Calvin-Parents E-Newsletter: February 10, 2009

The Spoelhof Fieldhouse Complex dedication celebration

Please join us as we celebrate, with gratitude to God, the dedication of the Spoelhof Fieldhouse Complex during the week of Homecoming.  The official dedication for the complex is Friday, February 20, but 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 what's planned for 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!

Calvin's Parent Council

The Calvin Parent Council is a representative group of Calvin parents who meet on campus twice annually, foster constructive dialogue between the college and parents, serve as ambassadors for the college, and faithfully support Calvin's mission.  Parent Council meetings are held on campus in conjunction with two parent/family events: Family Weekend (October) and Siblings Weekend (February). Members are asked to provide their own transportation and lodging for the meetings; some meals will be provided by the college in conjunction with Parent Council sessions.  If you are interested to be a part of this group, you can contact parents@calvin.edu.

Student activities office

The student activities office tries to accomplish two goals in all of its programs.  First, the office seeks to help students engage with popular culture and to discern the positive and negative messages contained within. Second, we strive to provide a season of concerts, films, lectures and other programs that allow Calvin students to interact with the best and the brightest artists of a wide array of genres. If you would like to keep track of artists that will be appearing on campus, see the student activities office's site for the event calendar, their blog, articles and artists conversations.

Senior Salute and Commencement plans

There's more to Commencement than a cap and gown, and on Feb. 17 and 18, all seniors that plan to participate in Commencement must attend Senior Salute. Seniors will receive info on Commencement ticket orders, caps and gowns, Perkins Loan exit interviews, and other important details for an important day in their life.

Commencement 2009 will be held, for the first time ever, in the recently completed Van Noord Arena.  This ceremony will be back on Calvin's campus again after being moved off-campus to accommodate construction in 2007.  See the Commencement site for information on tickets and the full event schedule. Please note that the Teacher Commissioning Ceremony will begin at 7:30 p.m. (not at 8 p.m., as noted in the December mailing sent to parents of grads).

Scholarship Search

Did you know that 92% of students receive financial aid and 60% receive academic scholarships? There are many scholarships available to students to help pay for an education from Calvin, and more information is found online about the types of scholarships and financial aid available. To sort through all the information, parents and students can also use a convenient Scholarship Search. The applications for most of these scholarships need to be completed and submitted by March 1, 2009.

Career development information for you and your student; panel discussions

Is your student searching for some career advice?  Are you?  For students, there is a four year career plan on the career development site, with tips for life post-college, too.  For everyone, there is information found on the site about resumes, job interviews and frequently asked questions.  Students and parents are invited and encouraged to use the information and services found there.  Visit the career development office's page or contact career@calvin.edu (616-526-6485) for more information.

On Wednesday, February 18, 2009, there are two career events featuring alumni taking place on campus.  The Pre-Law program will sponsor a panel discussion by Calvin alumni who are currently working in the legal field and the office of multicultural affairs is hosting a panel with alumni to talk about life at and after Calvin.

Don't forget about Siblings Weekend coming up!

You can still make plans for a sibling or a friend of your college student to visit campus for 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.  

Important notice for Canadian and 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).

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
Apr. 25: Calvin 5k Spring Classic