Calvin to Celebrate Legendary President's 95th Birthday

December 6, 2004 == MEDIA ADVISORY

Calvin College president emeritus Dr. William Spoelhof will turn 95 on
December 8.

But tomorrow, Tuesday, December 7, the college is planning a campus-wide
celebration of Spoelhof's life and legacy - a legacy that includes the current
Calvin campus.

Spoelhof was president of Calvin from 1951 to 1976, a tenure that included the
shepherding of Calvin's move from Franklin Street (site of the current Grand
Rapids Public Schools administration buildings) to its current Knollcrest
campus (which at the time of Calvin's move was nothing more than farmland
alongside a two-lane Grand Rapids road).

Spoelhof also oversaw tremendous post World War II enrollment increases at
Calvin as the college went from 1,170 students in 1951 - his first year as
president - to 3,970 students in 1976 - his final year at the helm.

And although Spoelhof retired almost 30 years ago he still comes to school
almost every day, where he keeps an office near the Hekman Library in the heart
of the campus. There he spends some time at work, but he also spends some time
at play - gathering each morning at 10:30 am or so for a coffee with current
and former Calvin faculty members.

Spoelhof also gets to know each year's new students in his daily travels
around the campus, often stopping on his journies to greet students by name and
inquire about their studies.

So tomorrow the many at Calvin who know Spoelhof will gather in the Calvin
chapel for a special service marked by some of his favorite hymns and scripture
passages. Afterwards hundreds will collect on the ground floor of the Chapel
for cake and refreshments and a chance to say hello and wish him well.

Another highlight of that event will be the unveiling of a book entitled
"Forever Faithful: Stories of William Spoelhof and Calvin College."

To commemorate Spoelhof's birthday, faculty, staff, alumni and friends of
Calvin College were invited to write stories that included this influential
man. The just-released book is filled with heartfelt tales of memory and
remembrance that illuminate both Spoelhof's contributions to Calvin and
Calvin's contributions to Spoelhof. Some are serious, while others are
lighthearted, but the common thread is that they all speak of a person of
vision and of faith.

The book is available for sale at the Calvin Campus Store and a link has been
set up on a special Spoelhof birthday celebration page on the Calvin website.
Go to www.calvin.edu/alumni/collection and follow the link to the book, the
celebration and more.

-end-
Received on Mon Dec 6 16:58:03 2004