Through the generosity of the late Mrs. Gertrude Bouwsma-Bos and in memory of her husband, the late Professor O.K. Bouwsma, scholarships are available to philosophy majors who exhibit outstanding achievement and continuing promise in philosophy. Professor Bouwsma was a Distinguished Alumnus of Calvin and an influential American philosopher. Two scholarships of $1,200 were awarded for 2006-2007. The recipient is selected by the Philosophy Department. No separate application is required.

Kenneth J. Konyndyk, Jr. Scholarship

Professor Konyndyk taught in the Philosophy Department of Calvin for 27 years, until his life’s work was cut short in 1994 by cancer. His career was characterized by professional scholarship of the highest caliber, an unwavering commitment to teaching as a Christian vocation, a genuine interest in his students, and the pleasure he took in the company of his colleagues. In his memory, the Konyndyk family established scholarships to be awarded annually to philosophy majors entering their senior year. Three scholarships of over $2,000 were awarded for 2006-2007. Applications are available in the Philosophy office.

Dr. Bernard Zylstra, S.J.D., Memorial Scholarship

Gerrit and Carol Zylstra have established this scholarship to honor their brother, Dr. Bernard Zylstra, former Professor of Political Theory and President of the Institute for Christian Studies. Bernard Zylstra actively promoted the development of Christian political theory, and this scholarship is intended to encourage students to pursue studies in the development of Christian political theory. This scholarship is awarded to students entering their junior or senior year at Calvin who have a minimum grade point average of 3.00. Applicants must submit a 1,200 word essay that reflects on some article by Bernard Zylstra concerning political theory. They must also provide a statement of potential career goals that indicates some relevance to political theory and of how this scholarship would help accomplish those career goals. Candidates must give evidence of Christian character and promise of growth. Three scholarships of $4,200 were awarded for 2006-2007. The online application is available here.

O.K. Bouwsma Award

An annual prize of $250 is awarded to the Calvin student who submits the best paper in philosophy. This prize is offered in honor of Oets Bouwsma, former Professor of Philosophy at the Universities of Nebraska and Texas, a Past President of the American Philosophical Association, and a Distinguished Alumnus of Calvin College.

Submission deadline is regularly in April of each year (see the bulletin board outside the Jellema Room for exact date). Submit entries to Donna Kruithof, Administrative Assitant in the Department of Philosophy, 340 Hiemenga Hall. Paper should be prepared for "blind review": Use a detachable title page with the author's name on it but do not identify the author in the body of the paper. Papers may be prior submissions for courses, reworkings of such papers, or specifically written for the competition. Brief papers are acceptable.

The winner paper will be chosen by a panel of members from the Philosophy Department faculty. The Department reserves the right to make no award if the submissions are not of sufficiently high quality.