Calvin-Parents E-Newsletter: February 3, 2009

ReGathering 2009 on February 4, 2009

Now that Calvin's spring semester has started, the campus is planning spring convocation, ReGathering 2009, which will take place in the Fine Arts Center on Wednesday, February 4, from 9:50-10:50 a.m. Parents are invited to this event, during which we will meet as a community to begin the second semester. We welcome back students and faculty who have traveled and studied abroad and we ask God's blessing on the academic work of the semester ahead.

We are especially pleased to welcome guest speaker Reverend Dr. Setri Nyomi, whose convocation address topic will be "The Church: God Does Global."

Student Treat for Valentine's Day

There is still time to order a Valentine Treat!  This edition of the Student Treats program features a sturdy 32 oz. Nalgene® water bottle, imprinted with the Calvin logo, and is 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 if you ordered that.) The order deadline for the Valentine's Treat is Monday, February 9, for delivery 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. 

The Student Treats is just one aspect of parent and family relations at Calvin.  If you would like to consider being on the Parent Council, which serves as a key leadership board to engage Calvin parents, please email parents@calvin.edu.

The Spoelhof Fieldhouse Complex dedication celebration

The Spoelhof Fieldhouse Complex—designed to honor the whole person—is now serving athletes, students and the campus community.  The official dedication for the complex is February 20 and we'd like you to make plans to celebrate with us.  There are events scheduled all week for the entire community, as well as special activities for students.  Don't miss the February 21 women's Homecoming basketball game against Hope that includes a free hot dog and soft drink.  You can read more about Homecoming below.

Be sure to check WebCams that feature the action inside and out of the Spoelhof Fieldhouse Complex.  You can 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.

Homecoming 2009: A Knight at the Theatre

The 2008-09 school year marks 75 years of theatre at Calvin. To celebrate, the Calvin Theatre Company is presenting another season of challenging and engaging works. To tie-in with this, the Homecoming theme, “A Knight at the Theatre,” includes performances of The Government Inspector, a Friday evening reception, a Saturday luncheon for former Thespians and CTC members, and lectures and workshops for all.

The Government Inspector, a witty, imaginative and wildly satirical play, is being directed by alumni Kirsten Kelly and features many alumni actors.  When the local officials of a small Russian town learn that an undercover government inspector is planning a surprise visit, a case of mistaken identity sends the village spiraling into a ridiculous world of panic and greed. The officials mistake a penniless clerk for  the government inspector and embark on an absurd mission to woo, outdo and bribe the unsuspecting visitor. Flattered by the attention, the clerk makes unbelievable claims and demands, sending the town into a frenzy.

Other Homecoming 2009 activities include hockey, tennis and basketball, Airband in its 25th year, the annual Sem Pond Jump (yes, into the pond near the Seminary!), the Ambassadors Dinner and Award Celebration honoring Professor Ed Ericson, and more!

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.

Calvin celebrates Black History Month

In celebration of Black History Month, the Calvin office for multicultural affairs and the program for African and African diaspora studies are collaborating to host several events on campus. The celebration of Black History Month is not a segregated thing, Michelle Loyd-Paige, the Calvin dean of multicultural affairs emphasizes: “What has happened to African Americans has affected all of our lives,” she said. “Black History Month is not just about celebrating the achievements of blacks. It’s about showing how the history of blacks is interwoven with all of our history. This country would be a very, very different place if it weren’t for black history.”  See the list of events that are planned for Black History Month 2009.

Important notice for Canadian & International students

Students have been notified that the Canadian Tax form TL11A for the tax year 2008 is ready to be picked up in the financial services office.  The T2202 form can be requested from the registrar's office. You can call either of these offices if you have any questions using Calvin's toll-free number (800-688-0122).

Searching for organ donors

Calvin is competing with other Michigan colleges and universities in a drive to get more people to sign on as organ donors. The annual Gift of Life Campus Challenge is a six-week contest (open to students, staff, faculty and alumni) to see which school can get the most people to sign up on the Michigan Organ Donor Registry. Now in its sixth year, the challenge already has resulted in almost 20,000 more Michigan residents signing on to be registered donors. It ends February 25, 2009.

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:

Feb. 12-14, 18, 19&21: "The Government Inspector"
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
Mar. 20-29: Women's Chorale Pacific Northwest tour