Events Calendar

This is a once-in-a-lifetime event, celebrating your Calvin University 50-year reunion! We'd love to see you on May 8–9, 2026.

Weekend Schedule

Click the links below for a more detailed and printable view of that day's schedule: Friday and Saturday.

Friday, May 8
12 p.m.—Registration opens
12:15 p.m.—Welcome Lunch ($15)
1:30 p.m.—Welcome and Calvin: Then & Now presentation
3 p.m.—Campus tours
4 p.m.—Commencement worship service with the Class of 2026
5 p.m.—Reunion reception
6 p.m.—Formal dinner ($50)

Saturday, May 9
11 a.m.—Worship service and medallion ceremony with President Greg Elzinga
12 p.m.—Box lunch ($10)
1 p.m.—Class of 1976 group procession for early-access seating
2 p.m.—Commencement ceremony

Committee Members

We are grateful to David Baatenburg, Lori Feenstra, Richard Feenstra, Mary Sytsma, and Linda Wolthuis for serving as our committee members! 

For questions or general greetings feel free to contact them:

To contact Dave, email dbaatenburg@hotmail.com. To contact Lori, email lori.feenstra@gmail.com. To contact Richard, email rchrd.feenstra@gmail.com. To contact Mary, email dmsyts@comcast.net. To contact Linda, email lwolthuis27@gmail.com. 
 

Who's Coming?

This is a list of class members only. Please note, spouses of many are attending, as well. 

(This list will first be updated on Wednesday, April 1st and done weekly afterwards.)

Share Your Story

The Class of 1976 is celebrating a milestone, and we want your stories to be part of it! Whether or not you can attend, we invite you to share a favorite memory, a cherished photo, or both from your time at Calvin. Your stories may be featured throughout the reunion weekend, helping old friends reconnect and relive the moments that made those years unforgettable. Send your memories to alumni@calvin.edu to help us celebrate!

Meals: Menu & Cost

All three meals—Friday's lunch, Friday's dinner, and Saturday's lunch—are optional add-ons when registering. Dietary restrictions will be honored, and there is a field for submitting your restriction on the registration form. Menus and pricing are as follows:

Final menu selections for 2026 are still TBD. See example menus below based on last year's selection. 

Friday's Welcome Lunch
- Cost: $15/pp
- MENU EXAMPLE: Alabama BBQ smoked chicken legs, grilled roast pork loin with peach BBQ sauce, chef's seasonal vegetable blend, corn bread, smashed garlic and rosemary potatoes (with buddha bowl vegetarian entrée option)

Friday's Formal Dinner
- Cost: $50/pp
- SET MENU: Appetizers include buttermilk chicken bites and pierogis with dipping sauce, infused water, and soft drinks; dinner includes beef bourguignon, caesar salad & rolls, chef's choice starch & vegetable, and a red velvet bundt cake for dessert. (vegetarian entrée option available); 

Dinner cost includes open bar service from Martha's Vineyard. 

Saturday's Box Lunch
- Cost: $10/pp
- SET MENU: Leland sandwich (grilled chicken, cucumber, greens, tomato, cheese, & dressing), kettle chips, and bottled water.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a medallion ceremony?

The medallion ceremony's purpose is two-fold. Members of the 50-year reunion class are honored with commemorative medallions, acknowledging the impact they've had on their university community and the legacy they continue to build for future generations. Additionally, this ceremony serves as a welcome into the alumni association's Heritage Class, inviting them to participate in unique experiences available only to Heritage Class members.

Do I have to attend the whole weekend?

We'd love to have you for all of the festivities—both Friday and Saturday! Registration allows you to select the elements of the weekend you plan on attending, though, if you have conflicts.

What is the dress code?

For Friday evening's dinner and Saturday's ceremonies, we recommend business casual attire (no jeans). For all other happenings on Friday, we'd love for you to wear whatever's comfortable so you can freely explore campus!

I'm coming from out of town. What hotels are available to me?

The Prince Conference Center Hotel has limited availability left with it being Commencement weekend.

Otherwise, we are pleased to partner with local hotels for discounted reunion weekend room blocks:

Country Inn & Suites by Radisson—Grand Rapids East (3251 Deposit Dr. NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546)
- Available room types: standard king room with a sofa bed; two queen beds (accessible rooms also available)
- Room rate: ~$139.99 per night, plus tax; includes free parking and free breakfast on-site
- Book via their registration site, or call the Front Desk directly at (616) 942-7000 and reference the "Calvin University 50-Year Reunion Class of 1976"
- Submit your reservation by Wednesday, April 23 at midnight

Hilton Garden Inn—Grand Rapids East (2321 East Beltline Ave. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546)
- For Calvin guests: 10% weekday discount (M–F); 15% weekend discount (Sa–Su)
- Book via phone call to the Front Desk at (616) 608-8800 and reference that you are a "Calvin University guest"

Where do I park?

This parking map highlights visitor lots in yellow. Below are our parking recommendations:
- Friday's registration and afternoon events: Lots 9 & 10 (with accessible parking spots available)
- Friday's reception and dinner: Lots 15 & 16 (with accessible parking spots available)
- Saturday's worship service and medallion ceremony: Lots 1 & 2 (with accessible parking spots available)
- Saturday's commencement ceremony: remain in lots 1 & 2, or move vehicle to lots 5 & 6

A campus map is also available for wayfinding.

I have accessibility needs. Will I have assistance?

We intend to make the reunion as accessible as possible to all. In terms of mobile needs, a representative from the Alumni Office will be operating a golf cart throughout the weekend to assist with transportation. If you have more specific needs, please email alumni@calvin.edu and we will be glad to assist you.

Testimonials

"I thought the reunion only would be enjoyable and worthwhile if 'my' circle of friends from Calvin would also attend.  That wasn't the case but what I discovered was how much wider that circle actually was as the class came together and we rediscovered and recounted interactions at many different levels. Turned out to be a lot of fun and relationship-building toward the future. As Bob Dylan and The Byrds observed, 'I was so much older then but I'm younger than that now.'" —Nick Kroeze, class of 1973

"I received the information about the 50th reunion and was actually ambivalent about going. However, because my friend Nancy was part of the team putting the reunion together, I wanted to be supportive of her work and efforts and so I signed up. The weekend exceeded my expectations in so many ways. Catching up with people I hadn’t seen in 50 years was delightful and hearing others speak of their memories brought many memories back to me. The atmosphere of the whole weekend was relaxed but purposeful.  I would highly recommend this reunion weekend to anyone considering. You will not be disappointed." —Cheryl La Fleur, class of 1974

"I've attended every Calvin reunion since graduation, so I knew I would definitely attend our 50th. The weekend didn't disappoint. In fact, it exceeded my expectations in every way. Great organization, great food, great chance to see new things at Calvin, and above all, many great opportunities to interact with friends. I truly hope that future classes take advantage of this weekend that Calvin provides—and work hard to convince your former Calvin friends to join you! You'll be so glad that you came—whether from across the world, across the country, or simply across the city!" —Nancy Eardley, class of 1974

Sneak Peek

Peruse the photo gallery from the Class of 1975. From check-in to dinner to the medallion ceremony, get a sneak peek of what your weekend will look like!