Wishing you a blessed new year (and some important January dates)
 We at Calvin wish you and your family a most blessed new year! The January Interim term is an exciting time at Calvin College (see news item below), and features many opportunities for students that are not offered during a regular semester. Here are some important dates to note in conjunction with the January Interim and the start of the spring semester:
• Monday, December 31: College offices re-open at 8:00 am
• Tuesday, January 1: College offices closed for New Years Day
• Wednesday, January 2: College offices re-open at 8:00 am. Residence halls, KE apts. open at 10:00 am. Meal plans begin with dinner (Commons Dining Hall), served 5:00-7:00 pm; Johnnys and Spoelhof Cafes are open regular hours.
• Thursday, January 3: Interim begins at 8:00 am. January Series begins at 12:30 pm (see news item below).
• Friday, January 4: Tuition, room & board payment due
• Wednesday, January 23: Interim ends at 5:00 pm. On-campus housing and dining facilities remain open during Interim break.
• Tuesday, January 29: Spring semester classes begin at 8:00 am
Please pray for safe travel
 Please pray for the safety of Calvin students traveling back to campus this week and to many locations around the world. This month, hundreds of Calvin students are participating in 25 Interim courses taught at off-campus locations. Many of these Interim course locations are outside of the U.S., including China, Germany, Vietnam, Cambodia, Ethiopia, Costa Rica, the UK, Ecuador, Guatemala, Italy, Romania, Kenya, Switzerland, the Dominican Republic, and Mexico. Some of the off-campus Interim programs maintain blogs, online galleries, and listservs. Check with your student in advance to determine if these are available; the Parent Relations and Off-Campus Programs offices do not have this information.
Featured Web site: Music
 The Music Department Web site, one of Calvin's many academic department sites, houses a wealth of information and resources including:
• 2007-2008 Concert calendar
• Web sites for each music ensemble (Capella, Orchestra, Women's Chorale, Band, Gospel Choir, etc.)
• Faculty profiles
• Student resources, scholarship information
• Knollcrest Music Camp information
Financial Aid, 2008-2009
 January 1 arrives tomorrow and it's time to start thinking about financial aid for the upcoming academic year. Students who have filed for financial aid in previous years should be receiving a reminder in early January from the U.S. Department of Education to reapply for financial aid using the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) online. Students who have not previously completed and filed the FAFSA may do so, after January 1, for the upcoming academic year at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov. The Calvin Supplemental Financial Aid form, available on the Calvin Web site, is an optional step and provides a means for families to inform the college of unique financial circumstances that affect their ability to pay college expenses. Questions regarding this application process can be directed to the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid at 800-688-0122 or finaid@calvin.edu.
Question of the Month: January 2008
 "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 January 2008 question: "During this past year, on which topic has your student most requested your assistance or advice?"
Please record your response here.
Here are the results of the December 2007 QOTM: "I visit the Roving WebCam (photo galleries) on Calvin's Web site:"
• More than once each week: 21.4%
• Once a week: 17.6%
• More than once each month: 15.7%
• Once a month: 12.6%
• Once each semester: 19.5%
• I never visit the Roving WebCam Web site: 13.2%
What is the January Interim all about?
Calvin is on a 4-1-4 curriculum calendar, and during the three-week January Interim students study just one course. The objective of the Interim is to provide students an opportunity to study topics which would ordinarily not be offered during a regular semester. The list of Interim courses (almost 200 of them!) represents an interesting collection of topics and reflects the wealth of knowledge within the Calvin faculty. Here are a few examples:
 • Business and Engineering
• The Globalization of Christianity
• Finding God in the Movies
• Knitting: History, Culture and Science
• Volunteerism and Volunteer Management: The Invisible Workforce.
• Jazz: A Cultural and Musical History
• Daily Life and Culture in China
First-year students take one of the 40+ sections of DCM (Developing a Christian Mind) as part of their core requirement. This gateway course is a continuation of the Prelude course, and introduces students to the central intellectual project of Calvin College, the development of a Christian worldview and a broad, faith-based engagement with God's world.
Most Interim classes meet mornings or afternoons; some courses involving laboratories and in-service experiences may require full-day participation. Several Interim courses are taught off campus at various locations in North America and around the world. To meet requirements for a Calvin degree, students must complete at least three Interim courses. Transfer students must complete one Interim course for each year in residence.
Listen to Calvin chapel services live on the Faith Web site
 Every weekday morning during Interim and the school year, students, faculty and staff gather for worship in the Calvin Chapel to sing, pray, read scripture, and to hear testimonies of God's faithfulness. Calvin parents, alumni and friends are also invited and are able to join us at 10:00 am (EST), Monday through Friday, by listening to a live audio Web cast (no video) of chapel from the Faith Web site; there is also a link in the Frequently Accessed Resources section on the main page of the Parent Web site. Our theme for worship during the January Interim terms is "Spaces, Songs & Stories: What's so sacred about that?" On the "Spaces" days we invite you to step into a space that is designed to be more contemplative, a place to quietly reflect on a reading, to meditate & to pray.
Parents: please nominate a high school student for Entrada 2008
 The Entrada Scholars Program offers ethnic minority high school students a "gateway" to the future: the opportunity to experience college learning and living while earning college credit! Entrada scholars participate in regular summer-term classes with current Calvin students and spend 4 weeks (June 15 - July 11, 2008) experiencing college life firsthand. Calvin parents are invited and encouraged to nominate high school juniors and seniors within your sphere of influence (family, church, school, neighborhood, etc.) who might benefit from such an opportunity. The deadline for nominating an Entrada scholar is February 15. For more information about Entrada, and to access the nomination form visit the Entrada Web site.
Tuition, room and board payment due: January 4
Please note that the Miscellaneous Charges statement, normally due on the first of each month, is also due on Friday, January 4, 2008.
Financial Aid Seminars: January 7-24
 Calvin's admissions and financial aid office is once again offering college financing seminars during January, held at several locations throughout Michigan, Illinois and Indiana. These free seminars provide an opportunity for parents of high school students to explore various options and programs available to help pay for a college education. The information shared is appropriate for all pre-college students, not just those considering a Calvin education. Parents and students from any high school are welcome to attend. If you know of prospective college students and/or parents who will benefit from exploring these options, please invite and encourage them to attend one of these seminars. The listing of scheduled seminars is available on Calvin's Financial Aid Web site.
Named and Departmental Scholarship Applications: due March 1
 Current students have been informed of the opportunity to apply for named and departmental scholarships for 2008-2009. These "named" scholarships are established by donors for students who meet specific eligibility criteria, often based on factors such as academic major, intended career goal, GPA, minority status, etc. These scholarships are listed in the college catalog beginning on page 278. Students can also access an online search tool to assist with this process. The application form for Upperclass Named/Departmental Scholarships, Education, Engineering and Nursing Scholarships is available on-line. Students can access and complete the application on KnightVision: KnightVision> My Resources> Student Scholarships and Financial Aid>Apply for Aid>Upperclass Named Scholarship Application.
A number of other scholarships are awarded to students in particular academic departments. Applications for these scholarships are available from, and must be submitted to, the academic department for which the scholarship is designated. The application for most of these scholarships needs to be completed and submitted by March 1.
Calvin Distinctive #5: Remarkable Investment
 Calvin's life-changing education provides lifelong dividends. A Calvin education yields a return on investment that far outweighs the cost of tuition or lifetime earning power, as noted by independent endorsements and as
demonstrated by the lives of alumni. A Calvin education is not only an investment in character development but also excellent academic preparation for life. The Templeton Foundation's Honor Roll of Character-Building Colleges has included Calvin in every edition of the publication. For more information visit the Calvin Distinctives Web site.
|
Calvin Sports: This week's athletic events
 For 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.
Concert Calendar: January
Calvin College is pleased to announce these upcoming concerts and events:
 • Alumni Choir Concert: "Souvenirs: A Musical Journey," Pearl Shangkuan, conductor - Friday, January 11 at 8:00 pm (Second Christian Reformed Church, 2021 Sheldon Road, Grand Haven, Michigan; tickets not required)
• Alumni Choir Concert: "Souvenirs: A Musical Journey," Pearl Shangkuan, conductor - Sunday, January 13 at 8:00 pm (Fine Arts Center Auditorium; tickets are required. Calvin Box Office, 616-526-6282)
• Faculty Recital: Tiffany Engle, saxophone - Saturday, January 19 at 8:00 pm (Fine Arts Center Auditorium; tickets not required)
• Guest Recital: Duo Majoya, Joachim Seggher and Marnie Giesbrecht, organ and piano duo - Sunday, January 27 at 8:00 pm (Calvin Chapel; tickets not required)
• Workshop: Duo Majoya, Joachim Seggher and Marnie Giesbrecht, organ and piano duo - Monday, January 28 at 8:00 pm (Calvin Chapel; tickets not required)
Center Art Gallery: Highly Favored: Contemporary Images of the Virgin Mary - Jan. 3 - Feb. 2
 From January 3 - February 2, the Center Art Gallery at Calvin College presents "Highly Favored: Contemporary Images of the Virgin Mary," a CIVA-produced show of recent Protestant, Orthodox, and Catholic Marian art. The exhibition includes 36 pieces by 29 artists, and was juried by Fr. Terrence E. Dempsey, S.J., a Jesuit priest and the Founding Director of the Museum of Contemporary Religious Art (MOCRA) at Saint Louis University in St. Louis, Missouri. The barrier-free Center Art Gallery, located on the lower level of the Spoelhof College Center, is open 9:00 to 9:00 on Monday through Thursday, 9:00 - 5:00 on Friday, and noon to 4:00 pm on Saturday. There is no admission charge.
Passport to Adventure: Postcards From Italy - January 10
 The Passport to Adventure Travel Series features professional, full-color films with live commentary by the filmmakers. The Thursday, January 10 program features filmmaker Steve McCurdy who will present "Postcards From Italy." 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-Hope Rivalry - Saturday, January 26. Join the fun at one of 40+ satellite sites!
 The classic Calvin-Hope men's basketball rivalry will reignite on Saturday, January 26 at 2:00 pm at the Calvin College Fieldhouse. Calvin and Hope parents, family, and alumni are invited to gather at one of more than 40 Rivalry sites across the U.S. and Canada to participate in this Calvin-Hope tradition via live satellite broadcast. To locate the event closest to your area visit the Rivalry Web site. Are you unable to find a Rivalry location nearby? Call 616-526-6142 and perhaps we can recruit you (in 2009) to help make local arrangements to plan a new Rivalry event in your hometown! Check out the Calvin/Hope "Rivalry" Web site!
The Calvin-Hope rivalry has gained national attention in recent years and was recently ranked one of the country's fiercest rivalries behind Duke/North Carolina, Connecticut/Tennessee (women's) and Louisville/Kentucky. The first game between the two schools was played during the 1920-21 season. Since then, Hope and Calvin have played 165 times; Calvin has won 83 games and Hope has won 82.
Calvin Theatre Company: Alice in Wonderland - Jan. 31, Feb. 1-2, 7-9
 The Calvin Theatre Company will present Alice in Wonderland, by Lewis Carroll, adapted and Directed by Todd Farley, on January 31 and February 1-2 and 7-9 in the Lab Theatre at Calvin College. Lewis Carroll's fantastic tale takes on a new twist in this whimsical mimo-drama (a mix of physical and spoken theatre). Familiar characters such as the Cheshire Cat, the Queen of Hearts, Mad Hatter, Jabberwocky, and Alice will charm the audience with their mime, full-body puppetry, and fanciful banter. Calvin Theatre Company's Alice in Wonderland celebrates a creativity and childlike imagination that defies common sense yet in the process touches something deeply hidden in our hearts--delight. Tickets are available from the Calvin Box Office; 616-526-6282.
|
All presentations begin at 12:30 pm and end promptly at 1:30 pm (EST). Additionally, remote webcasts at a dozen sites around the U.S. will bring January Series' expertise to such locales as Muskegon, Ann Arbor and Chicago and as far away as Florida and California.
In addition to these remote sites, listeners may also join in as most of the presentations will be broadcast in real audio through the Calvin Web site. More information, including the entire 2008 January Series schedule and the complete list of remote webcast sites, is available on the January Series Web site.
Inner Compass: Suffering In Marriage - January 6
 It has been said that we don't keep marriage vows; they keep us. David Gushee, professor of Christian Ethics at Mercer University in Atlanta and author of Getting Marriage Right: Realistic Counsel for Saving and Strengthening Relationships, tells host Shirley Hoogstra how we can strengthen this kind of commitment in a culture where expectations run high and tolerance for suffering is low.
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).
Conference: Calvin Symposium on Worship - January 24-26, 2008
 The Calvin Institute of Christian Worship and the Center for Excellence in Preaching warmly invite you to attend the Calvin Symposium on Worship, January 24-26, 2008. Worshipers and worship leaders from around the world gather at Symposium each January for a time of fellowship, worship, and learning, seeking to deepen and integrate all aspects of worship, develop their gifts, encourage each other, and renew their commitment to the full ministry of the church. Online registration is now open.
Conference: Festival of Faith & Writing - April 17-19, 2008
 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! January's featured book is The Yiddish Policeman's Union by Michael Chabon.
|
