Archives: Alumni Success Stories

When Taylor Boice ‘15 was recently named to Fortune magazine’s “Five Star Wealth Managers under 40,”* he was surprised and honored. And he credits his time at Trinity for helping to pave the way for his professional career success.  

Boice, who is currently director of financial planning at Capital & Risk Management Services (C&RMS), knew he had been nominated. “But I really didn’t think I would be selected. This is such a competitive field and I knew there were a lot of accomplished people who could be considered for the award,” he said. “When I got the email and subsequent phone call confirming I was going to be recognized in Fortune, I really couldn’t believe it. It became real when I got a copy of the February/March issue and found my name on the list.” 

For Boice, who began working for C&RMS in downtown Chicago after graduating from Trinity, working with clients is one of the best parts of his job. “I’m very thankful to the people who helped me develop as a person and professionally and am especially thankful for the amazing clients I get to work with every day. I wouldn’t have chosen this career or found myself in this position without the help and guidance of my family, friends, and mentors along the way.” 

Those mentors include people he met at Trinity, where he double majored in communication arts and finance and played baseball. They helped prepare him for his career in two ways. “The first is all the field-specific knowledge that is a vital foundation for me as a financial planner,” said Boice. “I use a lot of the technical skills I learned at Trinity as I work to give clients the best possible advice and help them develop a financial plan that is designed to help them achieve their goals. I am also constantly communicating with clients to ensure they understand the advice I am giving them. The skills I learned in my communications classes have been vital in communicating effectively with clients.” 

Trinity also helped prepare him by developing his ability to think critically and solve problems. “My job is constantly changing, and I am constantly meeting new clients with unique problems,” said Boice. “I need to think critically and creatively to provide solutions for the people I am working with.” 

A native of Hudsonville, Mich., Boice said a number of factors attracted him to Trinity. He fell in love with the campus after visiting several times. He also wanted to play baseball during college and was excited to receive an athletic scholarship. Boice also liked the campus’s proximity to Chicago. “I really felt comfortable here and saw a lot of value in having small class sizes and having all the curriculum taught from a Christian perspective,” he said.  

His favorite memories include living in the dorms, as well as later moving off campus with people who are still some of his closest friends. Boice also said the professors in the business and communication arts department had a strong impact. “What has stuck with me most is the life experiences they shared with us as students,” he said. Boice also has great memories playing on the baseball team. “Coach [Justin] Huisman always focused on doing things the right way, which led to a lot of victories on the field and has really helped me in my life to this day.” 

He also married a Trinity alumna, Janna (Ottenhoff) Boice ‘14. They now make their home in Northwest Indiana with their 3-year-old daughter, Quinn, and 9-month old son, Ryne. He loves to spend time with his family, particularly enjoying outdoor activities when the weather is good.  

He also likes to watch baseball and basketball. “I also enjoy playing golf and enjoy participating in the golf outings for Trinity and other local Christian schools throughout the summer,” he said. Boice is also looking forward to returning to campus, as more in-person events are planned. “I’m hopeful I can continue being connected with the Trinity community and help students as they are growing and shaping their future. We are best when we work together and combine our strengths. This is something I witnessed clearly through the Trinity community, both as student and as a graduate today,” he said. 

Boice said he is thankful to everyone from Trinity who helped shape his experience and helped him get to where he is today. “I still talk to a lot of former professors and students and even have the privilege of working with many of them as clients. Trinity is a special place with a lot of special people,” he said. 

Taylor G. Boice is a registered representative of and offers securities, investment advisory and financial planning services through MML Investors Services, LLC. Member SIPC. (www.SIPC.org). Capital & Risk Management Services is not a subsidiary of affiliate of MML Investors Services, LLC. or its affiliated companies. Supervisory Office: 300 S Wacker Dr., Suite 2000, Chicago, IL 60606  Phone: 312-347-1660 . CA Insurance License #0M15879

* The FIVE STAR Wealth Manager Award is granted by Five Star Professional, an independent marketing firm. This award is not indicative of future performance and is based on nominations by industry professionals in a given market area and objective criteria including favorable regulatory and complaint history, reviews conducted by the firm, retention rates, and client assets.

When Lucky Collins ’17 first enrolled at Trinity, she brought a unique perspective as a working adult, wife, and mother of two small children. She went on to graduate with her bachelor of social work degree and then a master’s degree. Now, her career has brought her back to the Trinity community, as Administrative Coordinator of the North American Association of Christians in Social Work, which is headquartered on  campus.  

Collins considered several degree options at Trinity before finding her calling to become a social worker. “I realized that helping people was really what I wanted to do. I just wasn’t clear how,” she said. “After speaking with my advisor, he suggested I take a social work class. He thought it would be a great fit and I never looked back.” 

Collins credit her Trinity’s professors and staff members for helping her succeed. “The social work department professors as well as a few other staff were really impactful during my time at Trinity. I wasn’t a traditional student. I had a husband and two small children. I was also a full-time student and working,” she said. “Everyone was very understanding and accommodating to me, as they knew I was trying my best to do my best.” 

That was particularly true during her final years finishing her degree, as she confronted health issues and the loss of several family members. “Having professors who talked with me, sent me cards, and having counseling services afforded to me changed my life,” she said. “I will forever be grateful to them.” 

After graduating from Trinity in 2017, Collins earned a master’s of social work with a specialization in advanced clinical social work from Aurora University in May 2019 and passed her licensure exam. She is currently the administrative coordinator for The North American Association for Christians in Social Work (NACSW), which is headquartered in Groot Hall. “I am part of the executive leadership team that embarks on supervisory, administrative, human resources, financial, systems support tasks, etc.,” she said. “My main job function is being the key liaison and communication for the association. Our association equips social workers to integrate faith in social work. And I take making sure our association runs smoothly very seriously.” 

Her time at Trinity has prepared her for her career, from the skills she learned and the networking she was able to do. “Being able to integrate my faith in the workplace has always been a goal of mine. I’m so grateful for the opportunity I have now,” she said.  

Collins also tries to pay those experiences back to others. “Trinity will always have a special place in my heart. I grew so much there,” she said. “I had my family all while being a student there, from my husband and kids attending events, visiting me when I worked on campus, and even attending class with me in emergency situations. I will always remember the amount of grace shown to me. I now extend that to others in my day-to-day life as well as my professional life being in managerial positions.” 

–By Christy Wolff ‘10  

Basketball has always been front and center for Peter Zigterman ‘08. While he enjoyed playing for Trinity and eventually coaching for nine years after graduation, his passion for demonstrating Christ’s love to refugees and immigrants began to take a more prominent focus. “I noticed in myself outside of work that I was spending less time watching basketball and more time reading an article on immigration policy, for example,”  Zigterman shared.

That’s where World Relief enters his story.

World Relief seeks to help refugees and immigrants navigate the transition to starting a new life in the United States. As director of immigrant family services, Zigterman helps others find a job, access medical services, locate affordable housing, and other services that are hard to navigate if English isn’t your first language. His team also makes sure kids are enrolled in school, provides tutoring services, and ensures someone is present at parent-teacher conferences to help with any language barriers.

Zigterman works primarily with refugees and immigrants from Venezuela, Republic of Congo, Myanmar, Syria, and Mexico — among others. “I really enjoy meeting people from all over the world and hearing about their experiences, stories, and what their culture and homeland was like,” Zigterman said.

Developing relationships with others stemmed from his time at Trinity, specifically during his time playing on the basketball team. “In this totally new employment sector, I’ve been surprised by how much I learned in coaching and playing basketball and how many of those skills were transferable to what I’m doing now, specifically developing relationships with a refugee so they trust you,” said Zigterman, who majored in physical education teaching and coaching at Trinity, and then went on earn a master’s degree in sports science from United States Sports Academy.

Tim Walker, former basketball coach at Trinity, modeled these skills on and off the court, mentoring Zigterman along the way. “Coach Walker played a huge role in demonstrating to me how that’s done.”

Through his relationships with the refugees and immigrants he assists, Zigterman has heard story after story of individuals and families fleeing their country because they are facing imprisonment or even the safety of their own lives. Beyond these difficult situations, the COVID-19 pandemic has created unimaginable hardships for families who are trying to establish new lives in the U.S. “We’ve filled out hundreds of unemployment applications and spent a lot of time finding the money to keep people from losing their homes,” Zigterman said.

In the midst of these troubles, Zigterman is witnessing a lot of hope. “Many people are taking advantage of their unemployment, since it makes them eligible to receive a voucher to pay for a vocational training course,” Zigterman explained. “We’re all moving forward together.”

Moving forward also includes exploring ways to connect Trinity students to mentoring and volunteer opportunities at World Relief. “A lot of young adults who have immigrated from other countries want to go to college, but they need guidance on what applying looks like. They can’t rely on their parents because their parents didn’t have that experience,” Zigterman said. And with just one person overseeing this sector at World Relief, receiving help from Trinity students will allow assistance for more people.

Nearly four years since beginning his time at World Relief, it’s clear that Zigterman is demonstrating Christ’s love through his career, based on the foundations that grew during his time at Trinity. “What motivates me is wanting to be a part of the church that is doing the vocation that the Lord gave us,” Zigterman said. “It’s important that we, as Christians, demonstrate the Kingdom of God to the rest of the world.”

To learn more about World Relief, or to make a donation that supports refugees, please visit worldrelief.org

—By Christy Wolff ‘10 

Although college was never high on his list of priorities, Joshua Edwards ‘15 was the first in his family of six to attend college. “There were high expectations set in place for me,” Edwards said. “I can see how that pushed me to be the person I am today.” 

Edwards was invited to attend a college fair by a friend on his basketball team at South Side Baptist School in Oak Lawn, Ill., which is where he learned about Trinity. After experiencing campus life during a visitation weekend, he knew this was the right next step for him. 

The transition to college life was challenging for Edwards. “I didn’t focus much on academics leading up to college, I just wanted to play sports,” he said. Trinity recognized his potential, however, and offered the opportunity for Edwards to enroll with some ongoing academic support throughout the first semester as a member of Trinity’s Bridge Program. “I learned the expectations of professors, how to study properly, and how to take a test – and I also made friends through the program.” 

This led to Edwards being hired as a mentor for the Bridge Program during his sophomore year, where he partnered with the Office of Learning Services to provide input and leadership to incoming freshman. “This was a great opportunity to grow as a leader and learn how to lead college freshmen,” Edwards said. 

Edwards was also hired as a student assistant coach for the women’s basketball team at Trinity after an injury pulled him off the court. Former coach Reginald Chapel, who was also one of Edwards’ professors, saw the potential in his leadership abilities and provided Edwards the opportunity to coach. “It was the first step for me in understanding how to be a professional while in college,” Edwards said. He and Chapel continued their mentoring relationship and still keep in touch today. 

Originally desiring to become a physical therapist, Edwards soon realized his passions were elsewhere. After receiving guidance from Dr. Shari Jurgens, department chair and associate professor of physical education, Edwards declared a major in sports and exercise science. “I really enjoyed the program and having access to the professors. They really cared about me; I wasn’t just another student,” Edwards shared. 

Jurgens also played a pivotal role in connecting Edwards to an internship with the Blue Island [Ill.] Park District (BIPD), which led to him being hired as the recreation coordinator the day after graduating from Trinity. Jurgens shared, “Every student completes an internship or practical field experience, and we work hard with the students to find the perfect match for something they want to do after they graduate. In Josh’s case…he made a connection at the Blue Island Park District and proceeded to impress them so much with his work ethic, knowledge of recreation, and kind demeanor, that he was hired soon after the internship. In fact, he has helped me get more students into the BIPD as interns since then. I still use his story as an example to my current students.” 

Edwards has since moved up to fill the role of recreation director. With 15 full-time staff and up to 100 summer employees that he oversees, Edwards has a full plate. “When I started, there wasn’t really a recreation department; I became a trailblazer for our department.” He also spends his workday focusing on building the brand of the park district through its social media presence, planning community events, educating staff, and finding sponsors. Just recently, Edwards connected with Major League Baseball’s Chicago White Sox to request their help in supplying uniforms and hats, and to help pay off capital projects for baseball fields in Blue Island. 

“I realized throughout my time at Trinity that one of my callings is to help people; now I have a job where I’m able to help,” Edwards said. 

Edwards’ hard work paid off in a big way recently: He was named one of National Recreation & Park Association’s 30 under 30, which recognizes “the 30 best and brightest young park and recreation professionals in the field.” 

One of Edwards’ passions is having minority representation in parks and recreation. “In order to really serve the community–from planning, to programming, to staffing–I think we have to have a diverse staff. As I’m moving forward in my career, I’m realizing that there are very few black people my age that work in parks and recreation.” Edwards is using his platform to help others understand why it is so important that community leaders are a reflection of the people living in the community. 

Edwards also fills the role of basketball coach for young boys in Blue Island. He finds fulfillment in coaching these kids and being a positive role model in their lives. 

One example of this can be seen in his relationship with a 73-year-old woman who is guardian to her two young grandsons. “She asked me to connect with these kids since they didn’t have a male figure in their life,” Edwards recalled. “I’m able to speak to them at their level and connect with them in a way others might not be able to. I’ll likely be in their lives forever.” This story could be replicated for many other kids Edwards has coached. 

After receiving his MBA in sports administration from Concordia University Chicago this past December, Edwards is motivated to continue growing in his career. “There was a point when I was a freshman when I didn’t think I’d ever get my master’s degree or be a director in parks and recreation, but my faith has continued to lead me into positions to lead and help others,” Edwards said. “Once I achieve a goal God has for me, He will give me another one to work toward. I know He has a path for me; I want to stay on that path and ensure I’m connected with Him.” 

 

Matthew Nolan ’18 didn’t pursue a college degree immediately after graduating from high school. Instead, he worked for more than 10 years before coming to Trinity and earning a double major in computer science and mathematics. And while he was nervous about embarking on a college education at 30, he found a home at Trinity and now has a career he loves as a data analyst at Exelon Corp.

“All the professors are outstanding and went above and beyond to invest into their students,” said Nolan. “The math and computer science classes put me in a position to be successful in my current role.”

After graduating from Vernon Hills High School in Vernon Hills, Ill., Nolan went to work at Menards. “It was during that time I became a Christian,” he said. “After becoming a Christian, I realized that God has given me certain gifts and skills that I was not leveraging at Menards.”

Nolan decided to pursue a bachelor’s degree and began looking for a Christian college. “I applied to many Christian schools but the thing that made me come to Trinity was that I reached out to [former Professor of Mathematics] Dr. Dave Klanderman to discuss my concerns about going to college as a 30 year old. I met with him on campus one day and he spent hours answering all my questions and then some,” said Nolan. “That made me realize that Trinity was the place for me.”

Nolan was passionate about mathematics and focused on that degree initially. “But Dr. Klanderman and [Professor of Computer Science] Dr. Jeff Nyhoff encouraged me to take some computer science classes in my first semester to see if I enjoyed it. After taking a few classes, I not only enjoyed the computer science classes but saw how pairing that with a mathematics major worked really well for many different careers,” he said. While pursuing a double major, he also earned a minor in business.

The summer before his senior year, Nolan interned with Exelon, America’s leading energy provider and a Fortune 100 company based in Chicago. “After graduating in May of 2018, I was hired full-time by Exelon. Now, two and a half years later I am a senior data analyst.”

Nolan loves being a data analyst. “My favorite part of my job is that it is a great balance between three things that I love; math, computer science, and people. I also love that I am not doing the same thing every day–the data, the people, and the problems are always different and therefore exciting to me,” he said.

He was also excited to learn that Trinity is launching a Data Analytics program, beginning in Fall 2021. “I get to see the need for data analytics and the lack of knowledge, training, and skills that exists,” he said. “I sit in a unique position in that I get to interact with every aspect of our business, and I can see how desperate the company is for data professionals,”

Nolan encourages all students at Trinity to familiarize themselves some aspect of data analytics. “The future is not a world of data. We are already in that world, and too many people are not prepared for it,” he said. “Even if you don’t want to be a data analyst, having experience, such as a minor in data analytics, will help you in any profession. I find it to be an extremely rewarding career. There are always new challenges because the data is never the same and the business problem is never the same; so being able to work on new, challenging projects is a lot of fun.”

When he is not working, Nolan serves at his church, Judson Church in Joliet, Ill., and is on the board of directors of MorningStar Mission in Joliet. He is also currently pursuing a Master of Computer Science from the University of Illinois and is planning to start seminary in the fall. “My motivation for attending seminary is to just better equip myself to serve God,” he said. “I want to be able to serve better at church, at home, at work, wherever. Now that my career is established, I feel like the timing is great for me to focus more on my biblical knowledge and I know could do that by reading books and many other ways. But I thrive under structure so I felt attending seminary would be best for me.”

Looking back on his time at Trinity, Nolan points to the impact his professors had on his life, as well as his studies. “To have professors that I could talk to about anything, not just school, was comforting and made Trinity feel like a second home,” he said.

Photo: Amy (Bulthuis) Huckstep ‘09 & Dustin Huckstep ’18

–By Christy Wolff ’10

While Amy (Bulthuis) Huckstep ‘09 grew up with a clear picture of what college would look like for her, she didn’t quite know which school she’d attend. Growing up near Trinity meant she was familiar with the campus, and after learning more about what Trinity had to offer, she knew she belonged there.

“I wanted to be somewhere small with a close environment of Christian educators and friends – all things I found at Trinity,” Huckstep shared.

Knowing she would major in science and ultimately attend graduate school, Huckstep was immediately drawn to Trinity’s state-of-the-art Heritage Science Center and the extracurricular activities offered, such as research opportunities (a helpful addition to her grad school applications) and being a part of smaller classes – allowing more involvement with professors.

One research opportunity involved studying rats with adult stem cells. Huckstep, two other students, and Professor of Biology Bob Boomsma ’77, Ph.D., undertook this two-year project that involved regenerating stem cells from aortas with the hope that there would be re-growth. “The research environment was huge in my learning process,” Huckstep said. “I do a lot of research in my job today, so it was helpful to have this foundation.”

During her junior and senior years, Huckstep enrolled in a class that studied the merging of Christianity and ethics within the science world. “Sometimes those subjects are categorized by themselves, but to bring them together and reason through science and your Christian worldview was really impactful for me,” Huckstep shared. “I might not have gotten that opportunity at a large university.”

After graduating from Trinity, Huckstep went on to receive her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from the University of Illinois at Chicago. She found that Trinity prepared her well for further education, specifically by being challenged academically. “The professors at Trinity taught me to problem solve and learn the concepts to the right answers instead of just memorizing them,” Huckstep said.

She recalled leaving her doctoral classes each day thinking about our Creator and having a bigger perspective on what she was learning, in large part because of how Trinity influenced her during her college years.

Huckstep now works as a physical therapist at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab and helps patients who have had a stroke or brain injury, or are living with diseases like Parkinson’s or multiple sclerosis.

Two years ago, Huckstep and one of her colleagues worked with engineering students at Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill., to come up with improved ways of learning wheelchair skills. What came of this was the “Alligator Tail,” a harness that can easily be fashioned to a wheelchair and is designed to stop the wheelchair from falling backward while learning new skills, such as a wheelie.

The team desired to help patients with spinal cord injuries that had resulted in paralysis of the core and legs. Huckstep explained, “Unfortunately, insurance rarely covers enough time in therapy to effectively learn [how to perform a wheelie]. And if we spend all therapy time learning this task, we aren’t able to teach these patients how to do other tasks such as getting in and out of bed with paralysis, transferring from a bed to a wheelchair, sitting at the edge of the bed without assistance, etc.”

She went on to say, “The device was created to allow patients to get a device at home to practice with family safely, to improve repetitions and confidence, and to keep therapists safe in teaching these patients how to perform the task.”

As a result of her hard work, Huckstep’s name is listed on the device’s patent.

Today, there are five Alligator Tails being used for physical therapy needs at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the final patent is still in process, which means they can’t be distributed to other facilities yet. The hope is to start the marketing and distribution process as soon as it’s safe to do so, with the goal of distributing these harnesses throughout the world.

Reflecting on her time at Trinity, Huckstep shared, “I love my job, I look forward to going to work each day, and I find motivation through my coworkers. God formed me and prepared me for what I’m doing today through my experiences at Trinity; this is all part of God’s plan designed for me.”

–By Christy Wolff ’10

From the time Holli Moote ‘13 was young, she had her heart set on becoming a teacher. During her high school years, her love for music grew, which helped in her decision to teach music. In the years to follow, Moote learned from her own music teachers about what it took to become one herself. Four years at Trinity and two countries later, Moote is living out her passion by teaching music to children halfway around the globe.

Small class sizes and large performance groups at Trinity – specifically choir and band – gave Moote valuable class time and hands-on experiences throughout the time she was working on her degree. Moote especially appreciated the freedom she had in her music classes. On one occasion, she chose to study Icelandic music for a project. She located an Icelandic woman living in Chicago to help with the project — a benefit of Trinity’s campus being just 30 minutes from the diverse city of Chicago.

Moote always wanted to study overseas. However, with the significant courseload of the music education program, she simply didn’t have the capacity to fit a traditional semester abroad into her schedule. Dr. Joy Meyer, Trinity’s Dean of Education, helped Moote find an international student teaching placement through a Trinity alumnus in Indonesia. “This is when I fell in love with Indonesia,” Moote recalled. “The food, the people, the landscape, the weather – I loved everything about the country.”

Moote’s student teaching experience was focused on music and English, both of which aided in Moote’s growth as a teacher. A number of Trinity professors also visited Indonesia while Moote lived there. “They made a point to contact me and visit, which meant a lot,” Moote shared.

At the end of her placement, the school offered Moote a position, which she accepted. For five years following graduation, Moote taught middle and high school music classes. Knowing her heart was in elementary music, she felt pulled in a different direction with new opportunities in 2018: South Korea.

Currently living in Seoul, the bustling capital of South Korea, Moote found her dream job of teaching music to 350 students between second and fifth grade. “With teaching elementary students, there is still exploration and play associated with music. I enjoy helping kids grow and discover joyfully,” Moote said. The school she teaches at is made up of students from 60 different countries, with differing levels of English-speaking skills.

Moote also enjoys exploring a new region of the world, particularly the culture, food, and learning a new language. “I was able to travel around Korea this summer and got to see the countryside, beaches, and mountains around the country. Getting to see so many beautiful places helps me love it even more,” Moote shared.

Reflecting on her teaching journey that began at Trinity, Moote described how prepared she felt to teach abroad, thanks to Trinity’s professors and classroom experience. Moote recalls a project called “Building Bridges, Serving Communities” where Trinity students worked with local Muslims to begin cleaning up what is now known as the Cal-Sag Trail near campus, with the purpose of strengthening the community. “Connecting with people and loving people – that’s what Trinity does best,” Moote shared.

Moote is also thankful for the theology and philosophy classes she took at Trinity, which challenged her and prepared her to talk to people with different backgrounds and beliefs. “Living in a different country opens your eyes to the world and how many perspectives there are,” Moote said.

For Moote, Trinity wasn’t just a four-year college experience; she still connects with several professors as she is able to. “I felt seen and known at Trinity, and that continues even today,” Moote said. Through an incredible program, a global classroom perspective that capitalized on its location, and a community of people that took the time to understand her hopes and dreams, Moote is impacting lives all around the world through music. She embodies the Trinity spirit that seeks to live out their calling for good, for God, and for the world.

–By Christy Wolff ’10

Danielle Oeverman ‘18 is part of the second graduating class from Trinity’s speech-language pathology (SLP) program. Desiring to earn her degree and play volleyball at a small NAIA school, Trinity fit the bill for Oeverman. “My parents taught me that I need to work for what I want and not be afraid to go and get it,” Oeverman said. So, after graduating from South Christian High School in Grand Rapids, Mich., she moved to Illinois, embarking on a new adventure at Trinity.

Having gone through years of speech therapy herself, Oeverman’s interest in making this a career started from a young age. “I knew how big of an impact an SLP can have in one’s life.” More recently her nephew underwent speech therapy, which led Oeverman to shadow in the field–solidifying her dream to make this a career.

Trinity’s SLP program is “small but mighty,” according to Oeverman. Alongside a class of seven, Oeverman felt comfortable bouncing ideas off her classmates and studying with them. “To still be in contact with your classmates says something about the Trinity atmosphere,” Oeverman shared.

Since grad school is a requirement in order to be a licensed SLP, Oeverman valued how Trinity equipped her for that next step. “Being such a small program, we were able to truly connect with our professors and ask questions to prepare us for grad school.” Oeverman gained perspective on grad school during visits from Trinity’s SLP graduates who would share about their grad school experience, what they learned, and what they wished they knew.

Trinity’s SLP class topics include child development, communication disorders, anatomy, and motor speech disorders, to name a few. “Trinity’s program covers all the courses you need for grad school,” she said. “It’s one thing learning the knowledge behind the topics; it’s another to learn how to provide therapy. Trinity did both,” she said.

Several Trinity experiences aided in her grad school application–and eventual acceptance– including internships at a school and nursing home, and hands-on assessments in class. She attended Midwestern University in Downers Grove, Ill., and virtually graduated in May 2020, due to COVID-19.

“Trinity taught me when it’s important to step up and stand up for what I believe in, especially when it comes to advocating for myself and my patients,” she said.

Trinity also provided Oeverman with the gift of forming lasting friendships. “Four years is such a short time to develop lifelong friendships, but Trinity gave me that sense of family.” Having such impactful friends helped her grow in her faith. “I really learned what I believe and why I believe that.”

She also made a huge impact on the volleyball court during her years at Trinity. She was a member of Trolls teams that claimed NCCAA National Championship titles in 2014 and 2016 and advanced to the NAIA National Championship in 2015 and 2017. Amongst her many accolades, she was a four-time All-Conference selection and was the CCAC Freshman of the Year in her rookie season. She earned AVCA/NAIA All-Region honors twice and NCCAA North Central All-Regional honors three times. The NCCAA  also named her the 2017 Susan R. Hellings Award Recipient for Division I Women’s Volleyball, given annually to a player who exemplifies Christian leadership on the court..

Her advice to prospective students considering SLP? “Don’t be afraid of the small class size or that Trinity doesn’t have a grad program,” she said. “None of those things have stopped me from graduating and applying for jobs currently.”

Oeverman looks forward to embarking on her next adventure and using the tools Trinity gave her to be a positive influence in her career.

–By Christy Wolff ‘10

If Eric VanderSchaaf ‘07 was told during his high school years that he would receive a college degree and eventually start a family-owned food company with his wife – while also raising three children – he might not have believed it could happen. With God’s guidance, the help of several impactful mentors, and his experiences at Trinity, VanderSchaaf is now a proud husband, father, and business owner.

VanderSchaaf learned about Trinity through Restoration Ministries, a Christian-based organization that provides life-changing programs to recovering addicts, among others. Following a drug overdose shortly after his high school graduation, VanderSchaaf entered this rehab program, which was co-founded by his grandfather, and his life turned around.

During treatment, VanderSchaaf was introduced to Trinity’s baseball team, whose members often volunteer in the Restoration Ministries children’s program. VanderSchaaf was no stranger to baseball, since he grew up playing on different teams. So, he quickly formed relationships with some of Trinity’s players. Near the end of the treatment program, VanderSchaaf connected with Trinity’s baseball coach at the time, who encouraged him to try out for the team.

By the fall of 2004, VanderSchaaf was enrolled at Trinity with a baseball scholarship. “I was happy to be spending time with kids my age again and having some normalcy in my life,” VanderSchaaf shared.

Not only did VanderSchaaf excel at baseball, but he also excelled in the classroom. “I was a great student in high school but never applied myself. When I got to Trinity, I had a new focus,” VanderSchaaf recalled. He declared a Spanish major with a business minor. He had developed a relationship with Professor of Psychology Emerita Mary Lynn Colosimo, who is heavily involved with Restoration Ministries, so he also took several psychology classes.

During Colosimo’s introduction to psychology course, she encouraged students to pick a statement that guides their lives. VanderSchaaf chose “To know Christ and make Him known.” This impacted his faith that started to grow during rehab – and he still makes this phrase a focal point of his walk with God. Mark Hanna, his resident director at the time who is currently Trinity’s Associate Vice President for Student Life & Athletics and Athletics Director, also helped shepherd his faith. “He showed me how to be a man and how to lead a family,” VanderSchaaf said.

When asked about VanderSchaaf’s years at Trinity, Hanna said, “Eric’s is an incredible story and ultimately one that bears real witness to our steadfast and faithful God and to the vital importance of formative Christian communities like Trinity.”

After graduating in 2007, VanderSchaaf entered the commercial insurance industry and found a job in downtown Chicago. A few years later, he moved to Texas to take a job with an e-commerce company. During this time, he realized he had his own ideas for launching a business. “I wanted to bring something new into the world,” VanderSchaaf shared.

By 2012, VanderSchaaf and his wife Mary Claire established Treehive: a better-for-you breakfast company that sources syrup and pancake mix. This grew into Austin Food Group, a privately held, family-owned and operated, food-holding company that oversees three different businesses. Products include breakfast items like syrup (inspired by eating Saturday morning breakfast with family) and pancake and waffle mix, and are sold nationwide at Walmart and Whole Foods and at local Texas grocery stores. “My dream of owning my own business has come true. I have the flexibility to be with my family and love growing these businesses alongside my wife.”

Looking back on his experience at Trinity and reflecting on how it helped him become the man he is today, VanderSchaaf recalled the incredible mentors he had. “Everyone seemed to have a focus on the redeeming power of God and helped shepherd me to that healthy place,” he said. His years at Trinity were a crucial time as they helped frame how he runs a business with excellence. He learned how to push himself and show Christ’s love in all he does.

“So how will I take that into the world? Trinity helped me ask those big questions.” VanderSchaaf said.