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Students in Trinity’s English department courses filled the Marg Kallemeyn Theatre last week to hear two speakers discuss the importance of writing skills in various vocations.
The Writing for the Professions event welcomed guest panelists Professor Rick Riddering, Trinity’s director of Adult Studies Business, and alumnus Russ Hollender ’71, vice president, appraisal review with Great Lakes Bank.
Dr. Michael Vander Weele ’73, professor of English, introduced the panelists, who each shared a summary of their college and career experiences and their discovery of the importance of solid writing skills necessary for effective and efficient communication no matter the job.
“Communication is probably more important than it has ever been,” said Riddering, who started as a college computer programming major and changed to public relations. He worked in PR for the Chicago White Sox and for more than 28 years in business and higher education.
Hollender studied English at Trinity and has always been a voracious reader. Most of his career has been in the area of banking, and it was his writing skills that opened up new opportunities. He has spent much of his career writing policy manuals, proposals, and real estate appraisal policies.
“We want students to realize that writing is important in every profession,” Vander Weele explained. “We also want them to know, as our panelists made clear, that writing and thinking are closely connected, so that good thinking contributes to good writing, which contributes to good thinking. The desire to be purposeful and to be helpful for your audience both fit our response to God’s covenant, and the more formal matters of grammar, spelling, and organization are meant to serve those larger goals.”
A question and answer period followed the presentation.
In the few weeks leading up to semester finals, students often look to “comfort” food to relieve some stress.
Providing a needed break for her students, Associate Professor of Psychology Mary Lynn Colosimo took her Cross-Cultural Psychology class to Mabenka, a Lithuanian restaurant in Burbank, Illinois. There students experienced the “comfort” food of Colosimo’s cultural heritage.
Everyone enjoyed the restaurant’s warm, casual environment and the friendly staff attired in European clothing. The class feasted on homemade breads and sausage, cepelinai (dumplings), golabki (stuffed cabbage rolles), and kugelis, a Lithuanian potato delicacy.
“The Mabenka dinner was a wonderful opportunity to expand our cultural perspective on food while joining in community and fellowship with friends,” said Katrina Koltz ’12 of Crestwood, Illinois. “Dr. Colosimo’s generosity allowed us to experience her cultural dishes and share in Lithuania’s rich history.”
Each week the students in Trinity’s Honors Program meet for tea, which doesn’t resemble Earl Grey and scones as much as it does double-cream, low-fat Oreos and deep—or not so deep—conversations about classes and culture and Scripture and Seinfeld.
The Honors Program challenges and supports academically gifted students through unique opportunities, like meeting informally for Honors Tea.
According to Dr. Craig Mattson, professor of communication arts and newly appointed director of the program, “good talk and good laughter” arise out of this mid-week “sabbath” for honors program students and faculty members as they gather in the Green Room of the Art and Communication Center (ARCC).
Honors Tea is only one of the many co-curricular activities that accompany the program’s honors courses and seminars, as well as the work required within each student’s major. Students also participate in events held at Mattson’s home and in field trips to Chicago’s Provision Theatre, the Chicago Humanities Festival, and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, among others.
Former Honors Program Director Dr. Aron Reppmann ’92, professor of philosophy and current director of new faculty formation, recently contributed an article about Trinity’s program to “Honors Programs at Smaller Colleges” by Dr. Samuel Schuman. The publication—part of a National Collegiate Honors Council monograph series—highlights five colleges and their programs.
Reppmann is a member of the Small College Honors Program Committee, which commissioned the monograph. He had several opportunities to work with Schuman, who is a nationwide leader in honors education and, Reppmann said, has become increasingly interested in the contributions made by religious colleges.
“When Sam approached the committee last year to let us know that he was revising the Small College Honors Programs monograph and wanted fresh ‘model program’ examples, I was glad to offer Trinity as such an example,” said Reppmann.
When Reppmann assumed his new role at the College this year, Mattson accepted the position of Honors Program director. Changes under Mattson are not programmatic as much as aesthetic. So far, those changes have included moving the weekly Honors Tea to the larger space in the ARCC and creating the blog “An Inventory of Uncommercial Goods,” the title of which refers to a line from a Wendell Berry poem. The blog has become a virtual gathering place where Mattson and the students can reflect and comment on recent topics of discussion and continue their camaraderie and communication online.
The retention rate of students is strong in Trinity’s Honors Program, Mattson said. “People in the program love the conviviality and sense of being a neighborhood within the ‘city’ of Trinity that is a place to flourish.”
Mattson refers to that “neighborhood” as a “concentrated expression of the values across Trinity’s campus.” Those values are evident not only in the character of the honors students themselves; they are evident in the intent of Mattson and Reppmann to focus on benefits that cannot be measured.
“There is importance and life in good talk and humor and attentive reading,” said Mattson.
The very items one might find in an inventory of uncommercial goods.
For more information about the Honors Program, visit the program webpage.
Nearly 700 people attended Trinity’s tenth annual Christmastide music program on December 3.
The theme for this year’s program was “The God Who Gives.” It focused not only on the gift of Jesus Christ, but on “our responses, such as gifts of service, praise, and obedience,” said Dr. Helen Van Wyck, professor of music.
The Christmas celebration included many of the College’s music groups, congregational singing, and Scripture readings.
Choir performances included contributions from the Gospel Choir, directed by James Palmore; and the Concert Choir and Honors Ensemble, both directed by Professor Van Wyck. Instrumental performances included pieces from the Brass Quintet and Wind Ensemble, directed by Dr. Ken Austin, professor of music; and the String Ensemble, directed by Matthew and Emily Mantell.
Christmastide not only brings a variety of audience members together, but also brings all of the Trinity’s music groups together – something appreciated by performing students.
“I like all of the groups coming together to spread the gospel through music,” said Andrea Walters ’14 of Bolingbrook, Illinois, who sings in the Gospel Choir. “It is just a reminder of how important it is to be in unity and to proclaim and glorify the name of Jesus.”
The work of Chris Scott
, a 2007 graduate of Trinity’s art and design program, was recently featured in Etape, a Paris design and visual culture magazine. The magazine highlighted Scott’s design work for Chicago’s Isinglass Theater.
To see the featured designs, visit the magazine’s website: http://www.etapes.com/une-identite-visuelle-issue-de-masques-tribaux
Since his graduation from Trinity, Scott has worked with Gertrude, Inc., Draft FCB, and Leo Burnett. He recently started a Chicago-based company called colorandstory, which, according to the website, “creates relevant design across branding, print, film, packaging, environments, advertising, digital communication and new media.”
Professor of Art and Design John Bakker said that less than a year after Scott graduated, his website design work was referred to in an article in the Chicago Sun-Times. To view Scott’s work, visit http://colorandstory.com/work.html.
For six years, Trinity students have benefited from a partnership the College has with Prairie-Hills Elementary School District 144 in Markham, Illinois.
Dr. Trina Vallone ’99, coordinator for the Adult Studies ESL/Bilingual program, and PatriciaGriffith, assistant professor of education, formed this partnership with Fieldcrest Elementary School, and it has since expanded to Highlands School and Nob Hill School.
During the Teaching Reading course, Trinity education students have the opportunity to spend 20 hours in the classroom in one of the three schools, practicing what they are learning in theory by completing reading tasks with the elementary students.
Vallone and Griffith arranged with Dr. Kimako Patterson, district superintendent, for 12 Trinity faculty members to offer professional development seminars on Friday, December 2. The district in-service was a way for the College to give back and thank the district for helping Trinity students over the years.
Teachers earned Continuing Professional Development Units (CPDUs) for attending the presentations. Topics included: Technology for Grades 7-8, Differentiated Instruction for Grades 3-6, technology, Math for Grades K-2, Graphic Novels and Guided Reading for Grades 7-8, Guided Reading for Grades 3-6, Phonemic Awareness & Guided Reading for Grades K-2.
Around 80 teachers from the district attended the in-service, including Nancy Kristin, the reading coach at Mae Jemison School. Kristin used to teach at Fieldcrest School and worked with Trinity students. She was particularly looking forward to the presentation by Assistant Professor of Education Dr. Bill Boerman-Cornell about graphic novels, and wanted to learn how to use graphic novels as inspiration for students to read more.
Julia Veazy, director of curriculum, instruction & technology for the district, was glad for the opportunity to have the teachers learn new methods to engage students and learn best practices. She was grateful to Trinity professors for validating what the teachers are currently doing.
Said Vallone, “The short workshops were packed full of information the teachers can apply immediately in the classroom. We’re glad to give back to the district. Good partnerships like these help us produce good teachers.”
Other Trinity professors presenting:
Chuck Commeret ’05, assistant professor of education, director of Adult Studies Education
Rebecca Harkema ’05, assistant professor of education, coordinator of Adult Studies Special Education
Kelly Lenarz ’99, assistant professor of education
Joy Meyer ’78, assistant professor of education, director of teacher education
Dr. Mary Webster Moore, assistant professor of education, director of P-16 School Initiatives
Jacqueline Moses ’05, assistant professor of education, Chicago coordinator of Adult Studies
Pete Post ’74, assistant professor of education
Dr. Rick Snoeyink, professor of education
Sue Zientara, assistant professor of education
The three-bar logo that most often precedes the name of Trinity Christian College is the creation of the Dutch artist and graphic artist Henk Krijger, who designed the emblem in 1969 while serving as artist in residence at the College.
November marked the anniversary of Krijger’s birth in 1914 and reminded the Trinity community that the emblem embodies the “spirit of Trinity’s special perspective for education with a contemporary directness that will communicate to a secular society,” according to the original proposal for the design.
The three-bar emblem, signifying the persons of the Trinity, was designed by Krijger at the request of students who desired a school ring. An account of this part of Trinity’s history is recorded in the book At the Heart of Community, Stories of Trinity Christian College’s First 50 Years, by Dr. Daniel Diephouse, professor of English, emeritus.
“One of [Krijger’s] specialties being jewelry, he designed a ring that made a strong symbolic statement about the Reformed Christian faith that Trinity proclaims.”
The emblem was then adopted as Trinity’s official logo and is used today in all print and web communications.
“The design communicates the values of the institution with clarity, and it is distinctive enough to hold its own identity,” said John Bakker, professor of art and design at Trinity since 1982. “I think that it’s one of the great marks of the 20th century. It reminds me of logos for Chase or Nike in its clarity and succinctness. We are fortunate to have it as our own.”
The work of Krijger, who was also a prominent type designer and creator of the Raffia Initials typeface, is often a topic of discussion in class.
“We discuss the logo and its history in design classes,” said Ellen Browning, assistant professor of art and design. “Krijiger’s logo remains significant today as it was originally designed from a minimalist, modern perspective. This clean, simple, forward-thinking design is timeless, and that is part of its strength in serving the Trinity community.”
Nikki Ferreria ’13 of Willowbrook, Illinois, and Dominique Evans ’14 of Glenwood, Illinois, traveled to Atlanta, Georgia, earlier this month to represent Trinity Christian College at the 2011 National Christian Multicultural Student Leadership Conference (NCMSLC).
NCMSLC, Inc. was founded in 2000 under the realization that conversations about issues impacting students of color in Christian higher education needed to be encouraged. The organization’s website says the main goal of the annual conference is “to empower student leaders to embrace cultural diversity” while encouraging them to think about inclusive leadership that honors contributions from all people.
Ferreria, a business major, and Evans, an English major, were chosen by the College’s Ethnic Diversity Committee to attend the November 3-6 conference. This year’s NCMSLC theme was “Mission Possible: Global Leadership in the 21st Century.”
“The theme impacted me in a magnificent way because it reminded me that with God I am more than conqueror,” said Evans. “As students, we should remember that if we are on a mission for Christ, our vision is more than possible.”
The mentality of leading as a servant of Christ is something that Ferreria and Evans both felt challenged and encouraged by.
“NCMSLC prepared me to be a servant leader on Trinity’s campus,” Ferreria said. “As Christian leaders, we are called to lead with compassion that acts and advocates for those who are mistreated or misrepresented. Compassion and service go beyond feeling sorry about something by driving us to do something.”
The conference also provided Ferreria and Evans with the opportunity to meet students from college campuses across the nation with similar leadership goals. “It is very encouraging to be surrounded by such an open and friendly atmosphere,” said Ferreria. “It helped me get ideas to try on our campus.”
Both students returned ready to apply the knowledge and experience gained from the NCMSLC.
“Passion fuels my desire for success,” added Evans, “and since attending the conference, I can say that as a leader, I’ve developed a great passion for campus diversity. NCMSLC increased my drive to love others just as Christ loves the Church.”
In 2010, Emily (Buter) Rusticus ’10 graduated from Trinity’s nursing program and answered a call to the health care industry. She now works in the Pediatric Neuro unit at Children’s Memorial Hospital in Chicago.
She serves a diverse population of children from newborns to late teens, from minor hospitalizations to chronic conditions. She often cares for children with cancer before they are moved to oncology and gets to know many of them well.
One child in particular prompted Rusticus to think of her oldest sister who died of a brain tumor at the age of nine. “I see lots of kids in those situations, but she especially reminded me of the sister I lost,” she said. “I can be there for the family and give them my full attention in the small moments. That’s when I know why I’m here, to serve God and this population.”
Although she can’t often share her faith, Rusticus does pray with Christian families and is challenged by working in the city. Growing up in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and worshipping in a Christian Reformed church, Rusticus believes it is important for everyone to live outside of their comfort zone.
“I chose to work in downtown Chicago, because when I was offered the job at Children’s, I knew God was calling me to work in an atmosphere that is often far from my comfort zone. It is important for me to show my faith even in places where Christianity is not always evident. I am also able to serve people who are in great need of the love and compassion I have been taught so well to give.”
She credits her Trinity professors with that excellent teaching. “My experience at Trinity was wonderful, beginning with our first nursing class,” said Rusticus. “The teaching staff was superb. Not many nursing schools can say that their staff knows each student by name and genuinely cares about them as individuals.”
Because of the College’s location and the partnerships the nursing department has formed with local hospitals, students have many options for field experience in the Chicagoland area. “With Trinity so close to Chicago, I was able, through my clinicals, to serve a very diverse, urban community,” she said. “I had amazing, real world experiences.”
During her field experience, she worked the pediatric rotation at Hope Children’s Hospital in Oak Lawn, Illinois, and for her senior project, or “capstone,” Rusticus worked at Children’s Memorial on the floor where she was completing a year-long mentoring program.
Rusticus, who is married to Alex ’09, an accountant with Evenhouse & Co., P.C., is looking into graduate school to pursue becoming a nurse practitioner.
Trinity Christian College’s fall production of Arthur Miller’s drama All My Sons was a tremendous success for the theatre program. Set in 1946, the play tells the story of the seemingly “All-American” Keller family, who end up living anything but a dream.
Three of the four November performances were sold-out shows. The play, known in American theatre culture for its intensity and realistic approach to life and ethics, made the audience’s appreciation for the play that much more meaningful, said actor Dan Thayer ’12 of Buchanan, Michigan.
“I heard an overwhelming sense of gratitude for this show from all of our audience members,” said Thayer, who played Joe Keller. “The audience appreciated the message of the show and the acting, as well.”
“The story seemed to really have a great impact on many people,” added Kristen Blok ’15 of Lynden, Washington, who played Ann Deever, the love interest of Joe Keller’s son Chris.
Thayer, who has been involved in numerous productions in his time at Trinity, said “All My Sons” stretched him into a role different than what he normally is cast as.
“There was a certain element of ‘bad guy’ that I had to play while, at the same time, not believing that I truly was the bad guy,” said Thayer. “I really enjoyed tackling such an intense and multi-faceted character that allowed for deep acting choices and a chance for me to grow as an actor and individual.”
Blok voiced similar feelings about her role.
“This drama was the most challenging production that I have ever been a part of,” she said. “There were so many emotions to be felt by each character, and playing a character that, essentially, experiences no redemption was something I’ve never done before. It was a great challenge.”
Cast and Crew
Director: Dr. John Sebestyen, assistant professor of communication arts; theatre program director
Joe Keller: Daniel Thayer ‘12, Buchanan, Michigan
Kate Keller: Alyssa Guerrin ‘11, Holland, Michigan
Chris Keller: Graeme Scott ‘13, Oakville, Ontario
Ann Deever: Kristen Blok ‘15, Lynden, Washington
George Deever: Chris DeWaard ‘15, Holland, Michigan
Dr. Jim Bayliss: Adam Frankenfeld ‘15, Oskaloosa, Iowa
Sue Bayliss: Shannon Smith ‘12, Portage, Michigan
Frank Lubey: Hart Vander Ploeg ‘15, Frankfort, Illinois
Lydia Lubey: Brooke Wigboldy ‘14, Tinley Park, Illinois
Stage Manager: Karl Gesch ‘12, Cedar Grove, Wisconsin
Assistant Director: Julie Wiltjer ‘12, Worth, Illinois
Production Assistant: Bridget Earnshaw ‘12, Cedar Lake, Indiana
Technical Director: Jake Szafranksi ’09
Director’s Assistant: Heidi Sebestyen