12th President of Calvin University

Inauguration of Calvin’s 12th President
Dr. Wiebe Boer

Wednesday, October 26, 2022

Renewing Calvin’s Call to Global Good

President BoerOn October 26, 2022, President Wiebe Boer will be inducted into office during a formal inauguration ceremony. The event provides an official introduction of Wiebe and Joanna Boer and their family. During the ceremony, Dr. Boer will elaborate on his vision for Calvin to renew its call to global good. Leading up to the formal ceremony, the university will host a series of events highlighting a few key priorities of the new president, including sustainability and energy, diversity, and strategic partnerships and community engagement.

President Boer

Livestream

Watch the Inauguration Ceremony aired October 26, 2022 at 4:00 p.m. EST

Watch the Inauguration Ceremony

Schedule of Events

Events highlighting the new president’s initiatives and vision took place throughout the month of October.

September 30–October 1

Joust the Knight and runners are pumped for the Calvin 5k Run and Walk. Homecoming & Family Weekend
Check out highlights from a weekend of athletic events, humor, music, and regathering

MONDAY, OCTOBER 17

Community leaders.
Listening to Our Neighbors
Several leaders in Calvin’s local community called us to engage more fully and humbly with our neighbors.

Rev. Dr. Robert Chao Romero.
“Called from a Future Hope”: John’s Multiethnic Vision for Church and Educational Renewal
Rev. Dr. Robert Chao Romero, Professor of Chicana/o Studies and Asian American Studies, UCLA, and author of Brown Church delivered an evening lecture based in Revelation 21:26-27.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 21

Poster fair activities.
School of STEM Summer Research Poster Fair
Students presented summer research projects in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 22

Grand Rapids Major Bliss speaking to the audience.
Future Thriving: Sustainability at Calvin, in Grand Rapids, and in Our Watershed

Planting and laughing in the sunshine.
Hands-on Restoration Activity
Volunteers planted hundreds of native plants at three different sites in Calvin’s watershed.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25


Strategic Partnerships Plenary
This event has been cancelled.

Happy father and son team.
Pop-up Market
More than 20 local BIPOC-owned businesses (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) participated in a pop-up market on-campus! Check out these partners in working toward a flourishing and beautiful local community.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26

Pastor Mary leading worship.
Worship: God’s Invitation to Renewal
Calvin University Chapel


Campus Showcase & Activities
Throughout the day, guests had a glimpse of campus life at Calvin through student and faculty research presentations:


  • “Join our Journey”: Local and Global Partnerships within Calvin’s School of Health
    Presenters: Adejoke Ayoola, Kerrie Berends, Brian Kreisman, and Gail Zandee

  • The Knollcrest Campus at 50: A “Sound Environment, Physical as Well as Intellectual”
    Presenters: Craig Hanson, Brent Williams, and Natalie Sytsma

  • Luminous (Documentary Film screening with Q&A)
    Presenters: Larry Molnar and Sam Smartt
Guests also visited an Art Gallery installation by a Calvin alum (the largest piece of foil you’ll ever see), the Dice Mineralogical Museum for a special showcase of maroon and gold collections, the solar telescopes at the Calvin Observatory, and more.

Two smiling sharp dressed men.
Reception for Delegates and Esteemed Guests
Congratulating and celebrating with President Boer were family and friends from Calvin’s communities around the world.

President Boer addresses the crowd.
Inauguration Ceremony: Renewing Calvin’s Call to Global Good
Watch the recording of the Inauguration Ceremony honoring Calvin University’s 12th President, Dr. Wiebe Boer.
View recording
Download your Inauguration Program

President Boer speaking with students in the Commons Dining Hall.
Post Inauguration Ceremony Reception
Celebrations continued with global foods and fellowship at Knollcrest, Commons, Johnny’s, and Uppercrust.

A crowd of students holding up cell phone flashlights and cheering on the live band.
Inauguration Celebration Dance
At the conclusion of the day, students, Calvin staff, and campus guests joined the Boers for a dance party.

Travel to Calvin

Driving directions to Calvin University

Suite accommodations at the Prince Conference Center.

Lodging

Make lodging reservations at a local hotel.

Three students walk east down a campus pathway with the sun at their backs.

Campus Map

Explore Calvin’s beautiful campus and surroundings.

Students enjoying ice cream in EGR.

Grand Rapids, MI

Getting around Grand Rapids and things to see and do. Flying? Visit the Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR)

Questions?

With questions, please reach out to Julia VanderMolen at: inauguration@calvin.edu

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