News and Stories

Cultivating mental wellness during a pandemic
Irene Kraegel, director of the Center for Counseling and Wellness at Calvin University, digs into the pandemic's impact on our mental health and shares best practices that can help us navigate this season.
September 25, 2020 | Matt Kucinski

Calvin University moves up in U.S. News categories
In U.S. News & World Report's 2021 Best Colleges Guidebook, Calvin gained some ground in some U.S. News categories and maintained the school's overall ranking of #3 in the Midwest Regional Universities category.
September 14, 2020 | Matt Kucinski

How Calvin University made a safe return to campus for fall 2020
On Tuesday, September 1, Calvin University classes were back in session, and in-person for the first time since mid-March. The return was months in the making.
September 02, 2020 | Matt Kucinski

Princeton Review ranks Calvin in Top 20 for both Health and Counseling Services
The Princeton Review ranks Calvin University as one of the nation's best institutions for undergraduates to earn their college degree, and as a top 20 school nationwide for both its health and counseling services.
August 18, 2020 | Matt Kucinski

Creating a dune on Calvin's campus
Realizing bringing her class regularly to the lakeshore to do research would be riskier this year, Calvin professor Deanna van Dijk decided to bring the research site to the students. 450 cubic yards of sand is coming to campus.
July 30, 2020 | Matt Kucinski

Calvin receives $11 million gift for faculty development
Calvin University is receiving an $11 million gift that will deepen the institution's commitment to teach from a Reformed Christian perspective and expand its ability to shape Reformed Christian thought leadership around the world.
June 29, 2020 | Matt Kucinski

Calvin University receives $22.25 million gift to launch School of Business
Less than a year after changing its name, Calvin University is adding its first school: the Calvin University School of Business. University leaders hope the new school is the first of many.
May 14, 2020 | Matt Kucinski

Calvin University takes major step toward opening in fall 2020
Calvin University is partnering with Helix Diagnostics in its plans for a safe return to campus operations in fall 2020. Through the arrangement, Calvin will be able to ensure that all faculty, staff, and students will be tested and screened for COVID-19 upon arriving on campus.
May 13, 2020 | Matt Kucinski

Discovering a path forward in a COVID-shaped world
Fifteen faculty experts from Calvin University and Calvin Theological Seminary will lead 23 courses this summer that help participants discover what it means to be a Christian witness in a world shaped by COVID-19.
May 06, 2020 | Matt Kucinski

A pile of clothes serves a deeper purpose
Calvin student Freshta Tori Jan created an online store that makes masks and distributes them to the homeless. And it all started when a pile of old clothes crossed into the path of a compelling mission.
April 16, 2020 | Matt Kucinski

Covering the Calvin community
The Calvin community was issued a challenge: create 500 cloth face coverings to ensure that every student still living on campus and every essential staff member regularly coming to campus had access to at least one. Four days later, the community was covered!
April 14, 2020 | Matt Kucinski

Providing a refuge for first responders
In late March, Spectrum Health Hospital and the Grand Rapids Police Department (GRPD) called for backup. Calvin University responded with 46 free rooms at Prince Conference Center for their employees to use free of charge.
April 14, 2020 | Matt Kucinski

Calvin remembers Bob DeKraker
Bob DeKraker, 65, died of cancer on Wednesday, February 19. His colleagues remember the many ways he worked behind the scenes to cheerfully support faculty and students during his 31-year career at Calvin.
February 21, 2020 | Matt Kucinski

Calvin remembers June Hamersma
When people think about January at Calvin, they often think about June. June Hamersma, 90, the founder of Calvin University’s award-winning January Series, died on Sunday, February 16, 2020.
February 20, 2020 | Matt Kucinski

Calvin receives national recognition for community engagement
Calvin University is one of 359 campuses across the country to receive the Carnegie Foundation's Classification for Community Engagement in 2020.
February 11, 2020 | Matt Kucinski

Saving the Michigan Tuition Grant
In October 2019, a line-item veto by Governor Gretchen Whitmer included cutting the $2,400 per year Michigan Tuition Grant (MTG). The response of the Calvin community? Take action.
December 20, 2019 | Matt Kucinski

Engaging popular culture, drawing near to God
While Christians and the church sometimes shy away from engaging with popular culture, leaders in Calvin University's student activities office stress their approach to engaging popular culture is deeply rooted in drawing students toward, rather than away from God.
December 13, 2019 | Matt Kucinski

Collecting acorns, preserving roots
On Friday, July 19, the oldest known tree on Calvin's 400-acre campus came crashing down. But a simple act taken more than a decade prior helped preserve the tree's legacy.
November 20, 2019 | Matt Kucinski

NCAA Tournament runs start on campus
The Calvin University men's soccer, women's volleyball, and men's and women's cross country teams all begin their postseason action in their own backyard.
November 14, 2019 | Matt Kucinski

Dance Marathon kicks off at Calvin
Calvin University's Dance Marathon student organization has started its year-long fundraiser to help kids and their families at Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital. This year, Calvin's Dance Marathon group is sponsored by Wendy’s.
October 29, 2019 | Hannah Smith

It's "Tebow Time" in Grand Rapids
On Thursday, October 24, 2019, Tim Tebow, a professional athlete, ESPN analyst, and author will be speaking at Calvin University.
October 03, 2019 | Matt Kucinski

Calvin University announces 2020 January Series lineup
The 2020 edition of the January Series features New York Times best-selling authors, Billboard-topping musicians, and a 41-year veteran of the White House press corps.
September 19, 2019 | Matt Kucinski

Calvin University ranks high in leading guidebooks
U.S. News & World Report is the latest ranking guide to give Calvin University high marks in 2019.
September 09, 2019 | Matt Kucinski

Peet's Coffee opens first shop in Michigan
In August 2019, Peet's Coffee opens its first shop in Michigan at Calvin University.
July 23, 2019 | Matt Kucinski

Calvin University coming July 10
On July 10, 2019, Calvin College officially becomes Calvin University. The Calvin community will commemorate the significant milestone with a series of events, including a panel discussion, dedication service, and celebration cookout.
July 01, 2019 | Matt Kucinski

Tim Tebow coming to Grand Rapids
Tim Tebow, a professional athlete, ESPN analyst, and author, will be a featured speaker at the Second Global Congress on Sport and Christianity in October 2019.
June 12, 2019 | Matt Kucinski

Calvin graduates the Class of 2019
On Saturday, May 18, 2019, nearly 900 students will participate in Calvin College's 99th Commencement ceremony.
May 17, 2019 | Matt Kucinski

A classroom for the ages
The grant-funded Intergenerational Connections Project is providing a rich learning environment where traditional college students and adult learners are thriving together.
May 14, 2019 | Hannah Ebeling

Ecosystem Preserve adds Venema Plaza and Gardens
Calvin introduces the Venema Plaza and Gardens, West Michigan’s largest public native gardens.
May 08, 2019 | Staff

Calvin recognized as Tree Campus USA
For the seventh straight year, Calvin earns Tree Campus USA recognition from the Arbor Day Foundation for its commitment to effective urban forest management.
April 22, 2019 | Matt Kucinski

Calvin LifeWork unlocks soft skills
Students in the Calvin LifeWork program access an on-campus escape room, designed to assist them in developing their understanding of teamwork and teamwork-related skills.
March 26, 2019 | Connor Bechler

Entrada Scholars Program receives community recognition award
Given by the Baptist Fellowship of Grand Rapids in honor of the legacy of Dr. Clifton Rhodes, Jr., the award recognizes the Entrada Scholars Program's role in increasing minority students' access to higher education.
February 27, 2019 | Connor Bechler

Seeing Detroit differently
Calvin students recently studied the shifts in urban politics toward the latter half of the 20th century, applying literature they were reading to the unfolding story of Detroit.
February 27, 2019 | Hannah Ebeling

Expanding opportunities for women in engineering
Fewer than 20 percent of all bachelor's degrees in engineering were awarded to women in the United States in 2015. Calvin College students are taking action to see that statistic change.
February 21, 2019 | Hannah Ebeling

Competing for sustainability at Calvin
Since 2008, students have promoted, led, and participated in Kill-a-watt, a residence hall-wide sustainability competition and education program.
February 20, 2019 | Hannah Ebeling

Public Health Initiative deepens community partnerships
Over the past four years, Calvin College's Public Health Initiative has sparked collaboration among various disciplines at Calvin, deepened relationships with community partners, and produced research that's addressing neighborhood needs.
January 02, 2019 | Hannah Ebeling

Student concerts celebrate Calvin's long tradition of music and performance
Sarah Griffioen, a musical performance and computer science double major at Calvin College, spent months practicing on her own as well as under the private instruction of Calvin music professors.
December 18, 2018 | Hannah Ebeling

Calvin University coming in July 2019
Calvin College will become Calvin University on July 10, 2019. The change is part of Vision 2030—a vision which upholds Calvin’s historic Christian mission and builds on its current distinctive strengths.
November 29, 2018 | Matt Kucinski

French interim celebrates 50 years of language and learning
This year, the Calvin French interim celebrates its 50th anniversary. Professor Art Otten, chair of the French Department in 1968, decided to organize Calvin’s first-ever interim abroad to Paris and Montpellier.
November 12, 2018 | Hannah Ebeling

Air Force Veteran, Calvin Knight
Ryan Heckaman, a Calvin senior and Air Force veteran, shares his experience.
November 11, 2018 | Hannah Ebeling

Calvin teams compete on campus in NCAA tournament
Four of Calvin's fall varsity teams have qualified for NCAA postseason action, two of those teams begin their quest for a title on Calvin's campus.
November 07, 2018 | Matt Kucinski

Reimagining the Honors program to better serve diversity of scholars
Over the next two years, Calvin's Honors program will be updated and restructured around a two-track model to improve program completion, community, and interdisciplinary learning.
October 24, 2018 | Connor Bechler

Ready For Life offers an inclusive college learning experience
Ready For Life Academy provides an inclusive college experience for adults with intellectual disabilities
October 18, 2018 | Hannah Ebeling

Calvin among Sierra Magazine's 2018 Coolest Schools
The recognition reflects Calvin's many student organizations, programs, and initiatives which seek to care for creation.
October 01, 2018 | Connor Bechler

Homecoming Weekend features several new events in 2018
In celebrating Homecoming Weekend 2018, Calvin's campus is open to the community for four days of exciting, free or low-cost festivities.
September 24, 2018 | Connor Bechler

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 | Matt Kucinski

New program equips students for leadership in the church
The Calvin Institute of Christian Worship (CICW) announces the establishment of the Ministry Leadership Cohort—a two-year program available to incoming Calvin College students.
September 05, 2018 | Matt Kucinski

StreetFest empowers students to serve city
With the theme "Seek Justice // Listen, Learn, Love," StreetFest 2018 will see all first-year and transfer students take to the streets of Grand Rapids to serve and learn from their community.
August 31, 2018 | Connor Bechler

Washington Monthly gives Calvin high marks
The Washington Monthly ranks Calvin College 13th on its Top 150 Baccalaureate Colleges list.
August 27, 2018 | News & Stories Staff

Calvin College among Princeton Review's Best 384 Colleges
The Princeton Review features Calvin in its annual college guide. Calvin students touted the institution's lab and recreation facilities, internship possibilities, and the vibrant city of Grand Rapids.
August 07, 2018 | Matt Kucinski

Calvin Observatory magnifies Mars
On Friday, July 27, the general public has the opportunity to see Mars under high magnification using the Calvin College Observatory. Professor Jason Smolinski describes what viewers can expect to see.
July 26, 2018 | Matt Kucinski

Fiske Guide highlights Calvin business and engineering programs
The Fiske Guide to Colleges touts Calvin College as one the country’s best and most interesting colleges in its 2019 guidebook, and highlights its business and engineering programs as particularly strong.
July 11, 2018 | Matt Kucinski

John Calvin’s birthday commemorated with cake, speech, bagpipes?
On July 10th, the H. Henry Meeter Center hosted a lively celebration of John Calvin's 509th birthday on the Chapel patio.
July 11, 2018 | Connor Bechler

Entrada 2018 welcomes students as scholars and servants
On July 6, Entrada 2018 will welcome a diverse group of gifted students to experience scholarship, service, and community while exploring college life.
July 05, 2018 | Connor Bechler

Calvin and Peet’s Coffee partnering for library coffee shop
Driven by the need to improve coffee on campus and to renovate Hekman Library, work will begin on the new library coffee shop interim of 2019 and will be finished in the spring.
June 19, 2018 | Connor Bechler

Calvin College hosts CRC and RCA synods
On Thursday, June 7, 2018, delegates to the Christian Reformed Church's synod and to the Reformed Church in America’s general synod kicked off their annual business meetings together on Calvin’s campus.
June 07, 2018 | Matt Kucinski

Radical hope at Handlon
The inaugural class of Calvin College students at Handlon Correctional Facility now have associate's degrees. And with it, hope.
May 23, 2018 | Matt Kucinski

Calvin making history at Handlon
On Monday, May 21, 15 inmates from Richard A. Handlon Correctional Facility in Ionia, Michigan will receive associate’s degrees from Calvin College.
May 21, 2018 | Matt Kucinski

Calvin College graduates the Class of 2018
On Saturday, May 19, 2018, nearly 900 students will participate in Calvin College’s 98th Commencement ceremony, held at 2 p.m. in the Van Noord arena.
May 18, 2018 | Matt Kucinski

Calvin students earn Goldwater honors
Over the past decade, Calvin has been a national leader in producing Goldwater scholars and those recognized as honorable mentions; this year was no exception, with four students recognized as honorable mentions.
May 17, 2018 | Hannah Ebeling

CPI students partner with local nonprofit; support victims of domestic violence
With the revenue brought in by their community garden, CPI students have been able to partner with and support Safe Haven Ministries, a local nonprofit dedicated to supporting domestic violence victims.
May 09, 2018 | Hannah Ebeling

Calvin College to become Calvin University by 2020
Calvin College's move to Calvin University will happen by 2020, the 100th-anniversary year of Calvin becoming a four-year college.
May 08, 2018 | News & Stories Staff

The Michigan Truth Tour stops at Calvin College
On Tuesday, April 17, Calvin College hosts a guided town hall meeting as part of The Michigan Truth Tour.
April 10, 2018 | Matt Kucinski

Calvin College among Christian higher education institutions collectively making $60 billion economic impact
A new study commissioned by the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities, finds that its member institutions are responsible for more than $60 billion in economic impact annually.
March 26, 2018 | News & Stories Staff , CCCU staff

Festival of Faith & Writing creates new conversations
Calvin College's 2018 Festival lineup includes a Peabody Award-winning producer, Pulitzer prize-winning poet, and a New York Times best-selling young adult writer, to name just a few.
March 15, 2018 | Matt Kucinski

New software enhances the study of animal ecology
Recognizing a need for freely available, easy-to-use tools for bio-logging, Calvin professor Stacy DeRuiter led a collaborative project to develop new software to enhance the study of animal ecology.
March 06, 2018 | Hannah Ebeling

Calvin earns Tree Campus USA distinction
For the sixth consecutive year, Calvin College is honored with Tree Campus USA® recognition by the Arbor Day Foundation for its commitment to effective urban forest management.
March 05, 2018 | News & Stories Staff

Global Religion Research Initiative Grant spurs intercontinental collaboration
Notre Dame's Global Religion Research Initiative awarded international development studies professor Tracy Kuperus, in collaboration with faculty from five other institutions, a grant to study youth, faith, and politics in Africa.
February 28, 2018 | Hannah Ebeling

Student photography guides senior citizens in their living space
Calvin students create artwork for the walls of Samaritas' memory-care unit in an effort to help residents in varying stages of dementia better navigate their living space.
February 22, 2018 | Hannah Ebeling

Calvin classroom pilots cutting-edge Google technology
In collaboration with Google, the Michigan Colleges Alliance is piloting the Google Course Share Collaboration, a new approach that aims to expand course options at smaller private colleges.
February 08, 2018 | Matt Kucinski

Calvin College gifted complete set of Audubon’s Birds of America
Calvin College was recently gifted Birds of America, a collection of prints by naturalist and painter John James Audubon. It is one of only 120 complete sets known to exist.
January 29, 2018 | Hannah Ebeling

Calvin College collaborating on innovative fall prevention program
Calvin’s speech pathology department recently received a $433,394 grant from the Michigan Health Endowment Fund, allowing Calvin to develop a new model to address fall prevention for seniors.
January 22, 2018 | Hannah Ebeling

Beverly Daniel Tatum's lecture highlights MLK Day Events
Calvin College is commemorating MLK Day with a chapel service, silent march, research/training and a lecture from a leading expert on race in education.
January 11, 2018 | News & Stories Staff

Calvin College advances its commitment to environmental sustainability
On Thursday, December 7, 2017 at 4 p.m., Calvin College President Michael Le Roy signed Second Nature’s Presidents’ Climate Commitment.
December 06, 2017 | Matt Kucinski

Service auctions provide students with creative way to support community partners
In November and December, all seven residence halls at Calvin College host dorm-wide service auctions.
December 05, 2017 | Hannah Ebeling

Concerts in context for 25 years
At the end of 2017, Calvin College's Student Activities Office will have hosted 700 headlining artists and more than 600 opening acts.
December 04, 2017 | Hannah Ebeling

Calvin students debate whether free speech is worth the cost
The debate, “The Constitution and Free Speech: Is It Worth the Cost?,” was the third and final event in the department’s Constitution debate series and grappled with issues of free speech.
November 28, 2017 | Hannah Ebeling

Four Calvin teams continue title pursuit
Calvin College's women's volleyball, men's soccer and men's and women's cross country teams continue their pursuit of NCAA titles this weekend.
November 14, 2017 | Matt Kucinski

Navy Veterans, Calvin Knights
Husband and wife, Daniel and Darcy Stubbs, both served in the U.S. Navy for over six years prior to coming to Calvin in fall 2017.
November 09, 2017 | Hannah Ebeling

Calvin students present research at Midwest Enzyme Conference
In fall 2017, five Calvin students presented their research at the Midwest Enzyme Chemistry Conference at Loyola University Chicago.
November 03, 2017 | Hannah Ebeling

Children’s book invites anyone to explore the Lord’s supper
En la mesa de Dios-At God's Table is a Spanish-English children's book that explores the richly symbolic practice of the Lord's Supper in Christian worshiping communities.
November 01, 2017 | Hannah Ebeling

Ecosystem Preserve expands, adds a new avenue for adventure
Calvin added four more acres to the public portion of its Ecosystem Preserve. The added land includes interesting ecological features and a new trail which will be open to visitors in fall 2017.
October 23, 2017 | Hannah Ebeling

Calvin student contributes to reforming Oklahoma's death penalty protocol
In Spring 2017, senior Andrew Oppong pursued his passion of criminal justice reform through the college's Semester in D.C. program.
October 19, 2017 | Hannah Ebeling

Q Commons: advancing good in Grand Rapids
On October 26, “Q Commons” returns to the Ladies Literary Club in downtown Grand Rapids. Organizers of the event hope it facilitates Kingdom-building inquiry and action around issues plaguing the world today.
October 10, 2017 | Jacquelyn Hubbard

A reimagined Hiemenga Hall
A hallway in Hiemenga Hall underwent some significant renovations this summer. The space now features student study areas, beautiful wood detailing and the addition of more natural light.
September 28, 2017 | Hannah Ebeling

Maroon, gold and green
In 2017, Calvin College received national recognition for its sustainability efforts from the Arbor Day Foundation, Princeton Review, Sierra Club and STARS.
September 22, 2017 | Matt Kucinski

Calvin scores silver rating for sustainability
Calvin College received a silver rating in the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating System (STARS).
September 20, 2017 | Hannah Ebeling

Under the lights
A donor-funded lighting project on Calvin's Zuidema Field provides greater accessibility and excitement for players and fans.
September 20, 2017 | Jacquelyn Hubbard , Matt Kucinski

Calvin welcomes 965 new students for fall 2017
The 2017 incoming cohort of 965 students, combined with a strong retention rate, led to Calvin College exceeding its overall enrollment goal for the 2017-2018 academic year.
September 18, 2017 | Matt Kucinski

Creating an inclusive environment for people with disabilities
Tom Hoeksema, emeritus professor of education at Calvin College, received the Henri Nouwen award from the American Association of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.
September 13, 2017 | Hannah Ebeling

A new model, a new name
Irene Kraegel, director of the J. Broene Center for Counseling and Wellness, talks about the center's name change and why one out of five Calvin students utilizes these services each year.
September 13, 2017 | Hannah Ebeling

Thinking deeply about the characters of the Old Testament
This fall, campus ministries begins its 10-week, campus-wide bible study. Each week, the study focuses on a significant character of the Old Testament.
September 06, 2017 | Hannah Ebeling

Calvin College celebrates 25th anniversary of StreetFest
First-year and transfer students served alongside more than 60 community organizations in the city of Grand Rapids during Calvin's 25th annual StreetFest program.
September 06, 2017 | Hannah Ebeling

Creating an award-winning prison reform conference from behind bars
Calvin Prison Initiative student creates prison reform conference that attracts 300 attendees and garners national recognition.
August 22, 2017 | Jacquelyn Hubbard

Community rallies to support colleague who lost her husband
This past June, Ramiza Fazlic unexpectedly lost her husband. The couple had been married 40 years. In less than three days, members of the Calvin community had donated $10,000 to help with funeral expenses.
August 11, 2017 | Hannah Ebeling

Creating a community of servant leaders
The John M. Perkins Leadership Fellows Program gives first generation students and students passionate about helping their community a place to develop as servant leaders.
August 03, 2017 | Hannah Ebeling

Entrada cultivates the next generation of leaders
Entrada offers racial ethnic minority high school students an opportunity to experience college living and learning. During the month-long program, scholars live in the residence halls while completing a three or four credit course.
July 12, 2017 | Hannah Ebeling

Calvin College Joins NAC&U Consortium
Calvin College recently joined The New American Colleges and Universities (NAC&U), a consortium of institutions that values liberal arts education, professional studies and civic engagement.
July 10, 2017 | News & Stories Staff

Young Women's Business Institute helps high schoolers envision a future in business
In June, the Calvin Center for Innovation in Business hosted its Young Women’s Business Institute, a program for students entering their junior or senior year of high school.
June 28, 2017 | Hannah Ebeling

Taking Your Church to College
Leaders representing churches and Christian institutes from around the country gathered at Calvin College for the “Taking Your Church to College” event.
June 26, 2017 | Hannah Ebeling