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Every year, Trinity accepts extraordinary students who are dedicated to finding their calling throughout their higher education journey. The College historically welcomes two Founders’ Scholars among each freshman class, whose extraordinary spiritual, academic, and social leadership sets them apart. Trinity is pleased to announce our most recent Founders’ Scholars for the incoming class of 2029, Grace Merrill from Wheaton, Illinois, and Hyunho Sihn from Kenya, Africa. As Founders’ Scholars, Merrill and Sihn have both been awarded full-tuition scholarships to the College.

Merrill (pictured left) plans to major in Exercise Science with a concentration in Pre-Physical Therapy and a minor in Neuroscience. She looks forward to getting involved in Ballet 5:8 in the evenings and continuing her years of dance training. In between school and dance, she plans to invest her energy in the community as a servant leader, whether in worship, Bible studies, or just growing in faith alongside her fellow college students.

She recalls the blessing and privilege of being homeschooled alongside her three younger siblings throughout high school, managing a rigorous course schedule and taking dual-credit classes each week. She loves attending church with her family, serving on the worship team each week, and attending youth gatherings and service projects.

“Through faithful prayer and consideration, Trinity Christian College was my top choice. After attending the Founder’s event, it became evident to me that this is a place where people take their faith seriously, which informs other aspects of the school,” Merrill stated. “I believe Trinity is somewhere I can be both challenged and encouraged, and most importantly, grow closer to God. I praise Him for bringing me this opportunity!”

Sihn (pictured right) plans to take advantage of the multiple opportunities to enrich his higher education and invest in his career through the vast network of internships available through Trinity Christian College. He looks forward to participating in many student activities at Trinity, like the International Students Club, Tabletop, and Innovation Clubs.

Originally from South Korea, Sihn now lives in Kenya and is actively involved in the community at Rift Valley Academy. Whether through school or church, he regularly attends Bible studies and is an enthusiast about music, as he is part of the Jazz Band and Wind Ensemble. The Robotics Club at school has allowed him to grow and explore ways to incorporate this passion into his learning journey.

“Trinity Christian College offers great, high-quality education, and it also really helps me with opportunities for my career in the future,” Sihn states. “And most important to me was the Christ-centered community at Trinity Christian College. I am happy to have the privilege of having a Christian community to help me grow in my faith.”

“We are thrilled to welcome Grace and Hyunho to the Trinity community this fall. Both have demonstrated outstanding leadership in spiritual, academic, and social areas,” said Andrea Mossuto, Executive Director of Undergraduate Admissions.  “We are eager to see how these two remarkable individuals will influence, guide, and thrive at Trinity throughout their time here.”

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About Trinity Christian College

Trinity Christian College, based in Palos Heights, Ill., is an accredited Christian liberal arts college offering more than 70 programs through bachelor’s, master’s, and adult degree completion courses. Founded in 1959, the College is a community of Christian scholarship committed to shaping lives and transforming culture and is continually ranked in the top tier among Regional Colleges—Midwest by U.S. News & World Report. To learn more, visit trnty.edu.

The Ozinga Organ at Trinity Christian College will be showcased on May 17, 2025, as the Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Stilian Kirov, closes its 47^th season.  Renowned organist Peter Richard Conte, one of this era’s most admired orchestral organists, is the featured organist. Conte, the fourth Wanamaker Grand Court Organist, presides over the world’s largest fully functioning musical instrument at Macy’s Center City in downtown Philadelphia. His IPO performance of Organ Concerto by Francis Poulenc will be a highlight of the evening.

Dedicated in 2003, the Ozinga Organ, built by the James Lauck Pipe Organ Company of Otsego, Michigan, consists of three manuals, 48 ranks, and 37 registers. The console sits on a moveable platform, allowing it to be placed on the center or left stage. This showcases the instrument for Trinity and the southside music groups that call Ozinga Chapel their performance home.

Trinity guests will receive $20 off per ticket for up to two tickets for this special event when using the code TRNTYMAY25 for seats in the gold, silver, or bronze levels.  In addition, guests with these select seats are invited to a pre-concert reception and optional lecture with Peter Richard Conte.

Click here to secure your discounted tickets. The concert begins at 7:30 pm in Ozinga Chapel on the campus of Trinity Christian College in Palos Heights, Illinois.

To learn more about the Organ Spectacular, visit: https://ipomusic.org/

– Caitlin Bergsma ’23

This past January, nineteen Trinity students attended the Region 3 Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival (KCACTF) for the 10th year in a row. Since 2015, Trinity has been bringing students to this prestigious event to showcase their talents and gain feedback to grow their knowledge and skills in the theater world.

According to Assistant Professor Emma Schneider, M.A., this was the largest group of students to attend KCACTF in the last ten years. As a result of the great attendance, four Trinity students were awarded for their outstanding work.

Ashley Yonkman ’26 was one of four award winners from the week but was the only one to win two awards. She was recognized in “Special Achievement in Costume Design and Technology” for her costume and in “Special Achievement in Costume Design for Collaboration and Creative Problem Solving” alongside Mikey Moore ’25 for their costume design for Sense and Sensibility.

“This week brought so many opportunities and challenges,” Ashley says. “I am so thankful for everyone on this trip for their support and love. I truly could not have asked for a better outcome and feel so lucky to be a part of such a beautiful theatre community.”

Along with the great achievement of our award winners, here are all the workshops and competitions that Trinity participated in:

• Seven students participated and competed in the Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship: Tyren Brown, Cristian Contreras, Zita Hatke, Esther Heyboer, Mia Musick, Audrey Yonkman, and Andrew Haro
• Four students participated in Design Technology and Management: Kayla Bosman, Mikey Moore, Bianca Sotelo, and Ashley Yonkman
• Two students participated in the Musical Theatre Intensive: Andy Acosta and Morgan Meinders
• Three students participated in the Institute for Theater Journalism and Advocacy: Justine Andre-Jackson, Kait Harland, and Elizabeth Kupchick
• One student participated in Design Storm: Jared Peters
• One student participated in Ten-Minute Play: Nayla Ballamy

-Michael Vander Weele ’73

Calvin Seerveld has bequeathed to Trinity the collection of 80+ art works–including two stunning sculptures–that he and his wife, Inès, have collected or been given through the years. The collection includes art works acquired by the previous two generations of Inès’ family in Europe as well as works by contemporary artists whom Cal and Inès have encouraged. The official Opening will be held on February 6 at 5:00 p.m. A portion of the collection will be on display in the Seerveld Art Gallery for the rest of the month, after which many pieces will find a more permanent home around campus.

Friends of the College and former students count Professor Seerveld as the major influence on their own and Trinity’s formative years. He left an enduring legacy by helping design Trinity’s original curriculum, giving his early academic career to encouraging students to think Christianly about their culture and their academic disciplines, establishing social action seminars for students and community, and presenting many chapel meditations, later collected in Take Hold of God and Pull and For God’s Sake, Run with Joy.  His books on aesthetics are still used by art and philosophy majors at Trinity and elsewhere.

This generous gift fits Cal’s demonstrated love for Trinity. Some years back I had the privilege of writing a short profile of Cal as one of the strong influences in my and others’ Christian education. The publishers wanted a title. I finally decided upon “The Showing Professor.”  Part of that was the work he did beyond textbook and classroom, like going out to interview gospel singer Mahalia Jackson, hiring an atheist from the University of Chicago so students could learn the kind of dialogue that would require, helping set up the Patmos Art Gallery.  A big part was just the way he was in the classroom, turning to the chalk board to make a point, his left heel off the ground, bits of chalk flying, in his enthusiasm for his subject and his students.

This art gift fits those interests. The works from the Seerveld collection were mostly gathered from the walls of their home. Cal’s deep interest is in showing the place art can have in the ordinary life of a Christian. Or of a Christian college.

This bequest follows many other demonstrations of the Seervelds’ love for the College:  lectures for students and alumni, dramatic performances of the Song of Songs and Ecclesiastes, the dedication of the Seerveld Art Gallery, the establishment of the Seerveld Arts in Society Fund, and now the Seerveld Art Collection. Alumnus Peter Enneson has worked tirelessly on the Toronto end to make this gift possible. Professors emeriti Brad Breems, John Bakker, and I, stewards of the Seerveld Arts in Society Fund, have worked steadily on the Trinity end to prepare for it.

We invite you to help us celebrate at the Opening Reception on February 6, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. CDT in the Seerveld Gallery, located in the Art and Communication Center on the campus of Trinity Christian College.

Post-event Update 02/28/25

Transportation of the Seerveld art bequest from Toronto to Palos Heights started on October 3rd.  Founding Professor Calvin Seerveld wanted to have the first installment arrive in time for President Aaron Kuecker’s Inauguration and the 65^th anniversary of the start of the College.  Professors emeriti Brad Breems and John Bakker met alumnus Peter Enneson at Cal’s house in Toronto and packed 8 paintings and one amazing sculpture (by Trinity alumna Joyce Recker) into a rental van for the return trip to Palos Heights, where the handsome display was presented on the 2^nd floor of the ARCC.

Four months later, on February 6, a date that coincided with the annual winter Board meeting, the gallery opened with about half of the 85 pieces in the Inès and Calvin Seerveld Art Collection on display.   There was an hour-long celebration that included welcomes, histories, an introduction to the collection, and a poem commissioned from alumnus John Terpstra for the event. Some of the paintings came from Inès’ mother and grandfather, recognized art collectors in the previous two generations of her family.  Others came from works Cal had used for illustrations in his translation of The Greatest Song.  Still, others came, as Cal described, “from young faith-aware artists who were trying to be faithful with the talent the Lord gave them but had to exercise their craft in unfriendly circumstances.”

The reception began with introductions by Ryan Thompson, Chair of the Art Department, and by President Aaron Kuecker, followed by a description by Brad Breems of the formative influence Seerveld had on the College in its first 13 years as well as his 12 interactions with the College since 1993.  After my (Michael Vander Weele) introduction, poet (and alumnus) John Terpstra read “Slant Poem,” commissioned for the opening, and John Bakker gave a 20-minute lecture introducing the collection.

Trinity students from the class of 1974, Gene and Faith Schoon, were enthused by the depth of fellowship at the reception, stating, “Renewing old friendships from 50 + years ago was a delight—we weren’t expecting to see so many of our friends from that brief, but very important, part of our lives at this event.” Gene continued,  “What wasn’t a surprise was the reminder of how important Dr. Seerveld’s teachings about art and aesthetics lived on after his departure, something we knew already upon arriving on campus the year after he left.”

Cal writes, “As family we trust that the Inès and Calvin Seerveld bequest will be a blessing to Trinity Christian College in its outreach to be redemptive somehow in the imaginative life of students, neighbours and visitors.”  Both this bequest and Seerveld’s formative influence are blessings for the College.

Photos below from the gallery opening:

Pictured below from left to right: Professors emeriti Brad Breems and Micahel Vander Weele

Pictured below from left to right: John Terpstra and professor emeritus John Bakker

Wellbeing Wednesdays at Trinity provide relief for many students as they work through busy schedules and course loads. Students in the Trinity community often describe these days as mini-weekends that give a much-needed break during the middle of the week. Some grant opportunities for rest, while others dedicate their extra time to leading extracurricular activities and catching up on their academic work. Njoki Mukuria ’25, a Senior English and Philosophy double major, is among the many hardworking students on campus who find renewal in this important well-being initiative.

Mukuria, initially pursuing English as a major when starting college, decided to add a second major in Philosophy to her repertoire because she developed a passion for the field after taking a philosophy class with Dr. Aron Reppmann. Mukuria shares that she equally loves both majors because “English fuels my love of words as writers play with them to create beautiful narratives, and Philosophy is a lifestyle I enjoy leaning into and exploring more.” As an international student, she chose Trinity because of the supportive and enriching learning environment. While reflecting on her favorite experience thus far in her college journey, Mukuria states, “Through the challenging times college brings with its busy periods, academic stressors, and other personal struggles, I found that it was my friends who helped me feel like I could keep going. My roommates and my other international buddies have been pillars in my journey since they are the people who have given me joy and strength in my time at Trinity, making them the best part of the entire experience.” Having genuine friendships throughout college is central to student well-being, and she beautifully describes this truth.

On Wednesdays, Mukuria organizes biweekly evening gatherings for African Student Union members as the organization’s President. Building community and belonging within this group is important because she knows it helps students thrive. By incorporating time to sleep in and rest during the mornings when she does not have other meetings to attend, she feels like she can be at her best as a campus leader. Mukuria also enjoys making the most of this extra time to catch up on schoolwork at the local public library. She believes Wellbeing Wednesdays are necessary because they “provide us with space to pick up internships, rest, and have more time to work through homework and varied assignments. They give us space to breathe in both the leadup to the day and the day itself, allowing for time to recharge and reconnect before pushing through the second half of the week. Overall, this gap gives students back time they otherwise would not have on any other weekday to care for the various aspects of their health and overall well-being.”

Click here to learn more about Wellbeing Wednesdays and how Trinity is doing college differently.

-Mary (Honey) Mathieu ’27

The student ministry leaders, as part of Trinity’s Campus Ministries Team, hosted its first-ever Spread the Love event on January 29th and 30^th. This campus-wide initiative aimed to spread Jesus’s love and ensure that every student, faculty, staff, or friend of the College could hear the words: Jesus Loves You!

On the first day of #SpreadtheLove, students had an opportunity to join in a tie-dye session at the Alumni Hall desk. Free shirts were available, or students were encouraged to bring their own shirts to join in the fun. On the following day, students wore their tie-dye shirts around campus and spread prayers, scriptures, and messages of encouragement throughout campus through simple sticky notes with uplifting messages and prayers. God’s love was expressed in many ways over the two days, but one of the most memorable things for students was praying for one another, uplifting their brothers and sisters in Christ, and trusting that God will provide help and peace through life’s challenges and triumphs.

As a Christian institution, Trinity Christian College students find ways to strengthen and deepen their faith while attending the College. On campus, students are continually surrounded by peers, faculty, and staff who also lead faith-filled lives. Each week, students are given countless opportunities to explore their faith with weekly Bible studies and gatherings, men’s and women’s ministry, chapel, and outcry—a student-led worship time.

The genuine love of Jesus shared across campus makes Trinity a wonderful place to #SpreadtheLove.

To view photos from this incredible event and to stay informed about upcoming Campus Ministries activities, be sure to follow @tcc.campusministries on Instagram!

Pictured left: Emily Hawkins ’27

Emily Hawkins is a sophomore at Trinity Christian College majoring in Speech Pathology and minoring in Special Education. She chose to pursue this path because she deeply cares for the wellbeing of those around her, especially children, and wants to directly impact their lives through services that uplift voices that may have been missed due to physical or mental incapacities—her part in building the Kingdom of God.

As an active member of the campus community, she participates in an internship and mentors first-year Thrive students. The Thrive Program is an initiative the College offers to help new students transition to academia and the overall collegiate experience. Hawkins is passionate about helping students and deeply loves Trinity because “of its welcoming environment, positivity, and deep understanding of how to love others as well as the amount of joy present on campus.”  She also greatly appreciates how professors want to help their students succeed by caring for the person before the schoolwork.

A recent addition to the campus experience that students like Hawkins love is Wellbeing Wednesdays. Students’ overall well-being is emphasized every day at Trinity, but this one day a week, free from classes, focuses specifically on giving students time to spend on their well-being since classes are not held. To thrive, students must allow themselves time to engage in the activities and hobbies they are passionate about. Wednesdays are the perfect day of the week to do so at Trinity.

Hawkins spends her Wellbeing Wednesdays completing internship hours, sleeping in, working on homework, meeting with professors, and, most recently, mentoring her Thrive students. She is grateful for this weekday break and emphasizes its importance because “it is a day of rest in the middle of the week – it is like a mini weekend.” It allows her to step back and reorganize herself for the days ahead. She added, “Wellbeing Wednesdays promote healing and rest, encouraging the student body to advocate for themselves and use the additional free time as they see fit.”

Being well spiritually, mentally, and physically is vital for college students as they manage busy schedules and workloads. Trinity always emphasizes developing the whole person, not just the student. Wellbeing Wednesdays is just one of the many ways the College is working to create meaningful experiences for current and prospective students.

The campus community looks forward to continuing semesters of Wellbeing Wednesdays, which will be filled with incredible blessings, experiences, and opportunities for years to come.

Click here to learn more about how Trinity Christian College is doing college differently.

Due to the afternoon forecast and winter weather advisory, Trinity will modify operations for Wednesday, February 12, 2025.

– All evening classes will be canceled. As a reminder, it is Wellbeing Wednesday, which means no daytime classes are scheduled.

– All co-curricular activities after 12:00 p.m. will be canceled.

– All athletic activities after 12:00 p.m. will be canceled.

– Dining services will remain active and open.

At Trinity Christian College, we’re doing college differently. And we’re not just talking about it – we’re transforming the very experience of higher education. This isn’t your average college journey, and it’s not some vague pledge. It’s real, and it’s happening now.

First, we started with tuition. Forget the crushing debt that comes with a traditional college experience. Trinity has slashed tuition by 40%. Yes, you read that right—tuition is under $21K—no more choosing between a degree and financial stability. At Trinity, we believe a student’s education should not be a financial burden.

And we didn’t stop there. Transparency is at the core of everything we do. From the moment a student applies to the day they graduate, we make the process clear, simple, and free from hidden costs. No surprises, no wondering what’s next. It’s just a straightforward path to success.

Then, we took it one step further with our employer network. This isn’t your regular internship or a distant promise; it’s a commitment that connects students with real employers who don’t just hire but they invest in our students. These companies don’t just offer jobs – they offer sponsorship. That’s right, they’ll help pay a portion of tuition while gaining hands-on experience. This is a college where a career starts before graduation.

And, finally, did we mention that Wednesdays are free from classes? Simply put – no classes on Wednesdays at Trinity Christian College. Instead, we’ve created space for students to rest and recharge every week. Students now have the time and space to choose paid internships and help reduce student debt. With our innovative four-day schedule, we put student whole wellbeing first, offering a true balance between academics and personal time.

For those looking for a new way to experience college, Trinity Christian College is where transformation isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a reality. We’re changing the game, and it’s time for you to take the next step.

Visit us at trnty.edu and see for yourself how we’re shaping a better future.