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The annual 30-hour Famine event began on Wednesday, April 14, when Trinity students joined together to raise awareness of the problems facing developing areas in the world.Meeting in the Molenhouse Student Center, 144 students began the 30-hour fast.

“By fasting, we are attempting to understand what it is like to be hungry, though it barely compares to what people go through every day,” said junior Sarah Force of Trenton, Michigan, who led the event.

The focus this year was on clean water, acknowledging that many people in the world walk miles to collect water, most of which is unsanitary. The aim was to remind students of how blessed they are daily by the availability of clean water.

The 30-Hour Famine, sponsored largely by Acting on AIDS, received help from 12 different committees on campus, including Acting on AIDS, Brother 2 Brother, the Council for Exceptional Children, the Courier, Men’s Ministry, Trinprov, Outcry, Random Acts of Kindness, Res Life, Service Committee, Social Justice Chapter, and Women’s Ministry.
Together, the participants raised money to help support their sponsor children as well as a project with “charity: water,” a non-profit organization bringing clean and safe drinking water to people in developing nations.

With tremendous support from students and committees, the fundraising event exceeded the goal of $1,020.

On a tiny section of Trinity’s 60-acre campus, students, faculty, and staff gathered around a young Kentucky Coffeetree being planted in honor of Earth Day.

Prayers were offered, Psalms were read, and the song “Earth is Gift of God’s Creation” was sung as the tree was set in place.

The words of the song written by Edith Sinclair Downing capture the essence of Trinity’s Earth Day celebration and the campus’s commitment to be good stewards of the God’s creation.

Tending space within earth’s garden,
Honoring the future there,
We can serve with God as partners,
A community of care.

The tree was donated to the College by Dr. Laurel Quinn, professor of nursing, and her husband Bill, owner of William Quinn and Sons, Inc. in Alsip, Illinois.

Although native to the area, this species is rare and only the second of its kind on Trinity’s campus, which boasts many varieties, all of which have been painstakingly mapped out by Dr. Frank Hensley, professor of biology, and the Campus Ecological Stewardship Advisory Group.

According to Hensley, the Kentucky Coffeetree is fast-growing and reaches a height of approximately 70 feet, making it an excellent canopy tree. For several months of the year, however, the tree can appear to be dead as this species is the last to sprout leaves each spring.

In partnership with the city of Palos Heights and the Palos Heights Chamber of Commerce, Trinity hosted, Establishing and Enhancing the Internet Presence of Your Business: Effectively Using Websites and Social Media to Improve Your Business, on Monday, April 19.

 The seminar was designed to help members of the Palos Heights Chamber of Commerce use the Internet and social media sites, such as Facebook and Twitter, more effectively for their businesses. Members of the Chamber gathered in the Grand Lobby for presentations and a time of questions and answers.

Jim Furey, community development coordinator for the city of Palos Heights, said the information presented to local businesses was practical and useful.

Trinity students Eric Kallemeyn ’11 of Crete Illinois; Rick Lundskow ’10 of Greenfield, Wisconsin; and Jeff Zwier ’10 of Dyer, Indiana, showcased the website they created for Kilwin’s Chocolates for a class project with Dr. Mark Ward, professor of business.

“It was beneficial, especially for those of us who didn’t just graduate,” said Dan Harris, chairman of the board for the Palos Heights Chamber of Commerce. The general discussion was good, he said, as local businesses were made aware of new technology and online tools that could increase their marketing.

Harris said he liked the format of the panel discussion, which provided local businesses with helpful information about social media and websites and gave students an understanding of the business world. “A two-fold benefit,” he said.

The event demonstrated the partnerships throughout Palos Heights, bringing the city and local businesses together with the support of Trinity.

“It’s exciting to see the City of Palos Heights, the Palos Heights Chamber of Commerce, and Trinity Christian College working together toward the common goal of improving our city,” Furey said. “Hopefully this is the first of many events co-sponsored by these organizations.”

Harris, also looking to continue the collaboration, gave credit to President Steve Timmermans for his work in bringing Trinity and the community together to form this important partnership.

Trinity students and alumni representing a wide variety of majors gathered in the Grand Lobby on Thursday, April 8, for the second annual alumni speed networking event.

The event is structured to allow students and professionals to meet with one another for five minutes before rotating to the next table. This system allows for networking, as well as for providing the opportunity for students to gain general advice and information.

“The alumni office is committed to offering networking opportunities for our alumni,” said Director of Alumni Relations Travis Bandstra ’06, “and this event provides a unique opportunity to do so while also providing guidance to future alums who are just starting down their career paths.”
During these uncertain economic times, this popular form of networking brings great value to alumni as they stay connected in their career field and to students who establish initial connections prior to their graduation.

Bandstra collaborates with the Cooper Center, who helps plan and market the event to the students. According to Jackie Medenblik ’82, director of the Cooper Center, this opportunity teaches students what networking is all about, and the important role it plays in the job search process.

“The speed networking event was a great opportunity to gain not only knowledge about the represented companies, but experience in interviewing and self-presentation skills,” said business communication major Ashley Veurink ’12 of Corsica, South Dakota. “The small time slot we were allowed to speak with the representatives taught us to prioritize, and discern how to make a big impression with little time.”

A record breaking crowd of over 300, including more than 200 grandparents and 100 students, attended Grandparents Day on April 14. Families enjoyed an opening program, chapel, lunch, and tours of campus.

The opening program featured students Adam Perez ’12 of Racine, Wisconsin; Velvet Woods ’11 of Chicago; Kayla Brink ’10 of Holland, Michigan; and J.R. Wydra ’11 of Tinley Park, Illinois. Each shared memories of their grandparents and the important influence they’ve had on shaping the students’ Christian world view. The program also incorporated performances from Trinity groups, including the Woodwind Ensemble, Flute Choir, Brass Quintet, and a selection from Elvert Williams ’12 of Freeport, Illinois, who performed his arrangement of “Amazing Grace,” the song his grandmother used to sing to him.

Perez spoke about the life lessons he learned from his grandparents and concluded by explaining the significance of telling his story to those gathered: “One, so that my story can be a testament to the fact that the lessons you tried to teach us as kids are finally making sense, and two, so that I can use this as way to say thank you.”

Giving credit to her grandparents for their unconditional love and support, Brink explained the ways she has been blessed during her college experience. “Trinity is a place that has nurtured my cultural, spiritual, academic, professional, and psychological development over the last four years in countless ways,” she said. “I am so thankful God led me here and blessed my time here through the support of my grandparents. And I thank you all for doing the same for your grandchildren.”

Tony and Lynn TenKate, grandparents of Jennifer TenKate ’10 of Wyoming, Michigan, have attended the event every year. Mr. TenKate, a former faculty member of Trinity who taught physics for 20 years as a part-time professor, was the guest speaker at Grandparents’ Day 2007 when Jennifer was a freshman. Jennifer was unable to join her grandparents this year due to her internship with Elim Christian School, but Mrs. TenKate expressed great pride in her granddaughter’s work and commitment to it.

Latasha Buchanan is looking forward to graduating on May 15. But the rest of her family may be even more excited. Buchanan is the first one in her family to earn a college degree.

She is in the Adult Studies inaugural cohort of the accelerated teacher certification program at Trinity’s Chicago location.

Buchanan was drawn to Trinity for a number of reasons. First, she was searching for a Christian school that was convenient.

“The staff was so friendly when I first called, and the teachers are very encouraging and helpful,” said Buchanan.

She will be finishing her student teaching in a Chicago public school in a few weeks, just before graduation. While the coursework was challenging, she has developed the skills and knowledge necessary to become a good teacher.

“My experience at Trinity has been wonderful,” she said. “Because of the supporting environment at Trinity, my confidence has increased.”

The third annual Psychology Alumni Conference held on Saturday, April 10, featured alumna Louella DeVries ’93, president of Olive Branch Counseling Associates in Oak Forest, Illinois, who offered her presentation “Sacred Art and Hearing Voices.”

Including portions of her personal story, she spoke on her switch from a studio art major at Trinity to a psychology major and discussed how art and creativity influence her as a clinician.

“I see psychotherapy as a form of sacred art,” DeVries said in her speech. “Just as no two artworks are the same, so it is with psychotherapy clients and with therapists, too.”

Each client is unique and one-of-a-kind, she said. The therapist’s approach should be unique with each client, just as an artist treats no two artworks the same.

DeVries also incorporated the idea of ‘voices’ into her speech, and how the different voices heard throughout the day impact people.

According to DeVries, many individuals are without a good voice to hear. The negative voices they are hearing end up giving them a poor self image. DeVries works to transform the voices that her clients hear, to help them tune out the negative voices, to listen only to the ones that empower, “only the voices that will enable them to thrive as individuals, enriching their communities and God’s kingdom here on earth.”

DeVries encouraged all psychotherapists, future and current, to be mindful of the voice they leave with each client.

“Be creative, honor the unique features of each client sent your way,” she said. “Remember the importance of the voice that you will leave with your clients each time you speak.”

Other speakers included:
Mary Balfoort ’84, presented “My life’s perspective or where the heck did the last 26 years go?”
Kelly Barnes ’08, presented “Is patriotism always a positive force? Blind patriotism, stereotyping, and the mediating role of threat”
Angela Turano ’08, presented “Teaching with a bachelor’s degree in psychology”
Jeremy Oosterhouse ’05, presented “A market-based approach to social service employment”

“We have tried to do things a little bit differently,” Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart said, referring to his position in law enforcement. After 11 years of working in the legislative process, Dart has brought his Christian views and perspective to Cook County, where he implements them daily.  In 2009, Dart was named to TIME magazine’s 100 list of people who “most affect the world.”

Speaking to Trinity students, faculty, and community members, Dart discussed three current issues in law enforcement: home evictions, Internet prostitution, and Burr Oak Cemetery.  His speech showed how he, as a sheriff and Christian, is handling each issue.

Criminal justice major Tom Kakos ’11 of Chicago commented on Dart’s presentation. “His speech had an impact on me because I need to learn what the real world entails and how to deal with people not just on a superficial level, but on a Christian level.”

Dennis Connelly, professor of criminal justice, said Dart illustrates the impact of a Christian in law enforcement. “Dart communicated that the decisions made by criminal justice personnel should take into account how  those involved are affected—the victim, society and the offender,” said Connelly.  “In traditional criminal justice, the offender is the primary focus, but Dart concentrates on addressing the trauma the victim has experienced while still ensuring that offenders are properly punished.”

Home Evictions
After banks and mortgage companies started going after homeowners unable to pay, seizing their homes without warning, Dart stepped in, arguing that innocent people were being left on the streets. Deciding he would not be one to make excuses, he stopped the evictions and mandated that families be given fair warning, allowing time for alternative arrangements to be made.

“I just went ahead and did it,” he said, choosing to leave judges out of the decision. “My terms were simple: you have to let people know ahead of time.”

Internet Prostitution
With Craigslist as a leading source for Internet prostitution, Dart has been working hard to get the owners of the site to eliminate prostitution from the Web.

Despite negative feedback on the sheriff department’s website over the issue, Dart has been able to decrease the level of description in the Craigslist postings.

“The law has not been kind to us as far as stopping this site,” Dart said, but added that he rejoices over the fact that in the past year, the department has relieved more than 10 women from their work on the streets. Dart said he plans to continue the initiative, ultimately reducing prostitution as a whole. 

Burr Oak Cemetery
“I’m hoping to work with families to bring some form of closure,” Dart said, commenting on the aftermath of an elaborate scheme to resell plots in the historic Burr Oak Cemetery.

Understanding the tremendous devastation to the families involved, Dart is working hard to do all he can to correct the issue, bringing some sense of peace back into their lives. Dart is very confident in the case and hopes to bring closure soon.

During spring break, six students traveled to Americus, Georgia, to learn more about the Civil Rights Movement and a community that played an important role in it.

Students spent a week at Koinonia Farm, a Christian farm community founded in 1942 that since its beginnings has challenged racism, militarism, and materialism. Boycotted in the 1950s for its stand against racism, Koinonia has been the birthplace of such organizations as Habitat for Humanity International and Fuller Center for Housing.

Students were accompanied by Anna Rosas ’06, director of community partnerships and service learning; Nikki Bruna, social work project coordinator; and Dr. Mackenzie Huyser ’98, professor of social work.

“After reading about and studying intentional Christian communities, it was wonderful to experience life with members of Koinonia,” said Huyser. “Koinonia has an amazing history, and at times it was overwhelming to think about the Christians who once lived in that community and the Christians who are committed to the community today.”

“The Christ-centered community at Koinonia Farm was palpable, and I fell in love,” said Christine Carter ’12 of Wheaton, Illinois. “I learned a lot about what it means to work hard for the Lord, to patiently bring forth God’s kingdom through the actions of our lives, and to strive for justice always.”

The group worked on the farm, where food is raised not only for the community members, but also to sell locally and through its mail order business.The group also spent time visiting local civil rights museums and enjoyed a Sunday school session led by former President Jimmy Carter at Maranatha Baptist Church.

“The people at Koinonia taught us a lot about sustainable farming, and as someone who grew up in a farming community, I found that particularly interesting,” said Hannah Ruckman ’13 of Peotone, Illinois. “I learned so much about what it means to live in an intentional community.”

One day was spent on a home building site with the Fuller Center, established by the founder of Habitat.
 
“That was one of my favorite parts of the trip, because I was able to meet the person who will be occupying the home some day,” said Melisa Rodriguez ’12 of Villa Park, Illinois.

The spring break service trip, which took place March 15-19 in Dungannon, Virginia, allowed Trinity students to repair homes and repair their personal lives.

The trip, under the direction of student coordinator Katie Matthuis ’12 of Mokena, Illinois, brought 20 Trinity students to a section of rural Virginia to make small repairs on homes whose occupants could not afford the extra costs. Some students said they were grateful to be carrying out a mission they felt was God-inspired, lifting financial burdens from those less fortunate.

“It’s nice to see how thankful these people are,” said Mandy Reddish ’11 of Joliet, Illinois. “We’re leaving a lasting impact on their lives. It might just be cleaning up or straightening up their bathrooms or fixing up something that’s broken in their house.” But Reddish said she was glad to experience the joy and relief felt by the lower-income senior citizens she assisted.

When they weren’t working, some students were busy getting to know their fellow classmates on a deeper, more personal level. One participant reflected on how he knew only three people coming in but was able to establish friendships with most of the 16 students he hardly knew.

Attendees were also encouraged by nightly Bible studies centered on the theme posed by the devotional “The Five Rooms of Your Heart,” which challenged students to think more deeply about their walks with God.

“The students on this trip were challenged through evening Bible studies to view their hearts as a literal home for Jesus,” said Matthuis. “We were asked to go through each ‘room’ with the Lord and let him clean out all the garbage and dirt that has collected there.”

A whitewater-rafting excursion gave a few students the opportunity to show their determination publicly.

“Our river guides were asking us questions, and we were telling them about God and how we were on a mission trip,” said sophomore Josh Pegman of Woodridge, Illinois. “They were shocked that we were on spring break and on a mission trip when we could be in Florida. So maybe we got them thinking.”

Why Virginia? Matthuis said she had been in conversation with a representative of the Christian Reformed World Relief Committee in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and she and Matthuis had been creating a list of 20 possible places on the CRWRC radar as points where student aid would be appreciated.

“Certain places didnt have openings for our select week of spring break, while other locations weren’t as appealing as Virginia,” Matthuis said. “I don’t believe that Service Committee has been to Virginia yet, and after talking to Travis, the executive director at the Dungannon Development Commission’s PROJECT HELP, it seemed like a perfect fit for our group of students.”

Matthuis summarizes the general pulse of the whole week. Not only did we transform the homes of the people living in the area, but we were changed by the homeowners too. There were a lot of little lessons to be learned from these people’s stories and situations.”