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Graduating from shame to honor
In 1994, Ming Ho made a fatal mistake that brought shame to his family and sent him to prison. Nearly three decades later, his mom and sister witnessed him becoming the first in his family to graduate from college. May 13,2023 -
Calvin University 2023 grads reflect on earning bachelor's degree behind bars
Graduates from the Class of 2023 reflect on their experience earning a bachelor's degree from Calvin University behind bars. They talk about how the program shaped them and what they hope to do with their degree. May 10,2023 -
Calvin University Celebrates First Wire-to-Wire Graduating Class
On Saturday, April 29, 2023, more than 800 students will graduate from Calvin University. In doing so, they become the first class to both begin and end their journey at the institution under its current name. April 26,2023 -
Going Beyond the confines to discover community
Ken and James came into prison at the same time and shared a cell in county jail. Over the past decade, their journeys inside prison took very different paths, but God brought them back together through the Calvin Prison Initiative program. Now, they're creating a community unheard of inside prison walls. April 6,2023 -
Equipped with the Tools to Build Behind Bars
In the Fall of 1987, Waddell Fisher in utter despair cried out to the Lord after he took a life. For the next 36 years God has used people and programs to equip Fisher with the tools to work for renewal behind bars. January 31,2023 -
Calvin University student awarded prestigious Hatfield Prize
Calvin senior Emily Steen is one of three students in the country to be awarded The Hatfield Prize by the Center for Public Justice. January 19,2023 -
Calvin University holds presidential inauguration behind bars
On Friday, January 13, 2023, Calvin University held a presidential inauguration behind bars. The event is believed to be the first of its kind to be held in an active prison. January 18,2023 -
Calvin in 2022: A Year in Review
From a presidential transition to the first-ever graduation ceremony behind bars to adding new sports, spaces, and academic programming, there was no shortage of exciting happenings at Calvin in 2022. December 31,2022 -
A broken door leads to a new identity
Curtis Frye earned his bachelor's degree behind bars through the Calvin Prison Initiative. But it literally took a broken door decades earlier to set him on a path that led to his degree and more importantly a new identity. November 23,2022 -
Calvin University President Wiebe Boer delivers Inaugural Address
On Wednesday, October 26, 2022, more than 2,000 people gathered in Van Noord Arena for the inauguration of Calvin’s 12th president Dr. Wiebe Boer. He delivered an inaugural address titled: "The Greatest Generation is Now." October 27,2022 -
Calvin University to inaugurate Wiebe Boer as 12th president
The formal inauguration ceremony for Dr. Wiebe K. Boer will take place at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, October 26, 2022, in Calvin’s Van Noord Arena. October 5,2022 -
12 Discoveries President Boer Made in First 100 Days
Upon arriving at Calvin University in late June 2022, President Boer has been learning about the campus and the community. Here are 12 discoveries he's made as he's become reacquainted with his alma mater. October 3,2022 -
Discovering identity through community
Tim Baker is serving a life sentence for decisions he made to try and fit in. Now 20-plus years later through the Calvin Prison Initiative program, he's found the freedom to be himself and is accepted for who he is. September 11,2022 -
Calvin Prison Initiative seen as national model for prison education
In late August, leaders of the U.S. Department of Education visited the Calvin Prison Initiative. Four hours later, they left inspired not just by stories of transformation, but by the strategic, thoughtful collaboration that is making CPI a national model to follow for prison education. September 1,2022 -
U.S. Department of Education leaders to visit Calvin Prison Initiative program
On August 30, James Kvaal, Under Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education, is coming to west Michigan to see how Second Chance Pell grants have impacted the Calvin Prison Initiative program. This is Kvaal's first prison first as Under Secretary. August 26,2022 -
Calvin welcomes more than 1,000 incoming students and most diverse class in university history
This fall, more than 1,000 incoming students begin their pursuit of an undergraduate or graduate degree at Calvin University. The entering class shows academic strength and is record-setting in terms of ethnic and geographic diversity. August 23,2022 -
Calvin University Builds Momentum
Since Calvin changed its last name from "college" to "university" in 2019, the institution has established two new schools, added six graduate programs, set fundraising records, and become the first university in MIchigan to award bachelor's degrees behind bars. July 22,2022 -
Calvin Remembers James Martrice Brown
A week after receiving his bachelor's degree inside Handlon Correctional Facility, James Martrice Brown suffered a stroke and died three days later. He's remembered by his classmates and professors as someone who was always looking out for others. June 3,2022 -
Walking into a new identity
On Monday, May 9, 2022, Calvin University awarded degrees to 76 inmates in a grand celebration in Ionia, Michigan. It marked the first time in the state of Michigan that bachelor's degrees were awarded behind bars. May 10,2022 -
Calvin University holds graduation ceremony behind bars
On Monday, May 9, 2022, 45 inmates will receive a bachelor's degree from Calvin University as part of a formal Commencement ceremony held inside Handlon Correctional Facility. This marks a first for the state of Michigan. May 4,2022
