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Trinity Christian College is pleased to announce that Jeremy Klyn ‘02 has been named Director of Alumni and Family Engagement. He has worked at the College for the past 16 years, most recently serving as Executive Director of Admissions and Financial Aid.

“It is hard to think of someone better suited to this role than Jeremy,” said President Kurt D. Dykstra. “This is a wonderful new challenge for Jeremy, wholeheartedly endorsed by the leadership of our Alumni Board, and great news for our ongoing efforts to better stay in touch with the more than 10,000 Trinity alumni.”

In this role, Klyn will serve as a key connector between our alumni as well as families of current students regarding opportunities at Trinity, including the Troll Nation Network and Legacy Program.

A native of Oskaloosa, Iowa, Klyn graduated from Trinity in 2002 with degrees in theology and church/ministry leadership.

Prof. of History John Fry, Ph.D., recently presented at the Midwestern History Conference in Grand Rapids, Mich.

He participated on a panel titled “‘Everyone Has a Wilder Story:’ Laura Ingalls Wilder, the Midwest, and Historical Research.”

“It was a privilege to join Bill Anderson and John Miller,” Fry noted on his blog, “The Faith of Laura Ingalls Wilder.” “We each told the story of how we came to research and write about Laura Ingalls Wilder.”

Fry is currently writing a book that explores the faith of the famous author of the “Little House” books.

The conference. which was held May 30-31, was sponsored by the Midwestern History Association and hosted by the Hauenstein Center for Presidential Studies at Grand Valley State University (GVSU). It was held at GVSU’s Pew Campus in downtown Grand Rapids.

Coyote Run Golf Course in Flossmoor, Ill., was the perfect setting for the Annual Alumni Golf Outing on June 1. The event raised $11,500 for the Alumni Excellence Scholarship Fund, which benefits the children of alumni.

“We were blessed with a sunny, breezy day which created a great setting for good fellowship, a lot of fun on the course, and some great golf as well,” said Rick Van Dyken ‘83, Vice President for Advancement. “The Alumni Board was very helpful in raising significant scholarship support for Trinity students of alumni parents. The course was great, the food was delicious and the fellowship was fantastic. I hope we will get more alumni out next year to experience this great event.”

For Jeremy Klyn ‘02, the event marked the first time he attended the golf outing in his new role of Director of Alumni and Family Engagement. “While so many things have changed in our nearly 60 years of existence, the one constant has been the rich relationships that develop on campus and continue beyond graduation,” said Klyn, who recently transitioned from his previous position as the College’s Executive Director of Admissions. “The passion our alumni have for this place helps ensure that the next generation of Trolls can afford Trinity and leave this place ready to impact our world.”

Thanks to the generous support of event and hole sponsors, the funds raised by the outing will go directly to the Alumni Excellence Scholarship Fund.

Event Sponsors

Clarence Davids & Co.

Evenhouse & Co., P.C.

FutureCeuticals

Homewood Disposal Service

Ozinga Bros, Inc.

Proven IT

Van Drunen Farms

Hole Sponsors

Aspen Group

Colonial Chap

Edward Jones

In His Image Prints

Lambert Kamp, CPA

Legacy Insurance Group

Media Resources, Inc.

Midwest Insurance

PDJ Inc. Concrete Contractors

Poly John

R Brand Homes. Inc.

Schepel Auto Group

Silva International

Bev VanDyken

Rick & Sue VanDyken

Lunch Sponsor

Warehouse Direct

Golf Ball Sponsor

Schaaf Window

Raffle Donors

Bettinardi Golf

Crystal Allen

Darwill

Homewood Disposal Service

Wentworth Tire

Laura Chávez-Dávalos, Director of the Office of Learning Services, has received Trinity’s inaugural Staff Member of the Year Award for 2019-20.

The award, which will be given annually, recognizes a distinguished staff member who has demonstrated excellence in their area of work and has made a positive impact on people or processes in the College community while advancing the mission of the College.

Dávalos said she was surprised to receive the award, considering all the other worthy staff members who work at the College. “There are so many people here who go about their day, giving 110-150%, without recognition,” she said. She added, “I certainly can’t do what I do without the support of my colleagues.”

As director of OLS, Dávalos oversees the area of the College that offers our Bridge Program, peer tutoring, supplemental instruction, academic coaching/mentoring, and disability services.

Dávalos’s nominations cited her compassion, faithfulness, and willingness to work with students and others in the community to reach their potential. According to one nomination, “I know no one who is as far deep ‘in the weeds’ with our most emotionally vulnerable, academically fragile students as she is… Laura works with them day-to-day: supporting them, listening to them, caring for them, staying on top of them when they fall behind in their coursework: carrying their pains and burdens. To me, it’s the apex of Christlike selflessness. And she does it joyfully, indefatigably.”

Another noted that “she has an unwavering faith in the abilities of students she serves and faith that the Holy Spirit is at work in their lives. Laura does not hesitate to have difficult conversations in which she calls students to honor the talents with which they’ve been blessed by communicating their needs and working hard toward the goal of graduation.”

A native of El Paso, Texas, Dávalos obtained her Masters in Education from New Mexico State University, where she served as a graduate assistant in Athletic Academics.  She then worked as a high school English teacher in New Mexico and Arizona before her husband’s career brought the family to Chicago. The move represented something of a homecoming for Davalos, who attended Wheaton College in Wheaton, Ill.

She started working for Trinity in 2013 as an adjunct faculty member through Trinity’s affiliation with By the Hand Club for Kids, which works with students in high-risk, inner-city neighborhoods in Chicago. Dávalos worked with students in the Austin neighborhood, as well as bringing them to study on Trinity’s campus.

The director position at OLS opened up in 2015. “Dr. Sharon Robbert, who was serving as interim provost, encouraged me to apply. I prayed about it and here I am. It is an honor to serve in this role.  My predecessor, Nancy Kwasteniet says it’s the best position on campus, and I have to agree.”

In her current role, Dávalos appreciates that she can explicitly share the news of the Gospel. “I worked in public schools for many years, where that wasn’t possible. My favorite part of the job is serving our students and giving back”, she said. “I desire for all of our students to understand the fullness of how they were uniquely created—body, mind and spirit and to assist them as they develop their gifts while at Trinity Christian College.”

The No. 6 Trolls concluded their pool play schedule at the NCCAA Baseball World Series in Easley, S.C., with a game against No. 10 Randall University (Moore, Okla.). Trinity scored in the first inning to take the lead and never trailed in the game. They held a 2-1 advantage after six innings, but scored four more runs in the final three innings for the 6-1 win. With the victory the team ended 1-3 in their pool and did not advance in the tournament. The Trolls finish the season with a 32-23-1 overall record.

The Trolls picked up a run in the top of the first inning when lead-off batter Chris Baker got hit by a pitch and eventually scored on a sacrifice fly by Josh Caceres.  Trinity held the 1-0 lead until Randall scored one run in the third inning to tie the game.

Trinity regained the top spot in the top of the fourth with a run off a double by Sam Herzog. Trinity was able to maintain their lead as Bryan Vanderlee was strong on the mound. Through the four middle innings he allowed only one base runner off a single. He continued to pitch through the eighth inning in which he recorded two strike-outs in the four batters he faced.

As the pitching and defense held strong, the Trolls also started to add more runs in the late innings. A single by Alex Nisle in the top of the seventh brought in one run to make it 3-1.  With two runners on base in the top of the eighth, Baker singled to right field to bring a run home. A double steal by Baker and Brandon Riemersma scored another run in the inning and the Trolls were ahead 5-1. In their final at bat Will Kulcher singled to get on base, stole second, advanced to third on an error on the play, and scored on a single by Joseph Kabbes to give the team their 6-1 lead.

In the bottom of the ninth, Christian Howell stepped to the mound to finish the game and faced four batters for the three outs.

The Trolls had nine hits for the game with Brent Norkus leading the team with two hits. Vanderlee completed eight innings and recorded the win. He gave up only five hits and struck out five batters.

On the final day of the NAIA Outdoor Track and Field National Championships in Gulf Shores, Ala., Megan DeWeerd placed in the marathon and Madelyn Clausen placed in the high jump to earn All-American status. In addition, Nicole Syverson and Hope Fathman finished the marathon.

The day started early for the team as seniors Megan DeWeerd, Nicole Syverson, and Hope Fathman were on the marathon course at 6 am EDT. In a field of 51 runners, DeWeerd was ranked 39th based on her half-marathon time. She ran a strong, consistent race and continued to gain places in each of the four loops of the 26 mile course.  Over the last seven miles she gained 12 spots to finish in eighth place overall with a time of 3:21:28.12. As a top eight finisher she became a NAIA All-American.

Syverson and Fathman crossed the line together and finished in 35th and 36th places respectively.  Syverson, who was ranked 40th coming into the event, was in 42nd place through the midway point, but gained ground in the final part of the course to finish in 35th with a time of 4:01:10.55. Fathman, who was 47th in the beginning rankings, was steady in her approach to outlast a number of other competitors. Her official time was 4:01:10.85.

In mid-afternoon, sophomore Madelyn Clausen participated in the high jump in a field of 35 jumpers. She entered the event as a top 10 jumper and finished in a tie for eighth place with a height of 5-50-.75. Only three other competitors recorded a higher jump.  Clausen cleared the first two heights on her first attempt, made 5-05.75 on her second attempt, and bowed out of the competition at 5.07.

As part of Trinity’s commencement ceremonies on May 4, Provost Aaron Kuecker Ph.D., honored the emeritations of two faculty members: Thomas R. Roose, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Physics and Science Education; and Michael Vander Weele, Ph.D., Professor of English.

Dr. Thomas Roose

Roose received his Ph.D. in 1982 and his M.S. in 1975 from Stanford University and his B.S. from the University of Illinois in 1974. Before joining the faculty of Trinity, he taught at Chicago Christian High School for six years and worked in the public and private sector for more than 20 years, including for ARCO Oil and Gas Co., the Gas Research Institute, and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. He has one patent, many trade secrets, two books, and more than 25 technical publications to his credit.

Roose’s emeritation proclamation cited his “significant academic formation along with several decades of professional preparation to teach all of the courses of the physics minor, the Foundations physical science courses, and courses in science education.”

It also pointed to his service as Chair of the Physics Department since the inception of the position; providing leadership and advocacy for his discipline, including successfully developing the minor in physics; his creative work with institutional partners to develop the Engineering 2+2 program, including formal partnerships with the University of Illinois – Chicago and Geneva College; his expertise and wisdom to multiple campus and faculty committees including CESAG (Campus Ecological Stewardship Advisory Group), Teacher Education Committee, FLUTE, and an HLC committee; his tireless advocacy for wise stewardship of God’s creation on campus, at his church, and in the broader community; his leadership of interim courses to Costa Rica to study rainforest ecosystems; and his faithful contributions to First United Methodist Church of Downers Grove, and the community through leadership in advocating for Christian environmental stewardship, his hours given to Public Action to Deliver Shelter (PADS), and his involvement with his church choir.

Dr. Michael Vander Weele

Vander Weele ’73 joined Trinity’s faculty in 1986. He has served the College as English Department chair, director of professional development, and co-founder of OPUS.

His emeritation proclamation stressed his commitment to scholarship, teaching, and service that has “shared his love of literature and language with the Trinity Christian College community, continually encouraging the College community to worship the Triune God through the radiance of words.”

Among his many contributions, Vander Weele served as a chief architect of the English department through curricular innovations that include apprentice-style courses modeled on the British tutorial method; planted numerous clusters of trees throughout the grounds, and designed a garden and curved brick path in the green commons south of Groot Hall in memory of Albertena Vander Weele; cultivated the community through collaborative writing projects with students, such as the published books Tasteful Diversity: The Stories Our Foods Tell and Voices of Redemption; organized the “End of Life Care” conference, the Edward Vander Weele Educational Lecture Series, and the annual Freshman Lecture event; produced a long career’s worth of scholarly publications, most notably on “the hospitable text,” the fiction of Marilynne Robinson, and the theology of John Calvin; served as an annual lecturer for the Association of Reformed Institutions of Higher Education; as member of the Advisory Council for the Illinois Board of Higher Education, the Ines and Calvin Seerveld Arts in Society Fund, and the national CCCU Faculty Development Board; shepherded students across the years, guiding many toward flourishing careers in literature and language; made his home an extension of campus: often hosting faculty reading groups in his living room and hosting yearly backyard barbecues for English students; and been a persistently encouraged mentor, a supportive colleague, a wise problem-solver, and a good friend to many on campus, leading in word, life, and deed.

The 2019 Faculty and Staff Luncheon continued the annual tradition of honoring those who serve the College, including for milestone anniversaries.

“Those being recognized add up to 270 years of service to this great institution,” said President Kurt D. Dykstra, who emceed the event in the Grand Lobby of Ozinga Chapel. “This is amazing and exciting to see.”

Faculty and staff recognized for years of service include:

25 Years

Sharon Robbert, Professor of Mathematics & Department Chair

20 Years

Josh Lenarz, Head Coach-Women’s Soccer

Aron Reppmann, Professor of Philosophy & Department Chair

15 Years

Bob Brickman, Head Coach—Track and Cross Country, Campus Safety Office Student Coordinator

Denise Coleman, Director of Financial Literacy Development

John Fry, Professor of History & Academic Dean

Mark Hanna, Associate Vice President for Student Life & Athletics; Athletics Director

Derrick Hassert, Professor of Psychology

Shari Jurgens, Assistant Professor of Physical Education & Department Chair

Dolores Juris, Executive Assistant to the Provost

Kathy Laning, Student Records Coordinator

Debbie Wiltjer, Bookstore Assistant

10 Years

Cini Bretzlaff-Holstein, Associate Professor of Social Work & Department Chair

Justin Huisman, Head Coach-Baseball

Anmarie Humenik, Financial Aid Specialist

Nadine Iwema, Student Account Representative

Becky Starkenburg, Vice President for Student Life

Keith Starkenburg, Professor of Theology

Mike Trochuck, Controller

Along with milestones, other recognitions included:

Catherine Yonker Award

Nicole St. Victor, Director of Multicultural Engagement, was named the recipient of this year’s Catherine Yonker Award, which is given every year to two students and one faculty or staff member for contributions toward accomplishing Christian race relations, and cross-cultural understanding within the Trinity community.

Staff Member of the Year Award

Laura Dávalos, Director of the Office of Learning Services, was the recipient of the inaugural Staff Member of the Year Award.

Eight Trinity students, along with Dr. Clay Carlson, Ph.D., associate professor of biology, took a road trip from Palos Heights to suburban Atlanta last month to present their research at the National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR).

The NCUR 2019 conference, held at Kennesaw State University, brought together students and faculty from around the country in an event that supports and promotes high-quality undergraduate student-faculty collaborative research and scholarship.

The stellar caliber of work and dedication of Trinity students and faculty was clearly on display at the conference, Carlson said. Several of the Trinity presentations attracted so much interest that people were lined up to learn more. “Our student presentations looked great,” he said.

The students who presented were:

— Larissa Brumlow Music and National Identity in Ecuadorian Pasillo

–Casey Wiegers and Abigail Lammers: Bacteriophage and Their Prey in Chicagoland Area Waterways

–Marie Sonnenburg and Laura DeVries: Can Changes in Gut Microbiota Impact Function and Make Differences in Conditions such as Autism Spectrum Disorder?

–Marie Sonnenburg and Amber Shoberg: Transfer between Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Cardiac H9c2 Cells

–Jenna Van Der Pol, Olivia Otte, and Jessica Grevenstuk: The Effect of Perceived Mutability on Racial System Justification

Carlson also expressed his gratitude for the generous support of those in the Trinity community who have made attending the NCUR conference possible. “It’s an extraordinary accomplishment to be selected to present, and attending these types of conferences offers our students invaluable experiences,” he said. “We are grateful for all the encouragement our students receive that makes this possible.”