Archives: News Stories
With all the news surrounding the Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) revolution over the past few years, universities large and small have been working to navigate uncharted territory within collegiate athletics. Trinity has been no exception, and this past fall the Trolls took a big step into becoming one of the leaders in this new era.
In August, Trinity Christian Athletics agreed to a partnership with Opendorse, the leading NIL marketplace for collegiate student-athletes, to create a platform for student-athletes to develop partnerships with brands, supporters, and local businesses.
Trinity becomes the first non-NCAA Division I program in the Chicagoland area to develop a NIL partnership with Opendorse, and the Trolls are the only Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference (CCAC) program to partner with the company.
“We’re extremely excited to be on the forefront of the changing NIL landscape in college athletics, and Opendorse has been a leader in that arena since the beginning,” said Wendy Reid, Director of Athletics. “Through our partnership, Trinity student-athletes will have the ability to grow their individual brands while having a company like Opendorse come alongside and offer their support and expertise.”
Opendorse will provide Trinity student-athletes the ability to connect with supporters for NIL deals while remaining compliant with NAIA guidelines. As part of the agreement, Opendorse will provide Trinity student-athletes with educational resources, generate the necessary tax documents, and provide a social media audit. Trinity athletes also gain access to the Opendorse marketplace, where businesses and supporters can offer partnership opportunities and complete payments.
Within weeks, Trinity student-athletes have seen benefits from the partnership, as student-athletes from six of Trinity’s ten athletic programs had found NIL agreements catered to their interests. “Opendorse has given me great, easily-accessible opportunities to work with brands that are important to me and have helped me while being a student-athlete,” said Trinity Women’s Soccer senior Selah Hopkins.
Cecilia Zuniga, a junior on the women’s volleyball team agrees. “Opendorse is a great opportunity for student-athletes to get their name out there and make connections with companies for potential career paths. It’s an opportunity to show that we are more than just athletes.”
“Opendorse has been a great help in helping promote me as an athlete. Trinity has created a great opportunity for us to get our names out to people we never may have been able to reach,” added Caitlyn Bergsma, a member of the Trinity Women’s Soccer team.
Trinity’s student-athletes and their supporters can begin joining the marketplace immediately through the Opendorse app, or at Opendorse.com.
To learn more about Trinity Christian College Athletics, click here.
Trinity is pleased to announce two new Dean appointments at the College. Recently appointed as Dean of the Business Department, professor Sundeep Vira has been doing foundational work in support of Trinity’s initiatives for the future. One of the many unique initiatives already underway is work education which encompasses co-op and internship programs. The co-op program offers students a way to earn, learn and network during their time at Trinity, while the traditional internship program offers full and part-time positions to students throughout the semester or during the summer. Another exciting venture is the micro-internship program that gives Trinity business students an unprecedented opportunity to work alongside businesses and partner with them in their success.
“Professor Vira brings such a breadth of deep and varied experiences combined with unique gifts to lead and advance the business program at Trinity,” said Jerome Douglas, Vice President for Academic Affairs.
Vira’s desire to express his Christian faith through teaching business classes and developing real-world experiences for students inspires him each day at Trinity. “Here, I have the chance to merge my passions, including my Christian faith and social entrepreneurship. I also have a deep network in Chicago, and I want to connect Trinity more intricately to Chicago, and Chicago to Trinity,” said Vira.
Also recently announced, Professor Dr. John Fry will be serving in a newly created position, Dean of Faculty. This new role provides additional resources, while closely collaborating with the Office of Academic Affairs. Dr. Fry will provide direct support for faculty members, lead new faculty formation, and serve on the personnel and faculty development committees. He also retains his duties as Director of Foundations.
Douglas says, “Dr. Fry’s leadership draws from a profound commitment to Trinity and its mission to call us forward to faithful and new expressions in this exciting season.”
A longstanding member of the Trinity community, Dr. Fry has a passion for teaching history, remarking that history enables us to listen to the voices of the past. “This is important for a number of reasons: Those voices enable us to trace why the present is the way that it is; listening to those voices helps us to engage people who don’t think the way we do, and people in the past have much to teach us about how to view the world and how to live a meaningful life,” said Fry.
To learn more about our business, history, or other academic programs, click here.
Trinity is thrilled to announce the launch of the Tuition Transparency and Access Initiative. This transformational approach to college tuition and financial aid is designed to clarify and simplify the complex world of college pricing while also setting a price at a point that is accessible to anyone who wishes to pursue a private, Christian, higher education experience.
Beginning in fall 2023, Trinity’s tuition will be set at $19,800 for incoming students, a 40% decrease from the current $33,800 tuition. Trinity was already among the most competitively priced private institutions in the region, but we wanted to go further. We have seen the way that the current college tuition model with high prices and complex financial aid and loan processes are hard to navigate and especially disadvantages families who do not have long histories with the systems of higher education.
Accessible:
Trinity’s $19,800 tuition opens the door of access to any who wishes for the personalized benefits of Christian higher education. This price point is within reach of families who are eligible for Pell (federal) and MAP (Illinois state) aid and realistic for families who otherwise are not eligible for need-based income. Trinity is committed to providing wide access to its educational and formational opportunities. When this is paired with other initiatives at Trinity – such as paid internships made possible by our four-day class schedule – students have more access than ever to a low- or no-debt tuition.
Realistic:
The list price for tuition at private institutions has skyrocketed over the past two decades. In the face of the assumption that prices should always go up, Trinity is committed to a price that reflects a realistic actual cost of educating a college student. $19,800 reflects the cost of education in a manner that moves away from a high sticker price that is not easily connected to the real cost of education.
Transparent:
The Tuition Transparency and Access Initiative is designed to be the most transparent process for college pricing in our region. For many years, the assumed model in higher education has been to price high and give high discounts. We think there is a better way. What most matters to students is their bottom-line expense and a clear sense for what they will pay and why they will pay it. Trinity is committed to a focus on the bottom line. We want to make the often confusing and intimidating college decision-making process into an experience that is clear and welcoming.
The Tuition Transparency and Access Initiative sits alongside two other transformational initiatives Trinity launched this fall for current students: the Wellbeing Wednesdays Initiative and the Earn, Network, and Learn Initiative. With an innovative weekly calendar, Trinity has moved to a four-day academic schedule that opens Wednesdays for student well-being, field learning, and vocational engagement. This fall, Trinity also launched a pilot program of our Earn, Network, and Learn Initiative—an emerging network of paid internship and co-op opportunities that allow students to earn academic credit, build professional networks, receive early career preparation, and earn tuition grants to reduce the cost of their education. With these three initiatives, Trinity is working hard to enact its Christian commitment to the good of all people in a way that is uniquely connected to the rich gifts of our location here in Greater Chicago.
We are proud to make these transformational changes, and the ways we are working to solve stubborn problems in higher education, to extend the Christian educational experience at Trinity to all people.
Click here to learn more.
An education from Trinity Christian College does not just change lives—our graduates go on to change the world. The life-changing value of a Trinity education has once again been recognized by U.S. News and World Report, which named Trinity to several of its “best” lists for 2023, including among the Top 15 Regional Colleges Midwest, #3 for Social Mobility, and a Top Value in the Midwest.
U.S. News uses multiple criteria for its highly regarded rankings. To be named among the “Best Colleges,” Trinity was rated for its graduation and retention rates; social mobility; academic reputation; student selectivity; financial resources; alumni giving; and graduate debt, among other factors.
“It is no secret to those of us who spend each day at the college that the collaboration between our excellent faculty and staff, and our amazing students produces transformational student outcomes. It is exciting when external groups note those outcomes and their strength in relation to other institutions in our region,” said President Dr. Aaron J. Kuecker. “We are proud of our student outcomes at Trinity and grateful to have the honor of helping to prepare our students for meaningful and impactful lives.”
Trinity’s performance on social mobility deserved its own category, according to U.S. News, which looked at Trinity’s ability to enroll and graduate students from less-advantaged backgrounds. “I am particularly proud to be recognized as one of the top three schools in the Midwest for social mobility. College should be a gateway to flourishing lives, and this ranking shows that Trinity is as strong as any school in accelerating this outcome,” added President Kuecker.
“This recognition is the result of the diligent work of our faculty and staff who serve the Trinity learning community with such excellence,” said Vice President for Academic Affairs, Jerome Douglas. “This is also a particular recognition of the gifts and commitment of our amazing students. It is such an honor to serve them as they engage their Trinity experience and embrace the joy of their vocation.”
Along with the U.S. News rankings, Trinity is frequently recognized by many organizations for preparing students for a world that needs them. The College’s honors include being named a “College of Distinction;” routinely ranked the best BSN programs in the state of Illinois; part of the “National Strength and Conditioning Association Education Recognition Program;” and a “best value” among special education programs.
Trinity Christian College is pleased to announce Dr. Jerome Douglas as the new Vice President for Academic Affairs. Jerome has a deep understanding of the mission of Christian higher education and a commitment to the flourishing of Trinity faculty, staff, and students.
“In my time with Jerome, I have come to appreciate his wisdom, his willingness to engage all members of a community, his vision for leadership that foregrounds the gifts of others, and his deep faith in God,” said Trinity President, Dr. Aaron J. Kuecker.
Dr. Douglas has a deep professional and educational history. He holds a B.A., M.A., and M.Div. from Oral Roberts University. He earned a Ph.D. in Religious Studies from Marquette University, where his research focused on the book of Ecclesiastes. In addition, he holds an MBA in management from Eastern University. For the past 16 years, Dr. Douglas has served at the University of Valley Forge. He has extensive teaching and student mentorship experience as an Associate Professor of Old Testament.
He has served as department chair, as well as in numerous campus leadership roles around multicultural engagement, graduate programs, curricular review, and assessment. His research focuses on Ecclesiastes and on postcolonial approaches to prophetic texts in the Old Testament. For the past six years, Dr. Douglas has served as Vice President of Academic Affairs at UVF. Prior to his time at Valley Forge, Dr. Douglas served congregations in Texas, Oklahoma, and Wisconsin.
“I am excited for the vision of Trinity and the vital role in academic affairs to prepare the students to grow, develop and explore their giftings. This place is a launching pad for their future, for bringing hope to the world and the Trinity community,” said Douglas.
Douglas resonates deeply with the vision of Trinity for the future and is inspired by the keen sense of community that can only be found here, saying, “this vision paired with the deep community connection, really drew me to be a part of Trinity Christian College.”
President Kuecker added, “We are delighted to welcome Jerome to Trinity, and I am confident that he is uniquely prepared and equipped to call us forward in the next season of our institution’s history as we pursue transformational approaches to student learning and vocation.”
Since opening in 1959, Trinity has changed lives through our spirit of innovation, helping students find their vocations, and flourish in their callings.
Now more than 60 years later, Trinity is leading the way in re-imagining the way we look at the traditional five-day week. We have shifted to a four-day academic schedule by leaving Wednesdays open throughout the semester and supplying this space as an opportunity to meet each student’s needs and interests.
On a picture-perfect late summer morning, on August 31st, Trinity celebrated the start of this new academic calendar with a kickoff event. There were countless opportunities on display to support the wellbeing of the students. Booths highlighted the ways students can use their time on Wednesdays from mental, physical and spiritual wellbeing to wisdom through internships and vocation search, and the windy city Chicago activities and resources that abound.
President Dr. Aaron J. Kuecker was joined on stage by Vice President for Student Success Leah Fulton and Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Jerome Douglas for the opening of the kickoff event. “We have a really unique opportunity to help the students receive well the gift of these Wednesdays. Over the course of the fall, students will be invited to select for themselves rhythms on Wednesdays that support their flourishing,” noted Kuecker.
Raffles, gifts from The Troll along with games and activities supported the spirit of fun and wellbeing for the students. Students even had the opportunity to speak into the future branding of what Wednesdays might look like. Faculty and staff joined in the celebration, a group of whom took part, side by side with the students, in a yoga session provided by Jade Maldonado `25.
“We excited to hear the ways that Trinity Wednesdays are becoming an integral part of your college experience, your personal growth, and the life of our campus community,” said Kuecker.
So, the only question left for the students to answer is, what will you do with your Wednesdays?
To learn more about Trinity Wednesdays click here.
At the start of each fall semester, Trinity Christian College brings the community together for convocation, an event unlike any other on campus. Convocation is a time of gathering, where students, faculty, staff, and administrators are united to mark the beginning of the academic year. The 64th Annual Convocation, which took place on August 30th, was a rich time of prayer and worship in the Ozinga Chapel Auditorium with the convocation address given by the 2021-2022 Professor of the Year, Dr. Aron Reppmann.
Trinity Christian College President Dr. Aaron J. Kuecker welcomed the campus to the launch of another academic year. He reminded the students that they were surrounded by an abundance of love, by faculty, staff and by God. Kueker spoke of the good works ahead for this new year, for the wellbeing of each student as we embark on a new academic schedule with Wednesdays being open for students. He recalled to the community “it is really good to have you hear, you are in the right spot, and it is a privilege to welcome you here!” Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Jerome Douglas, opened in prayer for the new academic year, the students, and their flourishing.
Continuing the long-standing Trinity tradition, the college Professor of the Year, Dr. Aron Reppmann, delivered the Convocation address. Reppmann, Professor of Philosophy, dug deep into the question, Who Belongs? Anthony Reppmann `23 had the unique opportunity to introduce his father as this year’s convocation speaker.
Dr. Reppmann began by recalling his experiences over his years at Trinity and how he has seen growth and change for the good. Change that is still happening today, helping students to know that they belong here. He offered the heartfelt greeting to all students “Welcome home, to Trinity Christian College.”
Reppmann pointed to Trinity’s own, long, and rich mission statement for vision as to the belonging of each person here at The College. Stating, “Members of this community are to evaluate their lives in relation to God, to others and to all of creation – that means that you are not here to do something external or just to learn something, or to convey something to others or to simply do a job – you are to evaluate your life in relation to God, to others and to all of creation. We all belong at Trinity by continually evaluating our own lives within a rich network of relationships. Belonging means deep learning.”
Reppmann encouraged everyone to do something today, this week and this semester adding “Today, learn the names of everyone you encounter…this week, when you encounter something uncomfortable or unfamiliar, make a simple request ‘help me understand’…and this semester commit to your own belonging by finding your community to belong.”
At the close of the address, a time of prayer and worship was led by Pastor Erin Pacheco and Nicole Saint-Victor. Vice President for Student Success, Leah Fulton offered prayer, along with Professor Dr. Mario Guzman and Student Government Association President, Karen Jegadish `23.
Reverend Ben P. Snoek offered the benediction and ushered the community into a time of fellowship and refreshments outdoors in the quad amphitheater.
Trinity Christian College is pleased to announce Leah Fulton as the new Vice President for Student Success. Leah has deep ties to – and love for – south suburban Chicago. She has been connected to the work at Trinity for the past year, serving as the coach and consultant for Trinity’s Diversity and Belonging Task Force.
“After watching Leah’s leadership, learning from her wisdom and experience, and seeing her commitment to a deeply Christian vision for human flourishing, I invited her to consider a leadership role at Trinity organized around a student success model. I am thrilled that Leah has accepted this invitation,” said Trinity President, Dr. Aaron Kuecker.
Leah comes to Trinity with a B.A. from Ball State University, an M.A. in Intercultural Studies from Wheaton College, and a nearly complete Ph.D. in Higher Education with a minor in African American Studies from the University of Minnesota. Leah’s Ph.D. research explores the history of Black women in doctoral education and the experiences of Black mother doctoral students. Her secondary area of research explores the experience of students and adjunct faculty of color in leadership education.
Leah has over a decade of higher education experience, primarily in student affairs, beginning at Wheaton College. She has served as Assistant Dean of Students for the University of St. Thomas and as Associate Dean for Intercultural Student Programs and Services at Bethel University, where she transformed a one-person department into a thriving program for the students. She is also the founder and principal consultant for Project 51, which serves leaders and not-for-profit organizations seeking to grow in their approach to justice, to belonging, to equity, and to diversity.
“My commitment to student success centers on the collaboration between student affairs and academics. Success is more than graduation; college is a place where students learn and grow in preparation for life beyond this place. The roles of faculty and staff allow us the opportunity to contribute to student formation in and outside of the classroom intellectually, interpersonally, and vocationally,” said Fulton.
Growing up in nearby Indianapolis, Leah has lifelong memories and experiences from the Midwest and was delighted to move into the Chicago area with her husband and three children.
Leah is energized by the possibilities at Trinity as a uniquely Christian college. “At Trinity we have an amazing opportunity to present the gospel in all that we do to students who may have not heard the gospel presented in this way,” said Fulton.
President Kuecker added, “Leah brings powerful experience, grounding faith, deep insight, and an engaging posture to this work at Trinity. I am so excited for the way our students and wider community will benefit from Leah’s gifts and leadership.”
Trinity Christian College is pleased to announce the appointment of the Rev. Benjamin P. Snoek as Campus Pastor. Snoek has been serving as Interim Campus Pastor since August 2021, following a nationwide search. Prior to arriving at Trinity, Snoek was Director of University Chapel at Asbury University in Wilmore, KY, where he also taught as an adjunct professor of theology.
“Trinity’s design as a Christian college creates a unique opportunity for Christian formation and witness. Pastor Ben has already begun shaping the work of Campus Ministries to be responsive to the opportunity at hand and I’m excited about the possibility for the future,” said Leah Fulton, Vice President for Student Success.
Snoek is responsible for nurturing the spiritual life of the College and leads its campus ministries department. His areas of oversight include twice-weekly chapel services, spiritual formation programming, pastoral care, and church relations. He preaches regularly in chapel and maintains a robust speaking schedule in churches and schools. Snoek also teaches as a part-time faculty member in the Theology Department.
“College students are awesome, and Trinity students are special to me,” says Snoek. “I want every student at Trinity to belong here and to be shaped by the Spirit to reflect the image of Jesus Christ.” Snoek ministers to an ethnically and denominationally diverse student body, with each major global Christian tradition—Protestant, Roman Catholic, and Eastern Orthodox—represented in Trinity’s community.
Central to his task as campus pastor is to create and optimize institution-wide systems for spiritual formation. “Campus ministry reminds us that the gifts of the Spirit are found all around us,” said Snoek. “We need to ask God to give us eyes to see them, hearts to receive them, and hands to steward them.”
Snoek graduated from Indiana Wesleyan University with a bachelor’s degree in worship ministries and a master’s degree in biblical and theological studies. He is a Ph.D. candidate in theological studies at Columbia International University, where his dissertation investigates the role of university chapel worship in the spiritual formation of undergraduate students. Snoek completed graduate studies at Calvin Theological Seminary and is ordained in the Christian Reformed Church in North America.
“The story of Trinity Christian College is one that has kept the Triune God at the center of everything we do together as a Christ-centered learning community. Everything that we do here has to be about God’s kingdom. I am honored to continue that legacy and shape Trinity’s faith-focused future,” said Snoek.
Snoek is the first person to hold the title of Campus Pastor and the second full-time chaplain of The College. He succeeds the Rev. Dr. Bill Van Groningen, who retired after serving as Chaplain & Dean of Spiritual Formation from 2007 to 2021.
To learn more about campus ministries at Trinity Christian College, click here.
You can get in touch with Pastor Ben by email at ben.snoek@trnty.edu or follow him on Instagram @pastorben.tcc
Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra (IPO) is excited to announce its 45th anniversary season, once again returning to the stage of the Ozinga Chapel Auditorium. The 2022-23 season features some of the world’s most celebrated musicians with cellists Oliver Herbert and Inbal Segev and multiple appearances by Grammy award-winning baritone Bill McMurray, soprano Kimberly E. Jones, and the Chicago Community Chorus.
OPENING NIGHT: PORGY AND BESS: October 15, 2022 – 5:30 PM
Stilian Kirov, Conductor
Netanel Draiblate, Violin
Kimberly E. Jones, Soprano
Bill McMurrary, Baritone
Chicago Community Chorus
GERSHWIN Girl Crazy Overture
STEPHENSON Violin Concerto
GERSHWIN Porgy and Bess: A Concert of Songs arr. Bennett
MOZART, HAYDN & PROKOFIEV: November 12, 2022 – 7:30 PM
Stilian Kirov, Conductor
Oliver Herbert, Cello
CZINER (Composer-in-Residence) – World Premiere
MOZART The Impresario Overture
HAYDN Cello Concerto in C major
PROKOFIEV Symphony No. 1, Classical
HOLIDAY CONCERT, HANDEL’S MESSIAH: December 17, 2022 – 3 PM
Stilian Kirov, Conductor
Kimberly E. Jones, Soprano
Annie Rosen, Mezzo-Soprano
Ryan Townsend Strand, Tenor
Bill McMurray, Baritone
Chicago Community Chorus
IYER & SIBELIUS: FEBRUARY 25, 2023 – 7:30 PM
Stilian Kirov, Conductor
Inbal Segev, Cello
CZINER (Composer-in-Residence) – World Premiere
IYER Human Archipelago – Midwest Premiere
SIBELIUS Symphony No. 2
DEBUSSY, RAVEL & THOMAS: MARCH 11, 2023 – 3 PM
Stilian Kirov, Conductor
Lisa Tannebaum, Harp
Anima-Glen Ellyn Children’s Chorus
DEBUSSY Children’s Corner
DEBUSSY Danse sacree et danse profane
RAVEL Le Tombeau de Couperin
THOMAS Gwendolyn Brooks Settings
World Premiere Co-commission with Anima-Glen Ellyn Children’s Chorus
SOARING STRINGS: APRIL 15, 2023 – 3 PM – An Orchestral Celebration of Matthew Mantell
Stilian Kirov, Conductor
Matthew Lipman, Viola
Emily Mantell, Cello
Sonia Mantell, Cello
MONTGOMERY Strum
ESTILO Conflict Concerto
BRAGATO Graciela y Buenos Aires
POPPER Requiem
BRAHMS Symphony No. 3
DVORAK & BEACH: MAY 13, 2023 – 7:30 PM
Stilian Kirov, Conductor
CZINER (Composer-in-Residence) – World Premiere
DVORAK Symphony No. 8
BEACH Symphony in E minor op. 32
To learn more and purchase tickets, visit the IPO website.
ABOUT IPO
Now in its 45th season, the Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra (IPO) in residence at Trinity Christian College is a leading performing arts organization in Chicago’s Southland providing professional orchestral music of beauty and excellence to the region. IPO’s repertoire ranges from Baroque and Classical masterpieces, to world premieres and modern favorites. The Illinois Council of Orchestras named IPO the “Illinois Professional Orchestra of the Year” in 1992, 2010, and 2020, recognizing IPO’s overall artistic excellence.