Parent Council 2009-2010

The Calvin Parent Council met on October 22 & 23 during Family Weekend, led by parent co-chairs Al and Bev Kraker from Ann Arbor, Mich.  The council members conferred with Calvin staff members about career development programs, off-campus housing issues affecting juniors and seniors, college recruitment efforts, and what Calvin is teaching about economic recession.  They also had lunch and a conversation with board of trustee members.  These Calvin parents will meet again on February 26, 2010, during Siblings Weekend (February 26-28).  See this page to find out who is on the 2009-2010 council.

Family Weekend survey

If you were able to be part of any of the Family Weekend events held October 23 & 24, please fill out a Family Weekend survey to help us plan for next year's gathering on October 22-24, 2010.

Thank you to all that were able to visit and support their student(s) in person!  And, as always, you can contact us at parents@calvin.edu or 616-526-6142.

Student treat for winter exams

The end of the semester is just over a month away, and the next student treat offered will help your student get through exams.  The Winter Exam Treat features a reusable storage box filled with tasty goodies and supplies. The order deadline is Wednesday, December 2; the treat will be delivered to on-campus students on Tuesday, December 8. (This treat is included in the "Year of Treats" packages.  Parents, please remember that these treats are delivered to the residence hall reception desk and not to the dorm room.  Students need to retrieve the treat card from their dorm mailbox and pick up their treat from their dorm reception desk). 

Remember, you can surprise your student with the popular Pizza and a Movie treat ($25), which can be ordered anytime and often. This treat features a certificate for a large two-topping pizza, a bag of popcorn, and a Blockbuster® gift card!  If you have any questions, you can contact Sue in parent relations (parents@calvin.edu or 616-526-6142).

Chaplain installation rescheduled!

The fourth chaplain of Calvin College, Dr. Mary Hulst, will be installed on November 18, 2009, at 4:00 p.m. in the chapel. This rescheduled date will allow Dr. Mary Hulst to attend her own installation since she was ill when the first ceremony was to take place in October during Family Weekend, October 23 & 24.

Dr. Hulst spent eight years serving as senior pastor for a local congregation, taught in communication arts and sciences at Calvin and also taught preaching at Calvin Theological Seminary where she still maintains a teaching position.  The service will focus on Isaiah 42:1-9 and the message, delivered by Scott Hoezee, director of the Center for Excellence in Preaching at Calvin Theological Seminary, will be "I, Yahweh."

Autumn on campus

Many alumni, family and friends have visited the campus this fall.  Whether you attended Homecoming, Family Weekend or one of many athletic or cultural events, Calvin was the place to be and see this fall!

• Homecoming, October 9 & 10: photo gallery (includes reunions, athletic events, competitions)
• Family Weekend, October 23 & 24: photo gallery (includes reunions, banquet)
• Concerts, rehearsals and student life: photo galleries (The Roving WebCam, Campus Life)
• Athletics: photo galleries (men's and women's volleyball, cross country, soccer, golf)

You can always view live WebCam coverage of five locations around campus, including the commons lawn, the climbing wall, the tennis and track center, and the Fine Arts Center facing east or west.  It's also a great way to check out the fall colors or weather on campus.

Volleyball news

Rebounding from a disappointing loss to Hope last Wednesday -- see a video from that record-setting game -- the women's volleyball team's strong defense and powerful attack pushed the Knights past Olivet in the 2009 Midwest Challenge.  Calvin swept Olivet in three sets, winning 25-14, 25-12, 25-14.

In 1986, the Knights under the direction of head coach Karla Wolters put together a season like no other team in Calvin or MIAA history before, ripping off a 38-2 campaign that did not end until a heartbreaking five-game loss to the University of California at San Diego in the National Finals. Members of the 1986 National runner-up Calvin volleyball team reunited recently and head coach Karla Wolters was given honorary Calvin Knight status [.pdf] .

Judy Collins, December 10, 2009

Mark your calendars for a special concert given by Judy Collins on December 10, 2009, in the Chapel.  This benefit concert for musician and songwriter Ralston Bowles will feature special guests Kenny White, Ralston Bowles and Amy Speace.  TIckets are on sale now.

Ralston Bowles is well-known in the West Michigan area.  A musician and songwriter who often is called the godfather of West Michigan's acoustic music scene, Ralston has been making music since he was a child growing up in Gary, Ind. "The stories are out there," he says. "It's about finding the stories and telling them. That's what Woody Guthrie did. That's what Bob Dylan does." After years of promoting and encouraging other local musicians, he finds himself on the receiving end of a groundswell of support. Since he began treatment for colon cancer last month, several fundraisers have been organized to raise money to help him pay the bills.  Read more from the profile on Ralston Bowles that recently ran in the local newspaper.

A challenge

A new annual giving campaign challenges all—alumni, staff, faculty and friends of the college—to support Calvin students. The Every Student Challenge was designed to put a face, or, more accurately, faces, on the Calvin Annual Fund.  On the online banner are seven students’ faces, and if you click on the faces, you learn about the students: One studies chemistry; one studies art. One plays rugby; one dances in Rangeela. One wants to make Christian films; one wants to train Christian leaders. And one is currently painting bicycles maroon and yellow.

Refer a student...who can apply for free

We know that many Calvin parents are in a position to recommend Calvin to a prospective student and/or parent. We value and encourage your efforts to help us identify prospective students who are a good "match" with Calvin College. Use the student referral page to submit that information to us or contact us at parents@calvin.edu (616-526-6142).
 
And if these prospective students apply before December 1 (January 1 for Canadians), the admissions office will waive the application fee! Find out more on the admissions Web 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:

November 15: Kalamazoo (Mich.) Alumni Choir service
December 5: Christmas at the Campus Store

Check the Parent Calendar for important dates

Bookmark the Parent Calendar page to keep track of important dates throughout the year, including:
 
Nov. 6: Last day to drop full semester courses; Last day to change full semester courses from credit to audit
Nov. 20: Tuition, room and board payment due
Nov. 25: Last day to drop second-half semester courses; Last day to change second-half semester courses from credit to audit.  Thanksgiving recess begins 5 p.m; residence halls remain open during break.
Nov. 26: Thanksgiving Day (U.S.)
Nov. 30: Classes resume 8 a.m.