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Charged as Agents of Renewal
On Friday, May 10, 2024, 34 men graduated with bachelor's or associate's degrees from Calvin University. May 14,2024 -
When a Christ-Centered Education Reaches Beyond Prison Walls
On Friday, May 10, 2024, the fifth cohort of the Calvin Prison Initiative earns their bachelor's degrees from Calvin University. Graduates from the Class of 2024 reflect on how their education behind bars has shaped them and what they hope to do now. May 8,2024 -
Stacia Hoeksema Named Professor of the Year
Stacia Hoeksema has been teaching in Calvin's social work department for more than two decades. On Tuesday, April 23, 2024, she received the most meaningful honor of her career--being named the 2024 Professor of the Year. April 24,2024 -
From Life Sentence to Life Calling
A self-centered life led Chris Bernaiche to a life sentence. After more than a decade of destructive behavior inside prison walls, he turned his life over to Christ. Now, through the Calvin Prison Initiative program, he's helping his peers find meaning in their lives. March 26,2024 -
Sidney J. Jansma Jr. awarded 2024 Kuyper Prize
Sid Jansma Jr. will be the recipient of the 2024 Kuyper Prize, which is awarded annually by Calvin University and Calvin Theological Seminary. December 12,2023 -
Inspired to Go Beyond Limited Expectations
Rob Woods and Adam Dupuis entered prison at the same time and for the same crime. After a twenty-plus year journey inside prisons across the state, they reunited through the Calvin Prison Initiative program. November 21,2023 -
Student-Faculty Research Informs Prison Education Nationwide
In January 2023, then senior Emily Steen ’23 and her faculty adviser Mark Mulder, received The Hatfield Prize to conduct research on challenges faced by formerly incarcerated individuals upon reentry into society. This past week their research was published by the Center for Public Justice. October 6,2023 -
Flipping the script unlocks stories of transformation
While Nate Roels started at Calvin in 2013 as a business major, he soon discovered a deeper passion for film and media. So, he flipped the script, switched his major to a minor and pursued filmmaking. Now, he has a documentary film making its debut on the big screen. July 25,2023 -
When updating spreadsheets opens doors
This summer, two student researchers at Calvin University are glued to spreadsheets. Though the work can be tedious at times, the students are driven by the fact that their daily work is literally helping keep returning citizens from returning to prison. July 19,2023 -
Director's innovative vision helping reform prisons
Heidi Washington, director of the Michigan Department of Corrections, has championed the motto: "Make prison time productive time." Her visionary leadership, which includes a partnership with Calvin University and Calvin Theological Seminary, is helping shift the tide inside Michigan's prisons. June 13,2023 -
Graduating from shame to honor
In 1994, Ming Ho made a fatal mistake that brought shame to his family and sent him to prison. Nearly three decades later, his mom and sister witnessed him becoming the first in his family to graduate from college. May 13,2023 -
Calvin University 2023 grads reflect on earning bachelor's degree behind bars
Graduates from the Class of 2023 reflect on their experience earning a bachelor's degree from Calvin University behind bars. They talk about how the program shaped them and what they hope to do with their degree. May 10,2023 -
Calvin University Celebrates First Wire-to-Wire Graduating Class
On Saturday, April 29, 2023, more than 800 students will graduate from Calvin University. In doing so, they become the first class to both begin and end their journey at the institution under its current name. April 26,2023 -
Going Beyond the confines to discover community
Ken and James came into prison at the same time and shared a cell in county jail. Over the past decade, their journeys inside prison took very different paths, but God brought them back together through the Calvin Prison Initiative program. Now, they're creating a community unheard of inside prison walls. April 6,2023 -
Equipped with the Tools to Build Behind Bars
In the Fall of 1987, Waddell Fisher in utter despair cried out to the Lord after he took a life. For the next 36 years God has used people and programs to equip Fisher with the tools to work for renewal behind bars. January 31,2023 -
Calvin University student awarded prestigious Hatfield Prize
Calvin senior Emily Steen is one of three students in the country to be awarded The Hatfield Prize by the Center for Public Justice. January 19,2023 -
Calvin University holds presidential inauguration behind bars
On Friday, January 13, 2023, Calvin University held a presidential inauguration behind bars. The event is believed to be the first of its kind to be held in an active prison. January 18,2023 -
Calvin in 2022: A Year in Review
From a presidential transition to the first-ever graduation ceremony behind bars to adding new sports, spaces, and academic programming, there was no shortage of exciting happenings at Calvin in 2022. December 31,2022 -
A broken door leads to a new identity
Curtis Frye earned his bachelor's degree behind bars through the Calvin Prison Initiative. But it literally took a broken door decades earlier to set him on a path that led to his degree and more importantly a new identity. November 23,2022 -
Calvin University President Wiebe Boer delivers Inaugural Address
On Wednesday, October 26, 2022, more than 2,000 people gathered in Van Noord Arena for the inauguration of Calvin’s 12th president Dr. Wiebe Boer. He delivered an inaugural address titled: "The Greatest Generation is Now." October 27,2022
