2004-2005 McGregor Sophomore Scholars

McGregor Sophomore Scholars Events:

Student Biographies:

Christopher Beaumont is from Troy, MI, and is a major in Physics with minors in Mathematics and Astronomy. He helps to facilitate cultural discernment events in his dorm (BV) and works in the Calvin Observatory, assisting astronomy students and making his own observations -- currently of a crater on the moon that coincidentally shares his last name. After graduation Chris hopes to enter graduate school in astronomy and pursue a career in research. Two of his most exciting experiences last summer were his struggle to climb Mt. Rainier (part-way) and building a raft in which he and a friend rowed across a Michigan lake and back.

Laurie Bos is from Grand Rapids, MI, and is majoring in Music. She is currently involved in playing the double bass in the orchestra, tutoring in Spanish, running, skiing, and spending time with friends. After she graduates she hopes to work in a field involving music or Spanish. One of her most exciting experiences was traveling to the Netherlands this summer.

Brittani Campbell is from Mt. Prospect, Illinois. She is majoring in Business and is also involved in intramural sports. She enjoys watching the Chicago Cubs, reading and “solving the world's problems one day at a time.” She may go on to law school, but would also like to work in Chicago or in a Spanish speaking country. Her most significant experiences were being baptized this past summer with family and friends there to celebrate with her. She found Calvin by accident: she had to visit a college in the Grand Rapids area so she could also get out of school to go to a concert. An internet search for colleges brought up Calvin – and the rest, as they say, is history.

Daina Carr is from Haslett, MI. Daina is majoring in English and enjoys writing, guitar and hackey-sack. Her vocational plans include some form of writing, possibly in journalism. She also wants to write a book about her life and faith. The most significant experience in her life was taking a year off between high school and college to participate in the Rockford Master's Commission, a nine-month discipleship program in Rockford, Illinois.

Paul Davis is from Vergennes, Vermont. He is majoring in Political Science and is also on Student Senate. His hobbies include writing, reading, hiking, basketball and paintball. His future plans include entering the Marine Corps for three-and-a-half years after Calvin and then going back to school to pursue a career in journalism. Two of the most exciting experiences for Paul have been getting a series of guest editorials published in some newspapers in Florida and going to Costa Rica with his dad last summer.

Maria DeBoer is from Holland, MI, and is majoring in Elementary Education and Spanish. She is involved in Campus Choir and enjoys spending time with friends and leading worship for Back to Basics Bible Study. Her vocational plans involve teaching in an elementary school and possibly Spanish. The most exciting experiences in her life were going to a women's finishing school in Texas for two months, swimming with dolphins, and making profession of faith.

David De Young is from Kalamazoo, MI, but he was born in Rapid City, South Dakota. He is majoring in Accounting and also enjoys camping and outdoor activities. His favorite way to relax is to sit outside on a summer evening listening to a baseball game on the radio. He hopes to work in a developing country for part of his life. Two of the most exciting events in his life were watching Sammy Sosa's 500th home run on a family trip to a baseball game and having the Lord clearly lead him to Calvin.

Miriam Diephouse is from Grand Rapids, MI. She is majoring in Religion and holds two part-time jobs, one in tutoring and another in a children's bookstore. She enjoys reading and spending time with friends. Miriam is undecided about her future plans, but they will probably involve writing or teaching. Two of the most significant events in her life were spending a month in Germany staying with a host family, and switching from an Engineering major to Religion, which changed the way she looks at her life.

Hannah Forsythe is from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, but lived for three years in San Marcos, Nicaragua. She is undecided about her major but is considering Math and Spanish. Her extracurricular activities include leading a dance ministry, and she also likes to paint, draw, dance salsa, read in Spanish and English, play classical guitar and sew. Possible future plans may include being a translator, artist, professor -- who knows? Her most exciting experience was living in Nicaragua from 2000-2003.

Barbara Frazier is from Placerville, California. She is majoring in Chemical Engineering and is a member of the Calvin varsity swim team, which pretty much fills up her free time. She has been a swim coach during the summer and hopes someday to coach a swim team for kids with Downs syndrome and other special needs. Her experiences on the swim team have been some of the most exciting in her life.

Katherine Garvelink is from Grand Rapids, MI, and is majoring in Religion and English. After graduation she hopes to teach for World Missions. Her special interests include Bible studies, tutoring, planning Jazz Vespers and running. Her most significant experience was the Facing Your Future program, a month-long summer course at Calvin Seminary for future leaders of the CRC.

Allison Graff says she is from New Jerusalem because she’s a missionary kid from Russia/Central Asia. She is an English major and edits Chimes’ Seminary and Religion page. Allison enjoys Russian language and literature, nature, spending time with good friends, and cooking Indian, Thai, Russian and Halian food. Her future plans include teaching ESL overseas, being a counselor in a Russian/Central Asian church and writing for magazines. Going to Israel and Palestine in 2000 for a mission/educational trip, staying with families in a village, and visiting people in Nablus and Ramallah have been some of her most exciting experiences.

Sarah Greenlee is from Cleveland, Ohio, and is majoring in Psychology and possibly Philosophy. Her extracurricular activities include playing the French horn, Bible studies, reading, being a music therapy volunteer, and a member of the Calvin Society for Christian Feminism. Sarah would like to be a professor of psychology and do research, or perhaps become the executive director of a symphony orchestra and start an inner-city youth orchestra. Two significant experiences in her life have been attending an inner-city school that used an integrated Christian curriculum and being given ice cream as a child instead of punishment and being told, "This is what God's grace tastes like."

Benjamin Hammer is from Elk Rapids, MI, and plans to enter the Secondary Education program with a Math major and Chemistry minor. He runs cross-country and track at Calvin and loves to play almost any sport, but particularly hockey and badminton. After graduation Ben hopes to teach high school math and chemistry and coach cross-country. One of the most significant events in his life was undergoing arterial bypass surgery on his leg, an experience that gave him a new perspective on running & life and taught him that God can use the hardships we face for good.

Sylvia Harris is from Loma, Colorado, and plans to major in Philosophy and/or Religion, with a minor in Third-World Development. She plays the violin and loves to run, skateboard, swim, go backpacking and mountain biking, and do crafts such as whittling. After graduation she would like to work in D.C. for a while with the U.S. Agency for International Development advocating for women’s rights in developing countries. But eventually she would like to return to Colorado and work in a camp for adults learning how to connect what they believe with what they do. Sylvia’s most significant experiences were two years running cross country in high school, which shaped her for life, and her decision to come to Calvin, where she’s learning things she never dreamed of.

Jessica Holtrop is from Derwood, Maryland (and formerly Kalispell, Montana), minoring in Spanish but unsure about her major. She loves running, soccer, basketball, fly fishing, backpacking, and going to concerts. At this point she is uncertain about her vocational plans, but she may pursue a major in Sociology, English, or CAS along with her study of Spanish. Her dream would be to photograph people and places. Working last summer on the Great Northern Fire Crew in Missoula, MT was one of her most satisfying experiences.

Audrey Horstman is from Grand Rapids, MI. She is majoring in Speech Pathology and Spanish. She is active in her dorm and service learning (dorm CPC), is a research assistant in the CAS department, and she enjoys backpacking. When she graduates she hopes to become a speech-language pathologist in an elementary school. Audrey's most significant experience was working at an orphanage in Mexico one summer.

Jenna Hunt is from Rochester, MI, and is a History major. Her other activities include Anime club, College Republicans, beadwork, scrapbooking, reading, and caring for animals. Jenna is considering becoming a guidance counselor or pursuing a history-related career. This past summer she went to Russia and Azerbaijan, which has been the most significant experience so far in her life.

Armin Karim is from Bay Village, Ohio, and is majoring in Physics and Music Composition & Theory. His extracurricular activities include orchestra (French horn), piano lessons, New Life Christian Fellowship Worship Team (trumpet), and Gathering worship team (piano). He also enjoys biking to church. Armin hopes to become a Physics researcher/professor or an arranger/composer. He finds biking to church every Sunday up the East Beltline an exciting experience.

Hans Kraemer is from Ludington, MI. He is majoring in Geography and Business and would like to earn a master's degree in Business and Transportation Management and then work in the rail industry. His hobbies are model railroading, railfanning (ask him what this is), and watching the Packers and Wisconsin Badgers. Traveling to China was one of the most significant experiences in his life.

Ryan Kruis is from Grand Rapids, MI. He is undecided about his major, but knows his future plans will involve work with people, such as teaching high school English, becoming a pastor, or doing some sort of social work/counseling. Ryan keeps busy with his job at the Service-Learning Center on campus and also enjoys reading and sleeping on rainy days, living in Project Neighborhood, outdoor activities (backpacking, camping, canoeing, etc.) and coffee. Ryan worked as a counselor at Camp Roger, where he experienced genuine Christian community and learned how much he loves working with people; his work at the SLC has been very significant in shaping his reformed world view and giving him passion.

Sarah Mange is from Kalamazoo, MI, and is a Biology major in the pre-med program. She is involved in orchestra playing the violin, sings in Women's Chorale, leads Chemistry study groups, serves on the Environmental Stewardship Committee, and also likes to roller blade. She is still undecided about her career goals, which may include medicine or medical research. Two of the most significant events in Sarah’s life have been working in a factory this summer and coming to Calvin.

Laura McGiness is from Midland, MI. She is majoring in Rhetoric & Communication and minoring in Spanish. She loves traveling, participates in flute choir, takes piano lessons, and enjoys speaking Spanish. Laura is undecided about her future plans, but they may involve mission work abroad or working for a company here in the U.S. She is also contemplating graduate school. Two of the most exciting events in her life were a mission trip to Omaha, Nebraska, in 2002 and a two-week trip to Alaska this past summer.

Kelly Meade is from Hudsonville, MI, is majoring in Biology, and hopes to pursue a career in physical therapy, perhaps specializing in pediatrics. She enjoys downhill and cross-country skiing and scrapbooking. Kelly is serving on two Calvin committees, is an MHSAA competitive cheer judge, and volunteers at Spectrum Health. The most exciting experiences in her life have been living in Germany for a month as an exchange student, and spending three weeks out west on a class trip called "summer science."

Zachary Meyer is from Hancock, MI. He is majoring in History and Classical Languages and plans to go wherever the Lord needs. He enjoys volleyball, billiards, and reading. The two most significant experiences in his life have been going through Hurricane Hugo (in South Carolina) and transitioning from a private school to public school. Last summer he was a tour guide in a copper mine.

Gretchen Norton is from Grand Rapids, MI. She is majoring in Political Science with an emphasis on international relations. She loves politics and volunteers at one of the parties' headquarters. She also likes reading, knitting, shopping, and hanging out with friends. Gretchen hopes to be an international business lawyer. Her most significant experience was travelling to Israel and Turkey this past summer.

Karianne Pasma is from Woodstock, Ontario. Her major is Music and she is thinking of several possible vocational directions such as becoming an opera singer, missionary, or “living in a box in a park.” Her hobbies include singing, playing piano, being in choirs and hanging out with friends. Her most memorable experiences were going on a two-month mission trip to Australia and New Zealand with a choir team, and going to France for nine days to visit her sister and see the country.

Rebecca Raak is from Edgerton, Minnesota, is a Nursing major, and would really like to be a nurse practitioner in a family clinic. She enjoys reading, swimming, and Bible study. Rebecca also likes to water ski, talk with friends, and spend time with her family. One of her most exciting experiences was a SERVE trip to Washington, D.C. with a group of friends and her dad. They had a really great trip and fun working experiences.

Janelle Rekman is from Sarnia, Ontario. She is a Biology major in the pre-med program and hopes to go to medical school. She would really like to do overseas or inner-city medical mission work; otherwise, she may be a high school or college biology teacher. Janelle is the Community Partnership Coordinator in BHT. She also likes ultimate frisbee, tutoring, reading, intramurals, hiking/camping/ outdoor activities, animals/pets, and piano. Her most significant experiences have been intervening for a deaf, blind boy last summer, working in inner-city Winnepeg at a VBS-type program a couple of summers ago, and meeting a full-time medical missionary at an orphanage in Juarez, Mexico.

Erin Rice is from Antigo, Wisconsin, is majoring in German, and wants to be a professor of German. Her hobbies include playing guitar and reading. She spends most of her time working -- academic coaching, tutoring, and deskie-ing (her own made-up verb). This past summer Erin worked at a Christian camp and was blessed beyond compare to see the power of our God. She also states that trusting God with her future despite her fears is exciting and trying everyday.

Laura Smit is from Newmarket, Ontario. She is a Music major and is considering possible vocations involving music therapy (in Britain?) or teaching. Her extracurricular activities include being multicultural AC, chapel, piano stuff, and painting. She hopes to do music service-learning at Saint Mary's Hospital. Laura also enjoys going for coffee (Tim Horton's anyone?) Her most exciting and significant experience was going to Colorado this past summer where she was able to combine her passions for kids and music in an outdoor environment.

David Sneller is from Sheboygan, Wisconsin; he is majoring in English and possibly will go on to seminary to become a pastor in the CRC denomination. David is a member of the men's tennis team, does SAS tutoring, and loves biking and waterskiing. Two of the most significant experiences in his life were being a foster brother to nearly 15 kids from troubled homes and going to Spain when he was younger.

Nathan Stehouwer is from State College, Pennsylvania. He is a Philosophy major in the pre-med program and plans to minor in Third-World Development. He is on the Social Justice Coalition, plays the cello in the orchestra, and enjoys running and golf. After graduation he would like to work in Africa in some capacity, possibly in medicine. His most exciting experiences have been hiking in the Grand Canyon and living in Liberia (despite the fact that he was too young to remember living there).

Michael Sullivan is from Carol Stream, Illinois, and is a Psychology major planning to attend law school. He is on the Film Arts Committee and enjoys books, movies, running and poker. Michael's most significant experience was spending six weeks in Africa on a mission trip when he was 15, including two weeks on Mt. Kilimanjaro.

Matthew Tao is from Lafayette, Indiana. He is majoring in Chemistry and hopes to become a physician or a dentist. He is active in the Pre-Medical Club as Treasurer, is a member of Dance Guild, and also enjoys biking, running, weight lifting and playing piano. One of the most significant experiences for Matthew was attending DCLA, a Christian conference, a few years ago; one of his most exciting experiences was spending a few weeks touring Europe.

Erica Vandergaast is from Newcastle, Ontario. She is majoring in Environmental Biology and is active in an environmental studies group. Erica also enjoys badminton, reading and drawing. Her vocational hopes are to serve creation and travel around the world. She would like to study human impacts on habitats and work with conservation or restoration. Her most exciting experience has been a trip to the Mediterranean.

Dena Vander Tuig is from Silver Spring, Maryland, and is a Biology major in the pre-med program. She enjoys music and is involved in the Women's Chorale, the Capella, and theater. Her vocational plans are to pursue a career in medicine, possibly with a focus on public health. Dena' most significant experience in life was the process of choosing a college.

Benjamin Vander Weide is from Sparta, MI. He is a Biology major and hopes to work in restoration ecology or botany. Ben is a Multicultural Activities Coordinator, and also enjoys backpacking, running, and soccer. His most significant experiences have been working as a camp counselor at a Canadian camp for First Nations Kids (missions tends to make Christianity real) and going to Turkey with the Facing Your Future program.

Heather Vrieland is from Goose Creek, South Carolina, and is majoring in Japanese. She lives on the Mosaic floor and also works for Fridays at Calvin. Heather also enjoys pictures and scrapbooking. She does not know what her future plans may be or where God is leading her, but she hopes to raise a family and serve Him faithfully. That may include mission work in Japan or any number of other situations and joys. Visiting her dad at a naval base in Japan and experiencing that country was significant in her choice of majors, and she knows God will use that experience in her future.

Xiaohong Zhou is from Sichuan Province, China. She is majoring in Psychology and possibly Sociology. She is busy working ten hours a week at the ITC, helping friends with their Chinese, and writing Chinese essays. Xiaohong would like to work for an international adoption agency, be an English professor at a Chinese college, or be a translator. However, her ultimate dream is to be a Chinese writer. Her most exciting experience was when she went to Cedar Point this summer. It was her first time at an amusement park and it was scary, but fun and stimulating. Xiaohong was a teacher in China for two years before coming to America.

FACULTY MENTORS for 2004-2005:

Ken Bratt is a professor of Classics and Director of the Honors Program. A native of Grand Rapids, and graduate of Calvin, he earned his PhD at Princeton University. Currently Ken is teaching elementary and New Testament Greek in addition to his administrative duties. His research interests lie mainly in paleo-Christian archaeology, particularly in Thessaloniki and Corinth; in his free time he enjoys racquetball, photography, hiking, and church activities at Fuller Ave. CRC. He and his wife Laurel have three children, all Calvin grads: Justin (hoping to work for the FBI), Jessica (at Princeton Theological Seminary), and Christina (a grad student in Education in San Francisco with her husband Travis).

Chad Engbers is a professor of English, a native of Grand Rapids, and a graduate of Calvin College. He earned his PhD from The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., where he met his wife Susanna. They have no children, but two cats (Miles and Natalie). Chad’s area of specialty is the English Renaissance, and his current research project involves penitential literature of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. He currently teaches composition and surveys of world literature and Russian literature. In his free time, Chad enjoys playing mandolin and guitar. He is a member of Church of the Servant CRC.

Marjorie Gunnoe is a professor of Psychology who spent most of her childhood in the Grand Haven area, graduated from Hope College and earned her PhD at the University of Virginia. She teaches developmental psychology, both child and adolescent. Her current research interests focus on the effects of religious belief on families, but if she ever has a mid-life crisis, she may pursue something related to mapping genes. She finds the concept of extracurricular activities a good joke! She and her husband Chad belong to Boston Square CRC with their three children, Jake (age 8), Erik (5), and Katya (3). Her most exciting moments in life include the arrivals of each of her children and teaching her first class.

David Koetje is a professor of Biology who grew up in Wyoming, MI, graduated from Calvin College, and earned his PhD at Purdue University. He is presently working on a sabbatical project, writing a book that proposes a new paradigm for agricultural biotechnology from the perspective of Christian environmentalism. His research focuses on plant responses to environmental stress and genetic diversity within plant populations - projects which regularly involve student researchers. When he is not at Calvin he spends much time on home improvements and gardening. He and his wife Karen belong to Beckwith Hills CRC with their two children Seth (11 years old and born in Moscow, ID) and Michelle (6, born in Westfield, NY).

Christina Van Dyke is a professor of Philosophy who grew up in Grand Rapids, graduated from Calvin as one of our first honors graduates, and earned her PhD degree at Cornell University. She is presently teaching two sections of introduction to philosophy, one an honors class. In her scholarly work Christina specializes in ancient and medieval philosophy, particularly in the metaphysics of Aquinas. With her son David (7 years old) she is a member of Church of the Servant CRC. Their special hobbies are hiking and camping together.