Archives: News Stories

“To watch an anime film is to travel to a foreign country—to a place where people think in unfamiliar ways about nature, history, technology, and spirituality; and where the animated film itself presupposes an audience quite different from that of the latest Disney feature.”

So states the proposal for an inaugural honors composition course titled Anime and Worldview that explores the world of Japanese animation and challenges students to engage contemporary culture as Christian thinkers.

Japanese “anime” differs from American animation in everything from characterization to landscapes. Dr. Mark Jones, professor of English, compares the experience to “walking through an art gallery.”

Jones said anime makes an ideal subject for the study of world view.  While some anime films are informed by a set of religious and cultural values that are distinctly non Western, others display biblical story and Christian theology in ways that are de-familiarizing and thought provoking. 

Trinity’s English department has incorporated more visual literacy into its first-year curriculum, including the work of photojournalists and graphic novels such as Maus, an illustrated narrative of Holocaust survival.

Japanese anime was recently introduced to Trinity students as part of another writing course. After viewing “My Neighbor Totoro,” a pastoral children’s fantasy, and “Grave of the Fireflies,” a film about war, students noted interesting parallels in the two films, such as relationships between parents and children and the way children find beauty in desperate circumstances.

 “A single film may offer insight not only into the worldviews of others, but also into the ways in which those others think about Western, and specifically Christian, ways of seeing,” said Jones.

Jones takes the teaching of this course beyond the purely academic, having participated over the years in viewing the films with his children and attending yearly conventions with hordes of anime fans, a group he calls an “accepting” and “cross-generational” sub-culture. For the past several years, he and his neighbors have brought several children from their Blue Island community to ACen (Anime Central), a local convention. This year, interest was so high that a school board member worked with the city’s park district to provide a bus trip to bring even more children to the convention.

In the Anime and Worldview course, anime films will form the main body of “text” for study, with supplemental reading and weekly writing assignments. This course will be offered as part of the Honors Program.

For more information, e-mail Dr. Jones at mark.jones@trnty.edu.

Two recent Trinity Christian College graduates were commissioned into the Marine Corps on July 17. The ceremony, attended by family and friends, was held in the Ozinga Chapel Grand Lobby.

After their commissioning documents were read by an enlisted Marine, Paul Jasperse ’12 and Raymond Zaagman ’12 were sworn in as 2^nd Lieutenants and received their first salute.

“It meant a lot to the parents and other family members,” said Zaagman. “For Paul and me, it was great to finally be considered officers after the intense summer at Officer Candidate School we had gone through in Quantico, Virginia.”

Jasperse is from Grand Rapids, Michigan, and earned his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. He is the son of Neil and Ruth Jasperse and the grandson of Gordon and Margaret Van Wylen. Gordon is a former Trinity board of trustees member and former president of Hope College. Neil, senior pastor of West Leonard CRC in Grand Rapids, Michigan, offered words of reflection and encouragement.

Zaagman is from Mokena, Illinois, and double majored in political science and history. He is the son of Raymond ’86 and Jolee ’85 Zaagman. His sister Kimberly is a junior at Trinity, and his sister Kristin will be a freshman.

They will be returning to Quantico for an intense six-month program at The Basic School. 

“Setting a Christ-like example while leading will be a challenge, but also an opportunity for witnessing while I serve,” said Zaagman. “I am sure that God wants me to be a Marine. My Christian faith has already given me strength in tense times and will give me even more in the future.”

He wasn’t sure exactly why, but Trinity senior Samuel Lankah ’13 knew in his heart it was time to go back home.

Born in Liberia, Sam was a baby when his family fled the country in 1990 to escape the grip of one of Africa’s bloodiest civil wars, a war that would last until 2003, displace millions, and take the lives of more than 200,000 Liberians.

Although the country was still in turmoil years later, the Lankahs returned to live in their village. When the Lankahs once again left Liberia for the Ivory Coast in 1995, Sam took with him a few years of memories of planting rice and being surrounded by family. He and his mother and eight siblings said goodbye again not only to grandparents, cousins, aunts, and uncles, but also to Sam’s father who left for America.

“I have been an immigrant for more years than I spent in my homeland,” said Sam, who moved to the States with this mother, five brothers, and a sister in 2001, finally reuniting with Sam’s father and starting another new life. “You learn to rely on family a lot. They are all you have.” Along with a strong faith.

“Through it all, it was evident that God was still there,” said Sam. “In every situation, we counted on him, as well as on our church, for support.”

As he acclimated to life in America, first in Glen Ellyn, Illinois, then in Warrenville, Sam said he always felt the need to return to Liberia someday—to connect, to help. So during high school, he began to collect schools supplies, visiting churches to share the need of children in Liberia. That effort continued even as he entered Trinity.

He said he hadn’t considered Trinity as an option until he met Jose Dominguez ’03, men’s soccer coach and recruiter. “Coach Dominguez had a similar story, because he’d come from Mexico,” said Sam. “We connected, and I wanted to know more.”

After a chance to play some soccer, Sam said he fell in love with Trinity’s campus. He also had the opportunity to meet a fellow Liberian, Koyah Bleah ’12. “When I heard his name,” Sam recalled, “I realized I knew his family. His father was the principal at the first school I ever attended in Liberia.”

Sam decided Trinity would be his next new “home.” He applied with plans to major in exercise science and was offered the Greater Chicago Christian Leadership Scholarship, a four-year renewable grant that covers tuition costs for students from underrepresented populations who have demonstrated academic excellence, leadership, and Christian commitment.

He has spent the past three years heavily involved on and off campus, playing soccer for two years, serving as Student Association president (2011-12) and as a teaching assistant in the College’s Bridge program, participating in Interim and spring break service projects, working in Admissions, volunteering at a local animal shelter, and interning at a physical therapy facility.

“I am inspired by this community and what it does in terms of service,” Sam said.

But the ministry he said God laid on his heart never waned, and when Sam returned to Monrovia, Liberia, this spring after 16 years, he was “greeted” by the school supplies he had collected over the years, generously shipped by United Liberia Inland Church Associates and Friends, an organization started by Liberian refugees in the States, including Sam’s father and Koyah’s father.

Sam visited six orphanages, three schools, and one two-year college, speaking to classes and handing out school supplies. “I wanted to do something small,” he said. That “small” effort provided notebooks, pencils, erasers, and even Troll stickers, to more than 300 students and faculty. “I hoped that the school supply ministry would encourage the children to keep up with their studies. The civil wars devastated families, and like my experience, set the students back in their education.”

Sam also spent his seven weeks reconnecting with his two sisters, who had returned to Liberia years prior, and with his grandmother and his grandfather, who is 105. “My grandfather told me stories for hours and was so happy that he danced around the house for days.

He visited aunts, uncles, and cousins, and the village where his father came from. “It was like the prodigal son returning,” said Sam. “The people were so hospitable.”

But Sam was also blessed to have the opportunity to make another visit, though a difficult one. While he was in Liberia, he learned of the untimely death of Koyah’s mother. Koyah was unable to return home, but Sam visited the family, hoping to bring comfort to Koyah’s father and sister. “I look up to Koyah,” said Sam. “We have stayed friends since my first visit to Trinity, and he is an inspiration to me.”

Sam said he’ll go back home again someday. “I have a heart to serve God. If I could take just one thing from Trinity, it would be a service mentality,” he said. He prays that through his recent trip, God will open doors for his school supply ministry to grow and that others who hear his story will be inspired to “stay close to family” and to “go back home.”

Eleven students from Noble charter schools in Chicago participated in Trinity’s inaugural College Quest program July 15 through August 3. During the three-week residential learning experience, the soon-to-be high school juniors earned three college credits in political science and got a taste of life on campus.

Noble is composed of a network of high quality public high schools located in Chicago’s communities of greatest need and serving 6,500 students.

Much of the students’ day was spent in class, receiving academic coaching, and completing homework for the accelerated course, the equivalent of one week of classes per day. Other activities included a service trip to Feed My Starving Children, dinner with President Timmermans, and free time for bowling, sand volleyball, shopping, and a bonfire on campus.

The program was overseen by John Sianghio, assistant professor of political science, and Lisa Kuiper, coordinator of student support services. Trinity students Gina Ciametti ’13 and Samuel Lankah ’13 served as resident assistants.

Ciametti said she applied the skills she learned as a student director in Trinity’s First Year Forum (FYF) in her RA role. “I saw my hard work executed by their hard work,” she said, “I’m thankful to have been a Trinity ambassador.”

She also witnessed how College Quest provided a great pre-college experience as students learned to manage their time and workload and work with a professor.

Lankah, multicultural committee chair, said he and Ciametti became “substitute older sister and brother” as they guided, taught, and interacted with their “younger siblings.”

“I am elated to have served such a diverse, smart, and animated group of students,” said Lankah. “A thrill for me was seeing the students’ faces light up when they were having fun but learning at the same time. It is a great experience to get a young men and women excited about going to college.

On Friday, August 3, the program ended with a celebration in the Grand Lobby and recognition of the achievement of the College Quest students.

“In addition to earning college credit, their success took the form of seeing college in a positive light and making new friends,” said Ciametti.

After missing each other by a few years as students at Trinity, Matt Steigenga ’92 and Steve Cooper ex ’86 eventually ended up being not only fellow alumni but brothers-in-law and business partners.

The two will open their eighth Batteries Plus store in Florida this September. The first opened in 1997 after Matt and his wife Mary Beth (Steve’s sister) moved to Bradenton, Florida. The couple had researched the opportunity offered by the franchise on the suggestion of Mary Beth and Steve’s father Marv Cooper, benefactor (along with his wife Joan) of Trinity’s Cooper Career Center.

The Coopers operated an office products and furniture store for many years in Milwaukee, and acting on their passion for using education to launch a career, they established the Cooper Center in 1997. The Center offers Trinity students a variety of services including resumé writing guidance and networking events.

“I think my dad saw people needing a boost to apply their degree to a career, to take the next step,” said Steve.

Steve’s brother Bob Cooper owns stores in Washington, and their brother Craig works in the Batteries Plus corporate office. Steve’s nephews Bryan ex ’06 and Brett ’06 Cooper have also worked in the stores.

The “tight” economy has been one factor in the success of their businesses, said Matt. “People are hanging on to equipment and replacing batteries rather than buying new.”

Steve, who is married to fellow alum DeAnn (Vegter) ex ’88, also credits his family, as well as his Trinity education, with his personal business success. “We’re family, but we’ve learned to be partners. We have support from each other and operate with a Christian attitude,” he said.

And he integrates what he learned at Trinity into his business, especially “interacting with people and operating in community.”

As names were called during the 2012 May Commencement ceremony, Lorna Sobilo ’12 crossed the stage to receive her long sought after bachelor’s degree in music. A few hours later, her name was again called as she accepted a degree earned through the Adult Studies program.

Sobilo started her education in Trinity’s music program on a part-time basis in 1983. After presenting her sophomore recital, she decided to put her education on hold to start a family. For the next two decades, Sobilo stayed home with her children, Lisa, Jonathan, and Catherine. She also worked as an administrative assistant for her husband Larry’s computer consulting business.

But in 2003, Larry was diagnosed with cancer, and Sobilo said the next five years were full of challenges for their family. Five years later, his treatments not enough to turn the tide, Larry passed away. Sobilo spent a year trying to determine her next step, and in September 2009, she returned to Trinity, enrolling in the Adult Studies Business program. 

“It’s challenging to do a three-credit course in six sessions,” Sobilo said. “Our job was to learn the information and then begin to apply it rather than just to spit back facts. That was good training for the business environment. It built confidence that I could learn something quickly, understand it deeply, and apply it effectively.”

On January 20, 2011, walking across campus on the first day of the spring semester, Sobilo said she had an “ah-ha” moment. “‘Why didn’t I finish my music degree?’  I had been putting off the gen ed courses, but now I had those completed.”

With help from the registrar’s office and Dr. Mark Peters, professor of music, Sobilo was a registered student in both the Adult Studies and traditional programs within the week. “I had this in my heart for so long, and I didn’t give up even when it looked like it wasn’t going to happen,” she said.

As she finished her journey with her adult studies cohort, she resumed her journey toward a music degree. For her senior recital, Sobilo was required to sing for 45 minutes in four languages. “It was like doing the classes in adult studies—it was very fast-forward. I ended up doing 17 songs in five languages plus English,” she said.

Years prior, after she had performed her sophomore recital, she and Larry bought music in anticipation of her senior recital—a book by Chopin in Polish to honor Larry’s heritage and one by Bach. She was able to use both in her 2012 recital.

“My program was really connected with my own love of singing and my own purpose for singing and that is to glorify God,” said Sobilo.

The Trinity Christian College Department of Nursing has been accredited  by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) since 2003.  Trinity is now seeking comments from the public about the Bachelor of  Science in Nursing (BSN) program for its scheduled reaccreditation by the  CCNE. The comprehensive evaluation visit by a team representing the CCNE  will take place October 17-19, 2012. The team will review the institution’s  ongoing ability to meet the Commission’s Standards for Accreditation.

The public is invited to submit comments regarding the BSN program to:

Cristina Walcott
Administrative Assistant
Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
One Dupont Circle, NW Suite #530
Washington, DC 20036

 
Comments must address substantive matters related to the quality of the BSN program. Comments must be in writing and signed; comments cannot be treated as confidential.

All comments must be received by September 17, 2012.

Trinity Christian College is offering the opportunity to earn a bachelor’s and master’s degree in counseling psychology in only five years. The 3+2 track combines an academically intensive three years of undergraduate work with Trinity’s master’s degree program.

The “3”

The“3”includes18 credit hours per semester for six semesters at Trinity and two summer sessions at a local community college.

The “2”

The “2” includes 48 credit hours completed over two years. Six credits are taken per term—Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer.

Applying what they’ve learned in the classroom, undergraduates will complete a field education requirement, and graduates will complete a practicum and internship experience.

Click here to download a 3+2 brochure with the list of required courses.

Students who enroll as freshmen psychology majors will:

• Complete the three-year bachelor’s program in psychology
• Gain guaranteed admission to the two-year master’s degree program in counseling psychology (with 3.0 GPA). There is no requirement to take the GRE.
• Experience study in the helping professions from a Christian perspective
• Enjoy a special community throughout their education with the same caring professors and fellow classmates

Dr. Michael DeVries ’74, director of the counseling psychology graduate program and professor of psychology, pursues a clinical practice at Olive Branch Counseling Associates, Inc., in Oak Forest, Illinois, an agency founded by his wife, Louella ’93.

“The 3+2 option at Trinity gives students with a clear sense of calling from God and a passion for helping others an opportunity to complete a liberal arts degree in psychology and a graduate degree in counseling psychology through an efficient and economical course of study without sacrificing educational quality or rigor,” said Dr. DeVries.

For more information, contact Dr. DeVries at 708.239.4755 or michael.devries@trnty.edu.

Professors in the program bring a variety of research focuses to their teaching, including integration of Christianity and psychology, counseling outcomes, yoga therapy, clinical and research ethics. Meet the faculty here.

Young soccer players honed their skills under the professional guidance of the Chicago Fire Soccer Club on the campus of Trinity July 8-13.

During the 5-day intensive training, known as the National Talent Center (NTC), 57 advanced soccer players, ages 10-18, received world-class instruction in all areas of the game under the supervision of Chicago Fire staff and guest coaches from Fire 1^st Team and Academy.

Trinity and the Chicago Fire Soccer Club have partnered in recent years on the Faith and Family Event and programs that help Trinity students purchase discounted tickets to Chicago Fire soccer games, said Pete Hamstra, dean of admissions. “When the idea was proposed to partner with the club to put on a soccer camp, we started working to make it a reality.”

“Trinity has a wonderful facility, and it was truly a pleasure working with Sam Mahtani, marketing and media associate and assistant women’s soccer coach, and other Trinity staff members who made our coaches and players feel completely at home on this beautiful campus,” said Chris Andrew, Chicago Fire camps and training coordinator. “We hope to expand the program in future summers and look forward to continuing to partner with Trinity.”

Said Hamstra, “I am hoping some of these great young soccer players will be playing for the Trolls someday.”

This year’s Alumna of the Year Award recognized Louella DeVries ’93, president and Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor at Olive Branch Counseling Associates in Oak Forest, Illinois.

Congratulations, also, to the honorary alumni award recipients. They include:

• Keith and Bev Bruxvoort, friends of the College
• Tim Timmons, director of Trinity’s physical plant
• Mark Ward, former associate provost and professor of business

Louella DeVries ’93

Louella holds a master’s degree in marriage and family therapy from the Adler School of Professional Psychology. At Olive Branch, she provides psychotherapy and counseling to clients as well as clinical supervision for other therapists. Louella is married to fellow alum Dr. Michael DeVries ’74, professor of psychology at Trinity, and serves the children and women of Huaycan, Peru, through the Light and Leadership Initiative, an organization started by their daughter Lara ’08.

Louella started at Trinity in 1972 as an art studio major, married Michael in 1973, then left to enter the workforce while Michael pursued graduate studies. In 1977, Michael was asked to join the Trinity faculty.

When she first visited Trinity, she said she never dreamed of psychology as a career, but during her time as a stay-at-home mom, Louella started to feel a call to a career outside of the home and to a career in psychology—a call she tried “very hard to ignore.”

“Ignoring that call was simply not in the plan for me. I knew I was supposed to become a psychotherapist in order to answer that call,” said Louella. So, she returned to Trinity in 1992 as a wife and a mother of four very active children. “People often ask how I changed from art to psychology. I simply changed the medium that I work in; it’s still a creative process.”

As a student, she was deeply influenced by a number of professors, including her husband Michael. “Michael had the ability to put it all together so it made sense. Theories of Personality was a class that set the stage for my graduate school work and laid a foundation for my practice of clinical psychology,” said Louella. “I have been blessed to have Michael’s academic influence as well as his influence in my personal life.”

Since her graduation, her involvement with Trinity has been ongoing; she has served as an adjunct professor, clinical supervisor at the Cooper Counseling Center, Interim leader, and keynote speaker at the annual alumni conference. She also oversees the internship program through which Trinity students have served at Olive Branch for over 10 years.

Of her role as an alumna, Louella said, “We are all representatives of our school, and that is a pretty heavy responsibility. When I get the opportunity to speak up about Trinity, I do so. I received a great education there and so did my children.”

The DeVries have four grown children: Julia, Anna ’ex 03, Jonathan ex ’06, and Lara ’08. They are members of Fourth Presbyterian Church in Chicago.

Keith and Bev Bruxvoort

Keith Bruxvoort is the vice president of finance for grocery chain Strack & Van Til, LLC, and is a member of Trinity’s board of trustees. He serves as the board president of Habitat for Humanity of Northwest Indiana and has been involved in Rotary of Highland, the water board of Highland, and the Elim Christian School board.

Bev Bruxvoort has been a Meals on Wheels volunteer for several years and volunteers at the ETC resale shop for Highland Christian School. She also runs the nursery ministry at the Coffee Break program at First CRC of Highland where she and Keith are members.

The Bruxvoorts’ initial connection to Trinity was established when daughter Kara ’03 enrolled as a freshman. “It’s amazing to see all of the changes that have happened since we first brought Kara to campus,” said Keith. “The College has grown, and not just the facilities. The overall development of the school has been amazing, and it has stayed true to its values; that’s important.”

Son Ryan ’06 liked Trinity’s friendly atmosphere and participated in track and field and cross country. The Bruxvoorts’ youngest daughter Erica lives in Mishawauka, Indiana, with her husband and teaches in the public school system.

Kara and Ryan’s involvement in sports was a spring board for Keith and Bev’s involvement in the College; Kara’s success on the basketball court earned her a spot in Trinity’s Hall of Fame in 2009. The Bruxvoorts have attended myriad events over the years, including many basketball games and track meets, as well as Trinity Business Network events, golf outings, and Jubilation! fundraisers.

Their connection has remained strong, and the Bruxvoorts believe it is important to continue their support of Trinity. “We look at where the college is going and its goals and we want to help,” said Keith. “We see how our kids benefited. Even though they didn’t get to use the ArCC or the new gymnasium, the next generation of students can. When you give, it is almost as if you’re giving exponentially because of all the lives that each Trinity student will touch.”

Tim Timmons is director of Trinity’s physical plant and has served the College for 17 years. Before coming to Trinity, Tim worked for 12 years at a steel plant where he was promoted to general foreman. He later returned to school for training in the HVAC program at Moraine Valley Community College and became a tradesman. His first role in maintenance at Trinity focused on HVAC work, but he was soon promoted to assistant director of maintenance. He also served as interim director before accepting the position he has now held for seven years.

With his first job at Texaco at the age of 12, Tim has always possessed a strong work ethic that he said fits in with the hard-working environment on campus. He greatly appreciates a work environment where co-workers share his faith.

“[Trinity] has meant many things to me over the years, both exciting and challenging,” he said. “It’s a place where I continue to learn and grow. It is also great to be surrounded by people who love the Lord and really care about each other.”

Tim has the opportunity to work year around with student workers on the maintenance crew and has come to know many faculty and staff members over the years. Sharing in their lives—witnessing everything from marriages to professions of faith—is one of his favorite things about Trinity.

“I don’t just look at the task but at the whole person,” he said. “We have to help every single person on this campus, whether it’s a student, staff member, or guest, we are involved in everyone’s life here.

I get to serve and help others every day in this job and want to be a trusted sounding board who cares for people.”

Tim and his wife Lisa have been married for 28 years and have been blessed with son Timothy, age 10.

Mark Ward, former associate provost and professor of business, is the vice president for academic affairs at the University of Dubuque. Mark and his wife, Dr. Annalee Ward, former chair of the communication arts department, served the College for over 25 years.

Mark and Annalee were living in Oak Park, Illinois, before coming to Trinity, Mark was employed in the business sector and Annalee working in Chicago and teaching evening classes at DePaul. Hearing of an opening for a business professor at Trinity, Mark applied and joined the faculty in 1984.

He began as instructor of business, teaching ethics, management, and economics. Becoming deeply immersed in the academic community, Mark began developing the First Year Experience for new students around 2000 and became director of First Year Forum. In 2004, he accepted a new role as associate provost.

Mark’s contributions to the College have endured as has Trinity’s impact on him. He said that although he received his education from the three institutions he attended, a greater education came from Trinity. “It’s where I learned how to think Christianly; it was a very forming experience.”

That experience extended to the Ward’s family, as well. The Ward’s children grew up on Trinity’s campus and daughter Emily graduated from the College in 2009. Ward said he is “very touched” by the honor, noting that although he is not involved on a day-to-day basis with the College, Trinity was—and still is—a part of his family’s identity “in a way no other place can be.”

Mark said he misses the community at Trinity. “An ethos of Trinity is that people know how to be Christ to each other. There are a lot of caring people in the world, but those at Trinity know how to do it well,” he said. “Trinity really does provide a holistic education to students in a way that most institutions can’t.”