President Elzinga receives words of charge and encouragement from Calvin Prison Initiative students ahead of formal inauguration
Greg Elzinga, president of Calvin University, receives words of charge and encouragement during his visit to the Handlon Correctional Facility on Thursday, January 16, 2025, during a ceremony honoring students who are receiving their associate's degrees.
On Friday, January 24, Greg Elzinga will be formally installed as Calvin’s 13th president during his inauguration ceremony on Calvin’s main campus in Grand Rapids, Michigan. While such a ceremony is quite common in higher education when a new president takes office, what happened a week prior is quite extraordinary. As part of the Convocation ceremony inside Handlon Correctional Facility, students representing the five current cohorts in the Calvin Prison Initiative program offered words of charge and encouragement to Elzinga ahead of his formal inauguration.
Class of 2029
Omar Warlick ’29: “President Elzinga, some might claim that your “call” to lead a Christian university represents a cross between preparing men and women for the Kingdom of God and also preparing them for secular careers. However, the Handlon community believes that the call of God does not separate the Kingdom of God from the so-called secular. We believe the Kingdom of God calls our lives to take on many forms, whether it’s in one’s career, family, friendships, society, or anything that comes along with it. And for others, it means coming to Handlon as faculty, staff, supporters, and indeed our friends. And so today, we strive with you as representatives of God’s image bearers to show others that the Kingdom of God is upon us.”
Class of 2028
Onyema Simmons ’28: “President Elzinga, if the Kingdom of God is upon us, then we are standing on holy ground. I want you to know that we stand with you, and with your family. We will be at your side in prayer and in words of encouragement, in good times and in challenging times. And we ask you to stand with us. Pray for us. Encourage us. Pray for the officers, the staff, and the administration here at Handlon. From now on, President Elzinga, we stand together.”
Class of 2027
Randy Prater ’27: “President Elzinga, we here recognize you as a servant leader. You didn’t seek to become the president of Calvin University, but you faithfully said “yes” when asked. You understand the importance of recognizing when you are being called. We too seek to be servant leaders. And we ask that you continue to model what is important for us to be as a servant: having deep faith, having a gentle spirit, and also having a robust commitment to see everyone around us flourish. Together, we strive to be moral and spiritual leaders in everything that we say and in everything that we do.”
Class of 2026
Dashea Green ’26: “It’s a pleasure and honor to be able to meet you today. I want to remind us, indeed I want to remind you, President Elzinga, that we toil not in vain, but are called to labor in love. As you lead Calvin University, see your work as an act of love: love the students, the faculty, the administrators, and the staff. Love the Handlon campus: the students, the faculty, the staff, the officers, and the administration. Together in love, we will learn to think deeply about our lives and the world, seek to act justly in all things, and live wholeheartedly as Christ has called us.”
Class of 2025
Aaron Rose ’25: “I want to leave you with this, President Elzinga. As God is a community of three persons - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit - we too are a community of learners, of servants, and of witnesses to the world. Help us to live lives that witness to the community of love, grace, and mercy that is the triune God. Challenge us, cheer for us, and pray for us, as we do the same for you and your family. Together, President Elzinga, we are a community created by God, called by God, and sent by God.”
President Elzinga Responds
Greg Elzinga: “I can’t begin to say how grateful I am for those words of encouragement and for the opportunity to be with you today. Every time I come here it is one of the most inspiring parts of my experience. [This was true] before I was president, and even more so now as president of Calvin University. Calvin’s story is what’s happening here, day in and day out. Many of our faculty and staff have heard me say a number of times, ‘I believe our world needs more Calvin alumni.’ And every time I come here and interact with you and have conversations, I am convinced more than ever before that our world needs more men and women that are educated and equipped to live, work, and serve as Christ’s agents of renewal the way you are demonstrating that day in and day out here at Handlon. So, thank you very much for that.”