The organizers of the Class of ’64 reunion wanted the reunion weekend to be memorable long after the time together on the Calvin campus ended. That required purposeful planning—from the speakers chosen to the music to every element of the chapel service.
By all accounts, the planners succeed.
Under the title “A Firm Footing, A New Song,” the reunion included stories from class members Gordon and Cathy Nyenhuis Vander Brug, Ike Wassink and Alice Boelens Vander Velde. Each told of God’s faithfulness during good times and exceedingly trying times.
The songs chosen during the evening were carefully sequenced and led by the Calvin Institute of Faith and Worship director John Witvliet, Jr. ’90—whose father, John Sr., is a member of the Class of ’64.
The Saturday chapel service featured an address to the class from Ken Koeman titled “Let’s Stand to Sing…All the Way Home.” There were so many requests to get a copy of the talk that the alumni office simply sent it to all attending members—and to others who couldn’t attend, but heard about the meditation.
Koeman exhorted his fellow classmates to finish the race of faith strong, with a song in their hearts, remembering that God’s call to be agents of renewal for the Kingdom is lifelong.
“We not only enjoyed reconnecting with former classmates, but we found the weekend to be very spiritually enriching,” commented class members Phil and Jan Hunderman Quist.
In all, 256 persons attended the celebration, 174 of them class members—a response that ranks the class among the highest for all 50-year reunions at Calvin.
Calvin Wiegers, who was the ’64 class president, wrote a message to the graduating Class of 2014 that was printed in the Commencement program.
“Even now, 50 years later, I am grateful for the years I spent at Calvin,” Wiegers wrote. “I hope [this class] is as well. Back then, we didn’t quite understand that we were given the tools to make a difference in this world. But we were, and we have served and assisted others---in far-off lands…and in local efforts.”
Wiegers added, “May the Class of 2014 join us by also using the solid Christ-centered education Calvin College has provided. May [our two classes] give honor to God and to the college by staying true to the mission of our alma mater and living lives that bring Him glory.”
“The reunion was truly was a memorable experience, with richest blessings in so many ways,” concluded Betty Vander Haak Grit.
The Class of ’64 now joins the Heritage Class, which has an annual reunion on campus in June. The up-coming 50-year Class of ’65 will have its celebration on Calvin’s 2015 Commencement Weekend, May 22–23.
