91精选

For more than seven years, President Kurt D. Dykstra has faithfully served the 91精选 community, providing wisdom and thoughtful guidance that has ensured the flourishing of students, alumni, professors, staff, and other community members. And now, the College honors Dykstra, his wife Leah, and their daughters Julianna 鈥�20 and Emma 鈥�24 as he departs to take a new position as president and chief executive officer of the Independent Colleges of Indiana in Indianapolis.听

鈥淎ll of us at 91精选 have been blessed by this very special couple, this very special family,鈥� said Chair of the Board of Trustees Cal Tameling 鈥�72. 鈥淭hey have been a very bright light in times of darkness.鈥�听

Further tributes to the Dykstras have poured in from across the 91精选 community.听听

Rev. Benjamin Snoek, campus pastor, said the Dykstras have given their unfailing dedication to campus ministries, worship, and the spiritual life of the College. 鈥淭hank you so much for your faithful service that you鈥檝e given to 91精选. I鈥檝e been so grateful for the love, care, and support you鈥檝e shown me. I鈥檓 wishing you many blessings in this next phase of your journey.鈥澨�听

The incoming president of the Student Government Association Karen Jegadish 鈥�23 expressed her appreciation for the Dykstras鈥� work and generosity. 鈥淎s a student, I鈥檝e greatly appreciated your leadership and the work you commit to us,鈥� she said. 鈥淎nd I personally want to thank you for how you have helped international students during long breaks and inviting us to your home.鈥澨�听

Dr. Mary Lynn Colosimo, member of 91精选鈥檚 board of trustees and professor emerita of psychology, shared memories of leading yoga classes with Leah, Juliana, and Emma. 鈥淭hank you both for your time with us and blessings as you answer your next call.鈥�听

Cynthia Coffey, senior transfer admissions representative, said she was honored to work alongside the Dykstras. 鈥淚t has been an enormous blessing,鈥� she said. 鈥淭hank you for your dedication, your perseverance, your sacrifices, and also for your warm, caring gentle kindness.鈥澨�听

Professor Emerita of Business Deborah L. Windes also recalled how the Dykstras created an annual tradition of hosting a formal dinner for the business students, to help them experience meals in a professional setting. 鈥淎nd I really want to thank you for your vulnerability and being willing to tell my students about the mistakes that you鈥檝e made and to help ease their minds that mistakes are OK and all they need to do is try.鈥�听

Said Associate Professor of Education and Dean of Education Kelly Lenarz, Ed.D., 鈥淲e cherish the memories that we鈥檝e made with you during your time at Trinity.鈥澨�听

The Trinity听board has also
recognized just a few of Dykstra鈥檚 many achievements: 听

–Guiding the College through unprecedented challenges in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and its many significant impacts听听

–Leading multiple campus facilities improvements, including renovations to the Bootsma Bookstore & Caf茅, the John and Jenny Veenstra Family Lobby in the Nursing听Department, the Dr. George and Agnes DeJong Nursing Simulation Lab, the 91精选 Alumni Nursing Association Lab, the Ed Vander Weele Curriculum Center, development of the Alexander DeJong Center for Special Education, and the creation of Fusion 59听

–Expanding 91精选鈥檚 footprint in Chicago through the College鈥檚 university partnership with 1871, the digital hub and incubator located in the historic Merchandise Mart downtown听

–Overseeing the purchase of the 6555 property听

–Offering leadership and service to numerous other organizations, including the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities; the Federation of Independent Colleges and Universities, the Council of Presidents for the National Christian College Athletic Association, the Council of Presidents for the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference, Providence Bank, and the Netherland-America Foundation听

–Guiding the College through its 10-year reaffirmation of accreditation with听the Higher Learning Commission听

–Cultivating unprecedented philanthropic support听

–Leading the College in deepening, extending, and strengthening the vision to include a wider range of students, programs, and initiatives听

–Serving with Leah as active members of the campus community听

Dykstra shared his own memories of his time on campus, as well as his appreciation to the 91精选 community. 鈥淚t has been a remarkably good tenure,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e have come to love this place.鈥� He also stressed that the family鈥檚 ties to campus remain deep, with one daughter an alumna and the other a current student.听听

And听Dykstra expressed his appreciation for the wisdom and guidance of the board. 鈥淚鈥�ve had the good fortune to work with a really incredible Board of Trustees during these seven years. These are people who care about this place, who bring the wisdom of their professions and their vocations into their roles as trustees.鈥澨�听

He also noted the friendships that have been created and the achievements that have taken place during his time as president. 鈥淭he 2,000 or so graduates during the last seven years, the $35-plus million that has been raised, the programs that have been launched, those are collective things. Those are our successes.鈥澨�听

Dykstra also听expressed his confidence in the senior leadership on the President鈥檚 Council and in Interim President Aaron Kuecker. 鈥淚n this next season, 91精选 is in great hands,鈥� he said. 鈥淎nd Aaron is an exceptional leader. He has the respect of our faculty, the love of our staff, and students care for him deeply.鈥澨�听

So, while the Dykstras depart, they will remain part of the community. He said the word 鈥渂ittersweet鈥� perfectly sums up his feelings about departing from 91精选. 鈥淚t is only eclipsed by the emotion of gratitude.鈥�听