Record Breaking Year for Annual Alumni Golf Outing

Jul 08, 2021

It was a beautiful day for a golf outingon June 11anda record number ofparticipants in Trinity’s annual Alumni Golf Outingtook full advantage of it, raising funds for scholarships while having a great time with new and old friends!

“Thank you toeveryonewho participated in, sponsored,or volunteered at our annual Alumni Golf Outing to help raise money for alumni scholarships,” said Director of Alumni and Family Engagement JeremyKlyn’02.“We were blessed with a record number of golfers at the event and were able to raise approximately $13,000 in scholarship funds, our largest amount in the pastfiveyears. God is good!”

Andrew Kowitz ’20 was one of the attendees, and it was his first time at the event, which was held at Water’s Edge Golf Club, the College’s home golf course. “It was a great opportunity for me to get together and enjoy a full day of golf on a beautiful course with some of my friends,” he said. “However, it also supports a good cause through the scholarship to support students like we ourselves were recently. It was great to see people, reconnect, and enjoy the day.”  

Eric Henley ’12not only had a great time golfing—he also approached his company, Gallagher, about serving as a sponsor.The insurance company, where Henleyworksas area vice president, health & welfare, agreed to sign on.“Iwas excited to have Gallagher sponsor a hole for a couple of reasons. Selfishly, it’s alwayscoolto see your company out there supporting your personal network. But also, Gallagher has been hosting a lot of business students over the years,” he said.“Now that an alumnus is working at Gallagher, it was long overdue to highlight that partnership,and I am proud to be reinforcing that bridge.”

Alumni Helping Next Generation

And amidst all the fun and support, the focus remained on supporting scholarships for children of Trinity alumni. And recipients were happy to express their appreciation.

AndrewDeblecourt’25, a recipient of the Alumni Excellence Scholarship and the son of David ’95 and Emily (Kiekintveld)Deblecourt’98, said that he chose Trinity because of the opportunities it offers in different areas. “The study abroad program is highly regarded, the proximity to Chicago gives me many opportunities for internships, and Coach [Bob] Brickman and the track/cross team offer me great opportunities to grow as an athlete,” he said. “I am very excited to attend Trinity in the fall.”

Sydney DeVries ’24, daughter of Michael andRachel (White) DeVries ’97, MA ’21said thatTrinityhasallowedherto grow inherfaith and trust where God is leadingherasa nursing major.“Through Trinity, I’ve been able to pursue a calling to do everything to God’s glory while helping people at every stage of life,” she said.

In talking with participants at the event, DeVries shared her experienceas a freshmanat Trinity in a virtual environment because of COVID-19 restrictions.“As the days grew closer and I saw that I would have to learn from home, I became worried. Would I make friends? Would I even feel like I was at college? Would I be able to learn everything this way? Was it worth it to still go to Trinity? Would it ever feel normal again to go to school?” Butall of her concerns were quickly put to rest.

“Yes, I would make friends. That first day of Thrive brought me into a Zoom call with people who were also learning online. We went into breakout rooms and quickly found things in common in our group,” she said.

DeVries said online learning went well, too. “The professors at Trinity went above and beyond for all their in-person students and all their virtual learners,” she said. “They answered questions in a heartbeat, called on students to answer from around the world, and they always made sure everyone was actively involved, seen, and heard.”

ֲý became home for her, and she thanked all the participants in the golf outing for helping to make that possible. “Because of you all here today, I was able to thrive at Trinity and will be able to thrive at Trinity in the coming years. I am forever grateful that because of your generosity, I am able to be here and to grow spiritually and academically as a nursing major so I can give back and help those around me in the future. Thank you!” she said.

Every year, Trinity’s Alumni Board awards up to four renewable scholarships to the children of alumni to help them enroll at the College. If you would like contribute to the scholarship fund to help students like Andrew and Sydney, you can make a gift, with a designation to the Alumni Scholarship Fund. To learn more about Trinity’s 11,000-plus alumni, and all the opportunities for connections and giving back, visitourAlumni page.

Event Sponsors

The outing could not have been successful without all the support ofmanygenerous sponsors! Thanks to everyone who contributed.

GoldLevel

Ozinga

VanDrunenFarms

Futureceuticals

AssuranceAgency

SilverLevel

Providence Bank & Trust

Chris and Jamie ’00 Stephenson

BronzeLevel

Proven IT

Colonial Chapel

Homewood Disposal Service

BHG Brad Ericks

ECF Wealth

Golf Ball Sponsor

Schaaf Window Co.

Lunch Sponsor

E&R Towing

Dinner & Beverage Sponsors

El Famous Burrito

ExtractJuicery

Legacy Insurance Group

Hole Sponsors

SchepelAuto Group

Steve Vander Zee

Coldwell Banker Realty

CalebJonkman’18

JaredJonkman’21

E&R Towing

Silva International

Aspen Group

PDJ, Inc.

In His Image Fine Art

ClarenceDavids& Co.

ECF Wealth

Schaaf Windows

Interiors for Business, Inc

Gallagher