Projects
KCCS Progress
With over 500 interviews completed, we have transitioned to the next phase of the Kent County Congregations Study. Over the next few months, we’ll be busy analyzing the data and organizing key findings for our reports. We also plan on having a public event later this year to celebrate the completion of the project and share some of the findings.
KCCS is as a study of educational and social service provision by religious congregations in Kent County, Michigan. Many of the congregations we interviewed reported involvement in a variety of programs aimed at benefiting their communities.
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Faculty Scholarhip Showcase - Friday, May 16, 2008

Calvin’s Centers & Institutes are hosting the second annual Celebration of Faculty Scholarship on Friday, May 16, 2008 from 9am to 2pm in the Library Lobby and Meeter Center. As the title suggests, this event recognizes and appreciates important scholarly accomplishments within each discipline.
The CSR will feature several faculty and off-campus projects, including highlights from the Kent County Congregations Study, the CRC 150th Anniversary Survey, and the Pharmaceutical Access Program project with Cherry Street Health Services. Please stop by the Library Lobby and Meeter Center between 9am and 2pm on Friday, May 16 to learn more about these projects, as well as other scholarly work across all disciplines.
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PALS Teens at MPA
Last week, the Midwestern Psychological Association (MPA) hosted its annual meeting at the Palmer House Hilton in Chicago, IL. As the current CSR Research Associate, I presented a poster on some of my collaborative work with Calvin psychology professor, Marjorie Gunnoe.

Using PALS teen data, professor Gunnoe and I examined predictors of teenage expectations to marry. We explored several theoretical & well-established domains in an effort to compare our data with other national studies and to contribute to the growing body of literature on teenage development and attitudes toward marriage.
In addition to several poster sessions, I had the opportunity to hear a fabulous lecture by Washington University’s memory expert, Henry L. Roediger, III on how testing not only measures knowledge but enhances it. Visit the Washington University Memory Lab for more on this groundbreaking research.
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Prof. Corwin Smidt and student to publish paper on political cues during worship
Political science professor Corwin Smidt and senior Calvin College student Brian Schaap have co-authored a paper which will be published in a future issue of the Review of Religious Research (RRR). The paper is titled "Public Worship and Public Engagement: Pastoral Cues within the Context of Worship Services". An advance PDF copy of the unpublished working paper is available.
![]() Dr. Corwin Smidt | ![]() Brian Schaap |
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CRC 150th Anniversary Survey
The CSR is well into administering a completely online Christian Reformed Church 150th Anniversary Survey. More than 1400 responses have already been received!
The CSR would like to thank all who have participated as well as the survey coordinators who have been invaluable in recruiting participants.
Please follow this link to fill out the survey if you are part of a CRC congregation and would like to participate.
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