Calvin News

It’s been ten years since Calvin University, Calvin Theological Seminary, and the Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC) took a chance on a first-of-a-kind program in the state of Michigan—the Calvin Prison Initiative (CPI). Through the program, each year a cohort of men begins their pursuit of a bachelor’s degree behind bars. The goal of the program, which is funded entirely by private donations, grants from the state of Michigan, and Pell funding, is to provide a transformative experience through education.

A decade in, the program has been a resounding success. And, as intended, the program isn't just changing prison culture inside the fences at Handlon Correctional Facility in Ionia, Michigan, it's having ripple effects throughout prisons statewide. In fact, there are now 12 higher education institutions in the state who are operating educational programs inside prison and graduates of the CPI program are now serving in five MDOC facilities. 

CPI grads are serving as peer mentors for mental health or substance abuse programs, providing tutoring for trades and postsecondary college and GED programs, and serving veterans and those in hospice care.

Regardless of where they are serving or what they are doing, the 87 men who have now graduated are clearly living lives of purpose and seeing how they can be Christ’s agents of renewal wherever they are—including behind prison walls.

The ten graduates from the Class of 2025, who receive their diplomas on Thursday, May 22, are ready to do the same and they reflect fondly on their formative five years in CPI:

Before I was accepted into the CPI program, I felt … 

Tommy Jones: Lost, aimless, without purpose, forgotten. 

C Jay Strausbaugh: Like I had lost my ability to serve and make a difference in society. 

Kenneth D. Coatsworth: I was just doing prison time.

Russell Smith: I was never a part of a community. 

Delphon Calhoun: Like I did not have a clue on what God was calling me to do in life. 

Kevin “Kidd” Moore: I wanted to better myself and that I needed to find some type of fulfillment. Being that I am serving a life sentence I wanted to find something that I could make my parents and myself proud of. 

Upon graduating from the CPI program, I feel … 

Tommy Jones: Hopeful, focused, strengthened, purposeful. 

C Jay Strausbaugh: Like I have been given a second chance to serve others in ways I couldn’t before CPI—I feel I can still make a difference. 

Kenneth D. Coatsworth: Accomplished and a renewed sense of purpose! 

Russell Smith: I am part of a community that will last the rest of my life. 

Delphon Calhoun: That I have the knowledge and tools to contribute something positive to this community that I currently live in. 

Kevin “Kidd” Moore: I have accomplished something that I never thought would be in my grasp. But now that I am a graduate, I feel like there is nothing that I cannot do or accomplish in life. Now I have to encourage more men to seek out their dreams. 

What’s your greatest takeaway from the past five years in CPI?

Aaron Rose: Learning to love people as they are, and I am still working on loving those who make it hard for me to do so. 

Edwin Meridy: Community. As a person who usually tends to do things by myself for the most part, the communal learning environment gave me a different perspective on learning and life.

Delphon Calhoun: I will always remember the great care and concern each and every professor and staff member displayed for each CPI student. This experience has been life changing for me and I am excited about what the future holds for me. 

Tommy Jones: CPI has prepared me to work hard to realize my dreams of helping others that need to find their glimmer of hope. CPI gave me my glimmer of hope and now it is my turn to give others their glimmer of hope. 

What has the CPI program prepared you for? 

Edwin Meridy: The world. Even though we live in a diverse environment, we do not always communicate with our neighbors. CPI has prepared me in ways where I will not only communicate with others but understand them as well. This being the case, it makes loving my neighbor a must. 

Kevin “Kidd” Moore: This program has prepared me to help those who are lost and trying to find their way, to continue to find ways to change the culture of prison, and to look for ways to build the community that God created us for. 

Wilbur Roseman-El: I believe I am ready to take on my role as a father, grandfather, uncle, and brother with a renewed focus on the value in which a “Calvin man” is held to the highest standard. 

Mario Collier: I am confident that any task or challenge awaiting or selected will be met with integrity and complete effort. 

What’s a favorite memory from your time in the CPI program? 

Tommy Jones: The many times we would laugh and share stories for all of the class. The veils would drop, and we would be our genuine authentic selves in a setting not typical to seeing the humanity in us. 

Edwin Meridy: Realizing that the fifth and sixth cohorts were singing a song together after over half of us had our minds made up to do no singing. This is what actually led me to the choir and finding my own voice in the process. 

Delphon Calhoun: My favorite memory from the CPI program is during the talent show when Dr. Cioffi and Professor Watson had their rap battle. 

Kenneth D. Coatsworth: When a bunch of us CPI students got together and pooled over $1,100 together to feed our unit of 240 people for Easter and Christmas in 2022. 

What are you hoping to do now that you have your bachelor’s degree? 

Edwin Meridy: Whatever the Lord sees fit. I am a people person who is willing to work with whomever. I have a passion for parenting, so implementing a parenting class is something I am hoping for. 

Wilbur Roseman: I pray I am a living example of what can happen when you are tired of working for the devil and ask God to take over your life and push the good you have in you. 

Kevin “Kidd” Moore: My hopes now that I have a bachelor’s degree is to help with the WayFinder program and come up with a program that is designed to help men STG’d to change their character, get off STG, get into a post-secondary program, and to change the culture of prison for the betterment of prison and the men in them. 

Aaron Rose: I am an artist and enjoy painting and drawing. I hope to use my talents to bless others and to share how creating art is a spiritual gift. I hope that I can use my gifts as therapy for those who want it. 

Mario Collier: I plan to apply for hospice and provide servant leadership and comfort for prisoners closing their door on life. 

Kenneth D. Coatsworth: I would like to go for my master’s degree next! 

Russell Smith: Continue on a path of service to others in prison and beyond. 

C Jay Strausbaugh: God brought me to CPI. I trust he will lead me where he wants me to go.