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–By Patricia Yang ‘25
On a cool October afternoon, as the sun peeks out between the clouds, Trinity Christian College’s campus is nice and quiet—save for the spot tucked behind the Tibstra Parking Lot. At The Shack, next to the Mail and Print Center, there is a food truck, tables and chairs. A vibrant blue piñata swings from a wooden beam, while speakers resound with upbeat music. There’s dancing, food, musical chairs, and a lot of laughter. It’s Hispanic Heritage Month, and the Sabor Latino Club has come forth to celebrate this at Trinity with all its might!
Even before the pandemic, the club had been inactive. Yet after a period of dormancy, the members of Sabor Latino are back. Now that things have returned to a more normal state after the pandemic hit, the club is eager to step back into the light. Sabor Latino desires to invite all of Trinity to come experience and learn about the Hispanic culture. Melissa Ballesteros ‘24, president of Sabor Latino, said, “We hope to have events that teach people, ‘Oh, this is the type of things Latinos do,’ as well has having fun together and joining and thinking.” This Hispanic Heritage Month event was that big first step into that.
This was the first time in Sabor Latino’s history to celebrate Hispanic heritage as a club and with everyone on campus. “So far it hasn’t been done in the past years,” said Ballesteros. A big smile grew on her face as she continued, “But we’re trying to start that.”
The members of the club are eager to become more visible to Trinity again. “I saw people wanting to actually learn about our culture, which is something really inspirational!” said Ballesteros.
Near the end of the event, everyone gathers round the blue piñata. “Our favorite thing to do is laugh,” said Ballesteros, with a laugh of her own. As people become dizzy striking at the piñata and sticks break off one by one in comical fashion, there is no denying that. The piñata breaks at last and the candy all flies out. People joke and chatter happily with one another, and the music continues to play loudly in the background.
Sabor Latino is excited to express its culture, and that is what it did with this event and is eager to invite all of Trinity to come along. “We’re all a big family in the end!”
Find out more about Sabor Latino by following its Instagram page or emailing the president of Sabor Latino at Melissa.Bellesteros@trnty.edu.
Trinity is excited to be hosting the upcoming conference “Knowledge for the Future: Higher Education, Change, and Christian Responsibility,” sponsored by Coram Deo. The conference, which takes place on campus on Nov. 11-12, features renowned speakers from around the country, as well as Trinity professors.
According to one of the conference organizers, Trinity’s Assistant Professor of History and Department Chair Kyle Dieleman, Ph.D., the sessions are designed to be useful to a number of people, including those considering higher education themselves, people whose family members or high school students (such as high school guidance counselors or administrators) might be considering higher education, employers who have ideas about how higher ed can meet the needs they have future employees, and those who have responsibilities such as teaching and administration in higher ed.
“We also have a fantastic line-up of world-class speakers from a variety of disciplines, so we’re eager for people to have access to those scholars and learn from and with them,” he said.
Organizers hope that people will leave the conference with a sense of the challenges facing higher education but also with ideas that provide hope for how to meet those challenges. “So, we think people will be inspired to consider again the importance of higher education and ways higher ed can contribute to productive conversations and actions within Christianity and in society more broadly,” said Dieleman.
The conference has been a long time in the planning stages. Originally scheduled for Fall of 2020, it was postponed because of COVID. “The plans came about because I connected with our sponsoring organization, the Coram Deo Program, via a Dutch colleague, Herman Selderhuis,” Dieleman said. “Herman invited me to put a proposal together, and several of us at Trinity started thinking about the uncertain state of higher education in the United States and beyond. With that context, we wanted to explore how Christianity and a Christian worldview might be in a unique position to contribute positively to discussions about the future of education.”
Scheduled speakers include:
Brad S. Gregory, the Dorothy G. Griffin College Professor of History at the University of Notre Dame;
DeAne Lagerquist, who is trained as a historian of Christianity;
Herman Selderhuis, president of the Theological University Apeldoorn (the Netherlands) and Professor of Church History and Church Law;
Vincent Bacote, Professor of Theology and the Director of the Center for Applied Christian Ethics at Wheaton College in Wheaton, Ill.
Members of the Trinity community, including Dr. Lenore Knight-Johnson, Dr. Erick Sierra, Dr. Keith Starkenburg, Mallory Rosario, Professor Christine Scholma, Dr. Allison Tan, and Dr. Rakisha Vinegar, will also be leading workshops.
The cost to attend is $125. Find more information and register here.
Trinity’s head women’s soccer coach Josh Lenarz ’98 notched his 300th win when the Trolls scored in the 10th minute of their game against Judson University on Oct. 6. Lenarz, coaching in his 20th season at Trinity, now has an overall career record of 300-113-28.
Trolls from all over sent their video congratulations on this remarkable achievement!
The victory came when Brianna Uhl took a pass from Katie Drenth and shot it past the Eagles keeper for her 16th goal of the season. The win also brought the Trolls’ record to 10-2.
Along with his 300 wins, Lenarz is one of the most winning active coaches in the NAIA. Lenarz has led teams to the post-season national tournaments 13 times in the past 15 seasons, which includes five appearances to the NAIA National Championships. In addition, the Trolls advanced to the NCCAA National Championships eight times with the latest appearance being in 2018.
Under his leadership, the team also earned conference regular season championship titles in the 2008 and 2009 seasons. In 2009 and 2017, they claimed the conference tournament title. The team also earned the CCAC Karl Boeck Champions of Character Award four times.
Lenarz was named the CCAC Coach of the Year in 2008, 2009, 2013, 2018 and 2020. He has also been recognized as the NCCAA National Coach of the Year in 2005 and 2008, the NCCAA North Central Region Coach of the Year 13 times, and the 2005 NAIA Region VII Coach of the Year. In 2016, he received the NISOA/NCCAA Frank Jewell Award for Christian character and integrity while coaching.
A graduate of Trinity, Lenarz received a bachelor’s degree in physical education. He also has a master’s degree in higher education-college student affairs from Azusa Pacific University. He was a four-year soccer player at Trinity and earned all-conference honors for four years and was an NCCAA All-American three times.
Mark your calendars for Friday, November 5 and Saturday, November 6 for our annual Fall Fest weekend. We are excited to welcome alumni, students, parents and the community to join us for an event that encapsulates Homecoming and Family Weekend, all rolled together into one giant event.
“Fall Fest offers something for everyone,” said Director of Alumni and Family Engagement Jeremy Klyn ’02. “This Homecoming and Family Weekend provides alumni the space to come back and remember why they love this place. And parents have the chance to visit their students and experience everything Trinity has to offer with them!”
This year’s Fall Fest features activities intentionally designed with students in mind, as well as alumni and parents. Those activities include a video-gaming truck, a basketball game featuring a DJ, a powderpuff football game, and more!
“We are really excited to have this event again after not holding it in 2020,” said Director of Event Services Brooke Simkins ’14. “The opportunity to enjoy these events together is not something we take for granted.”
As part of the weekend’s activities, Fall Fest will welcome back the class of 1971, the College’s first 4-year graduating class, to campus to celebrate their 50th class reunion. The class of 2020 will also have the opportunity to return to campus to join President Kurt and Mrs. Leah Dykstra for a relaxed evening catching up and celebrating their accomplishments amidst a most unprecedented time.
There will also be opportunities for alumni of the nursing, business and social work programs to reconnect, along with the chance for former members of the Gospel Choir to gather together.
On Friday night, Trinity’s Alumni Board invites all alumni to Mama Vesuvio East near campus, where they can catch up with old friends while enjoying an all-you-can-eat pizza buffet. After dinner, attendees can head on over to DeVos Athletic and Recreation Center to watch the men’s basketball team take on University of St. Francis and check out the improv show by “Well Versed Comedy” and Alumni players. Or they can stay at Mamas and catch up with old classmates until they close it down.
Feel like playing a little basketball instead of just being a spectator? Then sign up for the 3-on-3 tournament on Saturday. Trinity’s Alumni Board is also hosting its inaugural Bean Bag Tournament to benefit the Alumni Scholarship fund.
There will also be plenty of other opportunities to sample great food throughout the weekend, from food trucks to a Chicago-themed dinner in the Dining Hall.
The annual Troll Market craft and vendor fair provides an opportunity for getting a head start on Christmas shopping. There will also be a 3.1 run, KidsZone, yoga with Emeriti Professor of Psychology Mary Lynn Colosimo, and so much more. And it all culminates in Trollstock, the TrollNation annual talent show.
“Representatives from multiple departments serve on the Fall Fest committee,” said Simkins. “This two-day event is a massive undertaking, but something we are proud to share with our students, their families, our alumni, and the community.”
Check out all the great events on the Fall Fest page. Some events require advance registration. We can’t wait to see you November 5-6.
During his time at Trinity double majoring in finance and marketing, Zach Fitch ’18 didn’t plan to become an influencer or work for one of the biggest TikTok marketing agencies in the world. Yet since graduating from the College and doing a career pivot when COVID-19 hit last year, Fitch has achieved those objectives and more.
Fitch recently returned to campus from his base in Los Angeles to share his story, offer career advice, and provide insights into social media to several classes of business students.
In early 2020, Fitch was selling legal products to businesses and consumers. “Then COVID hit, and I lost 70% of my business in a couple of months,” he recalled. Around that time, Fitch’s younger brother challenged him to see who could get the greatest number of TikTok followers. As Fitch remembered with a laugh, he had some time on his hands and didn’t want to lose to his little brother. So, he began creating TikTok videos. “It started as a joke, but I began building a following,” he said. Once he reached more than half a million followers, he started getting offers from companies to promote their brands. Yet TikTok is still a new platform, and there are few guidelines or other people working in that space who could offer advice and guidance. “It is the Wild, Wild West,” he said.
Those experiences led to his current position as director of campaign execution at Ubiquitous Influencer Marketing, one of the largest TikTok influencer marketing agencies in the world. Ubiquitous works with content creators, as well as major brands like Disney, American Eagle, Netflix, and Lyft. For Fitch, his work is an extension of his Christian faith. “The whole reason Ubiquitous started is so creators don’t get taken advantage of,” he said. “We want to ensure that everyone gets treated fairly.”
Fitch demonstrates the importance of being flexible, according to Assistant Professor of Business Omar Sweiss. “I’m a big believer in experimenting and adapting,” Sweiss told students during one of Fitch’s presentations. “Zach had to adapt, then adapt again.”
On September 17, 1787, the Founding Fathers signed the most influential document in American history, the U.S. Constitution. And every year, Trinity commemorates that world-changing event by recognizing Constitution Day.
For this year’s observation, Trinity students read two speeches that were given at the ceremony marking the 20th Anniversary of the September 11th Attacks at the Flight 93 Memorial in rural Western Pennsylvania.
Boluwatife Jegede ’23 read a speech delivered by Vice President Kamala Harris. Caleb Rivera ’24 read remarks given former President George W. Bush.
The Constitution Day event was sponsored by the Department of History and the Historical Association of Students (HAS) — The History Club.
Join us for Stardust Jazz Night, with the Trinity Jazz Ensemble and the Trinity Jazz Collaborative! The concert will take place at 7 pm in Ozinga Chapel Auditorium on Sept. 24. The concert marks the first in a series of events planned by Trinity’s Music Department this semester.
After an opening from the Trinity Christian College Jazz Ensemble, the night will feature a professional performance from Trinity Faculty members Artie Black (sax), Chris Davis (trumpet), and Kevin Brown (guitar) with special guests Katie Ernst (bass and vocals), and Tim Mulvenna (drums). Don’t miss this beautiful evening of live jazz, right here on campus!
“We are very excited to return to live music after not being able to gather for concerts last year,” said Professor of Music and Department Chair Mark Peters. “Stardust Jazz this year features our student jazz ensemble opening for the Trinity Jazz Collective, a professional combo featuring three Trinity faculty.”
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) announced its Daktronics NAIA Scholar-Athletes and NAIA Scholar Teams as a part of its annual NAIA National Awards Day on Wednesday, Sept. 15. Trinity Christian College Athletics had 75 student-athletes receive the honor of Scholar-Athlete and 15 teams earn the distinction of Scholar-Team.
Trinity’s Daktronics NAIA Scholar-Athletes
Baseball: Zach Huisman, Dan Vos, Mike McIntyre, Josh Bakke, Michael Moralez , Jordan Rhodes, Nicolas Guitierrez
Men’s Soccer: Ben Boers, Wesley Trueblood, Emmanuel Iradukunda, Mike McIntyre, Karl Kosary, Chase Rozeveld, Marcos Shimizu, Matthew Tamminga, Alec Belcastro, Ben Morris
Men’s Track and Field: Ross Barz, Jim Bruinius, Caleb DeWeerd, Ryan Mathes, Kyle Graff, Tony Reppman, Chase Rozeveld Men’s
Volleyball: Jake Ostema
Men’s Cross Country: Jim Bruinius, Caleb DeWeerd, Ryan Mathes, Tony Reppmann
Men’s Golf: Nate Kamp, Dan Vos, Mark Schaaf, Mike Maher, Spencer Rice
Men’s Basketball: Noah Andringa, Oleksandr Dolishniy, Vince Overway
Women’s Cross Country: Grace Thelo, Valerie Wellman, Chloe Kikstra
Women’s Golf: Summer Cramer, Ashley Keen
Women’s Soccer: Allyson Kranstz, Drew McCarthy, Kaleigh VanElst, Autumn Bergemann, Selah Hopkins, Miranda Kortenhoeven, Brianna Uhl, Mia Salas, Anna Van Denend, Claire Darby
Softball: Audrey Ricker, Summer Cramer, Emily Montalvo, Alyssa Martin
Women’s Track and Field: Alexis VanRyn, Alyssa Horstman, Ava Kelly, Grace Thelo, Valerie Wellman, Chloe Kirkstra
Women’s Basketball: Summer Cramer, Alexis Marin, Alyssa Mulligan
Women’s Volleyball: Britta Heggeland, Anna Maatman, Danielle Zaner, Julia Belcher, Nicole Belcher, Sarah Hernandez, Madysen Zula, McKenzie Gibson, Brooke Veldman
Trinity’s Scholar Teams, including GPA:
Men’s Golf – 3.63
Women’s Volleyball – 3.57
Women’s Golf – 3.56
Men’s Cross Country – 3.50
Softball – 3.45
Women’s Cross Country – 3.42
Men’s Soccer – 3.41
Baseball – 3.34
Women’s Soccer – 3.31
Men’s Indoor Track and Field – 3.26
Men’s Outdoor Track and Field – 3.26
Women’s Indoor Track and Field – 3.25
Women’s Outdoor Track and Field – 3.25
Men’s Volleyball – 3.14
Women’s Basketball – 3.01
In order to be eligible for the Daktronics NAIA Scholar-Athlete program a student-athletes must be a juniors or seniors in academic standing with a 3.5 or higher cumulative GPA. A Scholar Team must have a minimum 3.0 GPA – calculated using the institutions normal GPA rules, include every varsity athlete certified during this academic year, and include fall and spring grades from the current year.
An education from Trinity Christian College doesn’t just change lives—our graduates go on to change the world. And 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 2022, including among the Top 20 Regional Colleges Midwest and #15 for social mobility. And in U.S. News’ inaugural ranking, Trinity’s nursing program has been ranked among the top 300 of all undergraduate nursing programs in the United States.
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.
“I am confident that, under the tutelage of a talented and dedicated faculty, Trinity students work hard and learn well as they prepare for a lifetime of opportunity and service,” said President Kurt D. Dykstra. “While no one set of data can measure that kind of transformative experience in full, it is gratifying to, once again, be recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a top college in the Midwest.”
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. U.S. News also recognized Trinity’s undergraduate nursing program. (see “U.S. News Recognizes BSN Program among Best in Country”)
“We are honored and excited to be recognized as an institution that excels at making a college education possible for students from all backgrounds,” said Provost Aaron Kuecker, Ph.D. “This recognition is the result of the significant dedication of an excellent faculty and staff – but, most truly, it is a recognition of the hard work, dedication, and amazing gifts of Trinity’s students. It is such a privilege to serve the students who come to Trinity to learn, to be challenged, to be transformed, and to discover 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.
Students who receive their Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degrees from Trinity aren’t just graduating from the best nursing program in the state of Illinois. In its inaugural rankings, U.S. News & World Report has recognized Trinity’s program as among the best in the country, standing shoulder to shoulder with some of the largest universities in the United States.
U.S. News also named the College to several other prestigious lists, including among the Top 20 Regional Colleges Midwest and #15 for social mobility. (see “U.S. News Names Trinity a Top 20 School”)
In the latest U.S. News rankings, Trinity was named among the top 300 of all undergraduate nursing programs in the United States, taking its place among far larger colleges and universities.
“Trinity’s Department of Nursing is dedicated to preparing nurses who are both academically excellent, and also ready to face the demands of providing hands on patient care. Our commitment to training nurses to excel in both theory and clinical practice, makes our graduates stand out when they enter the workforce all over the world,” said Associate Professor of Nursing and Department Chair Dr. Tina Decker ’06. “We prepare great BSN nurses who are ready to provide Christ-like care to those in need. This recognition from U.S. News affirms that. It is an honor to have the hard work of the students, alumni, faculty, staff, and the broader Trinity community recognized in this way.”
The College’s program has set the bar for nursing programs in many ways. In 2020, Trinity nursing graduates achieved a perfect first-time pass rate on the NCLEX-RN exam for the fifth time in six years. This success for Trinity’s top-ranked program represents the highest six-year NCLEX average of any BSN or ADN program in Illinois.
Trinity’s Nursing program is also regularly ranked among the best BSN programs in Illinois, including by RegisteredNursing.org and RN to BSN.
For Amy Nagelkirk ’92, president of the Trinity Alumni Nursing Association (TANA), it is exciting to see Trinity’s nursing department recognized once again for its excellence. “It’s a tradition that I’ve always felt proud of while working in both Chicago and West Michigan.”
One of the great strengths of Trinity’s nursing program is the generosity of its dedicated nursing alumni, including TANA members who support the Department of Nursing through student-related activities and fundraising, and foster personal and professional relationships among alumni, she said. “At the height of the pandemic surge last November, we saw an increased number of nursing alumni volunteer to be part of our TANA mentoring program. Even as many were in the thick of it, struggling to get through their shifts and extra mandate shifts, they were still wanting to support students.”
TANA also provides endowed scholarships for nursing students. “This, year, TANA was able to award two $1,000 scholarships from that fund,” she said. “A program with that kind of support behind it is going to continue to thrive.”