Calvin-Parents E-Newsletter: February 9, 2010

Prayer updates

• Give thanks that Steve Okeyo, who had emergency heart surgeries in February and November, was able to return to Calvin full time for second semester.
• Praise God that Matthew DeVlieger’s diagnosis has been changed from quadriplegic to paraplegic as he has regained more movement in his arm after his scuba diving accident.  His family invites you to join them at 9 p.m. each evening in prayers for further healing.
• Continue to pray that Brenna Hannan would come out of her coma after her brain injury last November.  Her parents, Tim and Katrina, send thanks for the support of the Calvin community and request prayers for continued strength, encouragement and wisdom about God's plan for Brenna.
• Pray for peace and hope for three Calvin students with families in or from Haiti, and that God will each of their needs.
• Pray for comfort, focus, and hope for students who have experienced the death of a parent or sibling in recent months.

Search the CarePages site for "MatthewDeVlieger" and "prayersforhealing" (Matthew), BrennaHannan, and SteveO to send encouragement and receive prayer updates.

Extraordinarily beautiful photos

Be sure to view 76 spectacular photos from around the world, taken by Calvin students during the 2010 interim term, as well as links to interim blogs and more on the News & Stories page.  The photos were submitted for the 2010 photo contest.

There is also a photo gallery from the Chemistry and Cooking interim class found here.

And, as always, there are campus images found in the Calvin photo galleries that includes Roving WebCam, Campus Life, Sports and Alumni galleries.

Scholarship opportunities

Current students have been informed of the opportunity to apply for named and departmental scholarships for 2010-2011. These "named" scholarships are established by donors for students who meet specific eligibility criteria, often based on factors such as academic major, intended career goal, GPA, minority status, etc. Students can access an online search tool to assist with this process. The application form for upperclass named scholarships, and for nursing, education, engineering, chemistry, biology, geology, science division, math, computer science and business scholarships are all available on-line. All current students who will be attending Calvin next year are encourage to apply! Students can access and complete the application on KnightVision: KnightVision> My Resources> Student Scholarships and Financial Aid>Upperclass Named Scholarship Application.

A number of other scholarships are awarded to students in particular academic departments. Applications for these scholarships are available from, and must be submitted to, the academic department for which the scholarship is designated. The application for most of these scholarships needs to be completed and submitted by March 1.  Contact the scholarships & financial aid office with questions.

Spring music tours

Three music ensembles will be on tour this spring.
 

• The Wind Ensemble will be touring Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin from March 20-28, 2010. 
• Capella will be touring Florida, Georgia and Indiana from March 20-28, 2010.
• The Women's Chorale will bein Troy, Michigan April 24 and 25, 2010.

Career information

Are you the parent of a freshman or sophomore student who is undecided on a major?  Encourage your student to visit the career development office.  Career counselors are available to assist students discover a major that is best suited for their interests and gifts.  Students can call 616.526.6485 or stop by the career development office (372 Hekman Library) to set up an appointment.  More resources are also available on our site: www.calvin.edu/career, or find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/calvin.career.development.

"The students have to look under every rock and they need to search high and low."

~Glenn Triezenberg, director of career development, quoted in The Grand Rapids Press. Read the full story.

Siblings Weekend

Mark your calendar for the Siblings Weekend on February 26-28, which provides your Calvin student an opportunity to share the Calvin experience with a younger sibling, cousin, family friend, etc. The cost is $22 per guest, which includes meals in the dining halls and admission to a number of fun activities and events planned for  Siblings Weekend.  For additional information, visit the Siblings Weekend site which is the only way to register and pay. 

Older siblings (grades 10-12) should note that Siblings Weekend 2010 is also a Fridays at Calvin visit weekend.

Rangeela is a tradition for Siblings Weekend. TIckets are on sale now!

Festival of Faith & Writing

The Festival of Faith & Writing (FFW) will take place at Calvin from April 15 to 17, 2010. Presenters will include Eugene Peterson, Mary Karr, Wally Lamb, Kate DiCamillo, Richard Rodriguez, Stephanie Kallos, Parker Palmer, Luci Shaw, and Stephen Carter, among many others. For a complete list of presenter and the schedule of events, visit the FFW site. Online registration is available at http://ffwreg.calvin.edu/. Please feel free to contact us at ffw@calvin.edu if we can assist you with your registration in any way. Please note that there are scholarships offered by the Calvin Alumni Associaton for recent alumni.

If you want to prepare for the FFW by reading some of the books from presenters who will be at FFW, visit the Festival Favorites page.  There is also a Recommended Reading page with a list of recommended books from all the presenters.

Senior Salute

There's more to Commencement than just a cap and gown. Senior Salute, February 16 & 17, 2010, will have all the necessary information regarding Commencement available at one time and in one place for graduating students. 

Note: If a student is on an off-campus program for spring semester or was finished with requirements in December, he or she can give the registrar’s office a spring mailing address. The Senior Salute information will be sent to him or her by the end of March.

Check the Parent Calendar for important dates

Bookmark the Parent Calendar page to keep track of important dates throughout the year, including:

Feb. 26-28: Siblings Weekend
Mar. 1:  U.S. Financial Aid application due (returning students); Calvin named scholarship applications due, most department scholarships are also due;  miscellaneous charges payment due (1st of each month)
Mar. 3:  Last day to drop first-half semester courses; Last day to change first-half semester courses from credit to audit; Last day to request a tutor from SAS
Mar. 10:  Last day to obtain refund for full semester course withdrawls/drops
Mar. 16:  Tuition, room & board payment due
Mar. 19:  Spring break begins 5 p.m.; residence halls close at 10 a.m. on March 20; First half semester courses end
Mar. 29:  Spring break ends 8 a.m.; residence halls open at 12 noon on March 28; Second-half semester courses begin