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For the second year, the City of Palos Heights and community business people are holding a welcome event for Trinity students returning to campus.
Extending that welcome into September and beyond, participating businesses will offer special discounts to Trinity students, faculty, and staff (with ID).
The College thanks the wonderful community of Palos Heights and the leader of the “Welcome” initiative Business/Economic Advisory Committee Chairman Bob Grossart.
View the FULL LIST of Participating Palos Heights Businesses.
This week, the President’s Cabinet at Trinity Christian College accepted the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge.
The nationwide challenge involves making a small donation to the ALS Association, the national non-profit organization committed to fighting Lou Gehrig’s Disease, and pouring a bucket of ice water over your head or donating $100.
Trinity’s Interim President Liz Rudenga, Ph.D., accepted the challenge from Director of Admissions Jeremy Klyn ’02. Klyn, whose wife Jodi lost her mother to the disease five years ago, challenged Rudenga and the President’s Cabinet as a way of showing continuing support to Jodi as she continues her own efforts to raise money by running with the ALS team at the Chicago Marathon in October.
President’s Cabinet members gathered outside of the library on August 20, were doused with icy water, and individually passed along the challenge to others on campus.
The thousands participating have filled Facebook newsfeeds with hundreds of videos, and the challenge has raised $41.8 million in donations compared to $2.1 million during the same time period last year, according to the ALS website.
Thanks to Connor Cunningham ’16 of Lemont, Illinois, for taking the video of the President’s Cabinet.
New Challenge:
The physical education department, inspired by the President’s Cabinet, has started a new wave of the ALS Challenge on campus. The department will be donating to ALS by sponsoring Trinity alumni who are running on the ALS team in the Chicago Marathon.
Donation link for Jodi
Donation link for Andy
The physical education department challenges the admissions department!
Do you accept the challenge?
Over 100 students and leaders gathered on Trinity’s campus as a part of Youth Unlimited’s Chicago Project, from July 28 to August 1. Youth Unlimited is a non-denominational, non-profit ministry organization that assists the Church and its many local congregations with their ministry.
Youth Unlimited students put their faith into action, serving others throughout the city and suburbs at the many organizations with which Trinity partners, including:
- Bobolink Meadow
- Breakthrough Ministries
- By The Hand Club For Kids
- Faith and Action
- Forest Preserve of Cook County
- Lake Katherine
- Lampstand Ministries
- Love In the Name of Christ (Love, INC)
- MGR Youth Empowerment
- Pacific Garden Mission
- Providence Life Services (Palos Heights)
- Urban Youth Outreach
“The Youth Unlimited students continued the work that Trinity students do throughout the academic year,” said Jeremy Klyn ’02, director of admissions. “Chicago Project continues relationships we already have with these organizations and allows students to be blessed during the time they are here.”
To help equip students in their efforts, Trinity alumnus Zan Ingalls ’88, senior pastor of Galilee Missionary Baptist Church in Newark, New Jersey, delivered inspiring and encouraging messages. Ingalls has been involved with Youth Unlimited’s projects since 1993. Morning and evening worship was led by Vinnie Adams ’10, director of special needs ministry and worship leader at Faith Church in Dyer, Indiana.
All of the volunteer site coordination was arranged by Trinity’s AmeriCorps VISTA / Community Partnership Coordinator Jamaine Lacey. After busy, but fulfilling, days at their assigned worksites, students enjoyed evening activities such as games, bonfires, and a talent show, which provided times of fun and fellowship.
Trinity students, faculty, and staff strived to provide a supportive, fun, and faith-filled environment for the Youth Unlimited students.
Throughout the year, Trinity welcomes students from nearby and around the country for campus visits.
At the end of July, Trinity greeted prospective college students from a bit further away than usual. Eight students from South Korea, accompanied by Dr. Sinai Chung, Trinity admissions representative, spent two weeks living on campus, attending classes, and taking in the best sites of Chicago.
The students, 7-9 graders and one incoming Trinity freshman, are members of Chung’s church Mok Yang Methodist Church in Yongin, South Korea. This was their first visit to the United States. Student Yeonji Choi will return to Trinity in the fall as a studio art major.
Chung said the three-fold purpose of the “vision trip” was to experience American culture in a Christian community, get a taste of college life in Chicagoland, and participate in worship in various area churches.
On campus, students attended classes taught by Trinity staff members that provided more formal introductions to American and campus culture. The trip also gave them an opportunity to practice their developing English speaking skills.
City and suburban churches, including Faith Church in Dyer, Indiana, and Fourth Presbyterian in Chicago, allowed time for worship and education.
Sightseeing in Chicago was a highlight. Students visited Millennium Park, Adler Planetarium, the Field Museum, and Navy Pier.
“New revelations from the rapidly expanding field of epigenetics show that lifestyle decisions made by individuals could have biological consequences for future generations,” wrote Dr. Clay Carlson, assistant professor of biology, in a recent article for Perspectives on Science & Christian Faith.
Carlson wrote “Transgenerational Epigenetic Inheritance” after he and his students discovered that the emerging field of epigenetics had not elicited a response from Christians in science. In the article, Carlson explains the science of epigenetics, and more important, suggests ways for Christians to respond to research findings and their potential implications.
A great deal of research has been conducted on nature (genetics) and nurture (environment) in regard to the development of human beings. Epigenetics suggests that a person’s choices and experience have biological effects that can be passed to the next generation, even to future generations.
For example, Carlson noted that in rodents, a high fat diet in males can lead to a predisposition to early onset diabetes in female offspring. This predisposition could be caused by epigenetic changes to genes that regulate the pancreas.
If epigenetic inheritance could carry over to humans, how should Christians respond? Carlson points to two main responses: to teach freedom from epigenetic determinism and stress personal responsibility in making right choices; and to increase efforts to break destructive cycles and to help foster healthful choices.
What’s next for Carlson in this area of study?
First, he has been collaborating with Patrick Page of Palos Park, Illinois, a senior biology major researching the epigenetic markers on cells and how those markers may predispose cells to function. “The chance to learn in this hands-on manner outside of the classroom has been some of my most valuable experiences gained at Trinity,” said Page.
In addition, the findings have prompted Carlson’s current research on gene expression in plants exposed to BPA, an industrial chemical used in making plastics.
Further reading
Read Carlson’s article for Think Christian magazine, “Epigenetics: sign of the Fall or reason for hope?”
Statistics show that the average earnings of a bachelor’s degree-holder remain nearly twice as much as those of a worker with only a high school diploma; some studies estimate that earnings of a college graduate will be $1 million more over a lifetime. While those are impressive figures, families also should consider the more enduring value of the college experience.
A Christian liberal arts education provides students with critical thinking skills, job preparation, lifelong friendships, and a deeper relationship with God—a holistic education that engages mind, body, and spirit.
As parents and students look ahead to the new 2014-15 academic year, they can also look back at a few of the many ways this holistic education happens every day.
Critical thinking and job preparation
Trinity requires every student to participate in an internship or field education. Although only one internship is required for senior Stephanie Reichert’s major, the company where she interned invited her back for a second internship and offered her a part-time role during the academic year.
Lifelong friendships
During a spring break service trip, Trinity students enjoyed the friendships they formed with one another. “One of my favorite parts of the trip was the close and intentional fellowship,” said Hayley Johnson ’15, who plans to room this fall with a student she met on the trip. “I really loved how we could all come together for the same purpose: serving others.”
Deeper relationship with God
Dependence on God was instilled in alumna and educator Leah Branderhorst ’11 long before she stepped into her first classroom. Through the education she received at Trinity, she learned the importance of faith in the workplace. “Trinity taught me how to bring my faith and my calling into my daily life.”
Learn more about this life-changing college experience.
More than 40 alumni and friends of the College raised $7,500 for the Alumni Excellence Scholarship at this summer’s Alumni Golf Outing. The renewable scholarship provides $1,500 awards for children of alumni attending Trinity.
The outing, held at Big Run Golf Club in Lockport, began with lunch, followed by a shotgun start. The event ended with refreshments and the presentation of the trophy, which is engraved each year with the names of the winning foursome.
This year’s winning foursome included alumni Chad Robbins ’09, Rich Tameling ’09, Paul Jansma ’08, and Ryan Wories ’09.
The College is thankful for the faithful support received from the golf outing sponsors who make it possible for the funds raised by the event to go directly to the Alumni Excellence Scholarship.
Corporate Event Sponsors
Evenhouse & Co.
Homewood Disposal /Service Sanitation
Kramer & Leonard, Inc.
Media Resources, Inc.
Ozinga Brothers, Inc.
Providence Bank
ProviNET Solutions
Individual Event Sponsors
Trinity Alumni Board
Corporate Hole Sponsors
Bert Kamp, CPA
Bettinardi Golf
Clarence Davids & Company
Colonial Chapel
Interiors for Business, Inc.
McGuireWOODS LLP
PolyJohn Enterprises Corporation
Schaaf Window Company, Inc.
Schepel Buick GMC Truck
Silva International, Inc.
Stepping Stone Financial
Van Bruggen Signs
Individual Hole Sponsors
Ken and Margie Boss
Rick and Sue VanDyken
Each summer, Trinity gives students from Chicago area high schools two illuminating opportunities to engage in a college experience. College Quest and the Associated Colleges of Illinois (ACI) Summer Academy help prepare students for the next step after high school graduation.
College Quest
For the third year, students from high schools in the Noble Network of charter schools were immersed in college life through Trinity’s College Quest program, directed by Tabitha Matthews, coordinator for community service and pre-college programs.
During the three-week program in July, 13 students worked diligently to earn three college credits in one of two courses offered: American History, taught by Dr. David Brodnax, associate professor of history; and Introduction to Psychology, taught by Dr. Jessica Clevering, assistant professor of psychology.
Afternoon academic coaching sessions with Cynthia Coffey ’15 and Fred Walls ’16 taught skills that equip students to be successful college learners. Students resided in Alumni Hall under the guidance of Resident Assistants Jacob Chase ’13 and Noel Huddleston ’17.
Associate Colleges of Illinois (ACI)
Trinity’s nine-year partnership with ACI focuses on college readiness as the College hosts students for one week each summer in July.
The intensive residential experience provides a mentoring structure in which high school students interact with professors, enroll in their choice of two of three courses, and receive coaching in such areas as goal setting, the college search, college application completion, and college essay writing.
This year, 42 juniors representing five Noble Network high schools chose between classes in environmental science, taught by Dr. Abbie Schrotenboer, assistant professor of biology; math, taught by Susan Donovan, adjunct professor; and communications, taught by Darren Zancan, assistant professor of communication arts.
“Trinity offers an extraordinary setting for ACI’s Summer Academy,” said Jerry Fuller, executive director of the Associated Colleges of Illinois. “Trinity provides a sterling example of the academic and social milieu of a small, private, residential liberal arts college. Students sense that Trinity faculty and staff are driven by clear values and beliefs and that they truly care about the welfare of the students they serve.”
Fuller explained that many of the students have never traveled outside the city of Chicago and might never have considered a school like Trinity as an option. “Thanks to Trinity, our Summer Academy students only have to travel 40 minutes to experience what it might be like to attend a mission-driven college like this one,” he said. “We really appreciate the hospitality and expertise Trinity brings to this program.”
College life also includes a social aspect. Each evening, students enjoyed activities on and off campus that strengthened friendships and instilled the deep sense of community Trinity values.
Trinity staff, alumni, and students served in various roles, including:
Mark Hanna, Director
Tabitha Matthews, Assistant Director
John Baldauff, Coach
Rochelle Burks ’14, Coach
Tippi Price, Coach
Kara VanMarion, Coach
Latishia Elliott, Residence Director
Paige Alston ’15, Resident Assistant
Josh Hauck ’15, Resident Assistant
Karyn Jones ’17, Resident Assistant
Brandon Taylor ’14, Resident Assistant
Psychology major Joshua Hauck ’15 of Sterling, Illinois, served as resident assistant, a role he said utilized his classroom learning and prepared him for work as a future Trinity RA.
“It was great to work with these students. They are only 16, know what they want, and they’re striving for it,” Hauck said. “It is a wonderful position to be in when you have the influence to encourage them and let them know the future can be unexpected and full of surprises but you don’t have to be discouraged. These students are all great young adults, and I am glad I was able to get to know them.”
“The beauty of immersing yourself in an internship is that it not only makes your classes easier, but your classes make your internship easier,” said Stephanie Reichert ’14 of Sioux City, Iowa, an accounting and music major who has been interning for the second summer in the accounting department at Arthur J. Gallagher & Co., Itasca, Illinois.
Trinity requires every student to participate in an internship or field education. Although only one internship is required for Reichert’s major, Gallagher invited her back for a second internship, based on her excellent performance last summer. She also served in a part-time role during the academic year.
Without her Trinity education, Reichert said she would not have been prepared for this continuing opportunity to the extent she has been. “Despite the intense challenge of Dr. Lynn White’s class, it is that much better when you succeed, because you know you understand that information backwards and forward.”
Reichert’s main responsibility this summer has been analyzing financial data to ensure it complies with accounting regulations and the company’s policies. “It’s nice to know that as I’m auditing, I’m helping the company,” she said.
Working at Gallagher brings classroom knowledge to life—the work is no longer textbook examples. “It’s real money, real transactions, real things happening, and real work,” Reichert said. “I kind of had this mentality that I knew all there was to know about these subjects, but I learned so much.”
Reichert plans to continue working part-time at Gallagher this fall, and she graduates from Trinity in December with superior experience to add to her resume and valuable connections as she pursues a career path.
“I am not worrying about December,” she said. “The Bible passage keeps coming up, ‘Do not worry about tomorrow.’ God keeps pushing me not to worry. I have amazing paths to follow, but God continues to surprise me.”
While she would love to stay in the Chicago area, Reichert said she realizes that God might have different plans. “Wherever God leads me, I will go.”
The spotlight is not meant for everyone. But for Brooke Wigboldy ’14, the spotlight inspires growth and learning. Wigboldy, who majored in communication arts with theater and communication studies concentrations, spent the spring semester learning about the spotlight and what goes on behind the scenes during Trinity’s Chicago Semester.
Wigboldy had been interested in enrolling in the semester since her freshman year. “Chicago Semester offered opportunities I couldn’t find anywhere else, especially in theater,” said the recent graduate. “The connections and insight the program provided were superior.”
During her years at Trinity, Wigboldy played roles in eight theater productions and directed “Holier Ground” in October 2013. Along with experience on Trinity’s stage, she worked in the College’s marketing and communications department as an assistant to the conference and events manager and gained more than two years of hands-on experience that she carried into her internship.
Wigboldy interned at Northlight Theatre in Skokie, Illinois, where she worked in casting and marketing. According to the theater’s website, “Northlight Theatre aspires to promote change of perspective and encourage compassion by exploring the depth of our humanity across a bold spectrum of theatrical experiences.”
That “bold spectrum of theatrical experiences” proved true for Wigboldy through the internship.
Wigboldy had the opportunity to meet with directors and help with auditions for over 100 actors. She also worked with the marketing director, using her writing and editing skills to proofread promotional copy and researching Chicago and local media to track press coverage. The internship also gave her beneficial connections. “Every person offered to give me recommendations,” she said.
Other aspects of Wigboldy’s semester included attending urban development and arts classes at the Chicago Semester site. In addition, her internship coordinator helped her locate websites for jobs and auditions after graduation. Along with opportunities to audition, living downtown allowed Wigboldy to attend plays and concerts, visit Navy Pier, explore museums and galleries, and worship at other churches.
“The experience was above and beyond what I expected,” she said.