Archives: News Stories
Award-winning storyteller, recording artist, and author Dovie Thomason will captivate listeners with stories of the Native Americans on Tuesday, February 8, at 7 p.m. in the Marg Kallemeyn Theatre, Art and Communication Center.
Thomason has shared stories throughout North America and overseas. She has been a featured storyteller with NASA and Indian education programs on reservations; Shakespeare’s “Globe Theatre”; NPR’s “Living on Earth” and the BBC’s “My Century”; cross-community programs in Northern Ireland; and powwows, conferences, schools, and libraries.
She was first captivated by the old Indian sories told by her Kiowa Apache and Lakota relatives. Since then, she has been on a lifelong path of sharing these stories to give people a clearer understanding of the cultures of the First Nations of North America.
Thomason is the winner of various awards, including the Parents’ Choice Gold Award, Storytelling World Honors Award, and the ALA Notable Recording Award
The annual storytelling event, sponsored by Trinity’s Cultural Affairs Committee, is free and open to the public. For more information, call 708.597.3000.
For more information about Dovie Thomason, visit: www.doviethomason.com.
From advertising and auditions to sound checks and delivery, the Student Activities team dedicated a great deal of time and careful preparation for a successful Trollstock, the College’s annual talent competition held on October 23.
“Trollstock showcased a lot of different talent, and I was pleasantly surprised by the selection choices and the amount of effort put into each,” said Sara Gleason ’11 of Indianapolis, Indiana.
The event featured several acts with an assortment of song, dance, and instrumental performances. Encouraged by the large turnout, the performers poured their hearts and souls into their routines and energized the audience.
“I think it was cool seeing so many freshmen involved,” said Melissa J. Voss ’11 of Orland Park, Illinois. “They brought a lot of enthusiasm.”
“Being a part of Trollstock this year gave me a different perspective on the whole event, because I saw firsthand everything that went into it,” said Christy Boersma ’11 of Grand Rapids, Michigan, who was part of a group performance of “If I Die Young,” a song by The Band Perry.
“I look forward to this event every year because it highlights talent on campus and many of my friends participate with their own acts,” said Kailyn Baum ’12 of Hudsonville, Michigan. “I think, as students, being able to support people we know personally is something that brings the student body together at an event like Trollstock.”
The dedicated staff created a successful event from start to finish. Students involved with the organization of the event include Eric Tucker ’12, Kayla Schoneveld ’12, Kathryn Andringa ’14, Bethany Verhage ’11, Caleb Mulder ’11, Daniel Thayer ’12, Katie Alberda ’12, Allison Voss ’12, Melissa J. Voss ’11, Jacquelyn Risher ’12, Hannah Gonzales ’12, and Calob Lostutter ’12.
Winners of the 2010 Trollstock:
1st Place The dance group PBS, also known as Pretty Boy Swag—comprised of freshmen on the men’s soccer team—for their hip hop routine to a compilation of urban dance songs
2nd Place Sam Huenink ’11 and Jacquelyn Iwema ’13 for their jazz/hip hop dance to Mike Posner’s “Cooler than Me.”
3rd Place Josh ’12 and Victoria ’13 Penley for their Latin routine to the Spanish version of “I Like to Move It, Move It!”
Communication arts major and aspiring radio personality Ryan Kwaak ’11 of Oak Lawn, Illinois, said he was “pleased as punch” to work as a webcast host at the recent convention for the National Federation of the Blind of Illinois (NFBI). But he was even more excited to be one of three recipients of the organization’s Kenneth Jernigan Scholarship. Kwaak accepted the award at the October convention in Springfield, Illinois.
The scholarship, in the amount of $1,250, was established in tribute to Dr. Kenneth Jernigan, former president of the federation, whose extraordinary leadership has improved the quality of life for blind people both here and abroad.
Kwaak was chosen based on his academic standing at Trinity and the essay he wrote about his work with the communication arts department and audio/visual department coordinator Dave Jousma to produce news podcasts for the College.
The Oak Lawn resident is originally from Columbia, Kentucky, and still has strong ties to the area. He plans to someday help program a full-service southern Gospel/local news/farm information format on a station in the area. Closer to his Trinity home, Kwaak is involved in the campus’s Academic Initiative and Men’s Ministry. He also writes and produces films for a website supported by his church New Life Assembly in Matteson, Illinois.
Listen to a two-minute sampling of Kwaak’s production and on-air work at the 2010 NFBI convention.
“I’m glad my hard work and broadcasting experience at Trinity paid off,” said Kwaak. “I thank our communication arts professors, especially Professor Mark Haller-Wade, for equipping me with the tools that have enhanced my abilities as a producer and for the wisdom the professors share in their instruction.”
A large poster full of Bible passages, thought-provoking quotes, and expressions of school spirit hung beside the entrance to the Jennie Huizenga Memorial Library on October 20, showcasing the creative minds and unique ideas of the Trinity community.
“Make Your Mark” was part of the National Day on Writing, an initiative started by the National Council of Teachers of English to draw attention to the remarkable variety of writing people engage in each day and to make writers aware of their individual gifts. The College’s English department invited everyone on campus to participate.
“Students were encouraged to write anything they wanted,” said Dr. Karen Dieleman, assistant professor of English. “A question, an offering, a meditation, a joke, a drawing—anything to ‘speak into the community that we are.’”
The English department was pleased to see strong participation and support for the event as groups of students gathered around the wall throughout the day to read and share their original writing.
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The 2011 Concert Choir Winter Tour offered many opportunities for talented Trinity students to share their gifts and enhance worship in a variety of locations, including churches, schools, and retirement communities.
Click here to view the Concert Choir Winter Tour Photogallery
Click here to see the 2011 Interim Blogs that have been submitted by the interim participants.
Each January, Trinity students engage in interactive learning outside the classroom during Interim, a two-week program that occurs during the break between semesters. Students may choose from a wide range of special interests and subjects in the humanities, sciences, and arts that provide a more hands-on educational experience. Interims are led by faculty and staff of the College and may take place on campus, in Chicago, or other sites in the United States and abroad.
Trinity students utilized the proximity of Chicago for their course discussion as they traveled downtown for a “Talkabout Walkabout.” Students from Dr. Craig Mattson’s Foundations of Human Communication and Communication Criticism courses and Professor Ellen Browning’s Intermediate Graphic Design class teamed up to explore the various forms of public messaging in the city.
“The point of the trip was to think about three very different kinds of rhetoric. High art, popular art, and commercial advertisement,” Mattson said.
The students made several stops including the Palos Heights Metra station, Chicago’s Union Station, and the Picasso sculpture in Daley Plaza. Professor Dayton Castleman of the art department explained the history of the artwork at each location while the students attempted to connect what they are studying in class.
“It was a good bonding experience for us as a class,” said Mike Merlino ’11 of Holland, Michigan, a student in the Communication Criticism course. “It is always nice when you have those kinds of friendships where you can be hanging out as a class, but have it feel like you are just with some friends downtown.”
Studying public art forms and advertisements, the students took pictures of the sculptures, artwork, and forms of advertising to bring back to class for discussion.
Mattson leads the field trip early in the semester to give students the opportunity to get to know one another. “They’re working together in teams throughout the day, capturing images, and taking notes, which we later discuss in class,” said Mattson. “We even have a contest for who can come up with the most perfect images of oral communication, written communication, and electronic communication.”
Sliding down the Picasso, navigating their way through Union station, and getting caught in “guerilla advertising” (being stopped by a team of movie promoters), the students experienced fun and fellowship walking through the streets of downtown Chicago.
“I really enjoyed this trip as it was nice to see these forms of communication that we had studied in class were visible in the outside world,” said Dan Thayer ’12 of Buchanan, Michigan. “This is a true perk of Trinity—we are so close to downtown that we can take field trips there.”
The visit of alumnus and Emmy Award-winner Kurt Schemper ’97 during the Homecoming and Jubilation! 2010 events allowed for rich learning experiences for Trinity students and local high school students.
Media Workshop
Trinity held a media workshop for high school juniors and seniors, bringing them to campus for an overnight stay on Thursday, September 30, and Friday, October 1. The students were given the chance to create a short video and work with Assistant Professor of Communication Arts Mark Haller-Wade in Trinity’s Art and Communication Center. Haller-Wade brought numerous years of experience in the film industry with him, having written and directed nine short films, as he worked with visiting students in four separate sessions covering everything from pre-production to post-production.
Schemper led one of the sessions, talking about his career and his time at Trinity. In this workshop, students gained hands-on experience working with Haller-Wade and gained an understanding of the production industry from Schemper, who related his success back to Trinity.
Communication Arts Breakfast
Schemper spent the morning with a group of communication arts students on Friday, October 1. Over breakfast he shared his journey from Trinity to Los Angeles. Encouraging students to work hard at the small jobs, Schemper used his own personal story to show the rewards of dedication and information-seeking.
“Kurt Schemper sharing his experience and wisdom in the film industry was eye-opening,” said Joanna Dykstra ’11 of Hammond, Indiana. “I learned that starting at the bottom is sometimes the best way to make it to the top. He encouraged all of us to be actively learning and to do the very best at whatever job we are given. His passion for Christ was evident, and seeing such a successful Trinity grad was empowering.”
Communication arts students were given the opportunity to ask questions of and advice from Schemper. For students aspiring to a career in film or TV production, Schemper provided insight; but for all students, he inspired them to work hard and to treasure the skills and knowledge they are gaining at Trinity.
“Being able to talk with a graduate of Trinity who has gone through the work and effort of achieving success was highly rewarding and extremely motivating,” said Ashley Veurink ’12 of Corsica, South Dakota. “It was encouraging talking with Kurt and hearing the story of how his career was started. Now I know that I, too, can graduate from Trinity with confidence that a successful career is possible with dedication, focus, and the patience to follow God’s plan.”
Each year Trinity students travel the globe to complete a semester of coursework overseas through one of the College’s semester abroad programs.
Sam Mahtani ’10 spent his last semester in China, before returning to graduate in May and accepting a new position as the marketing and media associate in the College’s marketing and communications department.
Mahtani traveled with a group of college students to Xiamen, China, where he studied at Xiamen University and lived in the international dorms. The first six weeks of his semester were spent studying the Chinese culture, history, language, and business and economics. At the conclusion of the semester, he was placed in a three and half week internship.
“China was amazing,” Mahtani said. “I learned how business can cross cultures, and how different cultures handle business and interact with each other. I learned how business really works, from the person in charge down to the factory worker.”
Mahtani put his skills and knowledge to work at NewSound, a hearing aid company that designs, manufactures, and tests top of the line hearing aids. Working with the company’s marketing department, Mahtani proofed flyers, brochures, and marketing materials. He was also given the opportunity to create his own work in the form of a flyer for NewSound.
“I was able to learn how marketing is different between cultures and to understand the huge effect that culture has on business,” Mahtani said.
Mahtani also researched competitors’ products and technology and worked as a bridge between cultures, correcting and editing the company’s use of English on software and products.
The semester wasn’t all work and no play, though. Students were given incredible travel opportunities as they toured China, visiting everything from a small farm in the mountains to the Terra Cotta Warriors and the Great Wall of China in Beijing.
His travels and experiences throughout China also served as a great way to fuel a talent. “I have been taking photos for the past four years,” said Mahtani. “What started as taking photos for fun, turned into more of a passion for photography.”
His passion and artistic eye have not gone unnoticed. Photographs from his semester in China have been chosen to be featured in the Trinity 2011 calendar.
Since 1993, hundreds of women have been violated and murdered just yards away from America’s border with Mexico. These young women, employed as factory workers in 50-cent per hour jobs for large companies, are often nameless faces to all but their loved ones and human rights organizations fighting for justice.
The keynote speaker at WorldView shared the plight of these women with nearly 200 guests on October 18. Barbara Martinez Jitner, filmmaker and human rights activist, was prompted by the present-day femicide in Juarez, Mexico, to pose as a factory worker to investigate. Her experience led to the making of her critically acclaimed documentary La Frontera and the movie Bordertown, which has raised awareness of the atrocities.
According to Martinez Jitner, low-wage employment in factories or “maquilas,” established through the North America Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), has resulted in millions of poor people from the interior of Mexico moving to the border. Poverty-stricken housing builds up around the NAFTA factories. The men of these struggling families often cross over into the United States in order to make money to send home, leaving the young women even more vulnerable.
Dr. Laurel Quinn, professor of nursing, introduced Martinez Jitner and said that the benefits to nursing students attending the event are far reaching. “There are so many benefits, it is hard to list them, including being exposed to issues that are global and need to be addressed and to a role model for caring and taking a stand. Students were also stimulated to think about what they can do as a nursing professional.”
Dr. Rose Malinowski, professor of social work, was moved by the presentation. “I am impressed and encouraged by Jitner’s courage and perseverance in carrying this message out for the people who are experiencing cruel injustice because of economic greed,” said Malinowski. “For the students, personal stories often help them grasp complex issues more fully. For social workers, we are taught to work with the person in the environment and strive for justice for the people and communities we serve.”