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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 -
Calvin University to inaugurate Wiebe Boer as 12th president
The formal inauguration ceremony for Dr. Wiebe K. Boer will take place at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, October 26, 2022, in Calvin’s Van Noord Arena. October 5,2022 -
12 Discoveries President Boer Made in First 100 Days
Upon arriving at Calvin University in late June 2022, President Boer has been learning about the campus and the community. Here are 12 discoveries he's made as he's become reacquainted with his alma mater. October 3,2022 -
Discovering identity through community
Tim Baker is serving a life sentence for decisions he made to try and fit in. Now 20-plus years later through the Calvin Prison Initiative program, he's found the freedom to be himself and is accepted for who he is. September 11,2022 -
Calvin Prison Initiative seen as national model for prison education
In late August, leaders of the U.S. Department of Education visited the Calvin Prison Initiative. Four hours later, they left inspired not just by stories of transformation, but by the strategic, thoughtful collaboration that is making CPI a national model to follow for prison education. September 1,2022 -
U.S. Department of Education leaders to visit Calvin Prison Initiative program
On August 30, James Kvaal, Under Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education, is coming to west Michigan to see how Second Chance Pell grants have impacted the Calvin Prison Initiative program. This is Kvaal's first prison first as Under Secretary. August 26,2022 -
Calvin welcomes more than 1,000 incoming students and most diverse class in university history
This fall, more than 1,000 incoming students begin their pursuit of an undergraduate or graduate degree at Calvin University. The entering class shows academic strength and is record-setting in terms of ethnic and geographic diversity. August 23,2022 -
Calvin University Builds Momentum
Since Calvin changed its last name from "college" to "university" in 2019, the institution has established two new schools, added six graduate programs, set fundraising records, and become the first university in MIchigan to award bachelor's degrees behind bars. July 22,2022 -
Calvin Remembers James Martrice Brown
A week after receiving his bachelor's degree inside Handlon Correctional Facility, James Martrice Brown suffered a stroke and died three days later. He's remembered by his classmates and professors as someone who was always looking out for others. June 3,2022 -
Walking into a new identity
On Monday, May 9, 2022, Calvin University awarded degrees to 76 inmates in a grand celebration in Ionia, Michigan. It marked the first time in the state of Michigan that bachelor's degrees were awarded behind bars. May 10,2022 -
Calvin University holds graduation ceremony behind bars
On Monday, May 9, 2022, 45 inmates will receive a bachelor's degree from Calvin University as part of a formal Commencement ceremony held inside Handlon Correctional Facility. This marks a first for the state of Michigan. May 4,2022 -
An unimaginable adoption story born out of tragedy
Valmarcus Jones and Jerline Riley grew up in the same neighborhood. Their worlds collided in 1994 with tragic consequences. The way they have reunited is an unimaginable and beautiful story of redemption. April 21,2022 -
I'll be home for Christmas
For the first time in 36 years, Ron Hammond, a student in the Calvin Prison Initiative program, will spend Christmas outside prison walls. December 24,2021 -
When the numbers begin to fade
Since 2002, the Jubilee Fellows Program has helped Calvin University students discern a call to pastoral ministry. Now, that program extends to students at Handlon Correctional Facility. November 24,2021 -
First-year undergraduate and graduate enrollment rising at Calvin University
Calvin University's first-year undergraduate enrollment is up 15% year-on-year and the institution's graduate enrollment shows a 50% uptick during that time. September 17,2021 -
Calvin University turns two
On July 10, 2019, Calvin changed its name from "college" to "university." Two years later, it's well on its way to Vision 2030. July 10,2021 -
Calvin Prison Initiative grads reflect on education behind bars
Eleven graduates from the Class of 2020 and 2021 share about their experience in the Calvin Prison Initiative program, and how they plan to use their Calvin education to help communities flourish behind bars. May 21,2021 -
Calvin University celebrates historic Commencement doubleheader
Saturday, May 22, 2021 marks the 100th baccaulareate commencement for Calvin, its first as a university, and the first awarding of bachelor's degrees to inmates in the state of Michigan. May 20,2021 -
Set free inside prison walls
Narcissism and anger led Shawn England down a destructive path that led to life in prison. Now, 30 years later, after a Saul-to-Paul-like conversion, he's helping create a flourishing community where he is planted. April 2,2021 -
When A Community Shapes You
When Michael went to jail in 1992 for second-degree murder, he felt his humanity had ended. Nearly three decades later, he testifies to how his Calvin community helped him see himself no longer as an agent of destruction, but rather as an agent of renewal. January 22,2021 -
From life sentence to meaningful life
In 1998, Marqurice Jackson was sentenced to life in prison, where he lost all hope. But within the past five years, something happened inside prison walls that restored Jackson's hope and transformed his life. November 20,2020 -
Turning over the keys
For the past five years, Calvin faculty and staff have been building a bachelor's degree program inside prison walls. What the COVID-19 pandemic has revealed, is they've actually been building leaders. April 1,2020 -
Calvin receives national recognition for community engagement
Calvin University is one of 359 campuses across the country to receive the Carnegie Foundation's Classification for Community Engagement in 2020. February 11,2020 -
Calvin creates associate provost position
In January, Kevin den Dulk became Calvin's first associate provost, a position that focuses on extending Calvin's mission to reach new populations. February 11,2020 -
A familiar game, a new outcome
Students in the Calvin Prison Initiative program spent a collective 775 hours over 15 months handcrafting a chess set for Calvin University. October 15,2019 -
Calvin University coming July 10
On July 10, 2019, Calvin College officially becomes Calvin University. The Calvin community will commemorate the significant milestone with a series of events, including a panel discussion, dedication service, and celebration cookout. July 1,2019 -
Calvin Prison Initiative students lead restorative justice conference
A population of students in the Calvin Prison Initiative (CPI) program are helping facilitate some important conversations related to restorative justice, hoping to lead change from behind bars. November 26,2018 -
Radical hope at Handlon
The inaugural class of Calvin College students at Handlon Correctional Facility now have associate's degrees. And with it, hope. May 23,2018 -
Calvin making history at Handlon
On Monday, May 21, 15 inmates from Richard A. Handlon Correctional Facility in Ionia, Michigan will receive associate’s degrees from Calvin College. May 21,2018 -
CPI students partner with local nonprofit; support victims of domestic violence
With the revenue brought in by their community garden, CPI students have been able to partner with and support Safe Haven Ministries, a local nonprofit dedicated to supporting domestic violence victims. May 9,2018 -
Creating an award-winning prison reform conference from behind bars
Calvin Prison Initiative student creates prison reform conference that attracts 300 attendees and garners national recognition. August 22,2017
