Convocation 2009: "Distinctively Christian and Academically Excellent"

Convocation 2009 took place today in the Van Noord Arena---for the first time---and featured Dr. Mary Hulst, the new chaplain of Calvin College.  Dr. Hulst spoke about being "Distinctively Christian and Academically Excellent," which is Calvin's tagline.  What does it mean?  She spoke about these verses:

"Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might."  Deut. 6:4-5

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for your masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving."  Col. 3:23-24

Dr. Hulst's address will be available on the Convocation 2009 site sometime during the day on September 8.

H1N1 campus update

 Calvin Health Services has been closely monitoring H1N1 since last spring and, along with the Pandemic Response Steering Committee, is providing guidance to students and employees of the college.

We do so with the benefit of the research of such key organizations as the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the World Health Organization (WHO) and the American College Health Association (ACHA), all of which monitor influenza around the world and provide guidance to health care providers, communities and schools based on their observations and research. 

As of September 3, 2009, Calvin College has no reported nor confirmed cases of H1N1.  Read health services advice and recommended actions on their Web site.

Campus ministries

To communicate more effectively with both internal and external audiences, the Christian formation office is now called Calvin College campus ministries.  Campus ministries provides worship opportunities, discipleship groups, and pastoral care to students, staff and faculty.  Mary Hulst was recently named college chaplain, only the third in Calvin's history, and the first woman to hold the position which she will assume over the summer.  While a student at Calvin, she always considered the chaplain's position to be the "best job on campus."

E-Statements; Financial services information

In an effort to improve the process of receiving statements and making payments, Calvin has implemented a paperless billing service for students and parents called E-Statements! This electronic system features an electronic copy of all financial statements that is automatically sent to the email addresses that a student has subscribed for this service. Parents may receive an E-Statement  “subscription,” but this must be initiated and authorized by the student in their KnightVision account (My Resources>Student Finances>E-Statement Subscription). The student may authorize that Calvin send the E-Statement to up to five separate e-mail accounts. Being subscribed for the E-Statement delivery serves as our authorization to discuss what appears on the statement with the subscriber. E-Statements are sent electronically as a PDF file attachment.  

The statement of miscellaneous charges will be available on the KnightVision account around the 20th of each month. Payment of miscellaneous charges is due in full on the 1st of each month. Payments made via Calvin's electronic check payment center are applied the next business day. Here is the link to the brochure giving instructions on how to use the Automatic Payment System (APS) with the student's authorization. Paper checks should be mailed 5 days prior to the due date. Calvin does not accept credit card payments for tuition, room & board statements or for statement of miscellaneous charges.  See the financial services Web site.

Encourage your student to get involved in campus life

You can help your student to get to know the campus and connect with other students by encouraging him or her to attend Cokes-n-Clubs on September 8, from 6-8 p.m.

Held annually at the beginning of the school year, Cokes-n-Clubs allows all undergraduate students an opportunity to browse the many student organizations on campus. Students are encouraged to sign up for any organization they find interest in. In addition to receiving the chance to get involved with campus activities, Cokes-n-Clubs traditionally provides refreshments for those who come by. It's a great time to consider how a student can make a difference in the community while meeting others who share the same gifts and interests.

Even if your student doesn't attend Cokes-n-Clubs, there are many more suggestions for Getting Involved from the student life office's Web site.

Student Treats program

The Student Treats program sends treats and goodies to students for a birthday, special event or as an "anytime" surprise to remind your student of your love and support.  Anyone can order individual treats or "A Year of Treats" which saves time and money. The deadline to order either the "Year of Treats" or first seasonal treat, "Pizza and a Movie" is Tuesday, September 15.  The "Pizza and a Movie" treat features a certificate for a large, two-topping pizza (from a favorite locally-owned pizzeria), a Blockbuster gift card for a free movie rental and a bag of microwavable popcorn.  Find out more on the Student Treats site.

Welcome to Calvin

If you come to campus, you may notice new banners on various outdoor light poles. These replace the campaign banners which for the past couple of years sounded the themes of the recently concluded $155 million capital campaign.

There are two new banners designs to replace the old. One is a fairly simple, yet elegant, banner that includes the Calvin nameplate and the heart-in-hand seal. The other is a "welcome" banner which includes the word welcome translated into a variety of different languages which represent countries from which Calvin students hail (some 50 countries are represented in the student body most years) and countries to which Calvin students travel as part of interims and semester-long off campus programs (numerous such countries in most years).

The new banner can be seen here (at right) and also on Calvin's Facebook page and the Calvin Alumni Association's Facebook page.

Spark online

The most recent issue of the Spark magazine for alumni and friends of the college is available now.  In it, you'll read more about students studying abroad, professors speaking abroad, and influential professors and alumni of the college.

Calvin Alumni Association

With the school year starting, the Calvin Alumni Association is welcoming you to Calvin via their Web site.  Watch our inaugural video update which features our newest team member Emily Dock, news on Homecoming 2009 this fall, and more.

There are always many photos of Calvin alumni and friends at reunions, chapter events, Homecoming, or just socializing around town.   The association also highlights stories of what alumni are doing.  You can share something unique or inspiring about an alumnus or alumna that you know!  Speaking of events...

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:

September 12: 40th Annual Calvin Alumni Golf Tournament at Pilgrim's Run
September 19: Twins game in Minnesota
September 29: Calvin Around Town/MBA@Calvin ArtPrize event in Grand Rapids, Michigan
October 9 & 10: Homecoming 2009 on campus; Reunions
October 23 & 24: Family Weekend and Reunions on campus