Calvin News

A longtime run at Calvin College is getting a name this year, christened in honor of a chemistry professor who died suddenly on January 13, 2008 at the young age of 46.
The family fun run, a one-kilometre event intended for kids 12 and younger, plus their families, has long been a festive fixture at the Calvin Spring Classic, a five-kilometre race that takes place this year on April 26 on the roadways of Calvin's scenic 400-acre campus. 
Now the run will be named the Karen Muyskens Family Fun Run in honor of a woman who served for almost 20 years at Calvin as a professor of chemistry. 
In addition to being a beloved professor, Karen Muyskens also was a faithful runner who often took part in the Calvin Spring Classic, including the fun run, with her husband Mark, with whom she shared her position at Calvin, and their three children.
Calvin's Donna Joyce said she enjoyed watching Karen, Mark and their kids participate in the run over the years, and that after Karen's death she presented a proposal to the Grand Rapids alumni chapter leadership group to have the entire race in 2008 be run in memory of Karen and for the fun run to be named for her permanently.
"They voted unanimously to make the changes," she noted.
Joyce adds that Mark Muyskens will be the race's official starter for 2008 and will be helping with the awards following the race.
The 2008 Calvin Spring Classic is slated for Saturday, April 26 on campus with the 5k race beginning at 8:30 am and the Karen Muyskens Family Fun Run scheduled to start at 9:15 am. 
The event is hosted by the Grand Rapids and Lakeshore alumni chapters of the Calvin Alumni Association with all entry fees from the race going to student scholarships.