Senior Learning Programs

WELCOME BACK TO AN EXCITING SEASON OF SALT!

SALT (Seasoned Adults Learning at Trinity) is a membership-based program for community members 50+ who are interested in ongoing education and lifelong learning. Our mission is to provide personal enrichment and education by offering interesting content and meaningful discussions through shared experiences.

For additional information, please view our brochure.  To get on our mailing list, please fill out the Request Information form.

I am interested in:

Wednesday, March 29, 2023
1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Ozinga Chapel Grand Lobby

  • Learn more about SALT program
  • Meet Advisory Board Members
  • Meet the President of Trinity
  • Meet faculty and staff
  • Bring a Friend
  • Campus Tours
  • Accept registrations on-site
  • Light refreshments

Cost:    FREE!
REGISTRATION DEADLINE:  March 24

We are pleased to offer a variety of classes on numerous academic topics; as well as, tours, book discussions, and other special events. Please select a session to learn more about the class and click ‘Register for Classes’ to reserve your spot. Note: classes and activities have different registration deadlines.

Spring Session Classes:

Nature - View of treesGareth Blakesley, Director and Chief Naturalist
Lake Katherine Nature Center & Botanic Gardens
4/19 @ 10-11:30 a.m.
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: April 14

Description: Learn how you can use your local environment to orient and find your way. The stars in the sky, the direction trees bend, and the
direction satellite dishes point, can help navigate your way in the world. Gareth Blakesley will lead a talk on one of his pet interests, navigation, and will show simple ways that you can use natural and unnatural cues to figure out your location in the world.

Instructor Bio: Gareth Blakesley, Lake Katherine’s Director and Chief Naturalist, served as a field supervisor for a restoration ecology firm before coming to Lake Katherine. Prior to his field experience, Gareth spent nearly four years employed as a Biology Laboratory Supervisor and Aquatic Invertebrate Specialist at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum. Gareth received a Master’s Degree in Tourism and Conservation from the University of Kent in Canterbury, England and a Bachelor’s Degree in Zoology from the University of Wales in Aberystwyth, Wales.

Lonely tree in a fieldDr. Jessica Clevering, Professor of Psychology
5/11 @ 10-11:30 a.m.
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: May 5

Description: Genesis 2:18 tells us that when God made Adam he said, “It is not good that the man should be alone.” The only suitable solution was another human being. Feelings of loneliness are internal prompts that let us know this Biblical truth: human beings need each other. This course will highlight foundational psychological research on the consequences of loneliness.

Course participants will discuss the research using a Christian interpretative lens and share
methods for reducing social isolation and increasing a sense of belonging and connection.

Instructor Bio: Dr. Clevering graduated from Claremont Graduate University with a specialization in Social Psychology.  She has worked at Trinity for 10 years teaching a wide range of psychology courses from Christian Perspectives on Psychology to Statistical Reasoning.  Her current research focuses on predicting when people are most likely to challenge the status quo.  When not working she can be found crafting with her daughter.

BibleDr. Kyle Dieleman, Associate Professor of History
4/11 and 4/14 @ 10-11:30 a.m.
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: April 6

Description: This course will explore how Protestants in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries interpreted and applied the 10 Commandments regarding keeping the Sabbath and honoring one’s father and mother (i.e., 4th and 5th Commandments). In the first session, the class will examine the surprisingly varied and complex understandings of Sabbath rest Protestant theologians had as well as the ways in which Christians were or were not devoted to keeping the Sabbath. In the second class, we will explore the ways in which Protestants understood authority, expanding it beyond relationships between parents and children. The course will expose learners to a variety of primary and secondary sources.

Instructor Bio: Dr. Kyle Dieleman serves as Associate Professor of History and as Chair of the History Department at Trinity. Kyle has been at Trinity since 2017 prior to which he earned his Ph.D. in Religious Studies at the University of Iowa. His teaching and research interests are in the history of Christianity, particularly the Protestant Reformation. He has published a book on the Sabbath in the Dutch Reformation and written and presented on many aspects of the Protestant Reformations in the Netherlands and beyond.

Young Adult Literature and Spirituality by Dr. William Boerman-CornellWilliam Boerman-Cornell & Christine Scholma
5/30 and 5/31  10-11:30 a.m.
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: May 25

Description: This is a discussion of how we engage with literature. Boerman-Cornell will pull from his latest publication on spirituality in literature and Scholma will bring her expertise on how a disability is represented in literature. The two sessions will engage participants through a combination of lecture, discussion, and active learning, using a young adult novel to guide your journey into the literature.

Books for Discussion

Session 1: Spirituality in Literature (Optional reading: Young Adult Literature and Spirituality). Book not included in course. Visit www.amazon.com to purchase the book, $32.25 Kindle/$35.00 Paperback

Session 2: Disability in Literature (Required reading: The War That Saved My Life) Book is not included in course. Visit www.amazon.com to purchase book, $9.99 Kindle or paperback.

Instructor Bio: Bill Boerman-Cornell was an English teacher for ten years before becoming a Professor of Education at Trinity Christian College.  He is the co-author of three books: Graphic Novels in High School and Middle School Classrooms, Using Graphic Novels in the English Language Arts Classroom, and Young Adult Literature and Spirituality. He loves to read.

Instructor Bio: Christine Scholma, an Assistant Professor of Special Education at Trinity Christian College, pulls on her experiences from teaching students with disabilities for 12 years to prepare preservice teachers to have an impact on the field. Scholma also serves as the Co-director of the Center for Special Education and as the Presentation Chair of the Dolly Gray Children’s Literature Award.

FoodInstructor: Cleo Lampos, Educator and Storyteller
4/11, 4/18, 4/25 @ 10-11:15 a.m.
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: April 6

Description: In three sessions, the class will present how food was distributed during war time. SessionI focuses on North Platte, Nebraska, which fed the troop trains enroute to Europe and the Pacific. At the end of the war, six million GIs had been served by a town of 12,000 and without government support. Session II describes the home front’s efforts to produce vegetables and fruit for the troops as well as for the nation. Victory Gardens, the Land Army, and innovations in food preservation, facilitated feeding millions. Session III moves attention to England, the Netherlands, France and the Pacific who suffered from food shortages. The contribution of the Donut Dolly and two advances for the troops will be explained. Attendees will be engaged with bright images and inspiring messages of this era and musical presentations that
melt the heart. Could the United States and the world pull together like this again?

Instructor Bio: Cleo Lampos is a retired public school teacher who has taught adult education classes at St. Xavier University, Trinity College, and Morton College. She facilitated presentations at Mid-Week Moments during 2021-22. An author of historical fiction, Lampos speaks at book clubs and libraries. Her articles appear in magazines. She is a quilter and cans the produce from her husband’s urban garden.

Book of RevelationDr. Benjamin Ribbens, Professor of Theology
4/20, 4/27, 5/4 @ 10:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: April 14

Description: The three sessions will discuss how to read the Book of Revelation, diving deeply into at least one text per session to illustrate the broader interpretive principle. Participants will learn about the big picture of Revelation and have tools for reading this seemingly confusing book of the Bible.

Instructor Bio: Dr. Ben Ribbens is in his tenth year of teaching at Trinity Christian College and specializes in New Testament. He teaches a course that covers the Book of Revelation and enjoys sharing this material with others.

Queen Elizabeth II PlaqueInstructor: Bob Rice, Professor Emeritus History
5/10, 5/17, 5/24 @ 10-11:30 a.m.
REGISTRATION DEADLINE:  May 5

Description: The recent death of Elizabeth II has provoked discussion and debate about the place of the monarch in British history. As we consider the reigns of Victoria and Elizabeth II: What has been the importance of the British monarch? What has been the relationship between the Crown and the people? And how can we describe the engagement between the Queen and the changing culture of Britain? In addition, how does the monarchy fit into the contemporary commitments in British life? Will Charles III be the last British monarch?

Instructor Bio: Bob has taught European history and occasionally American studies at Trinity Christian College for over 40 years. When he retired in 2013, he continued to teach occasionally in the undergraduate program as well as in the SALT program, which connects Trinity to the larger community. He has learned so much from Trinity’s vision of Christian liberal arts education and continues to benefit from the SALT program, which opens us to mutual learning and friendships.

Fellowship & Learn

Senior Break is held once a month during SALT season. Members can participate in a casual chat session on specialized topics. Light refreshments are provided. Come fellowship with other members, bring a guest, and hear about fascinating topics. Registration required $10 per member; bring a friend $5.

Learn Friday, April 28
1-3 p.m.
Fusion 59, Library
Topic: How to Avoid Being Fooled Online
Michelle VanderWoude, Trinity Student Success Librarian
REGISTRATION DEADLINE:  April 21

Did you know that there are hidden messages in media? Come to this senior break session to learn how to not be fooled by the subliminal messages; recognize biases, and learn basic online research skills.

Friday, May 19
10-12 p.m.
Alumni Lounge
Topic: The Psychology of Healing in Comfort Dogs
Lutheran Church Charities
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: May 15

Learn how canines are truly man’s and woman’s best friend. Launched in August 2008, the Lutheran Church Charities K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry (LCC) is a national human-care ministry embracing the unique, calming nature and skills of purebred Golden Retrievers. The LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs are a bridge for compassionate ministry, opening doors for conversation about faith and creating opportunities to share the mercy, compassion, presence and proclamation of Jesus Christ. A couple of furry friends will be available to pet during this session.

April Trip

Violins

Monday, April 17, 2023
11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Prairie State College, Violins of Hope An Exhibit Featuring the Private Collection of Amnon and Avashalom Weinstein & Americans and the Holocaust Travelling Exhibit
202 South Halsted Street, Chicago Heights, IL 60411
REGISTRATION DEADLINE:  April 11

Violins of Hope, is based on a private collection of violins, violas and cellos all collected since the end of World War II. Many of the instruments belonged to Jews before and during the war. Many were donated by  or bought from survivors; some arrived through family members and many simply carry Stars of David as a decoration. An assigned docent will guide attendees through an interactive traveling exhibit created by the Holocaust Memorial Museum and the American Library Association for which only two libraries in Illinois will host this year. A Q&A session will follow.

$35 per person. Registration required.
Lunch included. Transportation provided,
departing from Trinity’s campus

June Trip

Stroll through Lake Katherine’s Herb, Butterfly, and Native Gardens

Friday, June 9, 2023
1 pm- 2:30 pm
Lake Katherine Nature Center & Botanic Gardens
Stroll through Lake Katherine’s Herb, Butterfly, and Native Gardens
7402 Lake Katherine Dr. Palos Heights, IL
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: June 5

Almost like tiptoeing through the tulips, take a pleasant walk in Lake Katherine’s beautiful gardens. During this guided tour, you will learn about the variety of flora found in the region and discuss best garden practices and herbal uses. As part of this personalized experience,
attendees will receive samples from the herb garden.  Level of Physical Activity:  Low

$15 per person. Registration required.
Transportation is not provided.

+
+ Open House

Wednesday, March 29, 2023
1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Ozinga Chapel Grand Lobby

  • Learn more about SALT program
  • Meet Advisory Board Members
  • Meet the President of Trinity
  • Meet faculty and staff
  • Bring a Friend
  • Campus Tours
  • Accept registrations on-site
  • Light refreshments

Cost:    FREE!
REGISTRATION DEADLINE:  March 24

+ Classes

We are pleased to offer a variety of classes on numerous academic topics; as well as, tours, book discussions, and other special events. Please select a session to learn more about the class and click ‘Register for Classes’ to reserve your spot. Note: classes and activities have different registration deadlines.

Spring Session Classes:

Nature - View of treesGareth Blakesley, Director and Chief Naturalist
Lake Katherine Nature Center & Botanic Gardens
4/19 @ 10-11:30 a.m.
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: April 14

Description: Learn how you can use your local environment to orient and find your way. The stars in the sky, the direction trees bend, and the
direction satellite dishes point, can help navigate your way in the world. Gareth Blakesley will lead a talk on one of his pet interests, navigation, and will show simple ways that you can use natural and unnatural cues to figure out your location in the world.

Instructor Bio: Gareth Blakesley, Lake Katherine’s Director and Chief Naturalist, served as a field supervisor for a restoration ecology firm before coming to Lake Katherine. Prior to his field experience, Gareth spent nearly four years employed as a Biology Laboratory Supervisor and Aquatic Invertebrate Specialist at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum. Gareth received a Master’s Degree in Tourism and Conservation from the University of Kent in Canterbury, England and a Bachelor’s Degree in Zoology from the University of Wales in Aberystwyth, Wales.

Lonely tree in a fieldDr. Jessica Clevering, Professor of Psychology
5/11 @ 10-11:30 a.m.
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: May 5

Description: Genesis 2:18 tells us that when God made Adam he said, “It is not good that the man should be alone.” The only suitable solution was another human being. Feelings of loneliness are internal prompts that let us know this Biblical truth: human beings need each other. This course will highlight foundational psychological research on the consequences of loneliness.

Course participants will discuss the research using a Christian interpretative lens and share
methods for reducing social isolation and increasing a sense of belonging and connection.

Instructor Bio: Dr. Clevering graduated from Claremont Graduate University with a specialization in Social Psychology.  She has worked at Trinity for 10 years teaching a wide range of psychology courses from Christian Perspectives on Psychology to Statistical Reasoning.  Her current research focuses on predicting when people are most likely to challenge the status quo.  When not working she can be found crafting with her daughter.

BibleDr. Kyle Dieleman, Associate Professor of History
4/11 and 4/14 @ 10-11:30 a.m.
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: April 6

Description: This course will explore how Protestants in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries interpreted and applied the 10 Commandments regarding keeping the Sabbath and honoring one’s father and mother (i.e., 4th and 5th Commandments). In the first session, the class will examine the surprisingly varied and complex understandings of Sabbath rest Protestant theologians had as well as the ways in which Christians were or were not devoted to keeping the Sabbath. In the second class, we will explore the ways in which Protestants understood authority, expanding it beyond relationships between parents and children. The course will expose learners to a variety of primary and secondary sources.

Instructor Bio: Dr. Kyle Dieleman serves as Associate Professor of History and as Chair of the History Department at Trinity. Kyle has been at Trinity since 2017 prior to which he earned his Ph.D. in Religious Studies at the University of Iowa. His teaching and research interests are in the history of Christianity, particularly the Protestant Reformation. He has published a book on the Sabbath in the Dutch Reformation and written and presented on many aspects of the Protestant Reformations in the Netherlands and beyond.

Young Adult Literature and Spirituality by Dr. William Boerman-CornellWilliam Boerman-Cornell & Christine Scholma
5/30 and 5/31  10-11:30 a.m.
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: May 25

Description: This is a discussion of how we engage with literature. Boerman-Cornell will pull from his latest publication on spirituality in literature and Scholma will bring her expertise on how a disability is represented in literature. The two sessions will engage participants through a combination of lecture, discussion, and active learning, using a young adult novel to guide your journey into the literature.

Books for Discussion

Session 1: Spirituality in Literature (Optional reading: Young Adult Literature and Spirituality). Book not included in course. Visit www.amazon.com to purchase the book, $32.25 Kindle/$35.00 Paperback

Session 2: Disability in Literature (Required reading: The War That Saved My Life) Book is not included in course. Visit www.amazon.com to purchase book, $9.99 Kindle or paperback.

Instructor Bio: Bill Boerman-Cornell was an English teacher for ten years before becoming a Professor of Education at Trinity Christian College.  He is the co-author of three books: Graphic Novels in High School and Middle School Classrooms, Using Graphic Novels in the English Language Arts Classroom, and Young Adult Literature and Spirituality. He loves to read.

Instructor Bio: Christine Scholma, an Assistant Professor of Special Education at Trinity Christian College, pulls on her experiences from teaching students with disabilities for 12 years to prepare preservice teachers to have an impact on the field. Scholma also serves as the Co-director of the Center for Special Education and as the Presentation Chair of the Dolly Gray Children’s Literature Award.

FoodInstructor: Cleo Lampos, Educator and Storyteller
4/11, 4/18, 4/25 @ 10-11:15 a.m.
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: April 6

Description: In three sessions, the class will present how food was distributed during war time. SessionI focuses on North Platte, Nebraska, which fed the troop trains enroute to Europe and the Pacific. At the end of the war, six million GIs had been served by a town of 12,000 and without government support. Session II describes the home front’s efforts to produce vegetables and fruit for the troops as well as for the nation. Victory Gardens, the Land Army, and innovations in food preservation, facilitated feeding millions. Session III moves attention to England, the Netherlands, France and the Pacific who suffered from food shortages. The contribution of the Donut Dolly and two advances for the troops will be explained. Attendees will be engaged with bright images and inspiring messages of this era and musical presentations that
melt the heart. Could the United States and the world pull together like this again?

Instructor Bio: Cleo Lampos is a retired public school teacher who has taught adult education classes at St. Xavier University, Trinity College, and Morton College. She facilitated presentations at Mid-Week Moments during 2021-22. An author of historical fiction, Lampos speaks at book clubs and libraries. Her articles appear in magazines. She is a quilter and cans the produce from her husband’s urban garden.

Book of RevelationDr. Benjamin Ribbens, Professor of Theology
4/20, 4/27, 5/4 @ 10:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: April 14

Description: The three sessions will discuss how to read the Book of Revelation, diving deeply into at least one text per session to illustrate the broader interpretive principle. Participants will learn about the big picture of Revelation and have tools for reading this seemingly confusing book of the Bible.

Instructor Bio: Dr. Ben Ribbens is in his tenth year of teaching at Trinity Christian College and specializes in New Testament. He teaches a course that covers the Book of Revelation and enjoys sharing this material with others.

Queen Elizabeth II PlaqueInstructor: Bob Rice, Professor Emeritus History
5/10, 5/17, 5/24 @ 10-11:30 a.m.
REGISTRATION DEADLINE:  May 5

Description: The recent death of Elizabeth II has provoked discussion and debate about the place of the monarch in British history. As we consider the reigns of Victoria and Elizabeth II: What has been the importance of the British monarch? What has been the relationship between the Crown and the people? And how can we describe the engagement between the Queen and the changing culture of Britain? In addition, how does the monarchy fit into the contemporary commitments in British life? Will Charles III be the last British monarch?

Instructor Bio: Bob has taught European history and occasionally American studies at Trinity Christian College for over 40 years. When he retired in 2013, he continued to teach occasionally in the undergraduate program as well as in the SALT program, which connects Trinity to the larger community. He has learned so much from Trinity’s vision of Christian liberal arts education and continues to benefit from the SALT program, which opens us to mutual learning and friendships.

+ Senior Break

Fellowship & Learn

Senior Break is held once a month during SALT season. Members can participate in a casual chat session on specialized topics. Light refreshments are provided. Come fellowship with other members, bring a guest, and hear about fascinating topics. Registration required $10 per member; bring a friend $5.

Learn Friday, April 28
1-3 p.m.
Fusion 59, Library
Topic: How to Avoid Being Fooled Online
Michelle VanderWoude, Trinity Student Success Librarian
REGISTRATION DEADLINE:  April 21

Did you know that there are hidden messages in media? Come to this senior break session to learn how to not be fooled by the subliminal messages; recognize biases, and learn basic online research skills.

Friday, May 19
10-12 p.m.
Alumni Lounge
Topic: The Psychology of Healing in Comfort Dogs
Lutheran Church Charities
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: May 15

Learn how canines are truly man’s and woman’s best friend. Launched in August 2008, the Lutheran Church Charities K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry (LCC) is a national human-care ministry embracing the unique, calming nature and skills of purebred Golden Retrievers. The LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs are a bridge for compassionate ministry, opening doors for conversation about faith and creating opportunities to share the mercy, compassion, presence and proclamation of Jesus Christ. A couple of furry friends will be available to pet during this session.

+ Class Trips

April Trip

Violins

Monday, April 17, 2023
11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Prairie State College, Violins of Hope An Exhibit Featuring the Private Collection of Amnon and Avashalom Weinstein & Americans and the Holocaust Travelling Exhibit
202 South Halsted Street, Chicago Heights, IL 60411
REGISTRATION DEADLINE:  April 11

Violins of Hope, is based on a private collection of violins, violas and cellos all collected since the end of World War II. Many of the instruments belonged to Jews before and during the war. Many were donated by  or bought from survivors; some arrived through family members and many simply carry Stars of David as a decoration. An assigned docent will guide attendees through an interactive traveling exhibit created by the Holocaust Memorial Museum and the American Library Association for which only two libraries in Illinois will host this year. A Q&A session will follow.

$35 per person. Registration required.
Lunch included. Transportation provided,
departing from Trinity’s campus

June Trip

Stroll through Lake Katherine’s Herb, Butterfly, and Native Gardens

Friday, June 9, 2023
1 pm- 2:30 pm
Lake Katherine Nature Center & Botanic Gardens
Stroll through Lake Katherine’s Herb, Butterfly, and Native Gardens
7402 Lake Katherine Dr. Palos Heights, IL
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: June 5

Almost like tiptoeing through the tulips, take a pleasant walk in Lake Katherine’s beautiful gardens. During this guided tour, you will learn about the variety of flora found in the region and discuss best garden practices and herbal uses. As part of this personalized experience,
attendees will receive samples from the herb garden.  Level of Physical Activity:  Low

$15 per person. Registration required.
Transportation is not provided.

Memberships Perks

  • Special discounts on Illinois Philharmonic
    Orchestra and Southwest Symphony
    Orchestra performances
  • Invitation to campus lectures and special discussions following lectures
  • Invitation to music department recitals and contests
  • Invitation to campus chapel services
  • Listener’s passes to traditional classes
  • Free on-campus parking sticker
  • Access to Library Services
  • 20% discount at Bookstore
  • Quarterly Newsletter
  • Discount in Trinity Dining Hall
  • Discount at Bootsma Café
  • Certificate of Completion for 3-session Classes

Memberships Fees & Costs

Membership Fee: $25*

Membership Costs

  • 1-session Class: $20
  • 2-session Class: $25
  • 3-session Class:$30
  • Bring a friend to one class during each semester:  $10 per person/semester
  • Senior Break Days: $10 (Bring a friend:  $5)
  • Prairie State College Field Trip, Violins of Hope, April 17: $35
  • Lake Katherine Nature Center and Botanic Gardens, June 9, 2023:  $15
  • Listener’s Pass (value $330):  FREE

*Member must be registered for at least one course per semester for membership to remain active. Annual membership is from April 1, 2023 – March 31, 2024.

SALT Coordinator

Dewoun Hayes is the Advancement & SALT (Seasoned Adults Learning at Trinity) Coordinator. She assists in the development of courses for adult learners 50 and older. Lifelong learning has always been her passion and she is grateful to be able to provide an enriching program to this community.

For almost 25 years, she has worked in higher education in the advancement division. Her experience includes event/meeting planning, fundraising, scholarship management, alumni engagement, and research. Dewoun remarks, “I feel that my journey of learning has led me to Trinity and am pleased that I can use the skills I have obtained from various institutions in one place.”

Feel free to contact Dewoun to provide feedback or ask questions about the upcoming SALT season, 708-293-4570 or email, dewoun.hayes@trnty.edu. Be sure to visit www.trnty.edu/SALT for news and upcoming events.

Staff: Dewoun Hayes

Advisory Board

Bob Rice
Marjorie Perkins
Merrill Riddering
Lynn Tenkate
Dan Lynch

Partners

Trinity Christian College: Bootsma Bookstore Cafe, Library Services, Faculty & Staff, Creative Dining Services, Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra, Southwest Symphony Orchestra, Lake Katherine Nature Center & Botanic Gardens, and Lutheran Church Charities