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Six students from Professor Ellen Browning’s photography course were selected as finalists in “The Best College Photography of 2011,” Photographer’s Forum30th Annual Photography Contest, sponsored by Nikon and Sony.
This year’s contest had over 3,500 entries from around the world. All of these images will be published in a hardcover book, which will be distributed to college libraries, and instructors of photography, art, and design around the world.
This year’s winners:
Brady Davidson ’11 of Shawnee, Kansas
William Kamp III ’12 of Tinley Park, Illinois
Lindsay Koedyker ex ’12 of Highland, Indiana
Caleb Mulder ’11 of Wheatfield, Indiana
Kristen Tamminga ’11 of Hudsonville, Michigan
Carol Bosma (non-traditional student/audit)
This is the second year in a row that the work of Trinity photography students has been selected for publication and distribution worldwide.
View photogallery here.
With one common goal in mind, on March 12, a group of 16 Trinity students, led by Service Committee President Eric Robbert ’13 of LaGrange, Illinois, traveled to Biloxi, Mississippi, to help repair houses damaged by Hurricane Katrina.
The students were guests of Coalville United Methodist Church and worked with the church and with Hope Agency, a housing resource center, to help provide services for local families in need. Throughout the course of the week, the group repainted a house and cleaned up a family’s yard ravaged by a tornado that had hit days prior.
The students reported having an amazing and encouraging experience on the trip.
“It’s amazing to see how the little help you give can have such a great impact on people,” said nursing student Kylie Bond ’12 of Erie, Illinois. “Besides helping out the community, my favorite part was getting to know the rest of the Trinity volunteers. We’re practically like family now.
Bond added that everyone who participated gained something from the experience. “We really came together, accomplished a lot, and learned from each other.”
Students also had an opportunity to visit New Orleans and see the St. Joseph’s Day parade in the French Quarter.
Alumna Louella DeVries ’93 recently visited the Psychology of Gender class to talk with students about the differences in the ways men and women deal with emotions and mental illness.
The course, taught by Dr. Mary Lynn Colosimo, associate professor of psychology, surveys a variety of psychological theories and research on gender. DeVries spoke to students about the topics of suicide, depression, and mental illness; how men and women communicate their emotions; and how each gender responds to various situations and to therapy.
DeVries and husband Michael ’74, professor of psychology at Trinity, offer faith-based psychotherapy at their private practice, Olive Branch Counseling Associates, Inc., in Oak Forest, Illinois.
“It is always a blessing to welcome Louella into one of my classes at Trinity,” said Colosimo. “She brought her wealth of knowledge and experience into the gender class as she walked with us through gender differentiation and approaches to depression and other forms of illness. I am most grateful to Louella for the time and energy that she offered to us.”
Two high school students have been awarded Trinity’s Greater Chicago Christian Leadership Scholarship: Alejandra Romo of Chicago and She’KunnahGlorri Striverson of Crete.
The four-year renewable grant covers tuition costs and is awarded to students from the Chicago area who are from under-represented populations at Trinity and have demonstrated academic excellence, leadership, and Christian commitment.
Romo attends Community Links High School and plans to major in criminal justice, a field she feels would prepare her for having a positive influence in law enforcement. She has been involved in many clubs and activities during her high school career, including volunteering as a mentor for fifth graders at her former elementary school and serving as a company commander in the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC).
Romo said that she has come to understand that her desire to serve others has always been a part of God’s plan. She hopes to participate in Trinity’s Sunday Snacks and Read with Me service projects in the community. “I really look forward to carrying out his plan in college, because I know that is what pleases my Father, and that pleases me,” she said.
Striverson is an aspiring nursing major who attends Crete-Monee High School. Her involvement at New Bethel Church has included serving in the dance ministry, youth ministry, and youth choir. She also plans to pursue those interests through Trinity’s music and dance ministries, as well as through theatre. In the summer she volunteers in a young leader enrichment program.
Her commitment to excelling academically is evident in her grades as well as in her participation in a dual credit program at her local community college, which allows her to earn college credit. Whether in activities or academics, Striverson said that as a follower of Christ she desires to lead others through service. “By helping others in need, I am being a light for the Lord,” she said.
Last year’s recipients were Rochelle Burks ’14 of Downers Grove; Andrea Walters ’14 of Bolingbrook; and Erica-Symone Windham ’14 of Robbins.
On March 16, Travis Bandstra ’06, director of alumni relations, hosted the 5th annual Loop Luncheon at the Weber Grill in Chicago. The annual luncheon provides a way for Trinity alumni working in Chicago to remain connected with the College and to connect professionally with fellow alumni.
Guest speaker Ryan Wynia ’04, founder of Firebone, a social media strategy firm, spoke on the subject of how to be intentional when using social media for personal use.
“This is another great way for a few of our thousands of alumni in the Chicago area to reconnect with old friends and meet new ones,” said Bandstra. “Many are surprised at how many Trinity alumni work downtown.”
A similar gathering is planned for alumni working in the southwest suburbs. This second annual luncheon is planned for noon on Wednesday, April 20, at the Limestone Grill in Palos Heights, Illinois.
Nearly 100 students turned out to view the submissions for the College’s first annual Life at Trinity student video contest on March 9 in the Ozinga Chapel. Student filmmakers created original videos that highlighted the Trinity experience, were consistent with the mission of the College, and captured what makes Trinity special to students.
The six entries were judged by a panel of judges from the marketing, student activities, admissions, and communication arts departments on the following criteria:
Creativity
- Relevance to the theme of the contest
- Clarity and entertainment value
- Overall impact
- Quality of editing
All the video entries were shown for the audience who, by applause, voted for the audience choice award.
Emcees Jeremy Klyn ’02, director of admissions, and Dilaun White ’09, admissions counselor, then announced the winners:
1ST PRIZE—$400 and Audience Choice—$50 for “The school your school could look like,” by Kailyn Baum ’12 of Hudsonville, Michigan; Stephanie DeJong ’11 of Ripon, California; Caleb Hamstra ’12 of Palos Park, Illinois; Jenna VanDyk ’12 of Tinley Park, Illinois; and Jeremy Wetter ’12 of Pella, Iowa
2ND PRIZE—$250 “Momentum for Life,” by Melissa Conrad ’14 of Hawthorn Woods, Illinois
3RD PRIZE—$150 “Diversity,” by Jon Borr ’11 of Holland, Michigan
“My friends and I had fun with the entire process, from writing the short script, to filming and editing,” said Baum. “We were fortunate to have a member of our team who was willing to do each piece. It was fun to have everyone on board and involved.”
Fellow filmmaker VanDyk said, “It was a great way to have fun and to get involved in trying to recruit new students. Everyone’s videos were fantastic, and I can’t wait to see the talent from other students in the coming years.”
The 2010 Dove Award-winning band Big Daddy Weave performed at Trinity on March 25, with Luminate and American Idol Season 6 finalist Chris Sligh helping to create an evening of Christian worship for hundreds.
“Having Big Daddy Weave, Luminate, and Chris Sligh on Trinity’s campus was such a memorable event,” said Emily Smith ’04, campaign gifts manager at Trinity. “The whole night was filled with worship, fellowship, and another story to tell of God’s working through people at Trinity.”
The concert was hosted by Trinity’s Development department with proceeds from the ticket sales benefiting the Trinity Fund. The Trinity Fund supplements funding for academic enrichment, scholarships, and facilities maintenance.
“I saw nothing but smiles on the faces of those who came to the show, as well as the band members who were able to talk about their music ministry with their fans,” said Nate Laning ’06, Trinity Fund coordinator. “I’m extremely excited to do a concert again next year to benefit the students of Trinity.”
The College wishes to thank the following event sponsors: Schepel Auto Group; Amber Mechanical Contractors, Inc.; Dutch Farms, Inc.; Oak Worth Plumbing, Providence Life Services; ProviNET Solutions; and Total Automation Concepts, Inc.
The band’s Love Come to Life Tour is presented by World Vision.
Photographs courtesy of Marketing and Communications Student Photographer Jesse VanMaanen ’12
This fall, Trinity’s new Black Studies minor will give students the opportunity to explore the global experience of people of African descent through history, literature, music, politics, psychology, and sociology.
By adding this minor to the academic program, Trinity is helping to lead the effort toward diversity in Christian higher education and in the Chicago area. The College is one of five members of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU) and one of 18 local colleges to offer such a program.
The idea for the program came to Dr. David Brodnax, associate professor of history, while driving to campus. “Being a person of faith, I would say it was divine inspiration,” said Brodnax.
That moment of inspiration led to discussions with colleagues and a proposal for an interdisciplinary minor that combines classes from five other departments, including one new course, Jazz History.
The Black Studies program will benefit the College by increasing students’ knowledge of black culture, helping them develop their ability to view the world from multiple perspectives, and further enabling Trinity to carry out its commitment to diversity.
Over the last few years, the enrollment in courses such as African American history, African history, and black cinema has included students from various racial backgrounds and academic programs. Brodnax anticipates that the Black Studies minor will see the same level of diversity in its participants.
For more information, contact Dr. Brodnax at david.brodnax@trnty.edu or 708.239.4748.