News about Rhetoric and Communication Grads

Nate Knapper (Rhetoric/Political Science '08) is currently studying law at Pepperdine University.  In 2006, he helped develop "Curriculum Beyond the Classroom," a program that links volunteers with professionals in Lansing. Last summer Nate was among 100 students chosen nationwide to serve as a White House intern. [10/27/08]

Andrea Hagerup (Rhetoric and Communication '05) is now in Louisville, KY working for Louisville Urban Corps. Originally founded by the Mennonite Church, the LUC mission is to "create work opportunities that support vocational exploration and practical faith formation in supportive community living." Her updates can be found on www.xanga.com/andicandy. [8/15/05]

Uche Ilobi (Rhetoric and Communication '05) has been accepted into the communication graduate program at Syracuse University, New York with a two-year assistantship beginning in the fall of 2006. She knows that Syracuse is the place to which God has called her and is looking forward to serving there and expanding her knowledge of the many aspects of communication. Go 'Cuse! [04/10/06]

Bethany Keeley (Rhetoric and Communication '05) completed her master's degree in speech communication at the University of Georgia in August 2007. She is now beginning work on her PhD in the same program. [The Calvin SPARK Winter 2007 P. 54]

Sara VanderHaagen (Philosophy/Communication Arts & Sciences '05) has been awarded a Harvey Fellowship from the Mustard Seed Foundation. Sara says, "Since the Calvin CAS program was so influential in my decision to pursue graduate work in rhetoric, I thought you might like to share in the good news. Besides being an encouragement of my vocational choices and scholarly work, this fellowship will provide an excellent opportunity for me to interact with other Christian graduate students at similar institutions." [03/15/07]

Beth Heinen Bell (Rhetoric and Communication/Journalism '03) former Editor in Chief of Chimes (2002-2003), now works as the education reporter for the Grand Haven Tribune, a daily newspaper in Grand Haven, Michigan. For further news on Beth's adventures check out the paper online at www.grandhaventribune.com [7/3/06]

Phil Christman (Rhetoric and Communication '01) finished his master's in English literature at Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He began creative writing studies at the University of South Carolina, Columbia this fall. [The Calvin SPARK Fall 2007 p. 55]

Caty Rozema (English/Communication A & S/Art '01) lives in a different country every month - 52 of them in the last four years. She works for Harris Corporation, training staff at U.S. Embassies and consulates around the world to use new hardware and software designed to improve their services, such as processing passports, for Americans abroad. Rozema believes her globe-hopping job is "something God's given me to open my eyes to where and how I might be be used in the next part of my life." [The Calvin SPARK Fall 2007 p. 59]

Karen VanValkenburg Campbell (Rhetoric and Communication '98) is publicity director for Zondervan in Grand Rapids, MI. [12/12/05]

Kirsten Kelly (Communication Arts & Sciences '95) reported that her collaborative work with Anne de Mare, Asparagus! (A Stalk-umentary), was selected as one of 75 films to premiere at the Full Frame Documentary Film Festival - the largest documentary film festival in the United States! In July, the film won Best Documentary at Rural Route Film Festival in New York City (http:www.ruralroutefilms.com) More about Kirsten Kelly and her film in Spark Online Edition or check out the Local Food Farm Film Fest coming to Grand Rapid's Wealthy Theatre at www.farmswithout harm.org. [9/13/06]

In other news, Kirsten Kelly's adaptation of Shakespeare's Midsummer Night's Dream was presented by the Oceana Summer Youth Theatre in August. After her documentary tour, she returned to Oceana County to provide artistic leadership and advanced training for the young actors in that program. [9/1/06]

Patty Tawadros (Art/Communication A & S/Business '95) launched IntegriDate, a Web site she describes as "the Consumer Reports of online dating profiles with an eBay model of feedback" in January of 2007. Besides feedback on dater profiles, IntegriDate offers dating advice and hosts a blogging community. [The Calvin SPARK Fall 2007 p. 57]

Kelly Planer (Communication Arts & Sciences '93) is working as Senior Producer for First Generation Visual Communication in Allentown, PA. Her responsibilities include writing, producing, and managing projects/events for Volvo, Mack Trucks, Olympus, and Crayola. She said she now knows more about diesel engines and EPA emissions standards than most people! [5/25/06]

Scott Stegenga (Math/Communication Arts & Sciences '93) has joined Yahoo! Search Marketing (formerly Overture) in Pasadena, CA as a technical account manager. The company is growing; those interested in employment opportunities with Yahoo! can go to http://careers.yahoo.com/. [10/27/05]

Kerry van der Griend (Communication A & S '91) was cast as one of four Neanderthal men in the December-released movie Night at the Museum. Though he still keeps his day job, this is not the only theatre work for the Vancouver-based van der Griend. He has appeared in The Chris Isaak Show, First Wave, The X-Files, and TV movies and commericals. Besides acting in local theatre he also directs plays for Pacific Theatre, a company established "to explore work having particular meaning...to Christians." [The Calvin SPARK Fall 2007 p. 55]

Steven Koster (Communication Arts & Sciences '89) has just graduated seminary after two decades in video, web, and software marketing. He is now the English Language Ministry Leader for the Back to God Hour and responsible for all English language programming in both North America and internationally. The BTGH also produces progamming in 8 other languages for world-wide distribution. For more information go to http://www.crcna.org/pages/2006jun22_koster.cfm . [7/31/06]

Rich Lodewyk (Communication A & S '88) graduated from North Dakota State University with a Masters Degree in Mass Communications in December 2007. He currently works as Sports Director/ Anchor at KXJB TV CBS in Fargo, North Dakota.[April 7, 2008]

Debra Marshall (Communication A & S/Business '85) has accepted the position of senior policy advisor for the minority staff of the U.S. House of Representatives Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming. [The Calvin SPARK Fall 2007 p. 50]

Nancy Bordewyk (Communication Arts & Sciences '73) has won the 2005 National Communication Association Marcella E. Oberle Award for Outstanding Teaching in Grades K-12. Current CAS department chair Helen Sterk nominated Nancy in recognition of her outstanding work at Grand Rapids Christian High School in drama and at the high school and state in forensics. [10/18/05]

Daniel Hoebeke (Communication A & S '72) is a tax lawyer and also the founder of Adopt-A-Chaplain. It all started when, at the request of a friend, he responded to an email from a chaplain in Afganistan who needed help with some spiritual struggles. With the help of his wife (Ellen Ackerman Hoebeke Communication A & S '73) and later his church, Dan's support of one chaplain has turned into a national network of churches supporting deployed chaplains and the troops in their care with prayer, letters of encouragement, and anything else that might help chaplains serve soldiers. [The Calvin SPARK Fall 2007 p. 51]

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