trinity christian college fall 2011 magazine

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Growing up in West Michigan, I have always found Chicago to be a city that beckons. As a kid, I felt the Museum of Science and Industry was the best, and a trip up the John Hancock Center was not to be missed—especially at night.

While Chicago always seemed inviting from my home in Grandville, Michigan, it was also a city that seemed worlds away, not so much in driving time, but in terms of its sophistication and complexity. From the corporate towers to the elevated transportation system, Chicago seemed to be the place where it all happened. The city beckons us as a community of educators and learners at Trinity, as well. Chicago is filled with opportunities, particularly for students wishing to intern as a final step in their collegiate education. Internships are available at myriad businesses and organizations, providing students with real-world experience before they graduate. But Chicago is more than just an internship site for our students. The city provides an array of cultural activities, from professional sports to symphonic choirs. Many of the activities are free, including wandering along the concourse on Navy Pier or enjoying a concert in Millennium Park. Whether traveling downtown for work or for fun, access is simple and quick. The Metra SouthWest Service commuter train services the nearby Palos Heights station, and students need only drive up to Midway Airport to catch the Orange Line (part of the “L” system). Among these many opportunities, the ones that I believe are the most important are those that come with Chicago being a global city. Certainly we seek to prepare students to step out into the world in answer to God’s call, and so much of the world is right here in Chicago. From alumni who have chosen a career in the city to those on the other side of the world who began their journey in the city, Trinity’s proximity to Chicago provides a faithful opportunity to engage the world for Christ. I trust the following stories will demonstrate the possibilities and opportunities Chicago affords Trinity students. Whether you are paging through this magazine in West Michigan, in Pella, Iowa, in the Chicago suburbs, or anywhere else, I trust you will vicariously experience the call of the city—a call which the Holy Spirit works in and through. In Him,

OppOrtunities Offered by the GlObal City Of ChiCaGO

Steven R. Timmermans, Ph.D. President, Trinity Christian College

James M. AchterhofBonnie Beezhold ’77 Larry W. Bolt ’63Barbara Brouwer ’67David J. ButerGeorge CooperBeth M. Decker ’67Dianne De Groot Janyce Diepstra ’71Jeff Eenigenburg ’87Charles A. GeenenLynn Hollender ’72Arnold HovingArthur E. Jongsma, Jr. ’63Terry KatsmaBruce E. LeepEsteban LugoPeter Madany ’82Jayme Morren ’94Frederick V. Olthof, Jr. Luis A. Oviedo ’95Martin Ozinga III Rosetta Polk-Pugh ’04Christopher SalleyMike SchoneveldRichard C. Schutt ’77Lambert J. SikkemaJerry UitermarktVirginia Vander HartKenneth L. Vander WalRick Van Til, Sr.Calvin Walstra ’62

trinity Christian COlleGe bOard Of trustees 2011


FALL 2011

The Trinity Christian College magazine is published bi-annually for alumni and friends of the College. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. ©2011 Trinity Christian College admits students of any race, color, and national or ethnic origin.

Trinity Christian College is a community of Christian scholarship committed to shaping lives and transforming culture.

Visit Trinity Christian College’s website at: www.trnty.edu.

deparTmenTs

2 news

4 main FeaTure

17 people

20 adulT sTudies

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26 aThleTiCs

28 alumni

eXeCuTiVe ediTorKimberly FabianExecutive Director of Marketing and Communications

laYouT and desiGnPeter Clevering ’01Associate Director of Marketing

ConTriBuTinG wriTersAmanda Cleary Assistant Director of Public Relations and Communications Amy Strong ’86 Sports Information Director

phoToGraphYPeter Clevering ’01 Melissa Holtrop ’00 Sam Mahtani ’10 Marketing and Media Associate

posTmasTer: Send address changes to:Trinity Christian College Magazine, 6601 West College Drive, Palos Heights, IL 60463

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on The CoVerEmily Ward ’09

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CHICAGO CAREERS

JUBILATION!

NEW ATHLETICS FACILITIES

ChicagoQuest is a summer residential experience for academically-motivated high school seniors and for incoming Trinity freshmen. Students live and study in the global city of Chicago and explore the many opportunities for learning, serving, and experiencing culture. Each morning, for four weeks this summer, nine students in Trinity’s ChicagoQuest program would leave the Gold Coast area apartments, hop on the CTA Red Line

train to the Chicago Semester facility in the Loop, and attend either a college-credit history or art class with Trinity professors. Students earn three college credits in either Art and World Religions or American and Western Civilization. Classroom learning is reinforced through visits to area museums and galleries, such as the Illinois Holocaust Museum and the Art Institute of Chicago. Growing spiritually happened in this community as students shared devotions, prayed, worshipped, and served together. Each Sunday, they attended a different Chicago church. The service project at the Greater Chicago Food Depository built

sTudenT assoCiaTion ExECuTIvE COMMITTEE

President—Sam Lankah ’13, Warrenville, Illinoisvice President—DaMaris King ’14, Detroit, MichiganTreasurer—Kaitlyn Fondrk ’13, Belvidere, IllinoisSecretary—Dan Thayer ’12, Buchanan, Michigan

COMMITTEE CHAIRS

Academic Initiative—Chair, Josh Knol ’14, Crown Point, Indiana Advisor, Dr. Aron Reppmann ’92

Allelu—Chair, Annalise Flier ’12, Lowell, MichiganAdvisor, Peter Clevering ’01

Multicultural—Chair, Javairia Taylor ’14, Bolingbrook, Illinois Advisor, Dr. Bob Rice

Service—Chair, Eric Robbert ’13, La Grange, IllinoisAdvisor, Anna Rosas ’06

Social Justice Chapter—Chair, Holli Moote ’13, Portage, Michigan

Student Activities—Chair, Ashley veurink ’11, Corsica, South DakotaAdvisor, Troy Schemper

Webmaster—Kaleb Dean ’15, Caldwell, Idaho

camaraderie among the students as they worked alongside hundreds of others to prepare registration packs for participants in the local Hunger Walk. vice President for Student Development Ginny Carpenter serves as the program’s director. “The key to ChicagoQuest is the broad experience students get as individuals while at the same time sharing the experience,” said Carpenter. “Students are most surprised by the relationships they form and the realization of self-sufficiency.” For more information about ChicagoQuest, visit www.trnty.edu, and click on Academics – Chicago Quest.

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Four students were elected by their peers to represent the student body as

members of the 2011-12 Student Association Executive Committee. Sam Lankah ’13 of Warrenville, Illinois, leads the Student Association as president. Lankah, who served on the Association this past year as a class representative, is a biology major. He has participated in various clubs, including Academic Initiative, Service Committee, Asian American Alliance (AAA), and Men’s Ministry, and he has been a member of the men’s soccer team.

new sTudenT leadership For 2011-12

vice President DaMaris King ’14 is from Detroit, Michigan, and served as a 2010-11 association class representative. A psychology major with minors in communication arts and music, King has also been involved as a

chapel music leader and member of Psychology Club. Kaitlyn Fondrk ’13, from Belvidere, Illinois, applies her accounting major as the association’s 2011-12 treasurer. Fondrk has served as the chair and treasurer of Academic Initiative and has been involved in the General Education Committee, Law and Politics Society, the OPuS Committee, and the Overarching unity Task Force. Dan Thayer ’12 of Buchanan, Michigan, a music major and

communication arts-theatre minor, serves as secretary. Thayer is president of the Theatre Club and has also been a part of South Hall Council, Social Justice Chapter, and has served as a 2010-11 association member.

(l-r) vice President DaMaris King ’14, President Sam Lankah ’13, Secretary Dan Thayer ’12, and Treasurer Kaitlyn Fondrk ’13

trinity christian college2 |

2011 series eduCaTes and enliGhTens

WorldView at Trinity is an annual community and college series for film, word, and music held each Monday evening in October. This year’s series welcomed hundreds of students and community members. The first event on October 3 highlighted the life of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, the young German theologian who offered one of the first clear voices of resistance to Adolf

Hitler. visitors viewed BONHOEFFER, the documentary film telling the dramatic story of his challenge to the Church to stand with the Jews in their time of need. On October 10, Dr. David Walton presented on the state of health care in Haiti. Walton is the associate physician and hospitalist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and instructor of medicine at Harvard Medical School. He divides his time between Brigham and Women’s Hospital and the Hôpital de Lascahobas in Haiti, where he serves as the associate director. Christine Jeske, author of Into the Mud: Inspiration for Everyday Activists, presented true stories of Africa on October 17. Jeske has worked in microfinance, refugee resettlement, community development,

and teaching while living in Nicaragua, China, and South Africa.

Audience members enjoyed a lovely concert on October 24 performed by violin virtuoso Jaime Jorge. Born in Cuba, Jorge has traveled around the world sharing the love of Jesus through music and testimony. Former Palos Heights Mayor Dean Koldenhoven presented “Religious Tolerance: The Mosque Controversy” on October 31. Koldenhoven is a recipient of the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award and received a special recognition award by the Arab American League.

sTudenTs sTarT The new aCademiC YearBLuEPRINTSHundreds of new students and their family members attended Blueprints, the annual freshmen registration event, on June 24 and 25.

INvOLvEMENT FAIRAt the September 3 Involvement Fair, students had the opportunity to learn about the many ways to get involved in campus clubs, committees, and organizations. They also received information from local churches, banks, and other businesses.

BLACK & WHITE DRESS-uP NIGHT OF JAzzThe annual Black and White Dress-up Night of Jazz provided an evening of jazz music to hundreds of students and community members on September 23.

MOvE-IN DAyTrinity welcomed incoming resident students on August 26, during the College’s official Move-in Day for freshmen.

FALL 2011 | 3

In a world of dinosaur bones, mummies, and ancient artifacts from around the globe, media producer Emily Ward ’09 works with her team at Chicago’s Field

Museum to produce informational videos for various exhibits. The museum attracts thousands of visitors viewing its collections of millions of specimens. For a while during her Trinity education, Ward was “running two tracks.” She loved the study of mathematics but began working with video production and discovered not only a love, but a talent, for the medium during a Trinity Interim trip to Nicaragua. The trip fed both her ever-present desire to travel and her interest in visual storytelling. Along with fellow Trinity student Jordan

In 1959, Trinity’s founders established the College near Chicago, intending for it to become “the focal point for Christian education in all Chicagoland with all of the educational, spiritual, and cultural advantages a Christian college has to offer.” (Dr. Richard Prince, The Illinois Observer, March 1959).

The College continues to offer those advantages in abundance to its students. And the global city of Chicago continues to provide endless opportunities for students and alumni to reach their academic and professional goals. Trinity students gain hands-on experience through internships and programs such as Chicago Semester ; reinforce their classroom learning at museums, galleries, and theatres; enjoy sporting events, restaurants, and the amenities of Lake Michigan; and live out their faith by volunteering hundreds of hours in service to others. In worldwide businesses and in small neighborhood organizations, alumni, like those featured in this edition of TRINITY magazine, are serving God in careers and callings throughout Chicago.

Chicago

careers.calling.

Chicago Opens Field of Opportunities for Alumna


Emily Ward ’09 works with an interesting array of characters at Chicago’s Field Museum, including Sue, the largest, most complete, and best preserved Tyrannosaurus rex ever discovered.

Huenink ’07, Ward created a video about the Nehemiah Center, a trans-denominational ministry and community development effort of Nicaraguan leaders and North American missionaries. Ward later returned to the country and to the Center during Trinity’s Semester in Nicaragua. Students participating in the program are provided with an internship at the Nehemiah Center and live with host families, as they immerse themselves in a new culture. As part of her experiential learning, Ward produced yet another video, this time pursuing the answer to a question she had begun to ask herself each morning. Being a socially conscious college student, Ward wondered where her coffee came from, besides the local grocery or corner

coffeehouse. “I wanted to know whose hands were laboring for my morning cup of coffee,” she explains in her documentary Harvest: the journey to a small coffee farm, in which Ward explores first-hand the meaning of “fair trade” in the coffee industry. An internship with Cultivate Studios, followed by her next semester program at Trinity, kept Ward a little closer to home as she took advantage of the College’s proximity to Chicago and enrolled in Chicago Semester. Ward, who grew up in the suburbs and enjoyed the pursuit of music and theatre as a Trinity student in addition to Interim travels to Nicaragua, Rwanda, and Israel, found herself pleasantly surprised by the nearby global city.

“Participating in Chicago Semester opened up a new side of livability for me and all of the fun things to do in Chicago,” she said. The experience also opened the door for her to work at the Field Museum where Ward interned as part of her semester education. After graduation, she continued working as a summer intern at the museum and was eventually hired full time. In addition to working in Chicago, Ward has also made it her home. “I bike to work in the summer, walk along Lake Michigan, attend concerts, and volunteer at the Shakespeare Theater. I love the city.” For more information about Trinity’s semester abroad programs, visit www.trnty.edu, and click on Academics.

Photo by Karen Bean

FALL 2011 | 5

IF yOu ASKED ME BACK IN 1971 HOW I ENDED uP AT TRINITy, My ANSWER WOuLD HAvE BEEN

COMPLETELy DIFFERENT FROM THE ANSWER I AM ABLE TO GIvE yOu TODAy, ” SAID ARTHuR BISHOP ’75.

Arthur is currently the director of the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice. A brief summary of his life story, including his time at Trinity, seems to follow the “voyage and return” plot structure in literature. From his birth in a Chicago hospital elevator, to an upbringing in Alabama, to a return in 1959 to Chicago where he would make his home and career, Arthur has an interesting story to tell, one that also involves an unlikely, but important, four years as a student at Trinity.

As one of the few African Americans on the campus in the 1970s, Arthur first visited the College at the prompting of a man named Ed Erickson, whose son, Terry, was Trinity’s athletics director. The athletic abilities of Arthur, a standout player on the von Steuben High School basketball team, did not go unnoticed by Ed who had a youth ministry in Arthur’s neighborhood and tried to invest his time into the lives of the young men he mentored. He decided to show Arthur a potential future at Trinity. “I remember being so impressed with the state-of-the-art Mitchell Memorial gym,” said Arthur. “Back then I would have told you I ended up at Trinity because of basketball. Today I can tell you that I attended Trinity Christian College as a result of God’s divine plan.”

Arthur played basketball for the College for four years. More important, he discovered an early call on his heart to help others, a call that led him to major in sociology. With a master’s in human services administration from Spertus College and a long career history in social services, Arthur was appointed to his current director role

Father and Son travel Same Path oF education and Service

in 2010 by Illinois Governor Pat Quinn. Arthur is responsible for more than 3,000 youth currently incarcerated or on parole status, eight facilities across Illinois, 1,200 employees, and a budget of $119 million for Fy ’12. Arthur has laid the foundation for a 3-5 year plan for a major overhaul to the juvenile justice system, a plan that includes vocational and educational treatment for youth and linking youth with services and resources once they are released from state facilities. “It is important to have folks that will come alongside and provide support for the youth and for their families,” he said. “Our mission is to move from an adult punitive model to a more therapeutic, rehabilitative model.”

Arthur said the effort has been described as turning a battleship around in a bathtub. “The ship is turned, now we have to move forward.”

He said the Christian foundation he received from the aunt who raised him and the principles he learned at Trinity have served him well. “It may not have looked like it at the time, but when I was at Trinity, I watched. I observed. I listened,” said Arthur. “God has blessed me with the gift of ministry and the gift of counseling. I have always wanted to help those who, for whatever reason, found themselves helpless, and it has given me great joy to serve my Savior in the field of social work.”

Looking back, Arthur can also see how his Trinity history, his passion for helping others,


and his love for God affected the journey of his son, Dennus Bishop ’00. Dennus, a special agent with the united States Secret Service, followed a similar educational, spiritual, and professional path.

“The majority of the things I have done have been following the example of my dad, even in attending Trinity,” said Dennus, who, as a high school sophomore coming to alumni basketball games with Arthur, never thought he would enroll as a student. After graduating from Walther Lutheran High School in Melrose Park in 1996, Dennus enrolled at Trinity and, like his father, joined the men’s basketball team, reestablishing contact with players he had competed against while in high school. “We came in 1996 from totally different

backgrounds and stood there sizing each other up,” said Dennus of the teammates that he still calls friends today. “I learned so much from them. We were literally a brotherhood.”

In addition to a shared love of basketball, Dennus, who has served as the assistant varsity basketball coach at Walther for 12 years, has always shared his father’s love for helping others. “I watched Dad work in the field of social work for years, and I love working with people and with people in need.”

At Trinity, Dennus majored in psychology, but as graduation neared and he began to more seriously consider his career choices, he talked with his professors: Drs. Dick Cole and Michael Devries ’74, professors

of psychology, and Dr. Brad Breems, professor of sociology.

“I remember sitting down with them, and after talking with me about the things I was interested in, they encouraged me to pursue social work instead of psychology,” said Dennus. “At a larger school, I wouldn’t have had that mentoring.”

Dennus went on to pursue his master of social work at the Jane Addams College of Social Work—university of Illinois at Chicago and entered what he calls the “front lines” of social work. Prior to his current position as a special agent, he served as a child protection investigator with the Department of Children and Family Services. Through his various social work positions, Dennus entered the homes of those in need and developed relationships with the people he helped. “I experienced the city of Chicago in a way most people don’t,” he said.

Father and son still enjoy visiting Trinity to watch and participate in the alumni basketball games and reconnect with fellow alumni. At the October Jubilation! 2011 event and grand opening of the new Trinity Athletics and Recreation Complex, Arthur introduced the litany during the dinner program.

Arthur and his wife vanessa also have a daughter, Aseia, who earned her master of social work from uIC Jane Addams and was a member of the u.S. Army Reserves (spending a tour of duty in Kuwait); and a son-in-law, Frank Wells, who is an enlisted veteran of the u.S. Navy. Dennus is married to Janel, dean of students at Oak Park & River Forest High School.

Thank you to Joyce Schulting ’74 who contributed to this article.

FALL 2011 | 7

“I am also able to serve people who are in great need of the love and compassion I have been taught so well to give.”

In 2010, Emily (Buter) Rusticus ’10 graduated from Trinity’s nursing program and answered a call to the health care industry. She now works in the Pediatric Neuro unit at Children’s Memorial Hospital in Chicago.

She serves a diverse population of children from newborns to late teens, from minor hospitalizations to chronic conditions. She often cares for children with cancer before they are moved to oncology and gets to know many of them well.

One child in particular prompted Rusticus to think of her oldest sister who died of a brain tumor at the age of nine. “I see lots of kids in those situations, but she especially reminded me of the sister I lost,” she said. “I can be there for the family and give them my full attention in the small moments. That’s when I know why I’m here, to serve God and this population.”

Although she can’t often share her faith, Rusticus does pray with Christian families and is challenged by working in the city. Growing up in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and worshipping in a Christian Reformed church, Rusticus believes it is important for everyone to live outside of their comfort zone.

“I chose to work in downtown Chicago, because when I was offered the job at Children’s, I knew God was calling me to work in an atmosphere that is often far from my comfort zone. It is important for me to show my faith even in places where Christianity is not always evident. I am also able to serve people who are in great need of the love and compassion I have been taught so well to give.”

She credits her Trinity professors with that excellent teaching. “My experience at Trinity was wonderful, beginning with our first nursing class,” said Rusticus. “The teaching staff was superb. Not many nursing schools can say that their staff knows each student by name and genuinely cares about them as individuals.”

Because of the College’s location and the partnerships the nursing department has formed with local hospitals, students have many options for field experience in the Chicagoland area. “With Trinity so close to Chicago, I was able, through my clinicals, to serve a very diverse, urban community,” she said. “I had amazing, real world experiences.”

During her field experience, she worked the pediatric rotation at Hope Children’s Hospital in Oak Lawn, Illinois, and for her senior project, or “capstone,” Rusticus worked at Children’s Memorial on the floor where she is currently completing a year-long mentoring program. Rusticus, who is married to Alex ’09, an accountant with Evenhouse & Co., P.C., is looking into graduate school to pursue becoming a nurse practitioner.

Call to Health Care Leads to Chicago


Harold Boyd ’10 grew up in the Roseland community on the south side of Chicago and began attending Roseland Christian Reformed Church around the age of 10. As a child, he enjoyed the fellowship he found at Roseland

Christian Ministries (RCM) and remembers the year Joe Huizenga ’01, pastor of Roseland CRC, was an intern from Trinity. Today Boyd, who also served as an intern as a Trinity student, works with Huizenga at RCM to bring the message of salvation to the community, as well as support services such as interim housing for homeless mothers and their children. Boyd recently began a newly created position as youth director and pastor, roles he fills with several years of experience of working with children and a heart for being a missionary to his community. After graduating from Trinity with a bachelor’s degree in theology, Boyd ventured to the inner city of Atlanta, Georgia, where he served with Mission year, a year-long urban ministry program focused on Christian service and discipleship. One of six team members, Boyd lived in a trailer park in Atlanta’s East Point neighborhood, becoming part of the Hispanic community he served. As part of that community, he and his team worked through a local church to tutor and mentor children. Soon after he began his work, Boyd was featured by CNN in a story about Mission year and the low numbers of African Americans in the mission field. “We can be missionaries to our

communities, and once we live a mission life there, then we can go out to other places,” he said. Although Boyd’s time in Atlanta ended in July, he continues to work as a Mission year alumni mentor with team members serving in Roseland for the next year. At RCM, two of the youth offerings Boyd oversees include Transforming Minds, an after-school program, and Daughters of zion, a program that helps girls develop their self esteem and reinforces moral messages. He hopes to develop a similar program for boys called Men of Honor but emphasized the great need for more long-term volunteers to serve the children. “My biggest dream for all of Roseland’s youth is for every child to be mentored through their senior year of high school,” said Boyd. At Trinity, Boyd was awarded the Catherine yonker Memorial Scholarship in 2008 for his contributions toward encouraging Christian race relations and cross-cultural understanding. He was also a Community Partnerships scholar, an Associated Colleges of Illinois (ACI) Diversity Leadership scholar, and a volunteer at Restoration Ministries in Harvey, Illinois.

FALL 2011 | 9

For people like Chris verstrate ’96, Chicago, a hub of international business, provides an ideal place in which to practice corporate law.

“The type of business law that I am involved in as a partner with McGuireWoods, LLP, requires me to live in a major metropolitan area and business center,” said verstrate. “After attending both Trinity and Northwestern university School of Law, it was a natural fit to find a firm to work for in Chicago.” verstrate, who majored in business and communication arts, decided he wanted to attend law school after graduation and earned a juris doctor from Northwestern. “My experience and introduction to the business world through Trinity’s business program clearly contributed to my career path and was probably the main factor in my decision to pursue corporate law studies and to practice corporate law as an attorney.” Not swayed by television’s glitzy portrayals of trial lawyers, verstrate didn’t share the interest many students have in studying litigation and arguing cases in court.

“you don’t see a lot of Tv shows focused on the legal practice of a corporate lawyer, but I knew that I wanted to be part of the business side of things based largely on my experience at Trinity.” verstrate said the location of Chicago was ideal for pursuing his law degree, because of the choice of excellent law schools. As a partner at McGuireWoods, verstrate handles corporate transactions including mergers and acquisitions, international business transactions, complex contracts, and corporate formation and reorganization. “I love the fact that I get to work with different companies across different industries and even throughout different countries.” While the work involves tough negotiations, looming deadlines, and client demands, it is often rewarding. “By finding ways to achieve corporate transactions that are beneficial to multiple parties, I like to think that good corporate lawyers add value for their clients and are beneficial to industry and the economy,” he said.

verstrate said that his corporate legal practice allows him to moonlight as a business person and deal with companies on more than just specific laws or regulations. As an adviser to his clients, he is often a sounding board for issues ranging from tax and accounting to expansion to choosing a name for a new division. “That is one area where my broad experience in the business program at Trinity helped prepare me,” said verstrate. Besides Trinity’s business program and the influence of Verstrate’s former professor John Kooyenga ’66, more notable experiences included meeting his wife Kadie ’96 and forming the lasting friendships he maintains today. verstrate also mentioned the many opportunities he had to participate in student government, intramurals, the student newspaper, and residence life. “What stands out the most for me are the number of opportunities at Trinity, the experiences that I had, and the people that I met along the way.”

education leadS to career in corPorate law

TriniTY ChrisTian ColleGe10 |

When Matthew vander Laan ’97 was a senior at Trinity, he took an internship in Chicago at Edelman, a leading independent

global public relations firm. “I was hired on full time before I even graduated, and that internship experience set the stage for the next 15 years of my life,” he said. Today as Edelman’s executive vice president for corporate affairs, vander Laan leads a team of 20 professionals who develop public relations campaigns for Fortune 500 clients. Originally a pre-med major who excelled at science and planned to become a doctor, vander Laan said that after taking courses in English, theology, philosophy, and art, he discovered that working with the “other side” of his brain was even more fun and interesting. “Professors Michael vander Weele ’73, Dan Diephouse, virginia La Grand, Annalee Ward, and others really helped me unlock my critical thinking and writing skills.”

vander Laan eventually changed his major to English and worked as the editor of the Courier, Trinity’s student newspaper, and as a reporter for the Regional News in Palos Heights. These experiences proved beneficial to his future work. “It helped hone my sense for what people find interesting, engaging, and provocative,” he said. “Everyone wants to hear a good story, and I put that core idea to work for my clients every day.” Today Trinity students take field trips to Edelman to learn from vander Laan. “Matt emphasizes to public relations students their need for a strong liberal arts background and strong writing skills,” said Dr. Sherry Barnes, professor of communication arts. “Matt gives students an inside look at the cutting edge of PR.” As a student, vander Laan would also visit Chicago for classes, sometimes seeing a play for English or attending a gallery opening for art; but he said he and his friends mostly enjoyed the restaurants and baseball games.

Internship Leads to

Career in Public Relations

vander Laan’s perspective has changed now that he spends so much time in Chicago and said that, in hindsight, he probably didn’t take advantage of all the city had to offer. While he believes students should enjoy the cultural and entertainment options, vander Laan advises students to also look at the city and its people through the eyes of what they’ve learned on Trinity’s campus. “If we learn to see the world through the lens of God’s sovereignty, the centrality of Christ, and the hopelessness of sin, then we realize the city provides an intense display of both unimaginable beauty and utter brokenness. Such sharp juxtapositions force you to sharpen your observing, evaluating, and thinking skills in ways that more homogeneous surroundings just can’t,” said vander Laan. “Trinity, with its proximity to the city, is a great place to learn these habits of heart and mind.”

Fall 2011 | 11

Jason Genzink ’11, a business management major while at Trinity, enrolled in Chicago Semester with the goal of stretching himself socially and professionally and taking advantage of the opportunity to learn outside of the

classroom.

“I needed an internship to prepare me for graduation and job searching, and I knew the program would push me outside of my comfort zone.”

As part of the learning process and the process of being matched with the most suitable internship possibilities, Genzink interviewed with three companies and landed an opportunity with C.H. Robinson Worldwide, one of the world’s largest third party logistics providers.

His responsibilities included assisting sales reps and account managers with day-to-day operations such as scheduling and tracking shipments for both Fortune 500 accounts and smaller “mom and pop” companies; quoting transactional freight; resolving daily problems; and shadowing reps on sales meetings. Genzink appreciated the “plan for achievement” that involved supervisors setting goals and benchmarks for interns, and in turn, interns setting goals for themselves.

Chicago Semester staff work diligently with partner organizations and companies to match students with the most appropriate internships.

“We have a long-standing partnership with Chicago Semester that has worked out well for both sides,” said Michael Atkinson, corporate trainer at C.H. Robinson. “It allows us to help students get real world experience. They gain good business skills and are prepared for a sales driven environment.”

Chicago Semester met the expectations Genzink had about his studies and internship but exceeded those expectations in another area—the relationships he formed with fellow students at Chicago Semester and co-workers at C.H. Robinson.

The biggest challenge during that semester? Facing the job search. But this wasn’t a challenge for long. Genzink was hired soon after graduation at C.H. Robinson’s Grand Rapids, Michigan, branch as an account manager.

And the biggest reward? Genzink said, “I have grown in every area, socially, professionally, and spiritually. I learned daily to trust more in the Lord; my future was so uncertain, but I knew he had a great plan.”

Experience Leads to Job After Graduation

CHICAGO SEmEStER


Osvaldo Montelongo ’11, a business and Spanish major, secured a position at the company for which he interned during his Chicago Semester experience.

Montelongo enrolled in the Chicago Semester program with this exact goal in mind. “I wanted to finish my last semester at Trinity with an internship that opened doors to potential jobs in the Chicagoland area.”

His internship at Sunstar Americas, Inc., a member of the Sunstar Group of companies that serves oral health care professionals and consumers in 90 countries, provided Montelongo with international business experience. He said the Chicago Semester program allowed him to apply his Trinity education in real world business situations.

“The internship had great benefits for me,” said Montelongo. “I was encouraged by management to grow into an international professional.” The company has continued to help the recent graduate reach that goal, offering Montelongo a position as an international product line manager.

“I loved working at Sunstar as an intern, so when they asked me if I would be interested in working for them again, I accepted the position,” he said. “I’ve always had a passion for working internationally, and this is the perfect fit for me. God is faithful!”

As a manager, Montelongo will be responsible for Sunstar’s oral care product lines throughout Latin America, including Mexico, Argentina, and Colombia, providing product branding, positioning, development of new products, and communicating effectively to customers in Latin America.

“I look forward to learning about my products and how they’ll perform in my Latin American markets,” he said. “And I’m excited about the international travel.”

As a Trinity student, Montelongo played soccer from 2007-11, participated in service work with Sunday Snacks and local ministries, and served as the secretary of Academic Initiative. It was through soccer that he originally learned about Trinity and was encouraged by the College’s coaching staff to visit the campus.

“After thinking long and hard about enrolling, I felt that God was pushing me to come to Chicago,” said Montelongo. “It has been a blessing to be able to attend Trinity.”

From Chicago Internship to Career

Every year, Trinity juniors and seniors interested in learning, living, and working in the global city of Chicago enroll in Chicago Semester, a faith-based program that challenges students to integrate their personal, professional, and public lives through internships, academic seminars, and urban experience. Internships offer students the opportunity to apply their skills, learn experientially, build their resumés, and develop their professional skills.

CHICAGO SEmEStER

Fall 2011 | 13

Every morning, Crystal Williams ’11 walks along one of the Great Avenues of the World, passing lovely streetscapes, fine dining restaurants, high-end retail stores, and luxury hotels to reach her office at The Greater North Michigan

Avenue Association (GNMAA), which represents more than 700 businesses interested in promoting Chicago’s Magnificent Mile as a world-class destination.

Williams, an administrative assistant and assistant to the program director, first began working with GNMAA during her Chicago Semester internship in the spring of 2011, her last semester as a Trinity business major. As a student, Williams was a recipient of the Academic Excellence, Diversity Leadership, and Dining Hall scholarships. She was a First year Forum mentor and a student manager in the cafeteria for three years. That experience taught her management skills and led to an interest in event planning.

Williams was thrilled to secure an internship with the Association as an event planning coordinator, developing promotional pieces for events, attending community meetings, and creating surveys to gather feedback from Association members.

When her Chicago Semester ended, Williams’ work at the GNMAA did not. She was asked to stay through the summer and was later offered her current position.

“What I love most about my job is meeting with my committees, sitting around the table in our conference room, taking a blank canvas, and creating successful events,” said Williams. Some of her summer projects included planning and promotion for the Magnificent Red Carpet Boat Cruise and the ACCESS event (Admission to Chicago’s Coolest Experiences on the Summer Scene).

“I always think back to my Chicago Semester and my internship,” she said. “I am grateful and thankful to God that he blessed me with a spectacular job right out of college.”

Besides the benefit of job experience prior to graduation, the Chicago Semester program showed Williams and her fellow students parts of the city that extend far beyond the tulip-lined streets of The Magnificent Mile.

Williams became acquainted with the city as she lived and learned inside and outside of her classroom. For one class, she visited various neighborhoods to learn how the people there are working to better their communities. Williams and her classmates volunteered with By the Hand Club and led chapel for children in the Austin neighborhood.

Chicago Semester students not only share in daily learning experiences but also grow together in their faith. “I was supported spiritually in class and in living with my roommates,” said Williams. “you pray a lot because this is an important and crucial time of your life; you have to keep God first.”

Planning Events on Chicago’s magnificent mile


The cornerstone of Erie Neighborhood House in Chicago’s West Town neighborhood reads: “To the glory of God and the service of his children.” Emily Hunter ’11, a sociology major while at Trinity, spent her last semester

navigating the narrow hallways of the building that houses an organization that has served the immigrant populations of Chicago for over 100 years.

Today the expansive chapel, broad staircases, and small brightly painted rooms provide space for award-winning educational programs for low-income, primarily Latino families. Hunter’s role during her Chicago Semester internship with the organization focused on immigration services, helping people with such tasks as applying for citizenship.

Erie’s comprehensive citizenship program supports more than 1,600 immigrants and refugees each year through the complex naturalization process, with an emphasis on the rights and responsibilities of becoming informed, active u.S. citizens.

Working in the citizenship program also gave the Spanish minor an opportunity to hone her foreign language skills as she interacted with clients and facilitated some computer classes for women in the community and English-as-a-Second-Language classes for students.

Hunter’s interest in the area of immigration developed when she was a college freshman. “Many of my friends at Trinity

were international students on student visas,” she said. “These relationships piqued my interest in people emigrating from other countries and the challenges they face.”

She continued to nurture her interests through her participation in Trinity’s student organizations, including the Social Justice Chapter, Service Committee, and Acting on Aids. Hunter also took advantage of one of the College’s other study abroad options, Semester in Spain, which immersed her in Spanish culture for an entire semester of experiential learning in Seville. Chicago Semester expanded Hunter’s understanding of culture and immigration as it relates to life in the United States and specifically to the city of Chicago. “What I appreciated most about Chicago Semester was getting to know the city,” she said. “What I thought was the city—Michigan Avenue—is a small percentage of Chicago. I love how rich Chicago is culturally.”

These experiences will aid Hunter as she travels to Spain this fall to work for the Ministry of Education as a cultural ambassador in the province of Extremadura. There she will serve as a stand-in representative of North American culture, educating students about the united States and assisting in the teaching of English at El Instituto de Educacion Secundaria Llerena, in Llerena, Badajoz.

She plans for her time in Spain to lead to fluency in the Spanish language so she is better equipped to pursue future work in immigration services.

trinity Experience

Encourages Alumna’s

Interest in Immigration

FALL 2011 | 15

Kailyn Baum ’11 of Hudsonville, Michigan, has taken advantage of Trinity’s proximity to Chicago this semester by working as an intern

with The Chicago Lighthouse for People Who Are Blind or visually Impaired.

The Lighthouse is a prominent non-profit organization that, for more than 100 years, has been providing services and programming opportunities for blind or visually impaired people. Baum became connected to the Lighthouse through Professor of History Dr. Robert Rice, a member of the Lighthouse.

At the start of her internship, Baum’s efforts were focused on the Lighthouse’s September 24-25 Flair Fashion Show and Sale, one of the organization’s biggest annual fundraising events.

“Working with the Flair event was really rewarding,” said Baum. “I was meeting new people every day, either those who worked on the Flair committee, or people who I volunteered with during the event. I met individuals with lives very different from my own, and getting to know them was an exciting experience.”

Recently, Baum put her English major to work, writing and distributing press releases highlighting 49 students who are legally blind or visually impaired or have multi-disabilities and who have been granted scholarships for higher education through the Lighthouse.

“My English major has helped me prepare for this internship through the writing I’ve done at Trinity,” she said.

Baum said responses she receives from the media encourage her in her work.

“Not only are press release pitches creating interest in the various outlets, but they add to the Lighthouse’s network,” she said. “This also means that the scholarship recipients are getting much-deserved recognition from their communities for their hard work and achievements, regardless of their disabilities.”

In all of her work with the Lighthouse, Baum says that her experience so far has prompted her to think differently about her future.

“I never thought I would be working in event planning, but that is essentially what I’ve been doing at the Lighthouse, and I really enjoy it,” she said. “I can see myself being a part of similar processes, conceptualizing and planning events where I can learn new skills while benefitting others in my community.”

Senior Connects English major with Chicago Non-profit Internship


by Clinton Stockwell, Ph.D.Chicago Semester Executive Director and Seminar Instructor

R ecently, I ran across the famous essay by John Henry Newman, called “The Idea of the university.” As

I read through Newman’s work, I was struck by the concept he was advancing. A university should see the entire world as its classroom. While many educational institutions have adopted an essentially monastic model of taking students away from the city, Newman argued for a model

that engaged the city and the world. This model was also different from the academic research model as advanced by Wilhelm von Humboldt in Germany. Somewhere between the academic research model and the monastic model is the notion that education should prepare students for life itself and should be responsive to the needs and opportunities of today’s urban culture. In a global age, we need an educational model that engages the world, one that prepares students to become transformative agents of culture and society. For Newman, the university included the city of which it was a part. Indeed, one must learn from the scholar, but also from the professional and from the artisan, from the immigrant and from the poor. The model he was advocating was one that insisted also on a meaningful dialogue with persons from all points on the globe and from all walks of life. Trinity Christian College, as a college located in the Chicago metropolitan area, offers a number of off-campus programs for its students. Among these is the program that I have been privileged to work in

for 20 years, Chicago Semester. Chicago has become a globally connected city, as it has risen from the ashes of the former industrial manufacturing society to a bustling “world class” global city. Chicago Semester provides internship options in the heart of the city, including its diverse neighborhoods. Participants in the program broaden and deepen their appreciation of the diversity of urban cultures. Internships in the city provide an opportunity to prepare oneself for the real world. One of our newest programs is the urban Intensive Track (uIT). While we continue to offer internships downtown, this new program concentrates more on the assets and opportunities that can be found in Chicago’s vibrant local communities. For those interested in urban ministry, community development, small business entrepreneurship, or community health care, the uIT provides a way for students to experience the rich diversity of the city as well as to develop necessary leadership skills. As a program of Trinity, Chicago Semester provides the opportunity not only to engage urban culture, but to become the agents of hope and transformation for a global world.

THE IDEA OF THE uNIvERSITy: REvISITED

The admissions department welcomed another set of alumni faces to their team as

Melinda Hegeman ’10 and Jonathan Huizinga ’11 began their careers as counselors this summer. Hegeman and Huizinga will both spend much of their time visiting high schools and college fairs recruiting students. Hegeman, an art studio graduate, said her journey to Trinity and the years spent here help her identify with the students she meets. “I had a really wonderful experience at Trinity, and I think that passion overflows into meeting prospective students,” she said. “I know that I was lost and overwhelmed when

reCenT GraduaTes rejoin TriniTY as sTaFF

looking at colleges, so it is very rewarding to guide students that feel the same way I did.” Huizinga, who graduated with a double major in psychology and exercise science, also recalls feeling pressure when deciding on a college. He hopes that his involvement in the Trinity community will help him better understand what his students are looking for. “I want to make their admissions process into Trinity as smooth as possible,” he said. “The most rewarding part about my job is hearing about the students’ future goals and aspirations, and educating them on how Trinity can make those dreams realizations.”

p eo p l e

Fall 2011 | 17

Jim Belstra ’91, vice President for Business and FinanceCynthia Bretzlaff-holstein, Assistant Professor of Social Worksusan BueChele, Assistant Professor of NursingelizaBeth Chang, Assistant Professor of NursingChuCk Commeret ’05, Assistant Professor of Education, Director of Adult Studies EducationJeffrey DekoCk, Assistant Professor of Communication Arts, Coordinator of Semester in Nicaraguasusan Donovan ’01, Assistant Professor of Mathematicsryan heath, Assistant ControllermelinDa hegeman ’10, Admissions Counselorsheryl helmus, Bookstore Clerksarah hoeksema ’10, Library Administrative Assistant

appoinTmenTs

anniVersaries

Trinity recognizes the faithfulness of faculty and staff who celebrated anniversaries of service to the College this year. (l to r)

lois thomson, Business Office Manager, 30 yearsronalD hansum, Director of Software Systems, 30 yearsJohn kooyenga, Associate Professor of Business, 30 years DeBra veenstra ex ’75, Semester in Spain Program Coordinator, 25 yearsmiChael vanDer Weele ’73, Professor of English, 25 yearskenneth austin, Professor of Music, 20 yearsJoan ooms ex ’75, Financial Aid Assistant, 15 yearsamy strong ’86, Sports Information Director, 15 yearsnorman limBaCk Jr., Campus Safety Officer, 15 yearsDiana Pell, Faculty Secretary, 10 yearsDennis harms ’89, Director of Business and Corporate Giving, 10 yearsroger neitzel, Maintenance, 10 yearsriCharD sCanlan Jr., Maintenance, 10 yearsalex hansum, Custodian, 10 yearsCarol Bosma, Accounts Payable, 10 yearsalisha raBBers, Administrative Assistant Physical Education and Athletics Departments, 10 yearssharon Barnes, Professor of Communication Arts, 10 years riCk snoeyink, Professor of Education, 10 yearsyuDha thianto, Professor of Theology, 10 yearskenneth Boss, Director of Planned Giving, 10 yearssanDra taeuBer, Reference Librarian, 10 yearstina musolino, Admissions Assistant, 10 years

Jonathan huizinga ’11, Admissions Counselorthomas kakos Jr. ’11, Security Officertyler kallemeyn ’10, Accounting Assistantstan kaWCzynski, Security OfficerroWley kennerk, Assistant Professor of Art and Designlisa kuiPer, Coordinator of Student Support Servicesgeorge maina ’11, Security OfficerriCharD martinez, Security OfficertaBitha mattheWs, Coordinator, Pre-College ProgramsCaleB mulDer ’11, Marketing Web Design Associatefaith nava, Assistant Professor of SpanishBranDon niCol, Head Men’s Basketball CoachmiChael olsen, CustodianPhiliP Payne, Off-campus Planner riCharD riDDering, Assistant Professor of Business, Director of Adult Studies Business

Bill rieBel, Security Officersarah sanforD, Semester In Spain Marketing & RecruitingaBBie sChrotenBoer, Assistant Professor of Biologyvanessa shroPshire, Assistant Professor of BusinessJohn sianghio, Assistant Professor of Political ScienceJasmine morris, Data Specialist Administrative Assistant Educationkara van marion, Residence Directorkatie visser ’07, Assistant Professor of NursingroBert WennBerg, Assistant Professor of Education, Coordinator of Adult Studies- College of DuPagekathryn Wiggins, Semester In Spain Student Ministries Coordinatorkaren Wright, Transcript Evaluator

p eo p l e


David Brodnax,associate professor of history, presented “African American Migration and White American Identity in Iowa, 1830-1865.” North American Migration Conference, universidad Iberoamericana, Mexico City, Mexico. May 2011.

Dayton Castleman,assistant professor of art and design, exhibited “Rabbit Trails.” Solo exhibition, 930 Art Center. Louisville, Kentucky. November/December 2011.

Dick Cole,professor of psychology, with psychology major Jamie Parise ’12, presented “PsychWorld: using Internet Game Concepts to Encourage Class Participation in an undergraduate Psychology Course.” Midwestern Psychological Association Annual Convention, Chicago, Illinois. May 2011.

Karen Dieleman,assistant professor of English, received a book contract from Ohio university Press for Religious Imaginaries: The Liturgical and Poetic Practices of Elizabeth Barrett Browning, Christina Rossetti, and

Adelaide Procter. Forthcoming in 2012.

Mackenzi Huyser ’97,professor of social work, with Bill Boerman-Cornell and Kendra DeBoer ’10, published “Christian Schools and Demographic Change: Two Case Studies.” Journal of Research on Christian Education, 20:1. April 2011.

David Klanderman, professor of mathematics, with J. Barrett, C. Cullen, C. Wikowski, and A. Miller, presented “Designing Integrative Learning Tasks for unit Concepts Throughout Length, Area, and volume Measurement.” Annual Meeting of American Educational Research Association, New Orleans, Louisiana. April 2011.

Aaron Kuecker,associate professor of theology, presented “Social Identity Theory and Biblical Interpretation: a Methodological, Hermeneutical, and Theological Exploration.”

Doctoral Seminar, Asbury Theological Seminary, Wilmore, Kentucky. August 2011.

Mandi Maxwell,associate professor of mathematics, presented “How Operations Research Is Saving Lives: The Mathematics Behind Kidney Exchange Programs.” Taylor university Systems Seminar, upland, Indiana. March 2011.

Aron Reppmann ’92, associate professor of philosophy, presented “Loving the law: the mutuality of love and knowledge in our access to creation order.” Association for the Reformational

Philosophy 75th Anniversary International Conference, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. August 2011.

Robert Rice,professor of history, published “Review of History Man: The Life of R.G. Collingwood.” In Fides Et Historia 43:58.

Sharon Robbert,professor of mathematics, with Mackenzi Huyser, presented “Practically Perfect Practices for Successful Self-Study at a Small Institution.” Higher Learning Commission Annual Meeting, Chicago, Illinois. April 2011.

John Sebestyen,associate professor of communication arts, with Christine Williams, Julie Schmitt, Catherine Mantooth, and Dan Buck, presented “Memory, Legacy, and Imagined Futures: Assessing the Liberal Arts Theatre Program.” Association for Theatre in Higher Education, Chicago, Illinois. April 2011.

Rick Snoeyink,professor of education, presented “Prezi.” Associated Colleges of Illinois Spring Technology Learning Mentors Workshops, St. Francis university, Joliet, Illinois. March 2011.

Yudha Thianto,professor of theology, published “Elements of Calvin’s Theology and Practice in the Reformed Churches in Java in the Seventeenth Century,” in John Calvin: Myth and

Reality, Amy Nelson-Burnett, ed., (Eugene, OR: Cascade Books, 2011), 96-117.

Barb Timmermans,associate professor of nursing, presented in an EPA hearing in Chicago to give testimony in support of rules regulating toxic emissions in conjunction with the Evangelical Environmental Network. May 2011.

Trina Vallone ’99,associate professor of education, with Sharon Robbert, presented “Providing Scaffolds: What can a small liberal arts college do to meet the needs of first generation and low income students?” Council of Independent Colleges, Pathways Consortium Conference, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. August 2011.

papers & presenTaTionsJust as the church is a unit made up of many parts, each with its own gifts and abilities, Trinity Christian College is a community that recognizes the variety of God-given gifts. Celebrate God’s gifts as evidenced in the scholarship of Trinity professors.

| 19Fall 2011

StudentS enjoy newly renovated FacilitieS in chicago

Jacqueline Moses ’05 (pictured), Chicago coordinator for the Adult Studies program, welcomed visitors to the open house

unveiling the new construction at 1550 S. State Street earlier this year. The newly renovated space includes two classrooms and two offices. Students have benefited from the new facilities since January when the renovation was complete. They can buy a snack at the Overflow Coffee Bar or work on projects in the extra office space. In the classroom, a new SMART board provides the latest technology for student learning. This modern facility helps Trinity equip future teachers who can serve in Chicago; currently,

Two Adult Studies alumni have been honored for their work in area school classrooms.

Carita Hall completed the Adult Studies English-as-a-Second Language/Bilingual (ESL/BL) program in 2009. She is currently a teacher at High Point School in Orland Park, Illinois, and was recently named 3M Star in the Classroom Award winner by Econ Illinois. The award is given to teachers who implement economics in their classrooms. For more than 10 years, Hall has participated in the Economic Poster Contest sponsored by Econ Illinois. “Each year at least one of my students receives regional and/or state recognition in the contest,” she said in an interview with TribLocal. She was honored at the Econ Illinois Economic Education Day on October 25. Hall also participated in the Teach Children to Save program, which educates students on the importance

adulT sTudies eduCaTion alumni honored

six students are completing their student teaching in Chicago Public Schools. Latasha Buchanan ’10, the first in her family to earn a college degree, was a graduate of the inaugural Chicago cohort. “My experience at Trinity has been wonderful,” said Buchanan. “Because of the supporting environment at Trinity, my confidence has increased.” Moses looks forward to welcoming the upcoming cohort, which is slated to begin January 2012. As a graduate of the program herself, Moses is able to provide insight and support to students at the Chicago location.

a d u lT sT u d i e s

Mark Aardema, Katie Alberda, Erin Albright, Amy Alheim, Anita Anderson, Megan Anderson, Jacob Andringa, Kathryn Andringa, Tania Anzaldi, Brandilyn Asplund, Gabrielle Assink, Stephanie Azzaline, Jessica Babbitt, Clayton Bailye, Taylor Bandstra, Kelsey Barnett, Kailyn Baum, Corinne Beezhold, Jennifer Binkowski, Robert Birkett, Tony Black, Nicole Blamey, Susan Blocker, Andrew Blok, James Blom, Joseph Blom, Joel Boender, Julia Bolkema, Theresa BooneToolan, Madelyn Boonstra, Rita Bootsma, Adam Borozan, Jonathan Borr, Kara Boss, Kaylyn Bossert, Allison Bouma, Carmen Bousema, Catherine Bozarth, Daniel Bracken, Leah Branderhorst, Monica Brands, Jenna Brandsen, Ryan Brandsen, Susan Bratincevic, Adrian Breems, Elizabeth Brice, Jennifer Brink, Kaitlyn Bruinius, victoria Bruinsma, Katie Buikema, Heather Bult, Lauren Bultema, Dawn Bulthuis, Matthew Buren, Alexandria Burns, Lauren Burns, Dana Bush, Jodi Busscher, David Byma, Lori Byma, Allison Cable, Delia Cabrales, Rebecca Calhoun, Amanda Carr, Christine Carter, Aimee Casemier, Abby Christensen, Sharon Chun, Brian Clark, Cynthia Coffey, Errika Comerouski, Melissa Conrad, Rebecca Crawley, James Cummings, Brady Davidson, Stephanie DeBoer, Kaela DeBruin, Tiffany Deckinga, Joanna DeJong, Joshua DeJong, Stephanie DeJong, Anneke Delport, Melissa DeMaagd, Jennifer DeRuiter, Danielle Devries, Melinda DeVries, Jenna DeWit, Alyssa DeYoung, Jessica Deyoung, Jonathan DeYoung, Lynne Deyoung, Kristin DiLeonarde, Charles Dobeck, Kimberly Doeseckle, Megan Doorn, Allison Doyle, Kiera Dunaway, Elizabeth Dykstra, Evette Dziedzina, Velicia Edwards, Bethany Eizenga, Jonathan Engbers, Amanda Evers, Ruth Eygenraam, Kristen Faber, Kaitlin Feddema, yasmin Fernandez, Nicole Ferreria, Elizabeth Fiala, Anthony Fiorenzi, Annalise Flier, Margaret Flynn, Alex Folami, Kaitlyn Fondrk, Sarah Force, Amy Franklin, Michelle Galan, Kelsey Garrison, Stefanie Geer, Jason Genzink, Jacob Gerringer, Anna Gesch, Karl Gesch, William Gesch, Jason Giddings, Nicholas Gierman, Shanda Gilligan, Sara Gleason, Lashaunda Glover, Rebecca Gold, Hannah Gonzales, Geline Vinne Goy, Rachel Grobarcik, Johnathan Groenenboom, Alyssa Guerrin, Maria Hagen, Kevin Hahn, P. Caleb Hamstra, Kirsten Harms, Amanda Henderson, Nathan Hendrikse, Kristina Herr, Abby Heynen, Jennifer Hill, Nicole Hill, Carrie Hofland, Brian Hofman, Sonia Hollister, Elizabeth Holman, Brittany Homan, Jamie Hop, Jill Hop, Kathleen Hossink, Kelly Houston, April Houtsma, Bethany Hoving, Samuel Huenink, Aletta Huisman, Megan Huizenga, Emily Hunter, Kristin Ipema, Megan Ipema, Galina Ivanova, Jessica Jager, Brittany Jansma, Eric Jaraczewski, Sarah Jasperse, Kristi Jendrzejak, Eric Jensema, Jacquelyn Jesse, Amy Johnstone, Sarah Jongetjes, Olive Kahura, Thomas Kakos, Craig Kallemeyn, Allison Karlock, Janelle Katsma, Peter Keep, Lauren Kelley, Melissa Kiel, Ryan Kiesel, Lydia Kijowski, Jay Kim, Jamie King, Rebecca Kischkel, Caroline Klingbeil, Heather Kloet, Joseph Koltz, Megan Kooima, Kristine Koopmans, Ashley Krygsheld, Steven Krygsheld, Megan Kuiper, Bryan Kunz, Leah Laky, Jenna Langeland, Caitlyn LaReau, Courtney Larson, Jessica Layman, Katarzyna Ledworuch, Heather Lee, Collette LeMahieu, Karrie Lepper,

dean’s lisT–sprinG 2011


The Adult Studies department welcomed new faculty members this year.

Chuck Commeret ’05 earned his master’s degree in educational technology from Michigan State university where he also plans to pursue his doctorate. Commeret is excited to continue the tradition of “serving with excellence” in Adult Studies as the director of the education program and assistant professor of education. Rick Riddering joined Trinity as the director for Adult Studies Business and assistant professor of business. Prior to his arrival, Riddering spent 11 years as assistant vice chancellor of student development and outreach at Purdue university Calumet. Before working in higher education, his corporate career included work in professional sports public relations, consulting, publishing, and banking. Riddering earned his bachelor’s degree from Purdue university Calumet and his master’s degree in education from the university of Illinois. Bob Wennberg is the new coordinator for the College’s Addison campus. Wennberg received his bachelor’s degree in education from valparaiso university and his master’s from Chicago State university. He has a total of 34 years of public school teaching/administration experience. Wennberg retired in 2006 as an elementary school principal and has been teaching as an adjunct instructor for Trinity at the Addison campus for the past four years. He is excited to be working with the students, faculty, and staff of Trinity.

new FaCulTY join adulT sTudies of saving money and introduces them to investment management through the “Stock Market Game.” Hall said “educating students about making good economic choices is essential for becoming economically literate adults.” Last year, Ed Fialek ’02 was one of 20 teachers from the Chicagoland area selected to participate in the C2S2 Climate Change Student Summit Program at the Museum of Science and Industry. Four of his students gave a presentation at the museum and two were selected to participate in a national video linkup with students from across the nation. Fialek, a teacher in the Burbank School District 111, was again honored in June 2011 when he was chosen to be one of 250 teachers from 47 states and 27 countries to attend Space Camp in Huntsville, Alabama. He spent six intensive days at the camp, sponsored by Honeywell Educators. While at camp, Fialek participated in astronaut-like training including high-performance jet simulations and water survival training. He hopes to pass on his excitement about the experience to his students.

(l-r) Rick Riddering, Chuck Commeret ’05, and Bob Wennberg

Erin Long, Calob Lostutter, Titus Lotz, Lissette Lucero, Danae Lyzenga, Jacob Maatman, Andrea Macejkovic, Lauren Madden, Vasilis Mann, Molly Marcus, Anna Marquez, Dominique Martinelli, Breanne McInnis, Mary Margaret McNicholas, Maribel Melendez, Katerina Meletis, Ryan Melson, Kimberly Merk, Gregory Meyer, Meghan Meyer, Kathy Meyers, Lauryn Meyers, Ashley Miedema, Katherine Milton, Karlie Monsma, Holli Moote, Monica Mott, Alyssa Mulder, Andrew Mulder, Caleb Mulder, Claire Murphy, Johnathan Nekic, Cassandra Nelson, Kelsey Nelson, Tornu Ngwayah, valarie Niewenhuis, Audrey Noonan, vanessa Noonan, Rebecca Norgard, Erin Nykamp, Krystle O’Donnell, Keli Ooms, Sara Ooms, Janna Ottenhoff, Alice OvandoLopez, Kristin Paarlberg, Jamie Parise, Tatyana Parker, Matthew Pausma, Joshua Penley, Victoria Penley, Jennifer Penrod, Adam Perez, Ana Perez, Janelle Piers, Julie Plate, Joshua Pollema, Kelly Poortenga, Erika Poortinga, Renae Postema, Stefanie Prince, Eric Pritchard, Frances Quesada, Stephen Radostits, Courtney Randle, Julie Rauwerdink, Rebecca Reed, Megan Regalado, Trisha Rehfeldt, Stephanie Reichert, Jenna Reidenga, Andrew Reidsma, Shelby Reinsch, Jacquelyn Risher, Sarah Rodgers, Kelsey Roller, Laura Roose, Courtney Rozeveld, Brittany Rucin, Hannah Ruckman, Hannah Schaap, Trevor Schaap, Amanda Scheidt, Raymond Scherrer, Rebecca Schichtel, Kayla Schoneveld, Chelsea Schuen, David Schurman, Chaz Schutt, Kathleen Schutt, Hannah Schwab, Michael Senatore, Diane Serbentas, Chelsea Shankland, Ellen Sheetz, Lindsay Slager, Joseph Slawinski, Amber Slenk, Hannah Snow, Kwangsik Sohn, Ann Solomon, Michael Speelman, Hannah Sprague, Katherine Stackhouse, Baillie Stahl, Amanda StaMaria, Lauren Stegehuis, Brent Steinke, Katie Stephens, Jami Stinson, Victoria Stoklosa, Allison Stoub, Holly Stuursma, Daniel Szalko, Kristin Szydelko, Sarah Tadla, Javairia Taylor, Michael Taylor, Shaun TenHaken, Daniel Thayer, Jenna Thomforde, Jacob Tiemersma, Elizabeth Timmer, Carrie Timmermans, Jessica Timmermans, Lisa Trepton, Carissa Trotto, Eric Tucker, Hannah VanBeek, Anneke vanDam, Rachel VandeKamp, Jacob vanDenBerg, Kelly VandenBerg, Larissa vanderleest, Amber VanderLey, Lisa vanderMeiden, Kayla VanderMolen, Rebecca vanderzee, Karley Vandyke, Kelsey vanDyken, Micah VanDyken, Kyle vanEerden, Jenae VanEngen, Brandon vanGroningen, Thomas VanGroningen, Amy vanHal, Emily Vanhoff, Jesse vanMaanen, Andrew VanSoelen, Kimberly vanSpronsen, Samantha Venhuizen, Bethany verhage, Rebecca Verhage, Joy verkaik, Alaina Vermeer, Scott vermeer, Alex VerStraate, Ross verWys, Ashley Veurink, Brendan vize, Kristin Vliem, Alyssa voogt, Allison Voss, Melissa voss, Michelle Voss, Allyson vree, Mark Waller, Alexis Warden, Austin Warner, Natalia Wegrzyniak, Joni Weidenaar, Anna Wessley, Jeremy Wetter, Ashley Wheeler, Allison Wier, Ashley Wierema, Breanna Wigboldy, Brooke Wigboldy, Crystal Williams, Julie Wiltjer, Matthew Wiltjer, Sarah Wishnew, Joseph Wydra, Lori yarmoska, Brittany Yonker, Alyse young, Wai Ling Yung, Tara zichterman, Kelly Zuiderveen, Corie zylstra

Fall 2011 | 21

Jubilation! was truly an appropriate title for the event held in the new Trinity Athletics and Recreation Complex (TARC) on Friday, October 7. A sold-

out crowd of about 540 alumni and friends of the College began their evening with a time of socializing, bidding on the generously-donated silent auction items, and exploring the College’s newest facility for students.

Beth Decker ’67, chairperson of the Trinity Board of Trustees, warmly welcomed attendees. Dr. Helen van Wyck, professor of music, sang the National Anthem. Guests were treated to a delicious dinner prepared by the Creative Dining Services

staff and served by student athletes. As part of the post-dinner program, the College presented two annual awards, the Community Service Award and the Global Service Award.

Steven and Felecia Thompson were recognized with the Community Service Award for their extensive service in the Chicago area. Steven served for more than 25 years as a chaplain in the Cook County correctional system and continues to provide re-entry training to ex-offenders. Felecia was influential in developing Trinity’s Bridge program and served as the College’s first director of Community Partnerships as executive associate to the president. She

also founded the Family Care Network in the Englewood community and currently serves as executive director of World vision’s uSA Chicago Program.

The Global Service Award was presented to alumni Nick and Bonnie Beezhold. The Beezholds have served overseas in many nations and in many ways. Both worked in Eastern Europe following the fall of communism. In addition, Bonnie has encouraged healthy living and nutrition in the realm of higher education, and Nick serves as executive director of Partners in Christ International, an organization which serves indigenous pastors in countries around the globe.


Amy Strong ’86, sports information director, shared her Trinity experience and introduced a short video of Trinity sports highlights.

An important part of the evening was the formal dedication of the TARC, an event in which everyone participated through a Litany of Dedication. The litany was introduced by Arthur Bishop ’75, director of the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice, and then led by Bishop; Provost Liz Rudenga, Ph.D.; Bill Schepel ’85, interim athletics director; Rebecca De Haan ’15 of Alton, Iowa; and friend of the College Larry Tibstra. After the presentation of the building’s dedication plaque by President Steve Timmermans, Ph.D., and Provost

Rudenga, two of Trinity’s student athletes, soccer player Hannah Gonzales ’12 of visalia, California, and basketball player Matt Buren ’12 of Macomb, Illinois, shared how Trinity and its athletics program have served them well.

The Jubilation! program ended with a celebration of the College exceeding the goal of the comprehensive capital campaign The Time Is Now. A video showed images of how the generous campaign gifts were already at work providing benefits to our students. Heartfelt thanks expressed by members of the Trinity community conveyed the College’s deep gratitude for the many gifts received.

While the successful campaign has officially come to a close, Timmermans explained that our work to enhance facilities for our students is not yet done. The final phase of the TARC project, renovation and additional expansion, provides our concluding challenge for the coming year.

The evening ended on a note of excitement for a future of promise and blessings.

The gratitude video shown at Jubilation! can be viewed at www.trnty.edu.

1. Steven and Felecia Thompson 2. Nick and Bonnie Beezhold 3. Amy Strong ’86 4. Hannah Gonzales ’12 5. Matt Buren ’12 6. Arthur Bishop ’75

Fall 2011 | 23

The College recently celebrated the completion of the new nursing laboratory, an important part of

the Equipping for Scientific Study element of The Time Is Now Capital Campaign. During an open house on October 8, this newly constructed space, combined with the previous nursing department area, was officially named the Cynthia Sander Nursing Lab. Sander served as chair of the department from 1993-2005. Trinity made plans for this state-of-the art addition to the nursing department in order to address the growth of the nursing program and the paradigm shift toward simulation in nursing education. Located in the former computer lab space on the first floor of the Classroom Building, the addition contains offices to accommodate more nursing faculty members hired to serve the rising number of nursing students. The space contains two appropriately-equipped lab spaces for junior and senior students to practice the skills they are learning, and it also includes two

ColleGe CeleBraTes CompleTion oF new nursinG laB

high-tech simulation labs. The simulation laboratories contain standard nursing equipment as well as high-fidelity simulation manikins, which can realistically exhibit nearly any symptom and are able to automatically respond to intervention. In this environment, nursing faculty can ensure that all students are exposed to the same broad range of nursing scenarios using actual medical equipment and are more thoroughly prepared for real-life clinical situations. Faculty and students are delighted that this project has become a reality, as its benefit—both to the nursing students and to their future patients—is enormous. Dr. Laurel Quinn, chair of the nursing department, said, “Nursing students and

Trinity celebrates God’s faithfulness as the College community

witnesses the significant strides made at the site of the Route 83 athletic fields. Synthetic turf for one of the soccer fields was installed over the summer. This high-quality playing surface allows for season-long play on a consistently level and well-drained field suitable for tournaments. The artificial turf has already begun to benefit the College’s strong soccer program, as Trinity’s teams have utilized the new space for both practices and games. Two additional natural grass soccer fields are being prepared for planting this fall for anticipated use in Fall 2012.

rouTe 83 aThleTiC Fields

faculty feel so blessed by the provision of the new lab facility and eagerly anticipate the high-fidelity simulation learning opportunities that will support their clinical practice. The students are so positive, and there is a high energy level of excitement among those already using the new lab.” The College is grateful to those who have pledged their financial support to this vital project.

Additionally, workers have constructed two new softball fields and have sown grass seed in their outfields; the College plans to use these new fields for the Fall 2012 season. A new baseball field is currently under construction for a spring planting to prepare it for the following season.

While the fields are being readied, new entrances are being developed off Route 83 and Ridgeland Avenue. Power, irrigation system infrastructure, security systems, and an on-site water pump are being installed for use in the spring. As this first phase of the field construction draws to a close, the College continues to establish a budget and plan the field layout for the next phase. “There has been significant hard work by staff and contractors, gifts have been provided by a very generous constituency including contractors and suppliers, and

through the sheer volume of fill material that has continued to come into the site, we can see God’s hand and blessings on this project for Trinity and for God’s kingdom,” said George vandervelde ’63, vice president for campus development.

d e V e lo p m e n T


GIFTS APRIL 1, 2011TO SEPTEMBER 27, 2011

MEMORIAL GIFTS

Richard BosackKen & Margie BossBrad & Helen BreemsPete & Linda HamstraRobert & Gail Rice

Ted DavidsPete & Linda Hamstra

Henrietta “Tootie” DrenthKen & Margie BossHenry & Karen DoornRay & Polly HoekmanGeorge HoekstraWilliam & Janice HoffmanKelly & Kortnie KarpDick & Pixie MolenhouseHenry & Jackie SpeelmanSteven & Barbara TimmermansBen & Theresa vander NaaldMarjorie visserWendell & Dorothy yonker

Al FriesemaPhyllis Friesema

Dale FriesemaPhyllis Friesema

Audrey Hamstra Carl & Janice AfmanMarvin & Joan CooperPete & Linda HamstraGerry & Merry HoekstraJames & Grace HoekstraMarvin & Beth HoekstraNorm & Nancy HoekstraLarryl & Carol HummeDean & Ruth Koldenhoven

Henrietta Kingma Fred & Barbara Hoekstra

Patsy LimbackKen & Margie BossAlma GuthrieSue GuthrieSilas & Agnes JonesWallace & verlaine MurphyAshley RelinskiState Street Baptist Church Maynard & Anita visser

Henry Loerop Henry & Jean Loerop

Joseph Mc Gee Jim & Judy CoglianeseIra Staples

Martin Ozinga, Jr. Judy Doot

Ruth Ozinga Judy DootTerry & Carole vrshek

Josephine C. Peso Karen Buikema

George Rinsema Clyde & Beth Rinsema

HONOR GIFTS

Class of 2011Jackie Archer

80th Birthday of Tillie Bulthuis Clifford & Catherine Reddin Robert & Marilyn RusthovenKenneth & Patricia Wiltjer

40th Anniversary of George & Beverly De VriesTillie BulthuisBetty van Bruggen

Clix LandhuisMaynard & Anita visser

90th Birthday of Louise Van LonkhuyzenMarg De youngJohn & Barbara Groenewold

90th Birthday of Rita Van NamenJean DavidsGerrit & Louise Medema

WILLS & ESTATES

Estate of Arthur De KruyterEstate of Phyllis ErdEstate of Martin Ozinga, Jr.

Eugene Decker ’68 has lived in the Chicago area his entire life. Decker, a graduate of Roseland Christian School and Chicago Christian High School, said attending Trinity, like his

brother and acquaintances did, seemed like a natural choice. Decker said his time at Trinity, then a two-year institution, was just the environment he needed to encourage his academic growth and independence. “Trinity was great at that stage of my development,” he said. “The teachers gave me the personal attention I needed to prepare me to continue my education.” Trinity’s professors not only prepared Decker academically, they helped him choose a career path. “I can’t think of a single person who didn’t come away from Lorraine Bossinga’s class loving her and loving biology,” he said. After Trinity, Decker continued his education in pre-medicine and earned a degree in dentistry from Northwestern university. He established a practice in Oak Lawn, Illinois, where he continues to serve patients nearly 38 years later ; his son Geoff joined him in the practice. Since 2007, Decker has also been running a practice in downtown Chicago with the help of his wife, Beth ’67, and another dentist. Dentistry has been only one aspect of Decker’s life. In addition to his medical career, he played trombone in the Southwest Symphony Orchestra for 15 years and participated in various choirs. Decker continues to sing with a small group of Chicago residents directed by Beth, and he is also an avid biker.

ChiCaGo alumnus mainTains Ties wiTh TriniTY

Through the years, Decker has maintained many personal ties with Trinity. Two of Decker’s three sons and his stepdaughter attended Trinity, and the Deckers count many Trinity employees among their friends. Trinity is also close to Decker’s heart because it is where he met his wife, who has served as director of Trinity’s WorldView series since 2008. Decker lauds Trinity’s role in the Chicago area, pointing to the fact that the College has served to increase the number of college-educated Christians in the vicinity. “The Chicago area is richer because Trinity is here, and I really think that the current leadership is taking the College in a great direction.”

Fall 2011 | 25

A t the beginning of the 2011-12 school year, the leadership in the athletics department shifted as Bill Schepel ’85 was named the interim athletics director. Schepel, who has been

with the department for the past four years, fills the interim position relinquished by Josh Lenarz ’98. Lenarz held the position for one year

and will continue to serve the department as assistant athletics director and head women’s soccer coach. Schepel holds a master’s degree in sports administration and has acted as the co-chair of the physical education department. Prior to rejoining the Trinity community in 2007, Schepel had more than 20 years of experience between Timothy Christian and Illiana Christian High School teaching physical education and coaching varsity volleyball.

Along with the athletics director duties, Schepel continues his responsibilities as the head volleyball coach. under his leadership for the past four seasons, the volleyball program has experienced success. Last year he led the Trolls to a conference regular season co-championship, a school record for season wins, the program’s first ever NAIA National Championship appearance, and a NCCAA National Championship Final Four performance. He was also named the 2010 CCAC Coach of the year. In the 2011 season, Schepel has already reached a milestone. He entered the year with a 91-66 overall record and, on September 22 in a conference match at the university of St. Francis, he achieved his 100th career victory.

The 2011 Trinity Athletics Club Golf Classic was blessed with great weather, warm fellowship, and generous contributions as 108 golfers convened at Calumet Country Club in

Homewood, Illinois. The annual event brought together friends and alumni of the College and raised more than $35,000 for the TAC scholarship fund. After a welcome by the athletics staff and lunch, the golfers took to the course. At the conclusion of 18 holes of scramble format, the foursome of Jeff DeBoer ’01, Jeff Ozinga ’02, Matt Postema ’07, and John Sikkenga ’06 won the outing with a 13-under score of 58. The events of the day concluded with hors d’oeuvres and an awards ceremony. “The golf outing was a great day, and it was wonderful to see so many familiar faces,” said Dennis Harms ’89, the TAC Golf Classic coordinator and head coach of Trinity’s new golf team. “We appreciate all the sponsors and golfers and are thankful to the Trinity community for their support of the College and the athletics program.” The College also thanks Ozinga Bros. and Providence Bank, as well as other individual and corporate sponsors, for their sponsorship of the event.

sChepel leads as inTerim aThleTiCs direCTor and CoaCh

TaC GolF ClassiC supporTs aThleTiCs sCholarships

aT h l e T i C s

In the past few years, Trinity athletics has partnered with SCORE International in mission trips to Central American countries. That connection continued this past August as 14 members of the

men’s basketball team, along with new head coach Brandon Nicol and fourth-year assistant coach Peter zigterman ’08, made a trip to the Dominican Republic. During the week-long trip, the team participated in a variety of activities that included playing basketball games against local club and university teams, conducting sport clinics, ministering to orphaned children, distributing food to needy families, and presenting the gospel through personal testimonies. “It was a great experience and the guys were fully engaged in everything we did on and off the court during the week,” said Nicol. “It was a wonderful way for me to get to know the players as mission trips like this provide an opportunity to see a different side of your athletes.” “On previous mission trips, I was taught that ‘Love has no barrier,’ and after this trip, I would add that neither does sports,” said Mike Sutter ’15 of Woodstock, Illinois. “Through sports we were able to communicate and relate to those we came in contact with.” That connection was true on the basketball court when the team was able to share the gospel with the opposing team and fans after each game. It was also true at the orphanage and the sugar cane village where the team played baseball with the children. The team competed in facilities that were not ideal and played with children who happily shared the few gloves they had and made baseball diamonds in open fields using shoes for bases. The experience helped players gain a new perspective on how blessed they are. “After seeing the conditions of the courts we played on and knowing that we were coming back to a brand new facility, I am more aware of not taking what we have for granted,” said Joshua Flikkema ’12 of Delavan, Wisconsin.

BaskeTBall proVides mission opporTuniTY


Trolls enjoY new FaCiliTiesThe beginning of the 2011-12 athletics season brought about increased excitement and anticipation as the Trolls enjoy their new facilities. When the fall athletes arrived for preseason training camps on August 15, they were able to move into the new portion of the Trinity Athletics and Recreation Complex (TARC). A few weeks later, the new turf field at the Rt. 83 location was completed, and the soccer teams made it their home. The TARC includes the Mitchell Memorial Gymnasium and the new Devos Gymnasium. The Devos Gymnasium is used for volleyball and basketball competition, locker room facilities that house six separate

team rooms, an updated and expanded training room, and improved laundry and storage areas. The facility also provides students with a lobby overlooking the court with unique seating, a concessions area, classroom space, and a human performance classroom/lab. The athletics and physical education staff occupy offices on the upper level, which also features a conference room and hospitality area with a view of the court. The Mitchell gym provides additional practice space for baseball batting cages and intramural and recreational sports. An upper and a lower concourse connect the two gymnasiums. “We appreciate what the new facility has to offer, and it is a boost to our athletics program,” said Interim Athletics Director Bill Schepel ’85. “It is also nice to have all the

coaches together in one place, and it has already created an improved atmosphere of community.” At the outdoor athletic fields at Rt. 83, with dirt moved, fields leveled, and final preparations made, the artificial turf soccer field was installed. In the first week of September, the soccer teams were able to make the transition over to the new field for their practices and competition. Throughout the fall, work will continue at the soccer field to provide bleachers and parking. Additional soccer fields and softball and baseball facilities are being added.

“We are very thankful for the progress that is being made at Rt. 83,” said Josh Lenarz ’98, head women’s soccer coach. “The field is a great addition, and we are excited to be able to play on it.”

Buren named reCipienT oF naia emil s. lisTon award

Matt Buren ’12 of Macomb, Illinois, was selected by the National Association of Intercollegiate

Athletics (NAIA) to receive its prestigious Emil S. Liston award for 2011. The award is given annually to one male and one female basketball player based on excellence in character, playing ability, and scholarship. The award is named in memory

of Emil S. Liston, the first executive director of the NAIA and the founder of the National Association of Intercollegiate Basketball (NAIB). In his three years on the basketball team, Buren has made an impact both on and off the court. He is a team captain and two-year starter, and in the 2010-11 season he averaged 14.7 points and 5.7 rebounds and led the team and conference in field goal percentage at .583 percent. He also surpassed the 1,000 career point milestone. Buren was named First-Team All-Conference as well as to the NCCAA North Central All-Region team. He helped the team to a conference regular season co-championship, a NCCAA region

tournament title, and a NCCAA National Championship appearance. In addition, he was the recipient of the Keith Albers Memorial Award, one of the Trinity athletics department’s highest honors. Buren has also been a positive influence in the classroom, on campus, and in the community. He has served as a resident assistant in the dorms, has been involved in numerous campus activities and community service projects, and is a spiritual leader on the basketball team. As a double major in theology and business, he delves into his academic work and has been recognized as a scholar-athlete at the conference and national level.

Fall 2011 | 27

ATHLETICSThe 80-degree fall day got off to a competitive start with alumni men’s and women’s soccer matches and the 5K Troll Trot. Played against the current varsity teams on the new Route 83 soccer fields, both alumni teams walked away with a win. Both the men’s and women’s soccer teams faced off against Illinois Institute of Technology. The women’s team captured a 2-1 win; the men lost 0-1.

The Troll Trot welcomed more than 80 participants. Joey Lerner ’10 took first place for the men, and Rebecca vannette ’15 of Washington, Illinois, snatched the title for the women.

SPECIAL ALuMNI GATHERINGSA business and accounting breakfast featured an alumni panel discussion titled “Maintaining a Distinctively Christian Identity in Business,” and the education department hosted an alumni reception in celebration of its 40th anniversary. The

homeCominG 2011 HOMECOMING WELCOMED 300 ALuMNI TO CAMPuS ON OCTOBER 8.

afternoon featured a luncheon honoring the 2011 Alumni and Honorary Alumni of the year Award recipients: Dr. Michael vander Weele ’73, professor of English; Sanda Carra, former staff member; Grace Huitsing, former professor of English; and Dean and Ruth Koldenhoven, friends of the College.

TARC AND CyNTHIA SANDER NuRSING LAB OPEN HOuSESAlumni enjoyed an open house for the new Trinity Athletics and Recreation Complex. visitors were given the opportunity to view the Devos Gymnasium and other amenities offered by the new facility.

A dedication ceremony was held for the renovated nursing lab, named after former department chair Cynthia Sander. The state-of-the art addition contains two lab spaces and two high-tech simulation labs. The simulation laboratories contain standard nursing equipment as well as high-fidelity simulation manikins.

CLASS OF 1971Trinity also hosted a Class of 1971 reunion, celebrating the first class to graduate with four-year degrees after the College transitioned from a two-year program. The reunion welcomed more than 40 attendees.

SEERvELD’S ECCLESIASTESHomecoming came to a close with a full-house performance of former Trinity professor Dr. Calvin Seerveld’s theatrical interpretation Ecclesiastes in the Marg Kallemeyn Theatre.

use your smart phone to view more photos of Homecoming 2011.

a lu m n i


Jason Bruxvoort ’99 Orland Park, Illinois

Shawn Devries ’07 Pella, Iowa

Brian Dykema ’93 Jenison, Michigan

Kyle Geenen ’10 Holland, Michigan

Tim Hurley ’00 Villa Park, Illinois

Ken Litscher ’02 Jackson, Tennessee President

C l a s s n oT e sTRINITy CHRISTIAN COLLEGE ALuMNI CLASS NOTES POLICy The Alumni Class Notes of Trinity Christian College are published as a way for the Trinity alumni community to share in each other’s lives. They are not intended to reflect the views of the College or to support a particular point of view. Trinity Christian College reserves the right to edit or to not publish submissions for space, tone, and content that does not reflect Trinity’s mission. As alumni, we are still a part of and responsible to this community and mission. Class Notes and photos can be mailed to Trinity at 6601 West College Drive, Palos Heights, Illinois, 60463 (attn: alumni office) or e-mailed to [email protected].

1980s

Ed and Barbara ’81 (Dorst) HornIn the past six months I have gotten married, moved, and gotten a new job! My new husband is Ed Horn. We live in Normal, Illinois, and I am an associate professor of management at Illinois State university. This year I will gradually assume the duties of the director of the International Business Institute at ISu.

Elvis and Stephanie ’81 (Cooper) BurrowsI have been married to Pastor Elvis Burrows, Ph.D., for 29 years. We have been blessed with six children, four boys and two girls. Elvis is pastor of Central zion Baptist Church, Grand Bahama, and I am a women’s ministry leader and founder of both Moms in Prayer and Princess Court Ministries.

Don and Judy ’83 (Ottenhoff) Coates Recently Judy started a new position at College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn, Illinois. As manager of learning and organizational development, Judy oversees the COD employee and institutional

training and development initiatives, including the Teaching and Learning Center. Judy and her husband, Don, live in Sugar Grove, Illinois. Don is a district manager for Ply Gem in the building materials industry. Judy’s son, Will Terrill, is in his second year at Monmouth College. At this time he is majoring in English, but he is enjoying music, literature, and being a college student.

Christine (Tolsma) Cain ’88I am pleased to announce that my first inspirational novella, “under His Wings,” will be released in September in the collection, A Log Cabin Christmas, under my pen name Liz Tolsma. you can visit me at www.liztolsma.com or www.liztolsma.blogspot.com. I am also on Facebook. Praise the Lord for his goodness and his blessings.

1990s

Jennifer (Graeser) Dornbush ’93Jennifer’s first juvenile fiction, The Picadilly Children’s Ballet, will be released November 22,

2011. The story is themed around character building and aimed at readers age four to eight. Order your copy for your family, classroom, or school at www.jenniferdornbush.com. Mention you are a TCC alum.

Joshua and Wendy ’97 (Gorter) ZylstraSince the last update I sent in, we have added two more daughters to our family. Anneka (6) and Michael (4) were joined by Noelle Grace on August 6, 2008, and Evangeline “Evie” Nicole on November 17, 2010.

Josh ’98 and Kelly ’99 (Verstrate) LenarzJosh and Kelly welcomed their fourth child into the family on July 7, 2011. Ryder James joined his sister, Peyton, and brothers, Casey and Dylan.

Mike Macco ’04 De Pere, Wisconsin

yvette Madany ’85 Hopkinton, Massachusetts

Chad Meeuwse ’02 Modesto, California

(Front row, l-r) Jason Bruxvoort, Brian Dykema, Shannon Schans, Ken Litscher, Mike Macco, yvette Madany(Back row, l-r) Chad Meeuwse, Shawn Devries, Kyle Geenen, Deb van Prooyen, Joyce Schulting, Nadia Swearingen-Friesen

Shannon Schans ’00 Maplewood, Minnesota Secretary

Leanne Schatz ’06 Phoenix, Arizona Joyce Schulting ’74 Richmond, Texas vice President

Nadia Swearingen-Friesen ’89Orland Park, Illinois Deb van Prooyen ’74Lombard, Illinois

ALuMNI ASSOCIATION 2011-12 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Fall 2011 | 29

David ’98 and Amy Parrish David and Amy are pleased to announce the birth of their son, Gabriel David, born December 20, 2010.

Wendy (Tuitman) Bolhuis ’99My husband Mike and I had a son, Colin Michael, on July 15, 2011. He joins his big sister, Taylor (4).

Kristin (Devine) Mueller ’99Kristin and Glen celebrated their one-year wedding anniversary on July 31. We live in Evanston, Illinois, where Kristin works as the director

of children’s ministries at First Presbyterian Church of Evanston. Kristin was also ordained to specialized ministry in the Evangelical Covenant Church in the summer of 2010.

Tim ’99 and Jeni ’00 (Hamilton) Vande Werken Our family welcomed Sydni Ryanne on May 9, 2011. She weighed 8lbs., 3oz. and was 21 inches long. She joins big brothers, Ethan (7) and Caleb (4).

2000s

Dave and Valerie ’01 (Terpstra) JohnsonDave and I were blessed with our first child, Anna Hope, on April 25, 2011.

Meika (Slotsema) Mersman ’01As of May 31, 2011, I have moved to an exciting new job as the estate and trust counsel for the Alzheimer’s Association. I work out of their national office in downtown Chicago.

Kevin and Jamie ’02 (Gorter) BruinsmaTwin girls, Lucy Marie and Olivia Evelyn, were born on March 29, joining big sister Natalie Grace.

Kathryn Lim ’02Kathryn was promoted to employment specialist at Resurrection Health Care.

Tanya (Janoch) Peloquin ’02 I joined Ogrizovich Financial Management back in May as client service manager. It is great to be back since interning there back in college! Also, I’ve started my own photography business, www.tanyapeloquin.com.

C l a s s n oT e sKara Bruxvoort ’03In May 2011, after seven years of working at Trinity, I took a job with the Reformed Church in America as an assistant in their church multiplication office and have relocated up to Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Steven and Erin ’03 (Strauch) Ducat Steven and I welcomed our first child, Oliver Tate, into the world on May 29, 2011. I am continuing to practice full time as a chiropractic physician

in Bloomingdale, Illinois, and my husband has become a stay-at-home dad.

Nicole Schroeder ’03I have been working with Infusion Ministries for a little over a year now and recently was appointed the u.S. director of STEPS. STEPS is a girls orphanage in India that rescues abused, abandoned, and neglected girls.

Myron ’04 and Kimberly ’04 (Ritzema) GrahamWe welcomed our baby girl, Addison Priscilla Grace, to the world on March 19, 2011.

Philip and Leah ’04 (Oosterhouse) Johnson We are proud to announce that God blessed our family with a baby girl. Ava Anne was born on August 24, 2011.

Mike ’04 and Beth ’04 (Van Prooyen) Macco Beth and I have been married for seven years and are expecting our first child, a daughter, in December. Since graduating from Trinity, Beth went on to get her Masters of Divinity from Northern Seminary in Lombard. She now works in adult ministry at our church. Mike has since passed the series 66, 7, 9 and 10 securities licenses and is now a financial advisor with his father at Macco Financial Group in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Since moving back to De Pere in 2008, we have been attending and are now members at Appleton Alliance Church in Appleton, Wisconsin.

Dave ’04 and Becky ’04 (Navis) PhillipsDave and Becky welcomed Cohen James on March 18, 2011. He joins big brother Eli (2½) at home.

Joel and Lara ’04 (Vander Ploeg) Tallman What a year of blessings! Joel and I married last year and welcomed our baby girl, Eleanor Sophia, in December of 2010. After being apart throughout our courtship and thus far in our married life, we are finally going to be all together in our new Lanark home. In addition, my son Hartrick Ryan vander Ploeg is now attending Trinity as a freshman. Go Trolls!

Dave and Julie ’04 (Back) TheuneDave and I now have a beautiful baby girl born Tuesday, December 7, 2010. Linsey Anna weighed 8 lbs., 4 oz. and was 22½ inches long!

John ’04 (JR) and Jamie ’04 (Ten Haaf) WindWe welcomed a new addition on July 31, 2011. Brooklinn Ann Wind is pictured with her sister Samantha (7) and brother Cameron (3).

Joel ’05 and Kristen ’05 (Roethel) FrierGod blessed us with an adorable little boy, Levi Alan, on March 24, 2010, weighing 7 lbs., 4 oz. We are amazed everyday by him! Joel continues to work at Community

Bank and Trust in Sheboygan as a credit analyst and prepares income taxes on the side from January to April. He is also finishing up his master’s degree at Lakeland College in business administration with an accounting emphasis. I will be starting a new job at Aurora Health Care’s newest hospital in Grafton in the labor and delivery/mother/baby unit in October.

Steven and Shannon ’05 (Rodgers) HahnI got married to Steven Hahn on August 13, 2011, at Grace Reformed

Church. We currently live in Lansing, Illinois. I work at Nathan Hale Elementary School in Lansing as a second grade teacher, and he works as a plant healthcare technician for The Care of Trees in Glen Ellyn.


Derek and Bonnie ’05 (Kingma) HollaarDerek and I were married October 2, 2010. We currently live in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, where I am a nurse in the NICu at Avera McKennan Hospital.

James ex ’05 and Abbie ’07 (VanDyke) Kooima I married James Kooima Jr. in December 2009. Currently I am working at a high school in the Chicago Public Schools.

Brian and Melanie ’05 (Jackson) KruchtenThis past May, Brian and I welcomed a beautiful baby boy into the world. Oliver Jude was born on Memorial Day, May 30, 2011. He weighed 7 lbs., 1oz. and is an absolute joy!

Tom and Janelle ’05 (Hoekzema) LazetteI got married in 2005 to my high school sweetheart, Tom. We recently moved back to Ripon, California, after living in Colorado Springs, Colorado, for four years. Most recently our son, Evan James, was born on December 20, 2010, and is the light of our lives! We have been so blessed!

Nate and Samantha ’05 (DeJong) McCarron We wanted to share that we are launching Center Point Community Church in Denver, Colorado, on October 30, 2011. Come worship with us if you’re in the Denver area, www.centerpointdenver.org.

Michael ’05 and Andrea ’06 (Douglas) Mercier Michael and I have experienced a lot of change this summer! In June, I graduated from Northern Seminary with my Masters of Divinity, and Michael graduated from his chaplaincy residency at Alexian Brothers Medical center in August. On September 11, Michael and I accepted the call to the First Baptist Church of Winchester, Illinois, where he will be serving as the senior pastor and I will serve in a volunteer pastoral role. We are very excited for this new adventure!

Gerrit Wieringa ’05I recently joined the Chicago law firm of Sidley Austin LLP as an associate attorney. I practice in the area of complex commercial litigation.

Dave ’06 and Sue ’06 (DeRuiter) BossDave, Sue, and big sister Anna are blessed to welcome Caleb Arthur, born May 9, 2011. Anna (2)

loves being Caleb’s big sister. Both children are reminders of God’s amazing blessings!

Dan and Jenn ’06 (Schreur) CaryWe are pleased to announce our second baby boy, Noah Kenneth. He was born May 21, 2011. He is an amazing blessing to add to our growing family.

Jordan ’06 and Jessica ’06 (Eenigenburg) Hoekstra Jordan and I welcomed twin boys to the family on August 17, 2011. We

are thankful and feel extremely blessed to add Charles Henry and Louis Joseph, two healthy boys, to our growing family. Cally and Will are loving having two babies in the mix.

Matthew and Jenni ’06 (Derks) Hoekstra Matthew and Jenni were blessed with their first two children, Taytum Joy and Micah Dale, on July 28, 2011. We praise God every day for the blessing they are on our lives, and we are thankful for the job God has called us to do in raising them to know him.

Clinton and Mary ’06 (Moulton) SwainIn December 2010, I became engaged to Clinton Swain in gorgeous Rocky Mountain National Park. I became licensed as an occupational therapist with the National Board of Occupational Therapy in January. On June 18, 2011, Clinton and I got married in Fort Collins, Colorado. We are living in our new home in Eaton, Colorado. Clint is a 911 dispatcher for the Loveland Police Department, and I am employed nearby at North Colorado Medical Center as an occupational therapist in acute care.

David and Kelly ’07 (Lyzenga) BurneyDavid and Kelly are thrilled to announce the birth of their first child, Annika Rose, born June 26, 2011.

Michael and Tricia ’07 (Leo) HutchinsonI was married on July 31, 2010, to the most wonderful godly man, Michael Hutchinson Jr. We also just recently moved from Charlotte, North

Carolina, to Taylors, South Carolina, so that Michael could obtain a divinity degree from Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary.

TriniTY mourns loss oF adulT sTudies alumni The Trinity community is saddened by the loss of two Adult Studies alumni. Marty Regan ’04 passed away on June 9, 2011; Debbie Parkinson ’06 on March 16, 2011. Both were dedicated to the profession of teaching.

While student teaching, Trinity professors observed that Regan was an “eager and energetic” physical education intern teacher and that his “knowledge, sincerity, and maturity” would serve him in good stead. He taught for eight years at Palos South Middle School in Palos Park, Illinois, and also coached both track and soccer. Regan is survived by his wife Kelly, also a teacher at Palos South, and his daughter Grace Kelly.

Professors said that Parkinson was “born to be a teacher; a natural.” They noted that she was sensitive to children’s needs and able to help children enjoy learning. A dedicated first grade teacher at William J. Butler Elementary School in Lockport, Illinois, she continued her positive influence with students. Parkinson is survived by her husband Garry, children Kevin and Kristina, and granddaughter Hailee.

They both leave behind a legacy of the countless students they influenced.

Fall 2011 | 31

CHANGE HAPPENING IN YOuR LIFE?

Whether it’s a new job, contact info, family additions, or a graduation, take a minute to update the alumni office. We will be happy to share it with the Trinity community, or simply update our records so that we can keep you better informed and connected. Online: www.trnty.edu/alumni Email: [email protected]

CONNECT Connect with fellow alums and stay up-to-date. Search for “Trinity alumni office” on:

C l a s s n oT e sOctober 13, 2010, weighing 7 lbs. 10 oz. and was 20 inches long. We thank God for our beautiful gift!

David Marusarz ’08I graduated from valparaiso university School of Law this past May. I also took and passed the Indiana Bar Exam in July. I will be admitted to practice law in Indiana in mid-October.

Rich ’08 and Caitlin ’08 (Cisek) Visser Caitlin and Rich were married in December of 2009. They are both entering into their final year of the Masters of Divinity program at Calvin Theological Seminary in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Joe and Erika ’08 (Gesch) WalcottWe would like to announce the arrival of our Troll Tot, Marcy Gretchen, on June 24, 2010. All is well in our newly expanded family!

Marsha Beran ’09I currently serve Salt Creek School District 48 as a substitute teacher and am going back to school to complete an associate’s degree in nursing.

Chad ’09 and Tana FakkemaWe got married July 23, 2010, and had a baby boy, Bekkem Aaron, on April 21, 2011.

Marcus ’09 and Brenda ’09 (Roethel) VanDykenMarcus and I were married on September 3, 2011, in Oostburg, Wisconsin. Marcus’ landscaping business is steadily growing and keeping him very busy. I am working for Homewood Disposal as an inside sales

coordinator. We just bought a house and will be living in Frankfort, Illinois.

Marisol Miron ’10 I am pursuing a Masters of Divinity with pastoral care track at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. I am expecting to graduate in May 2015. Currently I am working at Sylvan Learning Center as a center instructor and teacher assistant.

Drew ’10 and Julianne ’10 (Woodroof) Van’t Land Drew and I married this summer on June 11 and are gearing up for a move to Toronto, Ontario, this fall where he’ll pursue his master’s in social and political philosophy at the Institute for Christian Studies.

Michelle (Bosi) Galan ’11 Michelle is attending Southern Illinois university-Carbondale in the physician assistant program beginning in June 2012.

Jeffrey ’11 and Andrea HeimerWow, what a whirlwind of activity. Just prior to student-teaching in the spring of 2011, my wife Andrea and I welcomed a son, Joseph Andrew, to our family. I student-taught and then

graduated from Trinity in the spring of 2011 through Adult Studies. I was then hired to my first full-time teaching job at Crete-Monee High School in Crete, Illinois, at the end

of this summer. Currently, I have started the 2011-12 school year as a social studies teacher. Thanks to everyone at Trinity Christian College for everything that was done along the way to make my career dreams a reality! My family and I truly feel blessed!

Jonathan Huizinga ’11I will be marrying Nicole Billin, who graduated from Trinity in May 2009. We will be getting married on October 22, 2011, in Holland, Michigan.

Edmond Mensah ’11I am now a divinity grad student at Regent university in virginia Beach, virginia. Currently, I am living in Chesapeake, virginia, serving one of The Church of Pentecost branches in Hampton, virginia. I am a graduate candidate for the master of arts in biblical interpretation – pre-doctoral track degree. I thank God for where he has brought me thus far, and I pray that the Spirit of God resides over the Trinity campus and brings blessings that way. God bless.

Tatyana Parker ’11I am a May 2011 graduate of Trinity’s social work program. I am currently attending graduate school at the university of Illinois in Chicago in the Jane Addams College of Social Work. I will graduate May 2012 with my master’s of social work.

Velvet Woods ’11God has blessed me to continue my education at Trinity International university in the cultural engagement M.A. program. Along with multiple scholarships, I was recently hired as the coordinator of minority student engagement where I am able to apply the leadership experience I gained while at Trinity Christian College. God continues to do great things, and I am thankful.

Cynthia Koranda ’07This past December I started teaching 7th and 8th grade social science at Jack Hille Middle School in Oak Forest, Illinois. I’m looking forward to another exciting year.

Rachel Strevey ’07Rachel is now working at GoldStar Communications, a public relations firm in downtown Chicago that focuses on social causes and healthcare. She is also a freelance photographer starting her own business, www.chelfoto.com.

Gabriel and Amy ’07 (Howerzyl) TeraAmy got married to Gabriel on August 20, 2011. They will be living in his hometown in valdepeñas, Spain, where Amy has been working as an English teacher for the past four years.

Jason and Kate ’07 (Carpenter) Van den Brink My husband, Jason, and I were blessed with the birth of our daughter, Elizabeth Grace. She was born on


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trinity christian college fall 2011 magazine

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