Henry Bengelink, Biology
He was always upbeat. One of his favorite sayings was "the difficult we do right away, the impossible takes a little longer."
~ Joel DeKoning
Gil Besselsen, Education
As I tried to choose a field to go into, he was an inspiration to go into education.
~ Roy Galien
Roelof Bijkerk, Psychology
He convinced me that I was an excellent student who would make a good university professor some day.
~ Alyce Horzelenberg Oosterhuis
James Bosscher, Engineering & Physics
He used practical examples to make physics relevant. His tests used practical applications, the same approach. “Case-based teaching” is one of the most effective strategies we use to teach in medical education. Professor Bosscher was a model of using this approach.
~ Byron Hoogwerf
Jim DeBorst, Political Science
Professor DeBorst was my professor of constitutional law and my introduction to the case method of instruction. He was very demanding but challenging and, in spite of being a tough grader, he pushed us in developing skill sets that were invaluable in law school.
~ Robert DeJong
John DeVries, Chemistry
He was my pre-med advisor and helped me get into medical school! He encouraged me along the long hard academic road. He was also my father's pre-med advisor 25 years earlier!
~ David Van Reken
Professor Greydanus
Having just arrived from Holland, my English language was very limited. I found the required Latin course I took from him gave me the best basis to learn my English.
~ Dick Medema
Alan Gebben, Biology
He instilled a love of God’s creation and a love of plants.
~ Ronald Boes
Harold Geerdes, Music
No matter what was going on in his life, he always had a positive approach as director of the Concert Band. He allowed us as members to have fun, yet he expected a professional approach in our preparation to perform and ultimately in our performance.
~ Eugene Bartman
Henry Holstege, Sociology
His awareness and insight into social problems, especially race issues, and his insight into a biblical model for racial reconciliation inspired me while I was a student.
~ Peter De JongHe introduced me to the injustice that had been going on for years in the United States, especially as it concerned the civil rights movement and discrimination. Also he made me realize how little, if any, black history had been taught to us in history books through the 1950s and 1960s. He inspired me as well as my family to find places where we could right some of the wrongs done to African Americans or at least begin to understand and affirm another culture as God’s image bearers. We have chosen cross-cultural experiences for the past 40 years. He woke me up to see what God's Word said about God being no respecter of persons and how we should be peacemakers and non-violent in our treatment of others who are also made in God’s image.
~ Betti DeYong GrevengoedThe civil rights movement was going during our time at Calvin College. I came to Calvin from a small town and had very little awareness of the civil rights concerns and events prior to that, so Professor Holstege brought us up to speed at a critical time in the life of the United States.
~ Kathleen Bosman KlompeenHis class on social problems let me to go into the field of social work instead of the law.
~ Walter Werkhoven
Henry Ippel, History
I like history and was challenged in his class.
~ Donald Retsema
Robin Jensen, Art
He was so exciting, always encouraging his students to think way outside of the box.
~ Carol Battjes Ackerman
Kenneth Kuiper, English
He kindled a love of literature in his students and he was stellar in course design and class planning. His classroom technique was both provocative and hospitable—a nifty combination.
~ Neal Plantinga
Charles Miller, History
He was bright, articulate and thought-provoking, and he was thoroughly engaged in his love of teaching history.
~ William Dahms
Al Plantinga, Philosophy
He taught me to think. He interested me in the way that the mind uses logic to create new thoughts, an area I have continued to study ever since.
~ Carol Tamminga
John Primus, Religion
He was thought provoking, and he mentored me on the necessity to care and think of others.
~ Jerry Cooper
Rodger Rice, Sociology
His teaching opened the fields of sociology and social work to me as a career choice. Social work became a part of my study plan, and from this juncture Calvin gave me a base from which all of my future thoughts and decisions have been based.
~ Steve Bellin
Lew Smedes, Religion
His enthusiasm, knowledge, and love of students shone through all his lectures and relationships.
~ George Cooper
Gordon Spykman, Religion
I don't recall anything in particular. I think it was simply the man himself who was so remarkable to my young eyes. He exuded the Spirit of Christ, his teaching was joy-filled, and his demeanor was inspiring!
~ Frances Boelens Redder
Bernie TenBroek, Biology
He was just a good communicator.
~ Edwin BosHe was my advisor. He provided great encouragement, especially when I returned to Calvin. Although his Calvin heart may not have seemed prompt, it certainly was sincere.
~Al Ter Haar
Richard Tiemersma, English
When I shared that I had declined to apply to a lodge for a scholarship they had for pre-seminary students, he replied, “Oh, Jim. We accept money from the Philistines!”
~ Jim Osterhouse
John J. Timmerman, English
Professor Timmerman, along with other Calvin profs, inspired me to go in to education - and specifically into elementary education. It turned out to be a good fit for me.
~ Joanne Byker Deckinga
John Van Bruggen, Education
He helped me make the transition back into college life. I had graduated from Trinity Christian College but then had gone on to teach. Later I decided to finish my bachelor’s degree and he helped me get the confidence I needed.
~ JoAnne Flikkema Bult
David Vila, Spanish
He inspired in me a strong interest in and love for the Spanish language. This played an important role in how my life after Calvin played out.
~ M. Elaine Medema Hutt
Stanley Wiersma, English
College was my first school experience in the United States. I had gotten a GED via correspondence which allowed me to enter the Navy and got me a probation slot at Calvin. My brother, Fritz Kwant ’67, was taking freshman English and raved about him. I managed through subterfuge to enter his second semester freshman English class and was hooked. I went on to get an English major along with psychology and sociology minors.
~ Fred Kwant
Don Wilson, Sociology
Professor Wilson took me as an extremely conservative, narrow-minded person who thought he had all the answers and forced me to think for myself, consider other possibilities and accept people who think differently and are different. This experience broadened my perspective and enhanced the rest of my life in ways that are still emerging today.
~ David GabrielseHe inspired me, as a sociology major, to think on my own and to open my mind to the ideas of others. He truly loved Calvin College, as did I. He was an inspiring Christian professor who set an example of love and acceptance. I am very pleased that two of my children were also able to enroll in his class.
~ Thea Schravendeel Van Kampen
