2006-2007 McGregor Sophomore Scholars

2006-2007 Events:

Student Biographies:

Jessica Arden is from Shelby Twp. MI. She is planning a pre-med program with majors in biochemistry and French. She worked as a phlebotomist this summer, which gave her the opportunity to work directly with hospitalized patients. While she has always been interested in medicine, this experience made her passionate about becoming a doctor. She discovered how rewarding it was for her to help others through health care. Jessica is considering whether to become a specialized surgeon, serve as a medical missionary, or become a member of a research team.

Joseph Breems is from Moreno Valley, CA . He is majoring in international relations and plans to enter the Foreign Service at the State Department, an embassy, or at the United Nations. One of his most interesting experiences was a high school trip to China , where he lived with a family that spoke little English and had a lifestyle completely divergent from his own. This forced him out of his comfort zone, but ignited a deep interest in learning about different peoples and cultures.

Jessica Byma is from Grant, MI. She is majoring in elementary education and Spanish and is pursuing a minor in bilingual education. She plans to be an elementary teacher in a bilingual classroom teaching all subject areas. Jessica has been on various mission trips, one of them to Ensenada , Mexico , where her eyes were opened to the vibrancy of the Christian church there. She was also a camp counselor at Spring Hill Camps this past summer.

Bethany Duemler is from Byron Center, MI. She is undecided about her major, but she enjoys writing and has considered a career as a writer or an editor. She loves searching for answers and absorbing knowledge, so she is also considering an academic career. Bethany writes that she examines the ways God has blessed her and searches for vocations that will utilize these gifts.

Carissa Elenbaas is from Canton, MI and is majoring in business. She would like to pursue a career in marketing or advertising, but is also considering human resources. She also enjoys learning and speaking Spanish, so she would like to work, at least occasionally, with Spanish-speaking people. Carissa has been involved in volunteer work and service-learning. Being a Streetfest leader solidified her passion for Christian service to the community and reaffirmed its importance to her.

Patience Gallagher is from Coshocton, OH and is majoring in psychology. She also enjoys biology and worked as a research assistant in a behavioral neuroscience lab at Ohio State University this summer. To combine her interests she is currently considering work in psycho-biological research along with psychiatry, and the teaching of these disciplines. By running in a 200+ mile race last summer and pushing her body to its limit for thirty-three straight hours, she learned the value of pursuing goals for which she is passionate and built her persistence in doing so.

Austin Hakes is from Grand Rapids, MI. He is majoring in philosophy and classical studies and hopes to pursue a career in law, perhaps as a trial lawyer in the developing world. He grew up as a missionary child in Kenya and last year went through seven months of initial active duty training with the Army. The harsh military environment forced him to practice his faith in the midst of emotional and spiritual loneliness, to be more grateful for the opportunity to attend college, and to love the people he cares about more intentionally.

Val Horstman is from Grand Rapids, MI. She is majoring in engineering with an environmental focus. In May she participated in a class in Montana titled “Big Sky Geology.” Through the rocks and mountains of Montana she experienced a reawakened love for God's creation. Val hopes to develop this passion in areas such as alternative energy sources, recycling processes, “green” buildings, clean air/water/soil standards and sustainable urban planning.

Karen Jackson is from Grand Rapids, MI. She is a religion and philosophy major and writes that her plan for the future is "to live in an ivory tower," because she is uncertain of what she really wants to do. She is considering the Peace Corps and also plans to continue her education after college. Karen knows she must serve other people with the knowledge and abilities she has been given, and she is "ready to be swept away on whatever adventures God has in store" for her.

Amanda Jagt is from Toronto, Ontario. She is majoring in English and Asian studies (with a Japanese track) and would like to work for the Canadian government in a national security department, in immigration, or in politics. She is also considering work as a translator if she learns Japanese well enough, or being a university professor -- and she would also like to be a writer on the side. She credits two friends, Joyce and Kimmy, with having a major influence on her life because they introduced her to various Asian cultures.

Emily

Emily Jipping is from Jenison, MI. She is majoring in Spanish and Business Communications. Emily would like to pursue a career in Human Resources or Public Relations. She loves people and truly thinks that God has gifted her with the ability to talk to many different kinds of people and to feel comfortable while doing that. Emily has participated in an “adopted resident” program at Adam's Park Senior Living Center where she was able to see God at work in very real ways, and has been a worship coordinator for her church where she learned a lot about what “real worship” is while also growing in her relationship with God.

Matt Logan is from Fort Wayne, IN and is undecided about his major. If he had to decide today, he would major in biology and minor in English. He is intrigued by both the tangible building blocks of life to be explored in biology and the intangible exploration of the human condition offered through literature. He is also looking forward to studying microeconomics. Matt may become a teacher, a doctor, or a park ranger -- but he does know that he wants to use his intellect in a stimulating manner to create change.

Kathleen Merz is from Kalamazoo, MI. She is majoring in English and Latin and plans to teach English abroad for a few years after graduation. During an independent study in high school she first began to understand how literature and language can be so powerfully used to the glory of God. On a service project in Guadalajara , Mexico , she participated in an outdoor service in the middle of the city where a group of people were singing together, some in English and some in Spanish. The experience impressed her because all the participants were praising a God who transcends cultural boundaries.

Stephanie Postma is from Sheldon, IA. She is a nursing major and plans to go on for a master's degree in nursing after graduating from Calvin. She feels God has given her a heart for the elderly, and her plan is to be a nurse practitioner in the geriatric field. This sense of calling has been reinforced through working as a nursing assistant in a nursing home for the last two years.

Michelle Smit is from South Holland, IL. She is an English major who would like to make a career of words. Her hope is to become an editor for either a newspaper or a publishing company. She would love it if she could simply make it as an author or poet, but right now she feels that she should be focusing on improving her writing before she tries to have it published.

Jason Smith is from Grandville, MI. He is an English major with a writing minor. He was initially drawn to engineering, but the articles on vocation from his "Prelude" reader challenged him to look at what he truly loved. He realized that his occupation and vocation were tied together, so his passion for writing and reading led him to become an English major. He is considering both journalism and freelance writing; another possibility is speech writing, because it provides unique opportunities to reach people.

Tat Ui (David) Tan is from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. He is pursuing an engineering degree and is considering the chemical concentration. He enjoys the problem-solving aspect of engineering, its technical nature, and the project-based work. The chemical concentration is a quickly advancing specialty in Malaysia , allowing scope for innovation and creativity. He has also been considering the possibility of a second career in full-time ministry. While he knows he can serve God in engineering and believes it is now his calling, there is also a great need for full-time ministers in Malaysia . He knows several engineers-turned-pastors, and wonders if that might be his path too.

Alison Troast is from Hawthorne, NJ. She is majoring in art history and pursuing minors in French and Spanish. She has been on various international trips which have awakened in her a passion to explore other cultures, learn about their art and traditions, and become immersed in their languages. Alison hopes to earn a master's degree in some specialized area of art history, and if she hasn't had her fill of student life by then, she may go on for a doctorate. With such an academic training and her French and Spanish skills she would like to work in an art museum: to give tours, educate people about the pieces of art, curate exhibits, study and analyze the works, and simply be around masterpieces every day.

Nathaniel Valk is from Fredericton, New Brunswick, and is majoring in history. Through a recent trip to Europe he discovered much about his Dutch heritage and family roots as well as European history, which is his special interest. In experiencing ways of life that were different from his own Nate found out how much he can learn from other cultures. He is considering a career in foreign affairs which would involve him in international work, where he could promote harmony among the nations.

Katie Van Drunen is from Grand Rapids, MI. She is pursuing a pre-med program with a major in philosophy and a minor in gender studies. She lived in Tokyo , Japan from the age of 9 to 14 and in London , England from age 14 to 18. These times of travel and adjustment molded her in countless ways and taught her cultural sensitivity, grace as a foreigner, communication skills, independence, and self-confidence. A mission trip to Honduras opened her eyes to both the emotional confusion of North American youth and the heart-wrenching grip of poverty. Katie hopes to become a doctor; she is especially interested in women's health and would love to have a practice that provides women with holistic care and treatment.

Lisa Van Dyk is from Wilmington, DE. She is majoring in biology and English and plans to enter graduate school in biology to pursue a career in microbiological research. She would eventually like to become a professor. Lisa also would like to write on the side, but does not consider that to be her main career objective. She lived in Germany for six weeks, an experience that transformed her because it was the first time she was away from her family for an extended period, living and learning amongst and from people of a different culture.

David VandeBunte is from Grandville, MI. He is an engineering major in the electrical concentration and is also taking some computer science classes to augment his work in engineering. He hasn't chosen a specific field for after graduation yet, because almost all types of electronic control systems and computers interest him. His dream job would perhaps be designing solar panels, computer parts, or working on future energy solutions. David spent three months serving at a Christian summer camp (Springhill) and plans to continue serving during the academic year, perhaps at a high school.

Scott Vander Laan is from Everson, WA. He is majoring in engineering but has not decided on a concentration yet. Service on his high school Christian Leadership Team was a formative experience in his life, and one of his most interesting activities was practicing stewardship by working with salmon as part of his high school biology class. Scott is not certain he wants to pursue a career in engineering after college, because he may want to take an opportunity for continued education.

Cara VanWoerkom is from Wyoming, MI. She is pursing a pre-med program with a Spanish major and plans to become a doctor. Through caring for an eight-year-old girl with Downs Syndrome, Cara has learned that God has a plan for each individual, no matter what value society places on them. Cara is not yet sure in which area of medicine she will concentrate. Although impressed by wonderful developments in medicine such as genetic engineering and stem cell research, she knows she will have to decide where to stand as a Christian when faced with the ethical questions that come with these advances.

Abby Zwier is from West Lafayette, IN. She is undecided about a major but has several career directions in mind. She would love to write for a magazine, since she has thoroughly enjoyed her English courses and writing has always been something at which she excelled. Another option would be advertising, because it would be exciting to freely exercise her creativity every day in her career. But she is also considering law, where she wants to bring honesty and integrity to a profession which (stereotypically, at least) lacks such virtues.

FACULTY MENTORS for 2006-2007:

Ken Bratt is a professor of Classics and Director of the Honors Program. He grew up in Grand Rapids, graduated from Calvin, earned his PhD at Princeton University, and previously taught at Colby College in Maine. Currently Ken is teaching New Testament Greek and intermediate Latin in addition to his administrative duties. His research interests lie mainly in paleo-Christian archaeology, particularly in Thessaloniki and Corinth, and for diversion he enjoys photography, hiking, racquetball, and choir at Fuller Ave. CRC. He and his wife Laurel have three children, all Calvin graduates: Christina (working in arts education in San Francisco with her husband Travis Porter), Jessica (a recent Princeton Seminary graduate, now doing research at the Yale Medical School in New Haven CT), and Justin (working in the GR office of Kawasaki Motors).

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 several developmental psychology courses: Child, Adolescent, and Youth Faith Formation. She is current collaborating with researchers at Notre Dame on the 30 year Panel Study of American Religiosity & Ethnicity (PS-ARE); Prof. Gunnoe directs the youth component of the study. She has three children, Jake (age 10), Erik (7), and Katya (5) and finds the concept of extracurricular activities a good joke! She and her husband Chad belong to Boston Square CRC.

Jennifer Holberg is a professor of English who grew up as an Army brat, moving 9 times before she graduated from high school. She attended New Mexico State University as an undergraduate, and received her PhD from the University of Washington . Her scholarly interests are 19th and 20th century British literature, women's literature, and the scholarship of teaching. Jennifer is the founding co-editor of the academic journal, Pedagogy: Critical Approaches to Teaching Literature, Language, Composition and Culture , which comes out three times a year from Duke University Press. This year, she helped to orient all the new faculty to Calvin and will work throughout the year on faculty teaching issues. She is also interested in the intersections of faith and literature and has worked in the past on the Festival of Faith and Writing. In April 2006, her collection of essays from the Festival, Shouts and Whispers: Twenty-one Writers Speak About Their Writing and Their Faith , was published by Eerdmans. Jennifer is a member of Central Reformed Church. She and her dog, Jake, try and take a 3-mile walk each day, and as often as possible, she also plays racquetball. She also enjoys kayaking, movies, Lost, and all kinds of music.

David Koetje is a professor of Biology who grew up in Wyoming , MI, graduated from Calvin, and earned his PhD at Purdue University . One of his passions is Christian creation care, especially as it applies to biotechnology and ecosustainability matters. In his research and scholarship David promotes a place-based paradigm for developing biotechnologies and practices that are more socially responsible and environmentally sustainable. A natural tinkerer, he also has his hands in leading a curricular reform effort in the Biology Department. At home David and his wife Karen maintain several flowering plant habitats, a big vegetable garden, and a list of home/yard improvements that have reduced their eco-footprint. They are members of Beckwith Hills CRC along with their children Seth (13 years old and born in Moscow , ID ), Michelle (8, born in Westfield , NY ), and Jonathan (who will be one year old in November).

Christina Van Dyke is a professor of Philosophy who grew up in Grand Rapids , graduated from Calvin College as one of our first honors graduates, and earned her PhD at Cornell University . Apart from teaching courses in ancient and medieval philosophy (her specialty), Christina also teaches Philosophy of Gender and is the faculty mentor for an informal gender discussion group (which you're all welcome to join). In her scholarly work, she focuses primarily on Aquinas' metaphysics and philosophy of mind, although she's branching out these days to address Robert Grosseteste's epistemology as well. Christina and her son David (8 years old) are members of Church of the Servant; in their spare time, they hike, play games (primarily Stratego and Uno these days), and read lots of books that involve dragons.