News at Trinity

FACULTY APPROVES BACHELORS DEGREE IN WORSHIP

TIU undergraduates may pursue a Bachelor’s of Arts in Worship, starting in fall 2019. The new program draws from courses in music, Christian ministry, theology, ensemble work, and includes an internship in a local church. Many of the required courses have been part of TIU’s history of developing musicians and ministry leaders, but others will be added to train a new generation of worship leaders. Faculty who helped design the Bachelor’s of Arts in Worship said TIU offers some unique strengths and perspectives that will form a foundation of success. “In partnership with our Christian Ministries department, there is a strong practical ministry dimension—with some courses that are already accepted for advanced placement in the Master of Divinity degree at TEDS,” assistant professor of music Charles D. King said. TIU faculty members have been working toward the new program for several years, and within the last year have sought advice from alumni, church leaders and university educators. “The flow and options of the courses offered is planned out impeccably well and my only wish is that I could go back through this program as a young 18 year-old,” said Jeff Warren, worship pastor at First Evangelical Free Church in Wichita, Kansas and a 1999 TIU graduate. “I can’t thank [TIU] enough for putting together such a well-grounded, biblically and historically rooted major that will help to equip the next generation of students to serve the local church.” Two other new undergraduate majors debuted in fall 2018: pre-occupational therapy and chemistry. The chemistry major includes professional, pre-medicine and forensic science emphases.

TIU REGISTERS STRONG FALLEN ENROLLMENT NUMBERS

TIU welcomed its largest number of degree-seeking students in the past five years when the 2018–19 academic year began in August. New undergraduates numbered in excess of 200, including 150 true freshmen and about 55 transfer students. The new arrivals come from 26 U.S. states and eight nations.

At TEDS, strong enrollment gains came in the Master of Arts programs and the Doctor of Ministry program in South Korea. Trinity Law School registered growth in its Master of Legal Studies program, and President David S. Dockery said enrollment trends at TIU Florida look encouraging. In all, more than 900 new students started the academic year on all campuses. “We’re encouraged by these trends,” Dockery said, “and hopeful for the days ahead.”

FORMER USSC REBRANDED AS THRIVE CENTER

The center that provides academic support, career development and academic guidance on campus has been rebranded as the Thrive Center. Formerly known as the University Student Success Center (USSC) for several years, the new identity calls more attention to the key objective of the center’s work. “I think the Thrive Center better communicates our goals and services to help Trinity students thrive (grow and succeed) while they are here,” Thrive Center director Mechelle Garrett said. “My hope is that the change will communicate that the Center is a place of support for all students and that their successes while they are at Trinity are important to us.”The Thrive Center provides services such as career exploration, search assistance for internships and jobs, mentoring, tutoring and test-taking support, and writing help.