Archives: News Stories

Thirty-two top high school students were finalists for this year’s Founders’ Scholarship. Students and their parents attended a banquet in the Grand Lobby of the Ozinga Chapel on Thursday, February 4, with a variety of activities planned throughout the weekend.

The 2010 Founders’ Scholarship recipients will be announced soon.
The award provides a renewable full-tuition scholarship for two incoming freshmen who have demonstrated consistently high academic achievement and who will perpetuate the mission of Trinity Christian College in thought, word, and deed.

Applicants for the Founders’ Scholarship must rank in the top five percent of their graduating class or achieve a 3.8 grade-point average; score a minimum of 30 on the ACT or 1320 on the SAT; exhibit leadership in their church, school, or community; and display evidence of personal faith in Jesus Christ.

Scholarship candidates spent time off campus having dinner at the Chicago Semester location and enjoying late-night bowling. On campus, students were immersed in life at Trinity, worshipping, dining, and rooming with current Trinity students.  Candidates also participated in a service project at the Children’s Hunger Fund, one of Trinity’s many service opportunities.

What makes a good story?

According to professional storyteller Dan Keding, a good story teaches you to respond to an emotion and causes you to think.

On Tuesday, February 2, Trinity students and faculty gathered to listen as Keding brought life, excitement, and emotion to his stories.

Sharing stories of his childhood, family, other cultures, and folktales from past generations, he kept the audience engaged. Keding’s subtle humor, emotion, and energy propel his stories and touch his audience members.

“He kept our attention from beginning to end,” said Leah Branderhorst ’11, of Holland, Michigan, “and as a future teacher I learned a lot of valuable tips on storytelling.”

With our stories we make an impression, Keding said, they’re pervasive. A story can teach you about a person’s values, their beliefs, or their culture. “Storytelling is in the threads of our life,” Keding said. We constantly tell our story to those around us, at home, in a classroom, or at work.

Keding’s second visit to Trinity, which included an afternoon workshop and evening performance, was sponsored by the Cultural Affairs Committee.

More than 100 alumni met on campus on January 30 for the first annual Dinner and Hoops. Thirteen alumni teams squared off in the morning’s 3-on-3 basketball tournament, while others cheered on the Trolls in an afternoon double header against Cardinal Stritch University and ended the day with dinner at Sam MacGuire’s in Orland Park.

This event replaces the alumni sports weekend held in the fall and still gives alumni a chance to get together during the winter season now that Homecoming officially has been moved to October.

“It was great to see so many alumni on campus,” said Travis Bandstra ’06, director of alumni relations. “The turnout at all three events was great, and the atmosphere at the double header was electric. We hope this will become a new winter tradition for Trinity alumni.”

For the 3-on-3 tournament, alumni played in two divisions—recreational (5 teams) and advanced (8 teams). This was the biggest turnout ever for this tournament, according to Bandstra. It was also the first time an all-women’s team won the recreational division.

“It was exciting to compete again, see some familiar faces, and recall the good old days at Trinity,” said Barbie Heerdt ’06, a member of the winning team in the recreational division. “Being back on campus reminded me of how much I enjoyed my years at Trinity.”

AdvancedWinning teams and their players included:

Advanced Division Winners
Kurt Gruppen ’09
Bryon Ritzema ’97
Ross Stuursma ’09
Peter Zigterman ’08

Recreational Division Winners
Janet Bruinsma ’06
Kara Bruxvoort ’03
Barbie Heerdt ’06
Jessica Hoekstra ’06

The men’s and women’s soccer teams spent Interim 2010 on their annual mission trip in Costa Rica, working with the Christian organization Score International. Partnering with local missionaries from the Score International team, they competed against local Costa Rican teams and ran soccer clinics for children from orphanages and low-income neighborhoods.

The teams each played five games in five days, and after each game, players shared their faith and personal testimonies with members of competing teams. The real blessing, according to many Trinity players, was how receptive the Costa Rican teams were to their message.

“The players from the other teams were very accepting of what we had to say, and I really appreciated how respectful they were when we shared the Gospel,” said Tom Clason ’11 of Somonauk, Illinois.

“We were blessed to see many players from the other teams come to know Christ and find their salvation in him,” said Brady Davidson ’11 of Shawnee, Kansas. His head coach, Jose Dominguez ’02, added, “At least two players from each team we played against each day accepted Christ as their Lord and Savior.”

The clinics for the children gave the Trinity teams a chance to witness and show Christ’s love to children in impoverished areas. Despite the language barrier and the fact that many of the children didn’t have shoes to wear, they were always smiling and happy, Coach Dominguez recalled.

“It was so great to be there for these children and give them the love and attention they need through soccer,” said Anna Gesch ’12 of Cedar Grove, Wisconsin, a member of the women’s soccer team.

The trip was also provided an opportunity for the players and coaches to learn more about each other and themselves. They spent time in daily devotions and experienced God while using their gifts and skills on the field to reach out to others.

“The cool truth is that we were able to make a difference, because we were able to support the people who are ministering to those communities 365 days a year,” said Davidson. “We helped by living out through example what they talk about and share with people every day.”

Melissa J. Voss ’11 of Orland Park, Illinois, said she was shocked when she received a call from Pete Hamstra, vice president for admissions and marketing, about an unexpected opportunity. Said Voss, “I was hoping for something new this year!”

The opportunity? Voss has been chosen to serve as a youth board member of the Christian Reformed World Relief Committee, the relief and development arm of the Christian Reformed Church.

Voss is one of two students nominated by their schools and selected to represent their respective colleges.  As a newly elected board member, Voss will be attending the annual CRWRC conference in February in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

“The main goal for youth members is to be ‘the eyes and ears’ for CRWRC on the college campus,” said Voss. “We will identify ways in which students are most excited to work and reach out to those in need. CRWRC wants to increase the support from the younger generation and is looking for new ideas and ways that will promote this.”

Voss plans to work with Trinity committees and organizations to explore ideas for partnering with CRWRC, which could provide students with even more opportunities to serve others.

“While promoting CRWRC opportunities, it will be interesting to learn where I can help personally,” said Voss.

Voss is a double major in special education and elementary education as well as a member of the track and field team. Her sisters Michelle L. ’10 and Allison ’12 also attend Trinity.

When Dr. Tom Roose, associate professor of physics and science education, finishes his week in the classroom with college students, he welcomes high school freshmen to take the vacated seats on the weekend.

One Saturday each month, through the College Readiness program sponsored by the Associated Colleges of Illinois (ACI), Roose teaches science on Trinity’s campus to under-served high school students from Chicago.

As an ACI member institution, Trinity provides students with “learning laboratories” held throughout the academic year. During these monthly Saturday seminars, students build academic and personal skills and acquire real-world campus experience.

Roose relishes the opportunity to enlighten young minds. He developed curriculum and taught math and science courses at Chicago Christian High School in Palos Heights, Illinois, for 6 years. He also developed the curriculum theme and wrote the science curriculum for the Summer Enrichment for Academics in Mathematics and Science program at the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy in Aurora, Illinois (2005-2008). In addition to his Ph.D. from Stanford University, this scientist and author has 21 years of industry work experience in various environmental, research, and scientific settings.

“Creating interest and nurturing aptitude in mathematics and science in our youth is vital to developing people that can undercover new fundamental knowledge and create new technology to improve the quality of life for all,” he said.

Because most of the students live and attend school in the city, they especially enjoy the chance to gather samples along the Trinity Trail and Navajo Creek as they study ecology with Roose. After completing their unit on ecology, they will study Newton’s Laws.

Roose recently met with one of the students in an extra session to help him conduct an experiment for a high school project. Eduardo Paz of Little Village Lawndale High School compared the turbidity (measure of solids in the water) of samples from Lake Michigan, Navajo Creek, and a public drinking fountain. Paz notified Roose that he won first place at Lawndale’s science fair and placed 20th out of 84 in the area competition. For Roose, this is a testament to the importance of the ACI program and its partnership with Trinity.

Read more about Dr. Tom Roose, visit Meet the Faculty and view his profile.

The growth of Trinity’s campus in terms of buildings over the last several years has provided students, faculty, and staff with facilities such as the Bootsma Bookstore Café and the Art and Communication Center. Renovation of former buildings, such was the case with the BBC, demonstrates stewardship and saves thousands of dollars in new building costs and construction time.

With the move of the art and design department to the new ARCC in 2008, the former “art barn,” located on the east side of the Tibstra parking lot, was left empty. Proposed plans for the space were considered by the Committee on Planning and Resources, which decided to renovate the space to house a campus mail and print center.

The College entered into an agreement with Martin Whalen, Inc., which specializes in print and copy solutions. As part of the agreement for devices and services, the company returned sponsorship dollars that have been used to fund the renovation of the building.

“This agreement provides a more ‘green’ approach to printing around campus that reflects good stewardship, including providing fast and efficient scanning for the projection and use of electronic documents,” said President Steve Timmermans.

The College has also leased copiers and printers from Martin Whalen for various locations around campus. Bulk print jobs will be done through the Mail & Print Center. Students will continue to use the current print and copy resources available in the library and computer labs. The College has hired Don Coutts as the coordinator of the print center.

According to Dr. George Vander Velde ’63, vice president for campus development, the move toward centralized printing and away from department printers and outside vendors will save energy and cost.

Also moving into the new space will be the mailroom, which is currently located in the Molenhouse Student Center. Student mailboxes, however, will remain in Molenhouse.

“Thank you for those whose legacies give light to our journeys,” said President Steven Timmermans as he opened the annual Martin Luther King, Jr. celebration in prayer.

The idea of the legacies of others shaping our journeys continued as faculty members provided insight into the beliefs, thoughts, and achievements of the people who influenced King. Figures such as Bishop Richard Allen and crusader Ida B. Wells helped form the leader’s mission, and eventual legacy, of faith-based social action.

Drs. David Brodnax, Sr. and Bob Rice, professors of history, provided the historical context for the African American tradition of religious protest and personal reflection on King’s speech “A Time to Break Silence,” delivered in 1969 when Dr. Rice was a sophomore in college. Bill Boerman-Cornell, assistant professor of education, and juniors Velvet Woods and Kristin Thomas, both of Chicago, read excerpts of King’s various letters and addresses.

Those gathered also viewed “A Portrait of Change,” a video and photo presentation created by Dave Jousma, A/V services coordinator.

In closing, Don Woo, assistant professor of education and director of ethnic diversity, reminded the Trinity community that shared moments such as celebrating someone like King help us gain strength and cause us to reflect on justice, love, and mercy as we have received it from the God we all serve.

Maria Lagunas is not afraid of a challenge.

Neither are the other Adult Studies students at Trinity. Most work full- or part-time jobs and many raise families while enrolled in the accelerated degree programs.

Lagunas, who graduated from the Adult Studies Business program in December of 2008, still works the same full-time job at Banner & Witcoff, LTD., the law firm where she was employed while completing her bachelor’s degree. But now she also runs her own business—Gardenia, a flower and gift shop in her hometown of Blue Island, Illinois.

“I got the idea when I was in the business program at Trinity, and when I graduated, I knew that I had the tools to move forward,” she said.

“Moving forward” was more like “full speed ahead.” In addition to her full-time job, Lagunas had been using her long-time hobby of party planning and flower arranging to do side work at Evita’s Bridal in Blue Island. In July of 2009, the tenant next to the bridal shop moved out, and Lagunus found herself faced with a challenging opportunity—opening her own store.

“It happened so fast,” she said. “I wasn’t sure I wanted to open a business, but I went for it.”

Her Trinity education kicked into high gear as she spent the next month writing a business plan for the shop, then acquiring the space and renovating and moving in with the help of her family. By September 12, Lagunas was celebrating the grand opening.

Lagunas“I knew exactly what I was doing throughout the process,” she said. “That confidence and knowledge stemmed from my education in accounting, management, and marketing. What I had learned in the Adult Studies program had become second nature.”

Students in the program work in groups called cohorts, and Lagunas keeps in touch with the friends she made at Trinity.

“Our cohort was like a family,” she said. Some of her Adult Studies “family” attended the opening of her business.

Gardenia Flowers, gifts and more is located at 12822 Western Avenue in Blue Island. Lagunas also used her creativity and business sense to design her logo, business cards, and her website. Visit: www.gardeniaflowersandgifts.com.

The Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) has recently awarded Trinity reaffirmation of accreditation of its business programs. The accreditation certifies that Trinity’s teaching and learning processes within the business program meet the rigorous educational standards established by the ACBSP.

Trinity has been accredited by the ACBSP since 1999, and was evaluated in October 2009 for reaccreditation of the traditional business program and accreditation for the adult studies program. To receive the accreditation the business program had to demonstrate that students are educated in all critical areas of business study, are able to solve multi-disciplinary problems, and can be effective decision makers.

“Earning ACBSP accreditation communicates to both students and employers that the Trinity business program has met rigorous quality standards that are modeled on the Baldrige National Quality Program,” said Dr. Lynn White, professor of accounting.  “Graduates of ACBSP accredited programs generally find it easier to gain acceptance into graduate school and to qualify for professional certification.”

Steve Parscale, ACBSP Director of Accreditation, will present the Certificate of Reaffirmation of Accreditation to Trinity at the ACBSP Annual Conference on June 27, in Los Angeles, California. “Trinity Christian College has shown their commitment to teaching excellence and to the process of quality improvement by participating in the accreditation process,” said Parscale. “This accreditation is evidence that Trinity Christian College is committed to providing the highest quality business education for their students.”

For more information, visit www.acbsp.org.