Calvin-Parents E-Newsletter: May 3, 2011

Commencement notes

To make your Commencement celebration as easy and enjoyable as possible, the campus store and a number of partnering businesses offer special memorabilia and gifts (photos, flowers, Prism yearbooks, rings, nursing pins...) for Calvin graduates and their parents. Visit the Commencement gifts page.

Please note:  there will be flowers available for sale on the day of Commencement again this year.  We will have more information about this soon!

Bookmark the full schedule of Commencement Weekend here.

Senior Design Project Night

Senior Design Projects Night is the perfect time for friends, family, and the public to come together to see what Calvin's engineering students have been working on all year! (Information has been mailed to parents of seniors.) During the Open House, guests are able to view the displays and prototypes developed by the design teams and ask them questions. The teams divide into small groups and give a formal presentation of their team project later in the evening.  The 27th Annual Senior Design Banquet and Projects Night will be Saturday, May 7, 2011.

This evening is open to the public.  We'd like to extend a special invitation to high school students considering an engineering program at any school to attend.

If you have any questions, please contact the engineering office.  If you cannot come to the festivities, please take a few minutes to find out more online.

Last day to order treats!

• Spring Exam Treat: Students will appreciate this reusable tote filled with healthy snacks and sweets. Cost is $20 (U.S.). Order deadline is today, May 3; delivery date is May 9, 2011.
  
• Pizza: This treat features a certificate for a large, two-topping pizza delivered from a favorite local pizzeria. Cost is $20 (U.S.). Order deadline is today, May 3; you choose the delivery date on or before May 9, 2011. 

Find out more about Student Treats or order treats online now!

Native plants

Our greenhouses are overflowing with native plants that need a good home. On Saturday, May 7, 2011, the Ecosystem Preserve will be selling these plants at the Native Plant Sale at the Bunker Interpretive Center from 10 a.m. until noon. A list of the plants available for sale will be on the Ecosystem Preserve's website a week before the event. We sell plants suited for a variety of light and soil preferences and, once again, will have small native shrubs for sale. And while you are there, take a walk in the preserve. All proceeds from the sale benefit the Wetlands and Woodlands Summer Camp program.

Read a recent News & Stories feature on the Native Plant Sale. 

What else is going on there?

• Bring your class, your family or your friends to the preserve for a fun and educational activity.
• Find ways to get involved in the ongoing educational and preservation work there.
• Check out the research that they're doing in the preserve.
• Learn what to see on a walk in the Ecosystem Preserve.

Breakfast for Parents of Graduates

Here's what's going on or will be open on Commencement morning:

Johnny's Cafe
8 a.m.–1:30 p.m.

Campus Store and Spirit Shop Hours
Campus Store: 9 a.m.–2 p.m. and 3:30-5:30 p.m.
Knights Spirit Shop (Fieldhouse): 12:30-2:00 p.m. and 3:30-4:30 p.m.

Zero Day: Senior Brunch Celebration
9 a.m.–10:30 a.m., Commons Dining Hall
Note: The Zero Day brunch is for the graduates only; due to space limitations, the college is not able to accommodate parents and family members at this event.  (But, since your student will be busy, you should consider...)

Breakfast for Parents of Graduates
9 a.m.–10:30 a.m., Prince Conference Center
Join President Byker and other Calvin guests for a special Commencement morning event, the Breakfast for Parents of Graduates, May 21, 2011, 9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m., in the Prince Conference Center. Seating for this event is limited to 300; order your tickets ($15) online today or call the box office at 616-526-6282. Tickets will be on sale until May 13 and will be mailed directly to the parents' home. 

See the Commencement site for more information and the full event schedule. 

News, stories

Honors Convocation was April 20, 2011. See photos or watch the archived video.  (Please note: the processional begins at approximately 12 minutes, and the program at 16 minutes into the recording.)

Calvin seniors Alicia Sheppard and Alyson De Walle are studying in Perugia, Italy thanks to an award from Grand Rapids Sister Cities International.

The latest edition of Calvin Sports Report Live (on Vimeo) features a recap of the 2010-11 Calvin men’s basketball season. In the episode, host Luke Berlin interviews head coach Kevin Vande Streek and looks back on the recently completed year.

Read the latest Coop's Column, "Designed to the Inheritance of Jesus."

Read the inspirational story of Harold Schnyders who pulled the trigger on the starter’s gun Saturday morning, sending off more than 900 runners in the 21st annual Calvin 5K Run/Walk which raises money for student scholarships. Also, see results from this year's race.

Cleaning, packing, moving...

In an effort to encourage students to clean their dorm rooms and start organizing items for moving out, the residence life staff is setting aside May 11th from 4 p.m.-10 p.m. as a cleaning and packing time.  Resident Assistants will be around to help unstack beds and answer any questions students have regarding checkouts. This also helps make the exam week calmer and less stressful.  Planning ahead particularly helps students with Wednesday exams, as the residence halls close on Thursday morning, May 19, at 10 a.m.

For all sorts of helpful information on the check-out process, including information on housing for students who need more time, and other frequently asked questions, visit our check-out information pages.

Prayer for and at Calvin

Please partner with us in prayer for Calvin College. Having recently celebrated Easter, join us in praying and living out Hebrews 10:19-25.

Revive, a week of 24/7 prayer and worship, is taking place from May 4 to 11, 2011, with the hope of uniting faculty, staff, students, and community. There will be a tent on the Commons Lawn for prayer and worship from 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
 
Students in the residence halls will be praying through the night hours.  You are invited to sign up for a one-hour prayer slot during the day.  Community worship/prayer will take place Thursday through Tuesday evenings. These will consist of community bands, speakers, and corporate prayer.

To sign up, click on "Revive" on this page (prayersignups.com/prayer_dates). 
--Sharon Bytwerk, spiritual direction and prayer coordinator

ReCommend Calvin

Parents and friends of Calvin, you are our best ambassadors. Help us recruit students to the school you love!  Talk to high school students, parents, guidance counselors, pastors—even students already admitted to Calvin. Tell your Calvin story, and let us know to whom you're talking!