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On May 6, 2012, at age 16, Ryan Hesslau ’18 decided to take a stand against bullying.
As a high school student, Hesslau said he had struggled with a fear of rejection and a desire for acceptance. “I was a messy, broken, selfish high school student,” he said. “I fell into pressures and temptations that caused me to overlook who I was intended to be.”
Hesslau began reading stories about teen victims of bullying being driven to commit suicide. These stories moved him to show people in surrounding communities how to love themselves and how to love one another.
So he started a Facebook page called foreverU with a mission to give teens struggling with bullying a sense of hope and purpose. What began as a social media outreach is today a faith-based, nonprofit organization.
foreverU has transformed into a fast-growing, teen-led, pro-love movement, actively working to reduce the occurrences of bullying by providing teens with the opportunity to be part of something greater, while also equipping them with the confidence they need.
Hesslau speaks to students at schools and churches. “I become an entirely different person when I walk on stage on behalf of foreverU,” he said, “most likely as a result of my passion for showing the younger generation what it means to love and how to build someone up rather than break them down.”
Hesslau said he and his team hope to expand their outreach in the next 3-5 years. They plan various fundraising events throughout the year, such as the annual fall Walk of Revival. Recently, Hesslau accepted a check from representatives at Liberty Mutual Insurance as part of one of his fundraisers.
During his freshman year, Hesslau, an entrepreneurial management major, was one of two students selected to participate in the Future Founders Fellowship as part of Trinity’s new Founding Partner status with Future Founders Foundation. He was also a semifinalist in the first annual U.Pitch competition.
After graduation he plans to build a career in motivational speaking, write a book, start other organizations, and become a pastor. “Every day is a new opportunity to keep living your story and continue on this journey that’s actively shaping us into the person we are intended to become.”
Faith has accompanied Hesslau on the journey that began on May 6. “God has walked beside me ever since,” Hesslau said. “This is His movement, and I’m just along for the ride. There’s no way we’d be able to create what we have without the work of the Holy Spirit.”
To guide Trinity students and alumni in the direction of their chosen careers and callings, the College’s Cooper Center for Career Development offers a new and expanded variety of services for students, alumni, faculty, and employers seeking to hire.
The Cooper Center’s new website puts all of these incredible resources at their fingertips.
The new website features a career road map that suggests a four-year plan for students. The website also provides access to job and internship listings, digital networking sites, and graduate school resources.
This year, the Cooper Center will also offer NACELINK, a one-stop online resource that connects students with recruiters, provides a more comprehensive resume builder, and integrates self-assessment into career portfolios.
On campus events hosted by the Cooper Center give students the opportunity for in-person, hands-on experience and include Interview Day, Career Fest, etiquette dinners, LinkedIn photo booths, and career and vocation-oriented workshops.
The Cooper Center is led by John Baldauff, who is passionate about serving students as they discover God’s direction in their educational and professional lives. Office Manager Robin Linhart assists students with resumes, answers questions regarding career information, and connects students with resources and career opportunities.
Each summer, Trinity gives students from Chicago area high schools a valuable opportunity to participate in a college experience. The Associated Colleges of Illinois (ACI) Summer Academy prepares students for the next step after high school graduation.
Trinity’s nine-year partnership with ACI focuses on college preparation, as Trinity hosts students for one week in July. The summer academy at Trinity is a residential program available to high school juniors enrolled in a Noble Street Charter School Network.
Mark Hanna, dean of students, and Tabitha Matthews, director of community engagement and diversity programs, operate as directors of the program, overseeing the administration, budget and the continued partnership development with Noble Street.
“Many of the students that participate will be first generation college students in a few years,” said Matthews. “Our hope is that they are encouraged from this week of mentorship and college instruction, and that they continue to see Trinity and college overall as a viable option.”
This year, 45 juniors representing several high schools chose between classes in physical science, taught by Dr. Michael Bosscher, assistant professor of chemistry; math, taught by Susan Donovan, adjunct professor; and graphic design, taught by Ellen Browning, associate professor of art and design.
The rigorous residential experience provides mentoring in areas such as goal setting, the college search, college application completion, and college essay writing. Students are instructed by college coaches John Baldauff, Andrea Walters ’14, Tippi Price, and Cynthia Coffey.
College life also includes a recreational aspect. Students enjoy a variety of evening program activities facilitated by the Residence Life staff under the direction of Residence Director Latishia Elliott and resident assistants Amy James ’17, Fred Walls ’16, and Kylla Pate ’17.
“Theater is meant to mimic life,” said Cait Williams ’15, likening the adage to her liberal arts education and her exposure to not only her major but to biology, theology, and art history.
“Art provided background for stage design, and organizational behavior helped me recognize management techniques in my internship,” said Williams.
And in her spring internship at the Chicago Opera Theater, Williams said she could relate every class she had taken to her work.
Williams served as a public relations and marketing intern for the innovative, nationally recognized opera company, which features new and rarely performed works. She said she had the amazing opportunity to work with Chicago professionals including Chicagoan of the Year Andreas Mitisek and marketing for the widely popular mezzo-soprano Frederica von Stade.
One of the many benefits of Trinity internships is the potential for continued employment. Recently, Williams was hired by the company as a part-time marketing assistant while she completes her final semester at Trinity this fall.
The internship melded her studies in both business communication and theater and integrated a passion for the stage that began as a child. Birthdays for Williams meant a visit to the theater with her mother, who hoped to instill a love of the arts in her daughter.
Williams has played out that passion on the stage of her community theater in Western Springs, Illinois, and on Trinity’s Marg Kallemeyn Theatre. This summer she is also using her marketing skills to promote the Alumni Theatre’s production of The Odd Couple, August 28-29, and will play the role of Rita.
Senior Lucas Hawley ’16 of Tinley Park, Illinois is among 19 people interested in filling the position of trustee on the Tinley Park Village Board. Hawley is currently a member of the village’s sister city commission.
Hawley has enjoyed politics since an early age, an interest that led him to study political science and communication arts.
“Leadership means willing to put your neck on the line in the face of critics, and sacrificing your own personal and family time for the betterment of the community, while getting little compensation other than that of the public good,” said Hawley.
“My former professor Darren Zancan showed me throughout his classes and through his life experiences that you should take a chance at every opportunity that comes before you,” said Hawley. “Whether you succeed or not, you grow because of it.”
Hawley has worked for several campaigns, from school board to county board, from state representative to U.S. representative. He has also served two times as an election equipment supervisor.
Hawley is a commuter student and has built quality friendships with other commuters. “These people are truly some of my closest and best friends,” he said.
He hopes to intern in Springfield and or for political organizations after graduation in May 2016.
On June 28, 100 runners–including 18 people from the Trinity community–set a world record (pending verification) for the 100-by-10-kilometer relay.
Runners from Trinity, Shepard and Richards High Schools, and other local colleges participated in the 625-mile race. Each runner completed 25 laps (about 6.25 miles) around the track, and the effort set an unofficial record of 69:06:52, beating the 77:17:25 record set in 2009
Joseph Lerner ’10, cross country assistant coach at Trinity, served as the co-organizer of the event and has been planning it for the past year.
“We wanted to try and do something that could unite all our different programs and the community,” said Lerner. “The most exciting thing about this event was the chance to get all our former teammates and athletes back together to do what they’ve made a living doing–running.”
The event also raised funds for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in honor of a Community High School District 218 colleague diagnosed with leukemia.
Among the many Trinity alumni was Brian Clark ’13, who handed off the baton to his brother Alexander Clark ’17, a member of Trinity’s track and field team. Alumna Nicole (Hill) Clark, Brian’s wife, also ran.
Lerner said the event was a success. “Through the crazy weather we had, and with all the minor hiccups that could have gone wrong, things went very well and we broke the record by over eight hours.”
Current and former athletes and coaches at Trinity who participated:
Bolaji Adeoti ’10–40:00
Mark Bohdan ’15–36:39
Andy Boss ’17–41:19
Bob Brickman ’03, Track and Field and Cross Country Head Coach–46:50
Diana Brickman ’05, Cross Country Assistant Coach–47:06
Alex Clark ’17–33:56
Brian Clark ’13–38:22
Nicole Clark ’13–49:12
Jeremey Cryan ’04–47:28
Andy Jellema ’10–38:09
Ashley Jourdan ’17–41:05
Chris Koutavas ’14–38:57
Joey Lerner ’10–36:49
Daniel Lindbloom, Track and Field Assistant Coach–36:44
Michael Potter ’16–35:31
Laura Simpson ’10–53:53
Sam Staal ’12–40:19
Austin Warner ’11–40:09
Read more at the Daily Southtown
a member of Trinity’s track and field team. Alumna Nicole (Hill) Clark, Brian’s wife, also ran.
Lerner said the event was a success. “Through the crazy weather we had, and with all the minor hiccups that could have gone wrong, things went very well and we broke the record by over eight hours.”
The Trinity community extends a very warm welcome to the College’s new president, Kurt D. Dykstra, who officially assumed office on July 1, 2015.
“I am honored and eager to begin, as of today, my tenure as Trinity Christian College’s eighth president,” said Dykstra. “I look forward to joining the faculty, staff, and administration in serving our students in the cause of the lofty mission that has guided Trinity throughout her existence.
“We strive to passionately provide the best possible Christian liberal arts experience, period — while understanding that we also have the deep responsibility to prepare our graduates to take their place vocationally in the grand and glorious world in which God calls them to live and serve.”
Dykstra’s appointment was announced April 22.
Over the past few months, Dykstra and his wife Leah, and their daughters Juliana and Emma, have visited the campus on several occasions. At a welcome reception on April 23, the family enjoyed a first-time opportunity to meet many of the College’s students, faculty, and staff.
Blueprints, the annual registration weekend, presented a time of fellowship with incoming freshmen and their families. In addition, the Soldier Field event in Chicago offered the president and his wife a chance to join hundreds of alumni, members of the Trinity community, and friends of the College in celebrating the achievements of 25 Trinity alumni.
“Into the role of president, [Kurt] brings many talents, along with a commitment to the Lord and to Christian higher education and impressive professional experience as a lawyer, banker, Christian college instructor, and public servant,” said Marty Ozinga III, chair of Trinity’s Board of Trustees. “We thank God as we look forward to supporting Kurt as we begin a new chapter at Trinity.”
Learn more about President Dykstra, and join the Trinity community in praying for the president as he seeks God’s guidance in leading the College into that new chapter.
On Saturday, June 20, Trinity honored 25 alumni from the past 25 years at the historic Soldier Field in Chicago. Nearly 400 attendees, including faculty members and friends of the College, enjoyed a dynamic evening of music, presentations, Chicago-style hors d’oeuvres, and lively conversation.
The 25 alumni honored have served as remarkable representatives of a larger alumni family doing impressive work primarily in the Chicagoland area.
Director of Alumni Relations Bill DeRuiter ’09 said the event was a complete success. “Although we honored specific people at the event, the purpose was to point out the awesome things our alumni are doing,” he said. “These people are living and breathing examples of Trinity’s mission.”
The event also included music performances from These Guys These Guys, Andrea Dawn, and The 3rd Band and a silent auction.
View photos of the memorable event on the alumni Facebook page, www.facebook.com/trinityalumni.
The departments of music and communication arts are introducing a new major in Music Production beginning in fall 2015.
The major will provide targeted study through coursework in media studies, a senior capstone project, and an internship.
Dr. Mark Peters, professor of music, has noticed a growing need in recent years for a major that connects music and communication arts.
“We’re excited about the way this interdisciplinary program provides students with a strong foundation in both majors while intentionally connecting those fields to each other and to the broader framework of a Christian liberal arts education,” Peters said.
Students will be equipped to serve with excellence in a variety of contexts such as music studios, post-production studios, sound design studios, production houses, concert arenas, radio and television stations, audio/visual departments, and record labels.
Music education major Anna DeBlecourt ’17 of Mokena, Illinois said her experience with the music program has been rewarding and that this new major will be a great asset to Trinity.
“I find that the faculty is not only exceptionally musically gifted, they are also commendable educators,” she said. “Both inside and outside the classroom, their encouragement and mentorship have allowed me to grow not only in my musical abilities but also as a well-rounded student and Christ follower.”
Adult Studies Education alumna Brenda Mendoza ’07 was recently selected as an Emerging Leader of 2015 by the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD).
The ASCD’s Emerging Leaders Program recognizes and prepares young, promising educators from across the nation to influence education programs, policy, and practice. Those selected are enrolled in the program for two years and help to advance the ASCD’s values by serving on committees, hosting networking events, and contributing to ASCD publications.
Of the 46 educators selected from 21 states, Indonesia, and Pakistan, Mendoza is the only representative from the state of Illinois to be selected and was honored at the White Sox’s opening game.
After graduating from Trinity’s Adult Studies Education program, Mendoza continued her education by earning two master’s degrees, one in instruction with an English Language Learners/Bilingual emphasis, and a second in leadership. She currently teaches 2nd grade bilingual students at Greenman Elementary in Aurora, Illinois.
She created a program designed to get parents involved in the learning process and has subsequently trained hundreds of teachers across Illinois on the program. Additionally, she has been nominated for the 2011 Teacher of the Year Award, and the White Sox’s People All Star Teacher in 2014.
“It is an honor to be selected as one of the Emerging Leaders of 2015,” Mendoza said. She explained that ASCD is one of the most innovative organizations in education today. The organization publishes the latest educational research in the nation and honors the emerging leaders each year at a leadership conference in Washington D.C., where those selected have the opportunity to speak to educators from across the nation.
“ASCD is a prestigious organization, and we are so proud to have one of Trinity’s Adult Studies alumni honored by them,” said Dr. Trina Vallone, coordinator for Trinity’s ESL/BL program. “Brenda is a passionate and creative educator who is working toward equity in her field. We are excited for her.”
Qualifications for Emerging Leader selection include: being in the education profession for 5 to 15 years; a commitment to ASCD’s beliefs and to pursuing leadership opportunities; demonstrating a passion for teaching, learning, and leadership; and exhibiting a broad range of diversity in position, location, cultural background, and perspective.
To view the entire 2015 Emerging Leaders List, visit the ASCD Emerging Leaders Directory.