Skip to Navigation | Skip to Content

Calvin-Parents E-Newsletter: January 3, 2012

January 3, 2012

Happy new year!  We wish you God's peace and presence in 2012.

The Presidential Search Committee has unanimously recommended Dr. Michael Le Roy to the Board of Trustees for the position of President of Calvin. His appointment is pending, based on approval by the board. Dr. Le Roy currently serves as Provost and Executive Vice President at Whitworth University.

campus image

Interim 2012

The interim term between first and second semester begins Wednesday, January 4, and will see students studying a wide variety of topics right on campus or will send them traveling the world. See what the original objective of interim was, and find out more about: "Homer Goes to Hollywood: the Classical World in Film" for one example. (Complete list is here.)

If we hear about interim classes with blogs, we'll pass that information along. Here's the link for "Transforming Cambodia 2012" which has already posted an update for their trip.

campus image

January Series begins tomorrow

As Calvin's award-winning lecture series hits a quarter-century, The January Series welcomes David Gergen, Sherry Turkle, N.T. Wright and Deborah Lew, among others. Lectures are at 12:30 p.m. from January 4-24.

Even if you aren't on campus, join us at one of the remote locations or listen online. And follow us on Facebook to find out what our speakers have been up to lately.

campus image

Commencement 2012

During the Christmas break, initial Commencement information was mailed to parents of all students who had applied for their degree and to walk in the May 2012 Commencement ceremony. This information is all available on the Commencement pages, which will continue to be updated throughout the spring. Students who still need to apply for a degree must do so through their portal account.

campus image

Parents as friends

Below, you will see a list of events that are coming up for alumni and friends of the college. Parents and families---that's you! Parents and families are always welcome at any event that is held by the college or the alumni association. You may also receive e-mail reminders of these events soon. Please join us if you are able, and bring a friend. We look forward to seeing you!  Contact parents@calvin.edu (616-526-6142) if you have any questions.

Speaking of events, the Calvin/Hope rivalry will again feature the popular satellite game on February 11, 2012, which showcases the men's varsity game. For "The Game," Calvin and Hope fans gather at a designated viewing location and enthusiastically cheer on their team. Take the whole family to a site near you!

campus image

Recent headlines from campus

International students who couldn't go home for the holidays found hospitality at Knollcrest East.

Chemistry professor Larry Louters and student Ola Alabi were the architects of the first-ever Christmas chemistry camp.

Alissa Hoekstra's 5k grant from the Pepsi Refresh Project will be used to help her local animal shelter.

Calvin's residence halls auctioned off homemade goods—and offbeat services—to benefit their partner organizations.

campus image

Sports

Want to keep up-to-date on all sports headlines, including information about the upcoming Calvin vs. Hope rivalries for men and women's basketball? On the Sports page you can listen or watch online, see live stats, video profiles and photo galleries, read the daily sports update, or subscribe to the RSS feed. Calvin-Sports is sent soon after Calvin varsity sporting events and includes all kinds of information and statistics from the world of Calvin sports. Go Knights!

As you start thinking about taxes...

Parents, are you planning to apply for financial aid for your son or daughter for 2012-2013? If so, now is the time to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for maximum consideration. Even if you will not have your tax return finished it's more important to submit the FAFSA by March 1st (using estimates) than to wait until your tax return is completed. If you have special circumstances to present to the financial aid office be sure to submit a Calvin supplemental aid form in addition to the FAFSA.

And don't forget about "named" scholarships and other similar scholarships available that students can access via the online search tool. A number of other scholarships are awarded to students in particular academic departments. Applications for these scholarships are available from, and must be submitted to, the academic department for which the scholarship is designated. The application for most of these scholarships needs to be completed and submitted by March 1, 2012.

If you have any questions about this process, or anything related to financial aid, you may contact the financial aid office at finaid@calvin.edu or 1-800-688-0122.
campus image

Recommend winners

Thank you to all parents and alumni who encouraged a high school student to apply to Calvin during our fall “Recommend Calvin" campaign. Your personal testimonies to the value of a Calvin education are significant in influencing students to explore and choose Calvin.  

These ReCommend Calvin participants were selected as the fall prize winners:

Paul Van Bemden, first-year student from Colorado Springs, Colo., free textbooks
Kathi Schroyer, parent from Clarendon Hills, Ill., free textbooks
Sandi Adami, parent from Bellevue, Wash., student treat
Timothy Tripp, parent from Pella, Iowa, student treat
John Van Buiten ’09 of North Haledon, N.J., $50 campus store gift certificate
Mark Vander Bent ’11 of Portage, Mich., $50 campus store gift certificate
Melanie Katip ’03 of Beaver Falls, Penn., $50 campus store gift certificate
Leonard Van Drunen, professor of business, 30-block meal plan

Recommend-ations an still be made, and there will be prizes again in the spring as we ask alumni and parents to encourage campus visits for those making college decisions. Thank you!

campus image

Travels with Calvin

Calvin Alumni Travel is a travel program for alumni and friends (parents and families included). Each trip will be an experience woven with education and faith.

Explore Paul's Missionary Journeys in Greece, March 30-April 11, 2012, or A Journey to South Africa, November 2-17, 2012. Or save the date for A Pilgrimage to Israel: In the Light of Jesus, March 11-22, 2013. More information is found on the alumni travel pages for all trips.

Check the Parent Calendar for important dates

Here are several alumni and friends events coming up. Parents and family members are invited--encouraged---to join us!

Also, check the Parent Calendar page to keep track of important academic/financial dates throughout the year. 

Jan. 1: Miscellaneous charges payment due (1st of each month)
Jan. 3: On-campus housing opens - 10 a.m.
Jan. 4: Interim term begins - 8 a.m.
Jan. 4-24: The January Series 2011
Jan. 5: Tuition, room & board payment due
Jan. 24: Interim ends - 5 p.m.
Jan. 30: First day of spring semester; classes begin - 8 a.m.
Feb. 1: Spring Semester Convocation