Message for new college parents:  Students are finding their niche

Some college students might find it difficult to expand their circle of friends and move beyond familiar "high school" patterns during the early weeks and months of college. Of course, finding one's niche takes time and happens gradually. If your student is expressing thoughts along these lines, encourage him to get involved in floor and residence hall events (there are many!) or join a student organization. Suggest to your student that he sit with someone he doesn't know at morning chapel or a meal: the odds are that many other new students also share these feelings and would gladly welcome the social initiative of another student. These steps may be initially harder for a student who is naturally shy, but they often help new college students begin the important process of acclimatizing to college and expanding their circle of friends and/or activities.
 

Rhetoric Center help available

The Rhetoric Center, located on the second floor of the Hekman Library, is a free service for all Calvin students. Peer tutors from various majors are available to help with writing or speech assignments, from deciding on a topic and organizing material to revising drafts and checking comma placement. In addition to class papers, they can also help with oral presentations, recommendation letters, creative writing, and other projects related to rhetoric. Students can drop in or call for a 30- or 60-minute appointment. The center is open Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., and Monday through Thursday,  7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
 

Campus mail and phone information

Is Jubilee Fellows a good fit for your student?

Has your student ever expressed interest in--or even curiosity about--Christian ministry as a possible vocation? If so, she or he might wish to explore Calvin's Jubilee Fellows course, which is offered to junior-level students during the spring semester. Students have been notified of this opportunity and applications are due on October 8. Selected students will take a spring semester course focusing on ministry and the daily life of a church and its leaders. Then next summer they will embark on a paid internship for 10 weeks at a church in North America. Each student will experience the day-to-day life of a church and serve as an apprentice to a church leader to better discern if a career in ministry is a good fit.

Artist Series of concerts to begin

Calvin’s Artist's Series concerts offer a variety of musical styles and talents that will appeal to regular concert-goers and new audiences alike. This seventh season offers a delightful early music ensemble, the Atlantic Brass Quintet, with arrangements that speak to the heart and the mind; an innovative exploration of music for voices and instruments by Jitro, considered one of the best children's choir in the world; a return visit by a choral favorite, Chanticleer; one of America’s leading jazz ensembles, The Eisenhower Dance Ensemble; and a world-renowned piano soloist, Masaaki Suzuki. We hope you can join us for one or all concerts in this special series.

Career Development: Resources for parents

As the parent of a Calvin College student, you likely have questions about your son or daughter's career directions after graduation. Career Development features a resource for parents that is helpful in answering some of those burning questions. Glenn Triezenberg, director of Career Services, emphasizes the following with parents:
* It's NORMAL for freshmen not to know what their major is and future career will be.
* It's NORMAL for students to switch ideas on major and career as they grow and mature.
These are developmentally linked and experientially based. What's a parent to do in the meantime? Be patient during the development process while God reveals His will for each student's life. To read the other two points regarding what's NORMAL and other interesting items visit the Career Development site.

Calvin-Wire: News and happenings

Those of you reading this item are already subscribing to Calvin-Parents, the weekly e-newsletter for Calvin parents. You may or may not be aware of the Calvin-Wire which is another e-newsletter published twice each month. Although similar in format to Calvin-Parents, Calvin-Wire typically features more "newsy" items and information items about Calvin College. Parents are invited to subscribe to both e-newsletters to keep up-to-date on most everything happening on campus. The latest issue of Calvin Wire can be accessed on the Alumni site, where you can also subscribe to Calvin Wire.
 

An important note from the advising office

October 28 and 29 is Academic Advising recess.  This is a time when classes are not in session so that faculty can meet with their advisees.  Students are instructed to meet with their advisor during this time and to prepare for registration.  In fact, students must meet with their assigned advisor in order to be cleared  for KnightVision registration.  Please do all you can to encourage your son and daughter to take full advantage of these two days.  In addition to meeting with an advisor, this is a good time to get caught up on reading assignments and writing papers.  It should not be a time to leave campus for a long weekend getaway.  Read more about academic services of the registrar's office or email advise@calvin.edu with any questions you may have.  
 

Glenn Bulthuis & the Tonedeafs in concert

To find out more about one of the slowest rising stars in the rock 'n' roll scene today, visit the Glenn Bulthuis site and be sure NOT to miss his upcoming concert.  He and the Tonedeafs have been touring the world since 1978 (sort of), and have produced many Grammy-nominated recordings (well...).  There's no doubt their concert will please and amaze so get your tickets today and bring a friend to introduce him or her to the enduring charm and unmistakable sound of Glenn Bulthuis & the Tonedeafs.

Cardboard Canoe Race

The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Cardboard Canoe Race is an annual event in the Sem-Pond where student engineering teams showcase watercraft constructed following these rules:
1. The only materials that may be used are cardboard, duct tape, and plastic trash bags.
2. Teams must be a minimum of two people, with no maximum.
3. The entire team must be in the canoe during the race.
4. Two teams will race simultaneously and be timed.
5. The fastest and most creative boats win prizes.
This race will be held at the Seminary Pond at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, September, 27, 2008 and is included as part of the Fall Homecoming activities.  We hope to see you there!
 

Check the Parent Calendar for important dates

Bookmark the Parent Calendar page (which also links to other campus event calendars) to keep track of important dates throughout the year, including:

• Oct. 1: Miscellaneous charges payment due (1st of each month)
• Oct. 20: Tuition, room and board payment due
• Oct. 28-29: Academic advising (no classes scheduled)

News & Stories from campus

Check out a wealth of great stories on the News & Stories web site, including...

...the new climbing wall coming to the Spoelhof Fieldhouse Complex in January 2009.

...the extremely popular ballroom dance club that continues this year.

...the Constitution Day activities on campus September 17, 2008.

Last updated Wednesday, June 23, 2010