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Trinity’s Theatre Department is proud to announce the Third Annual 24-Hour Theatre Project, a fun and engaging challenge for various members of the College’s community. The project begins on Friday, Sept. 21 and wraps up with performances on Saturday, Sept. 22 at 8 pm and 10 pm.

The 24-Hour Theatre Project is a novel trend in the world of theatre, but it has quickly become an annual staple for many high school and college programs across America.  In this activity, theatre-makers work together to create brand new plays—from writing to rehearsal to performance—in the span of 24 hours.  This is a major challenge, but one that brings with it much excitement and entertainment, according to participants.

For Trinity’s third annual event, current students from all majors, alumni, staff, and faculty will come together to write, direct, act, and provide technical support for six original plays.  These plays, which will be written overnight on the evening prior to performance, will all respond to a photograph taken by a member of the Trinity community.  Last year’s photographer, Claire Sukamto ‘19, said, “Being the inspiration for multiple plays that each had an interesting and unique point of view really blew my mind.  It showed me new perspectives and interpretations I had never thought of before.”

Not only does the 24-Hour Theatre Project connect to Trinity students; it also extends a hand of hospitality to high school students in the surrounding area.  Trinity has formed a partnership with multiple high schools in and around our Palos Heights, Ill., campus to place several students on the project teams, both as actors and as techs.

“This project offers people the chance to practice creative problem-solving while investigating how to understand and tell a dramatic story well,” said Dr. John Sebestyen, Associate Professor of Communication Arts and Director of Theatre at Trinity.  “It expands our perspective, experience, and understanding.”

All members of the Trinity community are encouraged to attend either performance on Sept. 22. More information is available here.

At Trinity, students have many opportunities for engaged, collaborative learning. One example is through the work of the Trinity Honors Research Team, which spent two weeks in Pignon, Haiti, last May. The trip was in partnership with Many Hands for Haiti (MH4H) and Ozinga, Inc., who all share a vision to empower the people of Haiti through community-based research and God’s guidance.

On Sept. 5, Trinity hosted a Haiti Honors Stakeholders Conversation in the Grand Lobby in Ozinga Chapel during which participating Trinity students and faculty joined in a conversation with stakeholders to share experiences and insights into the project.

The conversation focused on informing the campus community how three institutional partners made the May trip successful and focused on two questions. First: when was the moment when you felt that something genuinely surprising was happening, something radically different from similar projects? Second: what do you believe this tri-institutional partnership makes possible?

These questions created a process to collect data and open conversations about pathways forward. “We’re dreaming about what this partnership makes possible,” said Assistant Professor of Sociology Lenore Knight Johnson, Ph.D., who serves as a faculty partner for the research team.

The seeds of the partnership were planted in Fall 2016, with several Trinity students who expressed interest in a humanitarian trip to Haiti. This fit into Trinity Pres. Kurt Dykstra’s commitment to extend Trinity’s influence through partnerships with other communities and organizations and give Trinity students a chance to improve the lives of those in need, and improve the world through their faith and knowledge.

Provost Aaron Kuecker, Ph.D., reached out to Tim Brand, executive director of MH4H, an organization with years of experience in Haiti, and Aaron Ozinga ’03, president of Ozinga Materials & Logistics Inc., who has also been involved with helping the people of Haiti for years. As Ozinga said during the panel discussion: “We have the responsibility to reconcile the broken world around us.”

The result of the collaboration resulted in a three-year pilot program. “This is true interdisciplinary, problem-solving research,” said Kuecker.

Among the specific projects, the team focused on “The First 1,000 Days,” which helps mothers understand the importance of quality care, nutrition, and medical needs of newborns and young children. Trinity’s researchers conducted interviews with community members and staff members at MH4H, to discern people’s attitudes towards the First 1,000 Days program.

“This experience repesents a true liberal arts education,” said Josiah Rosario ’18, who participated in the research. Said Aubrey Weedman ’21, “I wanted this opportunity to study and understand another culture, and to be part of a true unity of effort.”

In all, 15 Trinity representatives participated in the trip. Johnson and Professor of Communication Arts Craig Mattson, Ph.D., served as faculty advisors. Trinity students and recent graduates included Mallory Boyce ’19; Morgan DeRuiter ’18; Emily Homman ’21; Cara Horstman ’18; Ryan Howey ’21; Miranda Nikkel ’18; Kortney Pollema ’19; Rosario; Hannah Slager ’19; Jon Sturrus ’19; Addison VanWeelden ’18; Elizabeth Vander Wall ’18; and Weedman.

Trinity Christian College has once again been named among the “Best Colleges” among Regional Colleges—Midwest by U.S. News & World Report for 2019.

Trinity was ranked 21^st among Midwestern regional colleges in this year’s survey. The College was also ranked among the top 25 “Best Values” among Midwest regional colleges. U.S. News also recognized Trinity for its high percentage of international students.

“At Trinity Christian College, we believe that the world needs well-educated, passionate, prepared college graduates, and we focus on getting our students ready to lead in whatever field they are called to and wherever that calling might take them,” said President Kurt D. Dykstra. “We are pleased that U.S. News & World Report has recognized how our students are equipped to make a difference in their organizations and companies, communities, and in the world.”

The U.S. News rankings are based on qualitative and quantitative information in several categories, including peer assessment, graduation and retention rates, faculty resources, admissions selectivity, financial resources, and alumni giving. The “Best Value” ranking considers the ratio of quality to price; percentage of undergraduates receiving scholarships or grants; and average discount.

Dennis Harms ’89, Trinity’s Associate Vice President for Advancement, has received Prime Officer status from Reeher, in recognition for being a top gift officer. Harms received this honor at the Vista Executive Conference last week.

According to Reeher, this award recognizes the top gift officers in its community, as a result of analyzing the activities in fiscal year 2018 of over 1,650 gift officers on its platform. Reeher builds data-driven software designed to enable higher education advancement teams.

At Trinity, Harms plans, organizes, and leads the College’s major gifts program and establishes relationships between Trinity and area businesses.

Congratulations on this well-deserved honor!

The Trinity community today mourns the passing of philanthropist and businessman Richard M. DeVos, who entered into glory on Thursday, Sept. 6, in Ada, Mich.

“During his 92 years, Rich was not only an extraordinarily successful businessman. He was also a Christian who always lived by his strong ideals of generosity and faith,” said President Kurt D. Dykstra, J.D. “Those of us at Trinity know that spirit of giving here, as have many others around the world who have benefited from the leadership, values, and kindness of Rich and his late wife, Helen. We extend our condolences to the DeVos family, even as we take comfort knowing that Rich has gone to his eternal reward in Heaven.”

Trinity’s DeVos Athletics and Recreation Center, which was dedicated in 2013, was named in honor of Rich and Helen. The DeVos family continued to be faithful supporters of the College throughout the years, and Rich visited campus several times as part of Trinity Business Network and Christians for the Advancement of Business Leadership in Education (CABLE) events.

DeVos was a co- founder of Amway and owner of the Orlando Magic NBA team. A World War II veteran, DeVos also served as director of the Board of Home Ministries of the Christian Reformed Church.

He is survived by his children and their spouses Dick and Betsy, Dan and Pamella, Cheri, and Doug and Maria; grandchildren and their spouses Rick and Melissa, Elissa and Nate, Andrea and Michael, Ryan, Cassandra and Heath, Sydney and Andrew, Cole, Hannah, Katie, Ben, Jessa, Addie, Dalton, Micaela and Jordan, Monreau, and Olivia; and great-grandchildren Clara, Sloane, Remington, Richard, Wilhelmina, Aurelia, Taggart, and Riven. He is also survived by two sisters, Bernice Heys and Janice (Bob) Courts.

Trinity is pleased to announce that several members of our community have been named to the board of foreverU, a youth empowerment organization founded by alumnus Ryan Hesslau ’18.

Recently announced board members include:

–Rick Hamilton: retired Professor of Business

–Christian Perry ‘16: Founder, Speaker & Youth Empowerment Coordinator at Grind Grately.

–Rick Riddering: Vice President of Enrollment at Trinity, Owner & Consultant at NorthStar360 LLC.

–Kendra Zantingh: Internship Specialist & Professor of Human Resources at Trinity

“I’m thrilled to have these individuals join me as we take our mission to a new level,” said Hesslau. “Thank you to those of you who’ve believed in me since 2012, and for believing in our mission of ensuring no youth walk through life alone. It’s time to dream bigger.”

foreverU is a 501(c)(3) youth empowerment organization that exists to ensure no youth walk through life alone by offering empowerment camps, retreats, and programs to students from all walks of life. At the core of our mission, we are simply helping youth find their place in the world by equipping them to live a life of impact and influence – no matter what battle they are up against. For more about foreverU, visit the organization’s website.

As programming and communications manager at Art on Sedgwick, Hannah Dykstra ’17 said she has found a career that works “perfectly” with her double majors of art education and graphic design. She credits Professor of Art & Design John Bakker, a member of the governing board of the art center in Chicago’s Old Town neighborhood, with helping her first learn about Art on Sedgwick.

And this summer, she and Bakker had the opportunity to teach a class together at Art on Sedgwick. The class was funded through Chicago’s After School Matters program, which is a non-profit organization that provides Chicago public high school teens with opportunities to explore and develop their talents. “Our program’s purpose was creating energy around the ways Old Town supports all of its residents, businesses, and schools through public artwork,” Dykstra said. “It also gave the students a sort of apprenticeship to live as a working artist and introduced them to a variety of ways that art could change people’s ideas about a place.”

The class focused on figure drawings. According to Bakker, the theme of the class meshed with Art on Sedgwick’s mission, which uses art as a catalyst to bring diverse communities together. “We worked to soften the economic, racial and age divides across the Old Town community,” said Bakker, whose work focuses on portraits. “It culminated in high school students doing dry erase marker drawings of Old Town business people on their shop windows. Of course, the students had to speak with the business people regarding the project; allowing the business people to get to know the students. Perhaps they might even think about hiring some of them!”

The course also drew a diverse group of about 15-20 students. “The students/artists-in-training were mostly from the Old Town community,” said Dykstra. “More than half were from Marshall Field Garden Apartments, the affordable housing apartment building where Art on Sedgwick rents their storefront. The other half were from all over Chicago.”

Dykstra first learned of  Art on Sedgwick while finishing up her graphic design degree. “Prof. Bakker mentioned that Art on Sedgwick was in need of teaching artists. He gave my contact information to Charlie Branda, the founder and executive director, and she hired me to teach a class back in 2016.” After graduating, Dykstra was offered her current position. “I enjoy the variety of work I do, and I’m able to use my skills as an artist as well as designer and teacher,” she said.

When Trinity’s nursing students receive their degrees, they are prepared for a world that needs them. Once again, Trinity alums continued their perfect first-time pass rate on the NCLEX-RN exam. This success represents the third time in four years that the College is celebrating a 100% pass rate.

“The nursing faculty at Trinity strive to help prepare students to be outstanding hands-on nurses, but recognize for that to happen graduates must first pass the NCLEX examination for licensure,” said Nursing Department Chair Tina Decker, D.N.P. “With this exam being so important, the department strategically designs content review and testing preparation throughout the curriculum so that when students graduate we can confidently say, ‘You are ready!’

“We are so proud that all of the hard work of the students and faculty from 2018 has resulted in the best possible outcome of 100% of the graduates passing the NCLEX on their first attempt, and a wonderful new batch of BSN-prepared RNs can go out into the world to give top-notch patient care,” she said.

The exams are administered by NCSBN, the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, through which boards of nursing act and counsel together to provide regulatory excellence for public health, safety, and welfare. The exam is taken after the student graduates from a bachelor’s degree-granting nursing program.

Trinity’s nursing program, which is ranked the top BSN program in Illinois by RegisteredNursing.org, is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

Click here to learn more about Trinity’s nursing program.

Tim Lowly: August 27 to September 27, 2018 in the Seerveld Gallery
Thursday, September 27, Lecture: 6:00 p.m. ARCC DeWitt Lobby
Closing Reception: 7:00 p.m., Seerveld Gallery, ARCC

Chicago artist, musician, and teacher Tim Lowly’s work is currently being featured at the Seerveld Gallery in the Art & Communication Center through Sept. 27.

Lowly integrates painting, drawing, installation, digital media, and music in his art. His work blends realism and quiet spirituality, and his creative efforts have earned him a reputation an accomplished artist over the last 30 years.

Lowly shows a variety of subjects in this gallery show, “re: Rainbow Girl.” Several will focus on his daughter Temma, who has a clinical diagnosis of “multiple impairment” or “spastic quadriplegia.” Lowly’s work has been deeply impacted by his daughter. “Part of my fairly political agenda is to say that disabled children are part of life,” he said. “These are not freaks. What I’m saying is that we should advocate for eyes of compassion that see human beings as human beings, rather than separating them into beautiful, the ugly, the normal, the freak.”

He often works in egg tempera, an exacting medium that involves mixing egg yolk to create paint color. The process dates to the Renaissance.

Lowly has shown his work throughout the country, and we are thrilled to welcome him to Trinity.

Lowly was born in Hendersonville, N.C., in 1958. The son of medical missionaries, he spent several years growing up in South Korea. He received his BFA degree from Calvin College in 1981. He, his wife Sherrie and daughter Temma live in Chicago. Lowly is a professor at North Park University, where he teaches, serves as gallery director and artist-in-residence. He is represented by Koplin Del Rio Gallery, Seattle. Click here to learn more about Lowly and his work.

During their time at Trinity, Evan Witmer ’18 and Tony Dykstra ’18 didn’t become just roommates–they are also collaborating on a crypto-currency based app called .HIVE that rewards users for hanging out at their favorite spots.

And they are working to roll out the app soon, with beta-testing to begin on Trinity’s campus this fall.

Witmer and Dykstra recently spoke with “Blockchain News” about their interest in bitcoin, the mentorship of Assistant Professor of Business Omar Sweiss, and how Trinity’s university partnership with tech incubator 1871 in downtown Chicago has allowed them to launch their careers as entrepreneurs. Read the entire article here.