Archives: News Stories

The Calvin Studies Society is dedicated to the writings, life, and times of John Calvin. And beginning in 2019, Dr. Yudha Thianto, Ph.D., professor of theology and department chair at Trinity, will serve as the society’s president for a two-year term.

“The Calvin Studies Society brings together pastors and scholars who are seriously studying John Calvin and Calvinism in general,” said Thianto, who currently serves as the organization’s vice president and program chair. “The society is unique in linking pastors as well as scholars. It doesn’t just focus on academic studies, but how that impact is felt in the church.”

The society launched in 1976. Thianto has been involved since working on his doctorate at Calvin Theological Seminary, which he completed in 2003. Society members have phone meetings and meet in person during the annual Sixteenth Century Society and Conference.

The Calvin Studies Society also hosts a colloquium every two years. The 2019 meeting, which has the theme “Calvin and the Old Testament,” will take place at Trinity from April 11-13. “The colloquium brings together pastors and academics, including many of our members who engage in both professions, for an invigorating exploration of a particular theme related to Calvin and the Reformed tradition,” he said. “Each year’s presentations are then brought together into an edited volume and published by an academic press.”

Presenters at the 2019 colloquium will include Dr. Michael Vander Weele, professor of English at Trinity, who will speak on the topic “Calvin & Theological Grounds for a Rhetorical Aesthetics: A Reading of Deuteronomy and the Ten Commandments.”

At Trinity, our Communication Arts students learn to effectively listen, write, and speak in all aspects of their lives. And two of our CommArts professors recently demonstrated their skills in these areas through publishing articles in prestigious journals.

Dr. Bethany Keeley-Jonker, Ph.D., associate professor communication arts, along with Jamie Laundau, recently published an essay in the Quarterly Journal of Speech. The article, “Conductor of public feelings: An affective-emotional rhetorical analysis of Obama’s national eulogy in Tucson.” The article explores how orators can engage apparently uncontrollable public feelings—in this instance, by taking a detailed look at the address that President Barack Obama delivered on Jan. 12, 2011, following the near-fatal shooting of U.S. Congresswoman Gabrielle “Gabby” Giffords.

Dr. Craig Mattson, Ph.D., professor of communication arts, also recently published an essay, “A Better Feeling for Making the World Better? TOMS’s Tropes and the Buy-One-Give-One Mode,” in Rhetoric Society Quarterly. This essay explores how social enterprises such as the apparel company TOMS can generate affective investment in consumers at a time when many shoppers are fatigued by cause-related messaging.

“Our work is mutually supported, often conferred over in departmental conversation, and much discussed with students,” said Mattson.

Congratulations to Dr. Keeley-Jonker and Dr. Mattson!

Ken Boss’s story with Trinity began in 1967, when he spent a year as a student here. It picked up again in 2001, when he returned to the College as Director of Planned Giving. In between, Boss got married, served in the Vietnam War, raised a family, spent several decades in the insurance industry, and volunteered in many different capacities. Now, as Boss plans to formally retire to a reduced role at Trinity, the College was pleased to present him with an honorary bachelor degree at commencement on May 5.

“To receive this honorary degree is without a doubt the highlight of my professional and academic career,” said Boss. “Trinity has given me a place, a purpose, and a position for which I will be forever grateful. Thank you for the opportunity to express my sincere gratitude for the privilege of serving this great community committed to shaping lives and transforming culture.”

“When Ken Boss joined us back in 2001, we were looking for a person with a commitment to Christian higher education, focused on Kingdom building, with integrity and a strong work ethic. Ken fit the position perfectly and has given Trinity excellent effort ever since he started. Our planned giving and church relations programs continues to grow and impact the College.” Rick VanDyken, VP for Advancement.

Boss was born in the Englewood neighborhood of Chicago and moved to South Holland, Ill., when he was four. He attended Illiana Christian High School, and then enrolled at Trinity in 1967. “It was a very formative year,” Boss said. “I came to understand Trinity’s focus on developing a worldview and finding my place in God’s world.”

Boss was interested in computer science, which was not a degree that Trinity offered at the time. So he transferred to a community college his sophomore year, and married his wife Margie in February 1969. That August, he received his draft notice. That December, they welcomed Dawn, the first of their three children. “At that point, deferments had been scaled back,” he said. “My faith was challenged, but God had a plan and God brought me home.”

When Dawn was eight days old, Boss left for Vietnam. After serving in Vietnam, he completed his tour at Fort Bragg in North Carolina and returned home in 1972. Boss took a job in the insurance industry, where he worked for the next 30 years. Soon, Tina and Eric joined the family.

In 2001, Boss was considering the next steps in his career. He met with Rick VanDyken, then Trinity’s vice president for development and executive assistant to the president. “It was an exciting time to be at Trinity. Ozinga Chapel had just been completed, and construction on the Heritage Science Center had just begun,” Boss said. “So, I decided to return ‘home’.” In 2011, he added the roles of major gifts officer and church relations work.

“It’s been very rewarding developing relationships, and particularly seeing the impact of scholarships and donors’ commitment to estate gifts,” he said. “Such gifts allow our faithful supporters to be remembered after they are gone.”

In his time at Trinity, Boss said the greatest changes have been the growth in new programs and the addition of facilities. The future will continue to be exciting, with the expansion beyond campus to places such as 1871 in downtown Chicago. “It’s been very rewarding to see,” he said. “It’s also been rewarding to work with such dedicated and talented colleagues in the Advancement Department and throughout the Trinity community.”

Boss will gradually wind down his duties at Trinity, switching from full-time to part time work. That will give him more time to spend on his hobbies, such as cycling, hiking, and photography, and his volunteer work, which includes serving as a Stephen Ministry leader. As he and Margie prepare to celebrate their 50^th anniversary, he will also have more time to spend with his family, which now consists of eight grandchildren, including one Trinity alumnus Josh Stammis ’17.

Congratulations to the Trinity Trolls baseball team, who competed in the NAIA National Tournament! The Trolls were seeded fifth in the Opening Round in the Kingsport, Tenn., bracket. They earned the tournament spot after winning the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference (CCAC) tournament.

The team lost its first tournament game on May 14 to Clarke University of Dubuque, Iowa, 7-4. The Trolls came back to win a thriller against Madonna University of Livonia, Mich. Trailing at the bottom of the ninth, the Trolls tied the game and, with the bases loaded, executed a successful suicide squeeze play to win 7-6.

The Trolls faced Clarke again on Tuesday evening. After a rain delay, the Trolls fell in an 8-1 defeat. With the loss, the team was eliminated from the tournament. The Trolls ended their season with a 35-23 record.

The team’s post-season play in the Opening Round was the baseball program’s second NAIA national tournament appearance.

Dr. Shaniqua Jones, Director of Community Engagement and Diversity Programs, and Dr. Kara Wolff, Director of the Graduate Program in Counseling Psychology, presented at the annual Illinois Association for Multicultural Counseling (IAMC) Conference on May 4, 2018. The IAMC is a division of the Illinois Counseling Association that brings together counselors in professional practice with the goal of promoting culturally competent practice.

Their presentation was titled “Building Therapeutic Strength Through Vulnerability”. The session focused on the ways in which restorative justice practices, a process that engages participants in the development of empathy and vulnerability, can be beneficial for counselors.

In the session, participants engaged in a restorative justice circle, an interactive experience that allows each person to consider the ways in which restorative work is needed in their own lives as well as the lives of those around them. The process highlights the ways that empathy and vulnerability can help to humanize those who have been dehumanized.

“Our time at the conference was a rich opportunity to connect with other counseling professionals in Illinois,” said Dr. Wolff. “It is a great example of the extensive cross-disciplinary work we do here at Trinity.”

Every year, Trinity recognizes faculty and staff who reach special milestones in their work with the College. This year’s annual staff and faculty recognition event took place on May 7.

“Those being recognized have a combined 320 years of service to the College,” said President Kurt. D. Dykstra, J.D. “That is a wonderful testament to this place and these people.”

Anniversaries

35 Years of Service

• John Bakker, Professor of Art & Design
• Burt Rozema, Director of Off-Campus Programs

30 Years of Service

• Helen Van Wyck, Professor of Music; Director of Choral Activities

25 Years of Service

• Nancy Fox, Social Work Program Director for Chicago Semester

20 Years of Service

• Joy Meyer, Associate Professor or Education

15 Years of Service

• Kevin Jacobs, Director of Technology Systems
• Mark Jones, Professor of English
• Jeremy Klyn, Director of Admissions
• Craig Mattson, Professor of Communication Arts
• James Nelson, Security Officer
• Doug Van Wyngarden, Director of Technology Support
• Andy Voss, Lab Manager

10 Years of Service

• Rebecca Burwell, Professor for Chicago Semester
• Nate Laning, Director of Advancement Services
• Tom Roose, Associate Professor of Physics and Science Education
• Bill Schepel, Women’s Volleyball Coach
• Laura Schutt, Bookstore Manager
• Bill VanGroningen, Chaplain and Dean of Spiritual Formation
• Ryan Zantigh, Director of Financial Aid

Catherine Yonker Award

The Catherine Yonker Award is awarded every year to two students and one faculty or staff member for contributions toward accomplishing Christian race relations, and cross-cultural understanding within the Trinity community.

During the luncheon, Troy Schemper, director of student programs, received this year’s Yonker award from Cini Bretzlaff-Holstein, DSW, assistant professor of social work on behalf of Trinity’s Campus Diversity & Unity Committee.

At Trinity, we believe in focusing all our efforts on God, good, and the world. As part of Trinity’s global vision, the College recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with South-East Asia Bible Seminary Malang, which is known as Seminari Alkitab Asia Tenggara (SAAT) in Indonesian. SAAT is located in Malang, Java, Indonesia.

Trinity President Kurt D. Dykstra, J.D., and SAAT President Martus Adinugraha Maleachi, Ph.D., signed the MoU in Trinity’s Vermeer Fireside Room on Thursday, May 3.

“This is an important event that ties the relationship between the two international institutions,” said Dr. Yudha Thianto, Ph.D., professor of theology and department chair. Thianto, an Indonesian native, has served as a visiting professor at SAAT several times. Dr. Mark Peters, Ph.D., professor of music, is currently spending his sabbatical teaching at SAAT and has been writing about his experiences.

A non-denominational seminary, SAAT currently has 257 Indonesian-speaking students and 47 Mandarin-speaking students. Founded in 1952, SAAT is a faith-based, non-denominational seminary that offers bachelor of arts degrees in theology and theology with a church music concentration; as well as master of divinity and master of theology degrees. Along with the main campus in Malang, SAAT has a ministry center in Jakarta.

With excited hope for the future and fond looks back at their time here, Trinity 2018 graduates and family, friends, and faculty celebrated commencement on May 5.

“This graduating class represents a dream fulfilled,” Shirley Stavinga, the daughter of College Founder Dr. George DeJong, told graduates. “You are God’s children, and this gives you a unique opportunity. This is just what the founders prayed and planned for. You are their legacy,” said Stavinga, whose father passed away on April 8 at the age of 100.

The graduates who received bachelor’s and master’s degrees and professional licensures are ready to make their impact for God, for good, and for the world in a variety of occupations and academic pursuits.

“Graduation and finishing up my last semester of college is definitely overwhelming, but in the best way,” said Casey Huisenga, a business marketing major who has a full-time position with the University of Chicago after graduation. “I’m so grateful that I got to experience both academic and professional development, as well as personal and spiritual growth.”

Sarah Tews, who received a Bachelor of Social Work degree, will be continuing her studies at graduate school at Aurora University. Chanel Odom-Jones, who majored in psychology, political science, and communication arts, is starting a job in Washington, D.C., working for a New Jersey senator. Zachary Austell, a marketing major, has a position with Enterprise Rent-a-Car. Caleb Jonkman, a business communication major, will remain a part of the Trinity community when he starts working  full-time in the Advancement Department. “I’m excited to use my gifts for the College,” he said.

The graduation ceremony began with a welcome from Robert Buikema, chair of Trinity’s Board of Trustees. Omar Sweiss, J.D., LL.M., assistant professor of business, gave the invocation and urged graduates to use their eyes, ears, and hearts.

Trinity’s Gospel Choir, led by Director Nicole Saint-Victor, performed “Wave Medley” by Jeremy Simpson, as well as “You are My Strength” by William Murphy.

President Kurt D. Dykstra, J.D., spoke of DeJong’s legacy and introduced Stavinga. Stavinga shared her memories of how the College was transformed from the Navajo Hills Golf and Country Club to Trinity Christian College and of her father’s dedication and commitment.

“Our father was the last living founder of Trinity Christian College, and he was very personally interested in what happened at Trinity,” she said. “In all the time since the first class arrived–almost 60 years ago–he offered his fervent prayers, and his support never wavered. He thanked God for the blessings that Trinity has received. He sang the praises of the many people working behind the scenes, the professors, the staff, our capable presidents, and the students who worked hard to learn and reflect God’s love in their lives. This is what he cherished most.”

Trinity’s Provost Dr. Aaron J. Kuecker, Ph.D., then presented the Professor of the Year award to Dr. Clay Carlson, Ph.D., associate professor of biology. Kuecker spoke of Carlson’s excellent and creative teaching, investment in undergraduate research, and his own research. “His Christian commitment and professional excellence pervade every corner of his work,” Kuecker said.

Kuecker also presented an honorary bachelor’s degree to Kenneth Boss ex ’71, Trinity’s director of planned giving, to a standing ovation from graduates and faculty.

Aaron Johnson ’18 provided the benediction.