Dave Boven 
Since graduating from Calvin in 2004, I have been able to use my history degree to go all over the world. Immediately after leaving Calvin, my wife and I moved to New York to work as teachers. After only a year there, we moved to Black Forest Academy in southern Germany. Again, I was working as a teacher. From there, we moved to the south side of Chicago where I worked at a large public high school in the inner-city. Only two years after starting there, God called us to another international school. This time, we moved to Woodstock School in northern India. I am now teaching middle school social studies in an amazing setting at the foot of the Himalayas. My education from the history department at Calvin prepared me for these diverse assignments. The critical thinking skills that I developed in the Calvin curriculum have helped me to effectively teach students of different races, cultures, and socio-economic classes.
Why did you choose to major in History at Calvin?
I chose to major in history because I thought it would be the best path to learning everything that has ever happened in the world. I tell my students often that history is the most important subject that they will learn. All of those scientific and mathematical discoveries are a part of history, as are all of those brilliant English literature pieces. The history department at Calvin taught me to think critically and that is a skill that I try to pass on to my students.
How did your time at Calvin prepare you for what you are doing now?
My Calvin history education taught me to think critically. As a social studies teacher at the secondary level, it is tempting to have students memorize the important names and dates of the past. In my classes, though, the goal is to get students to think about the past for themselves. This is something that I owe to my professors at Calvin.
What are some of your memories of the Calvin History Department?
I remember taking several Latin American history courses with Dan Miller. Not only did I learn a lot about an important part of the world, but the classes also inspired me to start a Latin American history class at one of the schools where I’ve been teaching. I also remember some interesting medieval activities with Frans van Liere.
Do you have any advice for current students or those thinking of majoring in History at Calvin?
History is the best and everyone should major in it!
