News

Celebrating Five Years of Momentum at Calvin University
On July 10, 2024, Calvin celebrates its five-year anniversary since it changed its last name from "college" to "university." News & Stories highlights ten significant moments for Calvin since it made that change in 2019. July 9,2024

Students Discover Research Opportunities Everywhere
Student-faculty research at Calvin covers the sciences, humanities, arts, and social sciences. June 26,2024

Calvin's Festival of Faith & Writing Returns in April
Calvin University’s literary extravaganza, the Festival of Faith & Writing, returns in person to Grand Rapids on April 11-13, after a long COVID hiatus. March 19,2024

Calvin's Graphic Design Students Steal the Show
Students from Calvin University took home more than half of the awards given out at the 2024 American Advertising Award Federations West Michigan ADDY awards. March 19,2024

Calvin makes significant investment in the arts
The return of the theatre minor and the music education program paired with recent improvements to arts facilities, curricula, and student opportunities, reflect the growth and vibrancy of the arts at Calvin University. March 12,2024

When college is no longer an abstract idea
When Ivan Longoria graduated from high school, he never thought he’d end up in college. After serving four years in the Navy, he took advantage of the GI Bill and enrolled at Calvin University. Now two years in, he's preparing to be an educator, to inspire the next generation to dream bigger. November 14,2023

Calvin University announces 2024 January Series lineup
The 2024 edition of Calvin University’s award-winning January Series features national podcasters and journalists, a world-renowned rock climber, French-American jazz pianist and composer, an American legal scholar, and a Pulitzer Prize-winning author. October 10,2023

Calvin University hosts Homecoming & Family Weekend
On Friday, September 29 and Saturday, September 30, Calvin University welcomes alumni, family, and the broader community to campus for Homecoming & Family Weekend. September 28,2023

Flipping the script unlocks stories of transformation
While Nate Roels started at Calvin in 2013 as a business major, he soon discovered a deeper passion for film and media. So, he flipped the script, switched his major to a minor and pursued filmmaking. Now, he has a documentary film making its debut on the big screen. July 25,2023

Film and Media Program Expanding During Program’s Banner Year
The 2022-2023 academic year was full of firsts for Calvin's film and media program. Numerous student and faculty productions were featured in major film festivals and won awards, and a new pathway signals even greater success in the program's future. June 29,2023

Student-produced documentaries to be featured at FREEP Film Festival
Two Calvin University student-produced documentaries will be shown on April 28 at the FREEP Film Festival in Detroit, Mich. in their “Real Fresh” program of student documentaries. March 27,2023

Quartet of alumni soloists to lead 2022 Handel’s Messiah
While Calvin University has invited the West Michigan community to performances of Handel's Messiah for more than a century, this year's edition is unique in that all four soloists are Calvin alumni. December 1,2022

World-renowned artist Makoto Fujimura awarded Kuyper Prize
Makoto Fujimura is the recipient of the 2023 Kuyper Prize, awarded by Calvin University and Calvin Theological Seminary. Fujimura is the first visual artist to receive the prize, which has been awarded annually since 1998. November 8,2022

12 Discoveries President Boer Made in First 100 Days
Upon arriving at Calvin University in late June 2022, President Boer has been learning about the campus and the community. Here are 12 discoveries he's made as he's become reacquainted with his alma mater. October 3,2022

I'll take World-Renowned Speakers for 15 days
Calvin University's 2023 January Series features a NASA scientist, New York Times best-selling authors, a former speechwriter for three U.S. presidents, and the holder of the longest winning streak on Jeopardy! September 28,2022

Research team's $1 million grant explores how movies shape morals
Carl Plantinga, professor of film and media at Calvin University, is co-leading a grant project through the Templeton Religion Trust's "Art Seeking Understanding" Initiative that aims to discover how one's moral understanding can be shaped during and in discussions after a movie. August 8,2022

Calvin's cohort programs help students find community
Navigating through college is challenging. Joining a cohort group not only builds community from day one, but it also makes the college experience more enriching and enjoyable. December 9,2021

Placing Poetry on Creation's Canvas
For a graphic design class project, Gabrielle Eisma, a junior at Calvin University, took 16 poems written by local artists and curated an unconventional and quite hidden gallery space. December 18,2020

An Artful Life: Remembering Edgar Boevé
Calvin remembers Edgar Boevé, known as the founder of the Calvin art department and a daring thinker in the world of Christianity and the arts. March 11,2019

Calvin announces 2019 January Series lineup
From Wednesday, Jan. 3 through Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2019, Calvin College welcomes to campus a wide range of experts leading some of the nation and world’s most pivotal and timely conversations. September 12,2018

Animating words, shaping students
On Friday, May 4, 2018, English professor Lew Klatt received Calvin College's highest faculty honor, the Presidential Award for Exemplary Teaching. May 7,2018

Calvin College students turn their class into a performance
From February 1-3, the Calvin Theatre Company (CTC) presents “The Amish Project,” a play that explores the true story of the community of Nickel Mines, Pennsylvania. January 31,2018

English prof written into Star Wars world
Calvin College English professor and accomplished author Gary Schmidt has written himself into the Star Wars world. November 29,2017

History students create mental health exhibit for public museum
Three Calvin students' class project has spurred an exhibit at the Grand Rapids Public Museum. October 31,2017

Art Prize installation challenges the notion of equality
In 2017, Calvin received an Art Prize Venue Grant to support an art installation at the Ladies Literary Club, a historic building in downtown Grand Rapids. September 19,2017

Music's part in life's harmony
The topic of vocation is important to Calvin College professor David Fuentes because part of his job is to help students uncover their personal calling and understand how much of their lives will be directly related to music. June 16,2017

Walking Boldly: Simon Boenaidi
Now working with a church planting network in Oregon, Simon Boenaidi ’17 says Calvin shaped his understanding of his own faith, the place of God in the world and his role in God’s redemptive plan. June 15,2017

Partnering to improve mental health in Grand Rapids
In 2011, “Women Supporting Women: Supportive/Educative Groups for Ethnically Diverse, Urban, Impoverished Women Dealing with Depression and Anxiety” was launched in three Grand Rapids neighborhoods. May 16,2017

Discovering a deeper passion for poetry
Calvin College English professor Lew Klatt reflects on his experience the past three years serving as poet laureate for Grand Rapids. April 20,2017

Guatemalan artists are focus of alum's research
In March 2017, Peter Cahill '16 presented his ceramics research at the National Council of Education for the Ceramic Arts conference in Portland, Oregon. April 13,2017

Festival of Faith and Music engages pop culture
The eighth edition of FFM will take place on Calvin’s campus from March 30 to April 1, 2017. March 22,2017

Stage managing from Calvin to NYC
Sharon Suh '16 is spending this summer interning for The Delecorte Theater in New York City. August 24,2016

Anti-bullying play provides hope to students
Calvin professor produces play to educate youngsters on the devastating effects of bullying. August 12,2016

In concert and in a lab coat
Andrew Plaisier '16 is beginning a two-year cello performance master’s program at the University of Michigan in the studio of Anthony Elliot. August 4,2016

The Festival of Faith and Writing from a First-timer's Perspective
News and Stories contributing writer Jacob Thielman describes festival as a beautiful riot of perspectives on faith, writing and the multitude of problems and processes and practices that bloom from their collision. April 26,2016

Calvin professor helps put students’ poetry in motion
Lew Klatt, poet laureate for Grand Rapids, answers a trio of questions about a project that helps kids express their understanding of local history through haiku. April 7,2016

Festival of Faith and Writing celebrates silver anniversary
The Festival of Faith and Writing is celebrating its 25th anniversary with a lineup of speakers that its new director says is perhaps the most celebrated group of writers to assemble at one time at FFW. March 31,2016

Calvin College Launches Center for Faith and Writing
Bob and Shelley Hudson's generous gift helps establish the Calvin Center for Faith and Writing. March 23,2016

Alumni association to give $1,500 to Calvin alum ArtPrize contestant
Through Oct. 8, Calvin alums will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite Calvin alumni-created piece of artwork. September 23,2015

Calvin College faculty hears from prominent alum, Paul Schrader
Film and Media faculty anticipate what promises to be an interesting and educational experience with award-winning and renowned filmmaker, Paul Schrader. August 28,2015

Open studio nights bring together creatives
Once a week the (106) Gallery and Studio opens its doors to the public for free, collaborative art-making. July 13,2015

Nurturer of Sacred Space
With a devoted commitment to her classroom and her students, Jo-Ann Van Reeuwyk earns Presidential Award for Exemplary Teaching. May 11,2015

Q&A: Inside the Festival of Faith and Music
Student activities director Ken Heffner recently sat down with student writer Lori Dykstra to talk about all things Festival of Faith and Music. March 6,2015

Festival aims to change perception of disability
Calvin College professor Chris Smit is organizing the inaugural DisArt Festival, an event that showcases art created by people with disabilities. February 11,2015

Art exhibition traces Native American history
Exhibition brings together Native American historical artifacts and the work of an early 20th century photographer. October 31,2014

New kiln expands artistic opportunities
Calvin will replace its 40-year old kiln with a technologically advanced, easy-to-use and energy-efficient gas reduction fire kiln. October 30,2014

Three alums crack top 20 in ArtPrize competition
Carol Roeda, Nicholas Kroeze and Ryan Spencer Reed's works of art have got the public's attention. October 7,2014

Bringing war to life
Calvin alum's ArtPrize exhibition educates viewers on the real cost of war. October 2,2014

Calvin community well represented in ArtPrize
Works of art by dozens of Calvin alumni are on display around and on the streets of downtown Grand Rapids. September 26,2014

Calvin contemporizes Shakespeare for the stage
Beginning April 10, the Calvin Theatre Company will perform Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream." April 7,2014