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Two high school students have been awarded Trinity’s Greater Chicago Christian Leadership Scholarship: Alejandra Romo of Chicago and She’KunnahGlorri Striverson of Crete.
The four-year renewable grant covers tuition costs and is awarded to students from the Chicago area who are from under-represented populations at Trinity and have demonstrated academic excellence, leadership, and Christian commitment.
Romo attends Community Links High School and plans to major in criminal justice, a field she feels would prepare her for having a positive influence in law enforcement. She has been involved in many clubs and activities during her high school career, including volunteering as a mentor for fifth graders at her former elementary school and serving as a company commander in the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC).
Romo said that she has come to understand that her desire to serve others has always been a part of God’s plan. She hopes to participate in Trinity’s Sunday Snacks and Read with Me service projects in the community. “I really look forward to carrying out his plan in college, because I know that is what pleases my Father, and that pleases me,” she said.
Striverson is an aspiring nursing major who attends Crete-Monee High School. Her involvement at New Bethel Church has included serving in the dance ministry, youth ministry, and youth choir. She also plans to pursue those interests through Trinity’s music and dance ministries, as well as through theatre. In the summer she volunteers in a young leader enrichment program.
Her commitment to excelling academically is evident in her grades as well as in her participation in a dual credit program at her local community college, which allows her to earn college credit. Whether in activities or academics, Striverson said that as a follower of Christ she desires to lead others through service. “By helping others in need, I am being a light for the Lord,” she said.
Last year’s recipients were Rochelle Burks ’14 of Downers Grove; Andrea Walters ’14 of Bolingbrook; and Erica-Symone Windham ’14 of Robbins.
On March 16, Travis Bandstra ’06, director of alumni relations, hosted the 5th annual Loop Luncheon at the Weber Grill in Chicago. The annual luncheon provides a way for Trinity alumni working in Chicago to remain connected with the College and to connect professionally with fellow alumni.
Guest speaker Ryan Wynia ’04, founder of Firebone, a social media strategy firm, spoke on the subject of how to be intentional when using social media for personal use.
“This is another great way for a few of our thousands of alumni in the Chicago area to reconnect with old friends and meet new ones,” said Bandstra. “Many are surprised at how many Trinity alumni work downtown.”
A similar gathering is planned for alumni working in the southwest suburbs. This second annual luncheon is planned for noon on Wednesday, April 20, at the Limestone Grill in Palos Heights, Illinois.
Nearly 100 students turned out to view the submissions for the College’s first annual Life at Trinity student video contest on March 9 in the Ozinga Chapel. Student filmmakers created original videos that highlighted the Trinity experience, were consistent with the mission of the College, and captured what makes Trinity special to students.
The six entries were judged by a panel of judges from the marketing, student activities, admissions, and communication arts departments on the following criteria:
Creativity
- Relevance to the theme of the contest
- Clarity and entertainment value
- Overall impact
- Quality of editing
All the video entries were shown for the audience who, by applause, voted for the audience choice award.
Emcees Jeremy Klyn ’02, director of admissions, and Dilaun White ’09, admissions counselor, then announced the winners:
1ST PRIZE—$400 and Audience Choice—$50 for “The school your school could look like,” by Kailyn Baum ’12 of Hudsonville, Michigan; Stephanie DeJong ’11 of Ripon, California; Caleb Hamstra ’12 of Palos Park, Illinois; Jenna VanDyk ’12 of Tinley Park, Illinois; and Jeremy Wetter ’12 of Pella, Iowa
2ND PRIZE—$250 “Momentum for Life,” by Melissa Conrad ’14 of Hawthorn Woods, Illinois
3RD PRIZE—$150 “Diversity,” by Jon Borr ’11 of Holland, Michigan
“My friends and I had fun with the entire process, from writing the short script, to filming and editing,” said Baum. “We were fortunate to have a member of our team who was willing to do each piece. It was fun to have everyone on board and involved.”
Fellow filmmaker VanDyk said, “It was a great way to have fun and to get involved in trying to recruit new students. Everyone’s videos were fantastic, and I can’t wait to see the talent from other students in the coming years.”
The 2010 Dove Award-winning band Big Daddy Weave performed at Trinity on March 25, with Luminate and American Idol Season 6 finalist Chris Sligh helping to create an evening of Christian worship for hundreds.
“Having Big Daddy Weave, Luminate, and Chris Sligh on Trinity’s campus was such a memorable event,” said Emily Smith ’04, campaign gifts manager at Trinity. “The whole night was filled with worship, fellowship, and another story to tell of God’s working through people at Trinity.”
The concert was hosted by Trinity’s Development department with proceeds from the ticket sales benefiting the Trinity Fund. The Trinity Fund supplements funding for academic enrichment, scholarships, and facilities maintenance.
“I saw nothing but smiles on the faces of those who came to the show, as well as the band members who were able to talk about their music ministry with their fans,” said Nate Laning ’06, Trinity Fund coordinator. “I’m extremely excited to do a concert again next year to benefit the students of Trinity.”
The College wishes to thank the following event sponsors: Schepel Auto Group; Amber Mechanical Contractors, Inc.; Dutch Farms, Inc.; Oak Worth Plumbing, Providence Life Services; ProviNET Solutions; and Total Automation Concepts, Inc.
The band’s Love Come to Life Tour is presented by World Vision.
Photographs courtesy of Marketing and Communications Student Photographer Jesse VanMaanen ’12
This fall, Trinity’s new Black Studies minor will give students the opportunity to explore the global experience of people of African descent through history, literature, music, politics, psychology, and sociology.
By adding this minor to the academic program, Trinity is helping to lead the effort toward diversity in Christian higher education and in the Chicago area. The College is one of five members of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU) and one of 18 local colleges to offer such a program.
The idea for the program came to Dr. David Brodnax, associate professor of history, while driving to campus. “Being a person of faith, I would say it was divine inspiration,” said Brodnax.
That moment of inspiration led to discussions with colleagues and a proposal for an interdisciplinary minor that combines classes from five other departments, including one new course, Jazz History.
The Black Studies program will benefit the College by increasing students’ knowledge of black culture, helping them develop their ability to view the world from multiple perspectives, and further enabling Trinity to carry out its commitment to diversity.
Over the last few years, the enrollment in courses such as African American history, African history, and black cinema has included students from various racial backgrounds and academic programs. Brodnax anticipates that the Black Studies minor will see the same level of diversity in its participants.
For more information, contact Dr. Brodnax at david.brodnax@trnty.edu or 708.239.4748.
Earlier this month, Trinity’s Concert Choir performed for the first time with the Southwest Symphony Orchestra for an “Afternoon of Lerner & Loewe.”
The Southwest Symphony Orchestra (SSO), headquartered in Oak Lawn, Illinois, is a group of approximately 60 active members and is directed by David Crane.
The SSO, with guest soloists Molly Clodius and Robert Heitzinger, and the choir, directed by Dr. Helen Van Wyck, associate professor of music, serenaded an audience of approximately 700 during the 90-minute show. The performance consisted of melodies from the famous musicals of Camelot, Paint Your Wagon, Gigi, and My Fair Lady, compiled into a single score by Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe.
“This is unlike anything we’ve ever done before,” said Van Wyck during one of the choir’s practices. “Working with David Crane, a gifted musical genius, is a very unique opportunity, especially for a small-college choir of 50.”
Entering a new genre of music was initially a challenge for the choir, especially in performing alongside a larger instrumental ensemble. Despite this, the choir and orchestra delivered a “simply splendid performance,” said Crane.
“It has been a sincere pleasure to work with such talented students and Dr. Van Wyck,” he said.
For more information about Trinity’s music department, visit https://tcc.trnty.edu/depts/music/.