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The Ethnic Diversity Committee recently named Cynthia Coffey ’13 of Robbins, Illinois; Alejandra Romo ’15 of Chicago; and Dr. Robert Rice, professor of history, as the recipients of the Catherine Yonker Award for Diversity during the College’s Celebration of Asia in April.
The award is given annually to members of the Trinity community who make contributions toward accomplishing Christian race relations and cross-cultural understanding.
Coffey is a psychology major who is a member of the committee and also serves as a diversity assistant to Don Woo, dean for ethnic diversity and multicultural programs. In this position, she has worked diligently to promote racial reconciliation on Trinity’s campus.
“Serving enables me to participate in God’s ultimate mission of reconciling the people of the earth as we all journey toward God’s new creation,” said Coffey.
Romo is a criminal justice major and a co-chair of Sabor Latino, a multicultural club for students. She was also a recipient of the Greater Chicago Christian Leadership Scholarship for her academic excellence, leadership, and Christian commitment.
“Alejandra exhibited leadership from the moment she came on campus,” said Woo.
Dr. Robert Rice is currently in his 33rd year as a professor of history at Trinity. He served several years as a member of the committee, some as the committee chair. Although he is no longer a member, Rice continues to support its members and counsel faculty in promoting diversity.
The 2nd Annual Scholars Dinner on April 20 celebrated student and faculty research among former Vander Velde Scholars, Honors students, Founders Scholars, and faculty mentors. The keynote address “Blessed to Be a Blessing” was delivered by Dr. Nathan Bosch ’02, assistant professor of environmental science at Grace College.
During the welcome reception, guests viewed a gallery of current student/faculty research. Projects and student researchers included:
- Brooke Bozarth ’11 of Owensboro, Kentucky,“The MLA vs. the CMS in the Humanities: The Conflict that Resolves.” Faculty mentor: Dr. Karen Dieleman, assistant professor of English
- Alaina Vermeer ’13 of Leighton, Iowa, “Investigating the Effects of Environmental Conditions on MSC Differentiation.” Faculty mentor: Dr. Bob Boomsma ’77, professor of biology
- Brian Hofman ’13 of Waupun, Wisconsin, and Trevor Schaap ’13 of Lansing, Illinois, “The Black Chamber.” Faculty mentors: Dr. Sharon Robbert, professor of mathematics, and Dr. Mandi Maxwell, associate professor of mathematics
- Adam Perez ’12 of Racine, Wisconsin, “Music, Theology, and Christian Worship: A Study of Hillsong.” Faculty mentor: Dr. Mark Peters, associate professor of music
“This event is an opportunity to celebrate student and faculty scholarship together,” said Dr. Mackenzi Huyser ’97, dean for faculty development and academic programs.
Following a welcome by Dr. Craig Mattson, director of the Honors Program and professor of communication arts, Dr. Bosch took guests on a virtual journey, beginning with his research project at Argonne National Laboratory as a Trinity student and culminating with his current study of aquatic ecosystems.
Bosch earned a Ph.D. in resource ecology and management-aquatics at the University of Michigan. He has studied lakes and rivers in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio to better understand how to take care of aquatic ecosystems. In addition to his role as professor, he serves as director of Kosciusko Lakes and Streams, a community water quality program.
Alumni and other guests were given an opportunity to help establish the Trinity Scholars Fund. The fund is dedicated to allocating resources for Honors and Vander Velde student researchers to present their research at professional conferences. Attendance at these conferences allows students to network with colleagues in their discipline and share the outstanding research they are doing through Trinity’s programs.
For more information about this fund, contact Dr. Huyser at mackenzi.huyser@trnty.edu.
The event was sponsored by the Honors Committee and the Alumni Office.
The 2nd Annual Scholars Dinner on April 20 celebrated student and faculty research among former Vander Velde Scholars, Honors students, Founders Scholars, and faculty mentors. The keynote address “Blessed to Be a Blessing” was delivered by Dr. Nathan Bosch ’02, assistant professor of environmental science at Grace College.
During the welcome reception, guests viewed a gallery of current student/faculty research. Projects and student researchers included:
- Brooke Bozarth ’11 of Owensboro, Kentucky,“The MLA vs. the CMS in the Humanities: The Conflict that Resolves.” Faculty mentor: Dr. Karen Dieleman, assistant professor of English
- Alaina Vermeer ’13 of Leighton, Iowa, “Investigating the Effects of Environmental Conditions on MSC Differentiation.” Faculty mentor: Dr. Bob Boomsma ’77, professor of biology
- Brian Hofman ’13 of Waupun, Wisconsin, and Trevor Schaap ’13 of Lansing, Illinois, “The Black Chamber.” Faculty mentors: Dr. Sharon Robbert, professor of mathematics, and Dr. Mandi Maxwell, associate professor of mathematics
- Adam Perez ’12 of Racine, Wisconsin, “Music, Theology, and Christian Worship: A Study of Hillsong.” Faculty mentor: Dr. Mark Peters, associate professor of music
“This event is an opportunity to celebrate student and faculty scholarship together,” said Dr. Mackenzi Huyser ’97, dean for faculty development and academic programs.
Following a welcome by Dr. Craig Mattson, director of the Honors Program and professor of communication arts, Dr. Bosch took guests on a virtual journey, beginning with his research project at Argonne National Laboratory as a Trinity student and culminating with his current study of aquatic ecosystems.
Bosch earned a Ph.D. in resource ecology and management-aquatics at the University of Michigan. He has studied lakes and rivers in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio to better understand how to take care of aquatic ecosystems. In addition to his role as professor, he serves as director of Kosciusko Lakes and Streams, a community water quality program.
Alumni and other guests were given an opportunity to help establish the Trinity Scholars Fund. The fund is dedicated to allocating resources for Honors and Vander Velde student researchers to present their research at professional conferences. Attendance at these conferences allows students to network with colleagues in their discipline and share the outstanding research they are doing through Trinity’s programs.
For more information about this fund, contact Dr. Huyser at mackenzi.huyser@trnty.edu.
The event was sponsored by the Honors Committee and the Alumni Office.
In 1618-19, delegates from the Netherlands and eight other countries met over a period of several months in the great Synod of Dort and produced the Canons of Dort. These statements of doctrine adopted by the synod addressed the Arminian controversy in the Dutch churches.
The year 2018 will mark the 400th anniversary of that significant time in Reformed church history and the completion of a significant project, led in part by Dr. Donald Sinnema, professor of theology at Trinity.
“The Canons of Dort is one of the foundational documents of our religious perspective,” said Sinnema, an internationally recognized scholar on the canons.
He serves as one of three general editors overseeing scholars from around the world on the six-year international project to publish a critical edition of all the existing documents of the synod into one multi-volume series.
The project is funded by the Johannes a Lasco Bibliothek, in Emden, Germany, along with other research institutions, and is directed by Herman Selderhuis, historian and curator at the library. The third editor is Christian Moser, a Swiss scholar. The idea for the effort was born at a 2009 conference in Dordrecht where Sinnema began discussions with fellow scholars on a potential way to observe the 400th anniversary.
Sinnema has spent decades studying the synod, including original documents hidden away in archives throughout Europe, often for hundreds of years. Reminiscent of some kind of Reformed archaeologist, the professor discovered 20 lost-to-the-world manuscript volumes last summer in a library in Zurich, where the first organizational meeting for the project was being held. A summer research grant from Trinity enabled the professor to draw up an inventory of the available documents, most in Latin.
“I felt exuberant about the discovery, especially about the original documents,” said Sinnema. “They included a rare working copy of the drafts of the canons.”
He attended a second meeting in Emden during Trinity’s January 2012 Interim. Sinnema estimates the total number of manuscript pages, including copies, to be 14,000. The pages will be transcribed and edited into eight volumes of approximately 500-1000 pages each. A number of scholars, including Trinity Professor of Theology Yudha Thianto, have been recruited to edit individual documents.
Responsible for the first volume, Sinnema anticipates publication in 2013, with publication of the entire series in 2018. The volumes, published by Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, will be available to various academic libraries and scholars.
Sinnema has taught theology at Trinity since 1987, and his understanding of and support for Reformed Christian higher education permeate his scholarship. He will retire in May from Trinity and will be honored with emeritus status at the 2012 Commencement ceremony for traditional graduates. The Don Sinnema Honorary Research Scholarship has been established for senior theology or church ministry leadership majors. Contributions to the scholarship can be made by contacting Trinity’s Development office at 708.239.4806.
Sinnema earned a master’s in philosophical theology at the Institute for Christian Studies in Toronto, Canada, and a Ph.D. in historical theology from St. Michael’s College at the University of Toronto. He has published scores of academic papers on the Synod of Dort, John Calvin, and other subjects relating to Reformed theology. In coordination with the 50th anniversary of Trinity, he wrote If We Begin with Christ, the Founding of Trinity Christian College, 1952-1960.
“Communication arts is a practical discipline. Our ability to communicate well is a key factor to success in any aspect of life, whether personal, professional, or social. It is a skill that everyone can learn to use proficiently.” This is the philosophy on which Dr. Sherry Barnes, professor of communication arts, has based her teaching as a Trinity faculty member since 2001.
May will mark Barnes’ retirement and her emerita status at the College. Looking back on her years at Trinity, she said one of the most fulfilling aspects of teaching was hearing about students’ rich faith traditions and faith journeys alongside family.
“I graded their assignments with a grateful heart and with renewed understanding of the power of small, everyday lessons—most of them learned by observation and imitation.”
Barnes graduated from Oklahoma Christian College with a degree in speech and theatre. She earned her master’s degree in speech and advertising communication from the University of Tennessee and her doctorate in human resource development from the University of Nebraska. She also served as vice president of the local American Society of Training and Development chapter.
Her interest in intercultural communication started in college, but her passion for it grew during her time at Trinity. Faculty development opportunities overseas were tied to the use of the Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI) in her Intercultural Communication classes and a five-year research project on the development of intercultural sensitivity.
Her academic and corporate expertise has been invaluable in her work with students in Trinity’s traditional and Adult Studies programs.
“A learning community like Trinity is a place to facilitate creative thinking strategies both in and outside the classroom,” said Barnes. “As I look back on 10 years of graduates, I can see Trinity students as change agents for the businesses, schools, churches, and communities they join.”
Just three days after Christmas Day 2010, the campus community was mourning the loss of student Giselle Charissah McComb ’11 of Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin, who passed away on December 28 from injuries sustained in a car accident. On April 26, students, faculty, and staff gathered outside of the library with Giselle’s parents, Michael and Janice, to once again celebrate her life and mark the dedication of a bench donated in her memory.
Giselle was a double major in psychology and criminal justice and had a passion for restorative justice. As a student, she was working with the Cook County Sheriff’s office to develop a program in which young offenders were given information about turning their lives around through education.
The Criminal Justice Club, under the advice of Dr. Dennis Connelly, assistant professor of criminal justice, collected donations from generous faculty members and fellow students and raised the funds to purchase the bench and brass plaque in honor of their beloved classmate.
President Steve Timmermans, Ph.D., welcomed friends and family, and Dr.Connelly, Giselle’s former professor, offered words of remembrance.
Reading from Psalm 15, Chaplain Bill Van Groningen said, “In this poem, David reflects on the characteristics and behaviour common to people who love the Lord. Giselle’s life bore witness to this word of God.”
The McCombs closed the dedication with a few words about their daughter and thanked the Trinity community for its support over the years.
“We are so blessed as parents to be a part of this family,” said Janice McComb. “It takes my breath away that people care so much.”
While stories of Trinity students learning and serving overseas abound, this month the campus welcomed 18 visitors from Notre Dame de la Paix, a college in Lorient, France.
The visit was arranged by Dr. Mauricio Nava Delgado, assistant professor of Spanish. He, along with Professor of English Yann Cargoet from Notre Dame, envisioned the cross-cultural learning experience based on a similar program they established at Bethel College in Minneapolis in 2004.
“The French students are very French, and the American students are very American. This cross-cultural exchange opens people’s minds,” said Cargoet. “The experience doesn’t last two weeks. It goes far beyond.”
For Cargoet, his colleague, and the 16 students from Notre Dame they accompanied, the two-week schedule was packed with activities on and off-campus. Students visited the communication arts, education psychology, and Spanish classes; local and Chicago area businesses, such as Sofitel; and popular Chicago sites including Navy Pier and Willis Tower.
Many of the Notre Dame students study business and speak some English and Spanish. Families from Calvary Church of Naperville and as well as Trinity faculty and staff hosted the students during their stay. Drs. Craig and Rhoda Mattson, professors at Trinity, included their hosted students in the Family’s Easter celebration and took them to a Sox game.
“Their desire to know life in the United States was nothing less than avid,” said Craig Mattson, professor of communication arts. “Whatever the schedule, wherever our busy lives took them, they were up for it.”
The students also had the opportunity to interact with Trinity students during classes, Outcry worship service, and a joint soccer practice with Notre Dame players and Trolls.
Nava looks at the program as a “port of entry” for various opportunities for Trinity students, including the possibility of including a brief visit to Brittany as part of the College’s existing Semester in Spain.
A bagpiper, Sinterklaas, and the Trinity Troll paraded around campus on Tuesday, April 24, to begin OPUS, an academic celebration for all departments sponsored by Trinity’s Academic Initiative.
The event, which celebrates academic gifts in all fields of study, featured several afternoon sessions during which students showcased class projects, Interim experiences, choir performances, and more.
“For me, OPUS was amazing,” said Christina Clair ’14 of Chicago, who performed her first-prize winning poetry interpretation with a poem she wrote herself. “It was truly a blessing to share with the campus and to let them know how God changed me.”
In addition to the oral interpretation contest, awards were given for music, art, and writing submissions.
New to this year’s OPUS celebration was an ice sculptor. The sculptor spent the day carving a Trinity Troll along with an OPUS sculpture, which both served as decorations for the evening’s picnic dinner.
The event also featured a beanbag tournament, improv group, and a praise and worship time in the event tent.
“OPUS was spectacular this year,” said Joshua Knol ’14 of Crown Point, Indiana, chair of Academic Initiative. “The committee put a ton of work into pulling it all together, and it definitely showed.”
OPUS award winners—Click here for the complete list.
Tuition Remission Winners
$100 Winners—Jessica Burns ’13, Christina Clair ’14
$150 Winners—Vivienne Handumon ’12, Shannon Smith ’12
$250 Winners—Bill Kamp ’12, Kelsey Mattson ’12
$400 Winner—Amber VanderLey ’12
$500 Winner—Benjamin DeYoung ’14
OPUS 2012 Committee Members
Faculty
Dr. Dick Cole, Chairperson
Dr. Clay Carlson
Dr. Mauricio Nava D.
Professor Rebecca Harkema ’05
Dr. Mackenzi Huyser ’97
Dr. Mark Jones, Chairperson
Professor Pete Post ’74
Dr. Patti Powell
Dr. Laurel Quinn
Dr. John Sebestyen
Professor Maureen Sweeney
Students
Joshua Knol ’14, Chair of Academic Initiative
Jonathan Engbers ’14
Cassandra Martinez ’15
Keli Ooms ’13
Allison Wier ’13
Art and Design
Drawing/Painting/Mixed Media:
First Place: Jessica Timmermans, “Late Afternoon”
Second Place: Amanda Evers, “Trade Your Fears”
Third Place: Yasmin Fernandez, “Set Your Eyes”
Printmaking/Photography:
First Place: Chris Colvin, “Look Up” and “To Mankind Which Are Delivered”
Second Place: Leigh Twaragowski, “Purple”, “Multiple”, and “Flower”
Third Place: Heather VanSant, “Through the Looking Glass 1 & 2” and “Cityscape”
Graphic Design:
First Place: Kaleb Dean, “FYF Mentorship”
Second Place: Bridget Earnshaw and Karl Gesch, “Studio Rat”
Third Place: Hannah Snow, “Spoon Letters” and “Gourmet Dish”
Sculpture:
First Place: Karl Gesch, “Drawing in Space: Mondrian’s Pier & Mountain”
Second Place: Lauren Sandberg, “Junkyard Talisman”
Third Place: Jonathan Engbers, “Try and Open a Book (But Not Really)”
Best of Show:
Karl Gesch, “Real Animal Cookies”
Music Performance
Keyboard
First Place: Brittany Homan
Second Place: Leah Laky
Third Place: Haley Zandstra
Vocal Ensemble
First Place: William Gesch, Shannon Smith, Daniel Thayer
Second Place: William Gesch, Daniel Thayer
Third Place: Dwante Jones, Da’Maris King
Vocal Solo
First Place: William Gesch
Second Place: Kristen Blok
Third Place: Adam Perez
Instrumental Ensemble
First Place: Cassandra Nelson, Patrick Page, Adam Perez, Christina Pacholik, Daniel Thayer
Second Place: Adam Perez, Alexander Salto
Instrumental Solo
First Place: Adam Perez
Second Place: Matthew Mulder
Third Place: Alexander Salto
Oral Interpretation
Dramatic Lit.
First Place (tie): Graeme Scott and Brooke Wigboldy
Third Place: Gina Ciametti
Poetry Interp.
First Place: Christina Clair
Second Place: Jennifer Hill
Third Place: Dominique Evans
Prose Interp.
First Place: Daniel Thayer
Second Place: Stephanie Avila
Third Place: Da’Maris King
Original Oratory
First Place: Christina Clair
Second Place: Gina Ciametti
Third Place: Graeme Scott
Poetry and Essay
Fiction:
First Place: Brian Haak, “The Water in the Piazza”
Honorable Mention: Kim Malinowski, “The Death”
Non-Fiction:
First Place: Kyle VanEerden, “Bear, My Burden”
Second Place: Vanessa Noonan, “Third Chances”
Third Place: Holli Moote, “Moment”
Poetry:
First Place: Teryn Leaper, “Preserved and Charitable”
Second Place: Teryn Leaper, “Unrequited Mistake”
Honorable Mentions: Hannah Wasco, “If I Had to Tell You” and “Rhyming” and Jenna Rae Reidenga, “The 5-Paragraph Essay”
Trinity students celebrated cultures from the Philippines, India, and Korea during the Celebration of Asia held on April 19. The event, sponsored by the Asian American Alliance (AAA), allows students to experience different Asian cultures through food and entertainment.
Students and faculty first enjoyed a shared meal including sushi, Korean bulgogi, Indian butter chicken, and Singaporean shrimp noodles.
“The Celebration of Asia was a great chance to experience different cultures,” said Brian Hofman ’13 of Waupun, Wisconsin. “I was blessed by the evening and am very glad I attended.”
After the dinner, students enjoyed entertainment through songs, readings, and a performance with bamboo instruments called angklungs led by Dr. Yudha Thianto. Christina Clair ’14 of Chicago read a poem titled “Don’t Lose Hope.”
Members of the Asian American Alliance also spoke about current issues in Asian countries and student involvement with the organization Liberty in North Korea (LiNK).
“Our goal was to raise awareness for the issues that are affecting different Asian cultures but also for the campus to come together and celebrate the diversity that God has given us,” said Nicole Ferreria ’13 of Willowbrook, Illinois, leader of the AAA.
Elections for the 2012-2013 Student Association Executive Committee were recently held, and four new students will represent their peers next year in the executive positions. Elections for the 2012-2013 class representatives were held April 18-19.
Executive Committee
Kathryn Woodside ’15 of Kearney, Nebraska, will serve as the association’s president. Woodside is serving this year as a freshmen representative and a student representative to the General Education Committee. She is double majoring in special education and elementary education and is also involved in Academic Initiative, Service Committee, and the Honor’s Program at Trinity.
Woodside hopes to use this position to increase communication between the students and the association.
“One of my goals is to improve communication in a way that engages all parties in a proactive discussion to improve life at Trinity,” said Woodside. “Through our collaborative effort, students can be more aware and involved in issues that pertain to them.”
Megan Kuiper ’14 of McBain, Michigan, will serve as next year’s vice president. Kuiper is currently serving as a resident assistant and is majoring in theology and church and ministry leadership. Kuiper also volunteers at an afterschool program, the Good News Club.
Kuiper is excited to improve the role of the Student Association.
“I hope that we can find some new ways to meet the needs of the student body,” said Kuiper. “It will be interesting to find new ways to communicate and grow with the student body, especially as there is a growing number of commuters.”
Nate Tameling ’14 of Burr Ridge, Illinois, will use his business major with a concentration in management to help him take on the role of the association’s treasurer. Tameling is currently a sophomore representative on the Student Association and has served in Hall Council the last two years. He is also a member of the baseball team and Athletics Committee and served on the Student Activities Committee last year.
Jacob Maatman ’14 of Lynwood, Illinois, will be the association’s secretary. In the current school year, Maatman serves as a member of Tibstra’s Hall Council. He is also working on a major in mathematics and philosophy and a minor in physics.
Class Representatives
The Trinity Christian College Student Association thanked the student community for supporting this year’s election, which saw a high turn-out, according to the association.
The 2012-2013 Student Association Sophomore, Junior, and Senior Representatives are:
Sophomore
Adam Frankenfeld of Oskaloosa, Iowa
Rebecca Garcia of Crown Point, Indiana
Megan McDonald of New Lenox, Illinois
Hannah Wasco of Lees Summit, Missouri
Junior
Caleb Copeland of Arlington Heights, Illinois
Kirsten Harms of Tinley Park, Illinois
Andy Reidsma of Wyoming, Michigan
Joshua Schumann of Yorkville, Illinois
Senior
Erin Boyle of Naperville, Illinois
Kaitlyn Fondrk of Belvidere, Illinois
Joshua Pollema of Rock Valley, Iowa
Megan Regalado of Glendora, California, and Samantha Cechowski of Darien, Illinois