Promising Futures

A Calvin education is the foundation for a successful life calling.

Through the development of essential character, knowledge and skills, Calvin helps students understand God's world, discover their unique gifts and excel in vocations of meaning and purpose.

• Calvin engineering majors routinely demonstrate excellence on national and state exams. In October 2003, 100 percent of Calvin engineering students (44 of 44) passed the exam given by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying, one of four steps required to become a licensed engineer. By May of 2007, 91 percent of those graduating from this program had received a job offer.
  
  
• Calvin's list of Distinguished Alumni contains world-class educators, scientists, politicians and artists — men and women from virtually every field of endeavor.
  
  
  • Sidney J. Jansma Jr. '65
    Mr. Jansma joined Wolverine Gas and Oil Corporation in 1966 and has been the CEO since 1978. In addition to directing the company's oil and gas exploration, he has served in leadership roles at the state and national level concerning energy issues, balancing advocacy for the industry with respect for God's creation. Jansma has faithfully used his business and leadership skills to support the work of his church, Christian schools and many other non-profit organizations. Spark profile.
    
    
  • Bastian Vanderzalm '69
    Mr. Vanderzalm has been involved in the relief of human suffering his entire career, serving as the executive director of the Salvation Army Harbor Light Center in Boston; the vice president for international ministries for World Relief; and, since 1997, the president of Medical Teams International. MTI’s disaster relief and long-term development volunteers are currently active in 27 countries; the organization also ships humanitarian aid to more than 70 countries each year. Spark profile.
    
    
• Education is a popular field of study at Calvin and continues to produce graduates like Sheri Watts who is making a difference in public and Christian schools around the world. Calvin also offers a Masters of Education degree.
  
  
• Three pioneering programs that enrich the educational futures of minority youth — the Entrada Scholars Program, Pathways to Possibilities and ¡Aspirando Alto! encourage the exploration of career and college opportunities for all levels of minority students.
  
  
• Calvin graduates define success not in terms of advanced degrees or job titles. Rather, they see these as means to bring shalom wherever God leads them.
  
  
• They met the weekend they all moved into third floor Bolt. After graduation, during graduate school, they took summer hiking and camping trips together and talked about what they wanted to do with their educations.
  
  
• In the fall of 1993, while she was walking from Calvin’s chapel to the Knollcrest apartments, Sheri Eastman Irish ’96 heard a message that would change her life—in basic, immediate ways and in ways she’s still discovering.