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Thanks to the hard work and dedication of a group of current and emeriti professors, Trinity has received a grant from the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities (CCCU) that spans several different initiatives at the College and connects to Chicago’s Roseland neighborhood. Trinity was one of only six recipients of the 30 colleges and universities that sought this grant.

According to Professor Emeritus Michael Vander Weele, who served as primary grant writer and campus contact, the grant supports and connects Trinity’s new Foundations Curriculum and its Chicago Connect courses; The Calvin and Ines Seerveld Art in Society (SAIS) Initiative; Roseland Christian Ministries (RCM); and the work of Professor of Art & Design John Bakker.

Vander Weele was supported in the grant writing by Professor Emeritus Brad Breems and Associate Professor of Sociology Lenore Knight Johnson, who serves as faculty director of the Chicago Connect aspect of the Foundations curriculum.

Though he retired in May 2019, Vander Weele remains active in Trinity’s life. “I saw the opportunity for this grant and contacted [Provost] Aaron Kuecker, who told me to go for it. So, I gave it a shot,” he said.

In pursuing the grant, Vander Weele pointed to the work of Trinity’s Seerveld Gallery, as well as the College’s deep and wide connections to the Roseland community and RCM.

The grant also encompasses Bakker’s Roseland Portrait Project. For this project, Bakker is already working on the installation, a large-scale portable mural consisting of portraits of Roseland residents painted onto movable boxes. Bakker’s previous works have included large-scale projects for the City of Chicago’s Office of Public Art for the 6th District Police Station in the Auburn Gresham neighborhood; and the Galesburg Project, his first movable mural, which encompassed a wide variety of the citizens of a small town in western Illinois. Part of the CCCU grant will be used to support Bakker’s work on another 40 box portraits, with the goal of having 10 of those feature immigrant members of the community. It will also include a portrait of a 16-year-old Roseland boy, Andre’ Taylor, who was the victim of gun violence.

According to Vander Weele, the project will also involve the youth ministry at RCM and Trinity students. The youth ministry will help to gather photographic portraits of the community and assist with the project. Trinity art students can help process images, transfer them to the boxes, and participate in transcribing text to panels. Writing students can write short profiles for the side panels of the portrait boxes, creating a public recognition of each person’s life. The project also involves members of Fusion 59, Trinity’s entrepreneurial hub on campus, where students can provide social media and other communications support.

The grant is part of a larger, national initiative. CCCU was selected by the American Immigration Council (AIC) as one of several non-profit entities working with a coalition of eight non-profits in a project AIC calls the Inclusion Innovation Collaborative.  That project is part of the national “Belonging Begins with Us” campaign that will be launched early this December.

According to Breems, the Trinity faculty member whom Cal Seerveld asked to lead the Seerveld Art in Society Initiative, alongside colleagues Vander Weele and Bakker, the grant enables Bakker to continue work on SAIS’s Roseland Portrait Project while pulling it deeper into Trinity’s educational program and connecting it to the national “Belonging Begins with US” campaign. The SAIS Initiative was established eight years ago by Cal Seerveld, one of Trinity’s founding faculty members and his wife Ines. Its purpose is to sponsor art projects that build bridges between the college community and Chicago’s diverse neighborhoods, showing art’s vital place in everyday Christian life and in building a more just society.

Breems said the grant is an affirmation of Seerveld’s vision for SAIS: “This art should have a gentle Christian spirit, vigorous educational outreach, and an attitude of humble service. It should also show a bold, caring, and cosmic vision of a hopeful world that demonstrates the compassion of Jesus Christ.”

COVID-19 continues to shape the 2020 school year in ways unlike the ones before it. Every year, Trinity has international students and student-athletes who need to reside on campus during the traditional break, because of their team commitments or lack of funding to fly home for the holidays. This year the combined Thanksgiving and Christmas break, along with a later start to the second semester, will mean some students will require additional food and lodging for over 50 days.

Staying on campus during this time will present those students and the College with some additional expenses. Rent will be paid by the students, and since campus is closed for the holidays students will have to purchase meals from off campus. We are looking for partners like you who can help offset some of those holiday housing and food costs on the national Giving Tuesday 2020, Dec. 1.

$35 will provide food and lodging for 1 student for 1 day

$245 will ensure lodging and food for 1 student for an entire week

To support our most vulnerable students, Trinity Christian College has established the “In It Together Fund” to help meet the greatest needs of our current students. We would love to find 100 donors to give $100 each this Giving Tuesday.  $100 will cover the lodging and food cost for 1 student for nearly 3 days. Any additional funds raised will be used to provide tuition assistance, living essentials, and emergency funding for books, food, and travel expenses to students in need. We do not want to lose even one student to this crisis because of this unexpected financial stress.

Will you be In It Together with our students this Giving Tuesday? Will you be 1 of the 100? To learn more and donate, click here.

While we were physically separated this Fall Semester, the Trinity community was able to connect through a series of virtual events, hosted by President Kurt and Leah Dykstra.

Each event celebrated a unique aspect of our campus. And if you were unable to participate in those events when they happened live—or if you would like to revisit them—they are available for viewing on Trinity’s YouTube channel!

November 10: In It Together: Stories from the Trinity Community

Since March, the world has been turned upside down with COVID-19. Through it all, Trinity’s students, employees, and community have remained “In It Together.” As part of our initiatives, Trinity established a fund to help support our most vulnerable students throughout this pandemic. During this event, President and Mrs. Dykstra presented some of the stories from students, staff, and alumni who have rallied together to make sure no student missed out on their Trinity education this semester.

October 27: An Evening at the BBC: Celebrating our Faithful Future

President and Mrs. Dykstra hosted the introduction and showcase of the new renovations that have transformed the Bootsma Bookstore Café, made possible by generous donations during Trinity’s 60^th Anniversary Gala in 2019. They were joined for this event by Board of Trustees members Jamie Stephenson ’00 and Cal Tameling ’72. Trinity students also shared what they love about the space.

October 13: Newly Renovated, Continued Excellence: A Celebration of Trinity’s Nursing

President and Mrs. Dykstra offered an unveiling and tour of Trinity’s newly renovated nursing facilities. These new state-of-the-art facilities expand upon the long-standing tradition of excellence, care, and compassion in our top-ranked nursing program. During this event, viewers had the opportunity to hear from some of the faculty, students, and donors that helped make this new space a reality.

By Aubrey Weedman ’20

Rachel Holden ‘17, who is currently working for Northwestern Mutual in Recruiting and Development, recently spoke to Trinity students about employment searching, training, and professional development for the third Fusion Friday of the semester. Holden encouraged young professionals to take networking seriously and to be intentional about connecting with peers while job hunting and training.

Sharing from her own experience, Holden advised young professionals looking for positions to not discredit themselves. Holden herself was a Social Work major at Trinity, which made her journey to Northwestern Mutual unorthodox, but was able to score the position because of how she presented herself. Mia Salas ’23 found this particularly inspiring because “the job [Holden] felt no way suited to get is the job she landed due to her other qualities that stood out to the company.” Being professional from the get-go gives individuals the power to define themselves as a serious candidate to potential employers; “give yourself the opportunity to be successful,” Holden said.

As a recruiter, Holden had no shortage of useful advice for how students can best use their LinkedIn profile to score a position or internship. LinkedIn is a social media platform aimed at professionals to help aid in networking. Additionally, recruiters use the site to identify new talent for their companies. Holden emphasized the importance of a user’s bio on LinkedIn and advised employment seekers to use three words they feel best define themselves as an employee to capture a recruiter’s attention

Once you find a position, Holden warned that your networking should not stop there. Instead, new employees should make an effort to create positive relationships with coworkers. This allows for new employees to better understand the culture of the company they now work for, which also leads to a deeper desire to be there and do the best  they can. Holden emphasized that she “sees so much value in making those connections with people, especially in the workplace.”

Overall, Holden’s Fusion Friday presentation highlighted the benefits of networking and connection as a young professional. Fusion59 Innovation Center Coordinator Haley Heeg ’20 stated that “Fusion59 is excited to be able to host business professionals such as Rachel Holden, to share about their professions, industry, and give advice for students as they prepare to enter the workforce post-graduation.” Fusion Friday is held virtually throughout the Fall 2020 semester.

By Aubrey Weedman ‘20

The 24-Hour Theatre Project has been a tradition for Trinity’s Theatre program since 2016. This year—though modified—was no exception. As the name suggests, participants have 24 hours to write, rehearse, and perform several different productions. These plays are inspired by a picture assigned to each group at the beginning of the challenge; Trinity’s videographer Tyler Minnesma provided this year’s inspiration (pictured above) for writers to base their plays on. Much of the 24 hours is also spent costuming, collecting props, staging lights, and building sets. At the end of the day, the productions are traditionally performed in front of a live audience. The tradition of this busy day lived on, thanks to Zoom.

On the last Saturday of September, students, faculty, staff, alumni, and others gathered virtually to tackle five different plays in a single day’s time. Associate Professor of Communication Arts and Director of Theatre John Sebestyen, Ph.D., emphasized the importance of making the event happen this year specifically, even though it looked so different from years past. In a year otherwise marked by isolation, Trinity’s theatre company was determined to promote community in a safe and healthy way. Sebestyen said, “In the midst of an extended period of social distancing, [people] are longing for some sense of shared and embodied communal work.” Hosting this event allowed for participants from all over the nation to participate in ways they would not have been able to otherwise. Members of the Trinity community joined from states like Michigan, Indiana, Iowa, Illinois—even a married couple of alumni from Tennessee!

Matthew Huizenga ’24—who served as a writer for the event—believed the event was a great success, adding that the playwrights “wrote our plays specifically for Zoom, which I think created some really fun, unique art that wouldn’t otherwise exist.” Using the virtual platform, participants were able to play into the quirks of their characters in special, unique ways. For example, Huizenga had actor Tony Reppmann ’23 mute his mic and act out a role-playing game for five minutes while the production went on—giving audiences a neat “Easter egg” to pick out from the production. Adriana Klein ’24 added that, as an actress, she still experienced pre-show nerves, which was a comforting, familiar feeling that made her grateful for the sense of normalcy.

This year’s 24-Hour Theatre Project managed to bring the magic of the theatre to participants and audience alike. It served as a connection point for students, faculty, and alumni alike to sow into their passions while working alongside one another in innovative ways. A recording of this year’s event is available to anyone wishing to watch the Zoom Theatre magic unfold. While nobody can definitively know what next year’s event might look like, it is encouraging to see Trinity’s community rise to the challenge regardless of circumstance.

Trinity is pleased to announce that Ross Barz ‘21 has been named Trinity’s 2020  Lincoln Laureate. Barz will be honored in a virtual ceremony by Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker.  

The annual Lincoln Academy Student Laureate Ceremony recognizes excellence in curricular and extracurricular activities by seniors from each of the state’s four-year, degree-granting colleges and universities, and one student from the community colleges in Illinois. 

Barz, a biochemistry and molecular biology major, said he was grateful and appreciative when Professor of Communication Arts Craig Mattson, Ph.D., told him he was this year’s recipient. “I knew it was a high honor,” he said. “It means even more that it was created in honor of Abraham Lincoln.”  

A native of Holland, Mich., Barz has taken on many roles at Trinity. He is serving his second year as President of the Trinity Student Government Association and is a two-time Thrive Student Intern. Barz also leads campus worship as a campus ministry leadership team member and is part of Trinity’s track and field team. 

Along with his activities, he works as a direct support professional with Bethshan Association in Palos Heights, where he provides care and follows the behavior program for residents with intellectual disabilities. Barz is also a student intern with Applied Occupational Care, Inc., in Chicago, where his duties include developing articles for users of a daily COVID-19 symptom screening application. 

Trinity’s nominating committee praised Barz’s integrity and leadership. “His warm, affable presence is known by everyone. However, while warm and affable, Ross is also convicted and compassionate. He has promoted voter registration throughout campus. He works as a direct support professional at a local home for residents with intellectual disabilities. He promotes involvement and raises up new leaders. Ross’ engagement in the classroom, his friendship toward his peers and his voice in the community demonstrate a commitment to the betterment of humanity that is simply outstanding.” 

Barz plans to attend medical school after graduating in May. As part of his interest in medicine, he took part in the Global Medical Fellowship in Athens, Greece, in 2019. 

Trinity Christian College Lincoln Laureates 

2019—Indira Escalante 

2018 – Mallory Boyce 

2017 – R. Josiah Rosario 

2016 – Courtney Kalous 

2015 – Hallie Wisse 

2014 – David (Woody) Lucas 

2013 – Megan Anderson 

2012 – Adam Perez 

2011 – Alberto LaRosa 

2010 – Joseph Wydra 

2009 – Jon Vander Woude 

2008 – Caitlin Fillmore 

2007 – Elizabeth VanderSpek 

2006 – Allison Backous 

2005 – Erin Marshalek 

2004 – Rachel Van Oort 

2003 – Yvana Hansen 

2002 – Evan VanderZee 

2001 – Nate Bosch 

2000 – Laurie Johnson 

1999 – Hanna Vancer Zee 

1998 – Kristen Devine 

1997 – Heidi Boeck 

1996 – Julie Tinklenberg 

1995 – Keri Dyksterhouse 

1994 – Mark Mulder 

1993 – Kristen Hart 

1992 – Sarah Ver Velde 

1991 – Aron Reppmann 

1990 – Nathan Van Der Male 

1989 – Drew Sweetman 

1988 – Erik Hoekstra 

1987 – Kimberly Dykema 

1986 – Edward Wiener, Jr. 

At Trinity, we are deeply committed to caring for our students in every facet of their lives, including providing a safe campus environment. We are honored to be recently ranked as one of the safest college campuses in the nation by Niche.com, and as the safest college campus in Illinois by Stateuniversity.com.

We have an excellent, well-trained campus safety staff who are committed to keeping the campus safe, crime prevention, and emergency preparedness.

Trinity is pleased to announce the Fall 2021 launch of a new Data Analytics program, which will include a major as well as opportunity for micro-credentialing for students in other majors.

Sundeep Vira, currently Trinity’s Assistant Professor of Business and Director of Strategic Innovation, will serve as Director of Data Analytics. Karl Schmitt, Ph.D, previously Director of Data Science Programs at Valparaiso University, has joined Trinity as Program Coordinator and Assistant Professor of Data Analytics.

Funding for the Data Analytics program at Trinity has been made possible through a lead gift from the Vermeer Charitable Foundation and additional gifts from a range of Trinity constituents.

Said Trinity President Kurt Dykstra, “We are very grateful for the Vermeer Charitable Foundation and so many others who have seen fit to help Trinity launch this program. These program funders understand the role that data plays in today’s world. We endeavor to educate students to help them, and other organizations like them, better use data for the good of their organization and the good of the world.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, data analytics is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States. Trinity’s program will draw on the strength of the College’s liberal arts foundation and multidisciplinary approach, bringing together faculty from different departments and offering a holistic view of data analytics to students.

“The best data science and analytics doesn’t happen in silos,” said Schmitt, who will have program design responsibilities and teaching responsibilities in the areas of computer science and data analytics. “It happens in connection with other fields. I’m excited to be part of the collaborative teaching environment at Trinity.”

Said Vira, “Data analytics is essential for all services and industries and Trinity is excited to lead the way for students across disciplines to access and develop hard skills and strengthen their value for future employment.”

With the explosion of data in today’s society, data analytics now touches on virtually every aspect of life, according to Schmitt. “Data analytics can be useful for any field,” he said, pointing to applications as diverse as managing risk to improving sales leads to honing the algorithms used to suggest song playlists. And a place like Trinity brings a vital perspective to the field. “There are some really relevant issues around ethics in data science and machine fairness and bias,” said Schmitt. “It is exciting when students can study these questions at a College where faith is an integral part of that. A place like Trinity brings a deeper perspective to the field.”

Vira, who joined Trinity in 2019, and Schmitt bring significant experience to the College’s Data Analytics program. A native of India, Vira served as a senior investment analyst at Morgan Stanley and managing director and product manager at Nuveen, where he was responsible for growing separately managed accounts totaling approximately $60 billion. Vira, who earned an MBA from the Booth School of Business at the University of Chicago, is passionately committed to social entrepreneurship and currently serves as a consultant with The Academy Group, a non-profit educational organization that works to build a national pipeline of young leaders from underserved communities.

As Director of Data Science Programs at Valparaiso University, Schmitt created a national top 30 Data Science undergraduate degree program with 100% graduate placement. He has also published more than 10 peer-reviewed papers and four whitepapers/reports. Schmitt earned his Ph.D. from the University of Maryland, where he conducted his dissertation research on the Application of Graph Algorithms to Improve Genome Assembly. He currently serves as a Task Member of the Association of Computing Memory’s Data Science Task Force Program Committee and on the Program Committee of the Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics 2020 Conference on Applied Mathematics Education.

This new program is a reflection of Trinity’s mission, as well as its vision to educate students for God, for good, and for the world. Said Dykstra, “From Day 1, Trinity has offered a rigorous education in the liberal arts, shaped by the historic Christian faith, that also connects education with the needs and opportunities in the world. Our sweet spot is where Trinity’s mission meets the needs of the world. Understanding and using data is the currency of the 21st century regardless of field, profession, and vocation. A robust data analytics program, led by outstanding scholars and practitioners, creates opportunities for our students and moves Trinity’s mission forward.”

Many recent graduates possess the technical skills that qualify them for new jobs. But there is more to a good employee than just technical skills, according to Anthony Ciccarone, Instructor, Coach, and Consultant with Amplify Chicago. Ciccarone, whose organization works to address the racial wealth gap in the justice system by involving young people, recently spoke to the Trinity community about early career planning as part of the Fusion Friday speaker series.

“Most of the time, people have good backgrounds and good grades and can point to projects they have worked on,” said Ciccarone, speaking via Zoom. “When hiring new employees, my bigger challenge is finding out whether they can stick with the job. Can you learn something about yourself and others?  Can you work with change?”

Ciccarone shared some thoughts on career planning at different stages of one’s career, with a particular emphasis on the early phase of careers. “And I’m a big believer in putting personal goals in your career plan,” he said. “It’s a smart thing to do so you remember to take care of yourself.”

He described different stages of the planning cycle:

–Goals

–Implement

–Monitor

–Measure

–Evaluate

–Communicate

For those in the early phase of career planning, he suggested doing a self-assessment; think about your passions; develop and use your network; articulate success; and create SMART goals—Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Timebound.

And be patient, he urged. “It can often take a long time to get there,” Ciccarone said.

Fusion Fridays are held monthly and allow the Trinity community to hear from a variety of experts. Throughout the Fall 2020 Semester, Fusion Fridays will take place virtually. The next event, which features Rachel Holden ’17, will take place on Nov. 6. Click here to learn more.