Archives: Initiatives
Dr. Mark Mulder ‘95, professor of sociology at Calvin University and graduate of Trinity in history and communication arts, recently returned to campus for several engagement opportunities with the College community and broader public.
Mulder is the author of Shades of White Flight: Evangelical Congregations & Urban Departure, which Trinity faculty and staff reading groups read together this past summer. That book explores the “white flight” that occurred in the Chicago neighborhoods of Englewood and Roseland, where seven entire church congregations from one denomination, the Christian Reformed Church, left the city in the 1960s and 1970s and relocated their churches to nearby suburbs. Mulder’s book investigates the migration of these Chicago church members, revealing how these churches not only failed to inhibit white flight, but actually facilitated the congregations’ departure.
Mulder’s visit encompassed several different conversations and lectures. That included an author conversation, sponsored by the Faculty Development Committee, and a lunchtime conversation, sponsored by the Center for Teaching & the Good Life, surrounding the question, “How do we ensure our vision of the good life is accessible to all human beings?”
Mulder also provided a public lecture entitled “Shades of White Flight: Reckoning with Racialized Legacies,” sponsored by the Office of the Provost.
During his time at Trinity double majoring in finance and marketing, Zach Fitch ’18 didn’t plan to become an influencer or work for one of the biggest TikTok marketing agencies in the world. Yet since graduating from the College and doing a career pivot when COVID-19 hit last year, Fitch has achieved those objectives and more.
Fitch recently returned to campus from his base in Los Angeles to share his story, offer career advice, and provide insights into social media to several classes of business students.
In early 2020, Fitch was selling legal products to businesses and consumers. “Then COVID hit, and I lost 70% of my business in a couple of months,” he recalled. Around that time, Fitch’s younger brother challenged him to see who could get the greatest number of TikTok followers. As Fitch remembered with a laugh, he had some time on his hands and didn’t want to lose to his little brother. So, he began creating TikTok videos. “It started as a joke, but I began building a following,” he said. Once he reached more than half a million followers, he started getting offers from companies to promote their brands. Yet TikTok is still a new platform, and there are few guidelines or other people working in that space who could offer advice and guidance. “It is the Wild, Wild West,” he said.
Those experiences led to his current position as director of campaign execution at Ubiquitous Influencer Marketing, one of the largest TikTok influencer marketing agencies in the world. Ubiquitous works with content creators, as well as major brands like Disney, American Eagle, Netflix, and Lyft. For Fitch, his work is an extension of his Christian faith. “The whole reason Ubiquitous started is so creators don’t get taken advantage of,” he said. “We want to ensure that everyone gets treated fairly.”
Fitch demonstrates the importance of being flexible, according to Assistant Professor of Business Omar Sweiss. “I’m a big believer in experimenting and adapting,” Sweiss told students during one of Fitch’s presentations. “Zach had to adapt, then adapt again.”
When students graduate from Trinity with a special education degree, they have been prepared to cultivate relational peace, educational equity, and justice for all children and to impact the mind, body, and soul of each student through excellence in teaching.
Recently, College Factual ranked Trinity’s special education program as a “Best Value” college for 2022. “What our value rankings try to identify is when you are truly going to get a higher quality of education than what you will pay for, based on what comparable institutions are charging,” according to the organization.
College Factual also honored several other education degree programs at Trinity, including:
–Education
–English Education
–Mathematics Education
–Chemistry Education
–Arts Education
Trinity’s bachelor’s and master’s degrees in psychology and clinical mental health counseling were also highly ranked.
To determine its rankings, College Factual analyzed almost 5,000 colleges and universities in the United States. Schools were assessed across 1,784 different majors & concentrations, 60+ different and four degree levels to come up with what amounts to over 800,000 distinct lists to help students find the best-fit college for them.
The Lincoln Laureate Student Awards honor Illinois college seniors for their leadership and service in bettering humanity and for their excellence in their academic and extracurricular work. And this year, Trinity is pleased to announce that Evie Dykhouse ’22 has been named the College’s Lincoln Laureate.
For Dykhouse, who is double majoring in theology and communication arts with a concentration in media studies, the award came as a surprise. “I was honored to be selected,” said Dykhouse, a native of Byron Center, Mich.
While Lincoln Laureates are typically recognized in a ceremony in Springfield, that tradition has been altered because of COVID. So, the Trinity community applauded Dykhouse during halftime of the men’s basketball game against University of St. Francis (Ind.) during Fall Fest.
Along with maintaining excellent grades, Dykhouse is deeply involved on campus. She serves as a representative for the Student Government Association, as a tutor at the Writing Center, and as a prayer team leader. She is also, in her words, “incredibly involved” with Trinity’s Theatre program, working in the box office and as president of Theatre Club. Along with directing a one-act play earlier this semester, Dykhouse is part of the Fall Mainstage Production “Macbeth,” acting in the role of one of the witches and handling hair and makeup.
Along with her many achievements, Dykhouse sets herself apart by how she serves, according to Trinity’s Lincoln Laureate Committee. “Evie is an empathetic, kind, and thoughtful leader who is committed to the betterment of others. She demonstrates a generosity of spirit that is marked by humility and worthy of admiration. Her peers respect her deeply and Trinity’s campus is a better place for her having been a student in this community,” the committee noted.
When she came to campus as a freshman, Dykhouse wasn’t planning to major in either communication arts or theology. Instead, she was considering pursuing a psychology degree. “But I fell in love with communications,” she said. In the summer of 2020, in the midst of COVID, she decided to add a second major in theology. “I’ve gone to Christian schools my entire life,” she said. “I wanted to inform my morals going to work in the media world, which is known for being more secular. The theology degree has allowed me to think in different ways. It’s the best decision I ever made.”
When Dykhouse graduates in May, she plans to pursue a job in the broadcast field.
The annual Lincoln Academy Student Laureate Ceremony recognizes excellence in curricular and extracurricular activities by seniors from each of the state’s four-year, degree-granting colleges and universities, and one student from the community colleges in Illinois.
Trinity Christian College Lincoln Laureates
2020—Ross Barz
2019—Indira Escalante
2018 – Mallory Boyce
2017 – R. Josiah Rosario
2016 – Courtney Kalous
2015 – Hallie Wisse
2014 – David (Woody) Lucas
2013 – Megan Anderson
2012 – Adam Perez
2011 – Alberto LaRosa
2010 – Joseph Wydra
2009 – Jon Vander Woude
2008 – Caitlin Fillmore
2007 – Elizabeth VanderSpek
2006 – Allison Backous
2005 – Erin Marshalek
2004 – Rachel Van Oort
2003 – Yvana Hansen
2002 – Evan VanderZee
2001 – Nate Bosch
2000 – Laurie Johnson
1999 – Hanna Vancer Zee
1998 – Kristen Devine
1997 – Heidi Boeck
1996 – Julie Tinklenberg
1995 – Keri Dyksterhouse
1994 – Mark Mulder
1993 – Kristen Hart
1992 – Sarah Ver Velde
1991 – Aron Reppmann
1990 – Nathan Van Der Male
1989 – Drew Sweetman
1988 – Erik Hoekstra
1987 – Kimberly Dykema
1986 – Edward Wiener, Jr.
The Lincoln Laureate Student Awards honor Illinois college seniors for their leadership and service in bettering humanity and for their excellence in their academic and extracurricular work. And this year, Trinity is pleased to announce that Evie Dykhouse ’22 has been named the College’s Lincoln Laureate.
For Dykhouse, who is double majoring in theology and communication arts with a concentration in media studies, the award came as a surprise. “I was honored to be selected,” said Dykhouse, a native of Byron Center, Mich.
While Lincoln Laureates are typically recognized in a ceremony in Springfield, that tradition has been altered because of COVID. So, the Trinity community applauded Dykhouse during halftime of the men’s basketball game against University of St. Francis (Ind.) during Fall Fest.
Along with maintaining excellent grades, Dykhouse is deeply involved on campus. She serves as a representative for the Student Government Association, as a tutor at the Writing Center, and as a prayer team leader. She is also, in her words, “incredibly involved” with Trinity’s Theatre program, working in the box office and as president of Theatre Club. Along with directing a one-act play earlier this semester, Dykhouse is part of the Fall Mainstage Production “Macbeth,” acting in the role of one of the witches and handling hair and makeup.
Along with her many achievements, Dykhouse sets herself apart by how she serves, according to Trinity’s Lincoln Laureate Committee. “Evie is an empathetic, kind, and thoughtful leader who is committed to the betterment of others. She demonstrates a generosity of spirit that is marked by humility and worthy of admiration. Her peers respect her deeply and Trinity’s campus is a better place for her having been a student in this community,” the committee noted.
When she came to campus as a freshman, Dykhouse wasn’t planning to major in either communication arts or theology. Instead, she was considering pursuing a psychology degree. “But I fell in love with communications,” she said. In the summer of 2020, in the midst of COVID, she decided to add a second major in theology. “I’ve gone to Christian schools my entire life,” she said. “I wanted to inform my morals going to work in the media world, which is known for being more secular. The theology degree has allowed me to think in different ways. It’s the best decision I ever made.”
When Dykhouse graduates in May, she plans to pursue a job in the broadcast field.
The annual Lincoln Academy Student Laureate Ceremony recognizes excellence in curricular and extracurricular activities by seniors from each of the state’s four-year, degree-granting colleges and universities, and one student from the community colleges in Illinois.
Trinity Christian College Lincoln Laureates
2020—Ross Barz
2019—Indira Escalante
2018 – Mallory Boyce
2017 – R. Josiah Rosario
2016 – Courtney Kalous
2015 – Hallie Wisse
2014 – David (Woody) Lucas
2013 – Megan Anderson
2012 – Adam Perez
2011 – Alberto LaRosa
2010 – Joseph Wydra
2009 – Jon Vander Woude
2008 – Caitlin Fillmore
2007 – Elizabeth VanderSpek
2006 – Allison Backous
2005 – Erin Marshalek
2004 – Rachel Van Oort
2003 – Yvana Hansen
2002 – Evan VanderZee
2001 – Nate Bosch
2000 – Laurie Johnson
1999 – Hanna Vancer Zee
1998 – Kristen Devine
1997 – Heidi Boeck
1996 – Julie Tinklenberg
1995 – Keri Dyksterhouse
1994 – Mark Mulder
1993 – Kristen Hart
1992 – Sarah Ver Velde
1991 – Aron Reppmann
1990 – Nathan Van Der Male
1989 – Drew Sweetman
1988 – Erik Hoekstra
1987 – Kimberly Dykema
1986 – Edward Wiener, Jr.
—By Patricia Yang ’25
It had been a very long time since Trinity’s theatre department has performed live, in-person, in the Black Box of the ArCC (Arts and Communication Center), in front of an eager audience. But this year was a step back to that: the 16th Annual Student-Directed One-Acts brought life into the Black Box on October 22 and 23!
Three unique plays were scrutinized, selected, carefully rehearsed and brought to life for this year’s One-Acts: “Dorothy and the Wizard of Oz,” by Steve and Kathy Hotchner; “Visitor from Forest Hills,” by Neil Simon; and “One Lane Bridge,” by Stephen Gregg. With each having its own fascinating and personal style, these selections gave everyone their own set of challenges, fun, and memories. All three plays also tied back to the Theatre Department’s theme for the 2021-2022 season: “Resilience and Rebirth,” a phrase loaded with the hope of returning to normalcy, determination to move forward, and finding new ways to perform on-stage.
Professor Emma Schneider ‘19, theatre’s program coordinator since September 2020, was beyond thrilled to have this experience come around after the trying times of COVID. She, along with the directors and some actors of the One-Acts, joyfully relayed their experience.
How does it feel having performance in-person again?
“Oh, it feels so good. It’s been since November 2019 that we had an in-person performance… So being able to be back in person feels like a return to normalcy in some ways. Even though the pandemic is still here and we’re still making accommodations, it felt really meaningful to get back to a place where we could see live theatre, in person, indoors again.” —Schneider
“It is amazing to be back indoors for theater performances. In the past year we’ve come up with creative alternatives to indoor in person theater which were still pleasant experiences; however, there’s nothing quite like being back in the black box.” — Matthew Huizenga ‘24, actor, “Dorothy and the Wizard of Oz” and “Visitor from Forest Hills”
“It felt amazing to perform in person again. I was blessed enough to perform in person for my last musical during my senior year of high school, but we had to do it in masks and that was a lot. But it was fun to perform in this show without masks in front of a big audience. It brought me a lot of joy to see people so interested in the arts again after being away for so long.” — Michael Moore ‘25, actor, “One Lane Bridge”
“I am unbelievably grateful to have indoor, in-person performances again. While there were interesting challenges to working outdoors, there is nothing quite like having people in the intimate Black Box space to watch a story together. The energy is so much more electric when acting close to the audience; I was glad to have my actors—particularly in a comedic play—act in this space.” — Alexandria Eggert ‘22, director, “Visitor from Forest Hills”
“My favorite part was the first day where we got to know one another and learn who our characters are. We read the script and made some inside jokes that I will never forget!” — Mariel Martin ‘23, actress, “Visitor from Forest Hills”
What were some memorable or favorite parts of the process?
“My favorite part of directing was meeting new people and seeing everyone grow in their skills. I really enjoyed being the introduction that many of these students had to Trinity Theatre as well. I had so much fun with the cast and crew of my production, and it was an honor and a joy to see them lean into their roles and produce an amazing show. We made a lot of friendships in a very short amount of time.” — Evie Dykhouse ’22, director, “Dorothy and the Wizard of Oz”
“My favorite part of this whole process was working with my fellow cast members. Since the cast was small we got to all know each other fairly quickly! There were a couple of times we would get done early with rehearsal and just have tea times or talk about our lives. By the end of the production, I felt like I’d gained a new family. And I am extremely grateful for the experience.” — Moore
“The most memorable part of my directing experience would be getting to know the actors in my cast and being able to also act alongside them. My cast had a lot of people who were new to Trinity Theatre, and it was great to get to know them and introduce them to our traditions.” — Ryan VanGilst ‘22, director, “One Lane Bridge”
“My favorite part was probably sitting in on each of the rehearsals. I get to see these plays at lots of different steps of their processes. I really loved going to each of the plays when they were in the middle of their work. It feels really special, because it’s like watching something grow up, in a way. It’s really cool to see how their ideas on paper were coming to fruition.” — Schneider
“The experience felt memorable being the first time I’ve directed a play before. As an actor first, being on the other side of the process has given me a more rounded understanding of theatre. I would even say that it’s more nerve wracking as a director than an actor. I remember walking out of the green room being more scared than I ever have before, realizing that stepping out of that room I had done everything I could. It was all out of my hands, what happened on the stage that night was now in the hands of my actors. I shouldn’t have been that nervous, though. My actors made me so incredibly proud to have my name attached to that production. After so much dedicated work, they performed better than I could have hoped for.” — Eggert
“I really enjoyed playing the role of the Tin Man in the “Wizard of Oz” – it was really fun to just randomly burst out in tears on stage and hear the audience roar in laughter.” — Huizenga
What were some challenges you faced?
“Something that was challenging for me and this production was learning how to balance theater with my other responsibilities as well as personal life. They are all things that require a lot of my time, so it was at times difficult to make them work together.” — Huizenga
“On the COVID side, it posed some issues in terms of the big question: ‘Can we perform unmasked or not?’ We were really glad though that in the end we were able to! We’re also all having to relearn, revamp our understanding of what it means to do in-person theatre with all the different production elements, with lights, sound, costumes, and the indoor space.” — Schneider
“The most challenging part for me was during performances when I would hear the audience laugh but I could not see the hilarious actions on stage. I just wish there was a way for me to see it!” — Martin
“There were a few challenges that came with this production, some more physical ones in trying to figure out how to fit an actor out of a window, create a door that could withstand quite a beating, and set a blank space as one of the most expensive hotels in New York City. There were also some more soft challenges in making the cast feel cohesive even though Mimsey and Borden are only on stage for a brief moment.” — Eggert
“One Lane Bridge did get off to a slow start because of some casting challenges. The actor pool was smaller than planned this semester which made it hard to cast every role in each show. It took a while to look for someone to act in the missing role. Because of this situation, I had to step into that role in the cast. This presented the new challenge of directing the one act while also acting in it.” — VanGilst
How was your experience with the cast?
“I have never met a group of people who have clicked together so quickly to have a ton of natural chemistry and to have lots of fun together. It was a joy to watch them grow closer together and to grow in their acting abilities. Many of my cast members had not previously done any theatre before, so it was my honor to guide them through rehearsal and performance processes and to get to know all of my cast members as the wonderful people that they are.” — Dykhouse
“Casting was interesting! There were many roles to cast and so many great actors that could fill them. The most particular challenge for me was trying to get a sense of the comedic timing and range of different actors in so little time. I only had the space for about five minutes per actor, so it was very condensed. I was very grateful for advice to come in with a plan for note-taking, because the whole process moves at such an incredibly fast pace.” — Eggert
“My experience was amazing because my cast is so talented, lively, funny, and sweet. Steven Polcyn and Adriana Klein are honestly the most dramatic, hilarious, and nicest people to be around! They brought so much life and energy to Mr. and Mrs. Hubbly that I sometimes actually thought they were going to smash through the bathroom door to get me out. MJ, who played Borden, is so nice and he always has a smile. The first dress rehearsal, I remember him backstage whispering to me ‘Hi, honey’, which made me laugh because it was unexpected. I love them so much because they are always great company, even though conversations take strange and wacky turns. I will always consider them my family, the Hubbly and Isler Family!” — Martin
What are you looking forward to in future performances?
“I am very much looking forward to the musical aspect of next semester‘s Main Stage Production, ‘The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane’!” — Huizenga
“Moving forward, I am the most excited to switch back into my regular role of acting for the future productions. I love all branches of theatre and I feel so grateful to have been able to direct this semester as it was all fun. However, I love acting too and I am excited to return to that familiar space for ‘Macbeth’.” — Dykhouse
“I am looking forward to being on the hair and make-up crew for Macbeth. There are a lot of special effects make-up for the show and I’m excited to show everyone what we have been preparing.” — VanGilst
“The thing that I am looking forward to the most in future performances is what role I get to play next! I am also looking forward to acting in ‘Macbeth’ in a couple of weeks. This is another role that has pushed me as an actor as well!” — Moore
“Come to ‘Macbeth’! It’s going to be a really incredible show.” — Schneider
With the close of the One-Act Plays, another performance is heading up stage. Coming soon is the Theatre Department’s first mainstage play of the 2021-2022 academic year, “Macbeth.” Directed by Kim Darling, this version will include a note of hope, tying in with the Resilience and Rebirth theme. There will also be sword fights, dramatic lights, and murder!
Performances of “Macbeth” are taking place Nov. 12, 13, 19 & 20 at 7:30 pm in the Marg Kallemeyn Theatre in the Arts and Communication Center. Reserve your tickets here to witness one of Shakespeare’s famous tragedies.
The Chicago Bridge Magazine and its podcast, which bridge the gap between the person and public figures in music and entertainment on the Chicago arts scene, recently highlighted Trinity’s Professor of Art & Design John Bakker. Bakker was featured on the cover of the magazine and was the guest speaker on the podcast episode, where host King Hoff introduced Bakker as a “legend in and around the community of Roseland and the state of Illinois.”
Bakker offered reflections about his Roseland Portrait project, which was created in an effort to represent a community and its imperfect, but real support of one another. For the project, Bakker has set a goal of hand painting 400 portraits of everyday people from the Roseland community, including janitors, EMTs, school teachers, mechanics, cashiers, librarians, nurses, and others.
The project is a way to tell the stories of ordinary people who make up a real community and address the unconscious white bias that creates a narrative in the news media. “There’s all kinds of good stuff that happens in communities, even communities that are struggling with violence,” Bakker said. “These people get up and go to work every day, they have lives that are interesting. They have the same joys and sorrows. This is representing African-American communities in ways that are ordinary and not extraordinary.”
Bakker views the project as part of his beliefs as a committed Christian and a professor at Trinity. “The essence of the Christian assertion is that all of us matter because we’re made in God’s image. That’s why I do these portrait projects. The other option is that there is some kind of ranking that some people are more important and some people are less important, and I just frankly reject that.”
During the podcast, Hoff thanked Bakker for his vision and work. “It takes a selfless man, and thank you for being someone who is shining a light in the world.”
The Roseland Portrait project is one of several initiatives that connects Trinity to the neighborhood and is part of a grant from the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities (CCCU). The project has been shared across communities, including at several locations in Roseland, Trinity’s Jennie Huizenga Memorial Library, and the Palos Heights (Ill.) Public Library. Bakker also recently presented a public lecture at the Palos Heights Library about the project, called “Using Art to Build a Community.” The lecture is available here.
The education program at Trinity produces incredible teachers—because it’s more than just pedagogy and the classroom. The Christian perspective prepares teachers to cultivate relational peace, educational equity, and justice for all children and to impact every student’s life through excellence in teaching.
Trinity’s emphasis on its education program was recently recognized by College Factual, which named Trinity’s art education degree among its “most focused.” According to College Factual, “Schools that focus their resources on a specific field may provide you with a better education in this area than those that do not. The Education students at these colleges represent the largest percentage of the student body, making these excellent school choices for students who desire a laser-focused education in a specific subject.”
College Factual also honored several other education degree programs at Trinity for their focus, including:
–Education
–Mathematics Education
–Chemistry Education
–English Education
College Factual honored Trinity in multiple other categories, including as a “Best Value” for special education.
Trinity’s bachelor’s and master’s degrees in psychology and clinical mental health counseling were also highly ranked.
To determine its rankings, College Factual analyzed almost 5,000 colleges and universities in the United States. Schools were assessed across 1,784 different majors & concentrations, 60+ different and four degree levels to come up with what amounts to over 800,000 distinct lists to help students find the best-fit college for them.
The education program at Trinity produces incredible teachers—because it’s more than just pedagogy and the classroom. The Christian perspective prepares teachers to cultivate relational peace, educational equity, and justice for all children and to impact every student’s life through excellence in teaching.
Trinity’s emphasis on its education program was recently recognized by College Factual, which named Trinity’s chemistry education degree among its “most focused.” According to College Factual, “Schools that focus their resources on a specific field may provide you with a better education in this area than those that do not. The Education students at these colleges represent the largest percentage of the student body, making these excellent school choices for students who desire a laser-focused education in a specific subject.”
College Factual also honored several other education degree programs at Trinity for their focus, including:
–Education
–Mathematics Education
–English Education
–Arts Education
College Factual honored Trinity in multiple other categories, including as a “Best Value” for special education.
Trinity’s bachelor’s and master’s degrees in psychology and clinical mental health counseling were also highly ranked.
To determine its rankings, College Factual analyzed almost 5,000 colleges and universities in the United States. Schools were assessed across 1,784 different majors & concentrations, 60+ different and four degree levels to come up with what amounts to over 800,000 distinct lists to help students find the best-fit college for them.
The education program at Trinity produces incredible teachers—because it’s more than just pedagogy and the classroom. The Christian perspective prepares teachers to cultivate relational peace, educational equity, and justice for all children and to impact every student’s life through excellence in teaching.
Trinity’s emphasis on its education program was recently recognized by College Factual, which named Trinity’s mathematics education degree among its “most focused” programs. According to College Factual, “Schools that focus their resources on a specific field may provide you with a better education in this area than those that do not. The Education students at these colleges represent the largest percentage of the student body, making these excellent school choices for students who desire a laser-focused education in a specific subject.”
College Factual also honored several other education degree programs at Trinity for their focus, including:
–Education
–English Education
–Chemistry Education
–Arts Education
College Factual honored Trinity in multiple other categories, including as a “Best Value” for special education.
Trinity’s bachelor’s and master’s degrees in psychology and clinical mental health counseling were also highly ranked.
To determine its rankings, College Factual analyzed almost 5,000 colleges and universities in the United States. Schools were assessed across 1,784 different majors & concentrations, 60+ different and four degree levels to come up with what amounts to over 800,000 distinct lists to help students find the best-fit college for them.