Archives: Initiatives

Whether pursuing an undergraduate degree in a psychology-related program or earning a Master of Arts in counseling psychology, students at Trinity learn to blend a liberal arts based approach to psychological science with the art of understanding the self and relating to the contemporary world in all its complexity.

And now, students who are working towards their B.A. in Art Therapy, Psychology, or Speech-Language Pathology at Trinity can begin taking graduate-level courses in their junior or senior year.

That means students can earn a psychology-related B.A. and an M.A. from Trinity in five and a half years, instead of six.

“Undergraduate students who take graduate coursework at Trinity can seamlessly transfer those courses into the Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology program upon finishing their Bachelor of Arts degree,” said Dr. Kara E. Wolff, Ph.D., Director of the Graduate Program in Counseling Psychology and Associate Professor of Psychology.

“This new opportunity is also ideal for undergraduate students who are interested in graduate school and would like to experience graduate coursework prior to beginning a full graduate program,” said Wolff.

With this new program, students may take up to three courses at the graduate level during their undergraduate experience, allowing for up to nine credits of graduate coursework that can be counted towards both an undergraduate and graduate degree.

Trinity is also welcoming our alumni back to their campus home for graduate school. Alumni who enter the Counseling Psychology graduate program for the fall of 2019 will receive a $250 tuition discount. The College is also offering a $500 scholarship, in the form of a tuition discount, for Trinity alumni who graduated with a 3.5 GPA or higher.

There are several requirements for undergraduate students looking to start graduate level coursework:

–3.0 cumulative GPA, junior or senior standing, previously completed four psychology courses with grades of B or higher: PSYC 121, 122, and two other psychology courses.

–Successful completion of an interview with the graduate program director.

Students interested in enrolling in the M.A. program after completing their Trinity bachelor’s degree will have their application fee waived. They will need to complete the following elements of the graduate application process:

1. Submit an application ($50 application fee is waived)
2. Submit two letters of recommendation through the online application portal
3. Complete an interview with program faculty
4. If accepted into the program, pay the non-refundable enrollment deposit of $250 and attend orientation

Learn more about Trinity’s B.A. psychology-related majors here. Click here to learn more about Trinity’s M.A. in Counseling Psychology.  Download the program flyer.

On March 30, Trinity’s Psychology and Social Work Departments will host the 7th Annual Psychology Renewed Conference, “Emotionally Focused Therapy.” This year’s featured speaker is Certified EFT Therapist Marcia Vickman LCPC, CADC.

This introduction to Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) by Marcia Vickman will provide both new and experienced therapists the basic theory and interventions that can be used effectively with diverse populations and presenting issues.

EFT is supported by over 30 years of respected outcome and process reearch with success rates of up to 70%. This research has shown not only that it works, but how it works.

Marcia will also discuss EFT for couples where it is used as a revolutionary model of therapy that helps couples move from conflict, distance and distress to increased openness, trust and deeper emotional engagement. By helping partners share their most vulnerable fears of rejection with one another a shift is created from conflict to emotional safety.

Please join us as Marcia walks us through an exploration of this fascinating and impactful theoretical approach.

Trinity Christian College is approved as a CE sponsor by the IL Department of Professional Regulation for  Psychologists: #197.000219 Professional Counselors (LPC/LCPC): #268:000042 Social Work: The presenters disclose that there are no conflicts of interest in their participation with this program, and there is no commercial sponsorship for this continuing education program.

From the time she was a young girl, Lissette Lopez ‘12 had dreams of making a difference. By the time she reached high school, she had identified a career path that would help her become a difference maker: social work.

Growing up in Chicago and later moving to Alsip, Ill., Lissette studied in the Chicago Public Schools before enrolling at Moraine Valley Community College in Palos Hills, Ill. After receiving her associate’s degree, she transferred to Trinity to obtain her bachelor’s degree. “Going from public schools to a private school was a change. The class size was vastly different – it was much more intimate,” Lissette shares. “When I first got a tour of Trinity, the people I met with were so warm and welcoming, not pushy.”

As a commuter student, Lissette felt like she was as fully immersed into the Trinity community as any other student. She appreciated how the professors helped commuters stay closely connected to on-campus activities. Salsa classes, fireside chats, pizza parties, and school dances are just a few activities Lissette looks back on with fond memories.

Once Lissette was accepted into the social work program at Trinity, she found plenty of hands-on opportunities: tutoring immigrants who were trying to become U.S. citizens, volunteering at a retirement home near campus, and working with a domestic violence agency that helped school-aged kids.

Dr. Rose Malinowski, field education program coordinator at Trinity who helped social work students like Lissette find opportunities to practice what they have learned, was a hands-on, experienced social worker. “She led by example with her compassion, spirit, and connection to God.” Even today, Lissette makes an effort to stay in touch with her professors. “You can tell the professors really care.”

For the past five years, Lissette has been able to use her social work degree at the Cook County Sheriff’s Department. She directs women’s programming projects at the Cook County Jail, specifically focused on substance abuse and trauma, and also oversees a human trafficking initiative. Lissette spends much of her time helping women who are pregnant while incarcerated. Additionally, she manages up to seven interns over the course of a year.

“My favorite part is watching women transform before my eyes. They come in to our programs very broken – physically and spiritually – and I am able to see the light come back to their eyes.”

Today, in the midst of pursuing her doctorate degree, Lissette is continuing her Trinity story by serving on the alumni board and an advisory board for the social work department. With God as her guide, she is able to take what she has learned and make a difference through her career.

Joe Velderman ‘04 has always thrived in the world of technology. From the time he was 10 years old, he involved himself in his church by helping with computer-related needs during the worship service. When it came time to choose a college, he wanted to branch outside of his hometown of Holland, Mich. and decided to visit Trinity. “I felt at home within 10 minutes of being on campus,” Joe recalls.

Right away during his freshman year, Joe signed up for courses focused on computer science and information services. After breezing through a few classes, he knew this was the right fit.

Four years later, he graduated from Trinity with a major in business administration, with a heavy concentration in information systems. Joe found work in the computer services department on campus when he was a student. In addition to helping answer day-to-day technology-related questions, Joe assisted in taking student portfolios and digitizing them into a webpage as a tool for prospective employers after graduation.

Since graduation, Joe has dedicated himself to furthering businesses’ missions through tech support. For the past two years, he has been trying to solve a problem related to the 72 million Baby Boomers in the United States: the lack of caregivers. Considering Gen X is comprised of about 40 million people, there’s a growing concern over who will care for the older generation. Joe has a vision to make the last 10-15 years of an adult’s life the best it can be. So, he is developing technology solutions that will help efficiently monitor older adults as they age in their homes. Using smart home technology–such as smart speakers, smart light switches, smart showers, and smart thermostats–he’s working toward creating a smart home package to help in the aging process, with the goal to bring something to market by October 2019.

“The good Lord has gifted me as a strategic thinker, looking into the future and figuring out what challenges exist and how to solve those,” he says. Joe attributes these skills to the training he received at Trinity. A lot of his strategic skills weren’t necessarily learned in the classroom. Rather, his entire college experience played into the businessman he is today.

Currently living in Indiana with his wife and 3-year-old son, Joe advocates for Trinity as much as he can. “I’ve often told people who ask about Trinity that it’s a very special place where great community and authentic Kingdom-building work happens.” And that’s just what Joe is doing: helping build the Kingdom of God here on earth.

When Josh DeJong ‘14, was in high school, his desire to dig his roots deeper into his faith began to grow significantly. His Christian Reformed background helped lay the foundation for his faith, but he wanted to learn what it meant to be a Christian living in the world and not of the world – and that’s exactly what led him to Trinity.

Josh said, “Trinity was a stepping stone of what it means to be a Christian in the world, not just praying and going to church, but having those values in every aspect of your life.”

Receiving a double major in biology and chemistry, Josh had plenty of learning opportunities at Trinity. “I never had an experience where I went to talk to a professor and their door wasn’t wide open.” Midway through his time at Trinity, Josh partnered with Dr. Bob Boomsma, Professor of Biology and Chair of Sciences, to study how stem cells differentially secrete proteins after a heart attack for a protective effect on the heart. One year after Josh graduated, this study was published in the International Journal of Cellular Biology.

Outside of the classroom, Josh was the president of student activities, involved in Trinity’s weekly praise and worship service, held the role of Resident Assistant, and started a drum circle on campus.

With Trinity being just a short drive from downtown Chicago, Josh was afforded numerous educational opportunities he might not have received elsewhere. After graduation, he conducted research at the University of Chicago and Northwestern University, and then moved to Wisconsin with his wife, Katie, where he did research at the Blood Center of Wisconsin. He is currently in his final year at the Medical College of Wisconsin and is in the process of applying for pediatric residency. Josh has his heart set on pediatric hematology oncology – working alongside kids with blood disorders and cancer.

Earlier this summer, Josh was inaugurated into the Gold Humanism Honor Society – a peer-nominated society for medical students who are recognized for exceptional leadership, mentorship, and patient care. He was one of 25 students (out of the 250 in his program) who was elected into this society.

Reflecting on his time at Trinity, Josh pointed to the value of the Christian liberal arts education he received. “This type of education showed me the basics to approaching different aspects of society…and how to celebrate those while maintaining my own beliefs and my own Christian worldview and what the Bible has to say about it. You gain an understanding and appreciation for a lot more than what’s in the textbooks – and this is the basis to take you into the world.”

PHOTO CAPTION: Organs provided by the Anatomical Gift Registry at the Medical College of Wisconsin.

For Jacob J. Boglio ‘18, Trinity has prepared him for his calling as an artist. “Trinity gave me the confidence and network to go out into the world and continue building my career as an artist,” said Boglio, who earned a BA in graphic design and BFA in studio art from the College.

Boglio is now serving as Trinity’s first post-baccalaureate fellow and has a solo exhibition, “Wage(r)s,” that is currently installed in the Seerveld Gallery in the Art & Communication Center. There will be a closing reception for the show on July 20 from 5 pm to 9 pm.

As post-baccalaureate fellow, Boglio splits his time between working in the studio and for the Art & Design Department. “While the program is still evolving and being refined, it is a great opportunity to continue my work for the department and to keep a working practice as an emerging artist,” said Boglio.

His responsibilities include serving as a liaison between students and faculty members. “I also do many different things in the department, including posting occasionally on social media, archiving, meeting with and assisting exhibiting artists, and assisting classes. I also maintain the department’s facilities: through cleaning, organizing, keeping inventory, painting, patching, and so on,” he said. “Keeping a working studio practice is a crucial expectation of the post-baccalaureate fellowship. This allows me to refine my practice, to become a better artist, and to further prepare my portfolio towards applying to a graduate program.”

Boglio is a native of Palos Heights, Ill., and a graduate of Alan B. Shepard High School who came to Trinity after attending Moraine Valley Community College. “I chose Trinity after careful consideration and multiple college visits. I was eager to learn under professional working artists. Prof. Ryan Thompson and Prof. John Bakker made a strong impression on me as educators and artists,” he said. “The campus was a hidden gem; beautiful and close to home. And never attending a Christian school before, I was ready to step outside of my comfort zone,” said Boglio. “I ultimately decided to attend Trinity because of the small class sizes, pristine art and design facilities, and the opportunity to have a studio space to work in. The Art & Design Department was impressive, inclusive, and I could tell that I would have access to professors and facilities based on their class sizes rather than being a student lost in the crowd of other students.”

During his time as a student, Boglio got multiple jobs within the department ranging from woodshop technician to gallery assistant. “I learned how to build stretchers for canvas, patch and paint walls, handle art, archive art, and so much more. Through my on-campus jobs I was able to make strong connections with students, professors, and visiting artists. This has given me hours of experience in my field, that eventually led me to networking with a local Chicago artist and gallery owner Dan Devening, who was exhibiting at the Seerveld Gallery.” Through the department’s encouragement and guidance, Devening eventually hired Boglio as an intern and then part-time employee at Paris London Hong Kong and DOCUMENT Gallery. “These are two predominant forces in the contemporary Chicago gallery scene,” he said.

Finding Community and Inspiration
Boglio points to a number of professors, students, and others from Trinity who have impacted him and continue to do so. “I have great admiration for Prof. Thompson’s artistic practice. When I first visited Trinity, his work struck me as being very smart and analytical. It set a new bar for me, and I hoped to cultivate a refined practice like his someday.”

Bakker is another inspiration. “I have been able to work closely with Prof. Bakker in his studio practice, learning much about the woodshop, painting, and art history. Through his encouragement I got to work with many different artists in Seerveld Gallery, and was introduced to Dan Devening. I continue to assist Prof. Bakker and he continues to inspire and motivate me.”

Another mentor is Prof. Soo Shin, who taught Boglio’s printmaking and sculpture courses. “Her perspective as a minimalist Chicago artist has given me great influence of what my practice could and should be as a contemporary artist. She is so kind and understanding, and she never fails to give me the critiques and advice I need to further my professional practice,” he said. “Even if I’m not in class, she is still able to make time to help me grow as a person and artist when needed.”

Jean Carey, Art & Design Department Coordinator, has also helped open doors. “She is a machine that keeps the department well-oiled and running, but she is also very compassionate, helpful, and creative,” he said. “Since I first met Jean, we have worked side by side during the various positions I took within the department. Jean saw potential in me that I didn’t see at first, and because of her I started working during the first weeks of my semester here and haven stopped yet. Through Jean many opportunities have opened up for me, including commission work. If it wasn’t for her encouragement, I might have never worked in the Chicago gallery scene. Jean is still a constant inspiration and motivational force in my life, who always encourages me to better myself,” he said.

His classmates have also helped him grow. “My peers working the studio with me would motive, inspire, and push me to be better every day. I remember working in the studio from early in the day until late in the evening with my fellow seniors, and that’s some of my fondest moments on campus over the years. I loved the amazing work that was made, along with the long conversations and critiques,” he said. “I would feel competitive to stay in the studio as long as possible, but also there was so much positivity and encouragement in the air that I just wouldn’t be able to leave–unless I had to!”

Multiple Concepts and Different Materials
Boglio loves painting, but he also works in many different materials and uses multiple concepts. “I always consider myself a painter. I love to paint whenever possible; usually painting on a larger scale in acrylic washes, before using different mediums like thread, charcoal, or spray paint.”

Anything is potential material for his artwork. “My current exhibition work, ‘Wage(r)s,’ is sculptures in conversation with the working-class, using found objects of that culture such as employee shirts, construction vests, cans, cigarette buds, aluminum fences, and very little ‘traditional art’ material,” he said. “As the years go on, I never seem to exhaust the potential of what can be considered an ‘art material.’ To list a few, I have worked with oil paint, acrylic paint, ink, markers, wax crayons, charcoal, cement, plaster, wood, fabric, found materials, reclaimed material, trash, tea, coffee, graphite, and too much more to list here.”

He enjoys making art for fun and comfort. “But I also like to create more disciplined art that has a deeper meaning behind it, like with ‘Wage(r)s’.”

Boglio finds himself constantly inspired. “When asked what inspires me, I can’t help but to quote figurative painter Chuck Close, who said ‘Inspiration Is for Amateurs—The Rest of Us Just Show Up and Get to Work.’ I am constantly inspired, either by everyday occurrences like weathered stains on a CTA wall to austere and beautiful art objects like paintings. But mainly I just work, and through that work I’m able to build a foundation for newer work and so on. It’s a frustrating process, and a labor of love that feeds itself if you let it,” he said.

He also has some advice for high school students looking at colleges. “Don’t rush into anything, think seriously about the school you wish to attend, and why. I took more time by attending community college because I wanted to be certain about what college I attended, and it was the best for me. I ended up at Trinity, because Trinity seemed to be the best college where I could thrive as an artist, designer, and a person. I needed working professionals as my professors, I wanted small classes where my voice was heard, and the department allowed me the facilities and space to explore my own artistic practice without inhibition.”

He also said liking art isn’t enough of a reason to major in it. “That’s not good enough,” he said. “Don’t let that discourage you–that’s a start, and that’s where I started. But over time, you need to be able to find other passions and causes for making art. Being an artist allows you to creatively put your voice out into the world, so you need to be conscious about what you put out into the world, and why.”

Boglio also suggests students move at their own pace but never give up. “Be well informed, talk to people who went to different colleges, visit colleges (during the semester and during critiques if you can) and get as much information as you possibly can before you make your decision. Sometimes things don’t work out as hoped, but be mindful and don’t let the pressure get to you. Keep moving, keep learning, and even if you’re unsure, or pick the wrong major, don’t stress. Everything is temporary and nothing is permanent, someone is always willing to help and support you if you reach out for it. Whatever path you take, you got this.”

To learn more about Boglio and his artwork, visit his website.

Prof. of History John Fry, Ph.D., recently presented at the Midwestern History Conference in Grand Rapids, Mich.

He participated on a panel titled “‘Everyone Has a Wilder Story:’ Laura Ingalls Wilder, the Midwest, and Historical Research.”

“It was a privilege to join Bill Anderson and John Miller,” Fry noted on his blog, “The Faith of Laura Ingalls Wilder.” “We each told the story of how we came to research and write about Laura Ingalls Wilder.”

Fry is currently writing a book that explores the faith of the famous author of the “Little House” books.

The conference. which was held May 30-31, was sponsored by the Midwestern History Association and hosted by the Hauenstein Center for Presidential Studies at Grand Valley State University (GVSU). It was held at GVSU’s Pew Campus in downtown Grand Rapids.

 

 

From 2015 to 2019, Trinity students reflected on food and family for an in-class writing assignment. Today, the results are tangible in Tasteful Diversity: Stories Our Foods Tell (Community Publishing, $13 on Amazon), a paperback compilation of essays and recipes edited by English professor Michael Vander Weele and designed by Trinity alum Schuyler Roozeboom.

Tasteful Diversity’s essays and recipes are a rich blend of cultures – from beer brats and banana bread muffins, to kugelis and himbasha, from mole poblano to Irish potatoes. “When the essays came in, I was stunned,” writes editor Vander Weele in the foreword. “The foods, family histories, and cultural insights seemed too good to keep to ourselves.”

One essay/recipe, by Trinity student Naomi Araya, is a reflection on the cultural immersion of her family after they emigrated to the U.S. in the wake of the late ‘90s war in Ethiopia, and the blessing of her infant niece. Connecting it all is himbasha, a traditional bread that is both a daily staple and also plays a central role in traditional Ethiopian celebrations (a piece is broken over the baby’s back, then shared with the family).

Another essay by Catherine Van Lonkhuyzen centers on a traditional recipe for Dutch banket and a vivid memory of family Christmas gatherings, including the clan’s 97-year-old matriarch, whose recipe is still used to make the buttery holiday treat.

The assignment, like the 2017 “Getting to Know Us: Our Foods, Our Cultures” blog series, was inspired by Nina Mukerjee Furstena’s Biting through the Skin: An Indian Kitchen in America’s Heartland, which weaves food, family, and culture. “These essays made my day,” she writes. “I am pleased beyond measure that my book could trigger students to appreciate racial and cultural diversity.”