Family Weekend: October 22-24, 2009
Tickets for all Family Weekend events are now available at the Calvin box office (616-526-6282). You may purchase tickets for events online, but if you are attending several ticketed events, the simplest ordering is done via phone. The Improv shows and Family Weekend banquet WILL sell out, so get your tickets now---not later. If you are not planning to attend any of the ticketed events you do not have to register ahead of time, but please check in at the Parent Oasis tent or one of the residence hall desks upon arrival to sign in and pick up a Family Weekend schedule and map.
Please note that the Fall Music Festival begins at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights (not 8 p.m. as listed in the Family Weekend brochure which was mailed to all families a few days ago). Refer to the Family Weekend site as the best and most up-to-date source for current program information.
Science Visit Days
You can now encourage a student who is interested in science to visit Calvin. Fridays at Calvin now offers a day of events designed for students considering a major in the sciences with Science Visit Days. Students will meet Calvin students and faculty, sit in on classes in various areas of interest (there is a health and environmental track, and a computing, engineering, math and physics track) and get to know others who are also serious about a career in science.
If you know any student that might want to visit, this is the page they need to check out first!
Jubilee Fellows
Has your student ever expressed interest in--or even curiosity about--Christian ministry as a possible vocation? If so, she or he might wish to explore Calvin's Jubilee Fellows program, which is offered to junior-level students. Students have been notified of this opportunity; applications are due on October 7. Selected students will take a spring semester course focusing on ministry and the daily life of a church and its leaders. Then, next summer they will embark on a paid internship for 10 weeks at a church in North America. Each student will experience the day-to-day life of a church and serve as an apprentice to a church leader to better discern if a career in ministry is a good fit. Students should contact Kary Bosma (klb8@calvin.edu) for more information. More information about the program can be found on the Jubilee Fellows site.
--Kary Bosma, Jubilee Fellows Coordinator, 616-526-8846
Message for new college parents
Some college students might find it difficult to expand their circle of friends and move beyond familiar "high school" patterns during the early weeks and months of college. Of course, finding one's niche takes time and happens gradually. If your student is expressing thoughts along these lines, encourage him to get involved in floor and residence hall events (there are many!) or join a student organization. Suggest to your student that he sit with someone he doesn't know at morning chapel or a meal: the odds are that many other new students also share these feelings and would gladly welcome the social initiative of another student. These steps may be initially harder for a student who is naturally shy, but they often help new college students begin the important process of acclimatizing to college and expanding their circle of friends and/or activities.
Treats for your student
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. The next deadline coming up at the end of October is for the Popcorn Treat. The Popcorn Treat features three bags of deluxe flavored popcorn—caramel, cheese, and butter—delivered in a reusable shopping bag. Anyone can order individual treats or "A Year of Treats" which saves time and money. Find out more on the Student Treats site.
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 29: Calvin Around Town/MBA@Calvin ArtPrize event in Grand Rapids, Michigan
October 7 - 11: Homecoming 2009 on campus; Reunions
October 15: Calvin Along the Lakeshore: Muskegon Art Museum
October 23 & 24: Family Weekend and Reunions on campus
Check the Parent Calendar for important dates
Bookmark the Parent Calendar page to keep track of important dates throughout the year, including:
Oct. 1: Miscellaneous charges payment due (1st of each month)
Oct. 9: Last day to drop first-half semester courses; Last day to change first-semester courses from credit to audit
Oct. 9-10: Homecoming at Calvin
Oct. 20: Tuition, room and board payment due
Oct. 23: First session half-semester courses end
Oct 23-24: Family Weekend
Oct. 26: Second session half-semester courses begin
Oct. 27-28: Academic Advising for interim and spring semester (no classes 8 a.m. Tues. - 5 p.m. Wed.; Wednesday night classes do meet)
Oct. 30: Last day to add second-half semester courses
News & Stories from campus
