira, was recently featured in the Morgan Stanley GIFT 2021 Impact Report, where he has served on their board since 2018. GIFT or Global Impact Funding Trust.

Communication Arts professor Dr. Bethany Keeley-Jonker is celebrating the July 2022 release of an edited book including a chapter she co-authored titled “And What More Shall I Say? Heroism in Hebrews 11 and Star Wars.”

ConnectCareHero, a digital engagement and data platform that uses culturally relevant content to keep older adults socially connected, while improving health outcomes, was recently awarded $100,000 from Google.

A program designed to supply a rich introduction to three historic Italian city-states – Venice, Florence and Rome.  This is what was in store for a group of Trinity students but what they experienced went far beyond the pages of a history book or the pictures in a travel brochure.

Blueprints Weekend is one of the most beloved traditions at Trinity Christian College. During this weekend, incoming freshmen and their families gather on campus for summer pre-orientation and registration and so much more

The Dean’s List is Trinity Christian College’s highest academic honor. Congratulations to all our traditional undergraduate students and adult program students who met this distinction for the Fall 2021 semester.

Trinity Christian College has been recognized for its honorable commitment to helping undergraduate students learn, grow, and succeed by Colleges of Distinction, a unique guide for college-bound students.

This year’s alumni golf outing was held at the beautiful Water’s Edge Golf Club, located in Worth, IL, Trinity’s home golf course. Winners of this years’ event were Steven Massey ’19, Jessica Massey ’18, Kay Massey and Eric Massey.

Congratulations to Kathy Laning on her recognition of the achievements of a distinguished staff member and being selected Staff Member of the Year.

Trinity Christian College professor, Dr. Karen O’Connor had the opportunity to present at the 48th Annual Convention for the Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI) which was held in Boston, MA this year.

The Trinity Christian College Athletic Department is excited to bring back youth sports camps once again to its beautiful campus for the summer of 2022.

Trinity’s Student Government Association plays a key role in the life of the College, and SGA elections for the upcoming academic year recently took place. Congratulations to the leaders chosen for the 2022-23 year!

The Trinity Christian College community honors President Kurt D. Dykstra, his wife Leah, and their daughters Julianna ‘20 and Emma ’24 as he departs to take a new position as president and chief executive officer of the Independent Colleges of Indiana in Indianapolis. 

For the recent 58th Convocation & Investiture, which was attended by Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, Assistant Professor of Music Toni Esker performed several pieces, including “The Star-Spangled Banner,” the official state song, and “The Battle Hymn of the Republic.”

Dr. Aron Reppmann ‘92, Professor of Philosophy and Department Chair, doesn’t require his students to use any of his titles in the classroom. But if they want to use one, his favorite is “professor.” And that makes being named Trinity’s 2022-23 Professor of the Year particularly meaningful.

Surrounded by family, friends, professors, and staff, the newest graduates of Trinity were honored at commencement on May 7 at Ozinga Field in Crestwood, Ill. The event included traditional undergraduate, adult undergraduate, and graduate students from Fall 2021 and Spring 2022.

Trinity Christian College is pleased to announce that the 2022 Commencement speaker will be Professor of Business and Department Chair Deborah L. Windes, Ph.D. Windes is retiring at the end of this academic year after 12 years with the College and will be receiving emerita status at the May 7 ceremony.  

Since 1989, the Catherine Yonker Award has been given to those who make significant contributions toward Christian racial reconciliation and cross-cultural understanding at the College. Trinity’s Campus Diversity and Unity Committee (CDUC) is pleased to announce that this year’s recipient is Kendra Henry ’23.

The dedicated students on Trinity’s SERVE Team, and the staff and professors who work with them, believe in making a difference. The SERVE Team recently volunteered close to home, participating in the Annual Love Palos event in our own community of Palos Heights.

Recently, more than 60 Trinity undergraduate and graduate students across a range of majors, including nursing, social work, education, and psychology, participated in a disaster simulation that struck the fictional town of Trollsboro.

The theme for this year’s OPUS was “Back to the 2000s.” And as the Trinity community took a blast to the past to celebrate scholarship, the April 20 event also marked a return to fully in-person activities after two years of COVID-related restrictions!

At Trinity, our staff members change lives and the world. Every year, Trinity recognizes one person as Staff Member of the Year. Which staff member has had a particular impact on you? Staff Council encourages students, alumni, staff, and faculty to submit a nomination for this year’s award.

Recently, the Grand Lobby hosted eight runway models, eight unique outfits, all representing various cultures from around the world in a fashion show, hosted in a collaborative effort between African Students Union (ASU), International Club, and Asian American Alliance (AAA, or Triple-A)!

Trinity Christian College’s Board of Trustees announced today that President Kurt D. Dykstra has accepted a position to become president and chief executive officer of the Independent Colleges of Indiana. Trinity Provost Dr. Aaron Kuecker will serve as interim president of the College, effective immediately

For every incoming class, our Founders’ Scholars stand apart even amongst their exceptional peers. Normally, Trinity designates two incoming freshmen to receive the prestigious, full-tuition Founders’ Scholarships. Yet thanks to the generosity of our donor community, Trinity has been able to designate five Founders for the Class of 2026.  

Along with many Trinity students who have taken advantage of everything Chicago Semester has to offer, several professors from the College will be participating in Chicago Semester’s Summer 2022 Scholar-In-Residence program.

The Sixth Annual Trinity Tuesday officially came to a close with so much to celebrate! Through the support of a record breaking number of 804 donors and gifts, more than $242,000 has been raised ready to impact students on campus today and in the future. 

As part of Trinity’s ongoing commitment to educating future business leaders who will change the world, the College pleased to announce the business department’s reaffirmation of accreditation by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs.  

For the second year in a row, Yamaha has named 40 exceptional music educators under the age of 40 who possess action, courage, creativity, and growth. And Trinity’s own Prof. Justin Antos, Ph.D., has been named to this selective group.

For more than 60 years, Trinity has changed lives. And the latest demonstration of this will start next fall, as Trinity transforms the traditional five day a week collegiate class schedule to one where students have Wednesdays free for internships, field experience, studies, and other activities.   

Saturday,  February 19 was Multicultural Team’s annual Next Step event! The event’s speakers eagerly shared their knowledge and insight and spoke on the greatly diverse and unique community present not only at Trinity Christian College, but also throughout the world.

Attendees of this year’s annual Black History Month lecture had the opportunity to experience an in-depth, wide-ranging exploration of “The Past, Present, and Future of Black History” featuring Prof. Lionel Kimble of Chicago State University, and Prof. David Brodnax, Sr., of Trinity.

According to data from Trinity’s Cooper Center for Vocation and Career Development, 97.7 percent of the graduates in the Class of 2021 are employed or in graduate school. That far surpasses the nationwide average of 82.4 percent. 

Trinity’s Theatre Department is delighted to congratulate Adriana Klein ’24 and Jacob Contreras ’23 on making it to the semi-finals of the Irene Ryan Acting Competition, part of the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (KCACTF) in Region 3!

We congratulate Evie Dykhouse ’22 for advancing to the final round of KCACTF’s Region 3 “Allied Design and Technology Expo” competition for her submission and presentation of Trinity’s Fall Mainstage Production of Macbeth makeup and design.

Recently, accounting major Jason McGhee ‘24 had the opportunity to participate in the Mary T. Washington Wiley Internship Preparation Program, designed to launch African American and other racial and ethnic minority college students into the accounting profession with access to training, resources, and mentors. 

For Professor of Art & Design John Bakker, art is a catalyst to build stronger communities. His Roseland Portrait Project, which was recently on display in the Seerveld Gallery, represents the most recent iteration of that philosophy.

Trinity Christian College has a new Chair of the Board of Trustees and he is someone with previous experience in that important role.  Starting in January, Calvin Tameling ’72 became chair of the board.  He takes over from Dr. Laura Zumdahl ‘02, Ph.D, who had served as chair for the last three years. 

For professional market research, improving brand awareness, boosting social media engagement, creating business models and other services, local companies have an option right at Trinity—Fusion 59’s Consulting Team.  

The Dean’s List is Trinity Christian College’s highest academic honor. Congratulations to all our traditional undergraduate students and adult programs students who met this distinction for the Fall 2021 semester.

At the annual celebration of King, hosted by the BSU in Ozinga Chapel Auditorium on Monday, students, professors, and staff members came together for prayer, poetry readings, excerpts from King’s speeches, gospel music, and more. This year’s theme focused on “We Stand Resilient!” 

Trinity is pleased to announce that Jeanine Mozie, previously director of admissions at the College, has been named vice president for student enrollment and retention.

At Trinity, we have the opportunity to come together twice a week for in-person Chapel services on Wednesday and Friday mornings at 10:10 am in the Ozinga Chapel Auditorium. All are welcome!

The Trinity community was certainly busy in 2021, and we were pleased to be able to share many of those stories with you on Trinity’s website. Among the many stories that we shared, our readers found a few to be especially interesting. Find out which stories were among our most popular!  

The Historical Association of Students was excited for its first field trip since the spring of 2020 and is looking forward to more upcoming events.

What a year it’s been! Here in this Year in Review, we share the stories of our students, professors, alumni, staff members, and friends during these unprecedented times.

Trinity is pleased to announce that Wendy Reid has been named athletic director. Previously, Reid had been director of athletics communications at the College.

On behalf of the Trinity campus community, Christmas greetings to you!  We are grateful to God for all of the ways in which your partnership and support make possible what happens every day on campus. You are a vital part of the Trinity community!

When Trinity’s nursing students graduate, they are prepared to be exceptional nurses, clinically and vocationally. Trinity does this by providing excellent professors, facilities, and clinical placements; through rigorous coursework; and with a supportive environment where students can realize their callings.

Attending a liberal arts college changed the life of Trinity’s President Kurt D. Dykstra, who was the first in his family to attend college. And that is why he works to do the same for Trinity’s students, Dykstra shared as a part of a wide-ranging conversation on the recent podcast, “Rebuilding the American Dream.”

Every year, the world unites for a celebration of generosity on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. And the Trinity community joyfully responded to this year’s Giving Tuesday on Nov. 30, through gifts that directly support our students to continue living out their dreams on Trinity’s campus. In 24 hours, more than 100 donors came together to raise more than $17,000!

Flashing lights. Eerie music. Thrilling swordplay. Moving trees. Bloody daggers. Bubbling cauldron. Chanting. Prophecy. Murder. It was magical, malevolent, and magnificent—it was “Macbeth,” Trinity’s Theatre Department’s Fall Mainstage performance.

Christmastide, a long-standing Trinity tradition, is quickly coming up on Dec. 4! For more than 20 years, the whole of the Music Department, including choirs and instrumental ensembles, join together to perform a grand music concert for all.

The Lincoln Laureate Student Awards honor Illinois college seniors for their leadership and service in bettering humanity and for their excellence in their academic and extracurricular work. And this year, Trinity is pleased to announce that Evie Dykhouse ’22 has been named the College’s Lincoln Laureate. 

It had been a very long time since Trinity’s theatre department has performed live, in-person, in the Black Box of the ArCC (Arts and Communication Center), in front of an eager audience. But this year was a step back to that: the 16th Annual Student-Directed One-Acts brought life into the Black Box on October 22 and 23!

The Dining Hall was alight, active, and alive in the late hours of the night. Students clamored around tables, excitedly decorating cakes, throwing on any (or all) decorations they could find. It’s a competition where the best cake—or the worst–wins.

With the sun shining throughout a picture-perfect autumn weekend, Trinity was excited to welcome hundreds of alumni, parents, and friends to campus for Fall Fest, our annual Homecoming and Parents’ Weekend.

Professor of Art & Design John Bakker was recently featured on the cover of “Chicago Bridge Magazine” and its podcast, where he was described as a “legend in and around the community of Roseland and the state of Illinois.” 

Rev. Ben Snoek, Trinity’s new interim campus pastor, is excited about the opportunities to serve at Trinity. “Pastor Ben,” as he is already known throughout campus, joined the College in the Fall 2021 semester, following the retirement of long-time Chaplain and Dean of Spiritual Formation Rev. Willis (Bill) VanGroningen.

It’s Hispanic Heritage Month, and the Sabor Latino Club has come forth to celebrate this at Trinity with all its might! It was the first time in Sabor Latino’s history to celebrate Hispanic heritage as a club and with everyone on campus. 

Trinity is excited to host the upcoming “Conference for Knowledge for the Future: Higher Education, Change, and Christian Responsibility, sponsored by Coram Deo.  The conference, which takes place on  campus on Nov. 11-12, features renowned speakers from around the country, as well as Trinity professors.  

Trinity’s head women’s soccer coach Josh Lenarz ’98 notched his 300th win when the Trolls scored in the 10th minute of their game against Judson University on Oct. 6.  Lenarz is now one of the most winning active coaches in the NAIA. 

Mark your calendars for Friday, November 5 and Saturday, November 6 for our annual Fall Fest weekend. We are excited to welcome alumni, students, parents and the community to join us for Homecoming and Family Weekend, all rolled together into one giant event.

During his time at Trinity double majoring in finance and marketing, Zach Fitch ’18 didn’t plan to become an influencer or work for one of the biggest TikTok marketing agencies in the world.

On September 17, 1787, the Founding Fathers signed the most influential document in American history, the U.S. Constitution. And every year, Trinity commemorates that world-changing event by recognizing Constitution Day.

Join us for Stardust Jazz Night, with the Trinity Jazz Ensemble and the Trinity Jazz Collaborative! The concert will take place at 7 pm in Ozinga Chapel Auditorium on Sept. 24. The concert marks the first in a series of events planned by Trinity’s Music Department this semester.

The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics has announced its Daktronics Scholar-Athletes and NAIA Scholar Teams and recognized Trinity Athletics with 75 Scholar-Athlete and 15 Scholar-Teams distinctions.

The life-changing value of a Trinity education has once again been recognized by U.S. News and World Report, which named Trinity to several of its “best” lists for 2022, including among the Top 20 Regional Colleges Midwest and #15 for social mobility.

In its inaugural rankings, U.S. News & World Report has recognized Trinity’s Nursing program as among the best in the country, standing shoulder to shoulder with some of the largest universities in the United States. 

Helping teachers incorporate graphic novels into the classroom is one topic the Comic-Con Educational Series recently tackled. Trinity Professor of Education Bill Boerman-Cornell appeared as a panelist to share strategies, resources, and lessons to improve methods of teaching with this highly effective medium. 

The 63rd Annual Convocation, which took place on Sept. 1, was a particularly meaningful one, as those who had been learning, teaching and working remotely during the pandemic came together once more in Ozinga Chapel Auditorium to pray, sing, and be in community.

The first day of fall classes is always an exciting time, with campus dorms bursting with new friends and roommates, halls buzzing with students and professors, athletics teams launching into the new season, and a community gathered together in the pursuit of knowledge.

The world needs social workers, and Trinity is pleased to announce the Spring 2022 launch of a Bachelor of Social Work degree geared towards adult students and taking place entirely online.

Some of the deep bonds between the College and Palos Heights were highlighted during a recent interview with Trinity’s Fusion59 co-directors Haley Heeg ’20 and Sundeep Vira on Channel 4, the city’s community access channel. 

The question of what role spiritual capital plays at organizations raises a whole host of other issues, many of them complicated. It’s a topic that Professor of Communication Arts Craig Mattson, Ph.D., delves into in his most recent book, “Why Spiritual Capital Matters.” 

SALT is back with terrific, in-person offerings for Fall 2021! SALT (Seasoned Adults Learning at Trinity) is a membership-based program for community members 55+ who are interested in ongoing education and lifelong learning.

In recognition of the Trinity’s support of National Guard service members, the College and Director of Technology Systems Kevin Jacobs ‘02 have been recognized by the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, a program of the U.S. Department of Defense. 

The Shack, located next to Trinity’s Mail & Print Center, got a fresh new look last spring, when Trinity’s Serve Team made its revitalization a priority.

IPO makes its jubilant return to the stage of Ozinga Chapel Auditorium for the 2021-22 season with world-renowned featured soloists Rachel Barton Pine, William Wolfram, collaborations with The Joffrey Academy of Dance, Official School of The Joffrey Ballet and Anima-Glen Ellyn Children’s Chorus.

Each semester the Department of Athletics recognizes student-athletes who excelled in their studies by achieving high marks in the classroom. Of the 215 athletes who participated in the spring 2021 semester, 102 were named to the Trinity Athletics Honor Roll

Trinity students leave the College confident in what they believe and possess the skills and experience necessary to excel in their field for good, according to Colleges of Distinction. The organization has once again recognized Trinity in several categories.

It was a beautiful day for a golf outing on June 11 and a record number of participants in Trinity’s annual Alumni Golf Outing took full advantage of it, raising funds for scholarships while having a great time with new and old friends! 

Speaking with Missy Strong, host of Music Ed Amplified, Dr. Peters talked about a range of topics, including how he strives to tell the story of all human persons, not just white European men; why he doesn’t use textbooks in his music appreciation courses; and how he wants students to think differently about music in their lives.

Blueprints Weekend is one of the most beloved traditions at Trinity. During this weekend, incoming freshmen and their families gather on campus for summer pre-orientation and registration and so much more!

Gracious. Patient. Kind. Professional. Those are just some of the words used to describe Human Resources Payroll Administrator Kris Doorn ‘89, who has been named Trinity’s 2021-22 Staff Member of the Year.  

Hard work and dedication, that’s what it took for Maddy Clausen and Alyssa Busker to claim titles at the recent NCCAA National Track and Field Championships and earn their spot at the recent 41st Annual NAIA Women’s Outdoor Track and Field National Championships. 

The Dean’s List is Trinity Christian College’s highest academic honor. Congratulations to all our traditional undergraduate students and adult programs students who met this distinction for the Spring 2021 semester.

The Christian Association of World Languages (CAWL) brings scholars together to provide a forum for promoting Christian reflection and practice in the field. And Trinity’s Prof. Yeon Lee will lay a key role in this mission as the association’s new vice president.

Trinity is pleased to announce that Professor of History David Brodnax Sr., Ph.D., is Professor of the Year for 2021-22. he many nominations cited Brodnax’s excellent academic work, his education and perspective with both a law degree and a doctorate, and his tireless service to the College. Brodnax was recognized at commencement on May 8.

Along with celebrating graduates on May 8, the College also honored the emeritations of two long-time faculty members who have retired at the end of the 2020-21 academic year: Joy Meyer ’78, Ed.D., associate professor of education, licensure officer, and dean of education; and Rick Snoeyink, Ph.D.

Trinity’s Social Work Department welcomed the newest members of the College’s Phi Xi Chapter of Phi Alpha Honor Society. Congratulations to the social work majors who were inducted!

The College is particularly pleased to see the value of our undergraduate and graduate degrees in special education recognized by Grad Degree Search, including among the Top 10 in the Great Lakes Region.

During an extraordinary year, Trinity students continued to show their commitment to leadership, the College, and to each other. Congratulations to all those who were nominated and honored!

Commencement is always a joyful occasion. This year’s commencement represented twice the cause for celebration, as Trinity honored the graduates of both the classes of 2021 and 2020!

The research, published in the journal PLOS One, was conducted during their time at Trinity under the guidance of Prof. Clay Carlson. Their work makes a connection between a beneficial probiotic and changes in the brain.

Trinity Christian College mourns the sudden and unexpected passing of Martin Ozinga III on Monday, April 26, even as it celebrates his good and faithful life. Ozinga was 71.

It may have been snowing outside last Tuesday, but the tradition of OPUS continued, with the celebration of scholarship, music, art, and more. This year also marked the 1st Annual  GRUMPUS–an extension of OPUS that includes graduate research projects  

Trinity’s students have voted, and the results are in! Congratulations to all the incoming Student Government Association officers for the upcoming academic year.

The English Medieval Mystery Plays are some of the very first recorded examples of theatre after the Dark Ages. Trinity Theatre is delighted to present a performance of six of these plays this April, as we emerge from a sort of “dark ages” of our own.

It’s national tournament time, Troll Nation! And Trinity has not one, but two, teams to cheer on to victory in National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) playoffs this week.

Trinity is pleased to announce our most recent Founders’ Scholars for the incoming class of 2025, Tyren Brown of Upper Marlboro, Md., and Kara Van Dyke of Fishers, Ind.

Trinity’s Education majors learn to cultivate relational peace, educational equity, and justice and to impact every student’s life through excellence in teaching. Those stellar qualities have earned the Education program a place in the top 10 nationwide and number one in Illinois, according to College Factual.

As the COVID-19 pandemic upended traditional approaches to nursing education, Trinity’s Department Chair and Associate Professor of Nursing Tina Decker ‘06, DNP made it her mission to get the students the work they desired to be fully prepared for their upcoming transition into their nursing careers.

We write to give you two brief updates on the Select College Committee Diversity, Unity, Conciliation, and Belonging.  This is a follow-up communication from our message to you on Friday, March 12, 2021.

TrollNation’s got talent, and that will be on display again at this year’s Trollstock! Trinity’s annual talent show is ready to debut on the College YouTube channel on April 10.

Good works happen every day at Trinity—and one way we recognize those are through awards for Professor of the Year and Staff Member of the Year. Nominations for both awards may be submitted by students, staff, faculty, and alumni.

For playwright, director and Theatre Program Coordinator Emma (Darcy) Schneider ’19, unconventional times have led her to create an unconventional theatre experience.

The recognitions and honors for Trinity’s top-ranked nursing program continue to accumulate! RNCareers.org is the latest organization to name Trinity as the best BSN nursing program in the state of Illinois.

The Healthy Troll Challenge is back, and everyone in the Troll community can take part this year! Since this year’s event is taking place virtually through Facebook and Instagram, anyone can work out alongside Trinity Exercise Science and Physical Education K-12 majors, earn points for prizes, and get healthier.

Trinity’s Seerveld Gallery brings the works of internationally famous artists, as well as artists from Chicago’s thriving art scene, to campus. And the Seerveld Gallery is currently hosting an exhibit by Katherine Desjardins called “Touch.” 

We write today to update the broader Trinity community particularly on one vital and complex topic:  Diversity & Unity, particularly in regards to race, justice, and reconciliation. 

Troll Nation answered the call for the fifth annual Trinity Tuesday, which took place on March 9! In just 24 hours, 777 donors raised $239,683 dollars for the Trinity Fund, exceeding the initial goal of 750 donors.

After careful consideration, we have decided to allow minimal, select spectators in attendance at both our indoor and outdoor competitions. No one will be admitted who is not on the guest pass list, and no visiting spectators will be permitted.

Trinity students are curious, ambitious, and passionate about discovering the joy of their vocation. For many, that spirit of service starts right on campus, in student leadership positions. 

Senior basketball player Gabby Kreykes was named NCCAA Regional Player of the Year and also brought home the top honor when the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference (CCAC) announced its women’s basketball postseason awards. Senior Jasmine Elliott earned Honorable Mention All-Conference by the CCAC.

Commencement is always a joyous occasion—and this year’s May 8 celebration will be a particularly meaningful one for Trinity graduates and their friends and family. We will not only be celebrating the Class of 2021 and honoring our 2020 graduates as well.

The Dean’s List is Trinity Christian College’s highest academic honor. Congratulations to all our traditional undergraduate students and adult programs students who met this distinction for the Fall 2020 semester.

Less than a year after COVID-19 swept across the globe, Trinity welcomed many students back to campus and the classroom for the Spring 2021 semester.

The Black History Month Lecture is an annual tradition at Trinity, and on Feb. 15, the History Department hosted the lecture as a virtual roundtable discussion.

After an exhaustive, multi-year process of preparation and evaluation, Trinity Christian College has learned that it has been reaccredited for another 10 years by the Higher Learning Commission.

Trinity’s Nicole Saint-Victor ‘12, Affiliated Faculty, Director of Gospel Choir and Director of Multicultural Engagement, co-led one of the recent sessions, which was focused on college and university students.

As part of Fusion 59’s Fusion Fridays, Rachel (Vander Pol) Raymond ’05 recently talked with Trinity students about how to get noticed by potential employers.

On Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Jan. 18, Trinity’s Black Student Union hosted its annual celebration of the great civil rights leader, focusing on the theme “Justice Like a River.”

The SALT Advisory Board and SALT Program Coordinator Andrea Dieleman are pleased to offer 3 virtual course options in the Spring 2021—all very relevant for today’s changing world.

The organization has recognized Trinity’s life-changing work among Illinois and Christian colleges, as well as for several academic programs and career preparation.

Trinity is pleased to recognize our Fall 2020 graduates and welcome them as alumni of the College!

Congratulations to Prof. of Education Bill Boerman-Cornell on the publication of his new book, “Using Graphic Novels in the English Language Arts Classroom. ”

Trinity Athletics is excited to announce that it will induct a new class to its Hall of Fame during the 2021-22 academic year.

The Trinity community has taken several steps as part of our commitment to live up to our beliefs that all people are created equally in the image of God.

Thanks to the generosity of incredible people, Trinity exceeded its goals for Giving Tuesday and were blessed with 150 donors who helped us raise over $20,000 for our students this holiday season. 

Thanks to the hard work and dedication of a group of current and emeriti professors, Trinity has received a grant from the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities (CCCU) that spans several different initiatives at the College and connects to Chicago’s Roseland neighborhood.

The holiday season, in the midst of the COVID pandemic, has presented unique challenges for some of our students. To support our international students and student-athletes who will be staying on campus during the extended winter break, Trinity would love to find 100 donors to give $100 each this Giving Tuesday, Dec. 1. 

For an unprecedented fifth time in six years, Trinity nursing graduates have achieved a perfect first-time pass rate on the NCLEX-RN exam. This success for Trinity’s top-ranked program represents the highest six-year NCLEX average of any BSN or ADN program in Illinois.

While we were physically separated this Fall Semester, the Trinity community was able to connect through a series of virtual events, hosted by President Kurt and Leah Dykstra. Each event celebrated a unique aspect of our campus.

Rachel Holden ‘17, who is currently working for Northwestern Mutual in Recruiting and Development, recently spoke to Trinity students about career searching, training, and professional development for the third Fusion Friday of the semester.

The 24-Hour Theatre Project has been a tradition for Trinity’s Theatre program since 2016. This year—though modified—was no exception! Recently, students, faculty, staff, alumni, and others gathered virtually to tackle five different plays in a single day’s time.

Trinity is pleased to announce that Ross Barz ‘21 has been named Trinity’s 2020  Lincoln Laureate. Barz will be honored in a virtual ceremony by Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker.  

Trinity has recently ranked as one of the safest college campuses in the nation by Niche.com, and as the safest college campus in Illinois by Stateuniversity.com.

Trinity  is pleased to announce the Fall 2021 launch of a new Data Analytics program, which will include a major as well as opportunity for micro-credentialing for students in other majors.

There is more to a good employee than just technical skills–other factors are important too, Anthony Ciccarone of Amplify Chicago, explained during a recent Fusion Friday event.

Trinity has developed a School of Record (SOR) partnership with Upkey, an educational organization dedicated to creating a more equitable future for students, as they enter the workforce.

Do you know a high school student who might be a perfect fit at Trinity? Invite them to check out our TrinTalks!  TrinTalks, which take place on Tuesdays, are virtual, webinar-style events that delve into different areas of Trinity. 

Trinity continues its tradition of hosting the annual 24-Hour Theatre Project, this year in an online format. The free event takes place this weekend, with the performances starting at 8 pm on Saturday, September 26.

Trinity is proud to be the home of the award-winning Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra. And as the IPO has reimagined its fall programming in order to protect the community, we are excited to see the IPO musicians back on the stage of Ozinga Chapel Auditorium, for a concert on Oct. 24

Continuing a years-long tradition of excellence and recognition, Trinity Christian College has been named among the “Best Colleges” by U.S. News & World Report for 2021.

Trolls don’t just believe in sportsmanship and integrity during athletic competitions–they live those values in every aspect of their lives. And Trinity is pleased to receive the Champions of Character Five-Star award from the NAIA.

Since Fusion 59 opened in 2018, many people across campus and from the Chicagoland area have benefited from Trinity’s innovation and co-working space. As Haley Heeg ’20 takes over as Entrepreneur in Residence, she is looking forward to continuing and expanding on that tradition.

The Dean’s List is Trinity Christian College’s highest academic honor. Congratulations to all our traditional undergraduate students and adult programs students who met this distinction for the Spring 2020 semester.

Trinity Christian College and the North American Christians in Social Work (NACSW) are pleased to announce a new memorandum of understanding to mark the co-location of NACSW’s corporate headquarters on Trinity’s campus, effective June 1, 2020. 

Associate Professor of Nursing and Department Chair Tina Decker ’06, DNP,  recently talked with the Illinois Association of Colleges of Nursing about how the expectations and requirements of nurses have changed during the pandemic and how nurses can adapt. 

As part of his Convocation address, Professor of the Year Yudha Thianto talked about how our individual stories become one big family story. “Together, we will accomplish the calling that He has given us.”

Nothing can stop the spirit and generosity of the Trinity community! For the 34th year, participants and sponsors came together for the annual Trinity Athletics Club (TAC) Golf Classic, raising money for student-athlete scholarships.

Congratulations to Associate Professor of Nursing Sarah Gouwens, DNP, who has been named a 2020 Illinois Nurse Educator Fellow.

Trinity’s Staff Council is pleased to announce that Diana Pell, Administrative Assistant to Faculty, has been named Staff Member of the Year for 2020-21.

President Dykstra today shared Trinity’s updated plans for Fall 2020, which includes moving most academic programs online.

Trinity Athletics has hired Theo Owens, previously associate head coach of Robert Morris University’s women’s basketball team, as the new head women’s basketball coach.

NAIA publicly announced a decision to postpone national championships for fall sports to spring 2021.  The CCAC has concurrently announced a unanimous decision to postpone conference competition and championships to spring. 

Today, organizational leaders everywhere have to think like social entrepreneurs, says Professor of Communication Arts Craig Mattson, Ph.D. That is a premise he is exploring in a book he is currently writing, as well as a podcast series called “Spiritual Capital” he launched earlier this year.

Trinity is pleased to announce that the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) has acknowledged that Trinity’s HR Management degree now aligns with SHRM’s HR Curriculum Guidebook and Templates.

To help first-year students navigate their adjustment to Trinity and provide a sense of community, Thrive Student Mentors have spent the summer preparing to provide an immediate support network for all new students when they arrive on campus next month.

Trinity Athletics has named Jeremy Bialek head men’s and women’s golf coach, Director of Athletics Mark Hanna announced. Bialek also serves an assistant men’s basketball coach and as an education data specialist at the College.

Kyle McCarrell, most recently library director at Blue Ridge Community College in Virginia, has joined the College as Director of the Jennie Huizenga Memorial Library.

Professor of Theology Yudha Thianto, Ph.D., recently published an essay in a new book, “Jews, Christians and Muslims in the Reformation Era.”

Philosophy Prof. Aron Reppmann ’92 recently discussed thinkers and works that are significant to him, as a featured guest on two podcasts: the Critical Faith podcast, produced by the Institute for Christian Studies; and the Secret History of Western Esotericism podcast. 

The Board of Trustees shares this statement with the Trinity community following its special meeting so that Trinity’s principles and values are clear and unambiguous.

Trinity Athletics hired Becky Eller as the new head coach for the women’s volleyball program, Director of Athletics Mark Hanna has announced. Before coming to Trinity, Eller served as an assistant coach for the women’s volleyball team at Trinity International University.

The format may be different, but our Alumni Board is still excited to announce our annual golf outing to raise scholarships for students of alumni! Grab some friends or former roommates and have a blast on the course at a tee time that works for you.

Thanks to the faithful generosity of two dedicated families, Trinity’s nursing students will have state-of-the-art facilities this fall, following extensive renovations that are currently underway.

Assistant Professor of Special Education Christine Scholma ’04 has been named presentation chair for the 2022 award, which recognizes children’s and young adult books that portray individuals with developmental disabilities.

Congratulations to Nicole Saint-Victor ‘12, Trinity’s Director of Multicultural Engagement, for being named a commissioner on the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities’ Commission.

As part of our annual spring tradition, faculty and staff were honored for their service, including milestone anniversaries.

At Blueprints, students get to meet other students, faculty, and staff. During our sessions, incoming freshmen discover more about campus life, register for classes, and begin friendships with other new students that will last a lifetime.

Building upon the personal reflection that President Dykstra offered to the Trinity community this past weekend, Trinity Christian College shares the following statement in solidarity with and in support of the entire Trinity community. 

Troll athletes excel on and off the field, and the Athletics Department recently announced the winners of the annual awards that honor commitment, community, and caring.

More than ever during these challenging times, we are grateful to our essential workers and first responders. And Trinity was thrilled to partner with the Joliet Slammers to recently donate meals to the Palos Heights Police and Fire Departments.

For many Trinity students, the effects of COVID-19 are particularly difficult. To support our most vulnerable students, Trinity Christian College has established the “In It Together Fund.”

Trinity’s Physical Education, Recreation, and Kinesiology program has once again been recognized as a National Strength and Conditioning Association Education Recognition Program, the premier group in the field. 

Trinity is pleased to announce that our Nursing Program has once again been recognized among the top Bachelor of Science in Nursing programs in Illinois by RN to BSN.

Trinity is planning and expecting to welcome, in-person, our students to campus this fall and we will do so in a way that incorporates public health measures endorsed by governmental authorities and medical experts.

Trinity is pleased to announce that the 2020-21 Professor of the Year is Yudha Thianto, Ph.D., Professor of Theology. As Professor of the Year, Thianto will offer the message at Trinity’s 62nd Annual Convocation this fall and will be honored on Dec. 19, when Trinity celebrates commencement for the Spring 2020 graduates.

Everyone participating in the virtual internship program, which is open to 1,000 students, will now have the option to receive three academic credits that will help ease future tuition costs.

Recent shelter-in-place requirements offer the opportunity to get to know our own backyards, according to Associate Professor of Biology Abbie Schrotenboer, Ph.D., in a recent interview with “Christianity Today.”

At the May 2020 commencement, Trinity announced the retirement of two beloved, long-time professors, Professor of Education Liz Rudenga, Ph.D., and Professor of Music Helen Van Wyck, D.M.A. Both professors were awarded emeriti status by Trinity’s Board of Trustees.

Trinity’s accounting graduates continued the College’s tradition of excelling on the certified public accounting (CPA) exam in 2019, leading the state of Illinois with both pass rates and average scores on the most recent test.

In a podcast for the Humane Education Coalition, Dr. Cini Bretzlaff-Holstein discussed the interconnectedness of social justice, human rights issues, the natural living world, and animal rights, among other topics.

Every year, the Office of Student Life recognizes the outstanding contributions of Trinity students who have made a difference in the lives of the Trinity community. Congratulations to this year’s honorees!

Congratulations to all the students who have been elected to leadership positions in the Student Government Association for the upcoming academic year.

Amidst a global pandemic, the Trinity community is still making a difference around the world! Recently Emily Bosscher, Director of First Year Experience, taught an online English class for students in Indonesia.

At the 2019 Association for Theatre in Higher Education’s (ATHE) annual conference in Orlando, Dr. John Sebestyen, associate professor of communication arts and director of theatre, took part in two sessions.

It was an OPUS like no other! While the Trinity community is learning remotely, the annual celebration of student scholarship took place online.

At Trinity, OPUS is one of the biggest events of the year. And nothing can stop OPUS and the opportunity to celebrate student scholarship! This year, we will celebrating a digital OPUS, and everyone is invited to participate.

For Dr. Jesse VanMaanen ’12, a surgery resident at the University of South Dakota, the coronavirus pandemic isn’t just a workplace issue—he is currently in isolation after having contracted the illness during a rotation at Chicago’s John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital of Cook County.

Trinity may be new to the world of college mock trial competitions, but the team has already made an impression during its first season. Trinity students notched several wins in tournaments against larger colleges and universities with more established teams.

Trinity’s people are at the heart of our community. As one way to recognize the achievements of our dedicated faculty and staff, we are currently accepting nominations for the Professor of the Year Award and Staff Member of the Year Award.

At the fourth annual Next Step Workshop last month, the Trinity community spent the day exploring ways to break cycles and discussing race, diversity and inclusion. 

The flourishing of our campus community and its health and safety are of utmost importance to us at Trinity. With that priority in mind we believe that it is in the best interest of our community and our neighbors to suspend in-person, on-campus classes for the remainder of the Spring 2020 semester beginning on Friday, March 13.

In a mere 24 hours, 730 donors participated in #TrinityTuesday, raising a total of $147,880 to impact Trinity students, surpassing our initial goal of 660 donors. And it was all thanks to you!

The Madron Gallery in Chicago is currently hosting an exhibit featuring the work of several artists who are part of the Trinity family, including Professor of Art & Design John Bakker and alumni Pierce Cruz ’18 and Hannah Dykstra ’17.

Trinity Christian College is pleased to announce that it has named Madison Eggert of Mequon, Wis., and Leslie Osorio of Mundelein, Ill., recipients of the prestigious 2020 Founders’ Scholarship.

Jonathan Brooks, recruiter and mentor for Trinity’s five-year B.A./M.Div. program with Northern Seminary, led a seminar at the recent Calvin Symposium on Worship. 

The Trinity community gathered last week to celebrate Provost Aaron Kuecker, Ph.D., on the recent release of Social Identity Commentary on the New Testament. Kuecker co-edited the book with Brian Tucker and contributed two chapters. 

At Trinity, our professors are dedicated to sharing their knowledge with students and growing their own gifts and talents inside and outside the classroom. We celebrate with our faculty who have recently reached career milestones with promotions and the granting of tenure.

When working with children, behavior analysts and school-based professionals need successful collaboration, Trinity’s Dr. Karen O’Connor told audience members during a presentation at the recent Illinois Association for Behavior Analysis annual conference.

Trinity Tuesday takes place on March 10 this year. Find out how you can be part of this very special day. 1 Day. 1 Goal. 1 Gift.

Trinity’s Chaplain and Dean of Spiritual Formation Dr. Willis “Bill” Van Groningen was recently awarded the Dana Walling Award for Excellence in Campus Ministry from the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU).

Fusion59, Trinity Christian College’s Center for Innovation, is excited to announce they are hosting an exclusive event on March 19th with international author, speaker and business consultant Vicki Fitch.

During the Spring 2020 semester, Trinity Christian College is celebrating 60 years of God’s faithfulness with alumni and friends around the country.

Trinity was excited to welcome nearly 30 high school students to campus to participate in the Diversity Scholars Leadership Program last weekend. Along with those who attended in person, 10 international students took part in interviews via Skype.

In performances highlighting ballet, theater, spoken word, and music, Trinity students and faculty and Ballet 5:8 celebrated the arts last weekend.

“Having a month dedicated to black history gives Trinity an opportunity to affirm our very diverse population and to celebrate with our black students who they are and who they are on this campus,” said Nicole St. Victor ’12, Director of Multicultural Engagement.

Trinity students don’t just experience the world beyond campus. Sometimes, opportunities come right to the classroom! That is the case for Dr. Mike Chitavi’s Global Business class, which spent part of the fall semester developing international business plans for Sidekik, a soccer juggling tool.

Sixteen Trinity theater students, along with Dr. John Sebestyen, recently traveled to the Region 3 Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (KCACTF) in Madison, Wis., to learn, compete, and share a scene from the College’s Spring 2019 play.

The entry on Antwan “Big Boi” Patton, the Grammy-award winning hip hop artist, songwriter, and record producer, and half of the groundbreaking duo OutKast, appears in “The African American National Biography.”

In a ceremony that took place on Jan. 7 in Jakarta, Indonesia, Trinity and Ipeka Foundation, a system of K-12 Christian schools, formally signed the Memorandum of Understanding.

What does it mean that many companies are willing to match employee gifts?

Trinity Christian College is proud to host the NCCAA Men’s Volleyball National Invitational on Jan. 24 and 25. Eight teams will compete in this tournament.

During the Christmas break, a group from Trinity had the opportunity to walk in Jesus’ footsteps during a visit to the Holy Land.

“Let’s Go Higher,” was the theme of this year’s annual celebration of the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., presented by Trinity’s Black Student Union. 

Prof. Cini Bretzlaff-Holstein, chair of Trinity’s Social Work department, has been named a fellow at The Ferrater Mora Oxford Centre for Animal Ethics, which is committed to putting ethical concerns for animals on the intellectual agenda.

Multidisciplinary artist Kwabena Foli will present “god gives rest, not sleep” in the Seerveld Gallery from Jan. 9-Feb. 6. Foli will give an artists lecture on Feb. 6 at 6 pm in the ArCC DeWitt Lobby, and a closing reception will follow.

Trinity Women’s Organization looks forward to spending time with scrapbookers at its semi-annual scrapbooking event! The spring 2020 event takes place Friday, January 17 and Saturday, January 18 in the Grand Lobby of the Ozinga Chapel

Hail, thou ever blessed morn,
Hail redemption’s happy dawn,
Sing through all Jerusalem,
Christ is born in Bethlehem.
– Edward Caswall (1858)

Take a virtual tour of Trinity’s new Welcome Center, planned for the site of the former Back to God Ministries International Building, and learn why this building will be so impactful to our campus.

Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra (IPO), in residence at Trinity Christian College with a Home for the Holidays concert at Ozinga Chapel on December 21, 2019, at 3 pm. IPO will also share the stage with the Elmhurst Choral Union.

The Trinity community celebrated with the Fall 2019 graduates today, as students received master of arts, bachelor of arts, bachelor of science, and bachelor of social work degrees.

Trinity’s fall semester 2019 commencement will take place in Ozinga Chapel Auditorium at 10 am on Saturday, Dec. 14.

Players from the Trinity women’s soccer and women’s volleyball team received NCCAA and CCAC honors. Three members of the women’s volleyball team also were named NAIA All-American.

Trinity’s Music Department invites the community to attend the 18th Annual Christmastide program on Saturday, December 7 at 4 pm in the Ozinga Chapel.

For those who are utilizing planned giving approaches, or are considering it, there have been several significant changes that will impact IRA charitable rollover giving and charitable gift annuities that will take effect by Dec. 31.

Women’s volleyball, women’s soccer, and men’s cross country concluded their seasons over the weekend with competitions in the NAIA Nationals.

Students and professors in Trinity’s Physical Education, Recreation, and Kinesiology (PERK) Department are working with Trinity alumnus Ryan Hesslau ‘18 to be the first college to pilot an app his company recently developed, The Waves App.

Trinity is pleased to announce that Indira Escalante ’20 has been named Trinity’s Lincoln Laureate. Escalante was honored at the Lincoln Academy Student Laureate Convocation Ceremony on Nov. 16 in Springfield, Ill.

The Trinity women’s soccer and volleyball teams secured bids to NAIA Nationals and are competing in opening round competition this weekend. Andrew Dobrescu will also race in the NAIA National Championship Cross Country Meet on Friday. Go, Trolls!

The value of Christian higher education, the impact of student debt, the ESPN effect—Pres. Kurt Dykstra talks about all this, and much more, on the radio show “The Common Good” on Nov. 13.

The mission of the Center for Teaching and the Good Life is to deepen Trinity’s capacity to help all students discover and articulate the joy of their vocation in ways that include and extend beyond career and work.

Dr. Craig Mattson, Professor of Communication Arts, recently took part in the SOCAP 2019 conference in San Francisco as part of a panel discussion on “The intersection of money and meaning.” 

On Nov. 8, Trinity capped off a week of honoring and celebrating our first generation students with a gathering in the Bootsma Bookstore Café.

As its fall Mainstage production, Trinity’s  Theatre Department will perform “Eurydice,” by Sarah Ruhl, directed by Dr. John Sebestyen on Nov. 15, 16, 22, and 23.

Trinity recently hosted the Annual Scholarship Dinner in the Grand Lobby of Ozinga Chapel, for a joyful evening that brought together donors and students.

FallFest, Trinity’s annual Homecoming and Family Weekend, takes place Nov. 1 and 2! We’ve planned a smorgasbord of fantastic events to celebrate Trinity alumni, students, friends and community.

Matt Croasmun of the Yale Center for Faith and Culture, and Lecturer of Divinity & Humanities at Yale University, recently visited campus where he discussed examining, defining, and achieving what constitutes as a good life.

Fusion59 in partnership with the Innovation Club, recently held a standing-room-only networking workshop. Future Founders COO Katie Sowa offered advice to students on effective and proper networking etiquette. 

On Oct. 17, the Honorable Eric Whitaker, U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Niger, visited campus and spoke at several events with students, the community, and faculty.

In 2019, Trinity nursing graduates continue their perfect first-time pass rate on the NCLEX-RN exam. This success represents the fourth time in the past five years that the College is celebrating a 100% pass rate.

Three of Trinity’s professors participated in the eighth biennial conference hosted by the Kuyers Institute for Christian Teaching and Learning, “Shaping Christian Learning,” earlier this month.

The Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra (IPO) celebrates 42 years of bringing beautiful music to the Southland as it opens the 2019-20 season at Ozinga Chapel with Opening Night: Rhapsody in Blue on October 19.

Podcasts and Plato may not seem to have much in common at first. But students in Dr. Craig Mattson’s COM 111 class connected “Phaedrus” to today’s communication practices during a field work excursion to 1871.

Theatre Department will perform “Eurydice,” by Sarah Ruhl, directed by Dr. John Sebestyen, as the Fall 2019 Mainstage Production. Shows will take place at the Marg Kallemeyn Theatre on Nov. 15, 16, 22, and 23 at 7:30 pm.

What a weekend to honor Trinity’s past and look forward to the future! Six decades after the first class was held at the new College, Trolls past, present, and future gathered for fun, fellowship, and reflection.

Trinity has recently partnered with Handshake, the college-to-career network with access to all types of jobs and internships posted by partnering employers.

Trinity is turning 60, and we have a weekend full of festivities to celebrate from Sept. 27-29!

Trinity has received the Champions of Character Five-Star Institution award, the NAIA announced Tuesday. Trinity is one of only 63 NAIA colleges nationwide to achieve the gold level.

Trinity has been named 20th among the “Best Colleges” of Regional Colleges—Midwest by U.S. News & World Report for 2020 and among the top 25 “Best Values” among Midwest colleges.

To more accurately reflect today’s practices and our program offerings, Trinity has updated the department name from Psychology to Counseling and Psychology.

The 2019-20 Professor of the Year Kara E. Wolff, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Counseling and Psychology, gave the Convocation address.

With a graduate degree from Trinity, Erin Miller ’17 is working to make a difference in the lives of students and their families in Chicago Public Schools.

Once considered separate realms, there has been a reawakening of interest in a dialogue between theology and the arts, according to Professor of Music Mark Peters, Ph.D., in his recent review of Jeremy S. Begbie’s latest book.

Monday was a great day for the 33rd Annual Trinity Athletics Club (TAC) Golf Classic! The event, which took place at Crystal Tree Country Club in Orland Park, Ill., raised just under $85,000 for athletic scholarships.

Jonathan Brooks didn’t expect to work at a college, become a preacher, or move back to his old neighborhood of Englewood on Chicago’s South Side. In the latest issue of Trinity Magazine, he talks about his journey that led him to where he is now.

Single season tickets for the Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra, in residence at Trinity’s Ozinga Chapel Auditorium, are now available. Highlights of the 2019-20 season include Gershwin, Mahler, Williams, Tchaikovsky, Beethoven, and more!

Trinity is proud to announce that 83% of master’s degree graduates taking the Behavior Analyst Certification Board exam for the first time have passed, nearly 20% higher than the average rate among other colleges and universities.

For Josh Lenarz ’98, Trinity’s head women’s soccer coach, soccer is the vehicle that enables him as a coach to build meaningful relationships and experiences for Trinity’s athletes, which is his real passion.

Caleb DeWeerd of the men’s team received the award, while Madelyn Clausen, Megan DeWeerd, Hope Fathman and Nicole Syverson of the women’s team were honored.

The women’s volleyball team, led by Coach Bill Schepel, received the award by maintaining a 3.3 cumulative GPA. 

Join the Trinity family for a night of gourmet food stations; craft beer, cocktails, and wine; interactive historical displays; dancing; and connecting with Trinity friends old and new at the Diamond Anniversary Celebration at the beautiful Hilton Chicago Oak Brook Hills Resort and Conference Center.

Come out to the ballpark at beautiful Ozinga Field and join TrollNation for a great night of food, fellowship and entertainment. Go ‘Bolts! Go Trolls!

Come join the Trinity community in supporting our student athletes at the annual Trinity Athletics Club Golf Classic. This year, the outing moves to Crystal Tree Country Club in Orland Park, Ill., on Aug. 19.

Andrea Dieleman has joined Trinity as SALT (Seasoned Adults Learning at Trinity) Program Coordinator. Dieleman organizes class offerings that engage and foster relationships with SALT members, providing them with opportunities to expand their knowledge in a welcoming atmosphere.

Aron Reppmann ’92, Professor of Philosophy and Department Chair, has been named Chancellor of the Institute for Christian Studies in Toronto, which offers graduate-level degrees in philosophy and theology. The chancellor serves as chair of the ICS Senate.