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At the heart of Trinity Christian College lies a community rooted in Christian love. This community has been doing this work for 65 years, aiming to equip students to find their calling and purpose in God’s world. As the College embarks on the next step in this journey, the community came together to celebrate God’s unfailing faithfulness to Trinity.
On Thursday, October 3rd, distinguished guests, faculty, staff, students, and friends of the College gathered in the Ozinga Chapel Auditorium on a beautiful fall afternoon to Celebrate Possibility with the inauguration ceremony of Trinity’s 9th President, Rev. Dr. Aaron J. Kuecker.
Christian Perry ’16 opened the ceremony with a warm welcome and invocation. He reflected on his more than a decade at Trinity, first as a student and now as a member of the Board of Trustees. He proclaimed, “Today is a good day,” as he shared how President Kuecker’s leadership continues Trinity’s longstanding legacy and is shaping its future for good. The invocation was followed by a powerful version of “You are Good” performed by Trinity’s student worship team.
Board of Trustees Chair Emeritus Cal Tameling ’72 took the podium to recognize the past Presidents of Trinity Christian College and reflected on God’s faithfulness over the past 65 years. Tameling also recognized the classes of ’73 and ’74, who were in attendance as they held their 50th reunion on campus to Celebrate Legacy. In introducing President Kuecker, he stated, “[his] confirmation as President of Trinity comes during an exciting time for the College, as Trinity has launched a set of strategies aimed at radically reducing student loan debt while creating innovative approaches to student wellbeing and vocational formation.”
Board of Trustees Chair-Elect Ken Dryfhout, ’03, presented President Kuecker with the Medallion, part of the tradition passed down from the previous presidents. As he placed the Medallion, he said, “Aaron, the presidency at Trinity Christian College requires steadfast faith in Christ, vision of God’s abundant world, generosity of gift, humility for partnership, and wisdom of leadership. We have seen in you God’s gifting and equipping for such a time as this.”
The ceremony’s keynote speaker was Rev. Dr. Victoria White. A writer, pastor, designer, coach, facilitator, and teacher, Dr. White serves as Managing Director of Grants and Awards at Leadership Education at Duke Divinity, where she cultivates and supports innovative Christian institutions and their leaders.
Dr. White, a friend of President Kuecker’s, shared stories of their holy friendship throughout the years and how she reacted when he told her that he had accepted the position of President at Trinity Christian College. She talked about how President Kuecker’s humble servant leadership will be a breath of fresh air in higher education and shared stories of how his vastly different view of seeing abundance in the world versus scarcity will set Trinity Christian College on a path to thrive for many years.
Members of the community joined President Kuecker on stage and gave a spirit-filled covering of prayer and commissioning by Cynthia Coffey ’12, Director of Adult and Graduate Admissions; Dr. Mario Guzman, Associate Professor of Psychology; Tyren Brown, class of 2025; and Rev. Chad De Jager, member of the Board of Trustees.
Vice President for Student Life, Dr. Leah Fulton, shared quotes from the community about President Kuecker’s commitment to the College—several spoke of his joyful, hope-filled leadership and making students his work priority. One quote says, “Not only has [Aaron] led careful and strategic thinking about the direction of the college, but he has put the students, staff, and faculty at the center of his forward thinking. Aaron cares deeply for this community. Most importantly, he cares about the ways this community is a picture of Christ and the church working to bring redemption to all areas of creation through our individual and collective work.”
In a touching moment, the Chief of Staff, Jeanine Mozie, presented a commissioned artwork titled “Connection” by senior student Hope McIntosh ’25.
The exquisite artwork was described as a mosaic of Aaron’s leadership, stating, “This painting has many layers, representing the underlying connections and invisible strings that are present yet not always seen. This painting holds a silent image of a tree, which is only seen when sought out. This painting resembles a mosaic or stained-glass window or puzzle, showing that we are all connected to one another. Connection. It surrounds us. We are all connected in God’s perfect Kingdom.”
Overwhelmed with gratitude and humbled, President Kuecker took the podium for his inaugural address. He started by saying, “There is a lovely line at the end of the book of John that states, about Jesus, “Jesus did many other things if every one of them were written down, I supposed that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.”
He added, “I suppose that is how I feel with my gratitude, in this moment, right now. There is so much gratitude and so many people I am grateful for in this moment, and if I spent my time telling you how grateful I am, I would go on too long.”
He continued by sharing his vision for Trinity Christian College, laying out the plan to continue the work that has begun in the Transformative Colleges Initiative, which launched at the start of his leadership in 2022 and focuses on the whole wellbeing of the student and provides access to all who seek to pursue Christian higher education. “My consistent prayer for our community is that we will contribute to a campus in which powerful teaching, a posture of love, and transformed structures work together to bear witness to Jesus and the fullness of God’s kingdom,” stated Kuecker.
At the conclusion of the inaugural address, the concert choir, gospel choir, and student worship team led the congregation in the worship song “Goodness of God.”
Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Jerome Douglas, offered the benediction before the recessional. Guests were met with a beautiful and bountiful reception catered by Metz Culinary Management in the Grand Lobby, offering the community a unique time of fellowship and connection.
Later in the afternoon, a story-sharing session with neighborhood partners and newly inaugurated President Kuecker in the Chapel Auditorium came together to Celebrate Collaboration. The panel group took questions from the audience and talked about the recently launched collaborations with the College that have positively impacted reducing student debt and enhancing wellbeing.
The day of events capped off with Celebrate Creativity in the second-floor lobby of the Art and Communication Center, where a recent installment of artwork from Calvin and Inés Seerveld’s personal collection was unveiled. Emeriti faculty members John Bakker and Michael Vander Weele hosted the reception, which included talks about the nine works in the original donation.
Professor Calvin Seerveld was a founding faculty member of Trinity Christian College. He taught philosophy from 1959 to 1972 when he and Inés moved to Toronto so he could work at the Institute for Christian Studies. Professor Seerveld’s transformative vision deeply influenced the College, its curriculum, and its students. The show will remain open Monday through Friday through October 18th from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
On Friday, October 4th, the community gathered again to Celebrate Faithfulness at Friday’s weekly chapel service. Rev. Chad De Jager delivered the message centered on God’s consistent faithfulness to Trinity Christian College.
Later in the afternoon on Friday, the student’s annual Octrollerfest came together to Celebrate Fun, with events that continued through the weekend with flag football and a tailgate party on Saturday. Throughout the two days, students enjoyed time with outdoor games, activities, a petting zoo, and a bonfire with fellow students to wrap up the celebration. Trinity’s beloved Troll joined the fun with a party in honor of the Troll’s 65th birthday.
As a fitting way to end the two days packed with events celebrating Trinity, members from all over the community came together to Celebrate Wonder at a masquerade-themed evening at Brookfield Zoo. The gala brought together alumni, faculty, staff, students, and friends of the College for a night of fun and fellowship that benefited student scholarship. It helped secure the legacy for the next generation of Trinity students by raising over $125,000, showcasing God’s continual goodness to the College.
“We had a beautiful night celebrating 65 years of Trinity,” said Vice President for Advancement, Mackenzi Huyser. “Our student emcees shared incredible stories about their time at Trinity and how significant the scholarship support they received has been to their journeys. Thank you to all who have made the Trinity experience possible for these amazing students.”
Huyser concluded, “The last two days’ events brought so many people to campus to celebrate 65 years of Trinity. It was a joy to see former Presidents, emeriti faculty, staff, community members, and students gathered to mark such an important time in the life of Trinity. As an alum, former faculty member, and now a staff member, I was so incredibly proud to celebrate the history and future of this amazing place.”
The two-day celebrations showcased remarkable events highlighting the institution’s rich history and future potential. Rev. Dr. Aaron Kuecker’s presidential inauguration marked a significant moment of possibility for welcoming new leadership and embracing the vision for the future. As the community gathered to celebrate legacy, collaboration, creativity, faithfulness, fun, and wonder together, these events exemplified a journey of transformation while honoring the institution’s past and securing its future for generations.
Click here to see more photos of the 65th celebration and inauguration events.
Thank you to our Celebrate 65 Sponsors:
Trinity Christian College has achieved a significant milestone by securing its first National Science Foundation (NSF) grant. This grant, awarded to support the 2025 Workshop on Data for Good for Education (D4G4ED), is a testament to our commitment to academic excellence and professional development. The news of this grant, received just after the start of the academic year, is a cause for celebration for the Trinity community.
In its second year, D4G4ED is meant to further the idea that every data science classroom can be a source of good work in the world. This serves as a professional development opportunity for all instructors seeking to engage their students more deeply through meaningful social good projects within a classroom setting. The workshop is meant to inspire, educate, and, most importantly, allow faculty the chance to share and prepare materials for use within their own teaching context, featuring keynote speakers, ideas and innovation sessions, networking with other instructors, and sessions about data for good teaching practices.
“We have never been awarded an NSF grant before. Part of this process was a long series of paperwork that Ashleigh Velasquez, Controller at Trinity, diligently completed this summer – a big thanks to her and the team that got this completed,” stated Karl R.B. Schmitt, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Computing and Data Analytics Chair at Trinity. Most of the grant funds will support faculty and graduate student participation and pay for speakers, event logistics, and activities.
One of the key components of increasing persistence and success for the current generation of college students is connecting their coursework to meaningful change or outcomes. The D4G4ED workshop, by supporting faculty in developing their teaching to better incorporate the Data for Social Good (DSG) movement, is not just about our community. It’s about making a difference at the grassroots level in our society and promoting the broad applicability of data science.
Whether instructors are just starting their journey or have been supporting social good for years, D4G4ED deepens thinking, provides new lenses for projects, and broadens support networks for helping students engage in meaningful work from a data science perspective.
“The big idea is that data for good can, and should, be incorporated deeply into educational practices within data science,” added Dr. Schmitt. “This grant is an exciting opportunity to merge my academic work of teaching data science with my faith and passion for bringing about God’s vision for the world through data and social good.”
Dr. Schmitt plans to pursue further NSF funding in the long term. He hopes that, in collaboration with a team at Trinity, this will lead to more great opportunities directly related to supporting Trinity students for years to come.
Click here to learn more about the Computing and Data Analytics Program at Trinity Christian College.
An education from Trinity Christian College does not just change lives—our graduates go on to flourish in their vocations. 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 2025, including among the Top Regional Colleges Midwest, #13 in Social Mobility, and Best Value in the Midwest.
U.S. News uses multiple criteria for its highly regarded rankings. To be named among the “Best Colleges,” Trinity was rated for its graduation and retention rates, social mobility, academic reputation, student selectivity, financial resources, alumni giving, and graduate debt, among other factors.
“We take pride in the work we do at Trinity, equipping our students to thrive during their time here and well into their futures, said President Aaron Kuecker. So, it is gratifying when external organizations recognize these accomplishments and how we stand out amongst institutions in our region. Trinity continues to take bold, unique, and courageous action based on our convictions about God’s world and beyond. These are exciting times at Trinity, and we are honored to share this journey with our community.”
Along with the U.S. News rankings, many organizations frequently recognize Trinity for preparing students for their vocation and calling. The College’s honors include being named a College of Distinction, one of the safest colleges in Illinois by Niche.com, and routinely ranked as the best BSN program in Illinois.
“Once again, this recognition reflects the unwavering dedication of our faculty and staff, who serve the Trinity learning community with exceptional passion and excellence,” said Jerome Douglas, Vice President for Academic Affairs. “We have remarkable students deeply committed to their education, and we are proud to support them as they pursue their vocations at Trinity.”
Trinity recently launched its Transformative Colleges Initiative (TCI). TCI is an effort to work with our students, partners, and neighborhoods to do college differently. Trinity is pursuing a model that reimagines higher education and is looking to invite other institutions to join us in this journey. We are saying, “Let’s transform higher education together to be more affordable and accessible to students in the greater Chicago area and beyond.”
Trinity Christian College continues to lead the way in Christian higher education with innovative thinking and a relentless focus on student success, belonging, and support.
Trinity Christian College cultivates a tight-knit community centered around a shared faith and the promotion of spiritual and intellectual development among its students. The College offers a range of opportunities for students to examine and reinforce their faith, both within the academic setting and beyond. Through participating in community activities and open conversations, students are given the space to learn from the diverse experiences and beliefs of others.
The faculty and staff play a crucial role in creating a supportive environment rooted in Christian love. One student, Carvell Anderson, ’26, highlights his personal growth, expressing, “Trinity has facilitated my spiritual development by providing me with different perspectives and a sense of community. The theology department and my peers have posed challenging questions that have compelled me to assess my beliefs and their foundations.”
Aside from in-class conversations, Trinity offers students various ways to strengthen their faith, including weekly chapel services, Bible studies, and chances to actively engage in worship. Sarah Shinsato, ’25, reflects on her transformational experience as a chapel intern, saying, “Serving as a chapel intern for the past two years has been an especially transformative experience. This role has deepened my involvement in campus spiritual life and allowed me to actively participate in planning and leading services.”
Adhering to its longstanding traditions, Trinity provides a nurturing environment for students to explore and enrich their faith. Through classroom discussions, community activities, and diverse opportunities for active participation in worship, students have reported deeper and more compelling experiences. This faith-driven and supportive atmosphere contributes to personal growth and spiritual formation, which continues to set Trinity apart as a special place.
As a Christian institution, we are committed to keeping Jesus Christ at the center of all we do. We want to grow in our Christian faith as we bear witness to God’s transforming power that truly changes who we are and how we live.
Join us weekly on Tuesday and Friday mornings from 10:40 to 11:15 a.m. in the Ozinga Chapel Auditorium. Each week, students, faculty, staff, and the community can find encouragement with worship songs representing a variety of styles, a brief message, and a time of fellowship in the Grand Lobby. Our chapel program strives to represent our campus community—all are welcome! The Fall 2024 Chapel Series is By the Power of His Spirit.
-Mary (Honey) Mathieu ’27
Trinity Christian College is committed to the flourishing of its students through innovative programs that focus on the wellbeing of all students. This summer, Trinity launched the inaugural Empower First Program, a transformative opportunity designed specifically for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color), FGLI (First-Generation and Low-Income), and students from Chicago-based CBOs (Community-Based Organizations).
The Empower First Program supports students through a paid 8-week summer internship, which helps to create a pathway to success. Throughout the program, students are paired with mentors who are professionals within their prospective fields. Students can take a professional seminar course alongside their internship for credit or as an audited class. These experiences provide students involved in the Empower First Program with opportunities for professional growth and financial wellbeing.
Trinity student Vanessa Angulo ’26 completed her internship through Empower First at the Rosemoor Community Association this past summer. She also accepted a 3-day co-op at Bethshan as an Adult Studies Student. After participating in the Empower First Program, Angulo reflects positively on this experience because it “profoundly impacted her life by encouraging her to step outside of her comfort zone.”
Stepping into a new internship can be intimidating for college students. However, with the help of a strong support system, students like Angulo learn to grow in their confidence and abilities while on the job. As Angulo best describes it, “Our course instructor specifically advised me against undervaluing my abilities, urging me to fully embrace and showcase my experiences to demonstrate my capabilities.” Rocio Mendez-Roco, Dean of Student Success and instructor of the Empower First Program, was praised by the students for the excellence and care she put into walking alongside the first cohort of the Empower First Program.
Angulo reflected on what stood out most to her as part of the program, and she pointed out the importance of the weekly seminar course. It was a time set aside each week that allowed her to connect with students in the cohort who had similar experiences over the summer as they all worked an 8-week internship. As Angulo states, “My favorite aspect of the program was the opportunity to connect with fellow students and serve as a support system for one another.”
She highly recommends that other students participate in this program in the future because Empower First “not only provides a means to maintain income while participating, but it also addresses the challenge of balancing life responsibilities with internship opportunities.” College students often spend their summers working, and Empower First allows them to do this while also receiving great networking opportunities.
The inaugural Empower First cohort learned and grew together over the summer semester. Students like Angulo are grateful that Trinity’s Empower First Program exists and look forward to seeing other students benefit from it for many years to come.
Click here to learn more about the Empower First Program and more.
In a recent story featured in the Arts section of the Chicago Tribune, Trinity Christian College Professor of Art and Design Ryan Thompson was featured for his latest book, AH AH, Conscience Letters and Photographs from the Haleakalā and Hawai’i Volcanoes National Parks. AH AH is the second book in a series of art books by Thompson showcasing the small acts of grace, or “conscience letters,” as some national parks call them, which are mailed to national parks along with the stones, sand, bark, and more that tourists took, young and old alike.
He is quoted in the article as saying, “Some people who write these letters say stuff like ‘This was so beautiful, I couldn’t help myself, I needed a memento,’ which is kind and honest. Maybe they’re trying to use this rock or whatever to connect themselves to a favorite place long after a trip — its what souvenirs do. But the irony is they also sit on shelves, get forgotten, then fail at that job.”
Click here to read the full article and follow this link to secure your copy of Thompson’s latest book.
As students return to campus for the new academic year, shopping carts rolling across the pavement, filled with dorm room essentials, is always a welcome sound at Trinity. During the late summer season, student-athletes, first-year, transfer, and returning students made their way back to campus after a summer of preparation by faculty and staff.
In early August, student-athletes were the first to arrive back on campus. The fields and courts were ready, and coaches had planned for practices and prep work for their teams. Andrea Salgado, ’26, a marketing major and women’s soccer team member, was happy to be back on campus and with her team. “I am excited for the season ahead. We made it to the NAIA opening round last year, but I think we will go farther this year. It’s good to be back with the team,” she said.
The Trinity Trolls kicked off their fall sports season with home games by the women’s volleyball team and the men’s and women’s soccer teams, both of which saw big wins despite the record-breaking heat.
On a mid-summer day in August, the Student Life Team at Trinity wore their signature move-in day shirts and prepared for first-year students and their families to arrive and settle into their dorms. The students were welcomed by cheerful student leaders, faculty, and staff. First-year THRIVE students enjoyed planned activities and time to get to know their fellow students and roommates. By the end of the first weekend, it was apparent that lifetime friendships were beginning to form.
Troy Schemper, Dean of Students, said, “We always love to welcome students and the energy they bring to campus. And a move-in experience with beautiful weather added to the already wonderful day.”
As the College prepares to celebrate its 65th anniversary, the 66th annual Convocation ceremony kicked off the official start of the academic year. This year’s speaker was Dr. Timothy Hendrickson, the 2024-2025 Professor of the Year. He reminded students, faculty, staff, and administration not to be blinded by the past but to look forward to the future. He urged listeners always to remember, “We are little but fierce.”
As Trinity sets its path toward transformative initiatives to enhance the future of its students, the new academic year is already off to a great start. Whether athletes are preparing for their sport, professors are prepping for their classes, or students are seeking knowledge for their vocation, every part of Trinity is poised to find success in this new year.
Click here to learn more about the programs at Trinity Christian College.
Seasoned Adults Learning at Trinity (SALT) aims to provide meaningful experiential learning experiences for adults 50+. With over 120 members, this program has been making a difference in the community for 20 years.
Dewoun Hayes, Trinity’s Assistant Director of Advancement Services and the SALT Program states that the program’s mission is to “provide an enriching and stimulating learning environment through classroom content, field trips, and workshops that are catered to the personal enrichment of its members.”
SALT workshops typically have 15-20 students and are 90 minutes long. Course topics range from history, which is a popular favorite among members, to religion and even birding. Professors who teach undergraduate courses at Trinity and community partners instruct these workshops.
There are many benefits to being a SALT member. Discounted meals in the College’s dining hall, the opportunity to obtain a listener’s pass, which allows members to sit in on traditional undergraduate courses for free, and the option to receive discounted tickets to the Illinois Philharmonic and Southwest Symphony Orchestras, are just a few of those offered. It is simple to register for the program year-round and only requires a small annual membership fee of $25.
Hayes believes becoming a member of SALT is a worthwhile investment because it is a “great program for life-long learners who want to stay enlightened and inspired.”
Click here to learn more about the SALT Program at Trinity Christian College. You can also call 708-293-4570 or email salt@trnty.edu.
Mary (Honey) Mathieu ’27
Summer is the perfect time for students to pursue their passions while continuing to tend to their wellbeing. Whether working, traveling to a new place, or volunteering for their favorite non-profit organization, students continue to develop their personal and vocational skills during the summer. Trinity encourages its students to continuously seek growth, even when school is not in session.
Trinity student Adriana Veliz ’27 is spending part of her summer working for Altar’d State, a company where she enjoys her work and feels empowered. Veliz says her favorite part of working is “being able to spend time with her coworkers, as every person who works there makes it a special place to be.” She knows everyone has a role to play as part of a team, which greatly influences the work experience. She is grateful to have found a place of work that brings her joy and fulfillment.
Through many of its initiatives, the College encourages students to find a work culture that supports work-life balance, allowing them to care for their wellbeing. Even with her work schedule, Veliz can still find time to invest in her friendships throughout the summer. This time spent further developing relationships with her co-workers and other friends has left Veliz feeling grateful for her working experience so far.
Veliz is passionate about her job at Altar’d State, as it allows her to grow in ways she had not thought were possible. She is grateful that she took the leap and applied for the job. When asked what advice she would give other students thinking about a new job, she said, “Go for it! Find a job you are passionate about, and keep an open mind. After all, you might end up meeting some very special people like I did.”
Like Veliz, students at Trinity are given the tools to be successful in the classroom and beyond, giving way to success and fulfilling vocations through initiatives like Wellbeing and Earn, Network, and Learn. Click here to learn more about these and other transformative initiatives at Trinity Christian College.