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The work of Dayton Castleman, Trinity’s assistant professor of art, is on display at the DePaul University Museum of Art in a show titled “The Nomadic Studio.” This exhibition is part of Studio Chicago, a yearlong collaborative project that focuses on the artist’s studio through exhibitions, talks, publications, tours, and research.
Using mainly cardboard, polystyrene foam, and wood, Castleman constructed a sculptural installation titled “Chicken.” The work depicts a Canadian goose and an F-16 Fighting Falcon jet in what the artist describes as “the moment of their first, and presumably last, kiss.”
“The idea originated after the emergency landing of U.S. Airways flight 1549 in the Hudson River in January of 2009,” said Castleman. “I allowed myself to wonder whether there was some kind of strange attraction that a jetliner might engender in a bird. Eventually the work became about this tragic romance between these two gorgeous flying things.”
Castleman earned an M.F.A. in sculpture from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and has been on faculty at Trinity since 2008. He specializes in sculpture, site-specific sculpture, and installation.
Trinity has received $17,480 from the Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE) in the form of a grant through the Illinois Cooperative Work Study (ICWS) program. This program will provide internship opportunities with non-profit and corporate employers for 19 full-time Trinity students who are Illinois residents.
Employers working with Trinity in this program include Lake Katherine, Elim Christian Services, Camp Manitoqua, Homewood Disposal, and others. These internships give students the opportunity to enhance their job skills in their area of study and offset their need for additional loans.
Many of the participating employers would not otherwise have internships available if not for the ICWS funding. Employers pay a percentage of the students’ wages with Trinity covering the remaining percentage with ICWS grant money. The number of positions available varies depending on employers’ budgets and the number of students that qualify for the program.
Jon Vander Woude ’10 interned at Global Green Products as a student research assistant for two years.
“Having this opportunity has been invaluable to me,” said Vander Woude. “I gained firsthand experience working on a long-term project and learned valuable lessons about collaborating with other scientists. This experience was invaluable in helping prepare me for—and get accepted to—Northwestern University’s chemistry graduate program.”
The ICWS is a great opportunity for both students and employers to strengthen partnerships between higher education and business, industry, and government.
Classes educating key staff members to the Incident Command System (ICS) were held on campus August 5. ICS is used by schools and emergency response agencies to manage and properly respond to emergency situations.
Whether the situation involves responding to a natural disaster or preparing for a large event crowd, the unified command approach to emergency management provides for the systematic and orderly deployment of resources to an emergency and a common language and structure in which to operate.
“The ICS is integrated into Trinity’s existing emergency response plan,” said Jim Van Schepen ex ’71, director of security. “This training for administrative staff is essential for understanding the structure under which we would be working with emergency response agencies that are also trained and operate in this same response system.”
The class was presented by Ron Ellis, Dr. Sandra Ellis, and Keith Gehrand, representatives of the Illinois Emergency Management Office in conjunction with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
Matt Smigaj ’10 teaches kids to dance. They are being introduced to the art of ballroom dance.
Over the summer, Smigaj, a graduate of Trinity’s education program, led a four-week ballroom dance camp for kids in 3rd through 6th grades at Dance Images in Tinley Park, Illinois.
Nine of his 10 students were from Christa McAuliffe Elementary School where Smigaj completed his student teaching requirement while at Trinity.
During his student teaching, he taught a three-week ballroom dance unit at Christa McAuliffe. Smigaj then created an after-school ballroom dance club. His students had the opportunity at the end of the year to perform for the whole school, as well as for family and friends.
“I put on two ballroom dance assemblies, and I even got the superintendent to come,” said Smigaj. “It was a huge success.”
The response from parents and teachers was positive. Smigaj received letters commenting on how the dance class had made a difference in the lives of the students, some of whom exhibited marked improvement in their self-confidence and in their social skills.
“Dancing teaches coordination, teamwork, respect for a partner, and self-esteem,” said Smigaj.
In addition to leading summer camps for kids, Smigaj, whose career goal is to be a physical education teacher, also volunteers at basketball camps run by former NBA player Phil Henderson, who founded the All American Basketball Academy. The basketball camps serve students from the ages of 6 to 18 and emphasize character and player development.
Several Trinity students and recent alumni spent part of their summer helping youth in Chicago.
While at Trinity, Marisol Miron ’10 of Chicago, felt called by God to work with youth and worked closely with inner city students during her student teaching. That experience inspired her to participate in this summer’s Chicago Alive Youth Camp with fellow Trinity students.
For more than 20 years, the camp has been offering inner city kids a camp experience led by people like Miron, who share the gospel through building relationships and sharing testimonies with campers. Counselors participated in spiritual training and teamwork building workshops prior to the beginning of the camp. During the training, counselors shared their faith with each other and used the time to draw closer to God. They also raised money individually for the ministry.
Miron said, “I learned that being a Christian is about sharing God’s love with others. It is not always about preaching theology but about establishing relationships and providing others with a sense of acceptance.”
Fellow Trinity student Melisa Rodriguez ’12 of Villa Park, Illinois, served as a counselor for the younger children. “The camp is a place where kids and teenagers find hope. It is a place where they are taught that there is another way to life and that way is Jesus. It is a place where they find love and where they learn that their future is not determined by what surrounds them, but rather by what God can do with their futures if they let him.”
Dr. Laurel Quinn, chair of the nursing department, has been appointed to serve on the Illinois Congress on Health Policy Committee. This position is filled by appointment by the President of the Illinois Nurses Association and the Board of Directors for the State of Illinois.
The Congress on Health Policy formulates position papers and policy statements that are then passed on to the state level for approval, amendment, and adoption by the Illinois Nurses Association. Current work in progress includes a position statement on Latex Allergy, a position statement on H1N1/Immunizations, and a position paper on Faculty to Student Ratio. Several additional position papers are in revision at this time.
Quinn also recently earned the designation Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) after meeting strict eligibility criteria and successfully completing a rigorous certification examination developed and administered by the National League for Nursing.
The role of nurse educator is an advanced professional practice discipline with a defined practice setting and demonstrable standards of excellence.
Quinn has been on faculty at Trinity since 2004. Read more about this outstanding professor. Read her profile here.
Trinity’s nursing major builds on the liberal arts and science foundation and encompasses study in the natural, behavioral, and social sciences, the humanities, and nursing sciences. For more information, visit: https://tcc.trnty.edu/depts/nursing/.
Carriage Greens in Darien, Illinois, was the new setting for the annual Alumni Golf Outing on June 26. Golfers brought in thousands of dollars for the Alumni Excellence Scholarship, a renewable scholarship that provides $1,500 awards for children of alumni attending Trinity.
“The alumni outing is a great way to reconnect with college friends and faculty each year,” said golfer and alumni board member Tim Hurley ’02. “It’s also an important event to raise money for the Alumni Scholarship Fund. Golfing 18 holes is just a bonus.”
The outing began with lunch—also new this year—followed by a shotgun start at 2 p.m. The event ended with a dinner and awards presentation, including an impressive trophy that will be engraved each year with the names of the winning foursome.
Congratulations to this year’s winning foursome: Brandon Boomsma, Eric Lindemulder ’05, Derek Terpstra, and Pete Vander Wall ’01.
Event Sponsors
“We are thankful for the faithful support of our event and hole sponsors,” said Alumni Director Travis Bandstra ’06. “Because of these generous donors, the funds raised by the outing will go directly to the Alumni Excellence Scholarship.”
Corporate Event Sponsors:
Dutch Farms
Evenhouse & Co
Hoogendoorn & Talbot LLP
HoneyCuts Salon, Inc.
LEGACY Insurance
Mark Groen Commercial Interiors
Ozinga Brothers
ProviNET Solutions (2)
Individual Event Sponsors:
Trinity Alumni Board
Corporate Hole Sponsors:
Bert Kamp CPA
Bettinardi Golf
Clarence Davids & Co
Colonial Chapel
CTBookkeeping, Inc.
Groen’s Fine Furniture
Hamstra Law Group
Homewood Disposal
Interiors for Business
Knudsen Construction, Inc.
Mama Vesuvio’s East
McGuireWOODS
Media Resources
Mitchell Corporation
Olive Branch Counseling
Porter’s Apparels
Providence Bank
Service Sanitation
Silva International, Inc.
Stepping Stone Financial, Inc.
Strack & Van Til Supermarkets
Ultra Foods
Van Bruggen Signs
Vant Hoff Financial Services Ltd.
Wentworth Tire
Individual Hole Sponsors:
Ken and Margie Boss
Rick and Sue VanDyken
Nearly 400 people attended the annual registration event Blueprints on June 25 and 26. This was the largest Blueprints group in the history of the College. The sunny summer weekend was packed with activities for new students and their families.
Blueprints gives these students an opportunity to connect with their roommates, fellow classmates, and professors.
The festivities began with tours of the Heritage Science Center and the Art and Communication Center followed by a barbeque supper hosted by Provost Liz Rudenga, Ph.D. Parents attended a session on academics and student life, while the students participated in a host of fun activities. Then everyone enjoyed an ice cream social and later gathered for the evening praise and worship service. Students stayed busy well past midnight with a variety of options, including sporting events and games.
Day two began with the faculty-hosted breakfast, giving students and their families a chance to talk with faculty members from their areas of study. While parents attended a session on college finances, students met with faculty members for one-on-one advising.
The Information Expo supplied students and parents with information about campus organizations, and local churches, banks, and businesses. Students were able to visit some model suites in West and South halls before attending sessions about the First Year Experience and community life at Trinity.
Everyone is a suspect. Everyone has secrets. Everyone is a little bit scared.
Trinity Alumni Theatre presents Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap August 26-28 and September 11 at 7:30 p.m. in the Marg Kallemeyn Theatre in the Art and Communication Center.
The Mousetrap is a suspenseful narrative of fear, risk, and revelation. Eight strangers are confined to a snowed-in guest house; one of them is a murderer. Over the course of the weekend, each is confronted with his or her past in an effort to identify the killer. The lines between truth and fabrication are blurred.
Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students and seniors. Tickets can be purchased at http://trinityalumnitheatre2010.eventbrite.com or at the door. All seats are general admission.
This is the second annual alumni theatre production. Last year, alumni actors pleased audiences with their performance of The Curious Savage by John Patrick.
Cast Members
Doug Van Wyngarden ’08, TROTTER
Jan Kosmal ’78, CASEWELL
Jacob Szafranski ’09, CHRISTOPHER
Rick Schuler ’08, PARAVICINI
Kate Messier ’09, MOLLY
June Entwisle Miller, MRS. BOYLE
Nick Koster ’03, GILES
Tom Holste ’97, METCALF
Crew
Daniel Thayer ’12, Production Supervisor
Lori Van Beveren ’10, Production Supervisor
Kate Olsen, Director
Lori Evenhouse ’05, Stage Manager
Director Kate Olsen hails from Prague, Czech Republic. Olsen has been actively involved in the Chicago theatre scene working alongside the House Theater of Chicago, TUTA Theater, Emerald City Theater, and the Chopin Theatre. She has trained with the likes of SITI, the Actor’s Gymnasium, 500 Clown, and Poala Coletto.
This June, nearly 300 delegates, conferees, and guests were on campus for Synod 2010, the Christian Reformed Church in North America’s annual denominational meeting. Attendees came from all over the United States and Canada, as well as from overseas. Grace Community Christian Reformed Church in Oak Lawn, Illinois, was the host church.
A highlight of Synod, especially for the Trinity community, was the ratification of the appointment of Rev. Julius Medenblik as the new president of Calvin Theological Seminary. Medenblik is a 1978 graduate of Trinity; his wife Jackie ’82 serves as the College’s director of the Cooper Center for career and counseling.
In a recent interview, Medenblik addressed the topic of Trinity students discerning God’s calling about their futures. After advising those needing guidance to visit the Cooper Center and sharing the importance of his involvement as a student, Medenblik said, “Be faithful and available. Follow the promptings of God and take opportunities to be involved widely and deeply.”
Seven other Trinity alumni attended the conference and enjoyed a dinner gathering sponsored by the alumni office.
Scheduled for June 12-17, Synod wrapped up with final discussions and decisions Thursday evening, June 17. Discussing the state of the denomination, instituting policies, and establishing guidelines are the principal goals of Synod, the largest gathering of CRC representatives.