Archives: News Stories

Blueprints Weekend is one of the most beloved traditions at Trinity. During this weekend, incoming freshmen and their families gather on campus for summer pre-orientation and registration and so much more—the chance to get to know each other,  meet others in their new community, and to get a glimpse of what life will be like as Trinity students in just a few short months. 

In many ways, this year’s Blueprints on June 18-19 continued those traditions. But it also represented a particularly significant milestone for the Class of 2025, many of whom had never met in person because of COVID restrictions, and who may have spent much of their senior year of high school in virtual learning. And the approximately 250 students and family members who took part in Blueprints got a chance to see what Trinity will look like in the fall, when it returns to normal, pre-COVID operations.  

From meeting with professors to a praise service in Ozinga Chapel to spending a night in Alumni Hall, Blueprints attendees got to experience the full range of what Trinity offers! 

“It was such a wonderful weekend, with the campus teeming with life as we welcomed our incoming students into a glimpse of what a more full campus experience will look like this fall,” said Director of Admissions Jeanine Mozie. “For some students, it was their first time stepping foot on Trinity’s campus. And for most, it was their first time meeting key members of the community face to face. Blueprints was an incredible time of connecting, encouraging, and preparing our next class of Trinity Trolls.” 

Students and Parents Appreciate Experience 

For Andrew Ardon ‘25 of Johnsburg, Ill., Blueprints provided a chance to get a closer look at what college life will be like when he returns in a few weeks as a full-time student and member of Trinity’s cross country and track teams. 

“It’s been a pretty good experience,” said Ardon, who graduated from Johnsburg High School and is still settling on a major. Ardon had visited campus previously and met with Men’s and Women’s Cross Country Coach Bob Brickman ‘03, and those visits helped convince him to continue his education at Trinity. 

Andrew’s mother Alma said the weekend’s activities reinforced the sense that Trinity was the right college for her son. “There is a real community feel here, and everyone has been very helpful,” she said. 

For Zanthe Scott’s son Zakary ‘25, Trinity was already a familiar place, thanks to the time he spent attending Troll Athletics’ sports camps. Zakary, a graduate of Curie Metropolitan High School in Chicago, had considered several other colleges in the Chicagoland area. But Trinity offered a perfect mix of size, location, and Christian focus, and attending Blueprints reinforced that feeling. “This has been a very informative, and we are very blessed that we are here,” said Zanthe.  

A Welcome by President and Mrs. Dykstra, with Mr. Bates 

As part of Friday evening’s events, incoming students and their family members were welcomed by President Kurt and Mrs. Leah Dykstra, with a special appearance by Trinity’s First Dog Mr. Bates! 

“Every year, we are excited to welcome our new class of students,” said President Dykstra. “But to be gathered together in this space is the answer to a prayer.” 

He said to students, “We are here tonight to begin this next step in your life. You are going to work and you are going to have fun. At Trinity, we believe in connecting the mind, body, and spirit.” 

Dykstra also assured the parents in attendance that he knows exactly what they are feeling, since the Dykstras have a daughter who recently graduated from Trinity and another who is a current student.  

The welcome ended with pro tips on navigating Blueprints by Erin Nagelkirk ‘07, assistant director of admissions for visits and operations, who offered suggestions on getting the most from Blueprints for those gathered on Trinity’s campus, as well as those attending virtually. 

A Weekend Full of Information, Activities, and Fun 

Trinity’s Admissions team, working with many others on campus, assembled a dynamic program that offered crucial information, the opportunity to ask questions, time for taking care of paperwork such as getting photo IDs, and lots of chances to meet with new friends. 

Informational sessions focused on a range of topics, from off-campus study programs to academic overviews for different majors to resources for academic and emotional support. The Financial Aid Office hosted multiple sessions to answer any questions about billing, and deadlines. Every student also participated in one-on-one advising sessions. 

There were also many sessions focused on student life and athletics, including student leadership positions, multicultural engagement, and what to expect on move-in day, as well as break outs targeted to first generation students and Diversity Scholars. 

And of course, attendees had many opportunities to get to know each other, relax, and enjoy snacks. That included a visit by the food truck of Doughs Guy’s Bakery, another Trinity tradition. 

Saturday ended with a closing session and farewell…for now! We can’t wait to see all our freshmen back on campus in August. 

Missed out on Blueprints, or just want to relive the fun? Check out this video here. 

Gracious. Patient. Kind. Professional. Those are just some of the words used to describe Human Resources Payroll Administrator Kris Doorn ‘89, who has been named Trinity’s 2021-22 Staff Member of the Year.  

According to one nominator, “Kris has a servant-heart, and it shows in her work ethic and how she treats all of us, with kindness, patience and compassion. She shows her love for the Lord daily through her actions and words. If you have had any interaction with Kris, then you know that she is a professional who knows her job very well but always tendered with kindness.” 

Another noted, “Kris always takes time to help with payroll, PTO, and many other things.  Every time you call you are greeted with a happy individual that is willing to serve/help you and the College with the utmost care and concern.” 

In her work at Trinity, Doorn oversees payroll, ensuring that all of Trinity’s employees are compensated on time. She also assists with other HR-related issues. But her contributions to Trinity go far beyond that.  Doorn said the best part of her job is helping students, staff, and faculty, with whatever questions they have about benefits, payroll, the payroll system and other matters. “Human Resources should be about the people, and I feel like it’s my job to help in any way I can,” she said. 

Doorn, who earned a business degree from the College, returned to Trinity 15 years ago as a staff member, after working as a preschool teacher. She initially began as a temporary employee in the Business Office before being hired permanently and shifting her focus to human resources.  

Doorn has been helping people through her connection at Trinity since her student days. She cited a spring break service trip to Kentucky as one of her favorite memories. “We worked in some very poor areas through Appalachia Reach Out. We helped a family improve their house,” she said. “We had a great time, and it was a great experience.”  

Staff Member of the Year Award 

The Staff Member of the Year Award recognizes the achievements of a distinguished staff member. Recent award recipients include: 

2019: Laura Chávez-Dávalos, Director of the Office of Learning Services 

2020: Diana Pell, Administrative Assistant to Faculty 

PHOTO: Alyssa Busker ’24 (left), Maddy Clausen ’21

Hard work and dedication, that’s what it took for Maddy Clausen and Alyssa Busker to claim titles at the recent NCCAA National Track and Field Championships and earn their spot at the recent 41^st Annual NAIA Women’s Outdoor Track and Field National Championships.

For the second time in her career, Clausen jumped her way to the top of the podium at the NCCAA Outdoor National Championships, capturing the high jump title. Teammate Alyssa Horstman was just one step away on the podium, finishing as National Runner-Up. Clausen’s top performance of the season came at the ONU Outdoor Open on April 17^th when she cleared 1.64m (5-feet, 4.5 inches).

Just a freshman, Busker came to Trinity and literally RAN into the track history books. In her first collegiate race, she broke the program record in the 60m and the 200m. She proceeded to break her own record in every race she ran, extending it into outdoor season in the 100m. In her final race, she earned NAIA All American honors in the 200m with a 6^th place finish. At the NCCAA National Championships, she captured titles in the 100m and 200m – earning Track Athlete of the Meet.  She also captured both titles at the CCAC Championship, earning the same distinction.

The duo represented Trinity Christian College at the three-day NAIA event, which ran from May 26-28 at the Mickey Miller Blackwell Stadium in Gulf Shores, Alabama.

The Christian Association of World Languages (CAWL) brings scholars together to provide a forum for promoting Christian reflection and practice in the field. And Trinity’s Department Chair and Associate Professor of Spanish Yeon Lee, Ph.D., will lay a key role in this mission as the association’s new vice president.

As vice president, Lee reviews abstract submissions, administers the Emerging Scholars Award, and organizes the conference program in the role as conference chair. As a member of the executive board, she also contributes with new initiatives and projects that advance the mission of CAWL.

“I am grateful to be a part of an organization where the contributions of many leading scholars continue to nurture the minds of our discipline,” she said. “These outlets provide opportunities for rich intellectual exchange and fellowship.”

For Lee, the Emerging Scholars Award has a particular resonance, since Trinity students Megan Gjertsen and Avery Kats won the award in 2018 at the 27^th Annual CAWL Conference. “Both of my students conducted research under my supervision,” said Lee. “They presented their research and received recognition at the annual conference.”

The knowledge and relationships nurtured at CAWL also provided particular value to Lee over the past academic year. “Last year’s environment led me to create a remote learning setting that is a close equivalent to the traditional setting, as well as ways to enhance its educational value,” she said. “To engage more insight on remote learning, I would consult David I. Smith et al., who recently published a relevant book on the subject titled Digital Life Together (2020) and who is also a contributor to CAWL, to discuss the impact of technology on education and strategies under the classification of two different class sizes. This subject animates my research interest, and I plan to continue to take a deeper look at remote learning optimization in the shifting landscape of higher education.”

Founded in 1991, CAWL is home to the peer-reviewed “Journal of Christianity and World Languages” (JCWL), the CAWL Annual Conference in April, and the Emerging Scholars Award of undergraduate research.

Every year, Trinity recognizes an exceptional educator whose work extends beyond the classroom to make a lasting impact on students. And Trinity is pleased to announce that Professor of History David Brodnax Sr., Ph.D., is Professor of the Year for 2021-22.

Brodnax said the award came as a surprise, not least because he teaches about difficult, often overlooked areas of history. “I’m incredibly grateful to students, former students, and colleagues who nominated me,” he said. “But it is bittersweet in some ways. Part of why I won this award is based on what I am doing to bring about justice. But that means there remains a struggle for justice. I would rather that there be no wrongs, than to win an award for righting wrongs.”

The many nominations cited Brodnax’s excellent academic work, his education and perspective with both a law degree and a doctorate, and his tireless service to the College. Nominators also offered numerous examples of his caring for others. And they repeatedly lauded his work with minority students and his willingness to address past and current injustices on campus and in the broader world.

According to several of the nominations:

— “His courses pushed me further academically than I had experienced, even compared to my semester at Oxford. He knew each of his students was capable of so much more than a hastily written essay from 4 a.m. the night before the deadline. And he knew each of his students was so much more than just a student. He poured into athletes, musicians, historians, and thespians, and he took it upon himself to show each student who walked through his door that they were so much more than what they believed. No one left his office or class unchanged.”

— “He cares about the history courses he teaches. He teaches them well. He doesn’t sugarcoat the truth of historical events but presents them in a way to enlighten the students and help us understand the complexities of our past and to learn from them. He teaches equality and justice — and anyone could learn from him.”

— “He’s known for the depth and quality of his research, the astuteness of his teaching, his years of service on Personal Committee. Surely these are all significant gifts he brings to the College, but behind them is a form of labor that never gets talked about in his self study, and that doesn’t figure as part of his tenure and promotion. And that is his silent labor with our extensive minority student population as the single most significant focal point that they have on campus. Without asking for it, without being assigned to it as an official College task, he serves as leader, encourager, role model, shaper, helper of the many students who turn to him on a daily basis for this kind of support. This work is boundless and Christlike. He so very, very deeply deserves the recognition of this award.”

Among his work and research, Brodnax has recently published “‘Meet force with force and law with law’: Black Self-Defense in 19^th-Century Iowa,” a chapter in The Oxford Handbook of Midwestern History, which is scheduled to be published by Oxford University Press later this year; and “‘The brightest star under the blue dome of heaven’: Civil Rights and Midwestern Black Identity in Iowa, 1839-1900,” an article in Middle West Review last fall. He is also scheduled to take part in a roundtable panel at the Midwestern History Conference in May and has served on the executive board for the Mid-America American Studies Association for several years.

“The Professor of the Year is an award that recognizes faculty who have excellence in teaching or scholarship, but especially those whose work demonstrates a strong connection between their teaching and their scholarship and in work that advances the mission of the College,” said Aaron Kuecker, Trinity’s provost, in recognizing Brodnax at commencement on May 8. “On behalf of Trinity Christian College, congratulations and thank you for the service you render in this community.”

Recent Professor of the Year Award recipients:

2016: John Sebestyen (Communication Arts)

2017: Michael Vander Weele (English)

2018: Clay Carlson (Biology)

2019: Kara Wolff (Counseling and Psychology)

2020: Yudha Thianto (Theology and Christian Ministry)

Along with celebrating graduates on May 8, the College also honored the emeritations of two long-time faculty members who have retired at the end of the 2020-21 academic year: Joy Meyer ’78, Ed.D., associate professor of education, licensure officer, and dean of education; and Rick Snoeyink, Ph.D., professor of education and director of online instruction.  

Dr. Joy Meyer
A Trinity alumna, Meyer said that around the time of her graduation, she heard God telling her she would be back at the College someday. That was a truly prophetic moment. After teaching elementary school for 11 years, she was taking some time off to raise her young children and decided to look for a part-time job. A friend kept encouraging her to apply at Trinity. Meyer did, and after interviewing with Liz Rudenga, professor of education emerita, she was hired to supervise Trinity’s student teachers. 

Meyer did so well that she was invited to teach a general teaching methods class the next semester. “I continued to teach that class during my time at Trinity,” she said. “In fact, I still taught that class my last semester here.” Gradually, she began teaching more classes, joining Trinity’s faculty full time in 2000.  

But her gifts extended beyond the classroom. Along with teaching, she also served as department chair, then became director of teacher education, a role she held for 15 years. Meyer also worked as licensure officer, a role she will continue to fill. During that time, she also earned her doctorate from Aurora University.  

As a teacher of teachers, Meyer said the College has always worked hard to ensure students would be successful.  “I just really wanted to see students flourish and make an impact for Christ on the next generation,” she said. “I really wanted them to learn the best teaching practices they could. I work with wonderful colleagues and learned a lot, even through the challenges. I got to serve on interesting committees. It was a great run.”   

Among her fondest memories are helping with Young Authors Festival. Meyer said she also learned to be flexible and adaptable in working with the Illinois State Board of Education and other agencies. “We became known as a quality  program, and those qualities are still in place now. Our alumni have been very positive of their experience, and we have alumni as far away as Malaysia. They go where they are called.” 

Meyer said she also appreciates Trinity’s work around diversity. “It challenged me to do a better job and make sure I wasn’t bringing any biases to my work. And it was a challenge at times to open the eyes of students who didn’t have a lot of exposure to diversity before coming here.”   

While she will continue to serve as licensure officer at Trinity, Meyer is looking forward to spending more time with her family, including three grandsons. She and her husband are also planning to travel and spend more time at the family summer home in Michigan.  

Dr. Rick Snoeyink
Before coming to Trinity in 2001, Snoeyink worked for 23 years as a teacher and coach at the Berrien Springs, Mich., public schools, Terra Ceia Christian School in North Carolina, and DeMotte (Ind.) Christian School. 

During his time at DeMotte, Snoeyink realized he wanted to continue his own education and earned a master’s degree and Ph.D. from Purdue University. His interest in educational technology was sparked during that time, and he realized he wanted to teach at the college level.  

“I knew [Professor of Education Emerita] Liz and Jack Rudenga, and I came to Trinity to spend a day consulting on technology standards. Liz let me know there was an opening in the Education Department. I applied and got the job.” 

Along with his teaching responsibilities, Snoeyink impacted the College and its community in many other roles, including as chair of the Education Department, chair of the Teacher Education Committee, and chair of the Education Student Advisory Committee. He has also served faithfully as Director of Online Instruction for the College. And as long-time chair of the Technology and Student Learning Committee, he has trained more than 100 professors in Trinity’s online instruction course. 

When Snoeyink started focusing on educational technologies, his tools included cassette tapes and Commodore 64 computers. That evolved to far more sophisticated tools and approaches, including quickly moving the entire Trinity community to the Brightspace learning management software after the campus closed down in March 2020 because of COVID-19. “We weren’t planning to move that quickly, but everything was in place and ready,” he said. “It was a crazy year and a half. So many faculty had to learn so quickly. It was a challenge, but I’m glad I could help.” 

During his classes, he always encouraged students to use technology, but more importantly, to understand how technology can be used. “It’s not about the tools. The technology always going to be changing, so you can’t get too hung up on that. It’s about the pedagogy and what are you doing with the tools. It’s about what works.” 

A graduate of Calvin University, Snoeyink and his wife are considering a move back to the Grand Rapids, Mich., area to be closer to family. An avid bicyclist and photographer, he plans to continue those hobbies. “I would like to stay involved in learning somehow. One thing I’m thinking about would be bicycle mechanics class,” he said. 

Congratulations to both professors on this well-deserved honor! 

Earlier this month, Trinity’s Social Work Department welcomed the newest members of the College’s Phi Xi Chapter of Phi Alpha Honor Society.

Congratulations to the social work majors who were inducted!

• Inshirah Aljuneidi

• Amanda Carberry

• Rebecca Carlson

• Gabrielle Espinos

• Brianna Figueroa

• Lily Ruckman

• Olivia Schuringa

• Grace Thelo

The purpose of Phi Alpha Honor Society is to provide a closer bond among students of social work and promote humanitarian goals and ideas. Phi Alpha fosters high standards of education for social workers and invites into membership those who have attained excellence in scholarship and achievement in social work.

The value of Trinity’s special education teaching programs is nearly impossible to quantify: Our special education majors go on to change the lives of students by cultivating relational peace, educational equity, and justice for all children and impacting the mind, body, and soul of each student through excellence in teaching.

So, the College is particularly pleased to see the value of our undergraduate and graduate degrees in special education recognized by Grad Degree Search. According to the rankings organization, Trinity has been recognized in several categories, including among the top 10 in the Great Lakes Region for both types of degrees! Our bachelor’s and master’s degrees were also honored with a top-50 rankings nationwide.

— 7th in Best Value Special Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region Ranking

—9th in Best Value Special Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region Ranking

— 44th in Best Value Special Education Master’s Degree Schools Ranking

— 49th in Best Value Special Education Schools Ranking

“When determining this ranking, we place a high emphasis on the school’s quality as well as its sticker price,” Grad Degree Search noted. “Even though a college may be affordable, it may not offer value.”

Trinity brings value in many ways, according to Christine Scholma ’04, assistant professor of special education and co-director of the Center for SPED. “One of the added values of Trinity’s special education program includes a variety of partnerships with local schools,” said Scholma. “Through these partnerships, students with disabilities come to campus to learn alongside Trinity special education majors. Prospective teachers get the opportunity to apply what they are learning in class by teaching local students about community living.”

During an extraordinary year, Trinity students continued to show their commitment to leadership, the College, and to each other.

“In so many ways, all of our students are so deserving of honor and recognition,” said Becky Starkenburg, vice president for student life & Title IX coordinator. “You’ve been resilient, you’ve been committed,  you’ve stuck with it. This has been a hard year, and yet in so many ways you have held together as a Trinity community, whether on campus or off, whether in person or remote.”

Congratulations to all of the nominees and honorees!

Diversity Scholar of the Year Award Recipient

Award recipient: Bolu Jegede

The winner of this year’s Diversity Scholar of the Year award, Jegede was lauded for being innovative and motivated and serving as a light to the world.

Catherine Yonker Award Recipient

Award recipient:  Melanie Wolf

This award recognizes a member of the community who has made significant contributions to racial reconciliation and cross-cultural understanding. A nursing student, Wolf was recognized for exemplifying these qualities in the program, challenging both the nursing department and her peers to address racism in terms of teaching and content and racial issues across campus.

Student Government Association Outstanding Service Award

Nominees:  Ross Barz, Jacob McCleary, Easton Armstrong, James Beyer, Leah Wideman, Nick Tambrini, Kyra Khan, and  Ashley Martinez

Award recipient: Jacob McCleary

McCleary’s service to Trinity has included serving as a transfer Thrive mentor, part of the Multicultural Engagement Leadership team, and as a senior class representative for SGA. McCleary was noted for his efforts to make students feel safe and welcome on campus, as well as for rising above the challenges of remote learning during COVID to create an inclusive campus culture. 

Outstanding Student Leader Award

Nominees: Ranita Luhur, Easton Armstrong, Lily Ruckman, Alayna Schipper, Nino Carrico, and Savannah Gil

Award recipients: Ranita Luhur and Kyra Khan

The Outstanding Student Leader Award is given in honor of two of Trinity’s exceptional student leaders who have gone above and beyond in their service to the College.

Trinity’s Student Life Award winners, as well as the winners of the Athletics Departments awards, were honored in a virtual ceremony on May 12. You can view the ceremony here.