Financial aid information and reminders

With January 1 just around the corner, it’s time to start thinking about financial aid for the upcoming academic year.  Parents play a key role in student's education so the scholarship and financial aid office wants to keep you informed of this process.  For information about applying for financial aid, see this site for current students where you'll find all the forms and deadlines to assist your student.  Questions regarding this application process can be directed to the scholarships and financial aid office (800-688-0122, finaid@calvin.edu).

Also, high school juniors and seniors and parents are invited to come to free Financial Aid Seminars 2009 on programs available to help pay for college. Students from any high school and their parents are welcome at these seminars held at various high schools in Michigan and Illinois.

The January Series

For over twenty years, The January Series has been the leading lecture/cultural arts series in the country. The diversity of presenters and topics has changed as the world of ideas has changed.  Some of this year's speakers include Richard Norton Smith, presidential historian; Christine Brennan, sports columnist; and John Witte, Jr., author and John Calvin expert. The January Series site lists more than the schedule for the upcoming 2009 Series--it features the lecture archives dating back to 1997--a great resource of many topics from 12 of the 22 years of The January Series. 

Buy a Prism for your student

Not sure what to get your college student for Christmas?  What better gift is there than a 2008-2009 Prism yearbook, jam-packed with a whole year of memories of Calvin? College students will love seeing a yearbook filled with short writings and photographs of themselves, friends, extracurricular activities, sports, their dorms or apartments, and on-campus events. The 2008-2009 PRISM ($10) is a square book in full-color with 180+ pages. You can read more about the history of The Prism in an article that was in the Spring Spark magazine, the magazine for alumni and friends of Calvin.

IMPORTANT:  You can order the book through the Campus Store now and it will be available for pick-up at the Campus Store this fall 2009, or for an additional $5 you can have your book shipped to your home.  Please feel free to contact prism@calvin.edu with any questions. 
 

The Calvin/Hope Rivalry: Join the fun at one of 40+ satellite sites

The classic Calvin/Hope men's basketball rivalry will resume on Saturday, January 17, at 3 p.m. EST. Calvin and Hope parents, family, and alumni are invited to gather at one of more than 40 sites across North America to participate in this Calvin-Hope tradition via live broadcast. To locate the event closest to you, visit the rivalry site.  Are you unable to find a Rivalry location nearby? Call the alumni office (616-526-6142 ) to see about making arrangements for 2010.  It's easy and fun!

The Calvin-Hope rivalry has gained national attention in recent years and was 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 169 times; Calvin has won 83 games and Hope has won 86.  Check out the Calvin/Hope site to read more about the rivalry and see photos from past gatherings around the country.

Calvin College merchandise available for unique Christmas gifts

If you are running out of ideas for unique gifts to give your Calvin student or fellow friend of Calvin, what about a John Calvin bobble head doll, a Calvin license plate cover, Calvin golf balls or a Calvin dog collar?  These are just some of the gift ideas and merchandise available at the Campus Store.  And, in a special for online customers only, you can get 15% off new Knight logo items located in the Knight Merchandise Department.  Add NEWKNIGHT in the coupon code at checkout and receive 15% off Knight logo clothing and gifts!

Spoelhof Fieldhouse Complex nearly complete

Plans are being finalized for the opening of the Spoelhof Fieldhouse Complex in January in time to host men's and women's basketball games.  The official dedication of the building will be held in February and the Calvin community is invited.  Right now you can see the most recent tour that was taken of the nearly-complete complex and view other images, statistics and information about this 362,000 square foot project.  Make plans now to join us in February for the celebration!

 

Handel's "Messiah" presented by the Calvin Oratorio Society

One of the country's longest-running performances of Handel's Messiah can be heard around the country ---maybe on a station in your area---later this month. The Calvin Oratorio Society presented Handel's "Messiah" on December 5 and 6, under the baton of Calvin music professor Joel Navarro and featuring four outstanding soloists: Maria Jette, soprano; Kristin Brouwer, mezzo-soprano; Bryon Grohman, tenor; Keith Brautigam, bass.  The radio broadcast schedule is available on the Oratorio's site.  The Oratorio Society will be performing Bach's "Cantata 67: Hold in Remembrance, Jesus Christ," Handel's "Dixit Dominus," and Faure's "Requiem" this spring.

Events for alumni and friends

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:

Dec. 20: River City Improv at the Ladies Literary Club in Grand Rapids
Dec. 28-30: Women's Basketball team in Bradenton/Daytona Beach, Florida
Jan. 16: Alumni Choir's Winter Concert in Kalamazoo
Jan. 17: Alumni Choir's Winter Concert on campus
Jan. 17: The Rivalry - Calvin-Hope men's basketball broadcast
Jan. 20: MBA@Calvin business event

Check the Parent Calendar for important dates

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

• Dec. 18: Exams end and Christmas break begins
• Dec. 19: Residence halls close at 10:00 a.m.
• Jan. 1: Miscellaneous charges payment due
• Jan. 5: Tuition, room & board payment due
• Jan. 7: Interim begins, 8:00 a.m.
• Jan. 19: Last day to drop Interim courses and change Interim courses from credit to audit
• Jan 27: Interim ends, 5:00 p.m.