Archives: Initiatives
The Psychology Renewed Conference is an annual event held in April for alumni, students, and members of the community. Each year the conference is centered on a particular theme in the field of counseling/clinical psychology. Past themes have included mindfulness, addiction, and attachment.
The conference opens up space for attendees to delve deeper into a topic relevant to their work and network with others who have similar interests. The on-campus conference allows those who are working in the field to earn CE credits and students to get experience at a professional conference.
Hannibal Lecter, the villain created by author Thomas Harris and immortalized in movies by Anthony Hopkins, is many things. Cannibal connoisseur and creative serial killer often get the most attention, but Lecter is also a philosopher. The new book “Hannibal Lecter and Philosophy: The Heart of the Matter,” delves more deeply into Lecter’s philosophical ways, and includes a chapter by Dr. Derrick L. Hassert, professor of psychology.
In his chapter “The Psychiatrist as Sociopathic God,” Hassert explores how Lecter addresses the “Big Questions,” which concern the nature of God, humanity, and evil. As Lecter asks FBI agent in training Clarice Starling in the film version of “The Silence of the Lambs:” “Of each particular thing ask, What is it in itself? What is its nature? What does he do, this man you seek?”
Looking at the Lecter books and films, Hassert urges readers to understand how Lecter’s desire for friendship represents an essential part of human existence. He suggests readers consider the choices they make, the behaviours they exhibit and the nature they reveal to themselves and the world. He reminds readers that, unlike Lecter, “Also, plying people with mind-altering drugs may get you into trouble…”
Hassert first learned about the plans for the book from Dr. Aron Reppmann, professor of philosophy and department chair. Knowing Hassert’s interest in pop culture, Reppmann forwarded an email that called for abstracts from the book’s editor, Joseph Westfall, in 2014. Westfall accepted Hassert’s abstract and provided helpful feedback throughout the writing process, Hassert said. While most of the authors are philosophers, Hassert brings his background in psychology, behavioral therapy, and neuroscience to his chapter.
And with favorable reviews on Amazon.com and in “Fangoria” magazine, “I’m happy to be included in a book that people might buy,” Hassert said with a laugh.
Hannibal Lecter, the villain created by author Thomas Harris and immortalized in movies by Anthony Hopkins, is many things. Cannibal connoisseur and creative serial killer often get the most attention, but Lecter is also a philosopher. The new book “Hannibal Lecter and Philosophy: The Heart of the Matter,” delves more deeply into Lecter’s philosophical ways, and includes a chapter by Dr. Derrick L. Hassert, professor of psychology.
In his chapter “The Psychiatrist as Sociopathic God,” Hassert explores how Lecter addresses the “Big Questions,” which concern the nature of God, humanity, and evil. As Lecter asks FBI agent in training Clarice Starling in the film version of “The Silence of the Lambs:” “Of each particular thing ask, What is it in itself? What is its nature? What does he do, this man you seek?”
Looking at the Lecter books and films, Hassert urges readers to understand how Lecter’s desire for friendship represents an essential part of human existence. He suggests readers consider the choices they make, the behaviours they exhibit and the nature they reveal to themselves and the world. He reminds readers that, unlike Lecter, “Also, plying people with mind-altering drugs may get you into trouble…”
Hassert first learned about the plans for the book from Dr. Aron Reppmann, professor of philosophy and department chair. Knowing Hassert’s interest in pop culture, Reppmann forwarded an email that called for abstracts from the book’s editor, Joseph Westfall, in 2014. Westfall accepted Hassert’s abstract and provided helpful feedback throughout the writing process, Hassert said. While most of the authors are philosophers, Hassert brings his background in psychology, behavioral therapy, and neuroscience to his chapter.
And with favorable reviews on Amazon.com and in “Fangoria” magazine, “I’m happy to be included in a book that people might buy,” Hassert said with a laugh.
Trinity congratulates Jordan Vande Kamp ’18 and Craig Vander Galien ’17 on winning the Venture Award at the Future Founders recent U.Pitch event. The pair–along with Brandan Vande Kamp, who is a senior at Pella Christian High School in Iowa and Seth Franz, the owner of Urban Brain and Body Mental Health Clinic in Chicago–took part in the business competition for startups.
Learn more about this award and win.
The Campus Ecological Stewardship Advisory Group (CESAG), formed in 2007, is composed of students, faculty, and staff, seeking to improve Trinity’s campus ecological stewardship.
God calls all of us to care for his creation. By working with CESAG, guided by the principles of restoration, sustainability, and education, students can learn about ecological stewardship, equip themselves and others to more fully appreciate and care for God’s creation, and champion a cause with strong support from faculty, staff, and fellow students.
The Vision
A Reformed world view mandates that humans be good stewards of God’s creation. Trinity seeks to teach this world view and to practice good stewardship, working to care for and redeem the earth. Accordingly, our vision for the campus is to create a sustainable environment and to adopt practices that reflect our desire to be good stewards of creation. Stewardship of creation is a broad task, not limited to the care of plants and animals. It extends to how we design and build buildings, use energy, and manage waste, and includes other aspects of our impact on God’s world. Ultimately, stewardship is not just management, but is a spiritual practice in our striving for shalom.
Some of the efforts of CESAG on campus include:
- Working on the restoration and preservation of Trinity Trail
- Planting and caring for native species in campus detention basins
- Sponsoring electronics recycling drives
“I believe that Trinity’s campus can be a testament to good environmental and ecological stewardship, both for those of us who are members of the Trinity community and for those who visit our campus.”
— Dr. Thomas Roose CESAG Chair
With topics spanning biology, racial attitudes, autism, ethics, and more, 12 Trinity students and alumni were selected to present their work at the prestigious National Conference for Undergraduate Research (NCUR) at the University of Memphis from April 6-8, 2017.
Learn more about the NCUR presentations.
With topics spanning biology, racial attitudes, autism, ethics, and more, 12 Trinity students and alumni were selected to present their work at the prestigious National Conference for Undergraduate Research (NCUR) at the University of Memphis from April 6-8, 2017.
Learn more about the NCUR presentations.
The class, Biol 210 Cadaver Dissection, represents a rare chance for undergraduate students to work with cadavers, according to Dr. Robert Boomsma ’77, professor of biology and department chair. “It’s a great opportunity for students,” he said.
Learn more about this unique student experience.
Kate Meyrick ‘17 is a double major in English and music, and she recently combined her interests in an article posted on Think Christian titled “Millennials, Worship, and Hillsong: Let Hope Rise.”
Read more about Meyrick’s thoughts.
Students. Authors. Thanks to their experiences in Trinity’s English classes, several students and recent alumni have seen their worked developed into a blog, Getting to Know Us: Our Foods, Our Cultures, and a book, Voices of Redemption, that has recently been released in an electronic version.
Read more about this achievement.