Family Weekend information for this weekend

Family Weekend (Oct. 23-25, 2008) is only days away! The Calvin community is excited to welcome hundreds of parents and families for an enjoyable weekend on campus. Tickets are still available for both performances of the 63rd annual Fall Music Festival (Friday and Saturday evenings), which highlights Calvin’s vocal and instrumental ensembles and selected student soloists.  We're sorry that the IMPROV Comedy show and Family Weekend Banquet events are sold out. Please note that the Family Weekend site is the most current source of information about schedule additions, changes or updates.

New for Family Weekend is a trolley tour of Grand Rapids and a silent art auction featuring the work of alumnus and Navajo artist Elmer Yazzie '76 (see additional announcement below).  As always, there are interesting sectionals for parents to attend on Friday which include topics such as, "Finding God in the Movies" and a follow-up to the Passport conversation with Randy Wolthuis of the Broene Counseling Center.  There is a special chapel service for families on Saturday and a guided walk of the Ecosystem Preserve with a tour of the Bunker Interpretive Center.  These are just a few of the events planned this weekend! See the complete schedule for full details.

Families do not need to register for Family Weekend, but please sign-in upon arrival on campus at one of the residence hall or Knollcrest East reception desks or at the Parent Oasis tent.  There you will receive a printed copy of the weekend schedule and map.  (In the event of inclement weather the Parent Oasis hospitality area will be located in the Meeter Center Lecture Hall in the Hekman Library.)  If you have questions when you arrive on campus, you can always call the hosts for Family Weekend, the alumni and public relations office (616-526-6142, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.), or you can contact the campus operator any time (616-526-6000, 800-688-0122).

Christianity and politics institute

Did you know that Calvin has an institute on Christianity and politics?  The Paul B. Henry Institute for the Study of Christianity and Politics was created in 1997 to continue the work of integrating Christian faith and politics advanced by its namesake, educator and public servant Paul B. Henry.  The Institute continues Paul Henry's quest to promote serious reflection on the interplay between Christianity and public life, by becoming a national forum for research, dialogue, and information on their interaction.
 

Seminary Fair on October 22

On Wednesday, October 22, the college will be sponsoring its second annual Seminary Fair. Representatives from about 30 seminaries and divinity schools will be in the Library Lobby and the Meeter Center Lecture Hall from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. These representatives are eager to talk with any students who are considering (even if very tentatively) a seminary education after college. If your student has indicated an interest in seminary or a possible call to ministry, please encourage them to take advantage of this opportunity. Sponsored by the Pre-Ministry Program and the Pre-Ministry Advising Team. Contact Matt Lundberg (or 616-526-8875) in the Religion Department with any questions.

Flu clinics scheduled

Calvin Health Services wants to help the Calvin community prepare for the flu season. Flu Clinics will be offered on Thursday, October 30 from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm and on Wednesday, November 5 from 9:00 am - 5:00 pm in the Library Lobby. Students, faculty, staff, emeriti and family (12 and older) may receive a flu shot. Cost is $20.  Check Health Services for more information.

"Get Wisdom!"

The Kuyers Institute for Christian Teaching and Learning will host a lecture by Doug Blomberg, professor of education at the Institute for Christian Studies. In his recent book, Wisdom and Curriculum: Christian Schooling After Postmodernity, Blomberg proposes wisdom as the proper goal of schooling. But how viable is this, in a climate where scholastic achievement, standardized testing, and economic productivity loom so large? In exploring his thesis, Blomberg will discuss examples of alternative ways of structuring curriculum so that the goal of wisdom can be realized.

This lecture will be held on October 30, 2008, at 3:30 p.m. in the Meeter Center Lecture Hall, located in the Hekman Library. Refreshments will be served and all are invited to attend.

Inner Compass television show

Inner Compass is Calvin's TV interview show that airs on PBS. National offerings vary widely, but here's what's showing at 1 p.m. on October 26 in West Michigan and then on Inner Compass and iTunes: 

"Progressive Evangelical Politics"
Some say the era of the American religious right is over. So what’s next? Jim Wallis, founder of Sojourners network and magazine, and author of the bestseller "God’s Politics: Why the Right Gets it Wrong and the Left Doesn’t Get it," tells host Karen Saupe about a political “moral center” he sees igniting a new Great Awakening in America.

Last week's episode, "Questioning 'Emergent' Churches," and other past issues are available to watch or order on Inner Compass, where you can also find which stations around the country are broadcasting Inner Compass.
 

Alumni Association events for all!

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:

• Oct. 24: The Yazzie Art Auction on campus
• Oct. 24 & 25: Reunions for Class of 1983 and Family Weekend on campus
• Oct. 25 & 26: Women's volleyball team events in Phoenix, Ariz.
• Oct.  27: Calvin Athletics along the Lakeshore in Zeeland, Mich.
• Nov. 2: Alumni Choir in Holland, Mich.
• Nov. 15: Alumni Orchestra in Traverse City, Mich.

Silent art auction to benefit Campaign for Calvin College

Please mark Friday, October 24, 2008 for the Yazzie Art Auction, a silent art auction for the entire Calvin community -- alumni, parents, friends -- to benefit the Campaign for Calvin College. The auction will feature a series of paintings donated by Calvin alumnus and Navajo artist Elmer Yazzie ’76, which will be displayed in the Spoelhof Center from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. that day.  A presentation by the artist will begin at 7:00 p.m. in the Gezon Auditorium, followed by refreshments and a final chance to bid on the Yazzie paintings.  The development and alumni relations offices, hosts of this event, are grateful to Mr. Yazzie for this special donation of artwork.  Proceeds will go toward the new Center Art Gallery (in the Fine Arts Center) as part of the Campaign for Calvin College.

Check the parent calendar for important dates

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

• Oct. 22: Fall Treat (Pizza & Movie) order deadline
• Oct. 28-29: Academic advising (no classes scheduled)
• Nov. 1: Miscellaneous charges payment due (1st of each month)
• Nov. 6: Last day to drop full semester courses, change full semester courses from credit to audit and/or to request a tutor
• Nov. 20: Tuition, room and board payment due
• Nov. 26: Last day to drop second-half semester courses and/or change second-half semester courses from credit to audit.
• Nov. 27: Thanksgiving break begins 5:00 pm; residence halls remain open during break.