Campus Life

Thursday, May 24, 2018

Coates Center Undergoes Major Makeover


By Sarah Wysocki

The Coates University Center is blockaded by giant boards and largely inaccessible. Behind those boards is a busy construction site. In a couple of months, when these boards are removed, a brand new Coates Center will emerge.

An imminent result of this multi-million dollar renovation is relocation of several university services. Counseling Services will move to where Student Involvement currently resides, in the west wing of Coates. Student Involvement will be relocated to the first floor of the current bookstore, where the new Diversity and Inclusion Office will also reside.

The bookstore itself will move to the lounge area where the mail center used to be. The Center for Experiential Learning and Career Success (CELCS) will stay where it is, but will expand to encompass the current second floor of the bookstore: the textbook area.

Tuesday, May 22, 2018

Trinity’s Center for International Engagement Helps Students Engage the World



By Julia Weis

Berlin, Germany. Seoul, South Korea. Budapest, Hungary. Evan Chambless, 21, has wanted to study abroad in all three of these places. After a two-week trip to Berlin through Trinity’s political science department her freshmen year, she was determined to find the opportunity to go studying abroad for a full semester.

So she went to speak with staff at the Center for International Engagement (CIE) of Trinity and, with their consultation, worked out a plan to study abroad for a semester during her senior year.

Chambless is one of many Trinity students who was able to go study abroad with the help of CIE. The center, launched in the summer of 2015 as a part of Trinity's Trinity Tomorrow Strategic Plan, is making an effort to push Trinity students to expand their knowledge of the world through the classrooms, other campus activities, and studying abroad.

Wednesday, May 16, 2018

Developing Real Life Skills, Starting with Cooking on a Budget


Left: Trinity students chopping and preparing their salads
Right: Chef David Terrazas demonstrates how to properly hold and use a knife
(Photos by Joy Camp)
By Joy Yauger Camp

A trill of excitement permeated the air on a Thursday in February, as 25 Trinity students gathered around two sets of rectangular tables in the San Antonio Botanical Garden indoor/outdoor cooking facility. Chef David Terrazas, head of the Culinary Health Education Program for Families at the Botanical Garden, informed students of the menu for the evening.

This cooking event, organized by Trinity University Residential Life Assistant Director Rachel Boaz, was created as part of a larger initiative of teaching students financial literacy. Boaz, a Trinity graduate of 2010, said her intent was to “prepare juniors and seniors for their transition out of college.” One of such skills is to make meals on budget.

Tuesday, May 15, 2018

Stressed and Sleep Deprived, Trinity Students Need Some Help, and the University Tries to Provide It



By Bret Smith

The finals of spring 2018 ended just a week ago, and students can leave behind all the stresses and anxieties, for now. While the finals are over, health issues are not.

Surveys done by Trinity University have shown that physical health issues involving tobacco and alcohol use, as well as mental problems like sleep deficit, anxiety, stress, and depression, are among the health issues facing Trinity University students.

Sleep difficulties and stress in particular have become major mental health problems on campus and they tend to go hand in hand. Trinity students have to juggle a heavy study load from professors, high expectations from their parents, their self-imposed expectations to succeed, and their social life. Read more »

Monday, May 14, 2018

Trinity University Launches Planning Campaign for 150th Anniversary


Trinity's values, such as "Discover, Grow, Become," will be
highlighted during the 150th anniversary celebration. (The Roar photo)
By Marina Schweitzer

Trinity University is taking stock of the present and looking to the future in planning for celebrating her 150th anniversary.

The steering committee for the celebration is co-chaired by Angela Breidenstein, professor of education, and Jacob Tingle, director of Experiential Learning. The committee has launched a community-oriented planning campaign to help decide what the sesquicentennial celebration is going to look like. The year-long celebration will begin in January of 2019 and go through December. The university was founded in 1869.

The committee is intentional in not taking an approach of telling people what should happen for the sesquicentennial. Instead, “we chose a more constructivist community based organic approach, which is to say what does the community think we should recognize, honor, question, and celebrate," Breidenstein said. "That’s why we have done this campaign rather than saying here are the events. We want it to be really inclusive and far reaching and get people involved.”

Friday, May 11, 2018

Trinity’s Engineering Program Is Making International Impact, One Water Barrel at a Time


Daniel Dahlinger is one of the engineering students at
Trinity who work on the water barrel project (Photos by Paige Johnson)

By Paige Johnson 

The Engineering Science Program at Trinity University is drawing international attention for its humanitarian work in South Texas.

The project involves creating and monitoring sturdy water barrels along the boarders in the desert of South Texas, to provide fresh water for those who travel in that area. Many of those traveling through South Texas are migrants from Latin America, fleeing danger in their home countries. Journeying across the desert is extremely dangerous, and the fresh water saves lives.

“When this project idea was presented they mentioned that most of the migrants crossing the border and drinking from these barrels were from Honduras and El Salvador,” said Andrea Zavala Handal, who worked on the project and graduated last year. “I am from the small country in the center of Central America, Honduras, and therefore I wanted to help my own community out.”

Thursday, May 10, 2018

To Jaywalk or Not To Jaywalk? The City Vista Debate



By Sophia Scearce

It’s 9:00 a.m. The mid-morning traffic has hit its peak for the day, as cars whiz down Hildebrand Avenue unassumingly during their morning commute. At 9:15, a flustered student emerges from the City Vista apartment complex, running late for class.

As he approaches the road, he takes one look at the traffic and quickly launches himself off the curb. He dashes across the two-way, four-lane avenue when it is clear for this one second. Once he reaches the green lawns of Trinity’s campus, he hurries off, continuing about his daily routine without a second thought.

Everyday, students living in City Vista, located on the corner of Hildebrand and Devine, must cross the traffic bustling Hildebrand in order to get to classes. This section of Hildebrand is curvy and hilly, making it hard for drivers to see very far down the road. This seemingly short walk across Hildebrand to campus, however, has students taking two different routes: crossing at the newly installed crosswalk right at the intersection of Hildbrand and Devine, or jaywalking across the street further west down Hildebrand.

Wednesday, May 9, 2018

Advocating for Women in STEM at Trinity


Women's History Month posters in CSI, showing important female scientists (Photo by Victoria Abad)
Frances Stone. (Photo courtesy of Frances Stone)

By Victoria Abad

Frances Stone is just 20 years old but already a legend at Trinity, as “the pinnacle of women in STEM.”

Stone is a junior studying physics, heavily involved in dance, community service and academic extracurricular activities (she is an algebra tutor). She is also the only female student in her major in the class of 2019. However, without facing many adversities of being a minority in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math), she has found support and encouragement in the Trinity community.

As the only woman in some of her classes, she has witnessed first-hand the under-representation of females in STEM fields. “It’s something I’m definitely always aware of,” said Stone. According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, in 2017 only 30 percent of STEM degree holders were women.

Friday, April 6, 2018

Nobel Economist Christopher Sims Speaks at Trinity


By Blue Mohr

Renowned economist Christopher A. Sims, 75, who won the Nobel Prize in Economics in 2011, discussed his journey as an economist during a public lecture Wednesday night at Trinity.

Starting out as a mathematics major at Harvard University, Sims read about studies on quantification, storage, and communication of information and wanted to apply it to “infinite memory channels," a mathematical concept regarding the flow and storage of information.

Thursday, March 29, 2018

Students Discuss Living with Conservatism at Trinity


By Jacob Rossitter

Dean of Students David Tuttle hosted a conversation with students yesterday​, discussing what it means to be a conservative student on Trinity campus.

Among the 16 students who participated the discussion titled “Being Right: Living – and Living with – the Conservative Viewpoint on the Trinity Campus,” only two identified themselves as being conservative. The majority of the participants identified themselves as liberals.

One student told the room that he came to the discussion because he was “tired of his echo chamber.” Another student said that although she had a “very strong opinions about things,” she still wanted to “hear what the other side had to say.”

Friday, March 2, 2018

Aramark Proposes Big Changes to Trinity’s Dining Services


Jerry Dean, director of strategic development at Aramark, 
presents their proposal at the forum. Very few students were
in attendance. (Photo by Julia Weis)
By Julia Weis and David Smith

Trinity may soon have Steak ‘n Shake, Starbucks, and food trucks on campus, as proposed by Aramark.

On Tuesday, Trinity University announced awarding the new dining services contract to Aramark, which has provided dining services to Trinity since 1984.

The following day, Aramark held a campus wide forum to provide more details of their proposal.

Black Student Union Hosts Discussion on Colorism

By Blue Mohr

At a discussion about colorism and racism on Wednesday, held by Trinity’s Black Student Union, students came to the consensus that colorism is almost worse than racism.

The meeting was the last event of the group’s Mocha Month, a month long celebration of blackness and black students.

At the discussion, students pointed out that colorism is stereotyping, distinct from racism. It focuses on skin color, regarding lighter skin colors as more preferable than darker colors. Colorism is especially an issue within the black communities, whereas racism comes from outside these communities and is based on race as a whole, rather than just skin tone.


Sunday, February 25, 2018

President Danny Anderson Webinar Discusses the Value of a Liberal Arts Education


By Samuel King

Liberal arts degree is not worthless, but has just as much value as a business degree in its own way. Trinity University President Danny Anderson made that argument during a webinar On Thursday.

Anderson was joined by Trinity's Vice President​ for Strategic Communications and Marketing, Tess Coody-Anders (’93), in a conversation about the value of a liberal arts education in the 21st century. Read more »

Sunday, February 18, 2018

From Backstage to Front Stage: Lu​​nar New Year Celebration A Major Undertaking By Trinity Students



Lunar New Year celebration planning committee meeting.
(Photos by Sarah Wysocki)
By Sarah Wysocki

The lights change​d​ from white, to blue, to red. Fans twirl high above the performers' heads. The changing lights highlighted​ different colors of the fans. The dancers move​d​ their fans up and down, creating a colorful wave, astonishing and beautiful.

This is just one of the dazzling performances at the Lunar New Year celebration on Friday. About 700 people, including Trinity students, staff and faculty,​ and San Antonio residents, filled the Laurie Auditorium to watch the show.

All 12 performances were choreographed and performed by Trinity students. These numbers featured art and culture of China, Korea, Japan and Vietnam, countries where the Lunar New Year is celebrated. Read more »

Communication Day Connects Students with Alumni

RCC320 was packed with students attending the panels
at the Communication Day. The panel pictured here features
graduates within the past five years.
By Marina Schweitzer and Sophia Scearce

The fifth annual Communication Day on Friday welcomed back to Trinity 15 graduates who majored in communication, along with hundreds of alumni, current students and faculty.

Room 320 in the Richardson Communication Center was completely packed. Additional chairs were added and lined up the side way, as students flocked into the room to hear what the alumni had to say about their career and life experiences.

Leni Kirkman (‘84), senior vice president of strategic communications and patient relations at University Health System in San Antonio, said she used to write down her goals for the future and knew she wanted to be a broadcast journalist, which she did for a while but later changed her career.

NBC News Producer and Trinity Alum Gives Keynote at Communication Day

Wednesday, February 14, 2018

Celebrating Valentine’s Day The Alternative Way at Trinity



Linda Ready reads her poem at the poem contest.

(Photo by Emily Bae)
By Emily Bae

Today is Valentine’s Day, the holiday that steals your heart. But it doesn’t have to.

“Valentine’s Day is such a hard, awkward time where singles don’t like the holiday and want people to come together,” said Alex Motter, sophomore majoring business analytical and technology, an editor of the Trinity Review, which hosted a love and anti-love poem contest on Friday.

Six students shared their poems, ranging from beautiful love stories to awkward Tinder stories to melancholy break up stories. Some of the poems were simply notes that the author would leave for themselves after their breakup, and others compared love to gum.

Friday, February 9, 2018

Philanthropy Week Encourages Students to Give Back


Peyton Wionzek, sophomore, visits with Trinity Student Ambassadors
 during the Tumbling Towers event. Trinity’s most famous landmark,
the towers, was funded by donors. (Photo by Paige Johnson)
By Paige Johnson

Trinity’s annual Philanthropy Week ends today with “Opportuni-Key,” where students can try their luck at opening a treasure chest with a key, picked from a pile of nearly 400. Only about five of them will work. Small Trinity gears, such as branded cups, bags, and other prizes are waiting in the chest.

Trinity University Student Ambassadors hosted the week to promote student philanthropy. Instead of soliciting donations, the theme of the event is “I Heart TU,” calling for students to pause and appreciate all that Trinity has to offer.

Sunday, February 4, 2018

Bid Day 2018 Welcomes 200 New Members


New Members of Sigma Theta Tau with
orientation chair Yvette Pena
(Photo by Ruthie Rubin)
By Ruthie Rubin

Trinity’s Greek life welcomed nearly 200 new members on Friday’s Bid Day.

Bid Day is the day on which Trinity sororities and fraternities extend invitations or “bids” to their new members.

Among them were 129 new sorority members and 79 new fraternity members, who lined up at the Coates University Center to receive their bid cards from the Greek Council.


Wednesday, May 17, 2017

Experiential Learning Gaining Tractions at Trinity University




By Samantha Luzader

Two years into its establishment, The Center for Experiential Learning and Student Success has done a lot.

So what exactly is experiential learning? Dr. Jacob Tingle, the director, said experiential learning is “learning by doing,” which includes learning outside the traditional classroom setting, such as internships, service learning and undergraduate research.

Before the center opened, Career Services was the main resource on campus for students looking for guidance in their job or internship searches, according to Twyla Hough, the director of Career Services. Unlike most other small liberal arts schools, Trinity did not have an internship coordinator on staff before the Center of Experiential Learning was founded.

Wednesday, May 17, 2017

B-Cycle Too Expensive for Trinity Students


By Matthew Barnes

The Wisconsin based bicycle-sharing company, B-Cycle, has been present on Trinity campus for the past semester. Yet the rental stations appear to be less popular than originally hoped.

Transportation has always been a key concern for many Trinity first year students. For those who did not come to campus with a car, B-Cycle provides a great opportunity to rent a bike and explore the greater San Antonio area. With 60 stations spread throughout the city, B-Cycle allows students to join this exciting network of environmentally friendly movement. 

SGA introduced this program to campus.

Some students have noticed the new bicycle station of campus but are hesitant to use it. “I think it’s a cool thing to have if you wanted to ride a bike around, but it feels like it costs a little bit of money and it seems counterintuitive,” said Graham Stockhausen, senior geoscience major. “If a Trinity student wants to be able to use a bike, they should be able to use it for free.”



Tuesday, May 16, 2017


Bell Center Undergoes Multimillion Dollar Renovation




By Johnna Guillerman 

In recent weeks, students walking up to the Bell Center have noticed many construction vehicles and custom fencing at the facility. Inside, the construction becomes even more apparent as entire sections of floors are closed, and workout centers are relocated to cramped classrooms.

The William H. Bell Athletic Center is undergoing a major renovation starting in December 2016, and will last till February 2018. The athletic department hopes to provide students with a “state of the art” athletic facility.

What many people don’t know is that planning for this renovation actually started more than 10 years ago. “Our architect, Marmon Mok, did the initial feasibility study back in 2007,” said Seth Asbury, the associate director of Athletics for Facilities and Event Management, who has worked with Trinity for 11 years.



Tuesday, May 16, 2017

Trinity Students React to the New Smoking Ban


By Katie Welch

For many Trinity students busy with classes and exams, the dangers of smoking may seem like the least of their concerns. However, the discussion about smoking has reemerged following the university’s announcement of a new policy that will ban smoking on campus.

The policy, which will start to take effect on August 1, 2017, prohibits the use of all tobacco products on campus, including public outdoor areas. The ban also includes electronic cigarettes and vaping. The ban applies to all Trinity students, faculty and staff.

The policy was first proposed several years ago by Health Services coordinator Jackie Bavilacqua. The lengthiness of its implementation is due to the in-depth research and surveys conducted by her office, Bavilacqua says.


Tuesday, April 1782017

Trinity Hosts Its First Spring Volunteerism Fair

The first ever volunteer fair at the Trinity
Photo courtesy of School of Business
By Matt Barnes

With an attendance of more than 200 students, yesterday’s Spring Volunteerism Fair was a roaring success. The fair was held by Trinity’s School of Business in cooperation with the Center for Experiential learning and Career Success.

Two dozens of local organizations came together to help enlist the Trinity community to extend a hand in volunteering and helping others.

“We are here to show Trinity students the many opportunities that are available to them,” said Eric Uriegas, Recruitment Manager for Big Brothers Big Sisters. “There are a lot of organizations nearby that help the greater San Antonio Area, it is important that these organizations have a presence in the minds of college students.”


Monday, April 17, 2017

Trinity Alumni Share Their Experiences of Working on Wall Street


By Samantha Luzader

Last week, dozens of economics and finance students lined up in the basement of Northrup Hall to attend a panel about the reality of working on Wall Street.

The panel included Mark Whitman '89, Mike Ashton' 90, and Nate Coolen '02, all economics majors. Dr. Rich Butler, professor emeritus of economics and now serving as the alumni engagement coordinator, introduced the panelists. 

The three panelists offered a lot of advice to students who might want to go into the finance field. They also talked about how to get where you want to be, general advice, and how Trinity helped or hurt them in their career searches.


Wednesday, April 12, 2017

Trinity Community Held Vigil for Victims of Syrian Chemical Weapon Attack


Trinity sophomore Matthew Cauliflower
takes part in a prayer during the vigil
Photo by Kate Irvin
By Kate Irvin

Amidst the chaos there is hope. This was the main message sent by a vigil last night for the victims of the recent chemical attack in Syria that has killed at least 70 people, including many children.

The vigil was led by a Trinity student group, the International Human Crisis Initiative, in front of the Parker Chapel, and brought together close to 50 students and faculty.

As the participants gathered in a circle, their faces lit up by the light of the candles in their hands. Among them were athletes, sorority and fraternity members, and faculty. They made comments about the attack and said prayers.


Monday, April 10, 2017

Trinity University Celebrates First Diversity Week

Taste of Diversity on Friday
Photo by Samantha Luzader

By Samantha Luzader

Trinity students gathered at the Esplanade on Friday to take advantage of the great weather and great food in celebration of Trinity’s first ever Diversity Week.

The event on Friday, Taste of Diversity, showcased a variety of food from around the world, prepared by several religious and cultural groups on campus, such as the Filipino Student Association.


Sunday, April 9, 2017

Winners Announced for Trinity University 2017 Stumberg Competition


By Taylor Moser


Adhesive clothes pocket and innovative hammock are among the winners of this year’s Stumberg Competition, held on March 27.

Five out of the 15 competing teams, including six international teams and nine Trinity teams, won the prize of $5,000 apiece. They also became the finalists to compete for the grand prize of $25,000 in the fall.


Thursday, March 30, 2017

New Policies Aim at Expanding Study Abroad Opportunities


Trinity student Tierney Thomison currently studies abroad in Bolivia
Photo courtesy of Tierney Thomison

By Abby Tisdale and Katie Welch

A new model could provide better financial aid and therefore more opportunities of studying abroad for Trinity students, said a faculty and staff panel at a town hall Tuesday evening.

The panel featured Dr. Katsuo Nishikawa, the director of the Center of International Engagement, Glendi Gaddis, Assistant Vice President of Student Financial Services, and Nancy Erickson, assistant director of Study Abroad. Student Government Association (SGA) sponsored the townhall.

The new model is called home school tuition model, or HSTM. This model allows students studying abroad during fall and spring semesters to only pay for the normal cost as attending their home school, Trinity, including tuition, room and board. Students are also able to use federal, state and Trinity financial aid while studying abroad during regular semesters. Airfare, however, is not covered, said Nishikawa. Read more »


Thursday, March 9, 2017

Growing Pains of Parking as Bell Center Renovations Continue


Crowded parking lot at the Trinity Men's 
Baseball home opener last weekend
Photo by Abby Tisdale
By Abby Tisdale

Piece Pontikes, a Trinity baseball player, arrived on campus two hours before his team’s home game on Sunday, hoping to get a parking spot closer to the baseball field. "I still had to park all the way by the football field," he said.

Pontikes was not alone. Coming to the game between the Tigers and Babson University, parents and students had a hard time parking cars. Although the Prassel Garage was opened for additional student and visitor parking, due to the current construction outside the Bell Center, parking was tight.

“We shockingly got a spot right up front, which never happens,” junior English major Julia Camp, 21, said. Read more »

Sunday, February 12, 2017

Fourth Communication Day Brings Together Alumni and Current Students


By Andrea Acevedo

Panel featuring the youngest alumni at Communication Day
Photo by Josie Liu
Faculty, alumni, and both ​current and ​prospective communication majors came together on Friday for a packed day of alumni panels, networking, and a keynote speech during​ the fourth annual Communication Day organized by Trinity’s Department of Communication.

​​The alumni panels divided speakers into communication department graduates from the past five years, the past 20 years, and other classes. A total of 13 alumni formed the panels, representing varied professions such as journalism, public relations, practice of law, and teaching.

Sunday, February 5, 2017

Greek Life Welcomes New Members on Bid Day


Trinity Greek Life celebrates Bid Day on Friday
Photos by Samantha Luzader
By Samantha Luzader

Despite the dreary weather, hundreds of Trinity Greek Life students gathered around the Miller Fountain on Friday to celebrate the annual Bid Day.

The students came dressed in every outfit imaginable, from tutus to body paint to roller skates, in bright color and interesting materials. The campus around the fountain was abuzz with excitement and fun, as each organization got ready to welcome their new members.

Older members meet the new members on Murchison lawn, and then run them up the fountain, where their new club waits to welcome them. Read more »

Thursday, February 9, 2017

Spring 2017 Career Fair Features More Than 40 Employers


The Spring 2017 Career Fair
Photo by Joel Kumahata
By Joel Kumahata


Representatives from more than 40 companies had job talks with hundreds of Trinity students at the Career Fair yesterday.

Company tables filled the sunken stage of Laurie Auditorium, offering opportunities from the paid internships of philanthropic organizations like Public Allies, to employment with the United States military. Several big name companies were at the fair, including Dell, HEB, Valero, and Edward Jones.

Annie Cutler, employer coordinator for Trinity University’s Career Services, which hosted the fair, said several companies became sponsors of this career fair, such as the Houston Branch of Capgemini and Valero. Read more »

Trinity Lecture Series Explores Immigration and Gender through Film

Tuesday, January 31, 2017

Dancers, Choreographers Enthusiastic at the 2017 Momentum Auditions


The hip hop leg of the audition
Photo by Joel Kumahata
By Joel Kumahata

Dozens of students were anxiously finishing their breakfasts and chatting about their excitement at the Mabee dining hall on Saturday morning. In a few minutes, they would make their way to the Bell Center to audition for the 2017 production of Momentum, the Trinity University student-run dance show.

Nearly 60 students made the trek through the construction surrounding the building to arrive at the dance studio. There, they faced 17 choreographers, who would decide the dancers for the various routines planned for the production. The routines range from a narrative piece stylistically depicting an abusive relationship by Samuel Simoneau and Emily Taylor, to a Chinese fan dance by Natasha Muppala.

The auditioners had different dancing styles, but one thing in common: enthusiasm. 

Monday, January 30, 2017

Delta Sigma Pi Trinity Chapter Hosts Empowering Leadership Conference


By Abby Tisdale

More than 100 people showed up Saturday morning to attend the Empowering Leadership Conference in the Dicke Smith Art Building, held by Trinity University’s Pi Omega chapter of Delta Sigma Pi.

Students participate in an Empowering Leadership workshop.
All photos courtesy of Musanna Al-Muntasir
Beginning at 8:30 a.m., students, all in their business attire, networked over coffee and a continental breakfast with representatives from different companies.

After breakfast, Mark Rose, chief investment officer of the Argo Group International Holdings, Ltd., gave the keynote presentation. Read more »

Sunday, January 22, 2017

Trinity Students Voice Uneasiness, Concern and Hope at Inauguration Day Peace Rally

Freshmen Chiara Pride (left) and Quinn Bender (right), 
hold their handmade signs
Photo by Katie Welch
By Katie Welch

Armed with handmade signs and messages of equality, a crowd of more than 60 students and faculty gathered outside the CSI building on Friday afternoon for a peace rally, right after the sworn in of the 45th President, Donald Trump.

Many in the crowd expressed uneasiness about the inauguration. "I'm kind of mad," said Manveena Singh, a freshman studying business administration. "The feeling was completely off and different. There wasn't a sense of pride like previous years." Some students held small, colorful signs with anti-Trump messages, such as "There will be hell toupƩe" or "Make America Mexico Again".

Thursday, May 12, 2016

Growing Greener Generations, Trinity Embraces Change



By Robert Smith

The Trinity University Community Garden outside the Storch building may not seem fancy, but has a significant purpose.

The garden is just one of the projects that are in the work as Trinity University embraces changes that would allow the university to run and grow in a more environmental friendly and sustainable way.

The garden has seen tremendous growth in past years, both in plants and popularity. “Other colleges and universities have begun to make use of urban space in the interest of sustainability and energy saving practices,” says garden director and senior student Nathan King. “We hope to use the garden as a vehicle to bring sustainability to the forefront.” Read more »

Wednesday, May 11, 2016

Trinity Joins the National Debate on Safe Space and Trigger Warnings




By Katie Groke

Trinity University has joined the national debate on safe space in educational setting, which has been a much contended topic recently in higher education and beyond.

On March 29, the Collaborative on Learning and Teaching hosted a closed discussion for 19 students, faculty, and staff members to discuss trigger warnings and safe spaces.

The purpose of the meeting was to discuss some guidelines for creating a safe environment in classrooms. The main points of the guideline include creating a conducive interactive environment, expecting participants to be active listeners, respectful of other people’s opinions, and “accept other people’s experiences as the truth.” Read more »

Monday, April 25, 2016

Trinity Students Learn How to Get the Most Out of the Summer Internship


By Haylee Rodriguez
Lunch and Learn on summer internship. 
Photo by Haylee Rodriguez

You have a summer internship: now what? This was the question addressed at a panel discussion on Friday held by the Center for Experiential Learning & Career Success.

The panel, with two Trinity alumni and two current Trinity students, led a discussion on how summer internships can be used to reach students’ individual professional goals.

Kelly Wright, a Trinity graduate, was excited for the opportunity to talk to students about their internships. “Going into the workforce coming from school is challenging in and of itself,” she said. “Anything I can do to inform I’m happy to do so.” Read more »

Wednesday, April 13, 2016


Group Campfire and Petting Zoo Cap Off Mental Health Awareness Week

Trinity students gather by a campfire
outside the Murchison Hall
Photo by Nate Borchers
By Nate Borchers

Trinity students got to spend some time with chinchilla’s, lemurs and even a llama on Friday at the petting zoo set up near the Coates University Center as part of the Mental Health Awareness Week.

These animals are considered therapeutic and have been shown to help those dealing with mental illness, and students adored them.

"I do think that animals have useful medicinal purposes. There's just something about being around them that helps you feel calm and valued in a way," said Chelsea Runacres, a sophomore in Biology. "Even if you aren't currently experiencing a mental illness or know someone who is, the event still puts a smile on your face and helps you forget about the bad exam or assignment you might've just gotten back." Read more »


Saturday, April 2, 2016


Panel Addresses Gender Gap in STEM Fields

By David Mathis

Several Trinity University professors voiced concerns over the gender gap in the STEM fields on Thursday and shared their own experiences of gender discrimination.

Professors Kelly Lyons, in biology, Marilyn Wooten, in chemistry, Hoa Nguyen, in mathematics, Niescja Turner, in physics and astronomy, and Veronica McDonald, an engineer and Trinity alumnus, spoke at a panel hosted by Trinity Diversity Connection (TDC) and Trinity Women in Science and Technology (TWIST).

Science, technology, and math are widely known to be male dominated fields, but that isn't the full story, the panelists pointed out. To them, the discrimination and harassment they have experienced seems to be more of an active effort to keep women out rather than something that occurred naturally. Read more »

Thursday, March 31, 2016


Trinity Master Plan Hosts Forum for Campus Improvement

By Katie Groke

Students Chris Soto and Marcella Reyes look at
alternative plans for the Trinity Campus

Photo by Katie Groke
Students, faculty, and staff gathered Tuesday to discuss possible improvements to the Trinity University campus, including parking, dorm renovation and additional entrance to campus, at public forums hosted by the Trinity University Facilities Master Plan Committee.

Suggested campus improvements include replacing parking lots on lower campus with an additional intramural field and grass areas for recreation. To compensate for the loss of parking, a parking structure outside the Bell Athletic Center is suggested. This would increase easily accessible parking for both student residents and visitors during sporting events.

People at the meeting also discussed possible improvements to upperclassman dorms, such as renovating three of the upperclassman dorms into single room styles, similar to the improvement done to the North Hall during last summer. They also suggested a possible apartment building for seniors and juniors to improve privacy. Read more »

Sunday, March 27, 2016

Lecture Discusses Biblical Influence of Gender Discrimination


Professor Valarie Ziegler gives a lecture
on Thursday at the Stieren Theater
Photos by Abi Birdsell
By Abi Birdsell

Trinity University hosted Valarie Ziegler, professor of religious studies from DePauw University, on Thursday to give a talk on gender discrimination related to the Christian belief and its impact on popular culture.

Ziegler’s lecture was titled “Submission, Sex and Sinraptors: The Evangelical Adam as Alpha Male in American Popular Culture,” as part of the Lennox Seminar, a yearly speaker series hosted by different departments. This year’s theme is “(Re)inventing the Bible,” which examines how communities throughout history have created and recreated the Bible.

The talk focused on the modern effort by conservative evangelicals and important religious authorities to model American society in the image of Eden. As a result, the subordination and submission of woman to men is emphasized. Read more »

Wednesday, March 23, 2016


Quality Coffee Time with the Trinity Cops

TUPD offers Trinity students donut holes and coffee
Photos by Nipuni Gomes
By Nipuni Gomes

Trinity University Police Department served up coffee and donut holes for students, faculty, and staff in the campus esplanade this morning, inviting people to have “Coffee with a Cop.”

This event is an initiative to foster the Trinity community’s relationship with its police department as well as raise awareness of the services TUPD has to offer.

“This is one of our best events because our community loves coffee and donuts!” said Paul Morales, Corporal of Community Awareness at TUPD. “I think we gain the students’ trust as being approachable, and not as some mean cops out there.” Read more »

Monday, March 7, 2016


Lunar New Year Gala Celebrates Asian Culture at Trinity

MC Huang “Bob” Le thanks the audience 
during the final bows.
Photos by Anh-Viet Dinh
By Nate Borchers

Sights, sounds and even smells of the Lunar New Year filled Laurie Auditorium on Friday night as 61 Trinity students danced, sang and showcased their talents in celebration of the holiday.

After being treated to Asian cuisine such as spring rolls, fried rice and satay, the audience filled Laurie Auditorium, some to see their roommates or friends perform, others to get a taste of the Lunar New Year celebration at Trinity.

“None of my family is of Asian heritage, but growing up in the Bay Area where there’s a huge Asian population, crowding China town in San Francisco to see the Lunar New Year Parade is just as much of a holiday for the rest of the population as it is for the Chinese, Vietnamese, etc.,” said Zachary Klein, a sophomore. “So in an odd way, attending tonight’s performance was kind of like going home.” Read more »

Friday, March 4, 2016

Sarah Hepola Speaks about Binge Drinking and Sexual Assault


Sarah Hepola's book
By Davis Mathis

Sarah Hepola’s story has been part of the reason that college binge drinking gained much national attention in the past year, and on Thursday, the author and advocate shared her story with students at Trinity University.

Hepola, 41, author of critically acclaimed memoir,Blackout: Remembering the Things I Drank to Forget, told hundreds of students who filled up Laurie Auditorium, "My job isn't to make you drink less. That's your decision. My job is to make you think about drinking in a smarter way."

She told the audience that "blackouts" were often a part of her life when she was drinking, bemoaning the lack of education and information people have about the syndrome.


Sunday, February 28, 2016

Trinity Alumnus Chris Helfrich Gives Memorable Speech


By Amy Drozdiak
Chris Helfrich ('03) gives keynote speech
at the Communication Day
Photo by Josie Liu

Chris Helfrich, the executive director of Nothing But Nets, a United Nations Foundation campaign, kicked off the third annual Communication Day at Trinity University with an inspirational keynote speech on Friday.

In his speech, Helfrich, who graduated from Trinity University in 2003, reflected on how the experiences and skills he acquired as a student at Trinity, and the profound influence from his Trinity mentors, have helped equip him to successfully progress his career into one with the power to make a difference in the world.

As the executive director of Nothing But Nets, a global, grassroots foundation, Helfrich works to raise awareness and funding to help fight malaria through providing mosquito nets and other materials to communities with high malaria death rates, especially those in sub-Saharan Africa. Read more »

Young Alumni Bring Inspirations and Advice Back to Trinity

Recent communication major graduates
speak at a panel at the Communication Day
Photo by Josie Liu
By Robert Smith

The classroom 320 in Trinity University’s Richardson Communication Center was fully occupied on Friday afternoon. Staff started to put extra chairs on the side, with many people still standing on the back and near the door.

Around 50 students, faculty and staff were here to see, and hear, five recent graduates of Communication major speaking at a panel at the third annual Communication Day, held by the Department of Communication.

Leading the discussion were Natalie Brown, Don Dimick, Lauren Wilks, Sarah Cooper and Leslie Green, all of whom graduated from Trinity within the past three years. Read more »

Monday, February 22, 2016


Trinity President Officially Inaugurated

Trinity president Danny Anderson
gives inaugural speech
photo by Josie Liu
By Haylee Rodriguez

Hundreds of students, faculty, and alumni of Trinity University, and representatives from more than 30 institutions of higher education gathered in Laurie Auditorium on Friday to observe the investiture ceremony of Trinity’s 19th president, Dr. Danny J. Anderson.

Anderson assumed the presidency of Trinity University in May 2015. The investiture marked his formal installation as the president of the university.

At the ceremony, Anderson received the University mace and the medallion, hanging from a chain of medals each inscribed with the name and term of his predecessors. Both are symbols of the university presidency. Read more »

Saturday, February 20, 2016

#Great Trinity Experiment: Inspiring Learning for the Future

Trinity University President Danny Anderson
welcomes participants of the Great Trinity
Experiment on Thursday
Photo by Dana McLaughlin
By Dana McLaughlin

The entire Trinity University campus was buzzed with excitement as students, faculty and alumni participated in the Great Trinity Experiment on Thursday, as a significant part of the celebratory events leading up to the inauguration of Dr. Danny J. Anderson as the 19th president of Trinity University.

This experiment put students, staff and alumni at the front of the classroom, reversing the traditional teaching role for one day.

There were 23 mini-courses selected out of 40 proposals submitted by students, staff and alumni, on topics ranging from the evolving face of homelessness, coding basics, Japanese anime, to drumming. About 200 people signed up to attend these 50-minute courses. Read more »

#Great Trinity Experiment: Students Teach Class on Homelessness

Junior Rebecca Prager collects ideas 
from the class about ways to help homeless people
Photos by Nate Borchers
By Nate Borchers​ 

Trinity​ University ​juniors Rebecca Prager, Jay Stracke and senior Ana Ruiz reversed the conventional​teaching-learning structure​and became the professors on the causes and solutions of homelessness. At least for one afternoon.

The mini-course they taught, “The Evolving Face of Homelessness,” challenged more than 20 attendees, including Trinity faculty and students, to rethink the perception of homelessness, as part of “The Great Trinity Experiment” on Thursday.

In an activity called “Cross The Line,” participants of the class moved into different areas of the room designated “Yes”, “No” or “Unsure” in response to a series of statements, ranging from general ones such as “I was born in Texas,” to more complicated ones like “I believe homelessness is something that we can end forever.” Read more »

#Great Trinity Experiment: Trinity Students Fascinated by Fictional Writing

A student imagines characters for an exercise
 during the creative writing mini course.  

Photo by Robert Smith
By Robert Smith

Creating fictional characters, turns out, has a lot to do with understanding real people, as attendees of a Great Trinity Experiment course learned on Thursday.

The course, Building Believable Characters in Creative Writing, was designed and taught by two Trinity alum, William M. Razavi (’95) and Jack Bonner (’02).

 Though many English and creative writing students, as well as a few alumni, were in attendance, the talk focused on more than just literature. Read more »

#Great Trinity Experiment: Trinity Students, Faculty and Staff Enjoy Drumming

Wednesday, February 17, 2016

Trinity Students Engage In Interfaith Dialogue


By Nancy Li

Students and staff of different religious background gathered and exchanged views on Monday during the Interfaith Dialogue in Trinity’s Fiesta Room.

The 18 participants, representing Islam, Judaism, Catholicism, Protestant Christianity and agnosticism, discussed a wide range of topics from different beliefs to personal religious experiences and current social issues.

Ruth Lavenda, a sophomore and member of the Jewish Student Association, was a part of a stimulating conversation concerning views toward the LGBT community in the Christian church. To her, the very question was brought up because people “did not know what to think because here was a situation where the view of Christianity was being challenged.”

Saturday, February 13, 2016

“Pizza and Pleasure” Discusses Online Dating

Katherine Hewitt talks about online dating
at Pizza and Pleasure on Thursday
.
Photo by Carlos Ealy
By Carlos Ealy

Need a valentine for Valentine’s Day? Dating apps might help, as suggested by the “Pizza and Pleasure” talk on Thursday.

Katherine Hewitt, the wellness coordinator from Trinity University's Counseling Services, presented different ways to meet people through apps and dating websites, three days before Valentine's Day.

There are benefits using dating sites and applications, according to Hewitt, since they eliminate the “blind date” by providing in-depth profile information and match people through algorithms. Hewitt herself has had firsthand experience with how technology has reshaped dating. She and her husband began dating after he “poked” her on Facebook when they were in college.

Saturday, February 13, 2016

Spring Career Fair Attracts Hundreds

Trinity holds Spring Career Fair on Wednesday.
Photo by Davis Mathis
By Davis Mathis

​Hundreds of students and employers generated heavy traffic along the corridor in the Laurie Auditorium on Wednesday for Trinity's Spring Career Fair.

Around 40 companies from across the state, including police departments, military branches, and computer science companies, set up tables, displaying brochures, information sheets and lots of goodies bearing company logos.

Thursday, February 11, 2016

Renowned Anthropologist Discusses Why People Reject Science

By Nipuni Gomes


Dr. Eugenie C. Scott gives a lecture on Darwin's Day. 
Photo by Nipuni Gomes
The primary reason for many people to reject climate change, vaccination or evolution is not science, but ideology, Dr. Eugenie Carol Scott, a renowned anthropologist, told an audience at Trinity University yesterday.

Scott, a physical anthropologist and chair of the Advisory Council for the National Center for Science Education, presented a lecture titled “Why Do People Reject Good Science,” hosted by Trinity University in honor of the 2016 Darwin Day, the 207th anniversary of Charles Darwin’s birthday.

Wednesday, February 10, 2016

Super Bowl A Get-together Chance For Latinos Students

 Dozens of Trinity students gather at City Vista
to watch the Super Bowl on Sunday
.
Photo by Nicolas Echeverria

By Juan Pineda


Dozens of Latino students at Trinity University gathered on Sunday to watch the Super Bowl. Or not.

Football is not the biggest sport for Latino students, and therefore the reason for them to watch the game was rather different.

“I only watch the game because of the ads and the halftime show,” said Gabriel Mendez, a junior from Honduras. He tried to name players from the Carolina Panthers and the Denver Broncos, “Peyton Manning, Cam Newton, and #73, the guy from the ‘Blind Side’ movie, and that's it.”
Read more »

Monday, February 1, 2016

Momentum 2016 Auditions Kick Off 11th Annual Production

Dancers at Sunday's audition.
Photos by Amy Drozdiak
By Amy Drozdiak

On an otherwise quiet Sunday morning yesterday, there was an air of nervous and excited energy as more than 75 Trinity students gathered at the Bell Center for the auditions of the 2016 Momentum, the annual dance production choreographed and produced entirely by Trinity students.

Students auditioned for a diverse mix of dance styles, including Jazz, Ballet, Hip-Hop, Contemporary, Funk, and Tap dancing.

This year marks the show’s 11th annual production, and the producers and choreographers were eager to showcase their dance pieces for the new and veteran dancers at the audition. Choreographers of the Tap dancing piece wow-ed everybody with the unique integration of plastic cups into their tap-dance routine. Read more »

Thursday, January 28, 2016

Town Hall Discussed Racial Climate on Campus

By Nipuni Gomes

About 30 students attend the town hall on Wednesday evening 
Photos by Nipuni Gomes 
Students called for more diversity education and mingling of different ethnic groups on campus in a town hall held Wednesday evening to discuss the racial climate at Trinity University.

The Trinity Progressives, a student organization advocating progressive thought and student activism, hosted the meeting at the Bell Center dance studio.

About 30 students attended the meeting, sitting on blankets spread around the floor and snacking on guacamole and oatmeal chocolate-chip cookies. In such a relaxing environment, students felt comfortable opening up.

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