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1980's: Class Notes | Marriages | Newcomers | Deaths
James Postema '82 was the author of a successful proposal by Concordia College—Moorhead, Minn., to the Bush Foundation of St. Paul, resulting in a $300,000 grant for faculty development. Funds from the grant will sustain continued conversations about the nature of liberal arts education at Concordia, enhancement of a campus-wide culture of learning focusing especially on students' first-year experiences and growth by faculty in their teaching skills. The proposal capped a two-year planning process identifying strengths and prioritizing needs in Concordia's faculty programs, during which Postema worked with a faculty committee chaired by Gregg Muilenburg '71. Muilenburg is professor and chair of the philosophy department at Concordia; he regularly leads the semester-long honors program in Crete. Postema is an associate academic dean, overseeing faculty programs, research grants, and general teaching resources.
Naples Community Hospital Healthcare Systen honored Gary Sporn ‘86 as the first recipient of the COMPASS Award. The COMPASS Award (Compassionate Or Mentoring Physicians Applying Special Skills) was devised to recognize physicians who go the extra mile and exemplify qualities such as compassion and approachability, or one who takes the time to mentor and foster excellence in practice. Gary is board certified in internal medicine, pulmonary medicine and critical care and has his medical practice in Naples, Fla.
James Colyn ’85 has published a new book entitle Vocab-ability: More than a Vocabulary Dictionary. Hailed as “an ideal vocab reference book for ESL students and other lovers of English” the book is available through Vantage Press.
Susan Bolt Gill ’87 graduated from Western Theological Seminary in Holland, Mich., in May, 2001, with her master’s degree in religious education. She recently accepted a call from Unity Reformed Church in Kentwood, Mich., to serve as their youth pastor. She has previously served as youth pastor for three churches in the Muskegon/Grand Haven area. Susan and her husband, John Gill, currently reside in Spring Lake, Mich.
James De Vries ’83 was recognized in Mortgage Originator Magazine as one of the top 100 loan officers in the USA for 2011. Jim, a mortgage loan officer at National City of Holland, Mich., helped 571 customers receive over 55 million dollars in mortgage loans. He was also National City’s Midwest Corporate New Employee of the year in 2000.
Tim Lowly ‘81 and his wife, Sherrie, have recently relocated to Chicago, Ill., where Sherrie has been appointed as pastor of Berry Memorial United Methodist Church. Corrider Press has recently published one of Tim’s lithographs. Tim also had a new large piece in Lyons Wier's group show "Harboring Beauty.”
Beth Kaashoek
Postema '87 has been named deputy director of the Fargo Public
Library, Fargo, N.D. In this role she oversees the day-to-day operations
of all library services for a metropolitan area of 125,000. She has also
played a major role in the planning and development of the first-ever
branch library in North Dakota. In addition to exploring new worlds such
as swimming lessons and T-ball with her 6-year-old and 3-year-old boys,
she recently sang in the chorus of the Fargo-Moorhead Civic Opera's production
of Mozart's "Le Nozze di Figaro," which featured soloists from
the Metropolitan Opera and the San Francisco Opera.
Janet Ludema ’89 and Daniel Wolf: 4/6/02.
Brouwer, Roger ‘82 and Cristen Kim: Elizabeth Lucia, 7/28/01 (4th).
Conlon, Eric and Helen Reeve ’88: Margaret Shannon, 5/11/02 (2nd).
Dantuma, Wayne ’88 and Beth Corey ’90: Claire Morgan, 9/20/01 (2nd).
Dykhouse, John and Sharon Bennink ’88: Courtney Marie, 3/1/02 (1st).
Foster, Robert ’89 and Cynthia Roosma ’88: Jaden LaRae, 4/10/02 (3rd).
Geertsema, David ’88 and Deann Kunnemann: Andrew David, 2/22/02 (3rd).
Heetderks, David ’89 and Jane Foulke ’89: Alaina Nicole, 4/29/02 (3rd).
Holesinger, Jon and Brenda Jongsma ’86: Annie Elizabeth, 6/12/01 (4th).
Huitema, Duane and Terri Miedema ’88: Caleb Andrew, 3/7/02 (2nd).
Jensen, Keith and Laura Buunk ’86: Luke Elliot, 12/31/00, adopted 4/17/02 (4th).
Klemm, Dennis ’87 and Gwen Veltema ’85: Lieza Jeaneva, 2/6/02 (4th).
Koornneef, Larry ’90 and Julie Geels ’89: Abby Jo, 5/28/02 (4th).
Meyer, Bruce ’89 and Dawn Dykman ’90: Allison Marie 9/13/01 (2nd).
Penning, Tom ’80 and Laura Koger: Luke Vincent, 3/7/02 (3rd).
Rush, Scott, and Anne Sharda ’87: Caleb Stanley, 5/21/02 (4th).
Ryckbost, Thomas ’81 and Amy Wolterstorff ’84: Phoebe Rose, 11/10/01 (2nd).
Schaafsma, Robert ’91 and Marjorie Bylsma ’86: Kiera Gabrielle, 1/24/01 (2nd).
Schenk, William ’90 and Kimberly Tiesma ’89: Avery Jane, 11/19/01 (4th).
Smits, Scott ’86 and Valerie Mann ex’86: Brenna Scott, 12/28/01 (4th).
Stave, Tom and Pamela Burch ’88: Matthew James, 12/20/01 (1st).
Tanis, Cornelius ’83 and Lori Beth Tanis: Faith Elisabeth, 4/2/01 (4th).
Tebben, Bruce and Glenda Tamming ’87: Stephanie Lynn, 6/9/01 (1st).
Van Der Wende, Robert ’74 and Laurel Vanderkleed ’83: Crystal Jingwen, born 6/28/01, adopted 4/9/02 (1st).
Rick Alby ’83 of Santa Fe, N.M., on 5/10/02.
Michael Vander Markt ex’86 of Grand Rapids on 12/13/01.
Daniel Visser ’84 of Grandville, Mich., on 4/2/02.
