Calvin-Parents - Monday, May 5, 2008 - Volume 5, No. 18
 
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:




For those of you who are the parent of a new Calvin student, we expect that you are probably as interested in the first year of college as your son or daughter.For those of you who are the parent of a new Calvin student, we expect that you are probably as interested in the first year of college as your son or daughter. So, you are invited to attend one of the four PASSPORT summer programs along with your student!

•  PASSPORT I: July 2-3
•  PASSPORT II: July 17-18
•  PASSPORT III: July 28-29
•  PASSPORT IV: September 1-3 (modified for students & families who must travel long distances)

Actually, parents and student follow similar but separate "program tracks" during the course of the day-and-a-half orientation session. You and your student are likely already registered; check with your student if you're not sure. In past years Calvin parents have found PASSPORT attendance to be extremely helpful -- even those parents who are familiar with Calvin as a former student! Parents are important partners with Calvin College in realizing our mission. You perform a vital role in making the transition to college life smooth and successful. For additional information visit the PASSPORT Web site or call the Student Development Office at 616-526-6165. We hope you will attend and look forward to seeing you on campus this summer!




Music Department Web siteThe Music Department's Web site has been re-designed and we invite you to take a look! Find out about upcoming concerts and events, read news items about the Music Department, check out the recordings available by our Music ensembles and much more!



Please take a moment to respond to the May 2008 question: "Does your student have a Facebook page, MySpace page, or blog? Do you have a Facebook page, MySpace page, or blog?" "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 May 2008 question: "Does your student have a Facebook page, MySpace page, or blog? Do you have a Facebook page, MySpace page, or blog?" Please record your response here.

Here are the results of the April 2008 QOTM: "How often do you and your student send text messages to one another?" The results are:
•  I don't send text messages: 53.2%
•  Once a week or less: 7.2%
•  One or two times a week: 15.3%
•  Every two or three days: 15.3%
•  One or more times a day: 9.0%




"Hey Mom! I Can't Cook" is a television show produced by communications arts and sciences (CAS) professor Brian Fuller's advanced media production class, CAS 351.Calvin College students are getting a real-world experience this semester in media production and having some fun in the process. "Hey Mom! I Can't Cook" is a television show produced by communications arts and sciences (CAS) professor Brian Fuller's advanced media production class, CAS 351. And while it was Fuller and fellow CAS professor Daniel Garcia who chose the cooking show concept, the pair is quick to credit their students for bringing the project to life. In fact students work at every level of the production: switcher, floor manager, audio, teleprompter, director, camera operators, and even host (that would be Calvin junior Andy Allen). Episodes are taped live in the studio of the DeVos Communication Center at 1:30 PM each Monday and Wednesday through May 7, 2008. Check out taped shows and more info at this Web address.




Here are some important dates to note in conjunction with the end of the spring semester, exams, and Commencement:
•  Thursday, May 8: Last day of classes (Friday class schedule in effect)
•  Friday, May 9: Reading Recess (no classes)
•  Saturday, May 10: Exams begin at 9:00 am
•  Thursday, May 15: Exams end at 10:00 pm
•  Friday, May 16: Residence halls and Knollcrest East apartments close at 10:00 am. Residents must move out of on-campus housing 24 hours after their last exam. Students with Thursday exams, or those with special permission, may remain in the halls or KE apartments over Thursday evening, May 15. Students with questions or concerns should see their RD.
•  Thursday-Saturday, May 15-17: Commencement activities
•  Thursday-Saturday, May 15-17: Parents' Commencement Schedule
•  Thursday-Saturday, May 15-17: Graduates' Commencement Schedule
•  Friday, May 16: Residence hall lodging available for parents and families of graduates after 3:00 pm
•  Saturday, May 17: Commencement Ceremony at 2:00 pm at Van Andel Arena; tickets required




Students have been notified that the Campus Store will conduct its spring Textbook Buyback on Wednesday-Friday, May 7-9 and Monday-Thursday, May 12-15. Buyback hours are from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm; these hours are extended to 6:30 pm on May 13 and 15. The buyback window is located in the hallway between Johnnies and the Campus Store. Students have been notified that the Campus Store will conduct its spring Textbook Buyback on Wednesday-Friday, May 7-9 and Monday-Thursday, May 12-15. Buyback hours are from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm; these hours are extended to 6:30 pm on May 13 and 15. The buyback window is located in the hallway between Johnnies and the Campus Store. Beginning Thursday, May 8 the Calvin Campus Store will hold its Spring Festival Sale (in-store sale; does not apply to items ordered online) featuring a variety of selected items including clothing, supplies, books, stuffed animals & more, on sale at reduced prices.





Graduating seniors have been encouraged to report their job, internship or graduate school plans within 6 months of graduation to Calvin's Office of Career Development. Career Development keeps track of job, grad school, and internship placements for the college, so we appreciate your participation! Graduating seniors have been encouraged to report their job, internship or graduate school plans within 6 months of graduation to Calvin's Office of Career Development. Career Development keeps track of job, grad school, and internship placements for the college, so we appreciate your participation! All grads who provide this information will get a $15 gift certificate for the Campus Store. These can be reported by students at the Career Development Web site. Students who report an internship will be entered into a monthly drawing for $25 to the Campus Store. (Parents: here is an interesting article from ABC News that discusses how parents of college graduates can help their student with the job search process.)




Calvin provides a variety of summer youth camps and educational programs for elementary, middle and high school students. Included among these programs are: athletic camps, Knollcrest Music Camp, Chemistry Camps, Wetlands & Woodlands Camp, A.C.E. camps (Academic Camps of Excellence), and other youth programs including the popular S.T.E.P. (Striving Toward Educational Possibilities) program. Visit the Summer Programs Web site for program and registration information. Calvin provides a variety of summer youth camps and educational programs for elementary, middle and high school students. Included among these programs are: athletic camps, Knollcrest Music Camp, Chemistry Camps, Wetlands & Woodlands Camp, A.C.E. camps (Academic Camps of Excellence), and other youth programs including the popular S.T.E.P. (Striving Toward Educational Possibilities) program. Visit the Summer Programs Web site for program and registration information.




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.



From Streetfest during first-year orientation, through graduation and beyond, Calvin encourages, nurtures and honors a life of service. Over 1,000 students participate in community-based service-learning as part of their course work each year and another 1,000 participate in community service organized by a variety of Student Life Division programs.A Calvin education calls and equips students to be agents of renewal in God's world. In the words of the Calvin Mission Statement: "We pursue intellectual efforts to explore our world's beauty, speak to its pain, uncover our own faithlessness, and proclaim the healing that God offers in Jesus Christ. We strive to embrace the best insights of Christian life and reflection; engage issues in the intellectual and public spheres; and enrich faith by the heritage of the past and the discoveries of today." From Streetfest during first-year orientation, through graduation and beyond, Calvin encourages, nurtures and honors a life of service. Over 1,000 students participate in community-based service-learning as part of their course work each year and another 1,000 participate in community service organized by a variety of Student Life Division programs. 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.




Members of the Grand Rapids Ballet Company will participate in the May 6 Calvin Around Town event.The Calvin Alumni Association Grand Rapids Area Chapter will host its next edition of Calvin Around Town at the Meijer-Royce Center for Dance and the Peter Martin Wege Theatre, 341 Ellsworth SW in Grand Rapids, with the Grand Rapids Ballet Company. Ellen Van't Hof, assistant professor of dance at Calvin, will give an update about the college's offerings in this area. Laura Schwenk-Berman, GRBC associate artistic director, and company dancers will present a brief oral history of ballet and a short demonstration class explaining ballet technique. You are cordially invited to attend. The event will take place from 6:30-9:00 pm on Tuesday evening, May 6. The fee is $20 per person and includes an hors d'oeuvre and dessert buffet. For additional information call 616-526-6142 or visit the Calvin Around Town Web site.




The Calvin Improv Comedy Team will present a comedy show on Thursday, May 8 at 8:00 pm in the Gezon Auditorium. Tickets are not required.



Everyone is invited to attend an art installation reception and view a series of painting and quilts titled " Delight in God's Creation." These painting and quilts will be on permanent display in the hallway of the Bunker Interpretive Center. Please save the date of May 14 from 7:00 - 9:00 pm to attend this delightful event.




The various centers and institutes at Calvin College will host the second annual Celebration of Faculty Scholarship to recognize faculty who have achieved some significant scholarly accomplishment (e.g., the publication of a book, the publication of an article in a peer-reviewed journal, the awarding of a major grant, or something else that may reflect an important scholarly accomplishment within your particular discipline) during the past year (June 2007- May 2008). The various centers and institutes at Calvin College will host the second annual Celebration of Faculty Scholarship to recognize faculty who have achieved some significant scholarly accomplishment (e.g., the publication of a book, the publication of an article in a peer-reviewed journal, the awarding of a major grant, or something else that may reflect an important scholarly accomplishment within your particular discipline) during the past year (June 2007- May 2008). This year's event will take place on Friday, May 16, from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm in the Meeter Center Lecture Hall and the Library Lobby. Refreshments will be available throughout, including a buffet lunch between noon and 1 in the Meeter Center Lecture Hall. Parents wishing to attend the free lunch buffet may call ahead to reserve tickets by contacting Dawn Crook at 616-526-6871 or by e-mail at drc5@calvin.edu.




Come and celebrate with us! Join President Byker, student-selected "2007 Professor of the Year" Dr. Joy Bonnema, and other Calvin administrators for this special Commencement event on Saturday, May 17 from 9:00-10:30 am in the Prince Conference Center. Tickets are $15 per person and can be purchased from the Calvin Box Office at 616-526-6282. Come and celebrate with us! Join President Byker, student-selected "2007 Professor of the Year" Dr. Joy Bonnema, and other Calvin administrators for this special Commencement event on Saturday, May 17 from 9:00-10:30 am in the Prince Conference Center. Tickets are $15 per person and can be purchased from the Calvin Box Office at 616-526-6282. Seating is limited to the first 300 parents who place their order. Tickets for this event will not be sold after May 12, 2008. (Note: During this event the graduates will be participating in the annual Senior Brunch held in the Commons Dining Hall).

Conferences, Workshops, Lectures



Please reserve time on your calendar for this upcoming Byker Chair event. On Tuesday, May 6 guest speaker Cephas Omenyo will speak on "African Christian Initiatives: Some Lessons for the West."Please reserve time on your calendar for this upcoming Byker Chair event. On Tuesday, May 6 guest speaker Cephas Omenyo will speak on "African Christian Initiatives: Some Lessons for the West." Cephas Omenyo is currently the John A. Mackay Professor of World Christianity at Princeton Theological Seminary. This lecture will take place at 3:30 pm in the Alumni Association Board Room (Commons Annex, upper level). This event is co-sponsored by The Gary and Henrietta Byker Chair in Christian Perspectives on Political, Social and Economic Thought; African and African Diaspora Studies; the Department of Sociology and Social Work; and the Nagel Institute.




Henri Gooren will present a lecture on "Global Mormon Growth: the Rise of New World Religion?" on Wednesday, May 7. Henri Gooren currently teaches Anthropology at Oakland University. This lecture will take place at 3:30 pm in the Commons Annex Lecture Hall (Commons Annex, lower level). This event is sponsored by The Gary and Henrietta Byker Chair in Christian Perspectives on Political, Social and Economic Thought.Henri Gooren will present a lecture on "Global Mormon Growth: the Rise of New World Religion?" on Wednesday, May 7. Henri Gooren currently teaches Anthropology at Oakland University. This lecture will take place at 3:30 pm in the Commons Annex Lecture Hall (Commons Annex, lower level). This event is sponsored by The Gary and Henrietta Byker Chair in Christian Perspectives on Political, Social and Economic Thought.



Field biologist Margaret Lowman has balanced research and family in rainforest treetops around the world. Lowman, author of It’s a Jungle Up There: More Tales from the Treetops, tells host Shirley Hoogstra how her high-reaching adventures grounded her as a mother and advanced forest-canopy research for scientists, indigenous people groups, and the online student community.Field biologist Margaret Lowman has balanced research and family in rainforest treetops around the world. Lowman, author of It’s a Jungle Up There: More Tales from the Treetops, tells host Shirley Hoogstra how her high-reaching adventures grounded her as a mother and advanced forest-canopy research for scientists, indigenous people groups, and the online student community.

Inner Compass is a Calvin-produced television show that explores how people make decisions regarding ethical, religious, and social justice issues. Inner Compass typically airs in western Michigan on PBS station WGVU-TV on Sunday afternoons at 1:00 pm: Grand Rapids (channel 35/cable channel 6) and Kalamazoo (channel 52). Two full seasons of episodes are also downloadable in video or audio from the Inner Compass Web site. Each Wednesday the latest program is added (or, each Monday on iTunes, podcasts section).




The renaissance in philosophy of religion has engendered sustained philosophical reflection on a number of key aspects of theology, but there has been a notable paucity of philosophical engagement with a central aspect of religious practice: worship and liturgy. This conference brings together leading scholars in philosophy and theology to investigate key themes in worship with the tools of philosophy, with the ultimate goal of informing practice. There is also the reciprocal goal of letting liturgical practice become a fund for philosophical reflection on classic questions and themes. The conference will thus stage a reciprocal encounter between philosophy and liturgy, with the goal of generating a liturgical philosophy, and a philosophically-informed liturgy. The office of Seminars in Christian Scholarship invites you to attend the Philosophy and Liturgy: Ritual, Practice, and Embodied Wisdom conference. This conference will be hosted by James K. A. Smith, John Witvliet and Nicholas Wolterstorff and will be May 20-22 at the Prince Conference Center.




Please join Anne Heider, award-winning conductor, composer, arranger and teacher on the campus of Calvin College for Polyphony Camp: Singing Together for the Fun of It. Cost is $100 and covers the seven evening sessions, June 23, 24, 25, 26, 30 and July 1 and 2. Please contact Seminars in Christian Scholarship at 616.526.8558 or email seminars@calvin.edu for further information. Please join Anne Heider, award-winning conductor, composer, arranger and teacher on the campus of Calvin College for Polyphony Camp: Singing Together for the Fun of It. Cost is $100 and covers the seven evening sessions, June 23, 24, 25, 26, 30 and July 1 and 2. Please contact Seminars in Christian Scholarship at 616.526.8558 or email seminars@calvin.edu for further information.



The office of Seminars in Christian Scholarship invites you to the following free public lectures.

•  Can a Scientist Believe in a Destiny Beyond Death? - Sir John Polkinghorne, Cambridge University - 7:30 pm Thursday, June 26 (Calvin Theological Seminary Chapel)
•  Science and Religion: Why Does the Debate Continue? - Dr. Alvin Plantinga, University of Notre Dame - 7:30 pm Wednesday, July 2 (Calvin Theological Seminary Chapel)
•  The Divine Handiwork: Evolution and the Wonder of Life - Owen Gingerich, Harvard University - 7:30 pm Wednesday, July 9 (Gezon Auditorium)
•  God and Morality - Richard Swinburne, Oxford University - 7:30 pm Wednesday, July 16 (Gezon Auditorium)

These distinguished scholars are on campus for the Science, Philosophy, Belief Summer Seminar, a four-week faculty development seminar for Chinese professors and postgraduate students. Please call 616-526-8558 or email seminars@calvin.edu with any questions.


The summer months at Calvin are busy with many activities and events, including a sizable offering of conferences, workshops and seminars. Here is a sampling of many of these upcoming summer events:
The summer months at Calvin are busy with many activities and events, including a sizable offering of conferences, workshops and seminars. Here is a sampling of many of these upcoming summer events:•  - June 23-July 3. Co-sponsored by the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship Funded by the Lilly Endowment, Inc.
•  - June 23-July 18. Co-sponsored by the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship Funded by the Lilly Endowment, Inc.
•  - July 7-18. Funded by the Center for Excellence in Preaching at Calvin Theological Seminary
•  - July 14-August 1. Funded by The Louisville Institute and Seminars in Christian Scholarship at Calvin College
•  - July 21-25. Funded by the Kuyers Institute for Christian Teaching and Learning at Calvin College and the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship
•  - July 21-25. Funded by the Center for Excellence in Preaching at Calvin Theological Seminary

Please visit our Web site for description and application information. Call Marilyn or Mary at 526-8558 or e-mail seminars@calvin.edu with any questions.


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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