Archives: News Stories
Each year, business students at Trinity put their classroom learning into practice.
Teams from the organizational consulting classes work with various business and nonprofit “clients” to develop operational improvement plans, strategic plans, capital and fund raising plans, and marketing plans; create social network pages; and assist with fundraising campaigns. As the capstone course for all business majors, the class helps students explore and experience the ambiguities that are inherent when working with real business issues and businesses.
At regular intervals over the course of the most recent experiential learning project, students presented project updates to a panel composed of members of SCORE, the Trinity Business Network, and other professionals. Teams were also supported by Team Mentors and Subject Content Specialists so that their work met their clients’ needs. The final meeting on December 5 gave the students the opportunity to present final outcomes to their clients, mentors, and the broader Trinity community.
“Hands-on learning in this setting is an excellent way to transition into the workplace, and being able to work with other students has truly been a blessing,” said senior Sarah Jongetjes of Delavan, Wisconsin. “All of my business professors at Trinity have worked together to prepare me for this project and beyond. [The project] is special in that we work closely with our classmates within Trinity’s community, but we also learn from professionals outside of Trinity, including clients, the SCORE panel, and team mentors.”
One team worked with Global Green Products to prepare a two-year financial and marketing plan. During his closing remarks on the project, accounting major Joseph Blom ’14 of Pella, Iowa, said that working with the company was an amazing learning opportunity and that his team appreciated that Global Green trusted the students with company information and shared their enthusiasm for their business.
Dr. Rick Hamilton, assistant professor of business, oversees the course and loves to watch the students “grapple and grow” with the issues that naturally occur in these projects.
“One of the great things about working with the Trinity community is to watch how all of us can come together to create wonderful, practical, and worthwhile experiences in which students grow and mentors to touch lives,” Hamilton said. “We can see the community improve through shared efforts.”
Several local business people served as panelists, including John Zeilstra ex ’71, partner at Evenhouse and Co. P.C. During the presentations he said, “Imagine how good it would be for the country if the method Trinity was using to prepare its business students happened more commonly across the nation.”
Rick Powell, a “client” of the City of Palos Heights team, is a financial advisor and a member of the Palos Heights Business/Economic Advisory Council.
Following the students’ presentation, Powell said, “We asked you to do some specific things for this project. All of those requests were fully met and done well. I would give you an A+ because you exceeded each goal. You went above and beyond all of our expectations and provided some great new ideas.”
Businesses partnering with the students included:
Amato Hair: An analysis of the business practices of a high-end salon
ACA: An analysis of the effects of the Affordable Care Act on community businesses
Global Green Products: An analysis assisting the company, which is a developer of environmentally friendly polymers for the oil-drilling and fracking industries
City of Palos Heights: A thorough and creative evaluation of how the soon-to-be completed Cal-Sag Running Trail can assist the branding of the city
Ruminate: An evaluation of the business and marketing practices of Ruminate Magazine, a Christian publication in Colorado
Sunshine Gospel Ministries: An evaluation and business plan for Sunshine as it seeks to expand and enhance is micro-financing and business training ministry in Chicago
The Right Way Ministries: A financial, marketing, and donor support analysis for the ministry, located in Rivne, Ukraine
Students from the marketing management courses will present their projects in the Spring 2014 semester. To read more about the 2012 organizational consulting and marketing management business presentations, click here.
Philosophy and political science graduate Andrew Van’t Land ’10 enjoyed several professional achievements this fall in the form of winning a writing award and accepting a position at Trinity. As an adjunct professor, Van’t Land teaches both philosophy and political science courses.
In October, Van’t Land won The Jack and Phyllis Middleton Memorial Award for Excellence in Theology at the New Creation Interdisciplinary Theology Conference hosted by the Canadian Evangelical Theological Association (CETA) in Rochester, New York.
Van’t Land’s first-place paper “(Im)Peccability Amid the Principalities: Christ’s Sinlessness in a Culture of Sinful Systems” was originally completed for a graduate class on systematic theology. The paper addresses his interest in the intersection between social/political philosophy and systematic theology.
Returning to Trinity this fall, he joined the philosophy faculty who he said were formational for him during his time at Trinity. “It has been an overwhelming blessing to be back at Trinity,” Van’t Land said. “By far the most significant elements of my time at Trinity were bound up in close relationships with Dr. Aron Reppmann ’92, Dr. Stephen Lake, and Dr. George Pierson, professors of philosophy.”
In August, Van’t Land completed his master’s in social and political philosophy from the Institute for Christian Studies and is now applying to doctoral programs in philosophy for next school year. He said that his graduate education was well supported by the educational foundation he had at Trinity.
“Trinity’s philosophy department prepared me well by offering intimate mentoring, a broad range of classes, and a pair of in-depth senior seminars,” Van’t Land said. “Trinity’s emphasis on developing a Christian worldview helped me grow in my faith and theological beliefs.”
Outside of his career, Van’t Land and his wife Julianne (Woodroof) ’10, eagerly await the arrival of twins next spring.
The smell of homemade Asian cuisine filled Tibstra Hall on Wednesday, November 20, at the Taste of Asia event hosted by the Asian American Alliance (AAA) and Hall Council. AAA relied on students from international backgrounds to help bring authentic dishes to the multicultural celebration.
Students from Burma, China, Indonesia, the Philippines, and South Korea represented their countries with food contributions and presentations to share first-hand knowledge of their culture with the Trinity student body.
AAA Member Yangfan Mo ’14, of Beijing, China, hoped that Taste of Asia would get introduce Trinity students to some of the diversity on campus that they might not have been aware of.
“We wanted the fall event to reflect the appreciation of culture similar to our spring event, Celebration of Asia,” Mo said. “This was a great way to get Asian exchange students and American students with Asian ethnicity involved on campus, and let them share part of their background with the Trinity community.”
Over 80 students attended the tasting event, and enjoyed informative presentations as they ate.
”Having our students lead the presentations brings Asian cultures to life in a way that reading from a text book can’t,” Mo said. “Trinity is a diverse place. We hope our AAA events demonstrate how our cultures can be unique yet united by our shared Christian faith.”
Colleges pay close attention to the results of various national surveys that assess and rank institutions of higher education.
The National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) asks first-year and senior students about a wide range of educationally purposeful activities. The recent 2013 NSSE report highlighted two specific engagement indicators of Trinity in regard to “campus environment” and “learning with peers.”
The areas noted for “significantly higher” averages when compared to other Great Lakes private schools were “Quality of Interactions” and “Collaborative Learning.” The College also considers these areas to be strengths that reflect the kind of community Trinity strives to nurture. Students continuously comment on the mentorship relationships they have with professors who deeply care not only about students’ academic success but also their social and spiritual development.
Among Trinity’s freshmen and seniors, scores showed the College ahead of comparison groups in “courses that included a community-based projects”, a High-Impact Practice (HIP). Every year, students log thousands of hours volunteering in the community and even overseas as part of on-campus courses, Interim courses, and study abroad semesters.
Additionally, Trinity seniors scored participation in field experience as the second highest performing area. 100% of Trinity students gain professional work experience through internships locally and in the global city of Chicago or deepen their understanding of their major through intense research in field education opportunities.
At this time of year we pause to celebrate the gift of God’s Son—a gift so radical and amazing that shepherds trembled and Herod was seized with fear. Yet, it is because of Christ’s coming that we can experience true peace and know deep and abiding joy.
From all of us at Trinity, we wish for you the peace and joy of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit this Christmas season and throughout the coming year.
Dr. Steven R. Timmermans, President
Trinity Christian College
From a simple ox’s stall came the greatest gift of all.
Children sing of peace and joy at the birth of one small boy.
Let the bells ring loud and clear, ring out now for all to hear.
Trumpets sound and voices raise in an endless stream of praise.
—from This Christmastide
Trinity’s Diversity Lecture Series is one of the ways the College helps to develop cultural awareness and understanding within this Christian community.
This year’s series welcomed Trinity Associate Professor of Education Dr. Bill Boerman-Cornell in September and Dr. Rebecca Hernandez of Goshen College in October.
The final lecture in November was presented by Dr. Terry Lindsay, associate professor and dean of diversity and intercultural programs at North Park University. Lindsay’s address, “Demographic Trends: Implication for Christian Higher Education,” focused on how Christian institutions need to be aware of and respond to swiftly changing demographics.
Sharing various graphs and statistics, Lindsay covered several topics, including immigration trends, gaps in education, high school drop-out rates, college readiness of underrepresented students, and serving the needs of diverse students.
The Diversity Lecture Series is sponsored by the Office of Ethnic Diversity and Multicultural Programs.
On November 14-15, 25 high school art students traveled from down the street and as far as Colorado to take part in Trinity’s annual Art Visit Days.
The event gave students the opportunity to learn more about Trinity’s art and design program and visit the campus and art facilities. Students also got a taste of college life and the Chicago art scene. They were hosted overnight by Trinity art students then headed downtown to visit the Chicago’s West Loop Gallery District and the Chicago design firm Cultivate Studios.
On Thursday evening, visitors attended the Trinity art faculty exhibition and presentation, a wonderful opportunity to meet Trinity art professors who are also immersed in the art world. Visitors also viewed the work of Trinity art majors as they presented their favorite pieces during the Student Annual Review Show (SARS).
This year, high school students were encouraged to bring their own art portfolios to be considered for scholarships of up to $5,000 per year. This was an exciting opportunity for many students to have their art work critically reviewed for the first time.
As a prospective student, Trinity freshman art studio major Alivia DeHaan ’17 of Elgin, Illinois, said she wanted to see the work college students were creating when she visited campus. Not only did she have a chance to share her art with the visiting high school juniors and seniors as part of SARS, she also hosted two of the students overnight and shared more about her college experience.
Learn more about the art and design program!
“I thought about what I wanted to know as a prospective student,” she said, “and it was nice to relate to high school visitors who had an interest in art.”
Students came from Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Missouri, and Wisconsin, as well as from local high schools such as Shepard, Evergreen Park, and Glenbard North, Morton East and Illiana Christian. Illiana students were accompanied by fine art teacher Jim Kamphuis ’96, a graduate of Trinity’s art education program.
Trinity Christian College’s Art Visit Days has been a tradition that affords high school rising artists an opportunity to see the many aspects of art at the college level. For more information or to visit, contact the admissions department at 708.239.4833.
Having Chicago’s resources nearby helps Trinity professors incorporate experiential learning into their course work. Darren Zancan, assistant professor of communication arts, uses Trinity’s proximity to Chicago to give students in his public relations course the opportunity to connect with professionals in the area.
Zancan often asks himself, “What do my students really need to be prepared for the next step in their lives?”
In his attempt to answer that question, Zancan has made good use of Chicago’s resources this fall, his first semester of teaching at Trinity. Throughout the semester, Zancan brought in four experts from various positions in the public relations field, and held two field trips to public relations firms in downtown Chicago: Green Target and Alpaytac.
Along with providing networking and learning opportunities, Zancan hopes to inspire his students.
“Having speakers, going on field trips, and doing class projects are just a few ways to give students more of the hands-on learning,” Zancan said. “Stories from professionals and the work they do resonates with students and encourages them in regard to their future.”
Students in the course agree that they benefit greatly from these outside-the-classroom experiences. The stories from one person’s time in the field become available to all as a resource.
Vicki Drenth, a junior business communications major Palos Heights commented on the value of using Chicago’s resources.
“You get to see hands-on what PR actually looks like,” Drenth said. “It’s not just sitting in a classroom listening to what PR could be, it’s going to a firm and seeing with your own eyes what it is like.”
Students learn from hearing the highlights and challenges that come with the field and gain more insight into what type of work they might do in a public relations career.
On November 21, the Education Department hosted Keeping Ahead of the Curve in the Ozinga Chapel as part of the effort to supports students and graduates in staying updated with the many issues and reforms happening in K-12 schools.
Education students from the novice teaching General Methods Education Course were able to share their technology-focused projects with Trinity professors, alumni, and teachers from area schools. The reception allowed teacher candidates to be the experts on the technology platform they use for the project.
Nate Hendrikse ’14, of Oostburg, Wisconsin, found the event valuable for many reasons.
“As future teachers we need to be always improving in our professions and learning new things,” Hendrikse said. “It seems that there is always a new and exciting activity to use in the classroom. This event help showcase these to us.”
Attendees learned from student projects and were able to spend time with former classmates and professors before heading to the five sessions of presentations by Trinity professors, Trinity alumni, and guest speakers from the community.
In these Education events, held once a semester, the audience has typically been alumni and education students. The November 21 event included cooperating teacher and P-12 partners, and the Center for Christian Urban Education.
Rhoda Mattson, Assistant Professor of Education, was pleased to see this event grow to include more of the educational community surrounding Trinity.
“It has been exciting to work together across different parts of campus to produce great events for our community,” Mattson said.
Hendrikse noted that this event is just one of the many ways the Education Department prepares its students for their teaching careers.
“We are in the classroom starting sophomore year, so we bank a lot of hours in a wide variety of placements by the time we graduate” Hendrikse said. “Our professors also really give us good insight and examples on how to be great teachers since they are teachers themselves.”
The next Education Department event Social Thinking, will occur in February 2014, and will include collaboration between the Education Unit and Alumni office with the Center for Special Education.
English major Ethan Holmes ’16 was chosen to represent Trinity at the competitive Streamlines Conference on November 9 at University of Dubuque in Dubuque, Iowa. The Streamlines Conference provides a place for undergrads to gather and share recent, high-quality academic or creative writing.
Holmes valued the exchange of ideas and growing experience that Streamlines provided.
“Having the opportunity to talk to professors about subjects both they and I were interested in and studied was a real blessing, a privilege,” Holmes said. “The students’ papers also set my mind in some directions that will end up being useful for me somewhere down the road.”
Holmes presented two papers, both originally submitted for Trinity English courses. The first argued that Hemingway wrote The Sun Also Rises paralleling the character relationships in the biblical story of Jacob and Esau. The second looks at Ralph Ellison’s use of color in Invisible Man and how he uses it as a rhetorical device for communicating his views on issues of race and color in the United States.
Holmes has also been involved with many Trinity-related writing opportunities, including presentations of poetry and academic projects at OPUS; publication in Openings, Trinity’s literary arts magazine; articles for Trinity’s student-led newspaper, The Courier; and presentations at the St. Francis Undergraduate Conference on English Language and Literature.