When Don Handy (‘68) reflects on his life, he doesn't list accomplishments or accolades. Instead, he tells a story that begins with a local church and continues through generations.
It’s a story of quiet faithfulness, deep love, and a legacy rooted in Trinity Western University, back when it was still called Trinity Junior College.
Don first came to TJC in 1966. It was a much smaller community then, with just a handful of buildings. Yet even in those humble beginnings, the seeds of something lasting were being planted.
Rooted in faith and service
Don grew up as the pastor’s son at Johnston Heights Church in Surrey, where faith and community shaped much of his early life. He would later spend much of his own career as a teacher in some form, always carrying a heart inclined toward ministry and a desire to serve wherever God placed him. Inspired by his brother’s positive experience at Trinity Junior College, he decided to attend as well, eager to grow both personally and spiritually.
Music, ministry, and meaningful friendships
During his time at Trinity Junior College, Don joined a singing tour group called the “Front Seven,” a name that played off the “Back Forty” forest behind campus. They traveled across North America, visiting churches, Bible camps, and Vacation Bible Schools to encourage young believers and support the work of Christian ministries. Their tours also served to recruit prospective students for TJC, offering a glimpse of the vibrant, faith-filled community they represented through song, testimony, and joy.
"The Front Seven gave me a way to share my faith and connect with others on a deeper level. It wasn’t just singing. It was ministry,” said Don.
Trudy’s leap of faith
Trudy’s family had moved from Ontario, and at first, Trudy wasn’t eager to attend Trinity Junior College in British Columbia. She had other plans in mind, but her father firmly encouraged her to consider it. He believed the school would provide not just an education but a solid foundation for her spiritual formation. Trusting his wisdom, Trudy enrolled. She recalls dorm life and her time as a TJC cheerleader fondly.
Brotherhood that endures
Similarly, Don formed deep bonds with the men he met during his time at TJC. Whether they were playing basketball in the old unheated barn or traveling across North America with The Front Seven, those friendships became anchors in his life. The shared experiences, from tour rehearsals to late-night conversations, forged a brotherhood rooted in faith and purpose. Decades later, those same friends remain part of Don’s inner circle.
“We’re still best friends with some of the people we met in college,” Don shared. “We meet up. We talk. We pray for each other. There’s a bond that comes from walking through those early years together.”
A love rekindled
A Hootenanny talent show event took place the year after Don graduated from TJC, when Trudy was a first-year student. Trudy saw Don across a crowded room strumming his guitar and singing, and something in her heart stirred. They dated for a while, then drifted apart, seeing other people. But their story wasn’t finished. One Sunday evening, as Trudy was driving to Don’s church, a dog darted across the road, sending her car into a ditch. Moments later, Don happened to be driving by. He pulled over, helped her out, and brought her to church so she could call her parents. That unexpected moment of rescue rekindled something tender. The timing and the grace of it felt like God was gently nudging them back together.
Shaped by Trinity’s influence
Life after Trinity brought new adventures. Don and Trudy were married, built a family, and carried with them the values they had learned as young adults on campus. When their daughter chose TWU years later, it felt like a full-circle moment. And when their granddaughter walked the same paths, it felt like a promise fulfilled.
“There’s something powerful about seeing the next generation at Trinity,” Trudy said. “It’s not just a school. It’s part of our family story now.”
The Handys have been part of Trinity’s journey for decades, but it’s more than nostalgia that keeps them connected. It’s the way Trinity shaped who they became. “It gave us room to grow,” Don said. “We were figuring out who we were, and Trinity gave us a place to do that with God at the center.”
Faithful steps forward
Now, as they reflect on their life together, on raising a family, on loving each other well, and on walking faithfully with God, they speak with gratitude. “We never had a master plan,” Trudy said. “We just said yes to God, one step at a time.”
This Father's Day, Don isn’t just being celebrated for his role as a father and grandfather. He’s being honoured for a life of quiet faithfulness and for the steady way he has loved and led his family. He’s a reminder that legacy isn’t about recognition. It’s about relationship.
During their time at Trinity, Don and Trudy came to understand that being a Christian meant being part of something much larger than themselves. Trinity introduced them to a global network of believers and a vision of the Church that extended far beyond the walls of their local congregation. This realization broadened their faith, deepened their sense of purpose, and instilled in them a lifelong awareness that their walk with God was part of a much greater story.
For students who walk the campus now, Don and Trudy’s story offers a glimpse of what is possible, of how God can use friendships, dorm life, and even a car crash to build something lasting. Something sacred.
“You can find your people here,” Don said. “You can find something that lasts. We sure did.”
About TWU Alumni
We invite our alumni community to continue to participate in the life of the University. Our desire is to nurture an engaged and flourishing global community of alumni by cultivating meaningful relationships and creating engaging alumni experiences. Learn more at TWU Alumni.
About Trinity Western University
Founded in 1962, Trinity Western University is a global Christian liberal arts university dedicated to equipping students for life. Uniting faith and reason through Christian teaching and scholarship, TWU is a research institution offering undergraduate and graduate degrees in the humanities and sciences as well as in several professional schools. It has campuses in Canada in Langley, Richmond, and Ottawa. Learn more at www.twu.ca or follow us on Instagram @trinitywestern, Twitter @TrinityWestern, on Facebook and LinkedIn. For media inquiries, please contact: media@twu.ca.