News and Stories

Calvin remembers Don and Shirley Lautenbach
Don and Shirley Lautenbach's life inspired a love for learning and their gift of hospitality ensured that everyone felt welcome to be part of the journey. This legacy lives on at Calvin and through their 5 children, 13 grandchildren, and 20 great grandchildren.
January 13, 2021 | Matt Kucinski

Calvin University announces Fall 2020 Dean's List
Calvin University has released its fall 2020 Deans' List.
January 11, 2021 | Matt Kucinski

No borders at Calvin University
Calvin University created an online cohort so that international students who could not make it to campus this fall would have an option to begin their time at Calvin. This fall, 65 students completed their first semester online, and all 65 intend to continue online or in-person this spring.
December 23, 2020 | Matt Kucinski

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 | Matt Kucinski

Calvin remembers Conrad Bult
While he had an unmatched knowledge of every square inch of Calvin's collections in Hekman Library, it was how Conrad Bult used that knowledge that shaped the Calvin community. His insatiable curiosity and commitment to excellence made one's trip to the library an exciting adventure.
December 09, 2020 | Matt Kucinski

Psychology professor pioneers study to help adoptees improve social skills
Emily Helder, professor of psychology at Calvin University, is working with a team of staff and students to help adolescents who are experiencing peer social difficulties. This study represents the first application of UCLA's PEERS intervention on adopted individuals.
December 07, 2020 | Matt Kucinski

It's a Wonder(full) classroom
This fall semester, a Calvin University engineering class collaborated with a classroom of second-grade students. The tangible result? Two dozen automatas that were created following the engineering design process. The intangible? A sparked curiosity, creativity, and wonder.
November 27, 2020 | Matt Kucinski

From life sentence to meaningful life
In 1998, Marqurice Jackson was sentenced to life in prison, where he lost all hope. But within the past five years, something happened inside prison walls that restored Jackson's hope and transformed his life.
November 20, 2020 | Matt Kucinski

Calvin University opens a new door for students with disabilities
A $1.2 million Transition and Postsecondary Education for Students with Intellectual Disabilities (TPSID) grant from the U.S. Department of Education puts Calvin on a path to be the first university in Michigan to offer a Comprehensive Transition and Post-Secondary program.
November 13, 2020 | Matt Kucinski

Calvin students place in top 10% of worldwide programming competition
A trio of electrical engineering majors at Calvin University tackled 24-hours worth of programming problems and finished near the top of a 3,700-team field.
November 11, 2020 | Matt Kucinski

NY Times op-ed columnist David Brooks to receive 2020 Kuyper Prize
On Monday, November 16, David Brooks will receive the 2020 Abraham Kuyper Prize for Excellence in Reformed Theology and Public Life during a virtual event hosted by Calvin University and Calvin Theological Seminary.
November 10, 2020 | Matt Kucinski

Calvin professor partners on $1 million grant project to help churches be anti-racist
Calvin professor Mark Mulder is part of a trio of researchers helping the Alliance of Baptists denomination understand what it means to be anti-racist, and how to move their congregations toward that desired future state.
November 06, 2020 | Matt Kucinski

Calvin professor named fellow of American Academy of Nursing
On Saturday, October 31, Adejoke Ayoola, professor of nursing at Calvin University, is being inducted into the 2020 Class of Fellows of the American Academy of Nursing.
October 30, 2020 | Matt Kucinski

Calvin University featured in The Princeton Review Guide to Green Colleges 2021 Edition
The Princeton Review highlights Calvin University as one of the nation's most environmentally responsible institutions.
October 29, 2020 | Matt Kucinski

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

Study shows your media habits are linked to your voter participation
Professor Jesse Holcomb and two recent Calvin University alums published a report that explores non-voters' news diets and the role that the media plays in their decision of whether or not to cast a ballot.
September 09, 2020 | Matt Kucinski

Calvin remembers Iris Jones
Iris Jones is remembered for her joy, leadership, and determination, and the way her kindness impacted the lives of many.
August 27, 2020 | Amanda Greenhoe

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

A teacher to teachers, known for scholarship and service
Education professor Robert Keeley is the recipient of the 2020 Presidential Award for Exemplary Teaching, Calvin's highest teaching honor.
June 12, 2020 | Staff

Richard Mouw comes home to Calvin
After 35 years at Fuller Theological Seminary, Richard Mouw, a widely-respected theologian and philosopher, is returning to Calvin University where his career in academia began. He's joining the Henry Institute as a senior research fellow.
June 04, 2020 | Matt Kucinski

Calvin Remembers Elsa Cortina
Calvin remembers beloved Spanish professor Elsa Cortina. Cortina was the first director of a study abroad program at the university, initiating the Semester in Spain in 1983.
May 27, 2020 | Lynn Bolt Rosendale

Calvin alum responds to the pandemic with innovative diagnostics
What 2011 grad Cheri Ackerman is doing in the lab as a postdoctoral fellow at the Broad Institute of MIT & Harvard is about as relevant as it gets in the current environment.
May 18, 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

Discovering beauty at the intersection of disciplines
Beginning in January 2021, Calvin senior Jason Entingh will be heading to Eastern Europe for six months as an English Teaching Assistant through the Fulbright U.S. Student Program. His journey started with a love of language.
April 29, 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

Nursing professor heads to hot spot of COVID-19 pandemic
On March 30, Dr. Katherine Kunnen, an assistant professor of nursing at Calvin University, headed to New York City, to help respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. We caught up with her via a video Q&A on Wednesday, April 8, 2020, during her lunch break.
April 09, 2020 | Matt Kucinski

Guiding churches through COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused major disruption in churches around the world. Fortunately, the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship has been helping churches navigate the seasons of the church for years, and is stepping up to guide churches through this novel season.
April 08, 2020 | Matt Kucinski

When research on the water turns to gold
Laura Dykstra started research at Calvin University right away. Now, three years in, her research has been published, her passion for research deepened, and she recently earned what's widely considered as the top undergraduate research award in her field.
April 06, 2020 | Matt Kucinski

Calvin remembers Robert Bolt
For three decades Robert Bolt brought American history to life for his students at Calvin. After he retired from teaching, he spent another two decades helping in Heritage Hall, collecting and preserving records for the Christian Reformed Church. Bolt, 89, died on March 23.
March 27, 2020 | Lynn Rosendale

Show your stripes at Calvin University's Rare Disease Symposium
Calvin University Rare Disease Research & Support will host a Rare Disease Symposium on Rare Disease Day, February 29th, 2020 at the Prince Conference Center.
February 25, 2020 | Rachael Baker

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

David Brooks to receive Kuyper Prize at Kuyper Centennial Congress
David Brooks, a longtime New York Times op-ed columnist who writes about politics, culture, and the social sciences, is the recipient of the 2020 Abraham Kuyper Prize for Excellence in Reformed Theology and Public Life.
February 18, 2020 | Matt Kucinski

Calvin creates associate provost position
In January, Kevin den Dulk became Calvin's first associate provost, a position that focuses on extending Calvin's mission to reach new populations.
February 11, 2020 | Matt Kucinski

Calvin remembers Olivia Haverkamp
Olivia Haverkamp died on Sunday, January 26, following a three-year battle with a rare childhood cancer. Her disease didn't define her, rather it was her trust in the Lord and her love for others that are remembered by the Calvin community.
January 30, 2020 | Matt Kucinski

Calvin remembers Andrew Prezioso
Andrew Prezioso is remembered for his beautiful singing voice and contagious laugh. While his voice stood out in a crowd, he elevated and valued everyone else's.
January 22, 2020 | Matt Kucinski

Calvin remembers Ruth Rus
Ruth Rus taught piano at Calvin for three decades. Her colleagues say she cared deeply for her students and colleagues, and she was a gifted musician who loved and understood every note she played.
January 15, 2020 | Matt Kucinski

Calvin names new vice president for finance
Calvin University president Michael Le Roy has appointed Jim English as the institution’s next vice president for finance.
January 14, 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

Calvin remembers Al Bratt
For nearly four decades, Al Bratt helped students at Calvin fall in love with the natural world. Bratt, 86, died on December 11, 2019.
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

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 remembers Chris Overvoorde
Longtime Calvin art professor Chris Overvoorde is remembered for his dedication to his students and the university and his masterful paintings and drawings.
September 05, 2019 | Lynn Rosendale

From Praying to Publishing: Student Authors Three Books
Jackie Amissah-Nunoo, a public health major at Calvin, discovered her lifelong calling in recent years: serving Christ through writing. Her pursuit of that passion has provided her with quite the platform.
June 26, 2019 | Matt Kucinski

From first-year class to Fulbright
When Mimi Sterenberg came to Calvin she hadn't taken a Spanish class in her life. Now, through a Fulbright scholarship, she's headed to Spain to teach English.
May 17, 2019 | Hannah Ebeling

Calvin remembers Daniel Bays
Calvin professor emeritus of history Daniel Bays is remembered by his colleagues as a voracious learner, dedicated scholar, and as a key partner in growing the Asian Studies Program at Calvin.
May 17, 2019 | Staff

Joe Kuilema named Professor of the Year
Calvin social work professor Joe Kuilema voted 2019 Professor of the Year by students.
May 14, 2019 | Lynn Rosendale

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

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 | Lynn Rosendale

Calvin names new vice president for enrollment strategy
Calvin College president Michael Le Roy has appointed Lauren Jensen as the institution’s next vice president for enrollment strategy.
February 28, 2019 | Matt Kucinski

Calvin student opens classic Christian work to Turkey
Debora Haede, a student at Calvin College, is doing something that's never been done before: translating Dietrich Bonhoeffer's classic works into Turkish.
February 27, 2019 | Matt Kucinski

Calvin announces Fall 2018 Dean's List
Nearly 42 percent of the Calvin College student body achieved Dean’s List status during the fall 2018 semester.
February 22, 2019 | Matt Kucinski

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

John M. Perkins awarded 2019 Kuyper Prize
Dr. John M. Perkins, one of the leading evangelical voices to come out of the Civil Rights Movement, is the recipient of the 2019 Abraham Kuyper Prize for Excellence in Reformed Theology and Public Life.
February 04, 2019 | Matt Kucinski

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

Engaging interfaith dialogue at Calvin and Harvard Divinity School
This November, after two years of coordinating interfaith dialogue at Calvin College, senior Manato Jansen continued the conversation at Harvard Divinity school's prestigious Diversity and Explorations program.
December 05, 2018 | Connor Bechler

Calvin Prison Initiative students lead restorative justice conference
A population of students in the Calvin Prison Initiative (CPI) program are helping facilitate some important conversations related to restorative justice, hoping to lead change from behind bars.
November 26, 2018 | Jacquelyn Hubbard

Leading Climate Action with The Gospel
Kyle Meyaard-Schaap is the national organizer and spokesperson for the Young Evangelicals for Climate Action, an organization that includes more than 10,000 young people.
November 20, 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 remembers John Primus
Longtime Calvin religion professor John Primus remembered for his steadiness and commitment to Jesus Christ.
November 08, 2018 | Lynn Rosendale

Calvin social work program ranked in top 40 nationwide
Calvin College received recognition for its outstanding social work program, ranked in the top 40 programs nationwide by The Best Schools.
November 06, 2018 | Hannah Ebeling

Calvin remembers John Beebe
John Beebe is remembered for his passion for plants and people. Beebe served on the biology faculty of Calvin College for 37 years.
October 29, 2018 | Matt Kucinski

Engineering student selected for German exchange program, interns at BMW
Engineering student Aaron Berry reflects on his experience studying in Germany, interning at BMW, and his future plans.
September 20, 2018 | Connor Bechler

Calvin remembers Marten Vande Guchte
Founder of Calvin's speech pathology and audiology program, Marten Vande Guchte, is remembered for his quiet good sense.
September 10, 2018 | Lynn Rosendale

Strengthening worship through scholarship
The Calvin Institute of Christian Worship launches the Teacher-Scholar program, a second stream of grants in its successful Vital Worship Grants Program.
August 07, 2018 | Matt Kucinski

Calvin prof serves as executive director for international business ethics organization
Business professor Jason Stansbury, having been the executive director of the Society for Business Ethics for a year, reflects on his role, the value of business ethics, and his place at Calvin.
July 20, 2018 | Connor Bechler

Calvin remembers Don Oppewal
Calvin remembers the long life and legacy of Calvin education professor Donald Oppewal.
June 13, 2018 | Lynn Rosendale

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 remembers Phil Lucasse
Calvin reflects on the longtime career of education professor Phil Lucasse.
May 22, 2018 | Lynn Rosendale

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 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

Eric Washington awarded Professor of the Year
Professor of history Eric Washington is Calvin College's 2018 Professor of the Year, an award given annually by the senior class.
May 14, 2018 | Matt Kucinski

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 07, 2018 | Matt Kucinski

Daniel Bourdanné awarded 2018 Kuyper Prize
The general secretary of the International Fellowship of Evangelical Students will receive the Abraham Kuyper Prize for Excellence in Reformed Theology and Public Life at the Kuyper Conference hosted by Calvin College and Calvin Theological Seminary.
April 27, 2018 | Matt Kucinski

Calvin remembers Gordon Van Harn
Gordon Van Harn served his alma mater faithfully for nearly 40 years. He's remembered as someone who was committed to the integration of faith and learning and to the development of his colleagues and students.
April 05, 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

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

Student-led conference explores the many complexities of home
From February 8-10, 2018, Calvin College hosts the 13th-annual Faith and International Development Conference. Student directors talk about the exciting things attendees can expect at the conference.
February 05, 2018 | Hannah Ebeling

Calvin College announces Fall 2017 Dean's List
Forty-two percent of Calvin College students earned a spot on the Dean's List in fall 2017.
January 30, 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

New online app empowers returning citizens transitioning out of prison
The Calvin Prison Initiative and the Henry Institute have created the Returning Citizens Resources online application to empower returning citizens in their transition out of prison and into society.
January 26, 2018 | Jacquelyn Hubbard

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

An elevator pitch moves Calvin College Rehabilitation Services up a level
Jill Bates went to Blythefield Country Club with the intention of networking. She left with the commitment of 162 women to write $100 checks to Calvin College Rehabilitation Services.
December 21, 2017 | Matt Kucinski

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 Remembers Sanford Leestma
Longtime Calvin computer science professor is remembered for his encouraging attitude and willing spirit.
November 30, 2017 | Lynn Rosendale

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

Calvin remembers John VandenBerg
John VandenBerg served at Calvin College for 35 years as an economics professor, dean of faculty and vice president of academic affairs.
November 28, 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 honors the legacy of Helen DeVos
Calvin College alumna Helen DeVos had a love for students and her multiple decades of support opened up opportunities for students to flourish on campus and abroad.
October 21, 2017 | Matt Kucinski

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

Prof assesses hurricane damage, develops design solutions
Calvin College professor Frederick Haan went to the Florida Keys to assess and record the damages of Hurricane Irma and develop solutions for the future.
October 18, 2017 | Hannah Ebeling

West of the Imagination
Thirty oil paintings conveying Professor Franklin Speyers' love of the West will be on display in the college's Center Art Gallery from October 26 to December 30.
October 06, 2017 | Jaquelyn Hubbard

Alvin Plantinga receives Templeton Prize at Field Museum
On Sunday, September 24, Alvin Plantinga ’54, the 2017 Templeton Prize laureate was formally honored at a celebration held at the Field Museum in Chicago.
September 28, 2017 | Matt Kucinski