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Commencement is always a joyful occasion as graduates, along with their family, friends, professors, and staff, come together to celebrate the years of hard work and accomplishments that has led to achieving academic degrees.
This year’s commencement represented twice the cause for celebration, as Trinity honored the graduates of both the classes of 2021 and 2020! Graduates were recognized in two different ceremonies at Ozinga Field in Crestwood, Ill., to allow for safe social distancing.
The morning program was dedicated to traditional undergraduate students from the Class of 2021. The afternoon program focused on adult program and master’s candidates, as well as members of the Class of 2020, who were honored virtually last year because of COVID-19.
President Kurt D. Dykstra, J.D., welcomed everyone to this special day.
In both ceremonies, the reflection, “Living Well in Liminal Times,” was offered by Rev. Willis (Bill) VanGroningen, Ph.D., chaplain and dean of spiritual formation, who is retiring from Trinity this summer.
“We are living in liminal times, in times of great transition and disruption,” said VanGroningen. “But we can live well in liminal times.”
He urged graduates to remember four ideas during these times:
- Love
Nothing is more central or necessary. - Be generous
Live with an openness of heart and soul. - Courage
It takes courage to love God and live generously. - Beauty
Beauty carries its own justification and reward.
“With Jesus, we truly are all in this together,” he said.
In both ceremonies, Laura E. Zumdahl, Ph.D., ’02 Chair, Board of Trustees, greeted graduates and their guests.
Provost Aaron Kuecker, Ph.D., lauded two long-time Trinity professors who are retiring and receiving emeriti status: Joy Meyer, 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.
Kuecker also presented Professor of History David Brodnax, Sr., Ph.D., with the professor of the year award for 2021-22, as well as recognizing Trinity’s Honors students, departmental award winners and Diversity Scholars.
As part of the afternoon event, Kuecker again recognized faculty members Dr. Helen Van Wyck, professor of music, and Dr. Liz Rudenga, professor of education, who retired in 2020 and had received emeriti status. Dr. Yudha Thianto, professor of theology, was also acknowledged as Trinity’s Professor of the Year for 2020-21.
During the morning ceremony, Ross Barz ‘21, Trinity’s 2020 Lincoln Laureate, provided the invocation. Noelani Cortina, M.A. ’20, provided the invocation for the 2 pm ceremony.
Vice President for Student Life & Title IX Coordinator Rebekah Starkenburg, M.A., gave the benediction.
Trinity’s Gospel Choir, directed by Nicole Saint-Victor ’15, performed the postlude.
For the 10 am ceremony, the livestream can be viewed here, and the program is available here.
For the 2 pm ceremony, the livestream can be viewed here and the program is available here.
The commencement photogallery can be found on Facebook.
At Trinity, small class sizes and dedicated professors allow for the kinds of hands-on research that many undergraduates don’t get at larger institutions. These sorts of experiences lead to extraordinary opportunities.
As one example, three Trinity alumni, Laura DeVries ‘20, Cara Horstman ‘18, and Marie (Sonnenburg) Fossell ‘19, along with Professor of Biology Clay Carlson, Ph.D., recently published an article in a peer-reviewed journal, based on research they conducted during their time at Trinity.
The article, “Ingestion of Bifidobacterium longum (changed to italics) changes miRNA levels in the brains of mice,” was published in the April issue of PLOS One. Their research investigated the relationship between the microbiota of the gastrointestinal system, behavioral characteristics related to Autism Spectrum Disorder, and relative gene expression of miRNAs in the brain. Their works makes a connection between a beneficial probiotic and changes in the brain.
“This project was possible because each of my coauthors spent years working hard in the lab and because of their hard work we have learned something new about the world. I am so proud of each of them,” said Carlson.
Trinity Christian College mourns the sudden and unexpected passing of Martin Ozinga III on Monday, April 26, even as it celebrates his good and faithful life. Ozinga was 71.
Ozinga served multiple terms on Trinity’s Board of Trustees, and served as Chair of the Board from 2014 through 2015. In a message to campus on Monday afternoon announcing Ozinga’s passing, President Kurt D. Dykstra highlighted Ozinga’s longstanding, deep, and generational commitment to Trinity. “Marty continued the legacy of his father Martin Ozinga II, one of our founders, of great care and concern for Trinity Christian College. He was kind and generous to so many and surely to us as a place. The reminder of his faithfulness to Trinity can be seen in nearly every square inch of the campus – from buildings and hard surfaces, to support of programs, to support of employees, and, of course, to the provision of scholarship money for students.”
It is not unusual to refer to the broader Ozinga family as Trinity’s “First Family.” As Dykstra noted, “We here at Trinity were a special recipient of Marty’s time, talent, and treasure. That generosity started with his father, continued with him, and now is passed to the next generation of the Ozinga family – some of whom are our alumni and one of whom, Aaron ‘03, presently is a Trustee on the Board of Trustees.”
Marty Ozinga III most recently served as the chairman of the Board at Ozinga, a fourth-generation family business known for its excellence, mission-mindedness, and innovation in the areas of concrete and logistics. Throughout Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Florida, the company is instantly recognizable by its red and white striped concrete mixer trucks.
In an announcement of Ozinga’s passing, the Company highlighted his significant impact on and leadership of the company. Ozinga began working for Ozinga at age 15 as a $1-per-hour laborer in the company’s first yard in Evergreen Park, Ill. By 18, he was driving a ready-mix concrete truck for union wages while earning a degree in psychology. He became general manager in 1973 at age 23 and, in 1985, succeeded his father as president of Ozinga. Marty was married to his wife Ruth for 40 years until her passing in 2010. Ruth, too, was active at Trinity, participating as a member of Trinity’s Women’s Guild, designing banners for the College and, along with her husband, serving as co-chair of Trinity’s 50th anniversary capital campaign. In 2006, Marty III and Ruth were honored with Trinity’s Global Service Award.
Together, they raised their six sons, four of whom attended Trinity.
In 2012, Ozinga III handed over the operations of the family business to his six sons and their cousin Jeff, representing the fourth generation of Ozinga ownership.
According to Trinity’s Associate Vice President for Advancement Dennis Harms ’89, Ozinga’s generosity has impacted generations of Trinity students. “Ozinga has long been known as one of the largest employers of Trinity business alumni. Marty not only believed in the College, he put it into practice by hiring Trinity alumni to work in many key areas of his company. When the business program started a business advisory committee, Marty was an active participant,” he said.
Ozinga, with other members of his family, also supported several endowed and funded scholarships that have benefitted hundreds of Trinity students over the years. The company was also a regular sponsor and supporter of Trinity events, including the annual Trinity Athletic Club Golf Classic.
He was, as Dykstra noted, “as committed to Trinity as any person could be to a college.”
Ozinga is survived by his wife, Melissa, his six sons, their wives, and twenty-nine grandchildren. He was a brother of the late Ken (Judy) Ozinga and Beverly Ozinga, brother-in-law of the late Theodore (Niki) Gombis and Dr. Leon (Kathryn) Gombis and a fond uncle of many nieces and nephews.
Ozinga’s funeral will be held on Monday, May 3, at 11 a.m. at the Martin & Janet Ozinga Chapel on the campus of Trinity Christian College. COVID capacity limitations, social distancing, and masking protocols will be used to ensure the safety of those in attendance. The funeral service will be livestreamed. Colonial Chapel is handling the arrangements and both obituary and funeral details are available at its website.
It may have been snowing outside last Tuesday, but the tradition of OPUS continued! While some aspects looked a little different, due to maintaining safety protocols, the day was a celebration of scholarship, music, art, and more. This year also marked the 1st Annual GRUMPUS–a fantastic extension of OPUS that includes graduate research projects hosted through a partnership with the OPUS committee and Graduate Faculty.
Winners of this year’s OPUS competitions include:
OPUS 2021 Music Competition
Vocal solo
1st Place
Olivia De Jong: “Now Robed in Cool Refreshing Green,” from The Creation, by F. J. Haydn
2nd Place (tie)
Javonta Howard: “Summertime,” from Porgy and Bess, by George Gershwin
Ryan Van Gilst: “With You,” from Pippin, by Stephen Schwartz
Instrumental solo
1st Place
Ranita Luhur, piano: Winter Rhapsody, by Dennis Alexander
2nd Place
Nathan Hiltner, trumpet: An Autumn Day, by Herbert L. Clarke
3rd Place
Jack Waanders, piano: Fantasia in D Minor, K. 397, by W. A. Mozart
Original composition
1st Place
Nathan Hiltner: Onwards, for concert band
2nd Place
Angie Castro: “To Pray,” for soprano and piano
3rd Place
Madison Mills: Spring 2021, for viola, cello, and piano
OPUS 2021 Art Show
Best in Show
Gabrielle Lenting: Decomposing City
Drawing, Painting, and Mixed Media
1st Place
Maggie Pate: Floral Portrait
2nd Place
Melanie Van Til: Saysha
3rd Place
Anne James: Self-Critical
Graphic Design & Digital Design
1st Place
Ryan Van Gilst: Rural Flight
2nd Place
Reanne Fopma: Family Through Fonts
3rd Place
Reanne Fopma: New Lens
Printmaking & Photography
1st Place
Yuri Coleman: Before and After Virus
2nd Place
Gabrielle Lenting: Cyanotype
3rd Place
Julia Belcher: Untitled 3 (Native Frogsake!?)
Sculpture and 3D
1st Place
Anne James: Songbird Syndrome
2nd Place
Anne James: What Defines Woman
3rd Place
Anne James: Within Without
2021 Presentation Competition Winners
1st Place
Rachel Babiak. “Archival Study of Psalms, Hymns, & Other Theological Texts Attached to Dutch Bibles in the 18th & 19th Centuries.”
2nd Place
Alexis Langellier. “Poetry & Mathematics.”
3rd Place (tie)
Melanie VanTil. “Creating Graphic Novels: Script-writing & Illustration.”
Karen Jegadish, Alexis Langellier, and Aidan Monner. “Speedy Series for Lethargic Logarithms.”
Trinity’s students have voted, and the results are in! Congratulations to all the incoming Student Government Association officers for the upcoming academic year.
Executive Team
Executive President – Ranita Luhur
Executive Vice President – Karen Jegadish
Vice President of Communications – Ryan VanGilst
Vice President of Administration – Nathan Rogalske
Senior Class Representatives
Miracle Thurman
Evie Dykhouse
Junior Class Representatives
Matthew Tibudan
Brandi Snieder
Nicole Wideman
Sophomore Class Representatives
Mía Coronado
MJ Huizenga
Leah Lisowski
Lupe Cruz
The English Medieval Mystery Plays are some of the very first recorded examples of theatre after the Dark Ages. Trinity Theatre is delighted to present a performance of six of these plays this April, as we emerge from a sort of “dark ages” of our own.
Even though these plays are some of the oldest surviving dramatic manuscripts, there may be some confusion about them.
So, we thought you might appreciate this handy-dandy introductory guide:
What are they not?
· These are not “whodunit” mysteries a la Agatha Christie or Knives Out.
· These are not somehow stuffy or boring simply because the scripts are so old.
So, then, what are they?
· These are medieval interpretations of Bible stories.
· These showcase a range of moods and styles, from the supernatural to meaningful drama to wacky physical comedy.
In medieval England, mystery plays were first performed inside cathedrals, in part as religious instruction – especially during a time when the literacy level was lower than it is today.
After a while and for a variety of reasons, the plays had to move outdoors. When this move occurred, the plays still honored the biblical source material while also expanding the storylines.
For example, one of the most abidingly popular mystery plays is The Second Shepherds Play, which is almost entirely fictional – and is a comic farce about a sheep-theft that happened to some shepherds on the day that they would learn about the birth of Jesus.
There are surviving manuscripts from at least four geographic areas, including Wakefield, York, and Chester. There are between 24 and 48 extant mystery plays from each of these four regions, spanning the scriptural narrative from Creation to the Last Judgment.
For our Six Medieval Mystery Plays, we will be performing:
Noah
Abraham & Isaac
The Salutation of Elizabeth
The Second Shepherds Play
Lazarus
The Deliverance of Souls
Performances will be held outdoors on Trinity’s campus, in the Great Green Space between the Ozinga Chapel parking lot and the President’s Residence.
Director: Dr. John Sebestyen
Stage Manager: Katie Van Wyhe
Assistant Directors: Ryan Howey & Ryan Van Gilst
Cast:
Production Manager: Sam Jankosky
Production Assistants: Lilli Bruxvoort, Amy Meyrick, & Hailey Piorek
House Manager: Jacob McCleary
Dramaturg: Caleb Last
Scenic Designer/ Master Carpenter: Rick Schuler
Costume Designer: Machaela Whitlock
Assistant Costumer: Ally Eggert
Makeup Designers: Dani Daujatas & Evie Dykhouse
Ensemble: Jacob Contreras, Dani Daujatas, Kyle Donnelly, Evie Dykhouse, Ally Eggert, Ben Friesen, Jochebed Gwamna, Ryan Howey, MJ Huizenga, Adriana Klein, Mariel Martin, Derrieus Pendleton, Tony Reppmann, Abby Tillema, Jake Van Dyke, Ryan Van Gilst
Playwright:
Wakefield & Brome (towns from which our scripts originated)
Admission is free, but space is limited – so you must first reserve your spot by contacting Trinity’s Box Office:
(708) 293-4537
Performance Dates / Times:
· Thursday, April 22 @ 4pm
· Friday, April 23 @ 4pm
· Friday, April 23 @ 6pm
· Saturday, April 24 @ 2pm
· Saturday, April 24 @ 4pm
The performances will run 90 minutes with no intermission. Masks and physical distancing will be required and enforced. Audience members will be asked to bring their own lawn chair or blanket.
It’s national tournament time, Troll Nation! And Trinity has not one, but two, teams to cheer on to victory in National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) playoffs this week!
The women’s soccer team is playing in the Opening Round of the NAIA Soccer Tournament on April 15-17 in Williamsburg, Kentucky. The Trolls face Missouri Valley College in their first game on Thursday, April 15, at 5 pm CT. You can view the action here .
With a win on Thursday the team will play again on Saturday, April 17, at 7 pm CT.
The women’s volleyball team plays at Northwestern College in Orange City, Iowa, in the NAIA National Tournament Opening Round on Saturday, April 17. The match against Northwestern starts at 7 pm CT and can be viewed here,
Go Trolls!
Every year, Trinity accepts extraordinary students who are dedicated to making a difference in the world. And among each freshman class, the College welcomes two Founders’ Scholars, whose extraordinary spiritual, academic, and social leadership sets them apart. Trinity is pleased to announce our most recent Founders’ Scholars for the incoming class of 2025, Tyren Brown of Upper Marlboro, Md., and Kara Van Dyke of Fishers, Ind. As Founders’ Scholars, Brown and Van Dyke have both been awarded full-tuition scholarships to the College.
Brown, who attends Chesapeake Math and IT Public Charter South in Upper Marlboro, plans to major in biology and play basketball at the College. He is involved in National Honor Society and the Congressional Leadership Program. Brown has also taken part in the Spanish ministry at his church, offering translation services to those who do not speak English as a native language.
Van Dyke attends Fishers High School and is active in the Students in Action service club, volunteers as a children’s ministry teacher, and participates in dance. She actively volunteers to help victims of human trafficking and plans to major in psychology as a way to help those who need healing. Van Dyke represents the third generation of her family to be part of Troll Nation, since her father Leon Van Dyke ’86, is an alumnus and her grandfather Gerrit Van Dyke is an emeritus professor in the Biology program.
“We are thrilled to welcome Tyren and Kara into the Trinity community this fall,” said Jeanine Mozie, director of admissions. “From our largest, most competitive pool of Founders candidates yet, they emerged from the group not only as exceptionally gifted students academically, but also as students who have great potential to shape this campus through their thoughtful leadership. The interview committee found both Tyren and Kara to be dedicated, passionate, and impressive students whose enthusiasm for others and commitment to community will make a lasting impact on this place.”
Before they head to their own classrooms to shape the next generation, Trinity’s Education majors learn to cultivate relational peace, educational equity, and justice for all children and to impact every student’s life through excellence in teaching during their time here. Those stellar qualities have earned the Education program a place in the top 10 nationwide and number one in Illinois, according to College Factual.
“Any student who is interested in education needs to look into Trinity Christian College,” according to College Factual, which bases its rankings on data drawn from multiple sources, including the U.S. Department of Education.
The timing of this recognition, after such a challenging year in the field of education and teacher preparation, is a reminder of why Trinity’s Education professors, students, and staff are so dedicated to their field, according to Assistant Professor of Education and Director of Education Assessment, Innovation & Traditional Undergraduate Programs Kelly Lenarz ’99.
“Faculty, staff, and students have continued to uphold the motto we have for all of our education programs, which is ‘Serving with Excellence in Education,’” she said. “It is fantastic to be recognized for what we do and to be acknowledged for doing it well.”
Yet, the rankings are not only a reflection of the quality of the College’s undergraduate and graduate programs in education, but a recognition of the overall excellence of Trinity as an institution, Lenarz said. “We are thankful to be able to do this work in conjunction with colleagues across campus and with the support of administration,” she said.
Teachers have truly been amongst the heroes in our communities during this pandemic, as they have re-invented their work again and again in order to educate and care for their students, said Provost Aaron Kuecker, Ph.D. “We’ve long celebrated the way Trinity’s Education Department prepares people to teach with just that sort of creativity, commitment, excellence, and orientation toward justice and the flourishing of their students. This award is wonderful affirmation of the work of our department, our students, and the wider faculty and staff at Trinity,” he said. “We are honored to prepare teachers who can seek the good of their future students and communities.”
Trinity’s Education programs, which include undergraduate and master’s degrees, as well as an adult undergraduate degree completion program, equips teachers with a solid core of foundational studies that parallels the mission of the College and applies to all areas of learning, living, and working. Qualified and experienced faculty combine rigorous content and extensive and intensive classroom practice in their program courses. The College provides learning and field experiences essential to the development of competent and confident teachers. And Trinity’s curriculum guides students to form connections between subject matter, best practice teaching strategies, diverse classroom settings, and the world beyond the classroom.
Photo: Nursing students Jamie Park ’21 (left) & Anna Smagacz ’21
–By Angie Fratto
The COVID-19 pandemic has affected life for most people, but maybe, most notably, those entering the medical field. It has been particularly difficult for higher education nursing departments across the country that were attempting to prepare their students for real-world experience.
Most programs in the United States shifted their focus to online learning in 2020, which meant in-person clinicals were no longer a viable option to train up the next generation of nurses. While Trinity made the tough, but necessary, decision to move to an online program in 2020, the faculty and staff in the Nursing Department worked tirelessly behind the scenes to find creative ways to ensure their students were still on the front lines, learning during a pandemic. This was not only online but in-person, hands on with patients, albeit while wearing full personal protective equipment (PPE).
Department Chair and Associate Professor of Nursing Tina Decker ‘06, DNP made it her mission to get the students the work they desired to be fully prepared for their upcoming transition into their nursing careers.
According to Jamie Park ’21, she was amazed at the level of work involved to ensure each of the students was placed with in-person clinicals, a feat that she will be forever grateful for. “I know there was so much planning that went on behind the scenes and I can never thank Dr. Decker enough for all she did for each and every one of us,” she said.
Park acknowledged that it was a tough moment when she realized that she would be going home in 2020 and moving to an online program. The struggles of school in an online environment were heightened at home for Park, yet she found great support in her fellow classmates. The small, tight-knit group of seniors kept in touch with each other by text, phone, and email, keeping each other motivated and cared for–something she knew firsthand would not happen many places.
Here at Trinity, Park feels known, at home, and like she has a place in the world. She said, “Trinity Nursing program is ranked number one for a reason. It’s a challenging program for a reason, because it prepares you for the real world of nursing, and all the people here really, truly care for you.”
Anna Smagacz ’21 knows firsthand how strong the Trinity Nursing program is, as she started her journey to nursing at a different institution before transferring to Trinity. Her experience here has gone far beyond her expectations, and she said the nursing professors and staff always make her feel welcome, important, and part of something bigger than herself. She experienced the value of Trinity’s whole person approach to nursing, looking at the mind, body and spirit and valuing every part of that person. This unique view was inspiring to Smagacz and helped her view the nursing profession through a new, more empathetic lens. “This level of care, this holistic care, is not something you see everywhere, and it’s what makes Trinity stand out from other places.”
Both students highly complimented the professors and support staff in the Nursing department at Trinity during this laborious time. “Dr. Sarah Gouwens and Prof. Tammy Boll created a great environment – fun, yet still learning the necessities and skills we need to do the job. They shared their personal stories and gave real world experience, not just textbook knowledge” said Park. She also shared that when dealing with late night shifts at hospitals, Boll was always available any time day or night to answer questions. “She always worked to ensure her students were nothing but successful in their nursing fields,” said Park.
Another tangible way that the Nursing Department has worked to prepare students and establish the experience they need is through its participation in the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) campaign to help vaccinate the public against COVID-19.
“At Trinity, our Bachelor of Science in Nursing graduates are both clinically excellent and deeply caring,” said Decker. “Trinity’s Department of Nursing has taken the AACN Pledge and all clinical nursing majors will be participating in administering vaccinations within the community setting over the course of this semester.”
Through the AACN initiative, nursing schools pledge their support to safely engage faculty, students, and other stakeholders in the work underway to administer the vaccine and educate citizens on protecting themselves against this public health threat.
The top-ranked BSN program in the state of Illinois, Trinity’s graduates have achieved a perfect first-time pass rate on the NCLEX-RN exam for five of the past six years. Click here to learn more about Trinity’s nursing program.