Calvin-Parents - Monday, March 3, 2008 - Volume 5: No. 9
 
Calvin-Parents is an e-mail newsletter that is published to keep Calvin parents informed of campus news, programs, events and other helpful information. Families and Friends
In This Issue:
Campus Events: You Are Invited!
Conferences, Workshops, Lectures
In This Issue:




Calvin's Parent Calendar Web siteThere are many calendars available on the Calvin Web site, including the Academic calendar, concert calendar, sports calendars, etc. Did you know there is a calendar resource designed just for Calvin parents? The Parent Calendar assists parents in keeping track of:

•  payment due dates
•  scheduled breaks and holidays
•  Academic events (convocations, advising days, reading recess, exams, commencement)
•  scheduled deadlines (financial aid, health insurance, tutor requests)
•  Calvin events (Family Weekend, PASSPORT, Siblings Weekend, Homecoming)




Question of the Month"Question of the Month" is a non-scientific "pop" survey for Calvin parents. You are invited to submit your answer to each monthly question--we will tabulate and post the results the following month. Please take a moment to respond to the March 2008 question:

"A recent survey of Calvin students showed that health concerns can have a direct affect on a student's grade, the decision to drop a course, or staying in college. Based on your experience and observations, which health-related factor do you think was most frequently reported as problematic for Calvin students?" Please record your responses here.

Here are the results of the February QOTM: "As I consider my own political views, I judge that my college student’s political views are:"
•  quite similar to my own: 55.7%
•  more conservative than my own: 7.4%
•  more liberal than my own: 28.2%
•  I’m not sure how our political views would compare: 8.7%




Spring BreakSpring break begins on Friday of this week. Please note that on campus housing and student dining facilities are closed from March 8-15; most college offices and departments will remain open during the break. Here are some important dates to remember:
• Friday, March 7: Spring break begins at 5:00 pm
• Saturday, March 8: Residence halls & KE apartments close at 10:00 am
• Sunday, March 16: Residence halls & KE apartments re-open at 12:00 noon
• Monday, March 17: Classes resume at 8:00 am




The Calvin Orchestra, under the direction of Robert Nordling, will tour northeastern U.S. states during spring break with performances in Northville MI, Hoboken NJ, Wykoff NJ, Whitinsville MA, Worchester MA, Stony Brook NY, and Washington D.C. Visit the Music Department Web site for more details about the Calvin Orchestra's spring tour itinerary. The Calvin Orchestra, under the direction of Robert Nordling, will tour northeastern U.S. states during spring break with performances in Northville MI, Hoboken NJ, Wykoff NJ, Whitinsville MA, Worchester MA, Stony Brook NY, and Washington D.C. Visit the Music Department Web site for more details about the Calvin Orchestra's spring tour itinerary.





From Saturday to Saturday, March 8 through 15, 110 students-double last year's total-and eight mentors will participate in Calvin's service-learning spring break trips. The groups will travel to eight sites around the country to serve alongside worthy non-profit organizations and to learn about cultures other than their own. Every year when spring break rolls around, a sizeable contingent of Calvin College students bypasses the conventional trek to the beach for a chance to work in some less relaxing locales. From Saturday to Saturday, March 8 through 15, 110 students-double last year's total-and eight mentors will participate in Calvin's service-learning spring break trips. The groups will travel to eight sites around the country to serve alongside worthy non-profit organizations and to learn about cultures other than their own. Calvin students and mentors will spend spring break doing everything from urban ministry to hurricane relief. Three of this year’s trips represent a growing partnership between Calvin and several Louisiana communities to help these towns recover from the one-two punch of hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005. "It's the reciprocal relationship of coming alongside an agency for a week so that we can learn, and they can get extra help," said Lori Gesink, a Calvin associate director of service-learning and the coordinator of the trips. "Our students get much more than they give." Read more.




Campus map showing location of Youngsma Advancement CenterThe Parent Relations Office will be relocating across campus to the recently acquired Youngsma Advancement Center on Monday, March 10. The Youngsma Center, located on the east side of campus at 1580 East Beltline, is the former home to Heartwell Mortgage. This two-story building, adjacent to Calvin's 90-acre Eco-System Preserve and directly north of the student parking-lot, was purchased by Calvin last fall and is currently being renovated. The Youngsma Center will also be the headquarters for the college's 55-person advancement division, human resources office, and the Calvin Academy for Lifelong Learning (CALL). Because the majority of the people who will work in the building have communications and fund-raising as an integral part of their work, the building is named in memory of Sydney Youngsma, an advancement division stalwart who worked at Calvin in the 1950s, 60s and 70s as the college's first full-time fund-raiser and publicist. Calvin's advancement division includes development, alumni and public relations, community relations, parent relations, and communications and marketing. Some members of the division have already moved into the building; the rest of the division will complete the move this spring and summer. Read more.





Students can access the online address change form from the Academic Services Web site. Parents may also register an address change by e-mailing that information to parents@calvin.edu or by calling the Parent Relations Office at 616-526-6094. When a student's address changes (either their current college address or their permanent home address) they should register that address change with the Office of Academic Services (formerly known as the Registrar's Office). Students can access the online address change form from the Academic Services Web site. Parents may also register an address change by e-mailing that information to parents@calvin.edu or by calling the Parent Relations Office at 616-526-6094.




The Winter 2008 edition of "Minds in the Making," a Calvin e-collection, is now available on the Calvin Web site. "Minds in the Making" gathers the best essays, articles and reflections of the Calvin College community - faculty, staff, students, alumni and friends. The Winter 2008 edition of "Minds in the Making," a Calvin e-collection, is now available on the Calvin Web site. "Minds in the Making" gathers the best essays, articles and reflections of the Calvin College community - faculty, staff, students, alumni and friends. "Minds" is intended as a helpful resource for the thoughtful Christian, inspiring the reader for intentional participation in the renewal of all things. This edition includes articles and presentations on alternative worship in England, animal welfare, modern military mercenaries, medieval Islamic visual culture, Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, teaching the millennial generation, and more. We believe the level of intellectual engagement and discourse demonstrated at this site illustrates the intent of a Calvin College education.




Pizza and a Movie is featured this year as one of the seasonal treats and is included in the "Year of Treats" packages; it will be delivered to students on March 25. If you would like to order this scheduled seasonal treat for March 25 delivery, the order deadline in March 20. The popular Pizza and a Movie treat features a certificate for a large, two-topping pizza, which can be delivered (or for dine-in, carry-out) at a time of your student's choosing. This treat also includes a Blockbuster© gift card and a bag of microwavable popcorn. Pizza and a Movie is featured this year as one of the seasonal treats and is included in the "Year of Treats" packages; it will be delivered to students on March 25. If you would like to order this scheduled seasonal treat for March 25 delivery, the order deadline in March 20. Of course, P&AM can also be ordered for your student at anytime for any occasion!




Weekend-hapsThis weekly feature of Calvin-Parents attempts to showcase student life events--movies, concerts, weekend events, etc.--by highlighting links to the student Web resources below:
•  "Weekend-haps" (this past weekend!)
•  Student Activities (SAO) Web site
Dorm lobby photo
NOTE: If you read the "Weekend-haps" Web site on a Monday, please note that this is a listing of events that took place during the weekend prior. This site is typically updated with upcoming weekend events every Thursday.



A Calvin education is the foundation for a successful life calling. Through the development of essential character, knowledge and skills, Calvin helps students understand God's world, discover their unique gifts and excel in vocations of meaning and purpose. Calvin engineering majors routinely demonstrate excellence on national and state exams. In October 2003, 100 percent of Calvin engineering students (44 of 44) passed the exam given by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying, one of four steps required to become a licensed engineer. By May of 2007, 91 percent of those graduating from this program had received a job offer. For more information visit the Calvin Distinctives Web site.



Campus Events: You Are Invited!


Calvin KnightsFor information about athletic events visit the Sports Information Web site. Need Calvin sports results fast? Call the Calvin sports hotline at 616-526-6522 for current sports updates. You can also sign up for the Calvin Sports-Report, a free e-mail bulletin notifying Calvin sports fans of current sports news.




Calvin College is pleased to announce these upcoming concerts and events:
•  - Monday, March 3 at 12:30 pm (Fine Arts Center Auditorium; tickets not required)
The Calvin Orchestra, Robert Nordling, conductor•  - Saturday, March 8 - Sunday, March 16 (Boston, New York, Washington D.C. Visit tour Web site for details.)
•  - Tuesday, March 25 at 7:30 pm - (Fine Arts Center Auditorium; tickets not required)
•  - Saturday, March 29 at 4:00 pm (Calvin Chapel; tickets not required)
•  - Saturday, March 29 at 8:00 pm (Fine Arts Center Auditorium; tickets are required. Calvin Box Office, 616-526-6282)




Sherman Van Solkema, Calvin alumnus who served over 30 years on the musicology faculty at Brooklyn College of the City University of New York and chaired the music department at Grand Valley State University for 5 years, assesses the development of the Gilmore International Keyboard Festival and previews the coming events. All are welcome to this and other Noontime Series programs sponsored by CALL (Calvin Academy for Lifelong Learning); tickets are not required. Sherman Van Solkema, Calvin alumnus who served over 30 years on the musicology faculty at Brooklyn College of the City University of New York and chaired the music department at Grand Valley State University for 5 years, assesses the development of the Gilmore International Keyboard Festival and previews the coming events. This Noontime series event will be held in the Calvin Chapel Undercroft from noon to 1:00 pm.




The Thursday, March 6 program features filmmakers Monty and Marcia Brown who will present ""La Manche"- The English Channel. " All Passport to Adventure programs are presented in the Calvin Fine Arts Auditorium at 7:30 pm. The Passport to Adventure Travel Series features professional, full-color films with live commentary by the filmmakers. The Thursday, March 6 program features filmmakers Monty and Marcia Brown who will present ""La Manche"- The English Channel. " All Passport to Adventure programs are presented in the Calvin Fine Arts Auditorium at 7:30 pm. Tickets are required; contact the Calvin Box Office at 616-526-6282. Passport to Adventure is a public, non-profit activity under the sponsorship of the Calvin Academy for Lifelong Learning (CALL).




The Calvin Alumni Association Grand Rapids Area Chapter will host its next edition of Calvin Around Town at the newly restored headquarters of ICCF, the Inner City Christian Federation, located at 920 Cherry Street in Grand Rapids. You are cordially invited to attend. The Calvin Alumni Association Grand Rapids Area Chapter will host its next edition of Calvin Around Town at the newly restored headquarters of ICCF, the Inner City Christian Federation, located at 920 Cherry Street in Grand Rapids. You are cordially invited to attend. The event will take place from 6:30-9:00 pm on Thursday evening, March 27. The fee is $10 per person and includes an hor d'oeuvre and dessert buffet. For additional information call 616-526-6142 or visit the Calvin Around Town Web site.



Conferences, Workshops, Lectures



On Tuesday, March 4, at 3:30 pm in the Commons Lecture Hall, Dr. Marion Taylor from Wycliffe College, U. of Toronto, will present a lecture entitled "Reading the Scripture with our Foremothers." Refreshments will be served. At the event we will also celebrate the publication of Recovering Nineteenth-century Women Interpreters of the Bible, co-edited by Marion Taylor and Christiana de Groot. Co-sponsored by CCCS, Gender Studies, and the Religion Department. On Tuesday, March 4, at 3:30 pm in the Commons Lecture Hall, Dr. Marion Taylor from Wycliffe College, U. of Toronto, will present a lecture entitled "Reading the Scripture with our Foremothers." Refreshments will be served. At the event we will also celebrate the publication of Recovering Nineteenth-century Women Interpreters of the Bible, co-edited by Marion Taylor and Christiana de Groot. Co-sponsored by CCCS, Gender Studies, and the Religion Department.





You're invited to Dr. Lynn Schofield Clark's lecture: "Sustaining the Mystery, Developing Cross-Religious Understandings: Religion, Philosophy, and Convergence Culture in ABC's Lost." You're invited to Dr. Lynn Schofield Clark's lecture: "Sustaining the Mystery, Developing Cross-Religious Understandings: Religion, Philosophy, and Convergence Culture in ABC's Lost." How do fans of the popular television program "Lost" discuss that series' many religious and philosophical references? After viewing several excerpts, this presentation considers various discussions among fans online and offline. Clark argues that such interactions between viewers can tell us a great deal about how people are thinking about the role of various faith traditions within U.S. culture today. She concludes that living a life of faith beckons us to pay attention to the changing context of Christianity within a culture of religious pluralism. This lecture will take place on Tuesday, March 4 at 7:30 pm in Room DC 015, Bytwerk Video Theatre. Lynn Schofield Clark is Assistant Professor at the University of Denver and author of From Angels to Aliens: Teenagers, the Media, and the Supernatural (Oxford U Press, 2003), co-author of Media, Home, and Family (Routledge, 2004), and a contributor to various popular and academic publications. Brought to you by Communication Arts & Sciences Department, Gender Studies, Religion Department, and SAO.




Dr. John Palmer will present "Challenging the Myth of the Model Minority" in the Commons Lecture Hall at 3:30 pm on March 5 and "Karate Chope, Geishas, Nerds, & the Asian Invasion: Reflections of a 'Corean' Adopted American" in the Meeter Center Lecture Hall at 7:00 pm. The From Every Nation Symposium on Race will be held at Calvin College on Wednesday and Thursday, March 5-6, 2008. Dr. John Palmer will present "Challenging the Myth of the Model Minority" in the Commons Lecture Hall at 3:30 pm on March 5 and "Karate Chope, Geishas, Nerds, & the Asian Invasion: Dr. Kristal Zook will present "Black Enough?" at 3:30 pm in the Commons Lecture Hall and "Sunflower Kids: Multiracial Identities and the Coming Age of the Non-White Majority" also in the Commons Lecture Hall at 7:00 pm. Reflections of a 'Corean' Adopted American" in the Meeter Center Lecture Hall at 7:00 pm. Dr. Kristal Zook will present "Black Enough?" at 3:30 pm in the Commons Lecture Hall and "Sunflower Kids: Multiracial Identities and the Coming Age of the Non-White Majority" also in the Commons Lecture Hall at 7:00 pm. This event is sponsored by the Office for Multicultural Affairs.





Terence CuneoThe Philosophy@Calvin Lecture Series continues on Thursday, March 20 with Terence Cuneo, Calvin College/University of Vermont speaking on "Conditional Moral Vegetarianism." This lecture begins at 3:30 pm in the Commons Lecture Hall.





Dr. Stephan LintonDr. Stephan Linton, visiting associate of the Korean Institute at Harvard University, will provide the following as The Inaugural Lectures of the Korean Lectureship:
•  What Should Christians Do about North Korea? - Wednesday, March 26 at 3:30 pm, Meeter Center Lecture Hall
•  Why Should Koreans Care about North Korea? - Thursday, March 27 at 3:30 pm, Calvin Seminary Auditorium

This lectureship is cosponsored by the Asian Studies Program at Calvin College & the Nagel Institute.




The symposium, Transforming Culture: A Vision for the Church and the Arts, brings together pastors, church leaders and artists to discuss the church's relation to the arts and to artists. If you are interested in exploring ways to encourage a more theologically informed, biblically grounded, liturgically sensitive, artistically alive and missionally shrewd vision for the church and the arts, then we welcome you to join us for a stimulating and refreshing two-day conversation. Held in Austin, Texas. The symposium, Transforming Culture: A Vision for the Church and the Arts, brings together pastors, church leaders and artists to discuss the church's relation to the arts and to artists. If you are interested in exploring ways to encourage a more theologically informed, biblically grounded, liturgically sensitive, artistically alive and missionally shrewd vision for the church and the arts, then we welcome you to join us for a stimulating and refreshing two-day conversation. Speakers include Eugene Peterson, Jeremy Begbie, Barbara Nicolosi, Andy Crouch, David Taylor, and John D. Witvliet. Co-sponsored by The Hill Country Institute for Contemporary Christianity and the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship. Registration and additional information, including substantial discount for early registration.




At the Festival, our goal is to provide a vibrant community where readers and writers come together to discuss, celebrate, and explore the ways in which faith is represented in literature and how it plays out in our world today. The Festival of Faith & Writing is a biennial gathering of readers and writers hosted by Calvin College. At the Festival, our goal is to provide a vibrant community where readers and writers come together to discuss, celebrate, and explore the ways in which faith is represented in literature and how it plays out in our world today. The upcoming Festival features Kathleen Norris, Yann Martel, Katherine Paterson, Michael Chabon, Francine Rivers, Gail Godwin, Edward P. Jones, Haven Kimmel, and Elizabeth Berg, and many more. No matter what your literary interests, the 2008 Festival has a track for you, featuring writers in every imaginable genre. If you are intrigued by how faith informs art, or if you simply need a few days to celebrate the joy of words, then you should consider attending! Online registration is now available and early registration is advised.

Each month one book is showcased, written by an author who is scheduled to participate in Festival 2008. Our goal with this new feature-which we call "Festival Favorites"-is to shine light on some good books that perhaps aren't (yet) on your bookshelves. We hope you get a chance to read a few of these "favorites" before the Festival next April! February's featured book is titled "God's Silence" by Franz Wright.



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Worship & Discipleship
Campus News
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Calvin-Parents, published by the Calvin Office of Parent Relations, is an e-mail newsletter published for parents, grandparents and family members of Calvin students. To subscribe, unsubscribe, or change delivery to a different e-mail address send an e-mail message to parents@calvin.edu, call 616-526-6094, or follow the directions posted on the Calvin-Parents Web site. Click here to access archived issues of Calvin-Parents.

. E-mail Jim Van Wingerden, Calvin Parent Relations Director | 616-526-6094