Calvin-Parents E-Newsletter: November 10, 2009

Health services update

To stay informed with the correct information about illness on campus, you should read a recent H1N1 update on the health services Web pages from Nancy VerMerris, director of health services.  On those pages you will find links to other important information as well as a question-and-answer interview with her about influenza.

Chaplain installation November 18, 2009

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."

Sports tournaments

The Calvin women's soccer team will host a four-team regional this Friday and Saturday at Calvin's Zuidema Field. The Knights will welcome teams from Wittenberg, Ohio Northern and Washington and Jefferson (PA). Friday's action will pit Ohio Northern (15-4-1) up against Wittenberg (11-4-5) in an 11:00 a.m. game followed by a game between Calvin (13-4-1) against Washington and Jefferson (12-6-2) at 1:30 p.m. Ticket prices are $6.00 for general admission, $3.00 for students, senior citizens and members of the military and $2.00 for children ages 3-12.

The women's volleyball team will open NCAA III Tournament play on Thursday at Hope's DeVos Fieldhouse against Wittenberg University at 5:30 p.m. In other first round matches, Heidelberg will face North Central at 12:30 p.m., Bluffton will face Ohio Northern at 3:00 p.m. and Hope will face Lakeland at 8:00 p.m.

In men's soccer, Calvin will be part of a four-team regional tournament at Wheaton (IL). Friday's first round action will pit the University of Chicago up against Wartburg at 6:00 p.m. (EST) with a game between Calvin and host Wheaton set to follow at 8:00 p.m. (EST).

Find out more about all sports happenings, which includes the Daily Sports Update, on the sports Web site.

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).

Christmas at the Campus Store

Make plans to visit campus on December 5 and come to Christmas at the Campus Store 2009.  Hosted by the Grand Rapids Chapter of the Calvin Alumni Association, this sale features discounts, festive shopping and refreshments, book-signings and free gift-bagging!  Proceeds from each purchase fund scholarships for local Calvin-bound high school seniors who demonstrate outstanding Christian character and service. Since 1991, the chapter has funded over 150 scholarships with nearly $250,000 from local alumni.  If you are unable to attend the sale, you can always shop for Calvin goods online. Check out the campus store's enhanced site featuring many new items and great gift ideas. On-line ordering is quick, easy and always open!

Refer a student

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.

Thanksgiving break

The recess for the U.S. Thanksgiving Day begins on Wednesday, November 25 and ends on Monday morning, November 30.  The residence halls will remain open during the Thanksgiving recess and meals will be served on campus (all days except Thursday) in one of the dining halls. A Web resource, Holiday Suggestions for Parents of College Students, is featured on the Parent Web site.

The Rhetoric Center

The Rhetoric Center, located in the Hekman Library across from the reference desk, offers free services for all Calvin students. Peer tutors from various majors are available to help with writing or speech assignments, from deciding on a topic to organizing material to revising drafts. Students can drop in or call 616-526-7088 (rhetoric@calvin.edu) for 30- or 60-minute appointments. The center is open Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., and Monday through Thursday 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. For more information, visit the Rhetoric Center site.

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.

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 14: Lansing (Mich.) Alumni Orchestra concert
November 15: Alumni Orchestra concert on campus
November 15: Kalamazoo (Mich.) Alumni Choir service
December 5: Christmas at the Campus Store
December 10: Judy Collins concert on campus

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.

News & Stories from campus

Check out a wealth of great stories on the News & Stories site, including a story about tugging on Ben Franklin's vest and remembering the Berlin Wall.