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From July 17-20, Trinity Christian College will host Camp Reset, a camp run by foreverU to empower high school age students to live louder in their schools and surrounding communities.

“Our hope is that when students depart from Camp Reset, they walk away empowered, equipped, informed, and reset,” said Ryan Hesslau ’18, founder and executive director of foreverU.

The three-night, four-day camp is designed to guide students through three core areas: you, your story, and your impact. Attendees will take part in morning and evening sessions, break-out sessions and discussions, and fun activities, with a single focus–clicking the reset button on their lives, and receiving a refreshed understanding of who they are in the midst of a hurting world. The camp integrates three of foreverU’s core areas of focus, which include youth development, community empowerment, and peer-to-peer support.

Hesslau, an entrepreneurial management major, was inspired to launch Camp Reset by his desire to dedicate summer breaks to serving as a camp counselor. “As a result of leading foreverU full time, I was never able to make the commitment. I thought to myself ‘How cool would it be to just start a camp?’” he said. “One of the other unique moments in the development of Camp Reset is that I actually had get-away camps listed in our original outline of the five-year plan for the organization–it was pretty incredible to see the idea resurface years after our incorporation in 2014.”

As the plans for the overnight camp have evolved, so has the mission of foreverU, which is a certified 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. What began as a movement against bullying, depression, and suicide was rebranded earlier this year into a youth empowerment organization that exists to reduce bullying, division, and students’ suffering.

Camp Reset is open to high school students who are ambitious about making an impact in their surrounding communities and gaining a stronger understanding of the importance of who they are. Registration for Camp Reset is $250 and includes lodging, access to reserved facilities, all meals, a camp shirt, a journal, and other camp materials. Students will stay in the college dorms on Trinity’s campus. To learn more, visit the foreverU website.

Trinity hosted our annual Mathematics Triathlon on April 20—in Palos Heights, Ill. and Grand Rapids, Mich. Along with welcoming approximately 200 7^th and 8^th graders to campus, the College hosted a parallel event at Grand Rapids Christian Middle School, where about 125 students participated.

Trinity professors Christine E. Henle, Dr. David Klanderman, Dr. Mandi Maxwell, Dr. Jeff Nyhoff, and Dr. Sharon Robbert oversaw both triathlons, with the assistance of Trinity students.

Twenty schools from Illinois, Wisconsin, and Indiana participated in the campus event, with one school taking part via Skype from Redlands, Calif., led by their teacher Chad Westenbroek ‘15. Nine schools took part in the Michigan event, including students at New Era Christian School, led by their teacher Alyssa Roon ’16.

This year’s winning schools at the Trinity event included:

1^st place: Timothy
2^nd place: Highland
3^rd place: Brookfield
4^th place: Potter’s Hand Home School

The winning schools of the Michigan events included:

1^st place:  Kalamazoo
2^nd place:  Hudsonville
3^rd place:  Grand Rapids
4^th place:  Legacy

At the Mathematics Triathlon, three major competitive events target individual and collaborative problem solving skills of participants. Competitors begin with a 30-minute individual test consisting of 20 problems of increasing difficulty. The second 30-minute team event is a set of five problems to be solved by a team of three to four students. Following a fun-filled half-time, the third and final competitive event is a relay-type competition where all participants from each school cycle to solve as many “quick-think” problems as possible in a five-minute period. Click here to learn more about the Triathlon.

Trinity recently announced the winners of this year’s annual Catherine Yonker Award, which honors one faculty or staff member and two students for contributions toward accomplishing Christian race relations and cross-cultural understanding within our community.

The 2016-17 honorees are:

Faculty/Staff Awardee:

Dr. Shaniqua Jones, Director of Community Engagement and Diversity Programs

Student Awardees:

Crystal Linzy ’17 and Pierce Cruz ’18

“Please join me and the members of the Ethnic Diversity Committee in congratulating Crystal, Pierce, and Dr. Jones, and thanking them for their dedication, leadership, heart, and passion for pursuing a greater and more visible expression of the beautiful diversity of God’s Kingdom on Earth here at Trinity,” said Prof. Cini Bretzlaff-Holstein, who chairs the College’s Ethnic Diversity Committee.

Along with honoring Jones at a recent event, Trinity also recognized faculty and staff for faithful service:

10 Year Anniversary:

• Diane Brunsting
• Kathryn Davis
• Kris Doorn
• Patricia T. Griffith
• Robert Schutt

15 Year Anniversary

• Carol Bosma
• Ken Boss
• Dennis Harms
• Tina Musolino
• Roger Neitzel
• Diana Pell
• Richard Scanlan
• Rick Snoeyink
• Sandra Taeuber
• Yudha Thianto

20 Year Anniversary

• Norm Limback
• Joan Ooms
• Amy Strong

30 Year Anniversary

• Michael Vander Weele
• Debra Veenstra

Dr. Michael Vander Weele ’73, professor of English, has been named Trinity’s Professor of the Year for 2017-18.

For Vander Weele, whose ties to the College stretch back to 1968, the award came as a delightful surprise. “In my own department alone, I see such strong teaching,” said Vander Weele, who believes the award could more accurately be named “One who loves this Christian learning community and is restless for its improvement.”

The nominating committee cited Vander Weele’s excellence in teaching and scholarship, his strong connection between teaching and scholarship, and his ongoing work that faithfully advances the mission of Trinity Christian College. He was also recognized for his joint commitments to the liberal arts and professional practice.

“We are so excited to present this award to Michael,” said Provost Aaron Kuecker, Ph.D.  “He embodies Trinity’s commitment to educating students to live with wisdom and to contribute in meaningful ways to the flourishing of their communities.”

Vander Weele’s curiosity and ability to keep learning exemplify his teaching, along with the depth and breadth of his discipline. During his sabbatical in 2016, he completed four articles, on Uwem Akpan, Dante, George Herbert, and Marilynne Robinson.

He is also always eager to foster connections and collaborations across disciplines. As one example, he recently worked with students in Trinity’s Student Entrepreneurship Club to sponsor a dunk tank at OPUS 2017 to raise funding to publish a book of student essays, Getting to Know Us: A Tasteful Diversity.

Vander Weele’s connection to Trinity began in 1968, when his father Ed became dean of students and an education professor. Vander Weele began his studies at the College the next year, graduating with an English degree in 1973. He went on to earn a Ph.D. from the University of Iowa. He returned to Trinity to teach in 1986, and he and his father spent several months together as colleagues. Vander Weele’s late wife Albertena ’74 also worked for Trinity as director of the Cooper Center, and their daughter Corenna graduated in 2007.

As 2017-18 professor of the year, Vander Weele will be honored at the May 6 commencement and offer the message at Trinity’s 59^th Annual Convocation this fall.

Acknowledgements from Prof. Vander Weele:

“This award makes me think of all the great professors I had as a Trinity student, some of whom I had the privilege to work with as a colleague when I returned to Trinity thirteen years later.  Former profs Cal Seerveld and Gerda Bos were early mentors whose work prepared me well for graduate work at a Big Ten university one hundred times larger than Trinity.  While Cal and Gerda’s work was matchless, I had many other great profs.  C.T. McIntyre, for example, still teaching and doing research at the University of Toronto, may be the most inspiring lecturer I have ever heard.  We used to wring our hands out leaving his classes, exaggerating a little to show our respect and admiration for the notes we had taken.  What these Trinity profs had in common was the invitation to think with them about questions and issues larger than any one of us.  This shared endeavor may also have been the first time I could put flesh on the concept of “the communion of the saints.”

When I returned to teach at Trinity in 1986, one year had elapsed since Gerda’s retirement but it was her position I was asked to fill.  Looking back now, I’m amazed to see that stepping into her position links me to the founding of the College—one faculty line, 58 years, two full-time professors.  My other two English profs, Dan Diephouse and Grace Huisting, were great colleagues, Grace for a couple of years and Dan for a couple of decades.  He may have received the first Professor of the Year Award, and it was certainly well-deserved.  He served Trinity faithfully for 36 ½ years!  Virginia LaGrand was a treasured and trustworthy colleague.  Bent on justice, she was also the strongest encourager during Albertena’s and our family’s fourteen-year journey with breast cancer.  She also was a strong scholar, ranging from Daniel Defoe to Walker Percy, and spending every Thursday afternoon at Chicago’s famous Newberry Library. 

The English Department I get to work with now is outstanding–Karen Dieleman, our Canadian department chair and scholar with whom I share an office suite and more ideas than with anyone else on campus; and Mark Jones, poet who is also well versed in Shakespeare and anime and jazz piano; and Erick Sierra, energetic teaching-with-technology guru, kick-boxer, and scholar of postcolonial and emergent literature.  I’m proud to be a piece of that segment of the Trinity mosaic, a mosaic which also includes sociologists and historians, philosophers and theologians, communication arts and business profs, artists and scientists who have stretched my thinking and encouraged my work.  The same thing is true for students, whose names are too many to list here, and for four great faculty secretaries I’ve had the privilege to work with, and for administrators and chaplains and student development folks, and for my family.  They have challenged and encouraged me more than they know. ”

With topics spanning biology, racial attitudes, autism, ethics, and more, 12 Trinity students and alumni were selected to present their work at the prestigious National Conference for Undergraduate Research (NCUR) at the University of Memphis from April 6-8, 2017.

The mission of the Council on Undergraduate Research is to support and promote high-quality undergraduate student-faculty collaborative research and scholarship.

Those invited to present their work were:

• Jordan Jousma ’18:  ”The Effect of Co-Culturing H9c2 Cardiomyocytes With Mesenchymal Stem Cells On The Expression Of Cardiac Troponin-T”
• Megan Gjertsen ’19: “Rising Above the Ash: An Analysis of Ash Tree Death Using Drone Technology”
• Madeleine Tjoelker ’18: “Genomic Analysis: A Reflection on Biology, Counseling, and Ethics”
• Cara Horstman ’18; Laura DeVries ’19; and Marie Sonnenburg ’19: “Gastrointestinal Microbiota’s Connection to Autism”
• RebeccaLynn DeVries ’18; Sarah Roddy ’18; and Alyssa Milosz ’18: “What’s Wrong with Being Colorblind? The Role of Social Dominance in Adopting Racial Attitudes”
• Meilani Cruz ’16: “Effects of Attraction and How Individuals Feel They Attract Mates”
• Santana Caicedo ’17 and Emily Philips ’17: “Urban Waterways: Antibiotic Resistance”

NCUR brings together more than 3,500 students and their faculty mentors for a three day conference. NCUR provides students with the opportunity to present their scholarly research in a professional setting and interact with their peers, in addition to meeting with graduate school and corporate recruiters.

Trinity recently welcomed Rahsaan Graham, senior director, child protection and education at World Vision, to campus as the final speaker for the 2017 WorldView series.

Graham addressed the Trinity community at Chapel, where he spoke about “Help from the Sanctuary,” and during an afternoon presentation on “Life in All of Its Fullness.” The theme from his Chapel meditation came from Psalm 20: “May the Lord answer you when you are in distress; may the name of the God of Jacob protect you. May he send you help from the sanctuary and grant you support from Zion.”

Graham spoke of his passion and work helping children around the world, from trying to eliminate child sacrifice in Uganda to stopping family violence in Guatemala. Graham said there are many groups, such as UNICEF, that work to improve the lives of children. However, World Vision brings a uniquely Christian perspective to its mission. Graham told the story of a World Vision employee who was in a Muslim country, when he was asked if he was Christian. Surprised by the question, Graham’s colleague said he was, and asked how the questioner knew. “Christians do this kind of work,” was the reply.

Graham also spoke about the work of World Vision, which is dedicated to protecting and educating the world’s children, particularly the most vulnerable ones. Graham and his team work closely with those in the countries they serve, to ensure they are effectively addressing the right issues. “It’s important for church and Kingdom work to focus on the world’s most vulnerable,” he said.

WorldView is Trinity’s annual community and college series for film, word, current events and music, held at the College. WorldView events are free and the public is welcome. To learn more, visit trnty.edu/worldview

By Brady Otte ’17

On Friday, March 24, the Trinity Business Network (TBN) welcomed veteran business and tech industry leader Patrick Vogt to campus. Vogt, CEO of the National Research Center for College and University Admissions (NRCCUA), served as keynote speaker at a TBN luncheon and met with business students.

As Vogt shared his insights, a persistent theme of “passion” resonated with his audiences. “The most important thing you need is passion,” Vogt told a group of strategic management students, a message he also shared with luncheon attendees. “If you do not have passion, you are wasting your time.”

Passion for entrepreneurship and technology is something that has driven Vogt’s work. Early in his career, Vogt spent several years working for Sony’s e-solutions division, which he played a key role in creating. He has also served as an executive with HP, Dell, and The Weather Channel.

Throughout his career, Vogt’s own passions have evolved. While he is still heavily involved in the tech industry, he is serving in different roles. Vogt said, “I am at the point in my career now where it is more about purpose and mission.” Vogt is currently the CEO of both HealthiNationand NRCCUA. The mission of HealthiNation is to improve the mental and physical well-being of Americans. NRCCUA’s mission is to match prospective students to a college that will fit them best.

Vogt ended his visit at Trinity in BUAD 382’s Lean Startup Class listening to pitches, something he also does in his professional career. During this, class students pitched their startup businesses to a panel of judges including Trinity’s Vice President for Enrollment Rick Riddering, Associate Vice President for Advancement Dennis Harms, Dr. Steve VanderVeen, professor of business and chair of the business department, and Vogt. The judges offered challenging feedback designed to lead students to think critically about what is involved in making their startups successful.

Trinity welcomes Rahsaan Graham as our WorldView guest speaker on April 5, 2017.  Rahsaan Graham is scheduled to speak at Chapel at 10am, and a public lecture at 2pm in the Fireside Room.

Biography

Rahsaan Graham is the Sector Director, Child Protection & Education at WVUS. His role is to provide strategic leadership for program/project management for the private, non-sponsorship portfolio and to lead a team positioned to deliver comprehensive donor and programmatic services for the Child Protection and Education sector. He is responsible for developing the Child protection strategy and business plan for WVUS and lead proposal development to create ministry product offerings that meet priority needs, while ensuring field integration and alignment.

Rahsaan brings more than 12 years of experience in school-, community- and church-based programming focused on at-risk and vulnerable youth populations. He joined World Vision in 2002 and has held multiple positions including Director of Vision Youth Program, Executive Director of US Programs for World Vision New York City, and East Region Director for US Programs.

In addition to his work for World Vision, Rahsaan has been a licensed Pediatric Occupational Therapist for the past 16 years. He has practiced in a variety of inner-city communities and settings and has primarily focused on the early evaluation and treatment of children with physical and socio-emotional disabilities and developmental delays. Rahsaan lives in New York City with his wife Michelle and two daughters. He continues to maintain a small caseload of therapy clients.

Trinity Tuesday set an ambitious goal—collect 300 donations in 24 hours on March 7. Thanks to the generous giving of alumni, staff, faculty, parents, students and friends, that goal was met and surpassed!

By the end of the Trinity Tuesday campaign, 448 donors participated in raising $55,740 for the College.

“I was so thankful for all the fellow alumni and staff who stepped up to make this day a great success,” said Rick VanDyken ’83, vice president for advancement. “The commitment of this group of supporters is an encouragement for the entire campus community.”

Among the highlights of Trinity Tuesday:

• Of the 448 donors, 305 were alumni
• 46 were first-time givers.
• The class of 2014 had the highest number of donors per class year
• Donors hailed from more than half of the 50 states and represented three countries: United States, Canada, and Indonesia

Thanks again to everyone who participated. And if you missed your chance this year, don’t worry—Trinity Tuesday is now an annual event! Next year’s Trinity Tuesday will be Tuesday, March 6, 2018.

To learn more about Trinity Tuesday, click here.