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As of Fall 2015, Trinity will offer two new majors: Bioinformatics and Environmental Science. Trinity is the second college in Illinois and the only college in the Reformed Christian tradition in the country to offer a Bachelor of Science degree in bioinformatics.
In addition, an Environmental Studies minor and a Bachelor of Arts in biology join the existing Bachelor of Science in biology. Last year, the Bachelor of Science in biochemistry and molecular biology major was added to Trinity’s growing list of science programs.
Bioinformatics
Bioinformatics is an interdisciplinary major uniting math, computer science, chemistry, and biology. New technologies in the biological sciences produce incredible amounts of data to analyze, which requires expertise in mathematics and computer science. This has led to the creation of the field of bioinformatics, one of the fastest growing areas in biological sciences. Ethical issues that arise in this area will be discussed from a Christian worldview throughout the program.
Environmental Science
Environmental Science equips students as agents of renewal in God’s kingdom through a focus on environmental stewardship. The Environmental Science major provides opportunities for students to explore the interactions of the natural world through study and investigation, which will then provide the foundation for Christian earth keeping. Students will enhance their classroom studies with off -campus opportunities at Morton Arboretum, Shedd Aquarium, and AuSable Institute for Environmental Studies.
Four Trinity students were recently invited to attend the Future Founders Building Your Legacy event featuring Pete Kadens, president and chief sales officer of SoCore Energy and one of Chicago’s top entrepreneurs.
On April 8, Tony Dykstra ’18 of Highland, Indiana; Dyvon Melling ’16 of Tipton, Michigan; Ryan Hesslau ’18 of Mokena, Illinois; and Tom Iwema ’18 of Oak Lawn, Illinois, joined 19 other students representing nine Chicagoland colleges and universities.
Students had the opportunity to hear the story of Kadens’ entrepreneurial journey and ask questions. The event also provided an important time of cross-campus collaboration and networking with Kadens and Future Founders peers.
“The overall experience was very informative and encouraging to young individuals who feel the drive to become an entrepreneur,” said Hesslau, a recent recipient of the Future Founders Fellowship and founder of the nonprofit foreverU. “The most important thing I felt Pete Kadens hit on was the importance of humility when starting your own company or organization.
Hesslau said opportunities like the Building Your Legacy event help students gain insight into business in Chicago and what it takes to be a successful entrepreneur in today’s business world.
“I definitely encourage anyone to take advantage of networking opportunities,” Hesslau said. “It’s amazing to see the doors that can open when pursuing your future as a result of attending these events.”
About Pete Kadens
Kadens co-founded SoCore Energy in 2008. Since then he has transformed SoCore with his team from a startup to a successful multi-million dollar solar business and sold the company in 2013 to Fortune 500 energy holding company Edison International. As president and chief sales officer, he is responsible for overseeing all sales and operations of the business.
Business students in the course Business Plan Development had the opportunity to propose ideas to a panel of successful business men and women on March 30.
The event, “Is This a Good Idea?,” was the first in a two-part series that will culminate with “Will You Support me?” on Monday, May 11.
The event followed a format similar to ABC Television Network’s “Shark Tank,” a show in which entrepreneurs pitch their product ideas to a panel of wealthy businesspeople who offer critiques and consider investing in the ideas.
Eight student teams presented ideas involving technology, such as smartphone apps to assist with event planning or one called “TrackIt” to help athletes and families at track meets; an online college search program; e-mail composer and organizer; or services, such as lawn care and home remodeling and sales; products, such as self-service soft ice cream; and even building a conference and events venue.
After students pitched their ideas, they received feedback from the panel members. On May 11, they will present their final pitches.
The panel includes Kimberly Cunnea, vice-president of Providence Bank; Omar Sweiss, entrepreneur and attorney; Aaron Ozinga ’03, president of Ozinga Materials, Inc.; Calvin Tameling ’72, CEO of SET Environmental, Inc.; and Jack VanNamen, director of sales at KBC Direct Floral.
Emily Dykstra ’16 of Lansing, Illinois, said, “I was a bit nervous, but the event did help a lot. It was eye-opening to get some outside perspectives on our project.”
Project Teams
College Complete: Helping Students Pick the Right College
- Evan Geels ’16
- Joeli Heuver ’16
- Mark Vanderzee* ’16
- Halie Wisse ’16
Vendor: Email Editing Software
- Joshua DeYoung*’16
- Julian Garcia ’15
- Timothy Hoeksema ’15
- Jordan Roose ’15
Luxurious Events: Event Planning Company
- Kimberly Dolce* ’13
- Cynthia Gliwa ’16
- Sarah Kooiman ’17
- Ally Otto ’15
- Danielle Stark ’15
Flipping Houses
- Alex Brummel* ’15
- Chad Burghgraef ’16
- Kaleb DeJager ’17
- Abraham Valadez ’16
JCTC Vending: Ice Cream Vending
- Catherine Heerdt ’15
- Taylor Kiers ’15
- Jorrie Schutt ’16
- Courtney Wheaton* ’15
Dobson Landscaping: Lawn Care
- Jonathan Dobson* ’15
- Adam Suwyn ’15
- Seth Wiltjer ’15
- Christopher Zoeterman ’14
TrackIt: Track Meet Software
- Fakhria Akbari ’16
- Callie Bunker ’16
- Emily Dykstra ’16
- Matthew Schaap* ’16
The Homestead (Events Marketplace in Pella, IA)
- Trevor DallaSanta ’17
- Monica Par ’16
- Taylor VanWoerkom* ’16
- Joshua Wetter ’16
*Team Leader
Marty Ozinga III, chairman of Ozinga Bros., Inc. and chair of Trinity’s Board of Trustees spoke to a gathering of prospective students and their parents on Tuesday, April 14. The event included a pizza dinner, presentation, and a dessert reception following.
Ozinga Bros., Inc. is one of the largest privately-owned suppliers of concrete in the United States, one of Chicago Tribune’s Top Workplaces for 2014, and a fourth-generation family business.
During the talk, Marty shared about his personal experiences with college, family, and business, while focusing on the important concepts of faith and calling.
The message was tailored for the high school senior making a choice about college. Throughout the discussion, Ozinga honed in on the point that everything has been given by God, and that part of a Christian’s calling is to give back to God through service to others.
In April, Trinity hosted the 10th annual Chicagoland Conference on Faith and History (CFH).
The conference began at Trinity in 2005 as a way for history majors and minors at Christian universities in the Chicago area to meet, to share their research, and to discuss issues of faith and scholarship.
Since then, more than a dozen Trinity students and more than 80 students overall from Goshen College, Grace College, Huntington College, Judson University, Olivet Nazarene University, and Trinity International University have presented their research.
This year, Trinity was represented by Sarah Anderson ’15 of Frankfort, Illinois. She presented her paper “A Change of Perspective: How World War II Freed Africans of the British Empire.”
The keynote address, “The Future of History Teaching,” was delivered by Dr. Lendol Calder of Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois.
Other student papers covered the Vietnamese Revolution, the Iranian Revolution, heavy cavalry in the ancient world, the relationship between Franklin Roosevelt and Lyndon Johnson, and how Starbucks became one of the largest corporations in the world.
Past presenters from Trinity have gone on to careers in law, government, primary and secondary education, and ministry.
Over spring break, a group of 32 Trinity students travelled to Coalmont, Tennessee to serve with Mountain T.O.P. (Tennessee Outreach Program), an organization dedicated to helping families in need.
The students split into five groups, and each worked on several different projects throughout the week. They participated in work both onsite and offsite, fulfilling needs such as repairing a house damaged in a fire, hanging drywall, and building a ramp for an elderly resident.
Since Mountain T.O.P. is a partnership organization, families pay for materials or take part in the work as they are able.
Justin Vander Waal ’16 of Oostburg, Wisconsin, said a highlight of the week was attending church on Sunday.
“It was a small congregation of about 10 to 20 people, and when our group of 33 people came in, we were immediately welcomed as family,” said Vander Waal. “It was great to see people from different denominations coming together to worship God.”
The students also enjoyed a day off on Friday, during which they hiked a nearby trail through the mountains. Throughout the week the team joined together in nightly worship and also took time for fun activities.
Adjunct instructor Justin Antos was named Blue Island Man of the Year for 2015 by the Blue Island Area Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Antos, who has served as an adjunct instructor at Trinity for approximately one year, teaches the K-12 Music Methods course in the Adult Studies program.
It was his work as the band director at Eisenhower High School in Blue Island that garnered Antos the recognition by the chamber. He has turned the band program into a champion during his tenure at the school.
“Being named Man of the Year for such a wonderful community is a huge honor, and I am beyond humbled for all of the support I have received throughout the past six years in Blue Island,” Antos said.
During his time at Trinity, Antos has developed positive mentoring relationships with his students. “I hope my students realize they should do what makes them happy and not settle on something that does not excite them.”
Adult Studies Professor Bob Wennberg said, “He’s extremely dedicated and committed to his students. It’s been very evident that he wants to help them succeed.”
Antos is a doctoral candidate at Auburn University in the music education department
The College mourns the passing of Dr. George Vander Velde ’63, former vice president for campus development, on April 1, 2015. He was 71.
Vander Velde served faithfully as he provided oversight of two of the largest expansion projects in the College’s history—the DeVos Athletics and Recreation Center and the George and June Schaaf Athletics Complex (Rt. 83 athletics fields). His joyful personality prevailed as he battled cancer even during his service to the College.
Vander Velde instituted the College’s Maurice Vander Velde Junior Scholar Award in honor of his father, a former trustee and curator of Trinity. The Vander Velde program has supported scores of original scholarly research projects in the exact sciences, humanities, social sciences, and fine arts.
Vander Velde is survived by his wife, Harriet (Wiersma); his children, Anya (Jeffrey) Herlien, Erica Vander Velde and Jonathan (Jennifer) Vander Velde; as well as his grandchildren, Tyler and Justin Herlien.
For those who would like to leave a lasting tribute to George’s life, memorials may be directed to Trinity Christian College, 6601 W. College Dr., Palos Heights, IL 60463.
Donation Link: https://connect.trnty.edu/give
Each semester, Don Woo, dean for ethnic diversity and multicultural programs, accompanies his Introduction to Education students on service learning trips to Circle Urban Ministries in the Austin neighborhood of Chicago. There Trinity students help with the Circle 4 Success Afterschool Program.
Woo said that service learning is an important part of the education program and allows students to put into practice some of their educational tools.
“Our students need to know what it means to serve others while providing excellent instruction,” Woo said.
Woo also appreciates the open line of communication the education department has with its service learning partners and said that adding a service learning component to the class was natural because the department’s motto of Serving with Excellence.
Students, such as sophomore Angie Klunder ’17 of Alto, Michigan, enjoy time spent at the afterschool program.
“Circle Urban was incredibly fun,” Klunder said. “It was a great experience.”
The program focuses on four components of child development: social and emotional development, strength and skill development, academic enrichment, and spiritual growth. Trinity students take part in games and activities that address these developmental areas.
After the first trip of the semester, Trinity students left impressed with the Circle Urban students’ advanced views on education.
“Their spark for education inspired me, and I hope to one day teach a classroom full of students as ambitious as these young boys and girls,” said sophomore Greg Billo of Orland Park, Illinoi
As an integral part of its commitment to diversity, Trinity recently awarded a total of $84,400 in scholarships to 18 2015-16 Diversity Scholar recipients.
“The purpose of the Diversity Scholars Program is to recognize scholars from under-represented populations who have demonstrated academic excellence, leadership, and Christian commitment,” said Josh Sinnema ‘12, senior admissions counselor.
The recipients were chosen after a two-day event that began with a formal dinner and concluded the following day with rigorous panel interviews.
The dinner included devotions from Karyn Jones ’17 of St. Louis, MO, and addresses from Marlin Exton ’07 and current Diversity Scholar Tre Davis ’18 of Olympia Fields, IL. Dinner guests enjoyed a lively atmosphere with music from Brandon Taylor ’15 of Chicago, IL. Jeremy Klyn ’02, director of admissions, introduced the members of the Ethnic Diversity Committee.
Interviews began early the following morning. The interview panel was composed of Mark Hanna, dean of students; Dr. Jaki Moses, coordinator of adult studies; Dr. Mary Lynn Colosimo, professor of psychology; Denise Coleman, director of customer relations; and Roberto Rosario ’18 of Woodridge, IL.
“As part of our mission statement, we lived out our diversity with faculty, staff, and student on this committee,” Colosimo said. “The day was blessed by the stories and testimonies of these well-qualified scholars, and I look forward to welcoming them to Trinity in the fall.”
All of the diversity scholar candidates participated in a fun and informative day on campus that included chapel, meetings with professors, sessions with current diversity scholars, tours of campus, and a trip to downtown Chicago.