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The Trinity Business Network welcomed Bill Moore, CEO of PacMoore Products and PacMoore Process Technologies, to campus on November 3. Moore presented “Business Can Be an Amazing Mission” to students, faculty, staff, and local business people.
PacMoore Products is a privately held food powder packaging and processing company and is one of the nation’s leading contract manufacturers, processing and packaging more than 150 million pounds of dry food ingredients annually for companies including General Mills, Master Foods, Kraft/Nabisco, Pinnacle Foods, and National Starch.
Moore addressed several questions during the morning session, including: Is your education or job really serving God? Are you short of what God wants you to be? How does business as a mission really work?
Several Bible passages especially have come to shape Moore’s daily life and work over the years. The first, for instance, is the commandment to honor one’s father and mother. Moore said that 24 years ago he responded to his mother’s request to help with the business after his step-father died. The decision eventually led to the development of PacMoore.
“God’s word is transformational,” said Moore, “but you must read it and then respond.”
Moore believes the emerging global economy will be the next way to share God’s power, citing that 90 percent of people are brought to God outside of the church. He said his company has the potential to change the world by bringing work to people, paying them a wage, and ultimately giving them access to Christ.
During his travels overseas, Moore observed people in huts who had cell phones and Coke, but didn’t have Bibles. “We’re living in an unprecedented time, an emerging global economy where we can have an impact on transforming countries and lives,” he said. “Business is an amazing mission.”
Later in the day, Moore also spoke to the business marketing students in class, sharing his plan to work with farmers in Uganda—to use their products in his industry and to work alongside them with a Bible in his pocket. He advised students to be diligent and to be good at their craft. “Take up a dual major,” said Moore, “Your faith and business.”
“Bill Moore gave a strong call to us as business marketing students,” said senior Joanna Dykstra of Hammond, Indiana. “He challenged us to become excellent in our fields so that we can have an opportunity to deliver the message of Christ to those in poverty. He urged us to realize that excellence must start now, in our school work.”
The mission of the TBN is to provide Christ-centered business learning and service opportunities for Trinity Christian College alumni and friends.
Freshmen and students who have not yet declared a major had the opportunity to talk with professors about their academic careers during the Major Questions event on November 1.
Nearly 100 students met with professors and upperclassmen stationed in South and West residence halls. Every academic department, the Registrar’s office, and Off-Campus Programs were represented. Faculty members were also available to talk with students who have declared a major but who required more information about their program and academic expectations.
The event was scheduled the week before advising, giving students another opportunity to ask questions and gather information before choosing their courses for the spring semester.
“Major Questions provided me with the opportunity to see what minors are available and compatible with my social work major,” said Rochelle Burks ’14 of Downers Grove, Illinois. “For my classmates who haven’t yet declared a major, this event was another opportunity for them to ask questions about the variety of options Trinity offers.”
In the common area between the residence halls, students enjoyed refreshments and viewed the raffle prizes. To be entered in the raffle, students were required to talk with at least three professors and have them initial the form submitted into the drawing. Prizes included Trinity gear, Trinity blankets, Cooper Center mugs, and gift cards.
Major Questions was sponsored by First-Year Residence Life, the Office of the First-Year Experience, and the Cooper Career and Counseling Center.
Pete Post ’74, assistant professor of special education, values the ideas and opinions of his students and encourages them each week to make their voices heard. The special education course taught by Post has students actively involved in the education field as they interact with teachers, principals, and education staff members through blog posts and writing contests.
In response to the real-life situations posted by current teachers and principals, students share feedback and thoughts on how they see themselves handling similar situations, which they discuss together in class.
“I think this project makes you really think about what you’re going to write, and it’s a wonderful way to get to know people,” said Post.
Amy Johnstone ’12 of Palos Hills, Illinois, will have the opportunity to share her thoughts with thousands as a recent winner of Christian Home and School’s writing contest. Post asked his students to write a paragraph describing how they intend to empower and encourage their future students and submitted the entries to the publication. Johnstone’s entry was one of six chosen to be published in the magazine’s fall issue.
“It’s important for teachers to share and learn with others,” said Johnstone. “The education field grows that way.”
These opportunities give students valuable material for résumés and unique interactions with those already involved in education and special education.
Though a blog post seems simple, Post tells his students they should be involved for one reason: “You are worthy of being heard.”
One of Trinity’s greatest blessings is the support of donors who make Christian higher education possible for hundreds of students each year. The annual scholarship recognition dinner creates the opportunity for donors and recipients to meet one another and provides students with the chance to personally thank the donors who fund the specific scholarships those students receive.
This year’s scholarship dinner, held on Friday, October 22, welcomed 206 students, donors, parents, and staff. The event brought together donors from 42 of the 73 scholarships offered and the students they have helped. For the first time, parents of the students were also invited.
“The scholarship dinner was a great opportunity to know my donors better, and thank them for their generous contribution to my education,” said Kelsey Nelson ’11 of Boyden, Iowa, recipient of the Gerard and Harriet Van Groningen Presidential Scholarship.
The donors, who provide funding through endowments and special scholarships, also send notes of encouragement, gifts, and prayers to their student recipients throughout the year. Through the scholarship dinner, they further develop that relationship.
Following the dinner, guests heard from students Carrie Hofland ’11 of Hartley, Iowa; Marlon Rodriguez ’14 of Costa Rica; and Dr. Sharon Robbert, dean for academic planning and effectiveness, who offered testimonies about this blessing to students.
Scores of current students hoping to gain a new perspective on their majors and career options met with 16 alumni on October 28 for the first Meet the Majors event. The event was a collaborative effort between Jackie Medenblik ’82, director of the Cooper Career and Counseling Center, and Travis Bandstra ’06, director of the alumni office.
Alumni Nathan Vis ’07, an attorney at Rhame and Elwood in Portage, Indiana, and Jennifer Navarro ’01, a PR consultant in Chicago, opened the evening by addressing the entire group. They spoke about their Trinity experience, their education and job search following graduation, and their current careers.
Students and alumni then broke into small groups representing nine majors. Alumni who had majored in accounting, business, biology, chemistry, communication arts, psychology, sociology, nursing, and political science answered students’ questions about their Trinity education, job search, and career choices, whether directly related to their former major or enriched by it.
“College prepares, trains, and places students in positions to meet those who are actively working in the fields they are interested in,” said Vis, who this year graduated from Valparaiso University School of Law and passed the Indiana State Bar exam. “Alumni can offer not only possible job leads, but invaluable insight into job application and creative ways to enter various fields.”
Navarro, who earned an MBA from Roosevelt University in Chicago, talked with students about the different career options available to communication arts majors and specific ways to begin networking. Navarro said that the students asked questions about how to find potential employers, what to expect on the job, and how to best present their work experience and portfolios.
“I believe they found it beneficial to hear about the different career paths they might take and to learn about some of the professional resources available to them now as students,” she said. “I was encouraged and inspired by the students’ obvious drive to become impactful, compassionate communicators wherever they go.”
Medenblik said the event was born out of the annual alumni networking event when students voiced a desire to have more face-time with alumni in their respective majors. The departments plan to offer this opportunity annually to the students.
Alumni participants
Tracy Afman ’04, Music Teacher/Volleyball Coach, Wilbur Wright Middle School
Pam Cook ’07, Clinical Psychology doctoral student, Midwestern University
Tina Decker ’06, Assistant Nursing Professor, Trinity Christian College
Dale Derks ’00, Senior Staff, CBIZ Accounting, Tax and Advisory Services
Tammy DeVries ’01, Accountant, CBIZ Accounting, Tax and Advisory Services
Mary Freeman ’07, 6th Grade Language Arts Teacher/ Drama Instructor, Kelvin Grove Middle School
Joyce Iwema ’06, Rush University Medical student
Tim Kastner ’06, Training and Organizational Development, Lutheran Child & Family Services
Amanda Keene ’09, Social Service Ministry Director, Salvation Army – Crossgenerations
Susana Medina Lopez ’09, United Power for Action and Justice
Jeff Miller ’08, IT Consultant, Sperco
Mary Post ’07, recent genetic counseling graduate student, Northwestern University
Jennifer Slagter Navarro ’01, Freelancing/PR Consulting
Rich Tameling ’09, Financial Representative, Northwest Mutual Financial Network
Nathan Vis ’07, Assistant Attorney, Rhame & Elwood Attorneys at Law
Seniors Bethany (Kerr) Eizenga and Monica Brands are on an incredible journey as they complete their English program field education with Roseland Christian Ministries in Chicago.
Eizenga and Brands began mid-summer working with members of Roseland Christian Ministries, conducting interviews that will be compiled into a book. The students are conducting “shaped” interviews based on the methods of Studs Terkel, a Pulitzer Prize-winning author and radio broadcaster known for his interviewing abilities. Through these interviews, both the workers and clients of Roseland Christian Ministries share their hearts and lives.
“We hope that these shaped interviews will have immediate value for the Roseland Christian Ministries community, both for those interviewed and for public relations and development,” said Dr. Mike Vander Weele ’73, professor of English.
Through this project, Brands and Eizenga have immersed themselves in the Roseland culture and conducted several taped interviews, which they are now transcribing into text for the book. The final publication will tell the stories of the ministry to churches, supporters, potential supporters, and volunteers.
“These stories are amazing,” said Eizenga. “Most of these people have experienced things that many of us here at Trinity couldn’t imagine. Their stories are important and meaningful,” she said. “We’re just helping communicate them.”
To better understand the people and to help build relationships, Brands and Eizenga have become actively involved in Roseland’s Wednesday night worship services. There they experience the Roseland community and witness the praise members continue to give to God despite trying situations.
“It’s been a lot of fun going to the Wednesday night worship,” Brands said. “It’s more meaningful when you’re a part of the community.”
The project was born out of a conversation between Reverend Joe Huizenga ’01, director of development at Roseland Christian Ministries, and Dr. Vander Weele, whose advanced writing class, 10 years prior, worked on a similar project with Rest Haven, titled “Age to Youth: Rest Haven Residents Tell Their Stories to Trinity Students.” The class conducted interviews, compiled pictures, and arranged their work into a 32-page book.
“Bethany and Monica are being attentive to the voices of others, and making it possible for those voices to reach a larger audience,” Vander Weele said.
The project is expected to conclude in December with the final book including between seven and nine personal stories.
Best known for his songs “El Shaddai” and “Emmanuel,” singer, songwriter, and author Michael Card performed for nearly 500 attendees at the final WorldView event of the 2010 season.
Card has recorded over 23 albums, selling more than four million, and has written over 19 #1 hits. He has also authored or co-authored over 19 books.
The long-time musician engaged with the audience not only through music but through his introductions to the evening’s song selections. He explained that he would be “playing through the Bible,” performing many newly written songs that related to various books in God’s Word.
Card was introduced by Aaron Kuecker, assistant professor of theology.
The WorldView series is sponsored by the generosity of Bruce and Mary Leep. For more information, contact WorldView Director Beth Decker at 708.293.4908 or beth.decker@trnty.edu.
Award-winning storyteller, recording artist, and author Dovie Thomason will captivate listeners with stories of the Native Americans on Tuesday, February 8, at 7 p.m. in the Marg Kallemeyn Theatre, Art and Communication Center.
Thomason has shared stories throughout North America and overseas. She has been a featured storyteller with NASA and Indian education programs on reservations; Shakespeare’s “Globe Theatre”; NPR’s “Living on Earth” and the BBC’s “My Century”; cross-community programs in Northern Ireland; and powwows, conferences, schools, and libraries.
She was first captivated by the old Indian sories told by her Kiowa Apache and Lakota relatives. Since then, she has been on a lifelong path of sharing these stories to give people a clearer understanding of the cultures of the First Nations of North America.
Thomason is the winner of various awards, including the Parents’ Choice Gold Award, Storytelling World Honors Award, and the ALA Notable Recording Award
The annual storytelling event, sponsored by Trinity’s Cultural Affairs Committee, is free and open to the public. For more information, call 708.597.3000.
For more information about Dovie Thomason, visit: www.doviethomason.com.
From advertising and auditions to sound checks and delivery, the Student Activities team dedicated a great deal of time and careful preparation for a successful Trollstock, the College’s annual talent competition held on October 23.
“Trollstock showcased a lot of different talent, and I was pleasantly surprised by the selection choices and the amount of effort put into each,” said Sara Gleason ’11 of Indianapolis, Indiana.
The event featured several acts with an assortment of song, dance, and instrumental performances. Encouraged by the large turnout, the performers poured their hearts and souls into their routines and energized the audience.
“I think it was cool seeing so many freshmen involved,” said Melissa J. Voss ’11 of Orland Park, Illinois. “They brought a lot of enthusiasm.”
“Being a part of Trollstock this year gave me a different perspective on the whole event, because I saw firsthand everything that went into it,” said Christy Boersma ’11 of Grand Rapids, Michigan, who was part of a group performance of “If I Die Young,” a song by The Band Perry.
“I look forward to this event every year because it highlights talent on campus and many of my friends participate with their own acts,” said Kailyn Baum ’12 of Hudsonville, Michigan. “I think, as students, being able to support people we know personally is something that brings the student body together at an event like Trollstock.”
The dedicated staff created a successful event from start to finish. Students involved with the organization of the event include Eric Tucker ’12, Kayla Schoneveld ’12, Kathryn Andringa ’14, Bethany Verhage ’11, Caleb Mulder ’11, Daniel Thayer ’12, Katie Alberda ’12, Allison Voss ’12, Melissa J. Voss ’11, Jacquelyn Risher ’12, Hannah Gonzales ’12, and Calob Lostutter ’12.
Winners of the 2010 Trollstock:
1st Place The dance group PBS, also known as Pretty Boy Swag—comprised of freshmen on the men’s soccer team—for their hip hop routine to a compilation of urban dance songs
2nd Place Sam Huenink ’11 and Jacquelyn Iwema ’13 for their jazz/hip hop dance to Mike Posner’s “Cooler than Me.”
3rd Place Josh ’12 and Victoria ’13 Penley for their Latin routine to the Spanish version of “I Like to Move It, Move It!”
Communication arts major and aspiring radio personality Ryan Kwaak ’11 of Oak Lawn, Illinois, said he was “pleased as punch” to work as a webcast host at the recent convention for the National Federation of the Blind of Illinois (NFBI). But he was even more excited to be one of three recipients of the organization’s Kenneth Jernigan Scholarship. Kwaak accepted the award at the October convention in Springfield, Illinois.
The scholarship, in the amount of $1,250, was established in tribute to Dr. Kenneth Jernigan, former president of the federation, whose extraordinary leadership has improved the quality of life for blind people both here and abroad.
Kwaak was chosen based on his academic standing at Trinity and the essay he wrote about his work with the communication arts department and audio/visual department coordinator Dave Jousma to produce news podcasts for the College.
The Oak Lawn resident is originally from Columbia, Kentucky, and still has strong ties to the area. He plans to someday help program a full-service southern Gospel/local news/farm information format on a station in the area. Closer to his Trinity home, Kwaak is involved in the campus’s Academic Initiative and Men’s Ministry. He also writes and produces films for a website supported by his church New Life Assembly in Matteson, Illinois.
Listen to a two-minute sampling of Kwaak’s production and on-air work at the 2010 NFBI convention.
“I’m glad my hard work and broadcasting experience at Trinity paid off,” said Kwaak. “I thank our communication arts professors, especially Professor Mark Haller-Wade, for equipping me with the tools that have enhanced my abilities as a producer and for the wisdom the professors share in their instruction.”