Illinois Qaukes and Students Sleep

THE EPICENTER OF THE QUAKE WAS ABOUT 350 MILES FROM SOUTH BEND - wsbt.com

In Chicago the snow falls and the wind literally blows – and apparently the earth quakes. But few Midwesterners or Trinity International University (TIU) students recognized it.

“I didn’t feel a thing and I was kind of mad,” said Loryssa Simas, who remained dead asleep during the earthquake that hit southern Illinois at 4:36 a.m. Friday with a preliminary magnitude of 5.2, said geologists. “I wanted to be able to say I felt an earthquake.”

The rumbling originated in the Ozark Dome region, an area including several fault lines that covers roughly five Southern and Midwestern states that don't compare to the seismic zones found in the west.

“I felt at home,” said Christine Naumo, a southern California native who recalled the 6.7 that sent waves of concrete rippling through her Santa Clarita neighborhood when she was seven years old.

Some 120,000 square miles of earth shook from southern Memphis north to Michigan, and from Nashville west to Kansas City.

“There goes everything I learned in fifth grade geology,” said Minnesota native Wendy Moore who didn’t believe earthquakes could happen in the Midwest.

No one was killed, only slight injuries were claimed, shelves were rattled, a chimney collapsed, and beds jiggled.

“I thought my bed was vibrating,” said Laura Della Torre, who believed she was imagining it all.

By Tuesday a few students were still unaware of the disturbance that came in the wee hours of the morning.

“Didn’t have a clue anything happened,” said Jesse Edson.

“I woke up to pee around 5, but I think it was over by then,” said Dana Larmour.

“I didn’t feel it, but my friend did and thought a train was going by,” said Jami Higgs.

A comparable earthquake hit the same spot six years ago and a bit stronger quake hit the southern Illinois area in 1968. But none of these were as severe as an early 1800s rumble that shook all the way down to Memphis.

At least 22 aftershocks from Friday’s quake were recorded by Monday at magnitudes as high as 4.5.

“What earthquake?” asked Levi Arnold.

April 25, 2008

Sex Talk, No Need To Be Coy

The Johnson Residence Hall lounge was a male-free zone the night of Tuesday, as Trinity International University (TIU) Women’s Ministry Council (WMC) hosted its third annual “Sex Talk.”

It was an intimate gathering of a few dozen female TIU students who sat in a tight circle and shared large bowls of popcorn and the opportunity for one chapel credit.

A panel of three distinct women; a Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (TEDS) Professor, TEDS alumnus and TEDS student, each told unique testimonies, identified sexual myths and tackled nine of several questions posed anonymously by way of pencil, paper and plastic cup.

Two inquiries sought out advice for remaining abstinent during long-term relationships and engagements. One that received significant attention concerned the differing affects of sexual, emotional and spiritual intimacy.

“Couples who spend a lot of private time together in prayer are often the couples who have premarital sex,” said a panel member. The same panel member said that great sex stems from great communication.

“Is it ok to talk to your fiancé about how great its going to be to have sex?” and “Is it ok to talk about sex among your girlfriends?” were two more questions pulled from the anonymous cup and read aloud by Assistant Director of Student Ministries and WMC leader Rebecca Lien.

“Yes!” a panel member answered without missing a beat, “To both.” The panel explained further that the conversations should not be intended to turn on or tease the fiancé.

“Is doing everything, but sex, ok out of marriage?” and “Is anal and oral sex permissible in marriage?” were questions that two panel members volunteered the third to answer. The panel advised that, although there are sexual acts that don’t impregnate, out of marriage they are not short of sexual sin. They added that not feeling guilty about participating in these acts does not justify them.

“We are told that the Missionary Position is the only way. I’ve read Genesis to Revelation and it’s not there!” a panel member said vaguely about sex within the marriage. The second question was never answered directly, but she said that there is a lot of sexual freedom within a marriage.

“How can you be open about your sexual history with friends without feeling judged?” was the final question pulled from the cup.

“The Restoration Program,” said Johnson Hall Residence Director Heather Harms. It is a refuge for students, designed to encourage them to approach staff, faculty, and Residence Life without fear of judgment or disciplinary action. “When we hear about your struggles, we hurt for you,” said Harms.

Students can also turn to WMC, which exists “to advocate on behalf of women, compel them to live transformed lives of worship and empower them with tools for renewing their minds.” This past semester WMC met the needs of women struggling with body-image issues by initiating a credited aerobics class. They were intimidated to work out in the Lew Student Center on their own, but were comfortable with fellow female students in a class.

“We are revamping the ministry to meet women’s needs,” said WMC member Melissa Diaz, who worked beside co-member Kara Bergman to host the “Sex Talk.” WMC is seeking applicants for next year and applications can be found online at www.mytrinity.tiu.edu via Spiritual Life and Student Leadership.

Also next year, the frequency of the gathering will quadruple and it will be renamed “At the Well,” a title that reflects Jesus’ unconditional love for the Samaritan woman as written in the Book of John.

AT&T to Install Speedier Internet

Trinity International University’s (TIU) internet speed will increase more than 400 percent no later than Apr. 10. The new technology is a sizeable investment of close to $30,000 a year, said Information Technology (IT).

The expansion of the TIU campus, also known as Trinity Hall, furthered the motivation for a completely wireless campus and caused an unanticipated surge in students’ internet use – massive downloading and uploading traffic called for extra bandwidth.

In December, IT signed a contract with AT&T that was to enhance internet bandwidth from 4.5 megabytes (MB) to 20 MB. IT has done their part to ensure a timely transition, but there is still work to be done by AT&T – and the target date is fast approaching.

“We’ve been waiting on them,” said IT Director of Networking and Telecommunications Kelvin Tohme. “It takes time, it’s not about flipping a switch.”

The State of Illinois has approved AT&T’s architectural and engineering design plans and have granted work permits for the trenching and boring portion of the project that went underway Mar. 14. AT&T also installed relay rack and Cisco switch networking equipment in the IT room in the basement of the Mansion to prepare for the increase in bandwidth.

But AT&T still needs to pull and terminate the fiber optic cable from their off-campus site to the Mansion – to be done by Today – complete connectivity testing of the new circuit, and cut over to the 20 MB bandwidth by the Apr. 10 deadline.

Once the new technology service is established, any future need to increase the bandwidth is just a phone call and a few business days away.

“The internet experience should be quite pleasant,” said Tohme.

A Different Kind of Madness

Seven teams were ranked, a round-robin bracket was drawn and two handfuls of Trinity International University (TIU) business majors jumped into bumper-carts to compete in an aggressive Whirly Ball tournament that lasted until midnight Wednesday.

The free event was student picked, organized, marketed, and managed by the Trinity Council on Business (TCB), a club led by Business Professor Sidney Yeomans and elected officers. It is open to business majors, minors and undecided students, and convenes once a month in lower Melton on Wednesday nights.

This year TCB has alternated between serious and fun events; from an Executive Advisory Board (EAB) Panel Discussion and a bowling outing with the Business Professors in the Fall, to an Alumni Business Forum, where alumni were invited on campus to share about their business experience, and a Business Etiquette Dinner in the spring.

Because TIU is a small campus, building relationships is key and networking is helpful for business students to find a job after graduation, said TCB. Their mission is to provide a conducive environment for spiritual, academic, and personal growth in preparation for Christ-centered leadership in the business world.

“Our main purpose is to facilitate relationships between current business students, faculty and alumni,” said TCB Co-President and accounting major Tim Jeanson. WhirlyBall is an unconventional, yet entertaining and active way to cater to that vision.

“It was a good time of fellowship and competition,” said TIU business-accounting major Jason Kofroth. The activity was fitting for a business club event, since nearly half of all business majors, a male-dominated major, are involved in Trinity Athletics.

The Whirly Ball court was similar to the size of a basketball court, but it included elements from several different sports. Hoops were laid flat in the middle of the backboards that suspended from opposite walls. The absence of out-of-bounds was similar to ice-hockey, and the use of a miniature quasi-lacrosse stick was the means by which a softball-sized whiffle ball was scooped from the ground, passed between teammates and shot against the target.

Players don’t just ride on bumper cars aimlessly.

Each shot that ricocheted against the backboard earned one point, while a shot hitting the target earned two. In the championship game, Jeanson scored a point with only 10 seconds remaining to break the 2-2 tie and secure a tournament win for his team.

“It was a very sweet experience to get together with my fellow business majors and win,” said TIU business-human resources major Jonathan Ott. These kind of activities are important because it helps the students spend time with their business classmates and professors outside of the classroom, said TCB.

Just before TIU’s spring break, Jeanson and TCB Co-President Josh Antioho invited Professor Yeomans for dinner at their off-campus house. They students made side-dishes while Professor Yeomans brought nine steaks to grill.

“Having fun is a key part of keeping our Christian faith real and exciting,” said Professor Yeomans, who also competed in the Whirly Ball tournament.

“He is definitely one of the coolest professors,” said Jeanson, who has made the most of his involvement with TCB. On Jun. 29 Jeanson begins a four-year program in the financial department of the Boeing Company in Huntington Beach, Calif.

Spritual State of the Campus Apathetic, say Leaders

TRINITY INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY - tiu.edu

Last semester individuals started noticing it, before the break they voiced their concern about it and this semester they are acting upon it.

A few weeks ago, Trinity International University (TIU) Director of Chapel David Whited called a meeting with the TIU Residence Life team – all shared concerns for the spiritual state of the campus, said Assistant Resident Director (ARD) Hillary Leeper.

Christian apathy was the subject that dominated the conversation. Resident Directors and Assistants addressed the problem, asking each other if there is something they are doing – or not doing – to contribute to the apathy.

“It's been on our hearts since last semester,” said Leeper who joined with Resident Director Heather Harms and ARD Heather Armstrong to schedule a few get-togethers throughout the semester with their Resident Assistants to pray for the campus.

Prayer groups have been sprouting up all over. A group of students meet with Senior Vice President for Student Affairs William “Coffee” Washington to pray every-other Wednesday night from 8-11 p.m. in the Arnold T. Olson Chapel.

Over 30 students are involved in a group called Penuel that meet on rotation during Chapel Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays to pray for the service while it is in session.

Senior Daniel Frampton organized an email prayer chain that united the School of Language, Literature and Communications.

“I feel like everyone started noticing it at the same time,” said Junior Heather Hershberger, a Christian Ministries major. She was convicted about her own proneness to slowly becoming a fence-rider last semester.

Hershberger is currently taking “Strategies for Discipling Ministries” with Professor Sundene, who facilitated class discussions last week about apathy and complacency, complimented with a study on the neither hot or cold, but lukewarm Church of Laodicea.

Christian apathy is being countered on campus with awareness and prayer that will ideally lead to revival. “An important aspect of collective revival is a personal revival in each individual heart,” said Women’s Softball Coach Kelly Bergmann.

“Repentance. That is where revival begins, with a personal humility and brokenness before God, allowing Him to search the heart and shed light on areas that need to be dealt with,” said Bergmann. “When individuals begin to do this in their community, that is when collective revival happens…and this ‘revival’ spreads like wildfire in a powerful way.”

Over a third of TIU’s students are athletes. Athletic Director Patrick Gilliam, aware of the impact of the athletic community, challenged athletes to take an intentional role in praying for and promoting spiritual revival on our campus.

Gilliam, a current Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (TEDS) student, gathered information on how to promote a revival and presented it to his women’s soccer team during their weekly team bible study Tuesday. According to his studies, TIU’s spiritual state is compared to fallow ground; ground once farmed, but which now lays waste.

In “Lectures on Revival,” Charles G. Finney wrote, “If you truly intend to break up the fallow ground of your hearts, begin by looking at your own heart … prepare the mind into a state where it is fitted to receive the Word of God.”

It is written in Hosea, “Break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the Lord, till He comes and rain righteousness upon you.”

Luis Palau Speaks Next Door

PALAU HAS SPOKEN IN PERSON BEFORE LIVE AUDIENCES
TO MORE THAN 25 MILLION PEOPLE - luispalau.net

Sixty years ago Wednesday a 12-year-old Luis Palau entered into a “personal relationship with Jesus Christ” and a 72-year old Palau stood at the pulpit of Christ Church Lake Forest (CCLF) Sunday morning to tell about it. Palau was guest speaking at CCLF for their Global Ministries Celebration, “From neighborhoods to nations: reaching the world near and far.”

Senior Pastor Mike Woodruff introduced the world evangelist and doctor of theology, highlighting that he has preached the Gospel to more than 1 billion people worldwide and has spoken in person before live audiences to more than 25 million people.

“My life goal was to win as many people to Christ as I could” said the Argentine, in solid accent, when he first put his foot in the door of evangelism. Palau began preaching at 18 years old and over five decades later he was in town preaching in all three CCLF worship services on “Faith in Action.”

He was a gifted storyteller, capturing the crowd with enthusiasm, charm and comedic technique. With his sport-jacket unbuttoned, Palau paced the stage, dodging the podium, performing impressions and using authoritative hand-gestures in synchronization with the pressing points of his sermon.

“To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some,” recited Palau from I Corinthians 9:22. It is through innovative evangelism that Palau seeks to win people to Christ.

The Luis Palau Association hosts free two-day festivals throughout the western hemisphere, known for their huge concerts and skateboarding demos. Contemporary Christian music accompanied with extreme sports may be an unconventional method to spread the Gospel, but it has exploded over the last decade and Palau is determined to reach, what he calls, the “Next Generation.”

“It’s not for old-timers, it’s for kids,” said Palau. With the same idea in mind, he pioneered Next Generation Alliance, a partnership ministry “to encourage and equip a new generation of evangelists” that specializes in evangelism training and resources through conferences around the globe.

In his clear effort to reach young people, Palau and his son Kevin Palau also launched “Livin It” – a skate tour directed by Stephen Baldwin. It features extreme sport athletes such as Lance Mountain, Ray Barbee, Jay "Alabamy" Haizlip, and Christian Hosoi, who perform stunts and tell their stories to encourage viewers to live life with a purpose and share it.

Trinity International University (TIU) sophomore Michelle Smith and junior Chad Reilly attended CCLF Sunday morning with no idea that Palau was speaking, a story that may be shared by handfuls of TIU students.

“I’m encouraged and inspired by his stories,” said Smith, who has heard Palau’s name in an ad on the radio but didn’t know of him otherwise. His message inspired her to focus more on evangelism, as she is looking to combine Christian Ministry to her Elementary Education major.

Palau currently resides in Portland and listeners can tune into his daily radio broadcast and podcast “Reaching Your World.” Lists of upcoming events and more information about festivals and partner ministries are posted at palau.org.

Bioethics Lecture Series Sheds Light on Stem Cell Research

- Gary Varvel, The Indianoplis Star

Cloning and stem cell research are on-going controversial and intimidating issues for a lot of people, causing many to become weary and turned-off. But local disinterest and confusion were discarded Thursday evening as Trinity International University (TIU) Professor of Bioethics John Kilner, Ph.D., told the truth about bioethics to an audience of 50 at the Kenneth Kantzer auditorium.

Stem cells are primal cells that have the ability to renew themselves, divide and grow into a range of desired tissues, such as nerves and muscles. These new tissues are used to replace damaged ones, ultimately improving quality of life for everyone.

Kilner’s listeners left with a firm grasp on the difference between the two basic forms of stem cells: adult (obtained without harming human life) and embryonic (obtained by destroying human embryos), and the ethical issues that ensue. But what they didn’t know is that they would leave with an awareness about the lack of scientific researchers who engage in truthful communication about stem cells.

“Why do we so often try to mislead people, to gain some sort of benefit,” said Kilner, “when it so often backfires in our face?” His concern is that truthful communication; what one says and what one understands, has been replaced by Utilitarianism communication; deception used to advance scientific research that harms the vulnerable.

Potential beneficiaries include: those who are ill or injured, subjects of research; human embryos, and sources of materials; those who donate eggs or somatic cells are being exploited through this deception. The corruption can be traced among scientific circles engaged in embryonic stem cell research.

In 2004 South Korean cloning researcher Hwang Woo-suk claimed to successfully clone human embryos – a medical breakthrough at the time. In 2005 an investigation found that the eggs were purchased and the research was fabricated.

In 2006, Advanced Cell Technology (ACT) removed a single cell from an embryo without harming it, claiming “early embryos can yield stem cells and survive.” Just one problem: all the embryos used in the experiment were destroyed. In a total of ten experiments, ACT implied that 16 cells were removed from 16 embryos, and two stem cell lines were created as a result.

A research investigation found that the two stem cell lines were actually a result of 91 cells that were harvested from the 16 embryos, causing their inevitable deaths.

“History is littered with misguided attempts to relieve suffering by cutting ethical corners,” said Kilner. Putting an end to suffering can also be achieved through adult stem cells, but promoters of embryonic stem cells often disregard ethical routes based on the current assumption that an embryonic stem cell can grow into any cell.

Misleading language is used to smokescreen the fact that producing the desired cells from embryos “requires cloning human beings and then destroying them. Cloning and killing are too high an ethical price to pay,” said Kilner.

Stem cell debates are not about science versus religion, but an entire mindset; biological versus philosophical, according to Kilner. “Is an embryo a ‘being’ or just ‘some cells’? – An adult could be called ‘some cells’,” he said, but scientists don’t kill adults to advance their research.

In 1933, 399 African-American men in Alabama diagnosed with syphilis were untreated and exploited in order for scientists to conduct research on the phases of the disease. It was not uncovered until 1972 that 28 men had died of syphilis, 100 others were dead due to syphilis related complications, at least 40 wives had been infected and 19 children had contracted the disease at birth. None of the patients were told that they were being used for medical research.

Because of studies like Tuskegee, the National Research Act law was passed to protect human subjects from being reduced to lab rats. But this law doesn’t protect human embryos, because the human status of an embryo is still up for debate. To eliminate the ethical dilemma, some scientific authorities redefined an embryo as not human up to two weeks after conception, and some up to eight weeks.

Kilner recognizes these redefinitions as “fancy word plays” that cause a “pressing need for truthful communication” and a call for citizens to “avoid sweeping dismissals” about the effectiveness of adult stem cells.

The National Institutes of Health account for 14 stem cell studies that report adult stem cell plasticity – a wide range of potential for growing and dividing into desired cells. Several science journals have recognized adult stem cells as pleuripotent, including Northwestern University, University of Pennsylvania, and the University of California, Berkeley.

The Coalition of Americans for Research Ethics “Do No Harm” keeps score of stem cell research treatments for diseases – Adult Stem Cells; 72 (including 26 cancers), Embryonic; 0. The “Do No Harm” website is maintained at TIU’s Center for Bioethics.

“There is another safe way to develop the same cures,” said Kilner, who was referring to recent developments in amniotic-fluid stem cells found in the placenta. Adult stem cells are not the only ethical means for advancing research.

This year a study has been published that found amniotic-fluid stem cells are “readily available, perhaps ethically trouble-free and possibly as powerful and flexible in function as their embryonic counterparts.”

“Telling the Truth in Bioethics: Stem Cell Research, Cloning, and Beyond” is only the first bioethics seminar of a series of three held by TIU. The presentations, free and open to the public, are held at 7:00 p.m. in the Kantzer Auditorium. Future seminars are scheduled for Feb. 22 with Lawndale Christian Health Center CEO Arthur Jones and Mar. 15 with Wheaton College Philosophy Professor of Faith and Learning Dr. E. David Cook.

Trojan Soccer Donates Gear to Zambian Orphanage

ZAMBIAN ORPHANS GATHER FOR A GROUP PHOTO - Adam Riddell

Zambian orphans posed for Trinity International University (TIU) alum Adam Riddell’s “my kiddies” facebook album with cleats, tennis shoes, jerseys, shorts and soccer balls donated by the men and women of TIU soccer Wednesday.

Former TIU men’s soccer captain Riddell now partners with Jesus Cares Ministries (JCM) and lives and works with orphans and vulnerable children in Lusaka.

“There are 52 of them and they all love to play soccer,” said Riddell. Upon a short visit to Chicago in January for his best friend’s wedding, Riddell came up with the idea to bring donated goods from TIU back to his kids at the orphanage.

TIU women’s soccer player Wendy Moore answered Riddell’s call and volunteered as point-person for the soccer clothes drive. Moore posted a sign at the Meyer Sports Complex and at her Trinity Hall suite, both complemented with empty cardboard boxes that turned over 150 items over the span of winter break.

“It was something I wanted to do, because I had met those kids and had been there,” said Moore. Her and Riddell were both part of TIU’s first team to be sent to Zambia in the spring of 2006. “You could tell already last year that Adam was going to be back.”

The donated gear exceeded the luggage regulation and Riddell was unable to bring it all with him on the plane. The excess goods will be taken by Interim Associate Dean of Students Greg Leeper and his wife Hillary Leeper on their return to Zambia – a short-term mission trip scheduled for spring break. The Leepers plan to unite with Riddell and do ministry with JCM – “Combating child labor through education.”

“In short, we remove kids from the work force and put them back into schools,” said Riddell. In addition to helping the children, Riddell and JCM teach the parents specific skills, such as baking, catering, and tailoring, in order to help them to provide for their child so that he or she can go to school instead of work.

Riddell and JCM also head efforts to remove some of the 800 kids who live on the streets in Lusaka alone. In one weekend Riddell and his team removed 13 kids and invited them to the orphanage.

“It’s heartbreaking to see a 10 or 11-year- old sleep on concrete,” said Riddell. After adding kids to the orphanage Riddell begins the process of building their trust and finding out their real story.

Riddell put ear-to-ear smiles on the kids’ faces when he arrived back at the orphanage with boxes of the Trojan soccer gear, and pictures were posted online for all TIU men and women soccer players to see. Kings put on the New Castle jersey, Esau juggled the TIU Brine practice ball, and Jack wore the Predator soccer cleats with style.

“Many thanks to the wonderful people in the men and women’s soccer program at TIU for their generous donations,” said Riddell. “If I was an emotional man, I would have cried many times over at the sight of my guys wearing shoes and playing ball. Thank you so so much.”

ADAM RIDDELL GIVES A HEARTY THANKS ON BEHALF OF HIS KIDS - Adam Riddell

Trinity's Own Wed on Campus

Trinity Hall Residence Director Anne Kooi and Trinity International University (TIU) Director of Networking and Telecommunications Kelvin Tohme were married in the Arnold T. Olson Chapel center Saturday afternoon.

The two met while Tohme was giving an Information Technology (IT) presentation last year to the Trinity Residence Directors and Assistants about using GroupWise – email communication software – and accessing the TIU network. Kooi stayed afterward to ask questions, but friends say that she confessed it was for a little more than just getting information about the technology.

Tohme and Kooi quickly recognized long-distance running as one of their common interests and both participated in the Chicago Marathon in Fall 2006. Tohme popped the question last summer at the romantic Castle Coch in Wales, and slipped an engagement ring on Kooi’s finger after she excitingly proclaimed “yes!”

“These rings are more than some wedding bling” said Rev. Steve Argue after the couple repeated their vows. The informal style of Reverend Argue’s message and his long, blond, shaggy hair added flair to the traditional, yet contemporary, ceremony in which only one cell phone sounded.

The guests were escorted to their seats and the wedding party was accompanied to the stage with hymns performed by a solo instrumental pianist. The Bride began the small stretch to her Groom, lined by family, friends, students and faculty, while bridesmaid and TIU’s Johnson Residence Hall Director Heather Harms sang “Praise to the Lord.”

The service continued with a congregational reading of Psalm 100, Lamentations 3:22-26 and Isaiah 25, and another solo by Harms. She sang “Jesus What a Beautiful Name,” a song she had sung to encourage roommate Kooi.

Friend of the Groom and TIU’s IT Director of PC Support and Instructional Technology Chris Miller also read scripture from Romans 12:1-3 and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School student Matt Tebbe lead the couple in worship.

When not fixed on each other’s eyes, Kooi and Tohme faced the audience during most of the service, smiling warmly and showing appreciation for all of the love and encouragement that was present in the room. The anticipation and excitement in the chapel could not be denied, and it was intensified by Kooi’s glowing smile and Tohme’s raised eyebrows.

“Thanks for being H-O-T hot!” said Tohme to his bride as they exchanged personal comments before they recited their vows. Laughter sprang immediately from the crowd – half in surprise and half in confusion. “I don’t know why they’re laughing,” continued Tohme coolly, “Because you’re Honest, Open, and Transparent.” Kooi responded with a curtsey and reciprocated with an insightful story about the recent impact the worship song “Blessed be the Name of the Lord” had on her life.

Row by row, the couple greeted and dismissed the guests to the Lew Center, which was transformed into a reception hall with its light fixtures, white table cloths and centerpieces of long-stemmed red roses. The bathrooms were stocked with dinner mints and the lofted balconies were adorned with lights and an overflow of guests, all who enjoyed dinner from “On The Border” Mexican cuisine served by Sedexho caterers.

Dancing continued well after finished dinner plates were removed from the tables and Groomsman and TIU Athletic Director Patrick Gilliam gave a three-point sermon as his Best Man speech. While the wedding party kidnapped Kooi, Tohme was forced to slow-dance by himself in order to bring her back to the dance floor. Tohme also serenaded his new bride with a Steven Curtis Chapman solo.

After hours of celebration, the newlyweds performed their grand exit and Tohme surprised his wife Sunday morning with a one-week honeymoon in Costa Rica.