Interim 2009 winds down

Interim 2009 is a fun month of learning for students on- and off-campus.  There are many blogs from the various interim classes here and abroad, and more stories from Interim 2009 on the News & Stories page.

You can also read about how Calvin ranks first in the country in its category for students studying abroad, which includes the many students who travel in January.  Students aren't the only ones traveling in January.  One Calvin staff member has a ticket for the Inauguration and is spending some time in Washington, DC.

Last week of The January Series

Don't miss any of the last January Series lectures that are available at remote Web cast sites every day of this award winning lecture/cultural arts series. For over twenty years, the January Series provides a diversity of presenters, and topics change as the world of ideas change. Presentations take place every weekday on our campus from 12:30 -1:30 p.m. through January 27 and can also be heard online.  Take a look at the January Series site for the complete lineup of speakers, find out where the 22 remote sites are that will be receiving the live video feed, visit the archives of past speakers and listen to the daily live audio feeds.  A story about John Witte, Jr's lecture, "Separation of Church and State - Calvin Style: A 500th Anniversary Celebration," is now featured on the News & Stories page.

Siblings Weekend

Does your Calvin student have a younger brother or sister (or cousin, nephew, etc.) that would love to visit him or her on campus?  While guests are certainly welcome all year long, consider inviting them to Siblings Weekend, February 27-March 1.  This annual event is co-sponsored by the residence life and student activities offices.  A number of fun activities and events have been planned, and siblings can eat any and all meals as part of the $22 registration fee.  For information and on-line registration (the only way to register and pay), please visit the Siblings Weekend site.

A letter from the Nursing Pinning Committee

Dear Parents and Grandparents of Nursing Students,

Our senior year is well underway, and as many of you may have heard, we are keeping very busy!  While we still have much work ahead of us, it is exciting to think that come May 21, we will be celebrating all of our efforts and our journey toward receiving a Bachelors of Science in Nursing (BSN) at the Pinning Ceremony.  This ceremony is a long-standing tradition in which all of the graduating nursing students, along with their family and friends, join to celebrate their success in nursing school.  In this ceremony, each student is traditionally and proudly “pinned” with Calvin’s nursing pin, as a special signature of completing a baccalaureate degree in nursing and being eligible to take the state RN licensure examination.  

Thinking ahead to graduation, perhaps you would like to consider purchasing a nursing pin for your son, daughter or grandchild.  Information about cost and ordering this pin can be found at www.terryberry.net  (use "security id: 36095" and "password: Nurse"). While your child/grandchild would not receive the pin until the Pinning Ceremony, this could be a special gift and keepsake for them, as many nurses continue to wear this pin throughout their career.  You can find out additional information about the Pinning Ceremony on the nursing department site.  

The Pinning Ceremony is a special and proud moment for each nursing student.  Although your presence and support is the most important, please consider sharing in this special day with the gift of a Calvin nursing pin.  We are looking forward to seeing you and celebrating with you in May!

Sincerely, the Nursing Pinning Committee, Nursing Class of 2009.
 

Featured Web site: Diversity

As a Christian institution with a Reformed heritage, Calvin College values and promotes diversity. Scripture calls us to love others as we love ourselves; to exhibit and extend hospitality; and to pursue reconciliation with one another. Love, hospitality, and reconciliation are to be exhibited in all aspects of life; furthermore, they are markers of shalom.  The provost's office has published this on their new Diversity site.  Be sure to check it out. 

Student Treat for Valentine's Day

The Valentine Treat, as part of the Student Treats program, features a sturdy 32 oz. Nalgene® water bottle, imprinted with the Calvin logo, and filled with fun snacks and treats and a $5 certificate for use at Johhny's Cafe. The Valentine Treat is included in the Year of Treats. The order deadline is Monday, February 9 and this gift will be delivered to students on Friday, February 13. Remember that you can surprise your student with the popular "Pizza and a Movie" treat ($25), which can be ordered anytime and often! "Pizza and a Movie" features a certificate for a large two-topping pizza (delivery), a bag of popcorn, and a Blockbuster® gift card! For more information please visit the Student Treats site. 

Calvin/Hope recap and photo gallery

The Calvin/Hope Rivalry event was a big success this year---and not just because Calvin squeaked by with a 66-64 victory at the DeVos Fieldhouse in Holland, Mich.  In addition to the sold-out crowd of 3,653 at the game, there were thousands of alumni and friends in attendance at viewing events across the country---perhaps across the globe---thanks to the Internet and satellite broadcasts.  Photos are still coming in from the 50+ locations where alumni officially gathered, but many Calvin/Hope photos are available in the gallery now.

The Spoelhof Fieldhouse Complex

The Spoelhof Fieldhouse Complex—designed to honor the whole person—is now serving athletes, students and the campus community alike.  The official dedication for the complex is still over a month away, but we'd like you to make plans to join us for this huge milestone in Calvin athletics and campus life.

Did you know that there are several WebCams that feature the action inside and out of the Spoelhof Fieldhouse Complex?  See images from the climbing wall, the Van Noord Arena, the Huizenga Tennis and Track Center, as well as other campus views which include the Commons Lawn and the wind turbine.  And the winter sports teams are enjoying their new home.

TRANSITIONS orientation program

TRANSITIONS is our orientation program for students who will be starting their Calvin career mid-year with the spring semester. This program, like PASSPORT, is designed to help students and parents during their time of transition to Calvin College.  TRANSITIONS begins on Thursday, January 29 and continues through Saturday, January 31.  Students will meet with an advisor, register for classes, attend workshops, learn about various resources and have opportunity to meet other new students.  Parents are invited to attend Thursday events to help them learn more about Calvin and how to make this a successful transition for their family.

Events for alumni, friends and families

Bookmark the alumni events calendar to keep track of important dates throughout the year, to which you are warmly invited, as a parent, alumni and/or friend of the college.  More information is found there for each of the following events:

Jan. 20: MBA@Calvin event with Ken Van Der Wende; January's topic is entrepreneurship
Feb. 17 - 22: Spoelhof Fieldhouse Complex Dedication events and activities
Feb. 20 & 21: Homecoming 2009
Mar. 5: Calvin Around Town at the Frauenthal Center for the Performing Arts

Check the Parent Calendar for important dates; Interim break details...

Bookmark the parent calendar to keep track of important dates throughout the year, including:

• Jan 27: Interim ends, 5:00 p.m.  On-campus housing and dining services remain open during break between Interim and second semester.
• Feb. 1: Misc. charges payment due
• Feb. 2: Classes begin, 8:00 a.m.
• Feb. 4: ReGathering: Opening Convocation
• Feb. 6: Last day to add full and first-half semester courses
• Feb. 20 & 21: Homecoming 2009
• Feb. 27 & 28: Siblings Weekend, Rangeela

Last updated Tuesday, January 27, 2009