Spark

Meeting Higher Education's Crossroads With Courage and Purpose

“At Calvin, we are not standing still. We are proactively transforming to prepare students for a workplace and world increasingly influenced by artificial intelligence, while maintaining our strong liberal arts foundation.” 

— Greg Elzinga ’90

From The Director's Desk

Over the past seven months, I’ve visited 28 alumni communities to celebrate Calvin’s 150th anniversary with many of you. What a wonderful whirlwind of activity it has been. In all my travels, I have been blessed with stories about what it means to belong to the Calvin alumni network. As we wrap up the celebration year, I think it’s fitting to look toward Calvin’s future. This issue, I’ve invited President Greg Elzinga to the column to share some of his thoughts about the headwinds and opportunities on the road ahead. Despite challenges, I am certain of one thing: the mission and future of Calvin University belong to each one of us, and for that I am deeply grateful.

— Jeff Haverdink, ’97, executive director of alumni and family engagement

From The President's Desk

Higher education in the United States stands at a crossroads. National demographic shifts, declining birth rates, and changing perceptions about the value of a college degree have created unprecedented challenges. Between 2010 and 2021, undergraduate enrollment dropped by roughly 2.7 million, and the enrollment cliff is now a reality. Rising tuition, skepticism about return on investment, and the rapid integration of artificial intelligence into the workforce have intensified these pressures. 

Yet, amid these headwinds, I am deeply optimistic about Calvin University’s future. Disruption often sparks innovation—and for Christian higher education, this is a defining moment to reimagine and reaffirm our mission: educating and sending students to live, work, and serve as Christ’s agents of renewal in the world.

Families today are asking hard questions: Is college worth it? What is the lifetime value of a degree? While skepticism persists, research shows that the longterm return on investment for a liberal arts education remains strong. Liberal arts graduates experience rapid wage growth later in their careers and demonstrate adaptability across professions. 

But at Calvin, we believe the value of education extends far beyond earnings. The true worth lies in cultivating intellectual agility, ethical leadership, and 
resilience—qualities that matter more than ever in a world reshaped by technology and uncertainty. Christian universities, with their holistic approach, are uniquely positioned to deliver this value. 

At Calvin, we are not standing still. We are proactively transforming to prepare students for a workplace and world increasingly influenced by artificial intelligence, while maintaining our strong liberal arts foundation. Our academic programs align with workforce needs while preserving the distinctives that make a Calvin education transformative. 

Our vision emphasizes whole-person formation—integrating Christian faith and learning to develop graduates with the ethical, moral, and professional framework for lives of leadership and service. 

In a fragmented and uncertain culture, a Calvin education has always offered something rare: the formation of competent professionals and compassionate 
leaders, grounded in Christian faith and committed to service. 

As alumni, we have an opportunity to tell a compelling story: a Calvin education is not just about earning a degree—it’s about discovering a calling, cultivating wisdom, and contributing to the common good in every industry, civil service, classroom, or home. I hope that as you make your way through the pages of Spark and read stories of alumni transforming their square inch of God’s world, you’ll find cause to celebrate your own stories, too. 

— Greg Elzinga ’90, university president