Want to start your Calvin journey with a paid research opportunity? If you're an incoming first-year student who plans to major in English, this opportunity is specifically for you!
The William Vande Kopple Fellows is a program for admitted first year students who are interested in majoring in any area in English (linguistics, literature, secondary education, or writing). In this innovative program, students are given the opportunity to assist a Calvin English professor with their research.
The next round of awards will go to students entering the 2026-2027 academic year.
Who can apply
Any incoming student interested in majoring in English (any concentration). You must have applied and been accepted to Calvin to receive this award.
What the fellow receives:
a $3500 stipend
research experience with an English professor
additional scholarly and social opportunities
Application deadline
The application closes on February 1st, 2026.
How to apply
To apply, fill out the application below. Application opens December 1st. After applications a reviewed, invitations will be extended for interviews.
Previous Vande Kopple Fellow Recipients and Projects
| Student | Mentoring Professor | Project |
|---|---|---|
| Anna Haverdink | Kristine Johnson | Anna worked with Prof. Johnson on interviews for "The Writing Practices of Third Culture Kids." This study looks at how third culture kids (TCKs) approach college writing assignments in first-year writing assignments. |
| Seth Slater | Kristine Johnson | Seth joined the project with Prof. Johnson on "The Writing Practice of Third Culture Kids." He is assisting with conducting and analyzing interview on how third culture kids (TCKs) aproach college writing assignments in first year courses. |
| Mimi Van Saten | Chad Engbers | Mimi and Prof. Engbers edited a serious of texts for the Reformation Literature course. This included reading through criticism and Reformation theology to produce annotated versions of the writings of Martin Luther, John Calvin, George Herbert. |
| Ellerie Poel | Sabrina Lee | For their project, Student Social Justice Activism at Calvin University, Ellerie and Prof. Lee delved into the Chimes archives to investigate how students engaged in social justice activism on Calvin's campus during the 1960s and 1970s. |
| Ava Roush | Lew Klatt | Ava worked with Prof. Klatt to research and gather materials for a future art exhibition for the Center Art Gallery at Calivn. The exhibition, The Poem as a Graphic Art, aims for audiences to celebrate the poem as a graphic experience and to consider visual display as an essential aspect of poetic expression. |
| Adalyn Pike | Debra Rienstra | Adalyn worked with Prof. Rienstra on research related to climate change and the church. The focus of the project was to identify churches with an interest in environmental advocacy. The project resulted in conversations on the Refugia podcast and influenced an upcoming book. |
Questions?
If you have questions or comments, please contact the English department: english@calvin.edu
Partner with Us to Support this Opportunity
Give to the Vande Kopple Fellows Program
Story Behind the Fellowship
The Vande Kopple Fellowship was created in honor of Bill Vande Kopple, a beloved English department faculty member. Following his unexpected passing, his family gifted foundational funding in his honor. In alignment with his passion for all the fields of English, this fellowship supports student scholarship and research across different areas of English.
