Impact Report 2024
The mission of Trinity Western University, as an arm of the Church, is to develop godly Christian leaders: positive, goal-oriented university graduates with thoroughly Christian minds; growing disciples of Jesus Christ who glorify God through fulfilling the Great Commission, serving God and people in the various marketplaces of life.
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
(Romans 12:2, NIV)
MESSAGE FROM THE BOARD CHAIR
On behalf of the Board of Governors, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks for your generous investment in Trinity Western University so that every graduate is equipped to think truthfully, act justly, and live faithfully for the good of the world and the glory of God. We are profoundly grateful for your continued support and generosity. Your contributions have been instrumental in advancing our mission to provide a Christ-centred, student-focused, and globally engaged education.
As we navigate a presidential transition, with Dr. Mark Husbands having completed his term as president at the end of June, I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge and thank Dr. Husbands for his dedicated service as president. Under his leadership, Trinity Western University has made remarkable strides, and we are deeply appreciative of his commitment to our community.
I am also pleased that Dr. Todd Martin, provost, will assume the role of interim president. Dr. Martin’s extensive experience and unwavering dedication to our values make him an exemplary leader for this period of transition. The
Board of Governors has full confidence in Dr. Martin and our Executive Leadership Team to continue guiding the University with stability, innovation, and fiscal responsibility.
Your support ensures that Trinity Western University remains a place where students are nurtured to grow in knowledge, faith, and leadership, equipped to make a positive impact on the world.
Thank you once again for your steadfast support. Together, with God’s grace, we will continue to advance our mission, hold fast to our vision, and achieve new heights.
Yours in Christ,
Matthew St. John Chair of the Board of Governors
MESSAGE FROM THE INTERIM PRESIDENT
As we reflect on the 2023–2024 academic year, I am filled with immense gratitude for your extraordinary generosity and support. Your contributions have been instrumental in advancing our mission and vision at Trinity Western University.
This year, our theme verse from Romans 12:2 (NIV), “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind,” has profoundly guided our journey. Your financial gifts have empowered us to create an environment where our students can experience true transformation— academically, spiritually, and personally.
Thanks to your unwavering support, we have launched innovative programs, enhanced our facilities, and expanded our global partnerships. Your generosity has provided scholarships and essential resources, alleviating financial burdens and enabling our students to focus on their studies and growth.
As we move forward, let us embrace the transformative journey ahead, fostering a Christ-centred, student-focused, and globally engaged educational experience. Together, we will continue to equip every graduate to think truthfully, act justly, and live faithfully for the good of the world and the glory of God.
On behalf of the entire Trinity Western community, I extend my deepest thanks for your continued commitment. We look forward to your ongoing support as we strive to fulfill our vision for the future.
Dr. Todd Martin Provost & Interim President
ORIENTATION DAY (O-DAY)
The Power of First Impressions
The exciting TWU tradition of O-Day to kick off the school year was another great success. Beginning a week of orientation, O-Day is intentionally designed to fill new students with wonderful memories of their first moments at TWU that they can look back on for years to come.
The amount of love and labour that goes into this day begins months prior. Students start seeing the buildup on University social media channels and even in their email inboxes, with countdowns to O-Day, packing tips, and more. Excitement and anticipation eventually lead to the day when a whole new group of students arrives on campus to embark on a journey that will equip them for life.
This year’s O-Day enthusiasm was tangible from the moment students turned onto University Drive. They were greeted by current students cheerfully welcoming them, waving "You made it!" and "So glad you're here" signs. With a full schedule of events to help new students settle into dorms, discover the campus, make new friends, and prepare for the academic and life lessons ahead, O-Day also served to give peace of mind to parents dropping their now university-aged children off for the first time.
As students entered the TWU school year with the theme, “be transformed by the renewing of your mind,” O-Day set the stage for this transformation, welcoming students with love and the
courage to become part of a community that is committed to stand on the complete message of Romans 12:2:
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will” (NIV).
Trinity Western University continues to provide students with world-class education from a Christ-centred perspective within a global academic community. The arrival of new students on campus each O-Day is a wonderful reminder that there is something that TWU offers that no other university does.
“Trinity Western provides a unique experience of a closeknit community, caring professors, and an academically rich education. I deeply value the small class sizes at TWU and every professor who wants to know you on a personal level, happily supporting you on your university journey.”
– Edie Fraser (2nd-year Elementary Education Major)
Local and international students have a hunger for an education that does more than prepare them for a career. From the moment students arrive on campus, they can see they have become part of an academic community, where they will be equipped to be the light.
You are the light of the world. . . . let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven. “
(MATT. 5:14A, 16, NIV)
CAMPAIGN IMPACT
Be the light.
This past year, Trinity Western initiated a Canada-wide campaign called Be the light. As in prior years, this year's enrolment campaign took an omnichannel approach that leveraged a diverse mix of digital and traditional advertising channels, proclaiming a bold call to action and challenging future generations of Christian leaders to become equipped to be the light.
The call for prospective and currentTrinity Western students and alumni to be the light is rooted in the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5. In what is considered by many to be the greatest sermon ever preached, Jesus gave the gathered crowd powerful metaphoric imagery, encouraging his followers to be a reflection of him in the world:
“You are the light of the world. . . . let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven” (Matt. 5:14a, 16, NIV).
As stated in our University mission statement, Trinity Western is an arm of the Church, and having a Christ-centred tenet as one of our three main pillars, the campaign extends into the rapidly changing digital era the original intention of the University’s founders. Adding a personal touch, the creative aspect of this campaign involved finding recent graduates to be “heroes,” representing TWU in their various fields and showing incoming students how their time at Trinity Western equipped them to do as the campaign says—be the light
The nationwide campaign received over 25M views across digital channels, leading to increased engagement across our University digital platforms, including significant engagement on our University website. The traditional out-of-home portion of the campaign, including billboards, transit ads, and radio, received over 85M impressions, solidifying our brand presence as a university of significance within Western Canada and beyond. Results from this year’s campaign kept pace with last year’s record-setting results, which saw the highest levels of undergraduate enrolment inquiries in the University's history.
In a world currently plunging deeper into darkness in many ways, our Scripture-based Be the light language and its positive imagery has been a welcome breath of fresh air. “In a cultural moment that is being experienced by so many as contentious and divisive, typified by increasing levels of political polarization, it’s wonderful to have the opportunity to share an uplifting and encouraging message rooted in the very words of Jesus that positions Trinity Western as a beacon of hope in dark times while also inviting people to be a positive influence on the world around them,” shared James Tweedy, vice president of Marketing and Communications and chief marketing officer (CMO), whose team led the development and deployment of the campaign in partnership with Crew Marketing Partners.
The Be the light campaign not only serves as a challenge to our community of believers but as a source of wonder and curiosity to all who see and hear the clear message of hope and truth it stands on.
Campus Ministries
One of the many blessings of being a student at Trinity Western University is having a University chaplain and team of ministry staff devoted to supporting your walk with Jesus.
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I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus (Phil. 1:3–6, NIV).
Rev. Dr. Ed Gerber is TWU’s chaplain and director of Campus Ministries, and thanks to the extraordinary growth of the University, Ed and his team of three fulltime associates—an associate chaplain of worship, an associate chaplain of discipleship, and a (newly hired) associate chaplain of TWU Richmond—sees an abundant opportunity for ministry.
Campus Ministries ensures there is never a lack of worship, proclamation, discipleship, or evangelism efforts on or off campus. Students have ample opportunities to learn and grow in their Christian faith through daily chapel services, Bible studies, prayer groups, Sunday Night Alive (SNA) services, Alpha courses, mentoring relationships, the Portraits of God series, and more. Ed’s team is constantly creating new initiatives so that all students can find personal and meaningful ways to grow in their knowledge and love of Jesus Christ and then—once equipped—be the light
With reference to evangelism within our student body for those who are not yet Christians, Ed shares, “It is a deep joy to report most generally that many students are coming to faith from all around the world. For many of our students, coming to faith in Jesus is dangerous business, not least of all because of what might happen to their families in other parts of the world should their newfound faith become known.”
As we are reminded in 1 Corinthians 1:18, the concept of God’s love in Christ for broken and fallen humans is something radical. Applying this to the University, Rev. Gerber explains, “For some at TWU, it is a message heard for the first time. For others, it is a message that needs to pass through more layers. For yet others, it is a message that has gone deep and goes deeper every day.”
With his small but vital ministry team, serving over 6,000 students as well as the University’s staff and faculty, Rev. Gerber is constantly helping direct and redirect hearts and minds to Christ, the Word, and God's purposes for the TWU community collectively and individually.
In thanks to you for the wonderful impact you have on the University as an arm of the Church, Ed shares:
To those of you who make all the ministry efforts of Campus Ministries possible, “I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Phil. 1:3–6, NIV).
Academic News
TIER I CANADA RESEARCH CHAIR IN EQUITABLE PEOPLE-CENTRED HEALTH MEASUREMENT
TWU Nursing professor and researcher Dr. Richard Sawatzky has been named the Canada Research Chair in Equitable PeopleCentred Health Measurement. As a Canada Research Chair at Trinity Western and world leader in his field, Dr. Sawatzky’s research focuses on novel methods for equitably measuring diverse perspectives of health and health care.
To advance equitable health care, Dr. Sawatzky and his team are researching new ways of measuring health, including measurements of individuals’ symptoms, physical and mental health and well-being, as well as their experience with their health care. One example of this would be whether they perceive to be treated with dignity, respect, and compassion. “These perceptions can only truly be measured from the perspective of the person receiving care,” Dr. Sawatzky explains, adding, “That is why we are working to centre the patient’s voice in the design and implementation of health-care measurements.”
The new research program on Equitable People-Centred Health Measurement promotes collaboration among a team of interdisciplinary and international researchers and stakeholders. Research investigators come from the United States, Australia, Germany, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. The program also enhances research partnerships with Canadian government agencies and provincial health-care agencies, as well as multiple
DECIMAL POINT DISCOVERY
Trinity Western professor Dr. Glen Van Brummelen has long been fascinated by mathematics and trigonometry, subjects with rich histories that are surprisingly interdisciplinary and global. As a mathematics historian and professor, he has discovered a surprising fact about the origins of the decimal point.
While researching late medieval and early Renaissance astronomy, Dr. Van Brummelen, dean of TWU’s Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences, noticed an unexpected usage of a decimal point in a sine table. Though most mathematicians have thought that German Jesuit astronomer Christopher Clavius was the first to use the decimal point within a table showing triangular ratios in 1593, Dr. Van Brummelen has discovered that Giovanni Bianchini, an Italian court astrologer, used the decimal point a century prior.
universities and industry partners. Furthermore, the research program promotes a strong scholarly community among researchers at Trinity Western’s School of Nursing and other TWU scholars.
The Canada Research Chair in Equitable People-Centred Health Measurement, supported by $1.4M in funding over a seven-year period, will continue to foster the next generation of researchers and specialists, who will help strengthen Canadian societies through better seeing and meeting the health-care needs of diverse populations.
Scan to read the full article.
This earlier dating of the decimal point reveals the richness of medieval scientific activity, dispelling the popular notion that the medieval era was a time of intellectual stagnation. Dr. Van Brummelen’s finding, captured in a journal article in Historia Mathematica, describes his discovery and credits Bianchini for this novel use of the decimal point. We now know that Bianchini’s use of the decimal point preceded Clavius by 150 years.
As an educator and author, Dr. Van Brummelen is especially keen on introducing others to the wonders of mathematics and trigonometry, particularly the disciplines’ non-Western varieties. He has thus far written four books, in addition to many articles and book chapters, covering the developments of math throughout India, China, and the Arab World and how these Eastern discoveries intersect with the scientific discoveries of Europe and the Americas.
A GLOBAL STAGE FOR TWU STUDENT DELEGATES
Three young leaders from Trinity Western University—Rea Klar, Jeremy Joosten, and Marko Zolotarov—embarked on a oncein-a-lifetime experience to participate in the 3rd Global Peace Summit organized by Humanitarian Affairs Asia. The conference is designed to empower the next generation of peacebuilders from diverse corners of the world.
The 3rd Global Peace Summit took place from Jan. 10–12, 2024, in Bangkok, Thailand. Outstanding delegates from around the world (350 students from 47 different countries) were selected to represent their institutions of higher learning at this international conference dedicated to addressing global challenges and fostering peace and sustainable development. The conference was rich with personal stories from survivors of war and genocide, who shared how their traumas motivated them to be proactive advocates for positive change in their local communities on the global stage.
Of the 350 international students, 11 were chosen to be leaders at the conference. Of the 11, only three were from Canada—these three student leaders from Trinity Western University were given a variety of responsibilities at the conference. Rea Klar was further selected to represent TWU in the summit recap video, speaking on the importance of youth advocating for peace. Marko Zolotarov was selected as a team leader to facilitate peacebuilding activities, and his team had the liveliest performance
Recently, he has been working as a member of the European Research Council-funded team ALFA (Alfonsine Astronomy), exploring the development of spherical astronomy in medieval and early Renaissance Europe and its links to Greek and Islamic predecessors.
Glen Van Brummelen's discovery featured in international media publications including Nature, Scientific American, National Geographic (Spanish edition), Newsweek, and NPR.
Scan to read the full article.
that fostered the most discussion. Jeremy Joosten was chosen to speak in front of the deputy executive general of the UN ESCAP and the 350 delegates, as the founder of Humanitarian Affairs had noticed the leadership skills that the three Trinity Western University students displayed.
We are grateful for the many ways that Rea Klar, Marko Zolotarov, and Jeremy Joosten represented TWU and the quality of the education that they have received while studying at Trinity Western.
Scan to read the full article.
The Complete Champion Approach™ & Spartans at Paris 2024
When a TWU student makes one of the Spartan Athletics teams, they become part of the unique, multi-faceted Complete Champion Approach (CCA) training system. This whole-person approach to athletics has been developed to ensure Spartan student-athletes become champions in all areas of their lives, with quality training in five key disciplines: academic, athletic, leadership, personal, and spiritual.
There is a humility that is also part of this specialized approach. Student-athletes in the CCA training system are shaped to become servant leaders in their communities. During academic internships, mission trips, summer camps, and more, the athletes put their Christ-centred perspective of humble service and their God-given talents to use in helping others pursue excellence. One example is how Spartan athletes host sport camps, where the five key areas of the CCA training system are taught so youth can learn to see sport as more than just competition and fun.
And as the next generation of Spartan athletes is being developed, the alumni are finding themselves on the world’s stage.
As a testament to the level of achievement Spartan athletes accomplish, several alumni have shown their skill and athleticism
at the Summer Games. Alumnus Eric Loeppky, a member of Team Canada at the Paris 2024 Games that featured five Spartans alumni, is proud to represent Canada, Trinity Western, and most importantly, Christ.
Regarding being chosen for Team Canada at the Games, Loeppky explains, “It's an honour . . . but I think first and foremost, my identity is in Jesus.” He describes the privilege of representing Canada in Paris as “Just the gravy—the blessing,” adding, “I'm super grateful for the opportunity.” Looking back at his years at TWU and as a Spartan, Eric reflects, “Being a Spartan and going to TWU has really molded me into the man I am today.”
Watching world-class Spartan athletes soar encourages us to continue pouring into initiatives such as the CCA training system, equipping students like Eric to make a global impact for Christ through his sport. We look forward to what the future holds for our student-athletes as they develop as champions at TWU and beyond.
Graduation Ceremonies
Last fall’s graduation honoured the accomplishments of 599 graduands from our graduate studies and GLOBAL undergraduate programs. This past spring, TWU commissioned the largest graduating class since our inception in 1962. With over 1,000 graduands from both undergraduate and graduate programs, the response to ticket sales was so great that the event venue had to be moved from the Langley campus to the Langley Events Centre, sparking an exciting realization of the ever-increasing success and impact of the University. Scan the QR codes to read more.
A BACCALAUREATE ADDRESS TO REMEMBER – GABRIELA VILLANUEVA CHOU
The spring 2024 baccalaureate service was rich with memorymaking moments as students, faculty, family, and friends gathered at the David E. Enarson Gymnasium for a special time of worship and commissioning of the graduands. A highlight of the service was the unique and impactful speech given by media and communications graduand Gabriela Villanueva Chou. Gabriela’s experience resonated with students from all countries, programs, and academic experiences, as her own TWU quest took an unusual geographic and program delivery route that ended with personal and academic success.
Gabriela invited the audience on a journey that began in her native Honduras with her Chinese family and ended on campus at TWU among a diverse group of students from all over the world. Of this immersion into a pool of cultural and ethnic differences at TWU, she commented, “I didn’t know it then, but this was my first exposure to God’s global Church.”
Not only was Gabriela’s journey a continental trek, but she also began her first year of TWU in online studies from Honduras. Her TWU freshman year experience was a testament to the work the University is doing to ensure online students feel part of the
Trinity Western community. Gabriela explained, “I got a glimpse into what the community here looked like—a group of people who longed to know Christ, show his sacrificial love, and go above and beyond for him and others.” She credited specific departments, saying, “As I adapted to a different academic system, I was supported by staff and faculty from TWU GLOBAL, SAMC, and the Writing Centre—people who were willing to step in, give me advice, and walk with me through this new stage of life. This exposure made me feel excited about my time at TWU.”
Gabriela expressed deep and genuine gratitude to Christ her Saviour, seeing his hand on her life throughout her years at TWU. Reflecting on her journey, she said, “. . . I realize that what I'm taking with me are not just memories or experiences, but an example of how to selflessly pour into others, just as Christ poured out his love for us on the cross.”
It’s our prayer that Gabriela’s reflections are an encouragement to you that your generous giving is a vital part of holding up the three tenets of our University—Christ centred, student focused, and globally engaged.
Homecoming
Trinity Western University’s inaugural Homecoming event on the weekend of Sept. 22–23 brought hundreds of alumni, friends, and families to the Langley campus to reminisce, celebrate, and catch a glimpse of TWU's exciting vision for the future.
The campus was blessed to host alumni from as far back as the Trinity Junior College days and as recent as the newest graduates now able to claim alumni status. With eight events throughout the weekend, alumni and their families reconnected and joyfully shared memories of their TWU years. Together, they worshipped at chapel, cheered on Spartans soccer teams, enjoyed the family block party, and listened to inspiring Alumni Award recipient stories at the beautiful wrap-up gala.
The great turnout of 543 people at Homecoming 2023 gave us motivation to make this year’s event another success, and as we plan new and exciting things, we anticipate an even greater response from our alumni community.
Alumni Awards
At the closing gala of Homecoming 2023, TWU celebrated three alumni with special awards. Each award represented an area of the University’s vision statement, “Every graduate is equipped to think truthfully, act justly, and live faithfully for the good of the world and the glory of God.”
The recipients shared their stories, encouraging the greater TWU community with a testament of God’s work through their lives as alumni and inspiring those gathered to honour the Lord in everything.
Dr. Hanna Lucas (’08, ’15) received the Think Truthfully Alumni Award, an award recognizing exemplary commitment to pursue truth through excellence in Christian research, ministry, and the formation of the Christian mind.
The Act Justly Alumni Award was presented to Nikki Whaites (’00). This award honours a Trinity Western University graduate who is making a significant impact in the world by promoting justice, caring for the marginalized, and advocating for the oppressed.
Kory Sorensen (’92) received the Live Faithfully Alumni Award, which is presented to alumni who have given of themselves time and time again, demonstrating a commitment to serving others and spreading the love of Christ in the places they live and work.
Scan the QR code to read about the fascinating and inspiring lives of our 2023 recipients.
Giving Back
A GRADUATE’S GENEROSITY – THE SUN FAMILY LEGACY FUND
Sun Hua immigrated to Canada in 2017. For nearly three years before starting her studies in Canada, she raised two children on her own. Due to language and cultural barriers, her life mainly revolved around helping her kids adapt to their new environment while she struggled with a lack of direction in her personal life.
In September 2020, Hua learned of the Master of Arts in Leadership (Business Stream) in Mandarin Program at Trinity Western University. She was intrigued by its focus on the leadership challenges experienced by Chinese businesses and organizations in today’s complex and uncertain environment. Both the content and delivery methods of the program appealed to Hua, along with its customizable model for working professionals. The MA Lead’s core values of compassion, authenticity, teamwork, and excellence also resonated with her. With all these factors attracting her to the program, she enrolled,
GIVING AS THANKSGIVING
Gerhart Pahl has been deeply connected to Trinity Western University for many years, providing his council to TWU’s Investment Committee. Leveraging his background of providing investment consulting to large pension and endowment plans, he was the perfect person in 2004 to help grow TWU’s endowment, which at the time was a mere $4 million.
Gerhart shares, “It has been a wonderful and fulfilling opportunity to use my personal career expertise in a meaningful way for TWU. Since the early 2000s, the fund has grown significantly, and I can say from experience that the way the fund is managed and monitored by TWU is very much in line with well-accepted practices utilized by other endowment funds. I believe that this is critical both to prudently grow the fund and, very importantly, to be able to assure donors that their gifts are managed in adherence to the highest investing standards.”
Gerhart recently made yet another outstanding commitment to the University by establishing the “Penny Pahl Memorial Award” now in life that will be endowed through his estate. This named award is in honour of his late wife and will support international students from developing countries with assessed financial need. With this incredible act of generosity, Gerhart joins TWU’s Heritage Society, which recognizes individuals who have notified TWU of their legacy intentions and celebrates their expression of support towards TWU's mission and vision.
and her life was forever changed. Hua shares, “Since joining this program, I have experienced the loving, patient, and humble support of the teachers, who are like parents of a big family. This is what I love most. Studying in this program has not only helped me gain academic knowledge but, more importantly, transformed my life.”
She was so deeply impacted by the experience that she decided to support the program philanthropically by establishing a new program endowment, the “Sun Family Legacy Fund.” This fund will provide a permanent source of funding for the MA Lead Mandarin Program and its expansion. The University is incredibly grateful to Hua for this wonderful program endowment, and we thank her for her generosity that will certainly have a lasting impact.
When asked what inspired him to contribute to the University from a philanthropic perspective, Gerhart revealed, “I am getting older, and it is clear that I no longer need all my money to support myself and personal endeavours. I truly wish to give monetary support to causes that I believe in, and TWU—its values, purpose, and student outcomes—are those I believe in. . . . Additionally, the way the relationship between donor and student recipient is set up at TWU makes it very personal to me, which is both meaningful and satisfying.”
Having been a beneficiary of help himself, Gerhart deeply understands the impact that a scholarship or award can have in a student’s life. Gerhart believes that helping a student study at TWU versus a secular university will produce a person with the values, character, and skills that go beyond merely being a professional. He believes in both the mission and vision of TWU.
Penny Pahl
Legacy Luncheon
On Oct. 21 of last year, TWU hosted its annual Legacy Luncheon. This is a particularly special time as scholarship recipients have the privilege of meeting those whose hearts have been moved to help fund their TWU education. As Heritage Society members, TWU investors, and scholarship patrons had the wonderful opportunity to meet students in person and learn about one another, the impact of this unique partnership was evident throughout the event.
Several student recipients shared stories of their academic journeys, their successes, and their goals, and donors were able to see and hear the value of their investment in these young people’s lives. At the luncheon, donors were honoured and reminded of the remarkable nature of their intentional
generosity. One master’s student, Saater, a health professional from Nigeria, offered his heartfelt thanks by saying, “I am grateful to all of you who chose to believe in someone, supporting them at such a pivotal time in their life. Thank you for helping [students] realize their dreams. I am especially grateful to my donor for providing the support when I needed it most.”
The luncheon served as a wonderful reminder of the powerful impact that you have not only on the University at large, but on every individual life that is able to move in the direction God has placed on their hearts. We thank all of you who join in our vision to equip students for life through your intentional and consistent support of Trinity Western University.
Honouring Dr. Husbands
After completing his five-year term as president, Dr. Mark Husbands concluded his role with Trinity Western University on June 30, 2024.
Dr. Husbands’ five-year tenure saw Trinity Western navigate the uncertainty of a pandemic, respond to the increasing complexity of North American higher education, and strengthen in the unwavering commitment to being a Christ-centred, studentfocused, innovative, and financially strong institution.
Since President Husbands began his tenure on July 1, 2019, the University’s leadership team has seen several areas of significant growth and innovation that span many facets of student development, academic innovation, faith integration, and financial strength that have collectively advanced the mission and vision of Trinity Western University. Some of the significant contributions include establishing an inspiring vision statement
to complement the University’s enduring mission statement; unveiling a new expression of the institutional brand to express a new brand promise, Equipped for Life; increasing enrolment to the highest levels in institutional history—an overall increase of 43% since 2018; launching a forward-reaching University strategic plan, TWU 2030: Every Graduate Equipped; and building the state-of-the-art Robert G. Kuhn Centre as a multifunctional facility for students and faculty.
We pray a blessing over Dr. Husbands and his wife Becky and thank the Lord for all he did through Dr. Husbands in his tenure as president at Trinity Western University.
Scan to see longer list of University accomplishments through Dr. Husbands’ leadership.
We pray a blessing over Dr. Husbands and his wife Becky and thank the Lord for all he did through Dr. Husbands in his tenure as president at Trinity Western University.
As of April 30, 2024
*As per audited financial statements. The external audit for Trinity Western University was conducted by Deloitte, one of the world’s largest professional services firms. As has been the case for all prior years, Deloitte has provided an unqualified (or “clean”) audit opinion on our financial statements. Audited
Looking Ahead
We love to end this report with a forward-facing perspective. And we believe the best way to end each year is the same way we begin it—in the Word of God. This presents us with an opportunity to introduce next year’s University theme verse:
“And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8, NIV).
As the University seeks to follow this command while stewarding the charge we have been given of forming young lives in Christ-centred, student-focused, and globally engaged academic excellence, there are specific areas we want to bring to your attention and ask you to keep in mind as you pray for Trinity Western.
The search for our sixth University president is already underway. Supported by executive search firm CarterBaldwin, the Presidential Search Committee, chaired by Leighton Friesen from the TWU board, hosted a series of listening sessions for the entire TWU community. These sessions gave the community an opportunity to share what qualities and experiences they hoped to see in our next president.
While we pray and follow God’s lead in discovering the person he has chosen as the University’s next president, we are grateful and reassured to have Provost Dr. Todd Martin step in as TWU’s
interim president. We are confident in Dr. Martin’s commitment to the mission and vision of Trinity Western and the ongoing implementation of the strategic plan. With Dr. Martin’s heart for students, his desire for academic excellence, and openness to the Holy Spirit’s guidance, we look forward to his leadership in this time of presidential transition.
Our student numbers are growing, especially international students, and we ask that you continue to keep our staff and faculty in prayer. As they integrate their Christian faith with their various roles, the impact they have on students is immense. Needless to say, we also ask that the students themselves be remembered in your prayers—for their growth in Christ, for their academic success, for the future God already has planned for them, and for protection from the enemy.
Trinity Western University is in a good place and is poised for continued and increasing success in so many ways. We are excited, privileged, and grateful to be partnered with you as we continue to equip students for the good of the world and the glory of God. Thank you for your generous giving, your authentic interest in our students, and your desire to help the next generation of graduates to be the light
BOARD OF GOVERNORS
Matthew St. John, DMin
Carissa Youssef, MBA
William Francis, MDiv, DD (Hons)
Leighton Friesen, MBA
Angelica Del Vasto, BTh
Michelle Holland, MCS
Dawit Isaac, MDiv, MBA
Trygve Johnson, PhD
Julie Kerr, MSc
Matthew Kwok, MD
David Lauber, PhD
Vijay Manuel, MA
Aaron Rogers, BComm
Cary Skidmore, BA
William Taylor, MA
Clayton Tuffnell, MD
Priscilla Vetter, PhD
22500 University Drive, Langley, BC V2Y 1Y1 Canada
P: 604.888.7511 | E: giving@twu.ca twu.ca/giving