Trinity Goode, a sophomore at Olivet Nazarene University, is characterized by her love for those around her. Her biggest step into loving and serving others this year has been becoming a third floor resident assistant (RA) in Mcclain Hall.
Life on Campus
Goode loves building community, and it is made clear in her hall. Goode hosted a floor event ‘Chai and Chat’ with co-RA Lyndsie Haak on Saturday, November 4. Laughter and conversation flooded the halls as they gathered in their study room with coloring supplies, journal prompts, and of course, chai.
The event was scheduled to last for two hours, but the community of the floor carried the event much longer. Growing connection and understanding of each other is a part of the floor’s community building Goode loves. She has a passion for seeing the hearts of others, and it is seen in the priority she gives all of her residents, listening intently and investing into the personal lives of each person who walked through the third floor study room door Saturday morning.
Trinity Goode and Lyndsie Haak smile as they work on their journaling prompts at floor event “Chai and Chat”|Photo by Ella Kestner 
Third Floor McClain Residents gather around table for conversation, chai, and journaling projects.|Photo by Ella Kestner 
Table for residents setup with mugs, hot water, hot cocoa, tea, and coffee for event “Chai and Chat”|Photo by Ella Kestner 
Trinity Goode, Lyndsie Haak, and residents engage in community around a table at Third Floor event “Chai and Chat”|Photo by Ella Kestner
Goode and Haak value and prioritize community on their floor, and it begins with their roots as an RA team. Haak and Goode connected in the spring of 2023. After finding out Haak was joining Goode as an RA in Mcclain, they made time for each other and began a friendship neither one of them could have anticipated. Resident Director of Mcclain Hall Joey McMullen soon noticed their connection, and moved RAs around to put Goode and Haak together. Their friendship has only grown deeper.
Friend and Co-RA Lyndsie Haak treasures Goode’s grounded character. Haak is not short on examples for times she relied on Goode’s problem-solving advice, and logical thinking.
She’s very spontaneous, very in the moment, she is never nervous about what’s ahead or what’s behind her.
Lyndsie haak
Goode not only gets to connect with new residents, but also has many of her friends on her floor. She loves the healthy balance living near her friends provides. Their friendships are genuine, and supportive. Goode loves spending time with her friends participating in laser tag on campus, hammocking, stargazing, and hanging out in their hall.
Family Life
Goode grew up going to public school in Washington, IL, and found herself on Olivet’s campus after a recommendation through a friend. While Goode is in love with the community on campus, she also has a deep connection to her family back home.
Goode goes home to her three chaotic siblings, and welcoming parents, who she shares a unique connection with. Goode’s older brother graduated from a community college, and cares for Goode like a third parent, while her younger two siblings are close to her in age. Her little brother and sister, senior and junior in high school, are so close to Goode in age they stand in her life as some of her dearest friends.
Back home is not only her family, but also her high school friend group. Though the ages range, and most are spread out across many universities, Goode knows when she returns home, her friend group is ready to pick up where they last left off.
Friends and family are not always easy to get to for Goode however. After graduating high school, she found herself in a long distance relationship. Goode first met Joshua Madsen her sophomore year of high school at church camp. Madsen captured Goode’s attention in a bible character game, impressing her with his knowledge of scripture. Now Goode and Madsen rely on technology to stay connected while Madsen attends school in Nebraska.
“He was naming people in the bible that I didn’t even know”
Trinity Goode
