Archives: News Stories

Aron Reppmann ’92, Professor of Philosophy and Department Chair, has been named Chancellor of the Institute for Christian Studies. ICS offers graduate-level degrees in philosophy and theology and is an affiliate member of the Toronto School of Theology at the University of Toronto.

In this role, Reppmann’s duties include conferring degrees at ICS’s convocation. The chancellor serves as chair of the ICS Senate, which oversees academic affairs for the institute.

Reppmann recently completed his first five-year term on the ICS Senate and took over as chancellor in May. He succeeds fellow Trinity alumnus Dr. John Kok ’71, professor emeritus of philosophy at Dordt University.

“There are long, historic ties between Trinity and ICS,” said Reppmann. “Graduates of ICS have taught at Trinity and Trinity students have gone there for graduate school, including three of my students.”

According to ICS, the Senate, which meets twice yearly, includes internal and external members. The latter, supportive of the mission of ICS, bring to bear the wisdom of scholars whose experience in other institutions, both public and private, makes them well placed to offer counsel and provide direction to the institute’s academic programs.

The Athletics Department at Trinity welcomes Kristen Keller as the new Director of Athletics Communications. Starting in mid-July, Keller joined the athletics staff and has assumed the duties and responsibilities of the sports information position.

“We are excited to welcome Kristen as the new Director of Athletic Communications,” said Athletics Director Mark Hanna. “Kristen is well equipped to continue a longstanding tradition of excellence in sports information, and she possesses big energy for telling the story of Trinity athletics and how our student-athletes are flourishing and developing.  I am confident that she will be a great colleague and that the Trinity community will greatly benefit from her work here.”

Keller has a strong background in journalism and experience in the athletics communication field. Most recently she served as an athletics communications intern at Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill., where she earned a Master of Science in Journalism with a sports media specialization in June of 2019.  At Felician University in Rutherford, N.J., where she earned her bachelor degree in communications with a concentration in journalism, she worked as a sports information assistant.

Keller has worked as a freelance journalist, covering northern Chicagoland high school sports and completing articles for USA Volleyball. She has also served in editorial and marketing internships for newspaper and media sources in the New Jersey area. Keller has various published works.

“I am very excited to accept the role as the Director of Athletic Communications here at Trinity,” said Keller. “I felt right at home the moment I stepped on campus, and I know it’s where I’m meant to be. There are so many stories to tell about the amazing accomplishments of these student-athletes, both on and off the field, and I can’t wait to get started.”

At Felician, a NCAA II school, Keller was a three-sport student-athlete. She was a four-year member of their inaugural bowling team, on the volleyball team for two seasons, and competed in track and field for three seasons.

Keller replaces Amy Strong ’86, who served as Trinity’s Sports Information Director for the past 23 years. Strong remains in the Athletics Department in the role of Administrative Coordinator and will assist Keller in the sports information duties.

 For Jacob J. Boglio ‘18, Trinity has prepared him for his calling as an artist. “Trinity gave me the confidence and network to go out into the world and continue building my career as an artist,” said Boglio, who earned a BA in graphic design and BFA in studio art from the College.

Boglio is now serving as Trinity’s first post-baccalaureate fellow and has a solo exhibition, “Wage(r)s,” that is currently installed in the Seerveld Gallery in the Art & Communication Center. There will be a closing reception for the show on July 20 from 5 pm to 9 pm.

As post-baccalaureate fellow, Boglio splits his time between working in the studio and for the Art & Design Department. “While the program is still evolving and being refined, it is a great opportunity to continue my work for the department and to keep a working practice as an emerging artist,” said Boglio.

His responsibilities include serving as a liaison between students and faculty members. “I also do many different things in the department, including posting occasionally on social media, archiving, meeting with and assisting exhibiting artists, and assisting classes. I also maintain the department’s facilities: through cleaning, organizing, keeping inventory, painting, patching, and so on,” he said. “Keeping a working studio practice is a crucial expectation of the post-baccalaureate fellowship. This allows me to refine my practice, to become a better artist, and to further prepare my portfolio towards applying to a graduate program.”

Boglio is a native of Palos Heights, Ill., and a graduate of Alan B. Shepard High School who came to Trinity after attending Moraine Valley Community College. “I chose Trinity after careful consideration and multiple college visits. I was eager to learn under professional working artists. Prof. Ryan Thompson and Prof. John Bakker made a strong impression on me as educators and artists,” he said. “The campus was a hidden gem; beautiful and close to home. And never attending a Christian school before, I was ready to step outside of my comfort zone,” said Boglio. “I ultimately decided to attend Trinity because of the small class sizes, pristine art and design facilities, and the opportunity to have a studio space to work in. The Art & Design Department was impressive, inclusive, and I could tell that I would have access to professors and facilities based on their class sizes rather than being a student lost in the crowd of other students.”

During his time as a student, Boglio got multiple jobs within the department ranging from woodshop technician to gallery assistant. “I learned how to build stretchers for canvas, patch and paint walls, handle art, archive art, and so much more. Through my on-campus jobs I was able to make strong connections with students, professors, and visiting artists. This has given me hours of experience in my field, that eventually led me to networking with a local Chicago artist and gallery owner Dan Devening, who was exhibiting at the Seerveld Gallery.” Through the department’s encouragement and guidance, Devening eventually hired Boglio as an intern and then part-time employee at Paris London Hong Kong and DOCUMENT Gallery. “These are two predominant forces in the contemporary Chicago gallery scene,” he said.

Finding Community and Inspiration
Boglio points to a number of professors, students, and others from Trinity who have impacted him and continue to do so. “I have great admiration for Prof. Thompson’s artistic practice. When I first visited Trinity, his work struck me as being very smart and analytical. It set a new bar for me, and I hoped to cultivate a refined practice like his someday.”

Bakker is another inspiration. “I have been able to work closely with Prof. Bakker in his studio practice, learning much about the woodshop, painting, and art history. Through his encouragement I got to work with many different artists in Seerveld Gallery, and was introduced to Dan Devening. I continue to assist Prof. Bakker and he continues to inspire and motivate me.”

Another mentor is Prof. Soo Shin, who taught Boglio’s printmaking and sculpture courses. “Her perspective as a minimalist Chicago artist has given me great influence of what my practice could and should be as a contemporary artist. She is so kind and understanding, and she never fails to give me the critiques and advice I need to further my professional practice,” he said. “Even if I’m not in class, she is still able to make time to help me grow as a person and artist when needed.”

Jean Carey, Art & Design Department Coordinator, has also helped open doors. “She is a machine that keeps the department well-oiled and running, but she is also very compassionate, helpful, and creative,” he said. “Since I first met Jean, we have worked side by side during the various positions I took within the department. Jean saw potential in me that I didn’t see at first, and because of her I started working during the first weeks of my semester here and haven stopped yet. Through Jean many opportunities have opened up for me, including commission work. If it wasn’t for her encouragement, I might have never worked in the Chicago gallery scene. Jean is still a constant inspiration and motivational force in my life, who always encourages me to better myself,” he said.

His classmates have also helped him grow. “My peers working the studio with me would motive, inspire, and push me to be better every day. I remember working in the studio from early in the day until late in the evening with my fellow seniors, and that’s some of my fondest moments on campus over the years. I loved the amazing work that was made, along with the long conversations and critiques,” he said. “I would feel competitive to stay in the studio as long as possible, but also there was so much positivity and encouragement in the air that I just wouldn’t be able to leave–unless I had to!”

Multiple Concepts and Different Materials
Boglio loves painting, but he also works in many different materials and uses multiple concepts. “I always consider myself a painter. I love to paint whenever possible; usually painting on a larger scale in acrylic washes, before using different mediums like thread, charcoal, or spray paint.”

Anything is potential material for his artwork. “My current exhibition work, ‘Wage(r)s,’ is sculptures in conversation with the working-class, using found objects of that culture such as employee shirts, construction vests, cans, cigarette buds, aluminum fences, and very little ‘traditional art’ material,” he said. “As the years go on, I never seem to exhaust the potential of what can be considered an ‘art material.’ To list a few, I have worked with oil paint, acrylic paint, ink, markers, wax crayons, charcoal, cement, plaster, wood, fabric, found materials, reclaimed material, trash, tea, coffee, graphite, and too much more to list here.”

He enjoys making art for fun and comfort. “But I also like to create more disciplined art that has a deeper meaning behind it, like with ‘Wage(r)s’.”

Boglio finds himself constantly inspired. “When asked what inspires me, I can’t help but to quote figurative painter Chuck Close, who said ‘Inspiration Is for Amateurs—The Rest of Us Just Show Up and Get to Work.’ I am constantly inspired, either by everyday occurrences like weathered stains on a CTA wall to austere and beautiful art objects like paintings. But mainly I just work, and through that work I’m able to build a foundation for newer work and so on. It’s a frustrating process, and a labor of love that feeds itself if you let it,” he said.

He also has some advice for high school students looking at colleges. “Don’t rush into anything, think seriously about the school you wish to attend, and why. I took more time by attending community college because I wanted to be certain about what college I attended, and it was the best for me. I ended up at Trinity, because Trinity seemed to be the best college where I could thrive as an artist, designer, and a person. I needed working professionals as my professors, I wanted small classes where my voice was heard, and the department allowed me the facilities and space to explore my own artistic practice without inhibition.”

He also said liking art isn’t enough of a reason to major in it. “That’s not good enough,” he said. “Don’t let that discourage you–that’s a start, and that’s where I started. But over time, you need to be able to find other passions and causes for making art. Being an artist allows you to creatively put your voice out into the world, so you need to be conscious about what you put out into the world, and why.”

Boglio also suggests students move at their own pace but never give up. “Be well informed, talk to people who went to different colleges, visit colleges (during the semester and during critiques if you can) and get as much information as you possibly can before you make your decision. Sometimes things don’t work out as hoped, but be mindful and don’t let the pressure get to you. Keep moving, keep learning, and even if you’re unsure, or pick the wrong major, don’t stress. Everything is temporary and nothing is permanent, someone is always willing to help and support you if you reach out for it. Whatever path you take, you got this.”

To learn more about Boglio and his artwork, visit his website.

Trinity is pleased to have the 20th Annual Midwest Harp Festival on campus from July 13-20.

The event will feature four free concerts that are open to the public, including:

–Faculty Concert on Monday, July 15 at 7:30 pm

–Competition Winners Recital on Tuesday, July 16 at 7:30 pm

–Guest Artist Jacqueline Kerrod on Thursday, July 18 at 7:30 pm

–Ensemble Concert on Saturday, July 20 at 11 am

The concerts will take place in Ozinga Chapel Auditorium.

The Midwest Harp Festival is a week-long event that also includes morning ensemble rehearsals, afternoon workshops, a solo competition, and teen activities. About 50 harpists and harp enthusiasts are expected to attend this year’s festival. The 2019 Midwest Harp Festival is sponsored by the Barton Harp Initiative, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.

For more information, visit the Midwest Harp Festival website.

Congratulations to Assistant Professor of Physical Education Shari Jurgens, Ph.D., who recently presented at the International Association for Physical Education in Higher Education (AIESEP) annual conference.

Jurgens spoke on the topic “Motivation to be Physically Active in College Students: Does Previous Athletic Participation Make a Difference?”

The conference took place June 19-22 at Adelphia University in New York. The theme, Building Bridges for Physical Activity and Sport, was chosen to inspire partnerships, connections and shared opportunities for physical education and lifelong physical activity, play and sport through institutions of higher education, schools, and communities.

“The conference was especially fun because it was an international conference, so I was able to make some great connections with other kinesiology professors in higher education around the world,” Jurgens said.

Five Trinity students have been named recipients of the prestigious Maurice VanderVelde Junior Scholarship Awards for 2019-20. These scholarships support outstanding junior or senior students in collaborative research with a Trinity professor in their chosen disciplines.  Serving as a colleague, not as a paid assistant, each Junior Scholar produces a scholarly product for publication or presentation.

The finalists for 2019-20 are:

• Emily Homman – Dr. Abbie Schrotenboer (Biology) – Tracking Water Quality from Smaller Streams to Urban Waterways
• Laura DeVries – Dr. Clay Carlson (Biology) – Gut Microbes and Brain Genes
• James Beyer & Ross Barz – Dr. Michael Bosscher and Dr. Jon VanderWoude (Chemistry) – Fluorescent Protein Lanthanide Binding Affinity

“These projects are important because they demonstrate student and professorial attention to their topics’ relevance in our time and place,” said Professor of Communication Arts Craig Mattson, Ph.D., co-director of the Honors Program. “Emily’s project, for example, along with James’s and Ross’s proposed research suggests a close attention to ecological concerns.   Laura’s project builds on past VanderVelde scholars’ work as well as her own assiduous data-gathering with Dr. Carlson regarding deficits in microbiota.”

Said Assistant Professor of Sociology Lenore Knight Johnson, Ph.D., co-director of the Honors Program, “These scholars are ambitiously and realistically laying out projects that require their best efforts and their hard-won competencies as researchers. Their clear focus, their articulateness, and their commitment to collaborative research enact values deeply held in our community.”

As a community committed to scholarship, the VanderVelde Junior Scholars award helps make possible collaborative research between faculty and students that strengthens and extends our communal concentration on God’s word and God’s world.

The College is excited to announce new leadership in the Office of Alumni and Family Engagement and the Office of Admissions. After 16 years in the Admissions Department, most recently as Executive Director, Jeremy Klyn ’02 has been named Trinity’s new Director of Alumni and Family Engagement. With Klyn’s transition, Jeanine Mozie has been promoted to Director of Admissions.

“We are fortunate to have these talented individuals who will help us increase enrollment, strengthen connections, continue to develop our systems, refine our message, and guide our staff,” said President Kurt D. Dykstra. “These are wonderful opportunities for Jeanine and Jeremy and this is great news for the Trinity community.”

In his new role, Klyn will serve as a key connector between alumni as well as families of current students regarding opportunities at Trinity, including the Troll Nation Network and Legacy Program.

Mozie, who joined Trinity in 2016 as an Admissions Representative, was most recently Director of Admissions Operations for the College. She also spent five years in Jos, Nigeria, as a guidance counselor and teacher for Hillcrest School. Mozie leads a talented Admissions team that is moving forward with significant momentum and an aggressive plan for the next year.

Trinity is pleased to be recognized as a 2019-20 “College of Distinction.” The College was recognized for its exemplary commitment to the four distinctions identified by the Colleges of Distinction organization: engaged students; great teaching; vibrant community; and successful outcomes.

Trinity was also recognized in several other areas, including: a Christian College of Distinction; Education College of Distinction; Business College of Distinction; and a Nursing College of Distinction.

Colleges of Distinction was founded on the premise that there are hundreds of remarkable colleges across the United States, each with a unique strength to offer the next generation of college-bound students.

The Athletics Department at Trinity Christian College has named Allie Paluchniak ’16 as the new head coach of the women’s and men’s golf programs.  Paluchniak comes to Trinity from Wheaton College where she served as the head coach for the women’s golf team for the past two years while also providing coaching support to the men’s golf team and to the women’s basketball team.

“We are elated to name Allie as the new coach for our golf program and also to welcome her back home,” stated Athletics Director Mark Hanna. “From her own experience as a former student-athlete and coach, Allie has a keen understanding of the unique life of an athlete. She has the leadership, character, and vision to grow our golf program and she will join a strong staff of coaches that are cultivating an environment where student-athletes flourish!”

In her two seasons as head women’s golf coach at Wheaton, Paluchniak led the Thunder to a top three conference finish and coached a conference medalist and two additional all-conference golfers.  She handled all operational aspects of the program as well as hosted tournaments and events for the team.

Accepting the coaching position at Trinity, Paluchniak is returning to her alma mater where she received her bachelor’s degree in exercise science in 2016 and was a student-athlete on the women’s basketball team for three seasons.  After graduating, she completed a master’s degree in physical education and athletic administration from the University of Mary in Bismarck, ND while also serving as a graduate assistant for their women’s basketball program. In 2017, she was hired by Wheaton College to serve as their head women’s golf coach and assistant women’s basketball coach.

“I am beyond excited to come back to coach at Trinity,” said Paluchniak. “I know first-hand what an incredible part of the college experience Trinity Athletics can play and I can’t wait to get started working with our athletes! The golf teams have great potential and I look forward to partnering with the athletes as they grow in their faith, on the golf course, and in the classroom.”

In addition to her head coaching responsibilities, Paluchniak will join the women’s basketball coaching staff as an assistant. As a basketball assistant coach at Wheaton, she helped the team to a conference championship title, two NCAA III Tournament bids, and a Top 25 ranking. At the University of Mary, a NCAA II member, she was a part of a program that posted a couple of Top 25 victories and advanced to their conference tournament.

Trinity Christian College is looking forward to welcoming our incoming freshmen students and their families to Blueprints this weekend, June 21-22. Blueprints is a wonderful opportunity to meet other students, faculty, and staff. Incoming freshmen will experience campus life, sleep overnight in the residence halls, sign up for classes, and begin friendships with other new students that will last a lifetime.

Blueprints gives our students a taste of all aspects of the college experience, and they can spend time arranging class schedules, meeting with faculty advisors, and enjoying the range of planned activities.

Here’s the schedule of events:

FRIDAY | June 21, 2019

3:30 pm – 4:30 pm: Arrival and Check-In Jennie Huizenga Memorial Library
2:00 pm – 5:00 pm: Financial Aid Office Open
2:00 pm – 5:00 pm: Business Office Open
3:30 pm – 5:00 pm: Trinity Bookstore Open
3:30 pm – 5:45 pm: Drop in and Take ID Photo

4:00pm – 5:20pm: Break-Out Sessions

• How Do Financial Aid and Financing Work?
• How Do I Study Abroad?
• I’m a Diversity Scholar: What Is My Role?
• My First Class at Trinity: What Is Thrive?
• I’m Living in the Residence Halls: How Can I Live Well With Others?
• I’m a Commuter: What Do I Need to Know?
• What Is Chicago Semester?
• I’m Interested in the Honors Program: What Does that Mean?
• I’m Participating in the Bridge Program: What Does that Mean?
• What is Semester in Spain?

4:45 pm – 5:45 pm: Chicago-Style Dinner
6:00 pm – 6:30 pm:  Opening Welcome
6:30 pm – 7:00 pm: Parent Session
6:30 pm – 7:00 pm:  We are Trollnation (Students Only)
7:00 pm – 7:30 pm:  Doughnut Truck and Refreshments
7:45 pm – 8:30 pm: Blueprints Praise
8:30 pm – 11:00 pm: Late Night Events (Students Only)

SATURDAY | June 22, 2019

7:30 am – 8:20 am: Breakfast
7:45 am – 8:30 am: Check-in for Saturday Arrivals
8:30 am – 9:00 am:  Academic Kick-Off
9:00 am – 10:00 am: Academic Overview Sessions
9:00 am – 1:00 pm: Financial Aid Office Open
9:00 am – 1:00 pm: Trinity Bookstore Open
10:00 am – 11:00 am:  Drop in and Take ID Photo
10:00 am – 10:50 am: All-Athlete Meeting
11:00 am – 1:00 pm:  One-on-One Advising and Registration
11:00 am – 1:00 pm Play NAIA Eligibility Station
11:00 am – 1:00 pm Registrar’s Office Drop-In
11:00 am – 1:00 pm Study Abroad Drop-In

10:00 am – 12:20 pm: Break-Out Sessions

• Counseling and Academic Support: What Services Are Available to Me?
• How Do Financial Aid and Financing Work?
• I’m Living in the Residence Halls: How Can I Live Well With Others?
• Immunizations, Insurance, and Illinois: What Do I Need?
• My First Class at Trinity: What Is Thrive?
• How Do I Get a Job and Pay My Bills?
• How Do I Stay on the “Right” Path?
• How Do I Study Abroad?
• Student Leadership, Internships, and Involvement: What Do Employers Want?
• What Should I Expect on Move-In Day?
• How Do I Access My Student’s Information?
• How Do I Get the Most Out of My Trinity Experience?
• I’m the First in My Family to Attend College: What Support is Available to Me?

11:00 am – 1:00 pm: Model Suites Open House
11:00 am – 1:00 pm: Taqueria Lunch
1:00 pm – 1:30 pm: Closing Session and Farewell
1:30 pm – 2:00 pm: ID Pick-Up

Learn more about Blueprints here!