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At May’s annual senior pinning and recognition service for nursing graduates, students were encouraged by the words of professors, fellow students, and alumni and the presence of friends and family.
“It has been an honor to teach and grow with these students,” said Tina Decker ’06, chair of the nursing department.
Chaplain Bill Van Groningen, Ph.D., delivered a message to the soon-to-graduate “agents of hope and healing” before the ceremonial hand-washing of each student.
“You are participants in God’s redemptive activity in this world,” said Van Groningen.
Following the ceremony, Keren Nobel ’15 of Dorr, Michigan, offered the class message. Amy Nagelkirk ’92, a member of the newly established Trinity Alumni Nursing Association, shared her thoughts as well.
“Fly we must,” said keynote speaker Kathy Nimmer ’91, as she addressed 241 traditional and Adult Studies graduates at Trinity’s 2015 Commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 16.
Nimmer, Indiana’s 2015 Teacher of the Year and one of four finalists for the 2015 National Teacher of the Year Award, has been teaching English and creative writing at William Henry Harrison High School in Lafayette, Indiana, for more than 22 years. Nimmer, who is blind, realized her dream of teaching and inspires her own students to realize their dreams as well.
That message carried into her Commencement address, “Flight Lessons,” to Trinity graduates. Based on Psalms 36:5, “Your mercy and loving-kindness, O Lord, extend to the skies, and Your faithfulness to the clouds,” Nimmer encouraged graduates to:
Survey your surroundings
Ready your wings
Look up
Believe that you can
Fly!
“How God will use your gifts, your abilities, your future, that answer is reachable only by flight. You can, you will, you must fly,” Nimmer said. “As you move into your future, You are in the presence of God. He goes before you.”
Commencement program
Commencement guests were greeted by Martin Ozinga III, chair of Trinity’s Board of Trustees. Brenda Vannette, mother of Rebecca Vannette of Peoria, Illinois, gave the invocation. The Commencement litany was delivered by Brenda Dillard of Plainfield, Illinois, and Kathryn Woodside of Kearney, Nebraska.
This year’s Professor of the Year award was presented to Dr. Dave Klanderman, professor of mathematics. The award recognizes the achievements of a distinguished professor who has shown excellence in teaching or scholarship. The faculty development committee chooses from nominations submitted by students, faculty, and staff.
All the graduates were welcomed to their new alumni status by Bill DeRuiter ’09, director of alumni relations. The benediction was offered by Roland Garcia, father of Student Association President Julian Garcia of Orland Park, Illinois.
Processing this year were 55 alumni from Trinity’s Heritage Class of 1965.
Members of the Trinity Honors Ensemble raised their beautiful voices in the Song of Response and the Song of Praise.
Four professors received emeritus status:
Nancy Kwasteniet, M.A., assistant professor of special education and director of the Office of Learning Services, received her master of arts from Saint Xavier University and has 17 years of service at Trinity.
Mary Webster Moore , Ph.D., associate professor of education, received her doctorate from Illinois State University and has 17 years of service at Trinity.
George Pierson, Ph.D., associate professor of philosophy, received his doctorate from the Catholic University of America and has 28 years of service at Trinity.
Donald Woo, M.S., assistant professor of education and dean for ethnic diversity and multicultural programs, received his master of science from Purdue University-Calumet and has 11 years of service at Trinity.
About Kathy Nimmer ’91
Kathy Nimmer’s writing spans many genres, both published and unpublished, consisting of essays, anthologies, poetry, memoirs, and young adult novels. Nimmer is the author of Two Plus Four Equals One and Minutes in the Dark, Eternity in the Light.
Nimmer’s many awards and honors include the Tippecanoe School Corporation Teacher of the Year
2014; William Henry Harrison High School Teacher of the Year 2013/14; Lilly Distinguished Fellow
2009; First Place, the Golden Apple 2006; and Olympic Torch Bearer 1996.
She graduated high school valedictorian from the Indiana School for the Blind in 1987, earned a
Bachelor of Arts in English education from Trinity Christian College in 1991, and received a Master of Arts in English from Purdue University in 1992.
Kathy Nimmer
Commencement Address for Trinity Christian College
May 16, 2015
FLIGHT LESSONS
Psalms 36:5. Your mercy and loving-kindness, O Lord, extend to the skies, and Your faithfulness to the clouds.
We must fly. God did not make us to be still for long, nor did He make us to have the soles of our feet in constant contact with this earth. That is why we can skip and leap and jump. That is why we can grab bars or branches and swing and flip through the air. We must fly. Like anything else in this world, we must approach flight as a lesson, learning little by little how to do what seems at first to be so foreign, so impossible. Yet flight is ours as children of God, so fly we must.
Survey your surroundings.
Look around you, what God has given you. Evidence of His gifts is everywhere. From those sitting in this room celebrating your success to those many others whose handprints are on your heart, the love, nurturing, and guidance from people in your life are gifts. Education is a gift too. Through an intricate interweaving of schools that helped you become who you are today, including Trinity Christian College that now prepares to send you onward, every learning institution is a flight school. You have training, knowledge, and experience, born of a committed journey of four-years-plus to prepare you. These gifts are as much a part of your surroundings as the walls of this room, the streets of this city, and the vastness of God’s earth. Listen to them say to you today, “We have made you ready to fly.”
Ready your wings.
But nothing in those surroundings can lift you to flight without the strength God has given you yourself. You must ready your wings, testing the resolve you have inside you to be strong and take courage. Flex those wings, ruffle your feathers, and even ruffle someone else’s feathers now and then! You have what it takes to fly; God has equipped you with so much. You have intelligence, ability, humility, resilience, faith, hope, and love. You must trust those qualities. Even through turbulent skies, our Father will use those qualities to keep you aloft, or help you fight against the wind, or sometimes soften your landing as you fall, then prepare you to start over. Hold them, love them, and cherish the knowledge that God has given you alone the exact qualities that you need for your own flight. Listen to those qualities say to you today, “We will help you to fly.”
Look up.
Besides heaven one day, where are you going? Not sure? Well, part of your answer as you prepare to fly must be that you are going up! The goal, the vision for a future that allows you to fulfill your God-given purpose … that is out there, up there. You will not reach that destination if you don’t look upward, seeking God’s direction for your life. Helen Keller said, “Never bend your head. Always hold it high. Look the world straight in the face.” That determination must be in your heart as you prepare to fly. Do not be bowed down by fear, worry, or despair. Look up for guidance, and as you tilt your head skyward, let the fears and worries and despair slide down your back and fall to the earth you are ready to leave behind. Listen to that panorama say to you today, “This is where you are going to fly.”
Believe that you can.
Now it gets harder, as the earthbound doubts that are much easier to understand can weigh you down. You may be too aware of your limitations, too eager to settle for “impossible.” Release that to God. Drop those doubts. Throw those doubts as far away from your precious, redeemed soul as you can. Doubt is like a weight, pulling you back to earth. You must believe, believe that you have been readied for such a moment as this, believe that there is a flight plan that you and only you can follow. See yourself spreading those wings. See yourself soaring. See yourself fulfilling what God has ready for you to do. Listen to that vision say to you today, “I believe you can fly.”
Fly!
What’s left? Not much, you may think. … Actually, everything. You must fly! You must fly! You must fly! There is nothing left but that one action. Make a choice: stay put or fly. Not really a choice, though, for no matter how battered or wounded or imperfect you are, your faith commands that you must fly. No matter how insecure or frightened or alone you feel, the knowledge that God is not done with you says that you must fly. There is nothing here for you if you stay because of fear, for it is all out there, up there. How God will use your gifts, your abilities, your future, that answer is reachable only by flight. You can, you will, you must fly. Now, listen to the still small voice as it whispers then says then shouts, “I believe I can fly.”
Isaiah 40:31. But those who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up as eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.
It is time. You are ready. You are not alone. As you move into your future, You are in the presence of God. He goes before you. Hear Him as you spread your wings for flight.
“I have made you ready to fly.”
“I will help you to fly.”
“This is where you are going to fly.”
“I believe you can fly.”
Because of Him, you say, “I believe I can fly.”
And amazingly, beautifully, blessedly, you do.
More than 40 students, faculty, and staff attended the 1st Annual Entrepreneurship at Trinity Dinner on May 7 to celebrate the strides business students have made over the semester in discovering their inner entrepreneur and the ways in which they can serve the greater Trinity community.
Special guests Scott Issen, Future Founders president and CEO, and Katie Sowa, Future Founders director of community engagement, presented the Outstanding Community Partnership award to Assistant Professors of Business Dr. Rick Hamilton and Kyle Harkema.
Trinity became a founding partner with the Future Founders Foundation (FFF) during the Fall 2014 semester. The College joined an impressive group of founding Community Organization and University Partners such as Business Enterprise Law Clinic at The John Marshall Law School, Coleman Entrepreneurship Center at DePaul University, Entrepreneurship Law Center at Northwestern University School of Law, Stuart School of Business at the Illinois Institute of Technology, and University of Chicago Booth School of Business, and Lewis University, among others.
“It is so much fun to see the energy, enthusiasm, and action of Trinity students as they seek to identify, define, and develop their God-given gifts for creativity and service,” Hamilton said.
Harkema echoed the sentiment. “What a joy to walk along side and be part of our student community as it engages the vibrant entrepreneurial community in the greater Chicago area.”
Throughout the academic year, 20 Trinity students participated in several FFF events ranging from the U.Pitch Competition to several E-Pass programs where students met and conversed with influential community business leaders. In addition, freshmen Ryan Hesslau of Mokena, Illinois, and Tom Iwema of Oak Lawn, Illinois, were selected to be part of a selective year-long FFF program designed to accelerate the development of “rockstar” student entrepreneurs and entrepreneurial-minded individuals.
“Trinity Christian College does a tremendous job of supporting entrepreneurship on- and off-campus, ensuring their students gain critical real world experience,” said Issen. “We are thrilled to work with a faculty and student body that exudes the entrepreneurial spirit and has a passion for learning. We look forward to building on our strong partnership to help Trinity students achieve their entrepreneurial dreams.”
During the evening, student efforts in developing independent businesses and the formation of the Trinity Entrepreneurship Club were also recognized. First officers of the Entrepreneurship Club include Tony Dykstra ’18 of Highland, Indiana; Tyler Schneider ’18 of St. Charles, Missouri; and Tanner VanMaanen ’18 of Leighton, Iowa.
Read about the exceptional opportunities Trinity business students have been afforded through this partnership:
Students Invited to Network with Top Chicago Entrepreneur
Future Founders Students Selected for Fellowship
Entrepreneurial Students Semifinalists at U.Pitch Competition
Trinity has been named as one of the “Healthiest Companies in America” for 2014 by Interactive Health, a leading provider of health management solutions. The College was one of only three colleges named.
Trinity was among the 158 honorees from across the United States recognized for embracing the mission of implementing life-changing preventive health care in the workplace. Another local recipient included Ozinga Bros., Inc.
The award is given to select organizations across the nation that have helped transform — and even save – the lives of employees by offering wellness programs that combine thorough health evaluations with fast, personalized results. With the help of these strategic, flexible initiatives, winning organizations have accomplished tremendous success in moving employees from high-risk health status to lower risk and achieving remarkably high employee participation.
Some of the initiatives to enhance the health of Trinity employees have included the availability of the Fitness Center for staff and faculty use, discussions with Creative Dining Services staff about even more healthful dining options, and an on-campus Weight Watchers program.
James Kastrantas, a staff member in the computer services department, participated in the program. “We all inspired each other, and doing that with co-workers was a great team building experience,” he said. “It also holds me more accountable, because I see my co-workers who were in the program, and we still talk about weight loss and the good habits we learned.”
“This honor is an indication of the contributions of many people on campus, including the Fitness Center staff, a human resource department that encourages healthy living, and a Creative Dining staff that promotes healthy food choices,” said Interim President Liz Rudenga, Ph.D. “It is also a tribute to a fine faculty and staff who mutually foster a healthy lifestyle.”
Every year students show some love to the community that surrounds the College during the annual Love Palos event.
On Saturday, May 2, faculty and staff joined students to volunteer during this annual clean-up and beautification project on campus and around Palos Heights.
The morning began with a time of prayer. Volunteers were then assigned to work sites where they completed a variety of tasks, such as landscaping and planting.
Partnering Organizations
Campus Ecological Stewardship Advisory Group (CESAG) at Trinity
Forest Preserves of Cook County
Lake Katherine Nature Center and Botanical Gardens
Love INC of Tinley
Navajo Homeowners Association
Palos Heights Christian Reformed Church – Palos Christian Preschool
Providence Healthcare & Rehabilitation Center
Restoration Ministries
Trinity Christian College
On April 21, at the opening ceremony of OPUS, Trinity’s Ethnic Diversity Committee presented the 2014-2015 Catherine Yonker Awards to the Dean of Students Mark Hanna, social work major Noel Huddleston ’17 of Homewood, Illinois, and history education major Christian Perry ’16 of Palos Heights.
Hanna, also former chair of the Ethnic Diversity Committee, was unanimously selected for his commitment to building healthy relationships among all students.
Huddleston’s work as the leader of Multicultural Clubs has led her to initiate and promote events that encourage unity and conversation. Likewise, Perry has served as the leader of the Black Student Union where he has planned several events that promote community engagement.
“While they are both gifted leaders, I believe their greatest gift is their love and respect for humanity,” said Dr. Jacqueline Moses, ethnic diversity committee chairperson. “Both Noel and Christian are image bearers of Christ in that they seek to know people as God does–with the heart–with no regard of race or ethnicity.”
The Ethnic Diversity Committee unanimously selected this year’s recipients after carefully reviewing each nomination. The committee seeks nominees who have made significant contributions toward accomplishing Christian race relations and cross-cultural understanding on campus.
Jessica Bordenaro ’15 of Lockport, Illinois, was recently selected from School District 146 for the South Suburban Reading Council Patricia Burnette Rising Star Award.
The award recognizes a student teacher who displays outstanding attributes. The recipient receives $250 toward building a future classroom library, as well as a one-year paid membership to the South Suburban Reading Council.: Student Teacher Receives Rising Star Award
“Jessica took the initiative to learn the curriculum and came up with excellent ideas to make the students engaged learners. She was organized with her work and willing to share with colleagues. She related to the students well and made the classroom a fun place to learn,” said Bordenaro’s cooperating teacher, Mrs. Dian Schulz.
Bordenaro, or Miss B. as her students called her, completed two semesters at the Fierke Education Center in Oak Forest. One hundred hours of novice teaching in the fall led directly into a semester of student teaching in the spring.
“I absolutely loved my time in 5th grade with Mrs. Schulz. Fierke is a wonderful school, and after my time there I feel much more confident and prepared as a teacher,” she said.
Bordenaro attended a dinner on April 22 to accept the award.
“Jessica did an excellent job in her student teaching role, and I knew she would be an outstanding candidate for the award,” Schulz said.
Ben Hoekstra ’17 of Andover, Minnesota, recently spoke alongside Chaplain Bill VanGroningen, Ph.D., at the Christian Reformed Church’s recent Prayer Summit conference at All Nations Christian Reformed Church in Lake View Terrace, California, from April 13-15.
Pastors and prayer leaders from across the United States and Canada gathered together to unite through prayer, in hopes of spurring a renewed movement in CRC churches across both nations.
“It was a unique and amazing opportunity to co-present at a conference with a member of Trinity’s staff,” Hoekstra said.
He and VanGroningen spoke of both the advantages and disadvantages digital natives face in regard to prayer and the technological landscape. They focused on the advantages of global connectivity and the possibility of praying over social media, but also the disadvantages of identity issues, the challenge of vulnerability, and loneliness.
Hoekstra, head of the recently reinstated Prayer Ministry on campus, was grateful for the experience to share some of his insights.
“The ability to start a conversation about a topic that’s not necessarily being talked about yet was a meaningful experience to me,” Hoekstra said.
Hoekstra also presented his portion of the presentation at this year’s OPUS event.
The annual Celebration of Asia honored and showcased Asian culture with traditional cuisine and cultural performances on May 4. China, Burma, Korea and other countries were represented in the array of authentic dishes, including sushi, mochi, and kimichi.
After dinner, students sported the traditional attire of their respective countries. Students also performed a variety of traditional dances and music selections that showcased Chinese instruments.
The evening, which was hosted by the Asian American Alliance, included interactive activities, like creating origami, and ended with a time of praise and worship.
“The celebration was a huge success,” said Claire Edwards ’18 of Stevenson Ranch, California. “We were so fortunate to have so many people show up eager to learn about Asian culture and what Triple A is all about. The performances were great; we even got a surprise performance of taekwondo.”
On April 27 and 28, Trinity welcomed 247 students from 12 different elementary and middle schools to campus in celebration of the annual Young Authors’ Festival.
The two day event has a 24-year history at Trinity. This year’s festival offered a packed schedule that included a meet-and-greet with guest speaker and children’s author Marissa Moss. On Tuesday, students who had won Young Authors’ awards returned to campus to participate in a day of celebration.
“This event takes a ton of collaboration between the schools that are participating, Trinity students and faculty, and the featured author,” said Kelly Lenarz ’99, assistant professor of Adult Studies Education.
“It is so great to see how we can all come together and work together in a positive way to make an impact on all those involved.”
Many of Trinity’s education students had the opportunity to teach and interact with the children.
“They were enjoying the event,” said So Hye Park ’15 of South Korea. “Sometimes some of the students looked like it was challenging [for them] to write a story, but they all made a wonderful story with their imaginations.”
The children were able to watch their stories be performed by Trinity’s improv team. They also participated in a writing workshop and attended a session with Moss as she spoke on creating storyline endings.
Dr. Bill Boerman-Cornell, associate professor of education, praised Moss’s efforts at the festival.
“Marissa did a fantastic job of connecting with students into the Monday night sessions,” Boerman-Cornell said. “She talked about her process of writing and illustrating books. During the Tuesday sessions, the activity she did with the students seemed to open them up to the possibilities of telling an illustrated story.”
About the Author
Marissa Moss has been publishing books for a long time. She has over 40 published stories, but is far from finished. She is always working on multiple projects at once, and loves finding the challenge in each new story. Moss is best known for her Amelia’s Notebook series, but also writes and illustrates a variety of other pieces including historical journals and young adult novels.