Calvin College opens world-class mineralogical museum on campus

On Friday, November 9, Calvin College will officially open a museum on campus that showcases a world-class mineral collection. Bruce Dice, a 1948 alumnus, has given his personal collection to the college, which includes 300 unique specimens.

"I decided it was time to share it," said the 85-year old geologist from Houston, Texas. "I have several pieces that the Houston Museum of Natural Science would have enjoyed having, but I went to the love of my life-Calvin College."

The Bruce Dice Mineralogical Museum was built adjacent to Calvin College's North Hall. The collection includes everything from a six-ounce gold nugget to a 100 million-year-old octopus fossil to a piece of the Allende meteorite, which crashed to earth in 1969. One of the museums most visually appealing specimens is a three-foot by 15-inch Tiger's eye gemstone.

"When you see the beautiful things that God created, you want to keep them in front of you and delight in them," said Dice. "When you see the collection, the beauty of it, it says something to you. It can really add something to your life."

At 3 p.m., a dedication ceremony will be held in the college's Chapel. At 4 p.m. a ribbon-cutting ceremony will follow at the museum, which is located at 162 North Hall. Museum tours will be offered, and refreshments will be served. All festivities are free and open to the public.

Bruce Dice will be available for interviews following the ribbon cutting.

For more information, contact geology, geography and environmental studies professor Gerry Van Kooten at 616-526-6374
or media relations manager Matt Kucinski at 616-526-8935.

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Matt Kucinski
Media Relations Manager
Calvin College
msk23@calvin.edu
616.526.8935 (office)
616.307.7429 (cell)
Received on Fri Nov 9 08:49:26 2012