Archives: News Stories
Dr. Keith Starkenburg published “What the Apostles Will Let Us Get Away with Saying” in Rorty and the Religious, Christian Engagements with a Secular Philosopher. The other essays in this volume enter into meaningful conversation with this secular thinker who died in 2007.
Starkenburg’s essay focuses on Alvin Plantinga, Professor of Philosophy Emeritus at the University of Notre Dame, and his criticism of Rorty. But “Rorty has more to say than Plantinga recognized,” said Starkenburg, who outlines Plantinga’s views and what role Rorty plays in that dialogue.
Dr. Yudha Thianto, professor of theology, published “The Formula of Baptism and the Equality of the Godhead: Joseph Bingham (1668-1723) and the Trinitarian Controversy in Late-Stuart England” in The New Evangelical Subordinationism?: Perspectives on the Equality of God the Father and God the Son inAugust 2012.
The volume is a collection of 16 essays that speak to both sides of the discussion about equality and subordination in the Holy Trinity. The main issue highlighted in this collection of essays is whether and in what sense the Son of God might eternally submit to the Father’s will.
Thianto explores history rather than taking a position in his essay by discussing the Trinitarian theology of 18th century Anglican minister and church historian Joseph Bingham. In his study of Bingham, Thianto provides some insights that in Bingham one can find both sides of the argument over the Son’s eternal status vis-a-vis the Father.
The women’s soccer team at Trinity is proving that regular season results do not matter when it comes to tournament time in its post-season run.
After defeating No. 4 Trinity International University in the quarterfinal round of the CCAC conference tournament, the No. 5 Trolls continued to be the spoiler as they upset No. 1 Olivet Nazarene University with a 1-0 shutout victory in the semifinal game.
The game ended a 12-game winning streak for the No. 8 nationally-ranked Tigers and was the first goal ONU has allowed since September 15. The Tigers finished the conference regular season with a perfect 11-0 record and out-scored their opponent 41-0.
In the game, the stats favored the Tigers as they had 19 shots while Trinity took just three. However, the score favored the Trolls who made one of their two first half shots count on the scoreboard. The game-changer came at 27:30 on an unassisted goal by Rachael Webb ’15 of Riverside, California.
For the rest of the game, the Trolls stayed on top and held off the Tiger’s attack. Trinity goalkeeper Becky Gold ’13 of Virginia Beach, Virginia ended the game with nine saves. It was only the second time this season that Olivet was held without a goal.
The victory moves Trinity into the championship game against No. 3 Robert Morris University on Saturday, November 10. If the Trolls win, they will advance to the NAIA National Championship tournament.
The game against Robert Morris will take place at Redmond Athletic Complex in Bensenville, Illinois at 2 p.m.
Dr. Richard Lapchick shared his firsthand accounts of time he spent with Nelson Mandela and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar with Trinity students and community members on October 22 as part of the College’s Worldview series.
Lapchick, who gave his address, “The Power of Sports to Heal,” told how sports bring help and healing to larger issues in today’s world.
“Differences dissolve in the huddle,” Lapchick said. “Your team won’t win if you don’t pull together and overcome differences.”
Lapchick also discussed his efforts to find equality in sports.
“There has been progress in the world of sport,” Lapchick said, “but there is still a way to go for racial and gender equality.”
About Richard Lapchick
Human rights activist, pioneer for racial equality, internationally recognized expert on sports issues, and author, Lapchick is often described as “the racial conscience of sport.”
Lapchick is the director at the Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport and chair of DeVos Sports Business Management Graduate Program at the University of Central Florida (UCF).
After five years at his position at UCF, the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times and ESPN the Magazine named it in the nation’s top five programs.
Considered among the nation’s experts on sport and social issues, Lapchick has appeared numerous times on numerous news broadcasts including Good Morning America, The Today Show, and ABC World News.
Lapchick also led the 1978 sports boycott and has received many humanitarian awards for his efforts toward equality in sports.
Hartrick Vander Ploeg ’15 of Frankfort, Illinois, stood in front of students and faculty of the English and art departments as he shared his recently published short fiction piece, “Permanence of the Supernova.” His work was one of many featured in this year’s Openings, Trinity’s visual and literary arts magazine.
Openings creates a sense of unity among writers and artists at the College by featuring photography, poems, essays, and artwork of current students, faculty, and alumni. This year’s launching took place on Monday, October 15, in the Fireside Room.
“Openings is a great way to get your work out there,” said Vander Ploeg. “It was great to have the opportunity to share a part of my art with the rest of the campus and hopefully others, even after college.”
The event began with a reading from Dr. Michael Vander Weele ’73, professor of English, and also included a reading from Haley Zandstra ’14 of Hudsonville, Michigan, who will serve as the editor for the 2013 issue.
Zandstra was happy to use the event as a way to get people excited for the next issue, which she hopes to complete in April.
“I talked to several people who said they already had ideas for submissions,” said Zandstra. “I can’t wait to see the poetry, artwork, and writings I will get to present in the 2013 issue.”
Traveling overseas is not only a learning experience for students but for faculty as well. Every year, Trinity professors study abroad during sabbaticals or serve as trainers and educators and in volunteer roles in countries all over the world.
Recently, Dr. Craig Mattson, professor of communication arts, and Dr. Rhoda Mattson, associate professor of education, traveled to Les Cayes, Haiti, with a team from their church, Trinity Presbyterian Church in Hinsdale, Illinois.
In addition to volunteering at an orphanage and assisting a physician and pharmacist with healthcare, the Mattsons worked alongside local educators to hold a three-day instructional workshop for day school teachers interested in integrating faith with learning.
The Mattsons encountered the anticipated barriers of language differences and translation issues but communicated the “what” and the “how” of faithful pedagogy across the many lines of cultural difference.
The Mattsons taught—and learned—as the days progressed, working to accomplish their goal to not so much fill a “need” but to share their experiences with fellow teachers.
“What made the workshops fun and super challenging,” said Craig Mattson, “was that sometimes we were the teachers and sometimes the students.”
The College will begin offering its new pre-engineering program in the Fall 2013 semester.
The program provides a Christian liberal arts foundation and the necessary engineering prerequisites during the first two years. Students can then transfer to another college to complete a degree in aerospace, chemical, civil, energy, environmental, materials science, or mechanical engineering.
Trinity has transfer guides for mechanical and civil engineering programs. Trinity will work with students who wish to transfer to a different institution to ensure that the necessary prerequisites are completed prior to transfer.
For more information, contact Dr. Thomas R. Roose, associate professor of Physics and Science Education, at tom.roose@trnty.edu or 708.293.4611.
From slave to traveling preacher to famous abolitionist, Sojourner Truth is one of the greatest activists in American history. Her upbringing and her call to be God’s messenger were the subjects of this week’s WorldView lecture.
The College welcomed Dr. Margaret Washington as she presented “Sojourner Truth: African-Dutch Mystic and American Ambiance” on Monday, October 15, as part of the annual WorldView series.
Washington, a historian and one of the foremost authorities on the black experience, is a professor at Cornell University and author of Sojourner Truth’s America.
Of interest to students and other attendees were Truth’s African and Dutch religious heritage and ultimate spiritual epiphany. Born into bondage among the Hudson Valley Dutch in Ulster County, New York, Isabella, as she was first named, experienced an encounter with God on Pentecost 1843 when she said the Lord told her to change her name to Sojourner Truth.
Students, faculty, and friends of the College enjoyed Washington’s insight into 19th century America and this charismatic historical figure and Christian.
Following the presentation, Washington signed copies of her book, which was available for purchase.
Upcoming events:
October 22—Dr. Richard Lapchick, address “The Power of Sports to Heal”
Director, Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport
Chair, DeVos Sports Business Management Graduate Program, University of Central Florida
October 29—Rev. Brenda Girton-Mitchell, address “The Power of Partnerships”
Director of the Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships at the U.S. Department of Education
All WorldView events are free and open to the public.
Attendees of 
this year’s Jubilation! fundraiser celebrated “Trinity’s urban embrace,” the theme of the event.
Keynote speaker Tom Dart, Cook County Sheriff, explained the work he does in that role, sharing his struggle to find better ways to address the problems faced by inmates and others. He commended Trinity for its partnership with organizations that provide hope and resources to those in need in the Chicagoland area.
Four other presenters explained Trinity’s connections with urban organizations such as Circle Urban Ministries, Restoration Ministries, By the Hand Club for Kids, and Roseland Christian Ministries.
The evening opened with a silent auction and included classic Chicago treats, a dinner, and music by Trinity’s Gospel Choir.
President Steven Timmermans, Ph.D., introduced the recipients of the Community Service Award and Global Service Award: Bud and the late Donna Ipema and Peter ’82 and Yvette ’85 Madany.
The Ipemas received the Community Service Award for their commitment to developing and serving communities. During the couple’s long association with the College, Bud founded and led numerous community organizations, while Donna reached out through her work of training nurses at various institutions, culminating as director of Trinity’s nursing department.
The Global Service Award was presented to the Madanys. They have lived on both coasts of the United States as well as in China. Peter has served through his work in computer science research and design, while Yvette has led tours of her native Shanghai and written a tour guide, the proceeds of that work providing financial support to migrant school children in Shanghai.
At the close of the evening, Travis Bandstra ’06, director of alumni relations, invited attendees to support the students and the College through a gift to the Trinity Fund. Everyone then joined in singing the Doxology to end a truly jubilant event.
For the second week of Trinity’s WorldView series, audience members enjoyed the music of organist John W. W. Sherer and Tower Brass of Chicago, an eight-man brass ensemble, on Monday, October 8.
The concert featured 13 different arrangements including organ solos from Sherer and trumpet trios from Tower Brass.
For the next WorldView event, Trinity welcomes historian Dr. Margaret Washington, one of the foremost authorities on the black experience, on Monday, October 15 at 7 p.m. in the Ozinga Chapel.
About Tower Brass
Founded in 1997, the group performs regularly for services at Fourth Presbyterian Church of Chicago, where 2,000 people worship each Sunday. Some of the musicians also perform with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Lyric Opera of Chicago, and Grant Park Symphony.
About John W. W. Sherer
John W. W. Sherer has been the organist and director of music for Fourth Presbyterian Church of Chicago since 1996. He manages over 80 events each year at the church and has given many lectures and clinics on church music. Sherer received his doctor of musical arts degree from The Julliard School in New York City.
With only a little time left before the acceptance deadline, Chelsea Konyndyk ’13 of Zeeland, Michigan, had still not been selected into a venue at ArtPrize, a large art competition in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Then, with only five hours left, she was in.
This year’s competition featured over 1,500 works in 162 venues across Grand Rapids from September 19 to October 4. Konyndyk’s oil painting, “Abstract Space” was originally done for her final project in her intermediate painting class at Trinity.
The art education major’s work was featured in a gallery along with 21 other artists. She enjoyed being able to talk with them as well as exhibiting her own work.
“I felt so honored, blessed, and thankful to be a part of ArtPrize,” said Konyndyk. “It was like I was on cloud nine the whole time I was there.”
Konyndyk was the second Trinity student to have work selected for the event. Brady Davidson ’11 took part in last year’s competition.
“It was worth having my art out there,” said Konyndyk. “I actually have an opportunity to sell my painting now, and even if it doesn’t sell, I am still thankful for having the experience of showing so many people what I can do.”
See more of Konyndyk’s work and a description of “Abstract Space.”