Archives: News Stories

Nursing students at Trinity have a new learning tool that enhances the current simulation lab experience and the College’s well-respected and accredited nursing program.

T.I.G.G.E.R., the technology informatics generating and guiding education room, provides a remote space where students can observe the simulation in the lab via video and offer real-time critiques of fellow students participating in the simulation. They may also calculate drug doses to be administered, discuss other interventions that may be helpful to the “patient’s” condition, write up a caremap, and check lab values.

For example, students in the class taught by Assistant Professor of Nursing Sue Buechele may work on a pediatric simulation of an adolescent suffering appendicitis. While half of the students participate in the simulation, their classmates observe and evaluate the scenario from the TIGGER room.  The groups then change places.  

The TIGGER room allows more students to be actively engaged during the simulation and use critical thinking skills to evaluate the nursing interventions/care being provided by their classmates. At the end of the simulation, students and professors debrief and discuss the exercise from the points of view of active participant and observer.

Nursing students said they feel more prepared for clinicals after participating in the simulations.

Volleyball

In an exciting five-set match, the volleyball team upset No. 17 Bellevue University (Nebraska) in the NAIA National Championship Opening Round on November 23.  Playing on the Bruins’ home court the Trolls, who qualified for the national tournament as the conference champions, got off to a shaky start, but rallied back for the victory. After trading wins at 9-25, 26-24, 21-25, and 25-20 in the first four sets, the Trolls took the match with a 15-13 win in the deciding set.

Trinity advances, for the first-time in the program’s history, in a field of 24 teams to the 34^th Annual NAIA National Championship final site in Sioux City, Iowa on December 3-7.  The team will compete against No. 2 Concordia University (CA), Georgetown College (KY), and Park University (MO) in pool play on December 3-5. The top two teams from the six pools will move on to a single-elimination tournament to determine the national champion.  Complete tournament information can be found at www.naia.org.

Women’s Soccer

The women’s soccer team will be competing in the NCCAA National Championship at Austin-Tindall Athletic Complex in Kissimmee, Florida on December 2-7. The Trolls earned their right to advance to the national tournament with a 2-0 victory over Judson University in the North Central Region Championship game on November 20. 

The No. 2 Trolls will start their national championship title quest on December 2 against No. 8 Houghton College (NY) and will continue their pool play games on December 4 against No. 5 Azusa Pacific University (CA). The pool results will determine the top four teams that advance to the championship rounds on December 5-6.  Complete tournament information can be found at www.thenccaa.org.

Cross Country

One week after senior cross country runner Andy Reidsma claimed the individual title at the NCCAA National Championship, he took fourth place overall at the 58^th Annual NAIA Men’s Cross Country Championships in Lawrence, Kansas, to become Trinity’s highest-ever individual place finisher at this national meet.  Reidsma finished the 8K course in a school record time of 24:35.69 and outdistanced all but three other competitors in a field of 313 runners from 96 schools.  

Also representing Trinity, Anna Bos and Jessica Disselkoen competed in the 34^th Annual NAIA Women’s Cross Country Championships. Bos, who is making her third NAIA appearance, finished in 75^th place of the 319 runners and Disselkoen, in her first NAIA national race, took 122th place. 

Read the full stories and follow the trolls on the Athletics Homepage

“I love all sixteen of my teammates like I would my own sisters.”

Kaitlin Feddema ’14 of Kalamazoo, Michigan, an outside-hitter in her fourth year on the volleyball team, regards the relationships she has built with teammates as a highlight in a very successful 2013 season.

The team won the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference (CCAC) in a match against Cardinal Stritch University, the only team they had lost to in conference in their 17-1 season. As conference tournament champions, the Trolls received a spot in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletes (NAIA) National Championship Opening Round. Their game will take place on November 23 in Nebraska against No. 17 Bellevue University.

To follow the game on November 23, check out the Live Game Video.

Kirsten Harms ’14 of Tinley Park, Illinois, a middle-hitter in her fourth year on the team, believes that beneath the intense practices and training, the base for this winning season lies in team fellowship.

“Something unique about our team is that we all play for God first and then for each other,” said Harms.  “We have such selfless players on our team, which contributes to our ability to work together and support each other.”

We all play for God first and
then for each other.
–Kirsten Harms

In a game where tension between players can grow out of competition for starting spots, both seniors were grateful for the supportive atmosphere that they felt makes their team unique.

“Before practice we ask each other about our days. During practice we coach each other through the tough drills. After practice, we acknowledge the things each individual does well,” Feddema said. “I know that the friendships I’ve developed with the girls on this team will stick with me long after I’m done with volleyball.”

As the team heads into tournament play, Coach Bill Schepel ’85 commented on team chemistry.

“In my seven seasons at Trinity, I’ve been blessed to always have wonderful young ladies on my team who get along well,” said Schepel. “I think that it is an integral part of our success.”

Schepel believes that the most consistent team is the one that ends up on top.

“Volleyball is a game of momentum, with a lot of ups and downs. My team is very talented and has the ability to play to at a high level,” he said. “The key for us as we enter the national tournament is to be consistent.”

Feddema and Harms hope team chemistry will support their endeavors to play consistently in the NAIA tournament.

“Our ability to trust each other and build each other up definitely has a huge impact on the way we play,” Feddema said. “The team chemistry is unlike anything I’ve experienced on a team before. We are confident in our team and we aren’t ready to be done.”

Visit the athletics page to meet the rest of the team.

Each fall, the College recognizes special milestone anniversaries of staff and faculty over that past year. Blessings on all of the members of the Trinity community!

Anniversaries

25 YEARS

15 YEARS

10 YEARS

Tippi Price, Access Librarian, 10 years (not pictured)

In the spring 2013 issue of TRINITY, we featured Dr. Steve Timmermans, who celebrated his 10th anniversary as Trinity’s president. Read more about this milestone in the College’s history.

What sets Trinity apart from other Christian liberal arts colleges? One distinctive in particular is that 100% of Trinity undergraduates participate in internships or field education.

That means every single student gains professional on-the-job experience or delves deeper into a chosen major through a special research project. Many students find that these opportunities not only add to a resume but lead directly to employment after graduation.

A recent article at TIME reported the results of a Harris Interactive survey of college students and hiring managers. According to the article, “more than 80% of employers want new grads they hire to have completed a formal internship.”

In addition, while 44% of students who don’t complete internships feel ready for the job market, 58% of students with unpaid internships and 70% of students with paid internships feel prepared for the workplace.

The fall edition of TRINITY magazine highlights stories about the internship and research experiences of current students as well as alumni.

Read Career Ready, Life Ready, the fall 2013 edition of TRINITY magazine!

Trinity education majors develop their knowledge of teaching both inside and outside of the college classroom. For them, the “outside the classroom” experience often places them in an elementary or high school classroom with internship opportunities for student observation, teacher aiding, and student teaching.

Education majors are required to spend 200 hours in the classroom even before student teaching. They begin observing in classrooms as early as sophomore year, a process that helps them decide early if they are on the right career path.

For elementary and special education double-major Kari LeGrand ’15 of Glen Ellyn, Illinois, her placement at Elim Christian School helped fulfill the required hours of teacher aiding. To LeGrand, the high school placement has been much more than just achieving the 50 hours before semester’s end.

“Being placed at Elim has opened my eyes to a new approach to teaching,” said LeGrand. “I enjoy being at Elim so much, because the main focus is to be positive and encourage their students.  The staff has this common understanding that makes teaching more cohesive and the environment very friendly.”

One goal of this Trinity-Elim partnership is to provide students with a variety of classroom experiences.  LeGrand spent two semesters at local public schools, one in 2nd grade general classroom and another in an 8th grade resource room.

“I think it’s extremely important to get a wide range of experiences, including multiple classroom settings,” LeGrand said. “My time spent at Elim has taught me how to manage a classroom, what strategies work best, how to touch on every student’s goals, and how to build relationships within a staff.

A second goal of partnering with Elim is to provide the school with volunteers who are eager to serve and learn in the classroom and apply what they’ve been learning in their course work.

LeGrand is grateful for the supportive Trinity education professors who have prepared her for classroom experience with advice and encouragement beyond the required course work.

“Since the very first education course I took, I have been educated on how to act professionally, how to get involved, and how to make the most of the content that I learn in my classes,” LeGrand said. “The part that I love most about teacher aiding at Elim is working one on one with students or in groups.  I find it extremely rewarding to be able to encourage them throughout the day, and in turn, witness these students learning new skills and concepts.”

Megan Anderson ’14 of Elgin, Illinois, has been named Trinity’s 28th Lincoln Laureate by the Lincoln Academy of Illinois. She was honored at the annual Student Laureate Convocation in Springfield on November 2 and accompanied by her parents Roger and Kim Anderson and Dr. Craig Mattson, professor of communication arts and director of the Honors Program.

The Student Laureate Award recognizes excellence in curricular and extracurricular activities and honors senior students from each of Illinois’ four-year, degree granting colleges and universities.

When talking about her Trinity experience, the senior Church and Ministry Leadership/Theology double major focuses on her involvement with Outcry, the student-led worship. Anderson has served on the worship team all four years, and as co-leader with three other students for the past two years.

“I eat, sleep, and dream Outcry,” said Anderson, who had never sung in public until joining the team.

Choosing Trinity

Anderson discovered Trinity through its website and said she experienced a “gut feeling” before announcing to her mother that she had made her college decision. Her only visit to campus was attendance at the annual Founders Scholar dinner where she had the chance to worship at Outcry, for the first time.

She enrolled on a drama scholarship with an interest in theater, putting the sewing skills her grandmother had taught her to good use to help with costuming. But her time serving students through Outcry became her passion.

Lasting experience

Still as a senior, Anderson said one of her most lasting memories of her time at Trinity was also one of the first—at Outcry. She stood on the stage of the Ozinga Chapel Auditorium stage, earphones in place, and she and the team beginning to lead the weekly Thursday night worship when the voices of her fellow singers were drowned out by the voices of the student body.

“This is what it’s about,” Anderson said she thought. “Outcry isn’t about the leaders or the choice of music. When I heard those voices, I knew in that moment that was what I loved to do.”

She said her involvement in Outcry has taught her what ministry is—that one has to learn to trust that God is going to work in and through people no matter what. Her classroom education in the majors has melded with her Outcry experience. Church and Ministry Leadership has taught her the “practical skills” in leadership she is able to apply in ministry on campus, but said, that without her theology curriculum, she wouldn’t have the “biblical foundation.”

Other experiences that have formed Anderson as a student and as a Christian include her leadership roles as an Undergraduate Learning Assistant and a First Year Forum mentor. Her first mission trip during the Cuba Interim in January 2013 gave her an opportunity to put her Spanish and psychology minors into practice as she simultaneously answered a longtime call on her heart to serve overseas.

Anderson is the recipient of multiple scholarships and awards and is known for her “humble and gracious” servant leadership, according to Professor Mattson.

Trinity Christian College Lincoln Laureates

2013 – Megan Anderson
2012 – Adam Perez
2011 – Alberto LaRosa
2010 – Joseph Wydra
2009 – Jonathan VanderWoude
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.

On a recent visit for grade school students from Steger, Illinois, the pre-K through fourth graders from Foundations for Advancement enjoyed a special tour and lunch and engaged in learning activities with Trinity students from the education program.

While the future teachers gain experience in putting the classroom methods into action, both Trinity students and elementary students benefit from the interaction. Another benefit for the Steger students was the chance to see college attendance as an accessible goal.

The emphasis on collaboration in education today cannot be emphasized enough.
– Rebecca Harkema

Rebecca Harkema ’05, assistant professor of special education, was happy for the opportunity to have her students spend valuable time with the young visitors from Steger, the town where she taught previously.

“The emphasis on collaboration in education today cannot be emphasized enough,” said Harkema.  “Teacher candidates need to be able to go out into the field with experience for the benefit of students they are working with.”

Harkema believes her students sharpened in the following skills through their interactions:

• differentiating instruction for a variety of age levels
• making instructional decisions in the moment
• co-teaching and collaborating with peers for the benefit of student learning

As a Trinity alumna, Harkema recalls her past to help her prepare students today.

“I am passionate about special education, and the fact that I get to prepare future teachers to work with students with disabilities is amazing,” Harkema said. “Trinity’s education program prepared me so well that I want to make sure the students that I am teaching leave our program just as prepared as I was.” 

Every week, Trinity’s Sunday Snacks volunteers come together on Sunday afternoons to stuff their backpacks full of homemade sack lunches. They pile into 12-passenger vans and head into Chicago, seeking out the homeless.

Sunday Snacks partners with Restoration Ministries to be the hands and feet of Christ. Student leader Alyssa Prasse ’16 of Algonquin, Illinois, explained that in their ventures downtown, she and her fellow students pack around 80 lunches and often come back with nothing left over.

Sunday Snacks seeks to go beyond providing physical comfort and also offers prayer for those who request it.

“I come back blessed every week,” Prasse said. “The men and women we help are often overlooked, and sometimes the simple act of remembering them, calling them by name, and knowing what they asked for in prayer last week can make them feel valued as humans.”

In upcoming weeks, Sunday Snacks will be supplying people with winter coats collected from the recent coat drive.

Sunday Snacks welcomes any Trinity student who feels called to serve on Sunday trips downtown.

The Fireside Room overflowed with a scholarly audience on October 31 for Trinity’s first-ever Spenser Colloquium. Through the reading of research papers and light-hearted improvisation, students from five Trinity classes and three disciplines celebrated their recent study of The Faerie Queene, the epic poem by Edmund Spenser.

Dr. Bob Rice, professor emeritus of history, served as a spirited moderator. Rice explained the faculty’s goals for the colloquium: educational richness grown by student-faculty combined research, the taking up of texts with Christian hopefulness, interdisciplinary study leading to deeper understanding, and a faithful religious response to the world. Laughter and refreshments were added benefits.

Drs. Mark Jones, professor of English; Dr. Aron Reppmann, associate professor of philosophy; and Dr. Keith Starkenburg, associate professor of theology, worked throughout the summer to prepare their discipline-specific research papers in response to The Faerie Queene.

Their research challenged students to see the same work through three different lenses as they presented:

• “Arthur and Socrates in Faerieland,” by Professor Reppmann
• “Guyon, Knight of Temperance; or, Sir Not Appearing in This Poem,” by Professor Jones
• “Calvinists Who Might Best Be: Edmund Spenser and a Reformed Habit of Being,” by Professor Starkenburg

“The colloquium was the sort of rich, interdisciplinary collaboration that I think could happen only at a place like Trinity,” said Dr. Jones said. “I was pleased to be part of a scholarly conversation involving faculty and students from three different disciplines—not to mention staff members who attended and participants from the Honors Program.”  

The event was funded through a collaborative initiative grant from the professional development committee, which hopes the event fostered deeper understanding through inter-disciplinary studies.