Archives: News Stories

-Mary (Honey) Mathieu ‘27

As a transfer student with a quadruple major in criminal justice, English, social work, and psychology, I can attest to the many opportunities Trinity provides its students. School has always been my safe place, and Trinity has provided me with the academic rigor I had hoped for in my classes upon transferring, especially in Honors Program courses.

My classes challenge me in ways that I have never been challenged before. One of my favorite classes that I have taken at Trinity thus far is Restorative Justice with Dr. Connelly. In this course, we learn about restorative justice principles and practices, which will be extremely helpful for my future career as a social worker, advocate, and author who hopes to work in the child welfare field.

My favorite part about the College is its Wellbeing Wednesdays Initiative. I have struggled with my mental health, and having wellness promoted on campus was one of the major reasons I chose to transfer to Trinity. Having Wednesdays off from classes allows me to maintain a schedule filled with opportunities.

During my first semester here, I took advantage of the Co-Op Program, which allowed me to have a paid internship with Streetwise in Chicago. I have also worked as a Student Writer for the Marketing Department and as a Library Assistant. Regarding extracurriculars, I am the Co-President of the Criminal Justice Club and hope to soon start a Mental Health Club on campus. There are a lot of opportunities to get involved in on campus—you just have to find your place.

My story is unique as I decided to transfer after completing four years at my former institution. I took this leap of faith because I wanted a school that would help me grow academically, spiritually, and mentally. Finding God again in the little things has been a great joy as He is present through the multitude of weekly spiritual growth opportunities available on campus. I have also met incredible professors who walk faithfully with their students through their academic journeys and friends who are equally as passionate as I am about making a difference in the world.

Trinity is the place to be if you are looking for growth. The College challenges you in the best ways possible while still recognizing that growth requires support along the way. Faculty and staff have helped shape my experience as a Troll, as they truly see students as people, not numbers. This is why Trinity is special.

– Mary (Honey) Mathieu ’27

There are several traditions at Trinity each year that students, faculty, and staff look forward to. Some of these traditions include Blueprints, Move-In Days, Trollstock, Late Night Breakfast, and OPUS. Everyone plays a part in these events whether by participating or supporting others who are. It is great to be a Troll every day, but traditions such as these serve as reminders as to why Trinity is a special community to be a part of.

Blueprints is an orientation event for freshman and transfer students. Faculty, staff, and student leaders come together to make this tradition happen. From planning fun events to hosting informational sessions, school spirit is embraced and instilled in incoming students. Any lingering questions or concerns are addressed to prepare students for a successful transition to Trinity as they learn the importance of what it means to thrive as a college student and beyond. This is a great tradition that allows new students to familiarize themselves with Trinity’s campus and their colleagues before classes start.

Move-In Days not only welcome new students to campus but also welcome back returning students. Staff and student leaders help students move their belongings into their new homes away from home as they prepare for the new academic year. Students can meet those on their floors through a meeting hosted by Residence Life and participate in a week filled with exciting events hosted by Student Activities.

Trollstock is Trinity’s annual talent show. Students can choose whether to participate or watch the performances. Winners are selected by a panel of judges and win cash prizes. Acts range from singing, dancing, and baton twirling, among many others. Showcasing student talent is what this event is all about as the Trinity community is proud of its students and their unique talents.

Late Night Breakfast is an event hosted during finals week where students can grab a late-night breakfast as they prepare for exams. Destressing with friends while enjoying a meal together is a great way to transition into finals. Students especially love the Krispy Kreme donuts provided by the College while attending this tradition.

OPUS, being the Latin word for “work,” is an all-day event that primarily showcases academic achievements at Trinity. Student presenters share the projects they have been working on during the academic year. Free food is also available throughout the day, along with student performances and raffles. It is a tradition that has inspired students for over 30 years!

Each of these traditions lead to treasured memories for students. Coming together to participate in fun activities with friends is a great way for college students to embrace all that college life has to offer. Students form memories that will last a lifetime through Trinity’s many amazing traditions.

-Mary (Honey) Mathieu ’27

Students in criminal justice classes frequently learn that mental health struggles are common among law enforcement officials. That is why Trinity’s Criminal Justice Club recently hosted an event to write letters of encouragement for police officers at the Palos Heights Police Department.

Words of encouragement have the power to help someone feel less alone amid their struggles, so students at Trinity came together to participate in an act of kindness that they hope will make a difference in the lives of those who serve and protect others. On April 26th, the group dropped off letters of encouragement to local police officers and three dozen donuts from their favorite donut place.

Dr. Dennis Connelly, Associate Professor of Criminal Justice and Department Chair, comments that this experience was good because ” he got to see a former criminal justice student who now works at the Palos Heights Police Department and witness his current students participate in a good act for police officers who do so much for the community.”

This experience was one that students would remember for a long time, as they came together as a community to participate in a service project that brought people closer together.

Criminal Justice Club Co-President Mary (Honey) Mathieu states that she loved this experience because “she had received letters of encouragement from others in her life at times when she was struggling with her mental health. These letters helped her stay strong at times when she otherwise did not think that she could. She hopes the letters of encouragement that the Criminal Justice Club wrote will do the same for police officers at the Palos Heights Police Department.”

A special thank you to the Palos Heights Police Department for all that you do to keep this community safe. You are greatly appreciated!

Photographer: Mary (Honey) Mathieu ’27

Pictured: Palos Heights Police Department Officers, Trinity Christian College Professor Dr. Dennis Connelly, and Trinity Christian College Students Doria Foxworth, Aileen Guillermo, Ana Krueger, Braden Tazelaar, and Gabe Wahlsmith.

Since 1989, The Catherine Yonker Award has been given to those who significantly contribute to Christian racial reconciliation and cross-cultural understanding at the College. Trinity’s Campus Diversity and Unity Committee (CDUC) is pleased to announce that this year’s recipients are Marva Bruno and Iritisen Muhammad.

Bruno joined Trinity in 2019, shortly before the start of the pandemic, serving as the Area Director for Tibstra and Alumni Halls. In 2023, her significant contributions to the College led to her role as the Assistant Dean of Students and Assistant Director of the Center for the Good Life.

During her time at Trinity, Bruno has fostered a sense of belonging among students of color, encouraging their active participation in campus life. Her leadership has been instrumental in cultivating diverse RA teams and enhancing representation in student leadership. She approaches her work with a culturally responsive lens, providing a unique blend of support and challenge that she terms a “warm, demanding” approach.

In the fall of 2023, she was tasked with overseeing multiple aspects of the Department of Multicultural Engagement, including multicultural leadership, cultural organizations, and newly formed community-based partnerships committed to college access for minoritized student groups.

She also worked with students to implement the 2024 Next Steps workshop that focused on Kimberle Crenshaw’s concept of intersectionality, organized visit day interviews for College Bound Opportunity Programs, and built connections with first-year Black or Latinx students. Bruno also cast the vision, developed materials, and led the hiring process for the new cultural organizations and multicultural student leadership model, which includes Trinity’s first-ever paid cultural organization leaders. She is a deeply rooted follower of Jesus who recognizes the necessity of justice and belonging in the work of Christian higher education.

Muhammad comes to the college with a wealth of experience, knowledge, and ambition in pursuit of her vocational commitments to international medical missions as well as the health and well-being of Black mothers and babies. She is a nursing transfer student and works as a doula, serving mothers, families, and babies through the pregnancy, labor, and delivery process.

She entered the Trinity community and immediately began to make significant impacts. This past year, she served as the interim Vice President of the Black Student Union, spoke as part of the MLK day program, and contributed to redesigning cultural organizations. As part of her role, she facilitated a weekly Black History Month program called “Talk to Me Good,” where faculty, staff, and students read and discussed writing excerpts from Black authors.

Recently, she was selected as President of the Black Student Union for the next academic year. In addition to her work, studies, and co-curricular engagement, she participated in Earn, Network, and Learn at Lawndale Christian Community Center. She is also a member of the inaugural class of the Empower First internship summer program. Her Christian faith commitments inspire her vocation to use health and medicine to contribute to the well-being of Black mothers, families, and babies across the globe.

The Catherine Yonker Award and scholarship, a prestigious recognition, is awarded annually to a member or members of the Trinity community–faculty, staff, or an entering senior student—in honor of their positive influence and action toward the goal of Christian racial reconciliation and cross-cultural understanding. The award’s history is deeply intertwined with Trinity’s early years, with Catherine Yonker’s significant contributions as an executive secretary and founding member of the Trinity Women’s Guild and her and her husband’s philanthropic support for Trinity’s first hockey team.

pictured left to right: Marva Bruno, Iritisen Muhammad

Trinity Christian College recently signed a partnership with Metz Culinary Management (Metz) to provide dining services for students, faculty, staff, and guests.

Starting Wednesday, May 15th, we are excited to announce that Metz will begin serving breakfast and lunch at the Bootsma Bookstore Café (BBC). The on-campus café will be open to the community and the public. Breakfast will be available from 8:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., and lunch will be available from 10:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

They will offer a full selection of fresh and cooked foods and freshly brewed coffee from Veteran Roasters, a local Chicago-based roastery that proudly provides job security to at-risk veterans.

Throughout the summer the BBC will be open regularly Monday – Thursday 8:00 am – 2:00 pm CDT.

Click here to learn more about the menu items available.

Each year, Trinity accepts extraordinary students dedicated to making a difference in their neighborhoods and communities. The College welcomes two transfer students whose outstanding academic, spiritual, and social leadership set them apart from their peers. Trinity Christian College is pleased to announce the most recent Transfer Academic Scholars for the 2024-2025 year are Vinicios Sartorello of São Paulo, Brazil, and Paige Leatherwood of Stickney, IL, who have both been awarded full-tuition scholarships to the College.

Sartorello, who is transferring from Carl Sandburg College, plans to pursue his degree in business and looks forward to getting involved with student clubs and the faith community on campus. He is involved locally with his church, serving on the worship team and being the vice president of the international club at his school.

“I chose Trinity because of their strong business courses and internships. Trinity Christian College has the same faith values as mine, and since my first time there, everyone has treated me so well. The environment, multicultural support, and sports caught my attention,” said Sartorello.

Leatherwood, who is transferring from the College of DuPage, plans to pursue her major in criminal justice with a minor in biology. She looks forward to joining the theatre program, being active with student clubs, and being a part of the honors program. In her free time, she is actively involved in her community as a Daisy Girl Scout leader and a custom ice cream cake decorator.

“I value the close-knit community of Trinity; it felt like home from the moment I stepped on campus. The importance placed on faith and Christian values helped me to see how a community can truly work together as a family in Christ. I am so excited to be a part of Trinity and know it will help me grow and learn as a leader,” said Leatherwood.

“We can’t wait to welcome Vinicios and Paige to the campus this fall and have them join the Trinity community,” stated Cynthia Coffey, Director of Transfer, Adult, and Graduate Recruitment. “Each year, we have a talented pool of students, and this year, these incredible scholars rose to the top. We can’t wait to see how each of their gifts and talents will be shaped here at Trinity and beyond!”

Click here to learn more about the Transfer Program at Trinity Christian College.

Trinity Christian College graduates, a testament to academic excellence and personal growth, were honored in a commencement ceremony on Friday, May 3rd. They were joined by their proud families and friends and dedicated faculty and staff at Ozinga Field in Crestwood, IL. This year’s event celebrated the hard work of traditional undergraduate, adult undergraduate, and graduate students from Fall 2023 and Spring 2024, all joining together on a crisp spring evening in Chicagoland.

During the ceremony, the community bid farewell to Professor Emeritus of Art and Design John Bakker, M.F.A., who dedicated over forty years of his life to the College. Professor Bakker’s visionary leadership was not just instrumental but transformative in the remarkable growth of the Department of Art and Design, including the establishment of the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree programs at Trinity. His role on numerous College committees, including his founding and continuing role on the OPUS Committee, annually showcasing student scholarship and artistry, has left a mark on Trinity’s legacy.

This year’s commencement speaker, Pastor Jonathan Brooks, lead pastor at Lawndale Christian Community Church and former pastor of Canaan Community Church in Chicago for 15 years, delivered a powerful message. Pastor Brooks, an educator in inner-city Chicago for over a decade, firmly believes in the power of investing in your local community. His desire to impress this virtue on all who will listen, whether in congregation, classroom, or community, resonated deeply with the audience.

During the ceremony, President Aaron Kuecker recognized the Professor of the Year 2024-2025, Dr. Timothy Hendrickson ’96, Associate Professor of English, Department Chair, and Coordinator of Adjunct Care.

Kuecker opened the commencement ceremony with a welcome, and Cal Tameling ’72, Chair of the Board of Trustees, provided the greeting. This year’s Lincoln Laureate, Matthew Huizenga ’24, gave the invocation, and Rev. Benjamin Snoek, Ph.D., the campus pastor, gave the benediction. The ceremony concluded with spectacular fireworks to cap off the first-ever evening commencement.

Check out photos from the event on Trinity’s Instagram page and view the live stream of the ceremony here. 

Richard Klootwyk, an integral part of the Trinity community since 2014, was recently announced as the Staff Member of the Year for 2024. His kind, caring nature and commitment to excellence have made Klootwyk a beloved colleague and friend to many at Trinity. As the College’s Mail & Print Services Manager, his attention to detail and planning are evident in all he does, making the campus more efficient and fostering a sense of pride and connection.

Beyond operational excellence, his dedication to customer service is unparalleled. As one nominator stated, “He is always approachable, providing helpful and thoughtful solutions to any challenges that arise.”  Another added, “…I see his patience, caring investment in others, and the professional demeanor that does not lack a sense of joy! I have no doubt that his leadership has impacted and influenced others.”

Klootwyk’s genuine concern for the well-being of his students is evident in their high regard for him as many nominations noted. “[He] goes above and beyond by personally introducing student workers to campus offices, fostering a sense of community, and ensuring they feel supported in their roles. His daily interactions with each student demonstrate an unwavering commitment to their growth and success.”

Another nomination shared insight into Klootwyk’s deep faith, “Richard isn’t only a wonderful manager; he is a precious brother-in-Christ. He is such an encourager and uplifter…His smile is enough to brighten anyone’s day!”

Klootwyk’s impact extends far beyond his daily responsibilities. He embodies the spirit of a successful Trinity employee, and his contributions have been instrumental in advancing the College’s mission and vision.

Klootwyk will be celebrated at the annual Faculty and Staff Awards Luncheon on Tuesday, May 7^th.

The Staff Member of the Year Award recognizes the achievements of a distinguished staff member.

Recent award recipients include:

2019: Laura Chávez-Dávalos, Director of the Office of Learning Services

2020: Diana Pell, Administrative Assistant to Faculty

2021: Kris Doorn ‘89, Human Resources Payroll Administrator

2022: Kathy Laning, Student Records Coordinator

2023: Randall Warners ’18, Database Developer

Trinity Christian College recently announced its partnership with Metz Culinary Management (Metz) to provide dining services for students, faculty, staff, and guests, effective May 6, 2024.

Metz will implement signature food concept stations and catering services at the Palos Heights, IL, campus, which are expected to improve the quality and variety of fresh, healthy, and sustainable dining options.

“Metz Culinary Management is looking forward to working with Trinity Christian College to implement culinary options that fit the individualized needs of all the audiences we serve,” said Bill Harvey, District Manager at Metz Culinary Management. “We are dedicated to providing our reputable services at Trinity, just as we have for our other partners.”

Trinity joins over 60 college and university accounts in the Metz portfolio, from Illinois to Florida.

Original Metz signature food concept stations in Trinity residential dining will include:

• • Bravo: an open concept where chefs prepare a rotating selection of dishes in front of guests.
  • Main Plate: offers a selection of classic favorites, trendy gourmet selections, and specialty sandwiches.
  • Clark’s Grille: features house-grilled specialty burgers and hot sandwiches, wings, fries, and more.
  • Villa Toscana: made-to-order Italian specialties, including hand-prepared stromboli and pizza, and fresh pasta.
  • Green Scene: Metz’s salad bar concept with a wide selection of fresh and local items

The Trinity campus will continue to feature residential dining services and retail operations. Retail installments available at Bootsma Bookstore will feature Metz’s Simply Smoothies smoothie bar and InterMetzo concept, which provides fresh coffee, espresso, and cappuccino using roasted coffee beans from Veterans Roaster Coffee. Metz will also introduce a contactless convenience store, The Grove Express.

The College selected Metz because of the family-led culture and commitment to meeting the individual needs of its guests. It was also noted that Metz’s commitment to fresh ingredients, culinary excellence, and restaurant-inspired hospitality impressed the selection committee.

Metz was established in 1994 and is a custom dining management service company with a “guest first” philosophy that serves a variety of market segments, including healthcare, corporate dining, higher education, independent and public-school dining, and environmental services. Metz is rated one of the country’s top 20 food service management companies and is also recognized for embracing high standards for ethical responsibility, environmental stewardship, and healthy lifestyles by creating meals that support wellness, reduce food waste, conserve natural resources, and feature locally sourced ingredients whenever possible.