Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Mentoring as Relationship
Milton Ramos,
Laboratorios Ramos
Nicaragua
“Transformation is not what we do for other people.
Transformation is what God does for us when we enter into an
equal relationship of sharing and receiving with other people.
We do not serve because we are transformed
but we are transformed when we serve.”
—Jose Ramon Alcantara Mejia
Milton Ramos has always been interested in seeking ways to improve the manner that business is done, both in his own business and in the country where his business is located, Nicaragua. He transferred much of that passion into his role as a founder of a small Nicaraguan organization dedicated to that vision. Eventually, Milton’s entrepreneurial spirit led him to a deeper search for ways that he could have a healthy impact on the lives of local businesses and their employees. His solution was through the development of his family-owned pharmaceutical business, Laboratorios Ramos.
Peter Schaafsma is a former executive of a large pharmaceutical company. He’s currently retired, yet today remains connected to the industry. Peter, like Milton, also feels drawn to serve his fellow businesspeople by utilizing the knowledge and experiences he has accumulated over a lifetime.
An unexpected introduction in Managua, Nicaragua became a catalyst for positive change on both ends.
In early 2005, Peter visited Nicaragua on a short-term work trip, never expecting the rewarding relationship that began developing over a short period of time. As Peter was painting walls at a local school, the CRWRC and Partners Worldwide staff working in Nicaragua approached him with the notion of spending an afternoon getting to know Milton Ramos. After learning that Milton owned a medium-sized pharmaceutical company, Peter jumped at the opportunity.
A few days later, after just a few moments of introduction, the two were deep in conversation regarding the state of the pharmaceutical industry in Nicaragua and its impact on Milton’s business. Months later, Milton invited Peter back to Nicaragua to deepen their cooperative analysis of pharmaceutical issues, and a deepening of their relationship, a sharing of support, experience, and knowledge.
During a two-week trip, Peter analyzed every facet of Milton’s business, from organizational structure to best manufacturing practices. According to Peter’s recommendations, and with a new loan of $50,000 from another North American partner, Milton was able to improve the organizational structure and employee ownership of Laboratorios Ramos, give managers more opportunities to influence the company direction, and make quality control improvements that increased production capacity. Today, Laboratorios Ramos has fulfilled a large order from the Nicaraguan Ministry of Health, using the profit to free itself from nearly all outstanding debt.
Like Laboratorios Ramos, the mentoring relationship between Milton and Peter has also continued to grow. During their last visit, Milton wanted to show Peter much more than his business, to show him the “real” Nicaragua. After days of consulting, evaluating, and sharing their experience and expertise, they traveled with family to some of the most beautiful natural wonders Nicaragua has to offer. Illustrating mentorship at its purest, the two continue to listen, learn, and grow together.
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Creating Hope in Haiti
Emmanuel Jeremie
Federation of Entrepreneurs of Léogane (FEL)
Léogane, Haiti
“Helping others to live better changes your life without you even thinking about it,” says Paul Ducarmel, owner of Douco Chocolat and member of Federation of Entrepreneurs of Léogane (FEL). This shared vision of changing community into ideal community began at a business conference in Port-au-Prince, Haiti.
In October 2005, entrepreneur Emmanuel Jeremie was encouraged by a friend to attend the first International Christian Business Conference held in Port-au-Prince, led in cooperation by Partners Worldwide and business affiliate Haitian Partners for Christian Development (HPCD). There, Emmanuel was inspired and led to a deeper understanding of the purpose of business as a calling.
Emmanuel immediately returned to his small town of Léogane, just 18 miles west of Port-au-Prince, with a revolutionary idea to bring about change in a society that was, and continues to be, in need of transformation. Haitian society was shaped by colonialism and slavery more than two centuries ago. Today, most entrepreneurs struggle amidst the ongoing economic instability, corruption and civil unrest which together form a business climate that inhibits most businesses from thriving in the market.
It was during Emmanuel’s first meeting in Léogane that a shared hope for societal transformation began. An astounding number of businesspeople arrived, expressing interest in what a local business affiliate might offer them. However, upon learning that the potential affiliate was less about providing easy money, and much more about using business to positively change the community, most of the attendees never returned.
Six local entrepreneurs, however, chose to remain with Emmanuel. From a variety of fields, including agriculture, Christian schools, dairy franchise, and the production of beverages and chocolates, the new members committed to the formation of FEL. Their vision is to positively transform the community through more purposeful business tactics, a development of their role in civil society, and mutual support through mentoring.
Upon agreeing that business is both “the foundation of a strong economy” and “a calling from God”, three goals have emerged from the seven members of FEL. Together, they intend to 1) change community into an ideal community, 2) create employment for Haitians, and 3) reduce poverty.
Ducarmel, one of the remaining members of FEL, reflects on the value of a business affiliate as “the importance of connecting businesses so we can learn from one another and encourage each other.” Today, the members of FEL are striving to maintain their goals after the tragic loss of Emmanuel Jeremie in a car accident soon after FEL was formed. As they step forward in faith and mutual support, they will continue to believe that transformation is possible.
Sunday, December 09, 2007
Mentoring multiplied, jobs created
Madame Marie Michele Lefèvre
PWOFOD
Port-au-Prince, Haiti
”Before it was more a question of loan reimbursement, but now it is different. We see ourselves as exercising a ministry,” says a member of PWOFOD, a business affiliate in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. A powerful example of someone daily living out her ministry of business is Madame Marie Michele Lefèvre.
Madame Lefèvre began a small popsicle business years ago, and, to her surprise, it grew exponentially. Today, she operates a business with 22 freezers, 40 employees, and 300 merchants, and is close to paying off her most recent loan from PWOFOD of 13,000 USD. Through her perseverance, Madame Lefèvre has affected her community by creating employment opportunities that sustain hundreds of families in Port-au-Prince.
Empowering others through employment, Madame Lefèvre developed the opportunity for individuals to rise from poverty by working. According to Beatrice Pierre, Million Mentors Coordinator of Partners Worldwide, “When a poor person comes and asks her for money, she gives that person some product and tells him or her to go out and sell. She makes salespeople out of them.” Of her 300 merchants, most arrive each morning and purchase the popsicles to sell, or, with her permission, commit to sell and pay for the inventory at the end of the day.
The profits belong completely to the merchants in her sales model. In this way, Madame Lefèvre invests in the growth of each merchant’s success. Through this arrangement, each merchant makes significantly more compared to the average earnings of Haitians working in the informal market sector.
According to Madame Lefèvre, mentoring and a better knowledge of finances are her current needs to further improve her business. In light of her experience in mentoring, Madame Lefèvre believes that the practice of mentoring should continue to grow locally and internationally through Haitian business affiliates and Partners Worldwide, respectively.
Pierre agrees that the local mentorship has positively affected Madame Lefèvre, saying, “Thanks to her mentor, Samuel Sanon, her enterprise grows and continues to grow both in term of dimension and administratively. After having made a lot of investment in machinery and equipment, she realized that she needed competent staff and the building has to be renovated. Now, her products are of far better quality than three years ago and are made in more hygienic conditions. She can compete now with any ice cream maker.”
Madame Lefèvre presently envisions a greater expansion of her business. Yet, her vision doesn’t end there. She wants mentoring to be available for the market women up the street. Mentoring has encouraged Madame Lefèvre to thrive; now she passes this along by encouraging hundreds of others to do the same.
Adding value, gaining hope
Mombachito Coffee
Farmer-to-Farmer
Nicaragua
Near one of the most beautiful areas of creation surrounding Mombacho volcano, Nicaraguan coffee farmers are venturing toward “new possibilities in business creation.” Mombachito Coffee is a growing business with a new approach toward value-added production, business concepts, and confidence. The outlook of eight Nicaraguan farmers, as well as the perspective of their North American partners of Farmer-to-Farmer, has undergone transformation.
In 2005, Nicaraguan farmers initiated a large-scale organic coffee cooperative with the goal to more efficiently market the coffee of local farms in compliance with the highest organic standards. Today, the cooperative has 170 farmers, expanding their horizons through the training of a local organic coffee expert. Yet, within the first year, many were adversely affected by an extended drought that resulted in less profit than was expected.
In response, eight of the farmers chose to take the risks, and seek after the possibilities, of value-added production in their small-scale business, Mombachito Coffee. With the encouragement of Partners Worldwide local staff to step forward “into their future as businesspersons”, the farmers of Mombachito Coffee now roast, grind, package, and market coffee themselves, a decision that, in the first year alone, provided a 100% increase in profit on the fraction of the season’s crop—300 pounds—which they privately produced.
Furthermore, the outlook of partners on both ends of Farmer-to-Farmer has also undergone change. In December of 2005, a group of Iowa partners visited with their Nicaraguan partners, learning from one another and strengthening each other as they together harvested the season’s coffee. The visit provided the Iowa partners with a new view into the lives of the Nicaraguan partners, resulting in a better understanding of, and a deeper appreciation for, the work behind a morning cup of coffee.
Not only did the quality and profit of Mombachito Coffee’s organic products increase; so, too, did their business concepts and their confidence to continue. Jennie, one of the farmers involved, says that after seeing the first completed package, labeled Mombachito Premium Organic Coffee, their outlook transformed from the notion that “we will always be to poor” to the belief that “this is a project we can attain!”
Mombachito Coffee has recently found a niche market in North America through their partnership with the affiliate, Farmer-to-Farmer. Because of their initial success over the past year, they plan to meet the growing demand by producing next season’s entire crop through their growing business, utilizing their unique value-added production. Through the opportunity to develop relationships with local expertise and international mentorship, the farmers of Mombachito Coffee continue to step forward with confidence.
Computers Bring Hope for the Able and Disabled in Urban and Rural Kenya
George M.D. Nziu
Longonot Outlets
Kenya Investment Trust - KIT
One of the most crucial tools of a small business is hope. When people have hope, they have a pathway out of poverty toward a higher standard of living and a better future, made possible through local training and affordable credit to strengthen their businesses. This premise has been proven true by millions of entrepreneurs who are now building their businesses, creating employment and training opportunities, and repaying their loans to benefit others. George M.D. Nziu is a living example of such entrepreneurs.
When George received a loan of 15,000 USD in April 2004, his hope was revived and his business, Longonot Outlets, got a new lease on life. Three years down the line George has given hope to many more by providing access to affordable computer training for both able and disabled persons, thanks to Kenya Investment Trust (KIT) and Partners Worldwide. His computer centers penetrate urban areas, such as Machakos, a growing city about 50 km southeast of Nairobi, as well as smaller towns in rural areas of Kenya. At the centers, youth and locals alike are offered intensive computer training at affordable rates.
What started as a communication bureau of just one photocopier in 1997 has become a computer training center for over 135 customers today. George received multiple inquiries in 2001 regarding the possibility of more computer training; at that point, his bureau could not accommodate more than customers at a time. Because of the growing demand for Kenyans to be computer literate, George curved a niche market in urban and rural areas so that more people—students attempting new careers or local entrepreneurs hoping to improve their computer skills—have more access to computer training at an affordable price.
“As a businessman, I saw an opportunity present itself and I therefore decided to look for a helping hand. That is when I approached Kenya Investment Trust for financial support,’’ says George. KIT provided multiple loans and the annual turnover of Longonot Outlests increased from $21,800 in 2000 to $90,900 in 2007, while the number of employees increased from 5 to 13. Today, Longonot Outlets has 38 computers total, 17 at the main center while the rest are spread among the rural towns. George acknowledges the widespread success during the past six years, yet, to meet the growing demand, he plans to add 24 more computers with the next loan offered by KIT.
A local institution also confronted George this year with the challenge to make his computer training available to the disabled. “That was great inspiration for me. My contribution to society was being molded and I took this as a calling to share my perfect gift from God,” says George. He accepted the challenge by visiting the institution and discussing the possibilities with the local administration. They together agreed to train two members to accommodate the needs of disabled customers, an addition to the program they are excited to develop.
George foresees Longonot Outlets as a leading information technology center in a variety of communities. Profiting through his cyber cafés, calling centers, and the computer training programs, George believes that the business will continue to benefit more people each year. As an entrepreneur committed to his community, George heaps praises on his business affiliate, KIT, for walking with him on the journey, recognizing that loans enable businesses to boost the economy from the grassroots. Through their ongoing growth, businesses such as Longonot Outlets are increasingly able to provide the tools, and hope, that people need to succeed.
Transforming lives through business
John Matheri
Alpha Embroidery
CHESS
Nairobi, Kenya
“Now I’m a man of integrity. Before, I was not.” As an entrepreneur of integrity, John Matheri is transforming his role as an employer into a transformer of lives. With the intent to both protect and empower young women, John and his wife Margaret Gichohu employ females—many from underprivileged communities of Nairobi—as seamstresses and salespeople of Alpha Embroidery, their growing business of interior design.
John and Margaret began Alpha Embroidery on the side in 1990 with a loan of $40, just enough to purchase a treadle-operated sewing machine. In 2001, they were able to dedicate themselves fulltime to their growing business, after years of John’s mason work that did not meet the needs of their family. It was the initial loan and the membership of a Kenyan business affiliate called CHESS (Christian Entrepreneurs Savings and Credit Society) that made the growth of their business possible. That same year, they were able to employ five new women and increase their production by 30%.
They also joined a 20-person cell group of CHESS, a group that became the inspirational model for the institutionalization of cell groups throughout the world through the Million Mentors Initiative of 2003-2007. In that cell group, as well as a mentoring relationship with North American businessman, John Vanderploeg, John Matheri and Margaret found ongoing support as they shared mutual business concerns and increased their marketing contacts.
Today, through Margaret’s expertise in tapestry and John’s entrepreneurial spirit, they produce a variety of high-quality products—cushions, curtains, and bedspreads—in a highly competitive field filled with imports from large Indian and Chinese businesses. Alpha Embroidery has successfully found the niche in the city center market through unique interior design and the fulfillment of special orders for various homes and restaurants. And, as Alpha Embroidery has grown, so has the opportunity to socially transform the lives of their employees.
John and Margaret now have 15 employees, most of whom are young women who dropped out of primary education. Some of the employees are also former prostitutes who are now gainfully employed, able to support their children through their work. In order to provide these opportunities for ongoing employment, John takes the risk and extra expenses of hiring inexperienced workers; Margaret then guides the women through intensive training toward a maturity of the skills needed to continue in the field of tapestry.
Not only did their business grow, but over the years, John and Margaret’s understanding of a locally-owned business has also grown. Through their mentoring relationships, their outlook on the role as employers has been transformed. According to John, he learned from his cell group peers “that you can be a compassionate businessperson” and “succeed while still giving”. As compassionate businesspeople with much integrity, John and Margaret encourage their employees to be proud of who they are and what they do. Through their commitment to provide ongoing employment for those who need it most, John and Margaret are transformers of lives.
Tuesday, November 06, 2007
Feature article idea
my idea for my features article, which is to interview Prof. Howard from the History department about his close experience with Islam, is spawning from a conversation I already had with him over the summer. I wanted to have a conversation with him because I was wanting to get his thoughts on whether or not pious people from other religions (namely Islam and Judism) are saved by God. His thoughts tended more towards the idea that yes, these people are saved by God. The idea that people are damned to hell who lived out their lives seeking God but never found Christ, perhaps because they never so much as heard his name, is troublesome for me. Thus, I don’t really know which direction this article is heading because I have not interviewed him again yet, but it seems to me that this topic has a deeply religious tendency. Perhaps I should be scared. who knows.
-Matt Decker
Sunday, November 04, 2007
Study Science, Stay Home
With interim just around the corner, Calvin students are rushing to submit health forms, course applications, and passport requests.
Many Engineering, Pre-med, and science majors are especially anxious to line up their travel plans, as interim is the only chance they have to go abroad during their years at Calvin.
Calvin is recognized as an institution of excellence in international affairs by NAFSA: Association of International Educators and is just one of four US colleges and universities to be honored with a Paul Simon Award for Campus Internationalization for 2007.
Though Calvin offers a wide variety of off-campus programs--11 through Calvin and several through other colleges --the department is lacking a semester specifically designed for science and engineering majors.
Ellen Monsma, director of the Off-Campus Programs office and member of the Interim Committee, hopes that soon the department will be able to provide programs for the needs of students it is not currently serving.
Though many engineering and science majors will spend the interim in Germany, Cambodia, Ecuador, or China studying major-specific topics in different global situations, these whirlwind tours only graze the surface of the cultural context.
Monsma sees the value of both interim and semester studies, but she concedes that a semester experience is much deeper and broader than an interim excursion. Semester programs allow students to spend time in another culture, not just as tourists, but as residents.
Monsma said, “At Calvin, you’re with a lot of people just like you,” but spending a semester abroad often challenges students to see the world in new ways, to be “more conscious Christians.”
Calvin’s mission statement includes a pledge to be “agents of renewal” in all parts of creation and to be faithful in “offering our hearts and lives to do God’s work in God’s world.” But Monsma said that in order to renew the world, “you have to know it!”
Friday, November 02, 2007
Knights 4 Life - again
This was the final copy of my article. the first blog was just a beginning.
The Student Alumni Association, better known as Knights 4 Life, is getting its year started off right with yet another successful sophomore dinner.
The dinner took place on October 18, in which over 500 people attended. “The Knights 4 Life dinner is to remind students that they are now considered alumni and we want to thank them for coming to Calvin College,” said Norm Zylstra the coordinator of Student and Young Alumni Programs, “We want to make students feel comfortable by building a sense of home.”
The dinner is set in more of a “party” atmosphere, welcoming all sophomores and other campus organizations to have a good time and enjoy a meal together. “It is a big event because the entire alumni board is there, the cokes and clubs organizations are there to promote student organizations and most of the sophomore class shows,” said Zylstra.
“There was better food and it was a better atmosphere than usual,” said sophomore Leah VanSchouwen, responding to the dinner.
The dining services prepare a special meal of almost all the students’ favorites; including circle pizzas, French fries and an ice cream bar complete with a variety of toppings. There are also give-aways of canvas chairs, two liters of Pepsi, the Prism and K4L t-shirts. “The atmosphere was definitely welcoming. I liked how they came around with prizes instead of making people come to the front,” said VanSchouwen.
Sophomore Kelli Visser agreed saying that “at times it seemed kind of over the top but it was a lot of fun.
“The Alumni Office sponsored the t-shirts and the Alumni and Student Life offices split the cost of the Prism so that sophomores were able to receive these for free,” said Zylstra. It is very important for these organizations to give the students these gifts because as Zylstra said, “[they] want people to keep remembering their experiences at Calvin.”
Besides all the prizes and games, the sophomore night is set up for fellowship among class members. “I took this position so I would be able to have a mutual relationship with the college, and through these events it allows a multitude of campus committees and leaders, along with students, to get involved,” said Zylstra.
The Knights 4 Life has many other events planned for the rest of the year, including events for other classes. Keep your eyes open for upcoming events or refer to the Knights 4 Life postcard which students should have received in the mail.
KE hosts Light in the Night for local kids
For the thirteenth time on the thirty-first of October, families of the community and KE residents gathered at Knollcrest East to celebrate Halloween through safe trick-or-treating, fun, and fellowship.
Through KE’s annual program “Light in the Night”, hundreds of children—ranging in age, ethnicity, and creativity in costume—joyfully trampled through the hallways of KE on a rainy night, imagining for a few moments they were in a fairy tale, Neverland, a barnyard, or the ocean with Nemo. Andrea Timmerman, Community Life Coordinator of KE, says that “Light in the Night is a great opportunity to reach out with a welcoming hand to our community.”
Resonating with that goal, Zeta’s RA Kwabena Bediako stated that “it’s a chance for the families to get together. We’re showing the community that KE is here and we’re open.”
Matt Sowash, a member of the Programming Activities Council, also shared his thoughts on the immense preparation and creativity the residents of KE shared to provide a safe space for people from the community, saying, “It’s great to see the apartment doors being decorated and watching residents coordinate their plans with others! There has been a buzz among students working to get the building decorated. The amount of people taking time out of their busy schedules and helping is just fantastic!”
The excitement is shared at both ends. As a lifelong resident of Grand Rapids, Kimmy DeVries looks back on her annual trick-or-treating experience, saying, “I remember coming here as a kid to trick-or-treat; it was super fun! I was awestruck with all those college kids living on their own. It’s cool to be on the other side passing out the candy, remembering how much fun I had.” The effect Light in the Night has on the residents was also described by Theta’s RA, Abby Skeans, who said, “It was a lot of work, but a big payoff. We’re reaching a lot of kids at one time; it’s really impactful to me.”
Families of the community were grateful for the opportunity, as described by George Jeffries, a staff member of Inner City Christian Federation (ICCF), a Grand Rapids based nonprofit housing corporation. Jeffries stated that the families attending were so excited to be trick-or-treating at KE on Wednesday night, simply adding, “they may not have otherwise had an opportunity to go out and do this.” He also described his desire to continue cooperating with Calvin College students in order to carry on the various programs they have shared in years past.
Yet there is an even deeper purpose beyond the goal of providing a safe space for community families to trick-or-treat. Timmerman says that the title, and purpose, of the program emerged from John 8:12: “I am the Light of the World. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” Timmerman says that on Halloween, KE lit up the night “with hundreds of candles, [doing] our best to represent Christ as we open[ed] our doors.”
Thursday, November 01, 2007
One Parking lot Unaffected
Students parking in Kalsbeek-Huizenga’s lot this year aren’t experiencing crowding similar to that of the rest of Calvin’s campus.
In a year that has seen significant parking issues as a result of the high concentration of cars from construction, KH’s parking lot is unaffected, according to some freshman on campus.
As someone who used the lot for the last 2 years, I asked my brother and freshman, Shawn Tindall, to explain how bad the parking now must be.
“It’s not really an issue, actually,” he responded. “I can always find a spot, and at the maximum it’s probably only filled about 80 percent most of the time.”
This is the same concentration I found last year in KH. Sophomore Andy Solorio feels the same way, however.
“No one really seems to have any problems finding a spot; it’s just a long walk most of the time,” he stated.
When asked why the lot’s capacity seems to be unchanged, Tindall responded with a common sense answer that put me in my place.
“Well, its not like the construction added more students or anything,” said Tindall.
So then, there is more of a lack of problems in KH than there are problems.
“I think one thing they could do to improve, if anything, would have to do with the motorcycles. Every time that I think I’ve found a good place, there ends up being a bike that I don’t see until the last second,” complained the freshman.
Calvin is very focused on construction, and no plans have yet been made to have a designated motorcycle/moped parking.
While it was thought by some that the construction vehicles, workers vehicles and other transportation would use KH, this has been found to not affect Kalsbeek-Huizenga’s parking lot at Calvin College.
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
January Series- The Legacy Continues
For more than two decades, The January Series of Calvin College has lead the nation with its cultural arts series. The topics, along with presenters, have been diverse and have changed with culture. No issue has created too much controversy at Calvin, a liberal arts college with a reformed background. The Series is used to teach students and faculty to think with discernment and to be contemplative skeptics.
The Coordinator of the January Series is Kristi Potter. This is her first year as coordinator, though she worked with the previous coordinator, June Hammersma, for 11 years and co-directed with her the last two of them. “There is pressure to keep it at the caliber it is. I am fortunate that it has such a strong foundation,” stated Potter
The vision has not changed-She will continue to take advantage of both new ideas and technological advancements. Yet a new logo and staging things are being developed. Potter desires to feed the FAC’s coverage to other areas, such as the DeVos lobby, Library Lobby and Johnny’s café, making it more available to students.
“I want a buzz to be created among students, so they might want to hear the next day’s speaker in the auditorium,” stated Potter. Adding, “I hope all are aware and take advantage of it [the Series]”.
Potter goes through the various recommendations for speakers she receives from faculty, students and members of the community. This is her most difficult tasks, as there are a lot of suggestions and only 15 spots to fill. Potter has the final say on who speaks, yet she gathers advice from people in the academic departments regarding the recommendations. There might be several speakers mentioned with a topic and though she picks only one, the topic does get covered in the Series. “It’s good because I see all the recommendations. I see the repeats and similar topics being recommended,” said Potter.
The complete list of speakers can be found on the January Series website. There are several I would like to highlight and suggest you attend. The first is that of Debra Reinstra, an English Professor at Calvin, who will present on “Words Wear Out: How Writers Help Us Renew Religious Language”. Her recent book entitled “So Much More: An Invitation to Christian Spirituality”, which is a creative orientation to the Christian faith. It has been described as “a doorway for people to look through and see home.”
The second is that of James Abbington, speaking on “100 Years of Black Gospel Music in an Hour”. Dr. Abbington has researched music and worship in the Christian church, African American sacred folk music, and choral music. “I expect to be at the lecture and [would say] that [Dr.] Abbington is a well-respected authority on gospel music,” said Professor Elizabeth Vander Lei, of the English Department.
Potter expects that both Ishmael Beah, and Sonja Nazario will draw large crowds with their presentations. “Beah seems to be popular with students and Nazario, who wrote ‘Enrique’s Journey’, a lot of people have read [her] book.”
The biggest change Potter has made was adding 12 remote sites featuring webcasts during the series. The idea began a few years ago when a church in Holland asked to hold a seminar there, it was then tried out a couple years later with Eugene Peterson [January of 2006] and went quite well. Last year ten of the seminars were remotely fed to that church in Holland along with a church out in Massachusettes.
The sites include six other areas in Michigan, from Muskegon to Troy along with an additional downtown Grand Rapids location. The other five are being hosted in the states of Massachusetts, Florida, Illinois and California. It is a win-win situation, making it more available to more people,” noted Potter. Yet, she believes it is still important to fill the FAC’s auditorium, as speakers gain more energy from a large crowd.
Potter sees the series as a gift to both the college campus and the community. “It’s a chance to bring the community to campus to see the work going on at Calvin,” said Potter.
The lectures are given at 12:30 pm in the 1000-seat Fine Art Center Auditorium on campus. There is no charge to attend for Calvin students, faculty and members of the community.
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Is it ever “Just Coffee?”
Is it ever “just coffee”?
That’s the question that the Calvin Sexuality Series coordinators want to answer for students in a two part panel on dating, singleness and relationships.
Calvin’s Sexuality Series began after a student survey and climate study in 2004, which showed that students wanted “more opportunities to discuss sexuality, but didn’t want more classes for credit.”
The affirmations of the sexuality series team consists of several people ranging from Broene counselors, student life administration and those who are worship coordinators in the chapel.
The point of the Sexuality Series is to get students and faculty talking about human sexuality in a Bible-based setting with open-mindedness and the ability discuss questions openly.
The panel of speakers focused primarily on the dating culture at Calvin and also several issues Calvin students face who stay single.
The panel was three Calvin students and three of Calvin’s administration. When asked the question of the night, “Is it ever just coffee?” Senior Rachael DeKraker said “I don’t think coffee is ever just coffee; it needs to be defined better.”
Beets-Veenstra RD Matt Cook’s wife Megan answered that “Coffee for one person might not meet the same thing for the other person; for you it might be ‘just coffee,’ but for that other person it could mean something totally different.”
The speakers also addressed the culture of singleness versus dating at Calvin. Several of the speakers mentioned that there was a lot of pressure to date, not necessarily from friends, but from the greater Calvin community. “If you’re just friends with a guy, and people see you doing a lot of stuff together, you get pegged as a couple very quickly here,” said Senior Deborah Lemmen.
Nalini Suganandam was also on the panel, and after working with students for several years in admissions, student life and now in Christian Formation, said that “There is an obvious difference between freshmen and seniors in the Calvin community. Freshmen want to date right now, so they do, and seniors who are heading out are always asked “are you pearled?” or “are you engaged?” – the focus changes as time goes on.”
Making Manners Count
On Thursday, October 25, 2007, several sophomore students gathered at the Prince Conference Center to attend an Etiquette Dinner, sponsored by the Tapestry Ambassador Program (MSDO) and Academic Services.
Most guests arrived dressed in their Sunday’s best ready to learn about etiquette under the instruction of Andrea Granderson-Kitomary, a trained etiquette specialist, as well as Calvin’s own SAS instructor.
Due to a busy college life, students hardly ever have time to sit down and eat a good elegant meal. Between the 50 minute classes, the tons of homework and papers, and the meetings with professors, students are lucky to find a few minutes to stuff their stomachs with dining hall food.
However, students got more out of this dinner than just a great meal. Because college is all about learning, this dinner gave students the opportunity to improve, perfect, and acquire manners known and unknown.
Now that students are maturing and preparing for careers, it is necessary for them to gain knowledge and skills even to eat at a formal dinner.
“Our parents have taught us our pleases and thank- you’s. They’ve taught us not to talk with our mouths full. They’ve taught us everyday manners. Now that we’re growing up, it’s time for us to take our manners to a higher level,” said An Kurosu, a sophomore that attended the dinner. “I think that it’s a really great opportunity for us because we never know who we will encounter or what events we will be invited to attend in the future.”
Although etiquette is usually associated with feasts and fine meals, it can also be associated with a person’s character.
Marcella Ruffin, an etiquette specialist who coordinates formal dinner parties said that “Etiquette says a lot about who you are. When you’re dealing with people, your presence, your attitude, and your manners are what they remember.”
“It’s not always about how sit, how to eat, or what utensils to use. It’s also about making a good impression because a first impression should always be a lasting one.”
Instrumental Festival Brings Acclaimed Conductor to Calvin
Musicians from area high schools gathered at Calvin music department’s String Orchestra Festival last week for the rare opportunity to play under the baton of a nationally renowned conductor.
Over 100 students participated in Wednesday’s workshop, led by Calvin professors and guest conductor Chelsea Tipton II of the Toledo Symphony Orchestra.
The day concluded with a concert featuring the high school honors orchestra- composed of students from St. Joseph, Forest Hills Central, and Calvin Christian high schools- and the Calvin College orchestra.
Conductors Tipton and Calvin’s own Robert Nordling led performers in the works of Gustav Mahler, Samuel Barber, and Johann Sebastian Bach.
Calvin junior and cellist Lisa Van Lopik participated in the festival and spoke highly of the high school orchestra members.
“In some aspects, they were a lot better than I expected,” Van Lopik said, “I was impressed.” Senior violinist Rebecca Tong agreed and commented on her surprise at the level of improvement she saw in the students within just a few hours of work.
Both Van Lopik and Tong were pleased with the high school students’ performance of Barber’s Adagio for Strings, Op. 11. “It’s just very hard to control,” Tong said of the piece, the first song performed by the honors orchestra.
Tipton explained his vision for the student musicians, saying he did not intend to make the students music majors, but rather, music appreciators. “Whether they do decide to pursue music or whether they decide to pursue other choices in their lives, they’ll always have appreciation and wonderful remembrances of making music [inside] of the orchestra,” he told the audience of the workshop participants.
Tipton has a long list of credentials, having appeared with several major orchestras such as the Boston Pops Orchestra and appearing on the NBC Today Show with jazz musician Wynton Marsalis.