News Stories
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.
When nursing students choose Trinity they choose the program that is consistently recognized as the best in the state of Illinois. Trinity has once again received that honor from nursing advocacy organization RegisteredNursing.org.
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.
Our 5th annual #TrinityTuesday is only weeks away, on March 9. Please be one of our donors to help ensure the ongoing excellence of activities, programs, and experiences for 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 job 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 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.
Please join the Trinity community in supporting our student athletes at the annual TAC Golf Classic on August 17, 2020. This year, the outing is at Crystal Tree Country Club in Orland Park, IL.
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.”
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.
Congratulations to the Class of 2020! Graduates were recognized in a virtual degree conferral ceremony today. The ceremony also recognized retiring faculty members Dr. Helen Van Wyck and Dr. Liz Rudenga, as well as Dr. Yudha Thianto, as Trinity’s Professor of the Year for 2020-21.
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.
The feature article by Dr. Vanden Bout ’00, “American Prodigal: White Church, Black Church, and the Feast of Social Justice,” appears in the most recent issue of the quarterly publication.
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.
Trinity welcomes Kristen Keller as the new Director of Athletics Communications. Keller replaces Sports Information Director Amy Strong ’86, who has transitioned to Administrative Coordinator for the Athletics Department.
Boglio, who graduated with a BA in graphic design and a BFA in studio art, currently has a solo exhibition, “Wage(r)s,” at the Seerveld Gallery in Trinity’s Art & Communication Center.
Trinity is pleased to have the 20th Annual Midwest Harp Festival on campus from July 13-20. The event will feature four free concerts that are open to the public. All are welcome to attend.
Assistant Professor of Physical Education Shari Jurgens, Ph.D., recently presented at the International Association for Physical Education in Higher Education annual conference.
Four Trinity students have been named recipients of the prestigious Maurice VanderVelde Junior Scholarship Awards for 2019-20. These scholarships support outstanding junior or senior students in collaborative research with a Trinity professor.
The College is excited to announce new leadership in the Office of Alumni and Family Engagement and the Office of Admissions. Jeremy Klyn has been named Trinity’s new Director of Alumni and Family Engagement. With Klyn’s transition, Jeanine Mozie has been promoted to Director of Admissions.
The College was recognized for its exemplary commitment to the four distinctions identified by the Colleges of Distinction organization: engaged students; great teaching; vibrant community; and successful outcomes.
Allie Paluchniak ’16 has been named the new head coach of the women’s and men’s golf programs. A 2016 Trinity graduate, she most recently served as head coach for the women’s golf team for the past two years while also providing coaching support to the men’s golf team and to the women’s basketball team at Wheaton College.
Blueprints gives our students a taste of all aspects of the college experience, and they can spend time arranging class schedules, meeting with faculty advisors, and enjoying the range of planned activities.
Trinity’s Innovation Club wrapped up a busy year that included field trips to downtown Chicago to visit several incubators, including 1871.
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 2019 semester.
Jeremy Klyn ‘02 has been named Director of Alumni and Family Engagement. He has worked at the college for the past 16 years, most recently serving as Executive Director of Admissions and Financial Aid.
Professor of History John Fry recently presented at the Midwestern History Conference in Grand Rapids, Mich., as part of a panel discussion on the famous “Little House” author.
Coyote Run Golf Course was the perfect setting for the Annual Alumni Golf Outing on June 1. The event raised $11,500 for the Alumni Excellence Scholarship Fund, which benefits the children of alumni.
Laura Chávez-Dávalos, Director of the Office of Learning Services, has received Trinity’s inaugural Staff Member of the Year Award for 2019-20.
Student reflections on food and family are now tangible in “Tasteful Diversity,” a paperback compilation of essays and recipes edited by English professor Michael Vander Weele and designed by Trinity alum Schuyler Roozeboom.
The No. 6 Trolls concluded their pool play schedule at the NCCAA Baseball World Series in Easley, S.C., with a game against No. 10 Randall University (Moore, Okla.).
Megan DeWeerd placed 8th in the marathon and Madelyn Clausen placed 8th in the high jump to earn All-American status.
As part of Trinity’s commencement ceremonies on May 4, Provost Aaron Kuecker Ph.D., honored the emeritations of two faculty members: Thomas R. Roose, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Physics and Science Education; and Michael Vander Weele, Ph.D., Professor of English.
The 2019 Faculty and Staff Luncheon continued the annual tradition of honoring those who serve the College, including for milestone anniversaries.
Eight Trinity students, along with Prof. Clay Carlson, took a road trip from Palos Heights to suburban Atlanta last month to present their research at the National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR).
The baseball team has earned a berth in NCCAA World Series and members of the women’s team Advance to the NAIA national track and field competition.
Madelyn Clausen ’21, won with a jump of 5-05 at the NCCAA National Championships and was named All-American. Megan DeWeerd ’19 and Caleb DeWeerd ’21 also earned All-America honors
With a double-header victory over Hannibal-LaGrange University of Hannibal, Mo., on May 11 in the NCCAA North Central Region Championship, Trinity advances to the NCCAA World Series on May 22-25 in Easley, South Carolina!
Mady Zula ’21 was surprised but excited when she and her team of seven students from Chicago-area colleges took first place in Ernst & Young Diversity Challenge at 1871.
Thanks to the faithful generosity of two dedicated donor families, Trinity will be able to grow our nursing program facilities and enrollment for the future.
As part of the commencement weekend celebrations, graduates and their families took part in Ovations: A Celebration of Academic Achievement and the Baccalaureate Service on Friday, May 3.
On May 4, nearly 200 members of Trinity’s class of 2019 received Master’s degrees, Bachelor’s degrees, and professional licensures in a joyful ceremony that honored graduates, family, and friends.
Trinity athletes, along with a contingent of the student body, gathered in the DeVos Athletics Center on April 25 for the annual Awards Night.
Exercise Science Club, a group of exercise science majors, launched challenge with hopes to help create healthier lives for fellow classmates, faculty, and staff at Trinity.
Associate Professor of Psychology and Department Chair Kara E. Wolff, Ph.D., has been named Trinity’s 2019-20 Professor of the Year.
Dr. Christina Ritsema, Ph.D., professor at Colorado State University, will deliver the commencement address at the College’s graduation ceremony, which will take place on Saturday, May 4 at 10 am.
After Hilda Ozinga’s husband Norman passed away, she decided to create a scholarship as a lasting remembrance of him. “I’m really proud of this nursing scholarship,” she said.
From beginning basketball players to high-school level softball pitchers, Trinity Summer Sports Camps have something for athletes of all types and experience levels! Camps are led by the College’s coaching staff.
With topics ranging from “Calvin and Old Testament Metaphors” to “Who were the Israelites in the Netherlandish Reformation?” as well as a banquet, organ recital, and much more, Trinity recently hosted the Calvin Studies Society Colloquium.
As part of its Mozart celebration, “From Wit to Wonder,” the Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra welcomes Robert Chen, acclaimed violinist and Concertmaster of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
Everyone has a calling from God. “You have to recognize what that calling is and how you can impact the world for Christ,” Kevin Walker ’05 told the audience at a TBN Speaker Series event on April 10.
April 9 was a beautiful day for the 20th Annual OPUS celebration! The College also welcomed incoming freshmen and their parents as part of the Third Annual Admitted Students Day.
The Trinity group spent the day with more than 1,000 fellow participants from around the state in educational sessions and advocacy activities as part of the annual National Association of Social Workers-IL Chapter Advocacy Day.
With the end of the semester quickly approaching, Trinity’s Counseling Services recently offered an art therapy event for students, with all the materials provided.
Trinity is pleased to welcome Kevin Walker ’04 to campus as part of the TBN Speaker Series.The Trinity Business Network in collaboration with Fusion 59 is presenting this free year-long speaker series focused on entrepreneurship and innovation for students, alumni and friends of the College.
This Master of Arts degree leads to an ESL (English as a Second Language) and LBS I (Learning Behavior Specialist) grade range endorsement, which can be added to graduates’ Professional Educator’s License (PEL).
Sarah LeMahieu ’20 recently presented her paper titled “The Aba Women’s Riots and their Causes” at the Midwest Regional Conference on Faith and History (CFH) Student Research Conference.
Rev. Julius Medenblik ’82, president of Calvin Theological Seminary, told those gathered for a recent Chapel, “No matter where you are from, we have all experienced fear at one point or another.”
Students who are working towards their B.A. in Art Therapy, Psychology, or Speech-Language Pathology at Trinity can now begin taking graduate-level courses in their junior or senior year.
Calling all alumni, students, staff, faculty, and staff! Is there a Trinity professor that changed your life? A staff member whose advice and example impacted you? Now is the time to recognize their achievements and nominate them for Faculty & Staff Member of the Year!
This folktale musical integrates acting, live music, shadow puppetry, and more to create an immersive and exciting theatre experience.
Trinity was pleased to welcome Betsy Ziegler, CEO of 1871, to campus to speak at a Trinity Business Network event on March 13.
Trinity Tuesday 2019 was an incredible display of God’s faithfulness to Trinity Christian College, reflected in the generous gifts of more than 600 donors.
Trinity is pleased to announce the Spring 2019 SALT season! Trinity’s SALT (Seasoned Adults Learning at Trinity) program is a membership program for those 55 and over who are interested in ongoing education and lifelong learning u.
TBN, the Trinity Business Network, is pleased to welcome Betsy Ziegler, CEO of 1871, to campus. Ziegler will present on the intersection of Higher Ed and Innovation and Entrepreneurship.
In honor of International Women’s Day 2019, Trinity celebrates all of our female professors, including Gerda Bos, Ph.D.–the first professor to be hired by the College at its founding in 1959.
In 7000 Marks, Sara Black & Amber Ginsburg have transformed a Sudden Oak Death-infected tanoak tree into 7,000 pencils.
We celebrate with the Trinity faculty who have recently reached career milestones with promotions and the granting of tenure.
Trinity was pleased to welcome music director, performer, and producer Demond Mickens to campus on Feb. 22. He led and participated in several events, including the Diversity Scholars visit and Gospel Fest 2019.
Prof. Dieleman’s book, “The Battle for the Sabbath in the Dutch Reformation: Devotion or Desecration?”, focuses on the doctrinal and practical importance of Sunday observance in the early modern Reformed communities in the Low Countries of the Netherlands.
“We can’t just receive and memorialize black history,” said Prof. Nathan Jérémie-Brink of New Brunswick Theological Seminary, said during the lecture, which is sponsored by Trinity’s History Department “It’s something we do.”
The latest issue features reviews by Director of First Year Experience Emily Bosscher and Professor of Education Bill Boerman-Cornell.
The Black Student Union organized the trip to the Chicago church, where LaDarius Beal ’21 serves as associate minister.
The grant will be used to pay for materials for teaching and providing health maintenance and illness preventive items at a food pantry event on March 23 hosted by Restoration Ministries.
Congratulations to Trinity’s psychology professors Dr. Kara Wolff, Dr. Jessica Clevering, and Dr. Debra Majewski for their recent articles in Winter 2019 issue!
At least nine Trinity students have been accepted to present their collaborative research with faculty at the National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR) this year.
A program of the Mathematical Association of America, Project NExT is a professional development program for new or recent Ph.D.s in the mathematical sciences. that focuses on all aspects of an academic career.
Trinity Christian College’s campus will be closed beginning today, Tuesday 1/29/19 at 6 pm through Thursday 1/31/19 at 12:30 pm. Residence halls, the Dining Hall and Security will remain open throughout the closure. Food service will be available for residential students.
This year’s theme is “Imagine the World Otherwise.” The program features performances by the Trinity Christian College Gospel Choir, Trinity Theatre, Trinity Music Department Faculty, and excerpts from Ballet 5:8’s Four Seasons of the Soul.
The Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra presents Aurora Triptych as a part of The World Beyond: Where Music and Nature Meet program conducted by Stilian Kirov and presented with KV 265, Trinity Christian College, The Elizabeth Morse Charitable Fund, and Homewood Science Center.
Due to the current and overnight weather conditions, Trinity will start classes at 11am today (meaning that 11am classes are the first ones to meet and that the schedule, from that point forward, will proceed as usual).
To help leverage and enhance the vision of Fusion 59, Ryan Hesslau ’18 and Tom Iwema ’18 are serving as Entrepreneurs in Residence (EIR).
Today, Jan 22, 2019, all evening classes at Trinity Christian College are cancelled due to weather. As of now, the men’s volleyball game is still scheduled to play as planned. Please check back for updates.
Kyle Ten Pas ’98, partner at KPMG, recently offered valuable advice and insights to accounting students in Assistant Professor of Accountancy Mike Chitavi’s classes during a recent videoconference.
To celebrate the life of Martin Luther King, Jr., the Black Student Union welcomed the Trinity community to Ozinga Chapel Auditorium for our annual ceremony commemorating the life and legacy of the great civil rights leader.
The new organization, of which Trinity is a founding member, has chosen a logo designed by Mariah Nelesen ’20, a graphic design and Spanish double major.
The podcast featuring Professor of Communication Arts Craig Mattson, Ph.D., is part of “The Academic Minute” series. In it, Mattson discusses the messaging behind social entrepreneurship companies such as TOMS and Warby Parker.
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 2018 semester.
Dr. Bob Vander Vennen, who passed away in December at the age of 90, was the second professor to join the newly established College in 1959.
Fourteen Trinity students, along with Associate Professor of Communication Arts and Director of Theatre John Sebestyen, Ph.D., are traveling to the Region 3 gathering of the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival this week.
Trinity bids farewell to Dr. Patti Powell , Professor of Special Education and Director of the LBS I Graduate Program in Special Education, who retired in December and received emeritus status at the Fall Semester Commencement.
Every Christmas, New Moms, a family support organization run by Board of Trustees member Dr. Laura Zumdahl ’02, offers a holiday party where a professional photographer captures family portraits of mothers and their children.
For the 2018 fall semester a total of 113 student-athletes were named to that honor roll.
Assistant Professor of Nursing Autumn Mels ‘12 has been named a 2019 Illinois Nurse Educator Fellow, a program of the Illinois Board of Higher Education and the Illinois Nursing Workforce Center Advisory Board that is designed to promote excellence in nursing education.
Jousma, Coordinator of Audio Visual Services, is retiring after 15 years of working for the College.
Evan Senti of Escondido, Calif., and Sophia Lang of Palmyra, Neb., have been named the College’s 2019 Founders’ Scholars.
On behalf of everyone at Trinity Christian College, we wish you a Joyous Christmas, all the Blessings of the Season, and our Very Best Wishes for a Wonderful New Year. President Kurt and Mrs. Leah Dykstra
With pride and celebration, Trinity held its Fall Semester 2018 commencement ceremony on Dec. 15 in Ozinga Chapel Auditorium.
Aggen is retiring from her position at Adult Programs Manager, after 13 years of faithful service to the College.
The academic honor is awarded to athletes on the women’s and men’s cross country, women’s and men’s soccer, and women’s volleyball teams.
Recently, Trinity’s Diversity Scholar team visited the Chicago Semester campus, where Dr. Yudha Thianto, Professor of Theology, spoke.
Dr. Kyle Dieleman is one of the inaugural recipients of the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship’s Teacher-Scholar Grants for 2019-2020.
The College is pleased to announce that Felecia Thompson will deliver the commencement address at the fall semester ceremony, which will take place on Dec. 15.
Business students learned about how to conduct themselves in a formal dining situation, when they were recently invited to the President’s Residence for dinner with President Kurt and Leah Dykstra.
The Trolls claimed the title of NCCAA Division I Women’s Soccer National Champions with an exciting shoot-out victory against Oklahoma Wesleyan University (Bartlesville, Oklahoma).
The Trolls faced No. 20 Ottawa University (Kansas) in the third game of Pool Play, and defeated the Braves in four sets at 25-20, 20-25, 25-20, and 25-23.
In honor of his mentor, Trinity’s professor of music and department chair Mark Peters, Ph.D., has co-edited a collection of essays on J. S. Bach’s sacred vocal music, as well as contributing a chapter.
During a recent gathering Professor of Communication Arts Craig Mattson; B.A./M.Div. Mentor and Recruiter Jonathan Brooks; Assistant Professor of History Kyle Dieleman; and Professor of Music Mark Peters discussed their research, key insights from their books, and the process of publishing.
Students in Trinity’s SPED 420 Critical Issues in Special Education class have been working on a project to promote safety for students with disabilities this semester.
The novel in progress, by David D. De Jong ex ’73, tells a fictionalized story based on the life of De Jong’s autistic son.
In light of weather conditions in the larger Chicagoland area, classes will start at 11 am, Monday, November 26, 2018.
The women’s volleyball team will compete in the 39th Annual NAIA National Volleyball Championship and the women’s soccer team will be making their tournament appearance at the NCCAA DI Women’s Soccer National Championship.
Dr. Kyle Dieleman spoke on “Education and Sabbath observance in Dutch Reformed churches” at the conference, which explored the implications of the Synod of Dordt 400 years ago.
From Wednesday, Nov. 21 to Sunday, Nov. 25, you can take 25% off your Trinity imprinted items.
Over the years, Trinity has been blessed to develop strong ties to Indonesia, and in a recent forum, faculty, staff, and a student shared their experiences in the Southeast Asian nation.
The jewel in the crown of the evening’s concert is Shostakovich’s Piano Concerto No. 1 performed by Bulgarian guest soloists Nadejda Tzanova, piano and Peter Makedonski, trumpet.
The Trinity Nursing Alumni Association (TANA) Pledge is an endowment fund created by Marv Roelofs and his wife, Dr. Lois Roelofs, Professor of Nursing Emeritus. With the faithful support of the TANA Pledge, the benefits of a BSN from Trinity will spread even further.
McKnight, Julius R. Mantey Chair of New Testament at Trinity’s partner institution Northern Seminary, engaged in several events on campus on Nov. 7.
Trinity’s Communications Manager Amy Stickel and Senior Graphic Designer Pete Vega discussed the award-winning redesign of the College’s beloved Troll mascot at the recent Associated Colleges of Illinois Fall Conference.
Boyce ’19 will be recognized by Gov. Bruce Rauner at the Lincoln Academy Student Laureate Convocation ceremony on Nov. 17 in Springfield, Ill.
From its earliest days when it was known as Woodstock, Trinity’s annual talent competition is always an unforgettable night of fun and friendly competition.
President Kurt Dykstra shared the following reflection with the Trinity campus on October 29 following the mass shooting at Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, PA.
Dr. Miroslav Volf discussed “Vocation and a flourishing human life” on campus and downtown Chicago as part of the College’s WorldView Series and Downtown Lecture Series.
Trinity’s Counseling Center Director Stephanie Griswold, Psy.D., recently took part in a panel discussion on how the church in general and pastors in particular can help care for victims of trauma and abuse.
Trinity welcomed nearly 100 high school students from Chicago Christian, Timothy Christian, Naperville North, and Naperville Central, who competed in five events that were centered around innovation, creativity, and teamwork.
Matt Koerner ’19 and Professor of History and Department Chair John Fry, Ph.D., presented at the conference, which was held from Oct. 3-Oct. 6.
For high school students who love the arts, from visual arts to music to theater, Trinity is hosting a special weekend, where they can learn more about the College’s art, music, and theatre programs The Trinity Arts Experience will take place on Nov. 8-9.
Blair Allen, senior producer and co-host of the podcast NASA Edge, discussed a range of topics during his presentation.
Trinity hosted the Restorative Justice and Practice in a Fragmented World conference on October 6, sponsored by the Criminal Justice Department and funded by the Andrew Elliott Rusticus Foundation.
Dr. Craig Mattson, Professor of Communication Arts and Honors Program Director, published Rethinking Communication in Social Business, was published in August of this year.
The ACI Reporter chatted with Rachel Rowlett ’20, a business finance major.
Fusion 59 is a place where the Trinity community can come together to connect, collaborate, and create–all for a better tomorrow.
Help raise funds for Trinity Christian College Scholarships and brighten the day of a student all at the same time.
Canadians alumni of all eras and to Americans who attended Trinity during its first two decades attended a recent gathering in Ontario.
Trinity is excited to welcome the first cohort of students, faculty, and staff for the newly launched B.A.-M.Di.v Program, in partnership with Northern Seminary and funded in part by the Kern Family Foundation.
Ballet 5:8, a local non-profit dance education organization, has opened a satellite studio at the College that offers ballet classes on Tuesday evenings.
Jonathan Chase visited campus to discuss how children with autism, their parents, friends, and communities can benefit from his first-hand experiences and understanding of how autistic people can grow to maximum independence.
This year’s concert will feature the musical talents of Trinity’s Jazz Ensemble—a group of student instrumentalists—and the Kevin Brown Quartet—a professional jazz band from the Chicago area.
The new organization launched its first event, a discussion entitled “Does Animal Testing Further the Kingdom of God?” on Sept. 12.
Trinity commemorated Constitution Day with student readings from American founding documents and important speeches.
Every students in the cohort passed the exam the first time taking it, and will now have the LBS II: Behavior Intervention Specialist endorsement added to their teaching license.
This time of fun and creativity begins Friday evening, from 6 pm to 10 pm. It picks up again on Saturday for an all-day event from 9 am to 9 pm.
On Sept. 21-22, Trinity’s theatre-makers will work together to create brand new plays—from writing to rehearsal to performance—in the span of 24 hours.
The Trinity Honors Research Team spent two weeks in Pignon, Haiti, last May, as part of a partnership with Many Hands for Haiti (MH4H) and Ozinga, Inc.
Trinity was ranked 21st among Midwestern regional colleges in this year’s survey.
Dennis Harms ’89, Trinity’s Associate Vice President for Advancement, has received Prime Officer status from Reeher, in recognition for being a top gift officer.
The Trinity community today mourns the passing of philanthropist and businessman Richard M. DeVos, who entered into glory on Thursday, Sept. 6, in Ada, Mich.
Several members of the Trinity community have been named to the board of foreverU, a youth empowerment organization founded by alumnus Ryan Hesslau ’18.
This summer, Hannah Dykstra ’17 and Professor of Art & Design John Bakker taught a class together at Art on Sedgwick in Chicago’s Old Town neighborhood.
For the third time in four years, Trinity’s nursing grads are celebrating a 100% first-time pass rate on the NCLEX-RN exam.
Chicago artist, musician, and teacher Tim Lowly’s work is currently being featured at the Seerveld Gallery in the Art & Communication Center through Sept. 27.
Alums Evan Witmer ’18 and Tony Dykstra ’18 were recently interviewed by “Blockchain News” about their new app and how the Trinity community has launched them on the path to success.
With the help of the Trinity Alumni Nursing Association, Rachel Kuipers ’18 landed her first job in her chosen area.
The Trinity community gathered together for the 60th Annual Convocation as students, faculty, and staff embark on a new academic year.
Dr. Bretzlaff-Holstein’s scholarly interests pertain to social work education and humane education.
There are a lot of perks to being a Trinity student—and you might not even know about some of them!
The 2018 Trinity Athletics Club Golf Classic raised nearly $50,000 in scholarships for Trinity student-athletes.
Prof. Boerman-Cornell’s chapter appears in “Pop Culture Primer,” published by “Think Christian.”
Trinity is excited to host the 2019 National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) Men’s Volleyball National Invitational from January 25-26.
If you are 55 years or older and looking for stimulating learning and discussions, come check out Trinity’s membership program SALT (Seasoned Adults Learning at Trinity)!
Sandra Biedron ’94 doesn’t just own an historic mansion that is lovingly cared for—the Ingersoll-Blackwelder House also recently doubled as a television set for a haunted pilot filmed by 14 teenage filmmakers.
Coasters by Tramake, the company created by Chris Pierik ’01 and Faith Veenstra ’03, are featured in the July/August issue.
The Maurice Vander Velde Junior Scholarship Award supports outstanding junior or senior students in collaborative research with a Trinity professor in their chosen disciplines.
Cathy Mayer, Director of the Jennie Huizenga Memorial Library, is already working on new initiatives in her role with the consortium.
Interested in Trinity’s Adult Programs? You can complete the enrollment process in one evening.
Under the mentorship of Associate Professor of Biology Abbie Schrotenboer, Ph.D., students regularly visit Lake Katherine to conduct research and do conservation work
For Avery (Kats) Van Holland ’19 and Ethan Van Holland ’19, Trinity is more than the place where they will earn their college degrees—it’s also the place they were married in May.
Students in the Trinity’s Master of Arts in Special Education: Behavior Intervention Specialist program presented to an audience of fellow students and community members during two June evening conference sessions on the Current Trends in Applied Behavior Analysis.
As the Christian Reformed Church gathered for its annual synod in Grand Rapids, Mich., from June 7-14, Trinity’s Director of First Year Experience Emily Bosscher was there as an elder delegate.
Trinity is proud to announce its new membership as an official chapter of the Illinois Counseling Association (ICA).
From African-American education in 1800s Iowa to the hip-hop music of Big Boi, Dr. David Brodnax, professor of history, has been exploring a range of topics in his research and teaching.
The Trinity community came together on June 2 for a great day of golfing for a good cause—raising money for the Alumni Excellence Scholarship.
Trinity’s student-athletes found many ways to serve others in 2017-18, from our neighbors down the street to those in other countries.
Prof. Thompson’s work is part of “An Exhibition as a Spell,” at the Centre Civic Can Felipa.
Dr. Christopher Cayari ’03 recently authored an article in the prestigious publication.
The dean’s list is Trinity Christian College’s highest academic honor. Congratulations to all our traditional undergraduate students who met this distinction for the Spring 2018 semester.
Dr. Yudha Thianto, Ph.D., professor of theology and department chair, will serve as the society’s president for a two-year term.
Congratulations to our CommArts professors who recently published important essays.
Boss, Trinity’s Director of Planned Giving, received the degree during commencement on May 5.
Congratulations to the team, which went 1-2 in the Opening Round.
Dr. Shaniqua Jones and Dr. Kara Wolff presented at the annual Illinois Association for Multicultural Counseling (IAMC) Conference on May 4, 2018.
The team is currently in Pignon, Haiti, conducting community-based research in partnership with Many Hands for Haiti and Ozinga Inc.
This year’s honorees have a combined 320 years of service to the College.
“This is an important event that ties the relationship between the two international institutions,” said Dr. Yudha Thianto, Ph.D., professor of theology.
“This graduating class represents a dream fulfilled,” Shirley Stavinga, the daughter of College Founder Dr. George DeJong, told graduates.
In his piece, Carlson describes the devastating effects of the widespread rejection of climate science.
On April 27, the Athletics and Student Life Departments held the annual Awards Night to celebrate the year’s accomplishments and to honor individuals with special awards.
Dr. Clay Carlson, Ph.D., associate professor of biology, has been named Trinity’s Professor of the Year for 2018-19.
This degree is designed as a second major for students whose first major is in a professional field that serves Spanish-speaking populations.
The title of Thianto’s keynote address was: “Reformed Protestantism in Seventeenth Century Dutch East Indies: Cultural Encounters, Struggles, and Progress.”
Congratulations to our traditional undergraduate education majors, who all passed the Teacher Performance Assessment (edTPA).
Faculty members from our Special Education and Psychology Departments, working with students from Trinity’s graduate program in counseling psychology, recently created a podcast series in 1871’s studio.
Several Trinity undergraduate and graduate students and faculty recently presented their research at conferences.
In order to bridge a polarized society and church, Hwang urges public scholarship.
Trinity was honored recently by recognition from Future Founders and 1871.
Trinity’s Social Work Department recently welcomed the newest inductees to the College’s Phi Xi Chapter of Phi Alpha.
Trinity was honored to welcome Dr. Derke Bergsma, one of its first professors, back to campus last week.
The conference deepened attendees’ understanding of and responsibility for end of life care and allowed for thinking against the grain of contemporary customs, when possible.
Several Trinity students are presenting rigorous research at prestigious conferences in April.
Congratulations to all our OPUS 2018 Prize Winners!
Corporate social responsibility was the focus of an April 9 TBN luncheon, part of Changemaker Week at Trinity.
Trinity remembers the legacy of our Founder, Dr. George DeJong, who passed into eternity on Sunday, April 8 at the age of 100.
“Graphic Novels in High School and Middle School Classrooms: A Disciplinary Literacies Approach,” has received the 2018 Society of Professors of Education Outstanding Book Award Honorable Mention.
Trinity’s university partnership with 1871 has helped answer two significant institutional leadership questions, as Provost Dr. Aaron Kuecker, Ph.D., described in an article in published by Leadership Education at Duke Divinity.
Dr. Kyle Dieleman, Assistant Professor of History, will be presenting a paper at the upcoming Society for Reformation Studies’ 25th Annual Conference at Westminster College.
Trinity Christian College is proud to announce that its special education program has been recognized in the top 20 nationwide by College Factual.
Recent grads Andrea Sanchez and Elizabeth Vande Griend recently showcased their artwork at the yo:u gallery in Chicago .
As Troll Nation Athletics book, Trinity Christian College is seeking its first full-time Director of Athletics.
Trinity celebrates with our faculty who have recently reached career milestones with promotions and the granting of tenure.
Trinity has named Raeann Fopma of Sully, Iowa, a recipient of the 2018 Founders’ Scholarship.
Thanks to a Lily Endowment Grant, Trinity hosted a gathering at 1871 to think of new, innovative, and creative ideas that fulfill our mission
Thanks to the generosity of alumni, students, parents, grandparents, friends, faculty, and staff, the College met and surpassed giving goals for the annual Trinity Tuesday event.
Giampapa, Stokes, and Wanta are recognized post-season.
World-famous art, just a field trip away—Trinity Art & Design students visit downtown Chicago museums
Trinity and Northern Seminary are pleased to announce a partnership that will allow students to earn a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Biblical Studies and Master of Divinity (M.Div.) in five years.
Congratulations to Anne James and Alec Visser, the Trollgamers, for ranking among the Top 5 teams for ACCA Computer Programming Competition.
Local educators and Trinity pre-service teachers recently participated in the annual education seminar hosted by the Alexander DeJong Center for Special Education.
Each year, the Christian Association of World Languages invites undergraduate students from Christian institutions across the U.S. to apply for the Emerging Scholars award
Trinity Christian College was pleased to welcome Mary Andringa, Chair of the Board at Vermeer Corporation, to campus yesterday. Interviewed by Trinity President Kurt Dykstra as part of the Trinity Business Network Luncheon, Andringa gave insight into the Vermeer Corporation and how it has grown to be a global organization and third-generation family-owned company.
Thanks to her recent participation in the prestigious Mary T. Washington Wylie Internship Preparation Program, accounting major Indira Escalante ’19 has secured an internship at Deloitte, made valuable connections, and gained a better understanding of the accounting industry.
Dr. Clay Carlson, Ph.D., associate professor of biology, recently returned to campus and regular teaching duties after eight months of sabbatical.
Trinity Honors Program, as part of its partnership with Many Hands for Haiti and Ozinga Inc., recently hosted a panel that provided insights into ongoing research on Trinity’s campus and in Pignon, Haiti.
The dean’s list is Trinity Christian College’s highest academic honor. Congratulations to all our traditional undergraduate and adult program students who met this distinction for the Fall 2017 semester.
Trinity recently recognized the 2017 Alumni of the Year: Vinnie Adams ’10, Dr. Helen Van Wyck, Mary Tambrini, and Robert Buikema.
Trinity has named Miranda Kortenhoeven of Denver a recipient of the 2018 Founders Scholarship.
Wayne Messmer, “the Voice of the National Anthem,” presents the final WordvView of 2017
Marilyn McEntyre, a writer and professor of medical humanities at the University of California, Berkeley-University of California, San Francisco Joint Medical Program, presented the 2017 Freshman Lecture.
Trinity Christian College is pleased to announce that R. Josiah Rosario ’17 has been named this year’s Lincoln Laureate. Rosario will be recognized by Gov. Bruce Rauner at the Lincoln Academy Student Laureate Convocation ceremony on Nov. 11 in Springfield, Ill.
Trinity recently held its annual Scholarship Dinner, which honors students who have received scholarships and those who have generously funded those scholarships.
Trinity was pleased to host author Uwem Akpan to campus recently for a reading and question-and-answer session. Akpan, a native of Nigeria, is a Jesuit priest and author of Say You’re One of Them, an award-winning collection of short stories set in war-torn Africa that
After debuting the title roles of two operas, recently completing her Artist Diploma, and signing with a prestigious artistic management company, Jenny Schuler ’08 returns to the stage at Ozinga Chapel Auditorium on Nov. 6 as part of Trinity’s Artist Recital Series. At the free event, Schuler, who is a soprano, will perform pieces by … Continue reading “Schuler ’08 Returns to Trinity for Artist Recital Series on Nov. 6”
As part of Trinity’s WorldView series, the College was pleased to recently host two speakers who discussed the impact of the Reformation on both Reformed Protestantism and Roman Catholic viewpoints: Dr. Suzanne McDonald and Dr. Eduardo J. Echeverria ’73
On behalf of the Trinity Christian College community, I express condolences to Richard DeVos and the family of Helen DeVos who passed away last evening in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Providing business solutions to social problems—that was the goal of the first Chicago Innovation Tournament, which Trinity hosted on Oct. 7. And the goal was met and surpassed, according to Prof. John Wightkin, assistant professor of business and chair of Trinity’s business department.
Trinity Christian College celebrates the gifts of our faculty.
Thanks to the generosity of visionary friends of the College and the hard work of Trinity faculty and staff, the Ed Vander Weele Curriculum Center and the Alexander De Jong Center for Special Education now share an expanded footprint on the second floor of Jennie Huizenga Memorial Library.
“Movies as Prayers of Anger and Reconciliation” was the topic of the second WorldView lecture of the 2017-18 year, where Josh Larsen ’96 highlighted scenes from Spike Lee’s Oscar-nominated 1989 film “Do the Right Thing.”
Trinity Christian College has been ranked 20th among Regional Colleges—Midwest by U.S. News & World Report in “Best Colleges” for 2018, continuing a years-long streak of recognition by the prestigious rankings organization.
Trinity was pleased to welcome Dr. John Inazu, Ph.D., to campus in honor of Constitution Day. Inazu spoke on the topic of his most recent book, “Confident Pluralism: Surviving and Thriving Through Deep Difference”.
Trinity is proud to announce that our Behavior Intervention Specialist Master’s program has been ranked as one of the 32 Top Masters in Education Programs with an Applied Behavior Analysis Emphasis (ABA) by AppliedBehaviorAnalysisEdu.org! Trinity is one of only two programs selected from the state of Illinois.
The Trinity Troll, one of the most unique mascots in all of college sports, has received a new look for the first time in decades. While the Troll remains easily recognizable, the redesign reflects the College’s commitment to adapting to changing times while staying true to her roots.
The word “convocation” means “assembly” in Latin. And the Trinity community assembled again to mark the traditional start of the new academic year at the 59th Annual Opening Convocation on Aug. 23.
One hundred thirty golfers combined to make the 31st annual Trinity Athletics Club Golf Classic a success. The event, one of the largest in recent history, raised nearly $50,000 in scholarships for Trinity student-athletes.
Trinity is ensuring that veterans who are eligible for the Post 9/11 GI Bill can attend the College tuition-free, while also receiving housing and book stipends from the Veteran’s Administration.
Whenever computers act up, devices won’t connect, or email passwords get forgotten, Trinity’s IT Department is ready to help! Trinity’s Information Technology Department exists to advance the mission of the college by providing superior information technology services to students, faculty, and staff.
Trinity Christian College is pleased to announce that John Wightkin, CFA, has been named chair of the Business Department. Wightkin has previously served at Trinity as a mentor and advisor, and has taught at the University of Illinois at Chicago and Franklin University.
Trinity’s own Cathy Mayer, Director of the Jennie Huizenga Memorial Library, has been appointed to the board of directors of CARLI, the Consortium of Academic and Research Libraries in Illinois. Mayer began her one-year term on July 1.
Trinity’s size and close-knit community offer extraordinary opportunities to gain hands-on experience and develop close working relationships with fellow students and professors. The Maurice Vander Velde Junior Scholarship Award represents one of the most unique opportunities available to Trinity students.
The dean’s list is Trinity Christian College’s highest academic honor. Congratulations to all our traditional undergraduate and adult studies students who met this distinction for the Spring 2017 semester.
Head Softball Coach Jackie Manrique welcomes Hannah LeBeau to the softball coaching staff for the 2017-18 season. LeBeau will assist Manrique and the team in all aspects of the program.
Just as the church is a unit made up of many parts, each with its own gifts and abilities, Trinity Christian College is a community that recognizes a variety of God-given gifts. We celebrate those gifts, as evidenced in the scholarship of our professors. Here is a look at some of the activities our professors have been involved with recently.
At Trinity Christian College, it is part of our mission to strive to offer the highest quality of instruction to prepare students for excellence in further study and careers beyond the College. To further that mission, Trinity has recently announced several new majors for Fall 2017, including writing and web design; music and worship; and recreation and sport management.
To support Trinity’s nursing students, and to honor National Nurses Week, the Trinity Alumni Nursing Association (TANA) challenged alumni and friends to raise $20,000. And thanks to the generosity of our donors, the goal was met and surpassed! By midnight on May 13, the “I Support Nursing” campaign garnered $23,445.
Trinity has been named one of the “Healthiest Companies in America” by Interactive Health. The College is one of 156 organizations to earn this recognition.
With gladness and rejoicing, the Trinity community celebrated the class of 2017 during commencement on May 6. The ceremony honored Trinity’s traditional, Adult Studies and graduate studies graduates.
On May 3, members of the class of 2017 who participated in the Honors Program were recognized in the annual Righteous Oaks pinning ceremony.
From July 17-20, Trinity Christian College will host Camp Reset, a camp run by foreverU to empower high school age students to live louder in their schools and surrounding communities.
Trinity hosted our annual Mathematics Triathlon on April 20—in Palos Heights, Ill. and Grand Rapids, Mich.
Trinity recently announced the winners of this year’s annual Catherine Yonker Award, which honors one faculty or staff member and two students for contributions toward accomplishing Christian race relations and cross-cultural understanding within our community.
Dr. Michael Vander Weele ’73, professor of English, has been named Trinity’s Professor of the Year for 2017-18.
With topics spanning biology, racial attitudes, autism, ethics, and more, 12 Trinity students and alumni were selected to present their work at the prestigious National Conference for Undergraduate Research (NCUR) at the University of Memphis from April 6-8, 2017.
At OPUS 2017, Trinity celebrated student achievements—along with free cotton candy, a charity fundraiser featuring professors in a dunk tank, and much more! This year’s annual event took place on April 11.
Trinity recently welcomed Rahsaan Graham, senior director, child protection and education at World Vision, to campus as the final speaker for the 2017 WorldView series.
On Friday, March 24, the Trinity Business Network (TBN) welcomed veteran business and tech industry leader Patrick Vogt to campus.
Trinity welcomes Rahsaan Graham as our WorldView guest speaker on April 5, 2017. Rahsaan Graham is scheduled to speak at Chapel at 10am, and a public lecture at 2pm in the Fireside Room.
At Trinity, OPUS is one of the biggest events of the year. It’s where everyone at the College spends an entire day together celebrating Christian scholarship and seeing all the work and achievements of students in different departments and concentrations.
Trinity Tuesday set an ambitious goal—collect 300 donations in 24 hours on March 7. Thanks to the generous giving of alumni, staff, faculty, parents, students and friends, that goal was met and surpassed!
Trinity Christian College is pleased to host the 5th Annual Psychology Renewed Conference on April 8 from 9 am to 12:30 pm. The theme of this year’s conference is “Ethical and Best Practices in Supervision.” It will take place in the Grand Lobby of Ozinga Chapel.
The dean’s list is Trinity Christian College’s highest academic honor. Adult Studies students who have earned a 3.8 grade point average while taking at least six credit hours of classes for the semester merit this distinction.
Trinity Christian College is pleased to announce that in 2016, graduates of our accounting program scored the highest average passing score in the state for schools with 46 or more exam sections taken on the CPA exams administered by the Illinois Board of Examiners.
On Tuesday, March 7, 2017, join us in supporting Trinity Christian College on #TrinityTuesday. It’s a day to show our Troll Pride as alumni, staff, faculty, students, and friends. Gear up for 24 hours of showing your love for Trinity by taking the following 3 steps, and be sure to come back to trnty.edu/trinitytuesday on March 7!
As part of Trinity’s 2017 WorldView series, John Cotton Richmond visited campus on Feb. 24 to share information and insights into the scourge of human trafficking.
Bousfield’s story, and the story of other African-American women like her, was the subject of Trinity’s recent Annual Black History Month Lecture, given by Tamara L. Hoff, Ph.D., an adjunct professor at the College. Hoff spoke on “Uncovering ‘Hidden Figures’: Black Women in Higher Education.”
Congratulations to our student-athletes! The Athletics Department Honor Roll recognizes student-athletes who excelled in the classroom for the semester.
At Trinity Christian College, 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 of earning doctorates, receiving promotions, and being awarded tenure.
Over the winter break, Troll athletes didn’t just spend time with family and relax–members of the track and field and women’s volleyball teams went on a service trip to Costa Rica, where they partnered with Going the Distance Adventure Ministries in serving a local community in hurricane relief efforts and sharing the gospel.
Trinity was pleased to welcome Dr. Kristen Deede Johnson, associate professor of theology and Christian formation at Western Theological Seminary, to campus on Jan. 16, as the first speaker in the 2017 WorldView series.
The dean’s list is Trinity Christian College’s highest academic honor. Only full-time students who have earned a 3.5 grade point average for the semester merit this distinction.