May 22, 2002 == FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Perhaps the new John "Doc" DeVries Hall of Science at Calvin College is
starting to pay dividends.
This week Calvin biology professor Peter Tigchelaar learned all 24 Calvin
seniors who applied to medical, dental and podiatry school were accepted. That
includes 21 students off to medical school in the fall, two to dental school and
one to podiatry school. It is the first time in Tigchelaar's 25 years as a
pre-med advisor that 100% of Calvin's applicants have been accepted. Most years
the acceptance rate is between 80 and 85 percent, certainly a good number, says
Tigchelaar, but not perfect.
Tigchelaar says a number of factors contributed to the surge this year,
including DeVries Hall, an $18 million life sciences facility dedicated in the
fall of 1999 (when this year's seniors were sophomores).
"This place is humming in the summer," he says of DeVries Hall. "Our students
are involved in all kinds of research programs, working side-by-side with Calvin
professors. They have full access to all the equipment, all of the labs. We hide
nothing from them. Medical schools look at these kinds of experiences."
In fact, when the 70,000-square-foot DeVries Hall was dedicated the school
noted that faculty and students in the Calvin sciences would have 60 percent
more space for research. The extra space is paying off. And Calvin undergrads
are the beneficiaries.
But the building is just a tool. Tigchelaar also credits the Calvin faculty
and, of course, the students themselves.
"We work hard as advisors," he says, "but our students work a lot harder . They
study together and inspire and push each other."
This year Calvin students had another avenue for preparation as they organized
Calvin's first AMSA (American Medical Student Association) Chapter. The AMSA
program is a nation-wide organization for pre-med and medical students that
offers mentoring and direction for student who are pursuing or considering
pursuing a career in the medical field.
Grand Rapids native Peter Knoester (above) helped organize the Chapter, an
effort that led to him being named a recipient of a prestigious Arthur Ashe Jr.
Sports Scholar Award in men's soccer by the publication Black Issues in Higher
Education. The award recognizes student-athletes of color who have displayed
significant accomplishment in athletics, academics and community service.
Knoester, says Tigchelaar, is a good representative of this year's senior
class. A native of Grand Rapids and a graduate of Grand Rapids Christian High
School, Knoester was a Calvin spanish major who will attend the University of
Michigan Medical School in the fall, prior to a planned career in medical
missions.
Those plans were inspired during a January 2001 trip to Ecuador for a Calvin
course called "Exploring Medical Missons in Ecuador." While in the South
American country, Knoester worked at the Hospital Vozandes Oriente, sorting
medical supplies, pouring concrete for new hospital facilities and shadowing
hospital doctors. During the term, Knoester spent two weeks living in the
Ecuador jungle with two separate tribes of people. Knoester also has worked at
Raybrook Manor Retirement Home and volunteered at the Alzheimer Unit at Porter
Hills Presbyterian Village.
"Those kinds of experiences," says Tigchelaar, "are part of who we are as a
liberal arts college. Our goal is to turn out intelligent, capable and
well-rounded graduates."
Calvin officials note that the school has worked hard to attract smart, capable
and well-rounded high school students. In fact, Calvin has increased its
scholarships to top high school students in recent years. A recent study showed
that in the state of Michigan this year the top three schools for National Merit
Scholars were Michigan, Michigan State and Calvin.
Those efforts, says Tigchelaar, help Calvin come Commencement time.
Tigchelaar is not only excited for his students, but also for the hundreds of
Calvin alumni already working locally, regionally and nationally in the health
professions.
"I find this very encouraging news as the pre-med advisor," he says, "but I
also think our many alumni in the medical professions will be heartened to know
that the trails they blazed are being followed by a talented group of
successors."
Contact Tigchelaar (TIG UH LAR) at 616-957-6346
For a pic of Knoester and a link to more info on DeVries Hall, see:
http://www.calvin.edu/news/releases/2001_02/placements.htm
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