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Trinity’s Honors Society Committee recently hosted the 5th annual Trinity Scholars’ Dinner, celebrating the work of both Vander Velde Scholars and senior students in the Honors Program. The keynote address was presented by Trinity’s Samuel McCune ’06, collections manager and preparator for the Josef and Anni Albers Foundation.

The evening began with a gallery of scholarship showcasing student research projects for classmates, faculty and staff, and alumni to view.

The Outstanding Alumnus Research Award was presented to McCune and Professor John Bakker, professor of art and design. The award recognizes a Trinity graduate who demonstrates faithful service, outstanding scholarship, and successful research, as well as collaborative partnership between faculty and student.

During his presentation, McCune said that he came to Trinity knowing he wanted to focus on conceptual art. He showed some of the work he did during college, along with his VanderVelde Scholarship work with Bakker.

More about Samuel McCune ’06

McCune graduated from Trinity (Summa Cum Laude) with a double major in art studio and philosophy. Upon graduating, he had the opportunity to work with artist Sol Lewitt as a draftsman for one of his conceptual drawings – a highly competitive position.

While in New York, McCune met and married Karis Medina. Medina is an art historian and fiber artist.  Soon after they married, Sam was offered a job as the collections manager and preparator for the Josef and Anni Albers Foundation in Bethany, Connecticut. As such, he travels all over the world installing the works of Albers for various shows and exhibitions. The Foundation also offered his wife a position as a curatorial assistant.

McCune has also worked for Helly Nahmad Gallery in New York City, the studio of Spencer Finch, and the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago.

Gallery of Student Scholarship

Vander Velde Scholars

Susannah Strange
“Relationality and Reason in Reformed Philosophy”
Dr. Aron Reppman, mentor

Cassandra Nelson
“Chanting the Church Year: Theology and Practice”
Dr. Mark Peters, mentor

Joe Andringa
“The Effects of Vitamin D on Breast Cancer Cells”
Dr. Clay Carlson, mentor

Anna Bos and Jonathan Koonce
“Enhancing Lanthanide Binding Affinity and LRET of Proteins”
Dr. Michael Bosscher, mentor

Patrick Page
The Effects of Oxygen Levels, Serum Concentration, and Heat Inactivation on mRNA Expression of “Paracrine Factors in Mesenchymal Stem Cells”
Dr. Bob Boomsma, mentor

Honors Students

Molly Gobelli and Rebecca Vannette
“Effects of Perceived Stress & Coping Methods – A Study of of Trinity Christian College Nursing Majors”
Professor Tina Decker, mentor

Kaitlyn Claerbaut
“Depression in Cardiopulmonary Illness”
MaryAnn Colletti, mentor (adjunct professor of nursing)

Hannah Wasco
“1800 U.S. Presidential Election”
Dr. John Fry, mentor

Kerry Garrison
“Participating in Chicago Theatre through Directing”
Dr. John Sebestyen, mentor

Matthew Wydra
“Organizational Consulting Team Leadership”
Dr. Rick Hamilton, mentor

Michael Kunnen
“Christian Ethics on the Field of Metagenomics”
Dr. Clay Carlson, mentor

Taylor Boice
“Organizational Consulting: Learning & Leading”
Dr. Rick Hamilton, mentor

Logan Vos
“Organizational Consulting”
Dr. Rick Hamilton, mentor

Kathryn Woodside
“Gender Dominance in Student Choice Book Awards”
Dr. Bill Boerman-Cornell, mentor

Adam Suwyn
“The Dilemma of Non-Profit Strategy”
Dr. Rick Hamilton, mentor

Jessica Jacobi
“DNA: The Code of Life”
Dr. Clay Carlson, mentor

Simona Sidaugaite
“Race Issues”
Samantha Schultz, mentor (adjunct professor of political science)

Kristen Blok
“Mindfulness & Food: A Calling to Intentional Living”
Dr. Mary Lynn Colosimo, mentor

 

Biology major Jessica Jacobi ’15 of San Marcos, California, recently hosted the Junior Trolls Science Fair as part of the honors work for her major project.

Held in Trinity’s Heritage Science Center, the fair welcomed 60 students from Daystar Academy, Masters Academy, and a local homeschool group and focused on DNA in the fields of physics, chemistry, molecular biology, and ecology.

“To be able to teach students about how crazy awesome God’s creation is through science and to shape their understanding of the world is something that makes me really excited,” Jacobi said.

“The students had a great time making DNA models, seeing the greenhouse in the science center, and mimicking different experiments that helped discover DNA,” Jacobi said.

Jacobi, who plans to someday teach science at the high school level, decided to host the fair as a culmination of her passion for education and science. She credits the success of the fair to the planning, organizing, and communicating of all the people who helped her create the event.

Chaplain Bill VanGroningen’s Spiritual Formation class travelled to Breakthrough Ministries this month to help prepare and serve a meal for guests.

The ministry, located in Chicago’s East Garfield Park, seeks to be a positive influence, serving thousands of youth and homeless each year.  

Students observe a number of spiritual disciplines, including prayer, scripture reading, fasting, worship, and service. Classroom practices involve dwelling on a portion of Psalm 119, taking turns leading prayer, and offering testimonies.

The students have participated in individual acts of service, but the group intended this opportunity to be one of communal service.

“We offer ourselves, to serve on terms set by others,” said VanGroningen.

 

What better way to follow up an important announcement than with a family celebration?

Today, the Trinity community had the opportunity to meet the President-elect of the College, Kurt D. Dykstra, J.D.

Students, faculty, and staff filled the Ozinga Chapel Grand Lobby to hear remarks from Dykstra, extend a warm welcome, and greet his wife Leah, and daughters Juliana and Emma-Elisabeth.

Offering introductions and prayers of thanksgiving at the event were Marty Ozinga III, chair of the Board of Trustees (BOT); Terry Van Der Aa, chair of the presidential search committee and former BOT chair; and Rob Buikema, BOT vice chair and vice chair of the presidential search committee.

Dykstra’s appointment was announced Wednesday afternoon, April 22. He will officially begin his duties as Trinity’s eighth president on July 1. He currently serves as mayor of the City of Holland, Michigan, and as the senior vice president and community president of Mercantile Bank of Michigan.

 

 

Dr. Mike VanderWeele, professor of English, recently accompanied students from his Introduction to Literature course to the Goodman Theatre’s “College Night” production of “Two Trains Running.” The event included a reception with pizza beforehand and an interview with one of the actors.

The play, written by August Wilson, tells the story of a neighborhood in Pittsburgh’s Hill District in 1969 caught between the hope of the civil rights movement and the struggles of discrimination.

Afterward reading and then attending the play, student pairs wrote reviews for the Courier, Trinity’s student newspaper.

“Students had a chance to read and discuss the play, do some background computer research on August Wilson and the Pittsburgh series, see it performed at a major Chicago theater, and then write about it for a larger Courier audience.  It seemed to me like a rich experience,” VanderWeele said.

In this introductory course, the English department introduces students to theater and the city, often by attending productions at Chicago Shakespeare Theater or Court Theater.

Jared Mulder ’18 of Delvan, Wisconsin, said, “We read the play in class, but seeing it performed was helpful in my understanding of it. The theater was very nice and one of the coolest sets I have seen. Overall it was great experience.”

Ethan Holmes ’15 of Blue Island, Illinois, had been considering adapting the Book of Job for the stage when Dr. Craig Mattson, professor of communication arts, contacted the senior English major requesting that he direct a play for the Spring 2015 semester.

Taking the timing as a sign, Holmes accepted. “Not having a full understanding of how or whether such a thing was going to come together, prayer immediately after that moment took a much more central place in my life,” Holmes said.

Having been invited to complete Bible readings throughout the summer with Mattson, Holmes took the opportunity as a chance to draft his script.

By the time Mattson asked him to continue the readings throughout the school year–this time with a more thorough look at Job–Holmes had already completed a revised draft; however, after his readings, Holmes found his most recent draft incomplete.

“The reading Dr. Mattson and I did together inspired me to go back and overhaul the entire thing, so that the dialogue did a better job of maintaining the emotional arc in the original text,” said Holmes.

After Mattson and Holmes were happy with the script, the search for actors began. He spoke at theatre club meetings, approached professors, and invited friends.

In the end, Holmes had enough actors to fill the cast and put on two performances in March for full houses. Each performance was followed up with rich discussions led by Trinity theology professors.

Holmes has now listed his play as public domain.

“I’m putting together a formalized version of it for use by others that honors the play as we put it on, but I’d like for the script to get out there and get used by whoever wants to use it to the glory of God,” Holmes said.

Trinity Christian College is pleased to announce the appointment of Kurt D. Dykstra, J.D. to the position of president, effective July 1, 2015.

With a calling to public service, President-elect Dykstra brings years of leadership experience to the role of college president. He currently serves as mayor of the City of Holland, Michigan, and as the senior vice president and community president of Mercantile Bank of Michigan. In addition, he teaches law and political science-related courses at Hope College in Holland and has been an attorney since 1997.

“We are very pleased and excited that the Board of Trustees has approved the appointment of Kurt Dykstra as the next president of Trinity Christian College,” said Marty Ozinga III, chair of Trinity’s Board of Trustees. “Into the role of president, he 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. We thank God as we look forward to supporting Kurt as we begin a new chapter at Trinity.”

“Kurt Dykstra is a dynamic individual who has been a leader in every organization with which he has been affiliated,” said Terry Van Der Aa, chair of the presidential search committee. “He has a love for Christian higher education and will bring a new energy to Trinity Christian College.”

Dr. Liz Rudenga, former provost, has been serving faithfully in the role of interim president since June 1, 2014. She will continue her committed leadership of the College through June 30, 2015, the end of this academic year, a year in which Trinity has been blessed with excellent preliminary enrollment figures for Fall 2015. Rudenga was appointed as interim following the departure of former president Dr. Steve Timmermans, who had accepted a position as executive director of the Christian Reformed Church in North America.

“I am honored and humbled to be selected as Trinity’s eighth president,” said Dykstra. “Leah and I know that God has guided Trinity throughout her history and trust God has great things planned for Trinity’s future. We both consider it a special privilege to join the Trinity family and are excited to begin the work before us.”

Dykstra said he looks forward to bringing his passion for Christian higher education to the role of president. For the past seven years, he has served on the board of Northwestern College (Iowa), his alma mater. In the college classroom setting, he has shared his expansive knowledge and expertise as a part-time member of the faculty at Hope College for more than a decade, teaching upper-level courses in the Department of Economics and Business and the Department of Political Science. In addition, he has mentored and offered career guidance to students.

As Holland’s mayor since 2009, Dykstra has provided visionary leadership for this prosperous and successful lakefront city, known for its world-class industry, award-winning downtown, and Lake Michigan beaches. This role and that of an attorney have given Dykstra myriad opportunities for interacting with diverse people, from top leaders in government and industry to everyday families. Dykstra himself grew up in Oostburg, Wisconsin, and was the first in his family to graduate from college. Dykstra earned his Bachelor of Arts (Magna Cum Laude) at Northwestern College, in Orange City, Iowa, and his Juris Doctor at Marquette University Law School, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, graduating first in class (Summa Cum Laude). While at Marquette he also was elected the editor in chief of the Marquette Law Review. He is a former judicial law clerk for the Honorable Ann Walsh Bradley of the Wisconsin Supreme Court and practiced law for 15 years at two National Law Journal 250 firms.

While Dykstra’s work as mayor has contributed to a profound understanding of financial health and a vibrant economy, his expertise in the financial arena stems primarily from his professional experience in the private sectors of law and banking. He brings with him a grasp of business realities and management acumen as well as a successful history of fundraising based on building relationships, a hallmark of his career in law, politics, nonprofits, education, and business.

“Kurt is an extraordinary leader and will serve Trinity Christian College with distinction,” said Dr. James Bultman, president emeritus of Hope College and former president of Northwestern College. “His appointment is a great loss for the city of Holland and Hope College, a tremendous gain for Trinity, and an exciting opportunity for an exceptional family. A bright future awaits the Trinity community.”

The Trinity community welcomes not only an exceptional leader, but his lovely family as well. Dykstra’s wife of 22 years, Leah, is the assistant director of admissions at Hope College. The couple has two teenage daughters, Juliana and Emma-Elisabeth. The family is active in Pillar Church, a dual-affiliation congregation of the Reformed Church in America and the Christian Reformed Church in North America. Leah serves as the vice president of the council at Pillar.

“I have long admired and cared for the work that Trinity Christian College has been called to do, and hearing the announcement that you have chosen Kurt Dykstra as its next president feels like a marriage made in heaven,” said Rev. Dr. Timothy Brown, president of Western Theological Seminary, in Holland. “Kurt Dykstra will be a great college president. Kurt and Leah Dykstra together will be a terrific gift to Trinity, the students, the faculty, and the staff.”

“Authenticity, integrity, and faithfulness to the Reformed tradition are words I would use to describe Kurt Dykstra,” said Rev. Dr. Matthew Floding, director of ministerial formation at Duke Divinity School, in Durham, North Carolina. “Kurt possesses a wonderful skill set that will make him an effective and consummate leader.”

About the selection process

In July 2014, the executive committee of Trinity’s Board of Trustees announced the formation of a presidential search committee, chaired by Terry Van Der Aa, former Trinity Board of Trustees chair. Rob Buikema, Board of Trustees vice chair, served as the committee’s vice chair and Board of Trustees liaison to the search committee. The Board also engaged Price Harding, partner at CarterBaldwin Executive Search. The committee was composed of representatives from Trinity’s diverse constituencies, including the college’s current and former Board of Trustees members, alumni, faculty, staff, administration, and student body. 

“I thank all the members of the search committee for the hard work involving many hours of phone calls, meetings, and interviews, culminating in a unanimous recommendation to the Board,” said Ozinga.

 

Also, read about President-elect Dykstra’s Mayoral Leadership Recognized before Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives.

 

For more than a decade, Trinity has celebrated student scholarship with OPUS, an annual festival in which students present their best work from the past academic year. All students are encouraged to submit research papers, presentations, writing, art, and musical performances.

The festivities on April 21 began with the traditional opening parade, led by a student brass band and an appearance by the Troll mascot. The rest of the day was filled with presentations, entertainment, prizes, and a pig roast dinner.

For their presentations, students drew from academic work and experiences. Groups of students spoke about work in special courses such as Black Cinema and service in local organizations like Restoration Ministries. Other students presented on topics such as business consulting, scientific research, theology and practice, picture books, and more. 

Ben Hoekstra ’17 of Andover, Minnesota, presented on prayer and the digital age. “I was blown away by the opportunity to discuss my research and work with other students, particularly those outside my discipline, and with professors,” he said. “OPUS is such a unique and wonderful time, and it’s one of my favorite things that Trinity does.”

Amanda Grzeslo ’15 of Orland Park, Illinois, said, “There’s such a great energy to OPUS that it’s always a pleasure to present,” she said. “I’m always nervous when it comes to public speaking, so this fun and engaging atmosphere is a really great way to try to get over that fear.”

Winners of the musical, literary, oral interpretation, and art contests performed and read aloud during session times throughout the day.

In the evening, students enjoyed a raffle with amazing prizes – gift cards, Trinity gear, $150 tuition remissions, and much more. A full roasted pig and Hawaiian-themed dishes and desserts were served for dinner in the Dining Hall.

The day ended with the student-led Outcry worship service in the big tent. 

 

OPUS Committee

Ellen Browning, associate professor of art and design       

Mackenzie Cleary ’15 or Orland Park, IL                  

Mary Lynn Colosimo, professor of psychology

Karyn Jones ’17 of Florissant, MO

Mark Jones, professor of English

Jacqueline Moses, assistant professor of education

Jeff Nyhoff, associate professor of computer science

Patrick Page ’14 of Palos Park, IL

Pete Post ’74, associate professor of education

Ellie Sterenberg ’17 of Holland, MI

Maureen Sweeney, assistant professor of nursing

Trina Vallone ’99, associate professor of education

Michael Vander Weele ’73, professor of English

Donald Woo, dean for ethnic diversity and multicultural programs

 

Music Competition Winners

Instrumental solo

1st – Kate Meyrick

2nd – Katie Oomkes

 

Vocal solo

1st – Esther Sullivan

2nd – Kristen Folkertsma

3rd – Sierra Hernandez

 

Vocal ensemble

1st – Tre Davis and Dwante Jones

2nd – Kate Meyrick and Sierra Hernandez

 

Piano

1st – Hailey Ghiglia

2nd – Lacey Burie

 

Art and Design Winners

Graphic Design

1st – Alivia DeHaan, “Samekh”

2nd  – Ellie Sterenberg, “Phoenician Letter Pe”

3rd – Alexi Davis, “Summer”

Honorable Mention – Amy Ballance, “Cage the Elephant Event”

Honorable Mention – Kevin Synoga, “Cab Typeface”

 

Printmaking/Photography

1st – Cynthia Gliwa, “Chair”

2nd – Joshua Van Dyken, “Natural Abstraction Z”

3rd – Elizabeth VandeGriend, “Untitled”

Honorable Mention – Joshua VanDyken, “Earl”

Honorable Mention – Alivia DeHaan, “Day in the Life of Liv”

 

Sculpture/3D

1st– Alivia DeHaan, “Everest: An Attempt to Get My Job Back”

2nd– Jaclyn Feddes, “One of a Kind”

3rd– Andrew Holmes, “Paper Sculpture #3”

Honorable Mention – Josh VanDyken, “Spoon Ring”

Honorable Mention – Elizabeth VandeGriend, “Home”

 

Drawing/Painting/Mixed Media

1st– Breanne Self, “5 Tone Still Life”

2nd– Hannah Dykstra, “Hand topography”

3rd– Andrew Holmes, “Spray Painting the #12”

Honorable Mention – Talia Strnad, “Apples and Oranges”

Honorable Mention – Yeonji Choi, “Silence”

 

BEST IN SHOW – Ellie Sterenberg, “Composition 1”

 

Literary Competition Winners

Poetry

1st – Esther Sullivan, “Chrysalis” 

2nd – Anna Phillips, “When Utilities are a Real Thing” 

3rd – Sara Henreckson, “October” 

 

Essay

1st – Jaclyn Feddes, “Female Empowerment?”

2nd – Anna Phillips, “The Game” 

3rd – Jaclyn Feddes, “A Writer’s World” 

 

Fiction

1st – Alex Kohrs, “Brian.” 

2nd – Kylla Pate, “Apocalypse” 

3rd – Jaclyn Feddes, “Forgive Me, Father” 

 

Oral Interpretation Winners

Original Oratory

1st – Esther Sullivan

2nd – Tara DeVries

3rd – Ethan Holmes

 

Prose Interpretation

1st – Callie Bunker

2nd – Olivia Winkowitch

 

Dramatic Interpretation

1st – William Doyle and Cait Williams

2nd – Esther Sullivan

3rd – Olivia Winkowitch

 

Poetry Interpretation

1st – Esther Sullivan

2nd – Kylla Plate

3rd – Ethan Holmes

 

As of Fall 2015, Trinity will offer two new majors: Bioinformatics and Environmental Science. Trinity is the second college in Illinois and the only college in the Reformed Christian tradition in the country to offer a Bachelor of Science degree in bioinformatics.

In addition, an Environmental Studies minor and a Bachelor of Arts in biology join the existing Bachelor of Science in biology. Last year, the Bachelor of Science in biochemistry and molecular biology major was added to Trinity’s growing list of science programs.

Bioinformatics

Bioinformatics is an interdisciplinary major uniting math, computer science, chemistry, and biology. New technologies in the biological sciences produce incredible amounts of data to analyze, which requires expertise in mathematics and computer science. This has led to the creation of the field of bioinformatics, one of the fastest growing areas in biological sciences. Ethical issues that arise in this area will be discussed from a Christian worldview throughout the program.

Environmental Science

Environmental Science equips students as agents of renewal in God’s kingdom through a focus on environmental stewardship. The Environmental Science major provides opportunities for students to explore the interactions of the natural world through study and investigation, which will then provide the foundation for Christian earth keeping. Students will enhance their classroom studies with off -campus opportunities at Morton Arboretum, Shedd Aquarium, and AuSable Institute for Environmental Studies.

 

Four Trinity students were recently invited to attend the Future Founders Building Your Legacy event featuring Pete Kadens, president and chief sales officer of SoCore Energy and one of Chicago’s top entrepreneurs.

On April 8, Tony Dykstra ’18 of Highland, Indiana; Dyvon Melling ’16 of Tipton, Michigan; Ryan Hesslau ’18 of Mokena, Illinois; and Tom Iwema ’18 of Oak Lawn, Illinois, joined 19 other students representing nine Chicagoland colleges and universities.

Students had the opportunity to hear the story of Kadens’ entrepreneurial journey and ask questions. The event also provided an important time of cross-campus collaboration and networking with Kadens and Future Founders peers.

“The overall experience was very informative and encouraging to young individuals who feel the drive to become an entrepreneur,” said Hesslau, a recent recipient of the Future Founders Fellowship and founder of the nonprofit foreverU. “The most important thing I felt Pete Kadens hit on was the importance of humility when starting your own company or organization.

Hesslau said opportunities like the Building Your Legacy event help students gain insight into business in Chicago and what it takes to be a successful entrepreneur in today’s business world.

“I definitely encourage anyone to take advantage of networking opportunities,” Hesslau said. “It’s amazing to see the doors that can open when pursuing your future as a result of attending these events.”

 

About Pete Kadens

Kadens co-founded SoCore Energy in 2008. Since then he has transformed SoCore with his team from a startup to a successful multi-million dollar solar business and sold the company in 2013 to Fortune 500 energy holding company Edison International. As president and chief sales officer, he is responsible for overseeing all sales and operations of the business.