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Academic Awards

Each year, we recognize the many ways our faculty have contributed to education at Calvin University through outstanding teaching, scholarship and service.

Faculty responsibilities are multi-faceted. The following targeted awards have been established to allow the university to recognize the variety of contributions faculty make to Calvin University.

Nominate a faculty member

Awards listed below are either given annually or rotate between odd and even years.

Teaching Awards

2024 Winner

Congratulations to David Smith, Education , Presidential Award for Exemplary Teaching.

The Award

The award is funded from an endowment established in memory of George B. and Margaret K. Tinholt. The cash gift is to be used for educational opportunities and experiences that will enrich the recipient’s career through professional and personal development. The recipient will be announced at the faculty award dinner in May.

Purpose of the Award

The Presidential Award for Exemplary Teaching is testimony to the fact that the heart of a Christian liberal arts university is the teaching by its faculty, who embody the goals of forming the Christian mind and shaping students’ lives. This award recognizes exemplary teachers and advances outstanding teaching at Calvin University.

Eligibility

Every regular faculty member who has been awarded tenure or a five-year renewable-term appointment is eligible for this award. Previous recipients may be nominated again for this award after four years.

Selection Criteria

Award recipients not only have exceptional teaching skills; they also consistently influence the lives and careers of Calvin University students in lifelong Christian ways. Award recipients will be selected based on the following criteria:

  • Evidence of a long-term commitment to effective undergraduate teaching.
  • Demonstrated exceptional teaching skills which are evidenced in the testimony and lives of both current and former students.
  • Diverse interests and abilities.
  • Recognition as a competent scholar.
  • Service to the university, the church, the profession, or the community.
  • Above all, service to students as counselor, mentor, and role model, expressing interest in and making lasting impacts on students’ Christian faith, thought, and character.

Selection Process

The deans present initial nominations to the provost. Together the deans and provost determine which nominations to move forward. The deans then work with only the nominees’ department chairs and Provost’s Office staff to build confidential nomination dossiers.

The dossiers are presented to the Professional Status Committee, which makes a recommendation to the president, who selects the award recipient. The dean and chair solicit comments from colleagues, alumni, and current students to supplement the above materials and to be used for the award presentation process.

The award is announced at the spring faculty tributes and awards dinner.

The silver medallion which accompanies the Presidential Award for Exemplary Teaching has the Calvin heart-in-hand logo in the center, surrounded by symbols of the three offices--prophet, priest, and king—to which Christ and all believers have been called. All believers share in Christ's annointing. as prophets, we confess his name; as priests, we present ourselves as living sacrifices of praise; as kings, we battle against sin and the devil in this life, and reign with Christ over all creation for eternity. In the work and life of an exemplary teacher, we see these offices faithfully fulfilled.

About the Medallion

The silver medallion which accompanies the Presidential Award for Exemplary Teaching has the Calvin heart-in-hand logo in the center, surrounded by symbols of the three offices--prophet, priest, and king—to which Christ and all believers have been called. All believers share in Christ's annointing. as prophets, we confess his name; as priests, we present ourselves as living sacrifices of praise; as kings, we battle against sin and the devil in this life, and reign with Christ over all creation for eternity. In the work and life of an exemplary teacher, we see these offices faithfully fulfilled.

A triangle medal on a ribbon, with an engraved crown, staff, and snake, surrounding the heart and hand symbol

The crown symbolizes the office of king. Exemplary teaching means that we proclaim the lordship of Christ in our lives, in our classrooms, and in the entire cosmos.

Aaron's staff, in full blossom, represents the office of priest. Aaron was chosen by God to be his priest, and exemplary teaching demands that we show our students what it means to give God our lives in joyful sacrifice to him.

The snake lifted up in the wilderness symbolizes the office of prophet. As prophets, we lift up the name of the Lord and we testify to the good news of salvation in Christ. Exemplary teaching requires that God's glory and grace shine in all that we do and say.

The combined image of the Calvin logo ringed by the symbols of these offices represents the integration of faith and learning that characterizes exemplary teaching at Calvin University.

The tri-colored ribbon from which the medallion will hang also reflects the triple office of the believer: purple for the royalty of Christ, red for the high priest who became the ultimate atonement for sin, and blue for the voice of the prophet who declares shalom and justice by confessing the name of the Lord.

The Medallion was designed by Carl Huisman, Professor of Art (emeritus) at Calvin University, February 1996.

Past Recipients

2025 Recipients

Congratulations to Erica Boldenow (Biology, Public Health), Dani McBride (Public Health), and Doug Vander Griend (Chemistry & Biochemistry), the recipients of the 2025 FEN Award for Excellence in Teaching!

Purpose of the Award

The From Every Nation for Excellence in Scholarship recognizes innovative scholarly and creative work of Calvin University faculty that advances understanding of the various themes of FEN.

Eligibility

Any full-time or reduced-load member of the teaching faculty may be nominated for this award. Individuals may receive the award only once.

Selection Criteria

Award recipients have developed or utilized creative, original, effective teaching reflecting at least one of the themes of the FEN initiative: racial diversity, anti-racism, racial reconciliation and restoration, and multicultural citizenship. Award recipients will be selected based on the following criteria:

  • Demonstrated commitment and innovative approaches to teaching the goals of FEN.
  • Original contribution(s) to assessing student learning outcomes in these areas.
  • Innovative pedagogy that is creative, facilitates student learning, honors the goals of FEN, and addresses current practices, trends, and issues.
  • Sustained impact on teaching and on improving instruction and curriculum around the goals of FEN. Such impact may be demonstrated through adopting and disseminating effective teaching practices, developing special projects and curricula, and sharing teaching expertise with others.

Selection Process

The Academic Council will solicit nominations. All members of the university community, including students, are invited to submit a half- to full-page letter indicating how the nominee’s involvement in classroom or campus activities have incorporated FEN objectives, and self-nominations are welcome; all correspondence must include the nominator’s contact information. Information from the nominee’s faculty activities report may be consulted by the Multicultural Affairs Committee, which will select the award winner.

Past Recipients

2024 Recipient

Congratulations to John Wertz and Randall DeJong, jointly (Biology), the recipients of the Innovative Teaching Award!

Purpose of the Award

Education research over the past few decades has provided deeper insights into the nature and modes of student learning. The Innovative Teaching Award recognizes and encourages faculty members who have contributed significant, creative teaching innovations and strategies that promote effective and deeper learning.

Eligibility

Any full-time or reduced-load member of the teaching faculty may be nominated for this award.

Selection Criteria

In a community of learning, good teachers often learn from other teachers—from teaching mentors and from fellow teachers who reflect on and continually seek teaching strategies that promote deeper and more engaged learning. Award recipients will be selected based on the following criteria:

  • Demonstrated commitment to teaching students effectively.
  • Development of one or more effective, innovative teaching strategies that promote learning.
  • Exceptional teaching skills that are evidenced in the testimony and lives of both current and former students.

Process for Selection

The provost will solicit letters of nomination from individuals, department chairs, and the faculty fellows. The academic deans will review faculty activities reports and state of the department reports and, based on their review, may make their own nominations. In consultation together and with the provost, the academic deans will decide on up to three nominees to present to the Professional Status Committee. There is no restriction regarding how many nominees may come from a single department or division. The Professional Status Committee will select the award recipient.

Past Recipients

2025 Recipient

Congratulations to Gail Zandee (Nursing), the recipient of the 2025 Community-Based Teaching Award!

Purpose of the Award

This award recognizes educators who challenge students to work for the good of their local community while preparing for lives of compassionate service.

Eligibility

Any full-time or reduced-load member of the teaching faculty may be nominated for this award.

Selection Criteria

Calvin University is embedded in a community with particular issues, strengths, and needs, and the particularities of our place create the context from which engaged learning grows. Ernest Boyer, former president of the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, wrote, “The academy must become a more vigorous partner in the search for answers to our most pressing social, civic, economic, and moral problems.” As outlined in the Calvin University Strategic Plan, the university seeks to foster academic work that serves the church and seeks to partner with local city groups, agencies, and businesses for learning and service. Award recipients will be selected based on the following criteria:

  • Innovative pedagogy and/or research methodologies that address a pressing contemporary issue.
  • Demonstrated commitment to building sustained, mutually beneficial partnership.
  • Exceptional impact on students which is evidenced in the testimony and lives of current and former students.
  • Significant contribution to the well-being of the community which is evidenced in the testimony of community partners.
  • Service to the university, the church, the profession, or the community.

Selection Process

The provost will solicit letters of nomination from students, individual faculty members, department chairs, the Office of Community Engagement, and the Service-Learning Center. The academic deans will review faculty activities reports and state of the department reports and, based on their review, may make their own nominations. In consultation together and with the provost, the academic deans will decide on up to three nominees to present to the Professional Status Committee. There is no restriction regarding how many nominees may come from a single department or division. The Professional Status Committee will select the award recipient.

Past Recipients

2024 Recipients

Congratulations to Kristen DeBoer (nursing) and Eric Walstra (engineering), the recipient of the Teaching Excellence for Affiliated and Adjunct Faculty Award!

Purpose of the Award

The Teaching Excellence Award recognizes excellent teaching of students and faithful service to an academic department. The award also acknowledges the significant role of affiliated and adjunct faculty in advancing the mission of Calvin University.

Eligibility

Any affiliated or adjunct faculty who have been connected to a department for at least five years may be nominated for this award. It is not necessary for a nominee to have taught every semester without interruption.

Selection Criteria

Award recipients will be selected based on the following criteria:

  • Demonstrated commitment to teaching students effectively
  • Expressed interest in and impact on student faith, thought, and character
  • Indispensable to overall department functioning

Selection Process

The provost will solicit letters of nomination from academic departments. Nominations will provide evidence related to the criteria noted above. In consultation together and with the provost, the academic deans will decide on up to three nominees to present to the Professional Status Committee. There is no restriction regarding how many nominees may come from a single department or division. The Professional Status Committee will select the award recipient.

Past Recipients

2025 Recipient

Congratulations to Beth Oommen (Speech Pathology and Audiology), the recipient of the award for Excellence in Graduate Teaching.

Purpose of the Award

The Award for Excellence in Graduate Teaching celebrates graduate instruction, recognizing the opportunities and challenges of developing and delivering substantive graduate courses for adult learners.

Eligibility

All faculty members teaching graduate courses are eligible for this award, including those who are tenured, professor of practice, lecturer, or adjunct status. Previous recipients may be considered for this award after four years.

Selection Criteria

Award recipients will be selected based on the following criteria. Teaching evaluations, Moodle reviews, class visits, and peer nominations serve as the artifacts for determining fulfilment of the criteria.

  • Creative and engaging courses.
  • Exceptional teaching practices for adult learners.
  • Positive impact on students’ Christian faith and character.
  • Effective methods for engaging, advising, and mentoring graduate students.
  • Awareness of professional trends and challenges in today’s related workforce.
  • Exceptional use of the Learning Management System (Moodle).

Selection Process

The provost will solicit nominations from faculty, department chairs, and program directors; in the event that there are multiple nominees from the same program/department, the associated chairs and program directors will select one nominee to put forward. The dean of graduate studies and the school deans will review course evaluations and will consult with the teaching and learning team, and based on this information, may make their own nominations. The dean for graduate studies will take the lead in considering the nominations and, in consultation with the provost and other deans, will decide on up to three nominees to present to the Professional Status Committee. The Professional Status Committee will select the award recipient. The award is announced at the spring tributes and awards dinner.

Scholarship Awards

2025 Recipient

Congratulations to Todd Kapitula Mathematics & Statistics , the recipient of the 2025 Provost’s Award for Enduring Scholarly Contribution 

Purpose of the Award

The Provost’s Award for Enduring Scholarly Contribution acknowledges the body of a lifetime of scholarly work, with all forms of scholarship and creative work considered.

Eligibility

Any full-time or reduced-load member of the teaching faculty may be nominated for this award. Post-tenure, late career faculty will receive primary consideration.

Selection Criteria

Award recipients will be selected based the following criteria:

  • Sustained production of scholarship over the duration of a career
  • Scholarship that is beneficial to the Church, the guild, culture, society, or creation
  • Scholarship recognized by global experts as exemplary and for its enduring impact and significance

Selection Process

The provost will solicit nominations from faculty and department chairs. The academic deans and the dean for research and scholarship will also review faculty activities reports and state of the department reports and, based on their review, may make their own nominations. The dean for research and scholarship will take the lead in considering the nominations and, in consultation with the provost, will decide on up to three nominees to present to the Professional Status Committee. There is no restriction regarding how many nominees may come from a single department or division. The Professional Status Committee will select the award recipient.

 

Past Recipients

2024 Recipient

Congratulations to Mark Mulder (sociology and social work), the recipient of the 2024 FEN Award for Excellence in Scholarship!

Purpose of the Award

The FEN Award for Excellence in Scholarship recognizes scholarly and creative work that advances understanding of ideals and aspirations of the From Every Nation document.

Eligibility

Any full-time or reduced-load member of the teaching faculty may be nominated for this award.

Selection Criteria

This award values scholarship and creative work that meets the following criteria:

  • Increases and advances the understanding of FEN-related realities
  • Implements research-based practices to advance FEN-related goals
  • Engages public audiences to address FEN-related challenges

Selection Process

The provost will solicit nomination from faculty and department chairs. In consultation with the provost, the associate dean for diversity, equity, and inclusion, and the chief diversity officer, the academic deans will decide on up to three nominees to present to the Professional Status Committee. There is no restriction regarding how many nominees may come from a single department or division. The Professional Status Committee will select the award recipient.

2025 Recipient

Congratulations to Paul Moes (Psychology), the recipient of the 2025 Faith-Animated Scholarship Award!

Purpose of the Award

The Faith-Animated Scholarship Award acknowledges faculty scholarship that demonstrates the integration of Reformed Christian perspectives and principles with a field or discipline, or a combination thereof.

Eligibility

Any full-time or reduced-load member of the teaching faculty may be nominated for this award.

Selection Criteria

Award recipients will be selected based the following criteria:

  • This award values scholarship that considers the intersections of Reformed Christian perspectives and principles with the assumptions, methods, subject matter, and implementation of single or multiple fields of study or practice.
  • Of particular value is the theological rigor, sophistication, depth of the scholarly articulation, and presentation in ways that are clear, compelling and winsome.

Selection Process

The provost will solicit nominations from faculty and department chairs. The dean for research and scholarship will take the lead in considering the nominations and, in consultation with the provost, will decide on up to three nominees to present to the Professional Status Committee. There is no restriction regarding how many nominees may come from a single department or division. The Professional Status Committee will select the award recipient.

Past Recipients

2025 Recipient

Congratulations to Jim Timmer (Athletics), the recipient of the 2025 Excellence in Scholarship Award – mid-career!

Purpose of the Award

The Excellence in Scholarship – Mid-Career award acknowledges the scholarly accomplishment of a faculty member following tenure (and up to around the mid-point of their career), with all forms of scholarship and creative work considered.

Eligibility

Any post-tenure, mid-career, full-time or reduced-load member of the teaching faculty may be nominated for this award.

Selection Criteria

Award recipients will be selected based the following criteria:

  • Consistent production of scholarship during career
  • Scholarship that is beneficial to the Church, the guild, culture, society, or creation
  • Scholarship that is significant/impactful (beyond the department’s expectations for promotion and in accordance with normative metrics of a discipline or practice)

Selection Process

The provost will solicit nominations from faculty and department chairs. The academic deans and the dean for research and scholarship will also review faculty activities reports and state of the department reports and, based on their review, may make their own nominations. The dean for research and scholarship will take the lead in considering the nominations and, in consultation with the provost, will decide on up to three nominees to present to the Professional Status Committee. There is no restriction regarding how many nominees may come from a single department or division. The Professional Status Committee will select the award recipient.

 

Past Recipients

2025 Recipient

Congratulations to Laura Westrate (Chemistry & Biochemistry), the recipient of the 2025 Excellence in Scholarship Award – early career!

Purpose of the Award

The Excellence in Scholarship – Early Career award acknowledges the scholarly accomplishment of a faculty member before tenure is awarded, with all forms of scholarship and creative work considered.

Eligibility

Any pre-tenure, full-time or reduced-load member of the teaching faculty may be nominated for this award.

Selection Criteria

Award recipients will be selected based the following criteria:

  • Noteworthy production of scholarship during period prior to tenure.
  • Scholarship that is beneficial to the Church, the guild, culture, society, or creation
  • Scholarship that is significant/impactful (beyond the department’s expectations for tenure and in accordance with the normative metrics of a discipline or practice)

Selection Process

The provost will solicit nominations from faculty and department chairs. The academic deans and the dean for research and scholarship will also review faculty activities reports and state of the department reports and, based on their review, may make their own nominations. The dean for research and scholarship will take the lead in considering the nominations and, in consultation with the provost, will decide on up to three nominees to present to the Professional Status Committee. There is no restriction regarding how many nominees may come from a single department or division. The Professional Status Committee will select the award recipient.

Past Recipient

2024 Recipient

Congratulations to Keith Grasman (Biology), the recipient of the 2024 Student-Faculty Research Award! 

Purpose of the Award

This award recognizes a Calvin faculty member with an outstanding record of working with student collaborators in his or her professional research and scholarship.

Eligibility

Any full-time or reduced-load member of the teaching faculty may be nominated for this award.

Selection Criteria

The recipients of this award will be Calvin faculty who have maintained exemplary programs of professional research and scholarship, provided opportunities for students to participate as collaborators in these programs, and mentored students seeking skills and understanding in specialized fields of study.

Nominations for this award will be sought from all divisions of the Academic Affairs Division of the college. Preference will be given to nominees whose collaborative research has led to publication and/or presentation of research results naming a student or students as co-author(s) or co-investigator(s). Award recipients will be selected based on the following criteria:

  • Regular oversight of students involved in research.
  • Joint publications with students.
  • Helping students to prepare presentations for disciplinary conferences.
  • Applications for and receipt of grants that support student researchers.
  • Inspiring students to go on to research careers.

Selection Process

From September through October, the provost will solicit letters of nomination from students, individual faculty, and department chairs. The academic deans and the dean for research and scholarship will also review faculty activities reports and state of the department reports and, based on their review, may make their own nominations. The dean for research and scholarship will take the lead in considering the nominations and, in consultation with the provost, will decide on up to three nominees to present to the Professional Status Committee. There is no restriction regarding how many nominees may come from a single department or division. The Professional Status Committee will select the award recipient by December 1.

Past Recipients

Service Awards

2025 Recipient

Congratulations to Jim Timmer (Athletics), the recipients of the Exceptional Service Award!

 

Purpose of the Award

The Exceptional Service Award recognizes exceptional service that has made significant contributions to the flourishing of Calvin University.

Eligibility

Any faculty member, administrator with faculty status, or adjunct instructor may be nominated for this award.

Selection Criteria

Award recipients will be selected based on one or more of the following criteria:

  • Exceptional service over the past year(s)
  • Remarkable contribution to the flourishing of Calvin University
  • Extraordinary impact in unusual circumstances

Selection Process

The provost will solicit nominations from faculty, department chairs, and supervisors. Nominations will provide evidence related to the criteria noted above. In consultation together and with the provost, the academic deans will decide on up to three nominees to present to the Professional Status Committee. There is no restriction regarding how many nominees may come from a single department or division. The Professional Status Committee will select the award recipient.

Past Recipients

2025 Recipient

Congratulations to Philip Johnson (Business), the recipients of the 2025 Advising and Mentoring Award!

Purpose of the Award

The Advising and Mentoring Award recognizes and affirms the significant role of faculty advising and mentoring in forming the minds and shaping the lives of students. While all faculty members are expected to advise and mentor students in an effective and informed manner, this award recognizes those individuals whose efforts extend well beyond such expectations.

Eligibility

Any full-time or reduced-load member of the teaching faculty may be nominated for this award. It is expected that recipients of this award will have advised a significant number of students over the course of several years; however, there is no established minimum requirement in this regard.

Selection Criteria

Award recipients exhibit an excellence in developing and sustaining mentoring relationships with students. Award recipients will be selected based on the following criteria:

  • A strong commitment to student success through availability to advisees.
  • Commitment to guiding students in both academic and career paths.
  • Demonstrated willingness to extend academic learning beyond the classroom.
  • Commitment to helping students discern vocational goals.
  • Evidence of a formative influence in students’ post-Calvin lives.

Selection Process

From September through October, the provost will solicit letters of nomination from students, individual faculty members, department chairs, and the coordinator of academic advising. The academic deans will review faculty activities reports and state of the department reports and, based on their review, may make their own nominations. Nominations will consist of a one-page description of the nominee’s academic advising services, activities, and interactions, as distinct from the nominee’s teaching responsibilities. The letter may also include any special activities that relate to student development. In consultation together and with the provost, the academic deans will decide on up to three nominees to present to the Professional Status Committee. There is no restriction regarding how many nominees may come from a single department or division. The Professional Status Committee will select the award recipient by December 1.

Past Recipients

2023 Recipients

Congratulations to Michelle Loyd-Paige and Pennylyn Dykstra-Pruim, the recipients of the Collaborative Change Faculty Award!

Purpose of the Award

The Teamwork Award recognizes the positive effects that teams of colleagues can have on shaping the professional, academic culture of Calvin University. Many of ways in which faculty teach, conduct research, offer service, practice collegiality, mentor students and colleagues, and so on, have their origins in the work of small groups of people who developed a vision and dedicated themselves to implementing that vision.

Eligibility

This award is open to groups comprised of university faculty or staff or both. The groups may have been formally established and given a clear mandate or informally gathered around a common interest. Examples include a committee (standing or ad hoc), a reading group, leaders of a summer seminar, etc. This is not necessarily an annual award.

Selection Criteria

Award recipients will have initiated and given traction to some idea that resulted in changes and improvements that eventually became part of the university culture and landscape. The award will be based on the following criteria:

  • The group will be found to have effected clear and lasting change in the professional practices of Calvin University faculty and staff.
  • The group members will have devoted at least a full year to working together to develop concepts and plans and to implement change.

Although preference is given to cross-disciplinary changes, major changes that take place within a department will also be considered.

Process for Selection

The dean for institutional effectiveness will take the lead in soliciting possible nominations from all members of the Academic Council. In looking for appropriate nominations, council members will look for noteworthy changes that have been in effect for a number of years, changes that can be traced back to a group of people. In consultation with the provost and the Academic Council, the dean for institutional effectiveness will present a slate of up to three groups of colleagues who might merit the award to the Professional Status Committee. The Professional Status Committee will select the award winners by December 1.

Past Recipients

2021
  • Cheryl Brandsen (sociology, provost)
2019
  • Todd Dornbos (provost’s office)
  • Christina Edmondson (intercultural student development)
  • Lauren Jensen (enrollment)
  • Tom Steenwyk (center for student success)
  • John Walcott (education)
  • Paul Witte (financial aid)
2015
2012

 


 

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