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The sudden loss of alumna Ruth M. Ozinga (nee Gombis), wife of Martin Ozinga III, has deeply saddened the Trinity Christian College community. Ruth died on Friday, October 8, 2010, of a heart attack. She was 61 years old.

“Ruth Ozinga was a gentle giant of faith,” said Larryl Humme, vice president for development. “Filled with the Spirit and humble, she quietly walked through her life having a deep impact on everyone she met. There are touches of her beauty and grace all over this campus. The ways in which she touched the lives of so many of her fellow Trinity Christian College alumni is felt worldwide. Our prayers are with Marty and the family.”

Most recently, Marty III and Ruth served as co-chairs of the College’s ongoing Capital Campaign, The Time Is Now. That commitment, however, was just one tangible example of their dedication to the College. Ruth designed the banners that hang in the Fireside Room and the Grand Lobby of the Ozinga Chapel. The banners were used for the College’s two most recent presidential inaugurations and have been admired by thousands throughout the years, the latter reminding students and visitors alike to “hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful (Hebrews 12:23).” Marty III is currently serving on Trinity’s board of trustees.

For their tireless mission efforts, Marty III and Ruth were honored with the 2006 Trinity Global Service Award, presented at Jubilation!, the College’s annual fundraising event. The award recognized the Ozinga’s work with the Luke Society, an organization of Christian professionals dedicated to medical missions. The Ozinga’s work has sought to not only help those in need, but also equip them to help themselves and others in the future.

Having raised six sons, four of whom attended the College, Ruth had a heart for teenagers. She helped start a prayer and mentoring network of parents and students at Chicago Christian High School in the 1990s with the goal of building bridges between the generations. She believed that a group of adults who supported the students and prayed for them was necessary to ensure their commitment to living lives that honor God.

“I have a passion for young people and feel it is important to model what it means to love and serve Jesus,” Ruth said in a 2005 interview for Trinity’s President’s Report. “We are called to reflect the Lord’s image to the culture and share what He has given us by demonstrating generous, unselfish love. As we walk with Him, He will lead us in the way we should go.”

And it is that unselfish love that made Ruth so unique. She was also a past member of Trinity’s Women’s Guild, which coordinates various activities and fundraisers to benefit the College’s student body.

“The Spirit of Christ was evident in every kind word, thoughtful gesture, and loving embrace provided by Ruth Ozinga,” said President Steve Timmermans. “Most significantly, she gave of herself to countless numbers, living out her faith in every way.”

Ruth is survived by her husband of 40 years and their children Martin IV (Amy), Karl (Amber), Justin (Annie), Aaron (Amanda), Paul (Sarah), and Timothy (Amanda), along with 15 grandchildren. She was the beloved sister of Theodore (Niki) Gombis and Dr. Leon (Kathryn) Gombis; the dear sister-in-law of Ken (Judy) Ozinga and Beverly Ozinga; and the fond aunt of many nieces and nephews.

Visitation was held at the Colonial Chapel in Orland Park, Illinois, on October 12. Thoughts and condolences were expressed at www.colonialchapel.com. The funeral service was at the Eagle Rock Community Church in Homer Glen, Illinois, on October 13. Memorial contributions can be made to the Trinity Christian College stained-glass window project.

Hundreds of alumni returned to campus this past Saturday, October 2, for Trinity’s Homecoming. This is the second year now that Homecoming has been held in the fall and numerous outdoor activities were scheduled to take advantage of the milder weather.

The 5K Troll Trot saw a record 95 participants enjoy the run through the neighborhood with Brian Hague of Chicago taking home the $150 first prize in the men’s category and Kindelle Krause of Lombard leading the pack for the women. Joining the throng of runners were 13 students from the Honors Program at Trinity and their advisor, Dr. Aron Reppmann ’92. The group joined the race to team build and raise awareness about this prestigious program at Trinity.  Click here to download race times.

The morning also featured a reunion breakfast for education alumni and featured an alumni panel focused on the theme of Challenges, Changes, and Celebrations across the decades. Panel members included Laura Van Stedum ’81, Nadia Swearingen-Friesen ’89, Kathy Nimmer ’91, Sara Stuart ’00, Tammy Hunter ’02, and Pamela Alexander ’06.

Former nursing professor, Dr. Lois Roelofs, debuted her new book, Caring Lessons: A Nursing Professor’s Journey of Faith and Self at the Nursing Alumni Lunch. This event provided a chance for alumni of the nursing department to connect and allowed Roelofs to talk about her new memoir, all proceeds of which will be donated to Trinity to support the nursing department. More information about the book can be found at: http://loisroelofs.com/.

Homecoming guests were also able to enjoy alumni soccer and baseball matches, a comedy improv show in the Marg Kallemeyn Theatre, as well as the opportunity to connect with former faculty members at the Faculty Gallery of Scholarship. The Trinity soccer teams also provided entertainment with an afternoon sweep of rival Trinity International University.

The day came to a close with the second night of Jubilation! featuring the four Alumni Award winners, Kathy Nimmer ’91, Dr. Mary Lynn Colosimo, Ginny Carpenter, and Henry and Grace Kamp. The evening also featured alumnus and Emmy-award winning TV producer Kurt Schemper ’97 who spoke about his work on the A&E series Intervention.

Good leaders lead by example, not just in their workplaces but in their daily lives.

Dr. Steve Timmermans, president of Trinity, said that as a believer who grew up with the Guilt, Grace, and Gratitude pattern of the Heidelberg Catechism, he seeks to live a life of gratitude.

“While I’m certain I miss hundreds of opportunities each day to show my gratitude to others, I seek to express my gratitude both by giving words of thanks and by honoring others with meaningful tasks, important responsibilities, and true partnerships in mission.”

Those tasks, responsibilities, and partnerships are evident in the work he has been accomplishing as president of the College since 2003. Under his leadership, there has been a continued growth in traditional and adult studies enrollment, a rise in the College’s ranking in U.S. News & World Report “America’s Best Colleges,” and the building and renovation of several campus facilities.

But Timmermans said he doesn’t claim to be an expert leader or an expert on leadership. “The critical piece for me is listening to God’s direction and having the courage to take that step.” In fact, he counts his most important task as raising the children God has given to him and his wife, Dr. Barbara Timmermans, professor of nursing at Trinity.

The Timmermans have raised four children, Katie, Paul, Becca, and Jessica, who is a freshman this year at Trinity. But they have taken other young people into their home over the years: Brian, who lived with them in Grand Rapids and Louis, who came from Haiti.

Recently the Timmermans adopted orphaned brothers Fekadu, 12, and Getenet, 16, from Ethiopia. The couple knew about the children through a friend of the family who had helped start the Yezelalem Minch orphanage in Addis Ababa where the brothers lived with their older sister and a cousin. The boys will continue to be brought up in the environment of Christian faith they knew in the orphanage.

The family reports that the children are adjusting to their new home better than anyone could have imagined. Getenet is attending Chicago Christian High School in Palos Heights, and Fekadu is in fifth grade at Southwest Chicago Christian School in Oak Lawn.

When prayerfully considering the adoption, the president said that the deciding moment came when he and his wife heard a sermon about Peter “getting out of the boat.” In early August, the Timmermans, following Peter’s example to answer when called, flew to Ethiopia to meet the brothers and appear in an Ethiopian court room. President Timmermans, along with eldest daughters Katie and Becca, returned to Ethiopia later that month to complete the adoption, arriving home with the brothers September 2.

A meaningful task, important responsibility, and a true partnership in mission lived out.

The family’s gratitude to God is evident. “We know, like Peter, we need to focus not on the wind and waves,” said Timmermans, “but on the sure and steady grip Jesus has on our lives.”

Trinity welcomed back alumnus and Emmy Award-winner Kurt Schemper ’97 this past weekend as keynote speaker for Jubilation! 2010. The annual fundraiser was held on Trinity’s campus and was offered two nights, Friday, October 1, and Saturday, October 2, to accommodate as many guests as possible.

With sold-out crowds both nights, the College raised $110,000 for the Trinity Fund; in addition, the College is still receiving contributions daily.

“I was elated to see the number of alumni who came back for some or all of the weekend, especially for Kurt’s presentation,” stated Larryl Humme, vice president for development. “To me, there is nothing more fun than a room full of alumni.”

Schemper is currently a Supervising Producer on two A&E television series, Intervention and Relapse. Following graduation from the College, he served as Trinity’s director of alumni relations for two years. After that, Schemper headed west in pursuit of a career in entertainment. He started his television career at sitcom factory Carsey-Werner, both as manager of production and as a producer on pilots and the animated series Game Over. In 2004, he began freelance producing and partnered with Sodium Entertainment and later joined the Coattails Entertainment team.

“As I was thinking about what to share with you tonight, I was asked the question ‘Would you be where you are today if it was not for Trinity Christian College?’” Schemper shared with audience members. “And it took me a minute to really process and think through the other places I thought about attending and what kind of education I might have gotten there – and specifically what parts of my ‘success’ I can attribute to my time at Trinity. I came to the conclusion that without Trinity – I would be where I am today, but I doubt I would be who I am today.”

“That’s what I want people to know and understand,” Humme said in response to Schemper’s speech. “We would never be who we are without this place.”

Today, Schemper lives in the neighborhood of Brentwood, Los Angeles. He is a member of Bel Air Presbyterian Church and finds his balance by volunteering with the church’s junior high group.

Along with his role as keynote speaker, Schemper was honored as this year’s recipient of the College’s Community Service Award. This award was presented to recognize the way in which Schemper’s work in television—particularly on the Emmy Award-winning show Intervention—serves to live out Trinity’s mission to shape lives and bring about restoration in society. Intervention profiles individuals whose dependence on drugs and alcohol or other compulsive behavior has brought them to a point of personal crisis; each episode concludes with a surprise intervention staged by family and friends and supervised by an intervention specialist. The show raises awareness about the alternatives and treatment options available to those who suffer from addiction and gives hope to families who have nowhere left to turn.

The following individuals were also recognized during Jubilation! 2010:

The Global Service Award – Rick and Patti Powell

Alumni of the Year Award – Kathy Nimmer ’91

Honorary Alumni Award-Faculty – Mary Lynn Colosimo

Honorary Alumni Award-Staff – Ginny Carpenter

Honorary Alumni Award-Friends – Henry and Grace Kamp

Students, faculty, and friends are invited to a fun-filled evening of song at the Musical Theatre Revue, showcasing a variety of songs from American musicals over the past several decades. The Musical Theatre Revue will take place on Thursday, October 28, and Saturday, October 30, at 7:30 p.m. in the Marg Kallemeyn Theatre in the Art and Communication Center.

JUST ADDED: A third performance has been added for Saturday, October 30, at 3 p.m.

Twenty-one students will be featured in this onstage production with nearly a dozen songs, including “The Ballad of Sweeney Todd,” from Sweeney Todd by Stephen Sondheim; “I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Outta My Hair,” from South Pacific by Rodgers and Hammerstein; “Sabbath Prayer,” from Fiddler on the Roof by Bock and Harnick; and “Wheels of a Dream,” from Ragtime by McNally, Ahrens, and Flaherty.

General admission to the event is $7 and $5 for students and senior citizens.

The Musical Theatre Revue is sponsored by the communication arts department and the music department. Music direction will be given by Michael Brown, adjunct professor of vocal music, with stage direction given by Dr. John Sebestyen, associate professor of communication arts.

Trinity welcomed back alum Craig Gallman ’90 on September 24 as he met with a group of marketing/management students to share his successes and experiences working through multiple careers and how Trinity played a role in each career.

Gallman gave students practical and tested ideas on how to enter the job market and develop a professional network. He offered advice for interviewing and networking, discussed the fields he went into as well as ones students were interested in, and opened up the presentation for any questions they had.

“It was nice to hear from someone who has had so many different jobs, many of which don’t relate to each other, talk about how he has used the things he has learned at Trinity in those jobs,” said Joe Koltz ’11 of Oak Lawn, Illinois, a current business student. “I thought it was really cool to see how a general business degree is important in so many different career choices.”

Gallman graduated from Trinity with a degree in marketing and has enjoyed much career success. He entered the job market in sales at MicroAge Computer Store. He moved on to Dontech, which, at the time, was the largest provider of Yellow Pages information in the Midwest.

Gallman’s career continued as he joined Zimmer Dental, a leading provider of dental implants, where he is currently one of the top producers in the company.

In addition to his work at Dontech and Zimmer Dental, Gallman has started two successful businesses which he currently runs with a partner: Honey Cuts for Men, with four locations in the south suburbs, and Spin Club, a cycling studio, located in Mokena, Illinois.

Students, faculty and community members gathered in the Ozinga Chapel on Friday, September 24 as the smooth sounds of the Junius Paul Quintet and the Trinity Jazz Band filled the air at the fifth annual Black and White Dress-Up Night of Jazz, sponsored by the Cultural Affairs Committee and the music department.

Dressed in their finest black and white attire, audience members welcomed musician Junius Paul, a Chicago native and electric and acoustic bassist. Paul is known internationally and well-established in many genres of music.

“It seemed to me as if the Junius Paul Quintet could have been playing at the Symphony Center, they were that good,” said Dr. Mike VanderWeele ’73, professor of English.  “I also had a guest along who was very impressed with what our jazz band was able to do just 3-4 weeks into the semester.”

The strong passion for music that the group displayed was just what the audience was looking for.  As the music played, students, faculty and community members alike got out of their seats to dance.

The performance began at 7 p.m. and students and community lingered long after enjoying refreshments, fellowship, and meeting with the members of the Junius Paul Quintet.

Students and faculty gathered in the library on Wednesday, September 15 to celebrate the launch of the second Openings, Trinity’s visual and literary arts magazine.

Openings is designed to display the work of current students, faculty, and alumni, offering a sense of unity among the artists and writers of Trinity.

“I wanted there to be a conversation between Trinity’s past and Trinity’s future,” said Marissa (DeHaan) Carpenter ’10, who founded the idea for Openings and launched the first issue.

The event allowed students and faculty in the English and arts departments to enjoy a time of fellowship and to share in some of the readings. Editors hope to release the next Openings in April, 2011.

In an effort to raise awareness about the injustices in North Korea, the organization Liberty in North Korea (LiNK) will come to campus as part of its national tour. LiNK will present the film “Hiding” on Wednesday, November 10, at 6:30 p.m. in the Grand Lobby. The community is welcome to attend.

“Not many people know of the injustice that goes on in North Korea, so I think it will be an eye-opening event to attend,” said Sharon Chun ’11 of Northbrook, Illinois. As a member of the College’s Asian American Alliance, Chun worked with LiNK last year to organize the event.

The Asian American Alliance, the sponsor of the event, is a sub-committee of Trinity’s Multicultural Club.

About the Film

“Hiding” is a documentary that exposes the struggle that North Korean refugees in China endure to find freedom. This film will introduce those still in hiding and will show others how they can bring these refugees to safety. This showing is part of a tour across North America in which members of LiNK visit colleges, high schools, and churches to present the film and advocate for the people of North Korea.

About LiNK

LiNK was formed in 2004 by individuals who had learned about North Korea and felt called to help. Educating a team of college students, they formed the organization LiNK. LiNK is a movement of activists empowered by the stories of refugees and motivated by the issue’s urgency. Focusing on awareness, advocates share these stories of hope and survival globally. Their work consists of four segments: shelters, rescuing refugees, resettlement, and awareness. Working in Southeast Asia, LiNK operates shelters that house and protect refugees rescued out of China. They also offer educational and financial assistance to resettle the refugees in America and South Korea.

The Trinity Business Network welcomes Bill Moore, president and CEO of PacMoore Products and PacMoore Process Technologies, to campus on Wednesday, November 3, at 7:30 a.m. as he offers his presentation “Business Can Be an Amazing Mission” in the Grand Lobby of the Ozinga Chapel.

Admission to the event is free, but registration is requested at http://trinitybusinessnetworknov2010.eventbrite.com. For more information call 708.239.4806.

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.

Prior to establishing and growing PacMoore, Moore worked as a product development engineer for Proctor and Gamble and as a Teaching Leader for Bible Study Fellowship, where he began and grew a men’s class to include over 400 men.

Moore used his experiences to transform PacMoore into a company fully committed to bringing Christ to employees, customers, and vendors.

The mission of the TBN is to provide Christ-centered business learning and service opportunities for Trinity Christian College alumni and friends.