WIDE, OPEN SPACE BY BETH HEINEN BELL
the drive from Grand Rapids to New Mexico will be a twoweek intensive immersion in Native American culture, with stops at tribal communities along the way. Students won’t miss out on the traditional freshmen dorm experience, either: The small group will live in community, with an RA, in residence halls on the Rehoboth campus. “We’re going to give students a wide latitude to discover themselves—and discover Calvin,” says Haney. “Because this semester is Calvin, in a wide, open space. It’s a mind-blowing way to begin college. I can’t oversell this.”
WANT TO BE PART OF IT? Apply for the Rehoboth Bridge Semester at www.calvin.edu/off-campus
cultures that focuses on the Native American experience. For her, the topic is personal: Prior to teaching at Calvin, Haney spent five years as a pastor to at-risk teens in a Native American community in Oklahoma. And her husband, a Native American, works in ministry to tribal members in Michigan.
Alaska, backpacked through Europe and ridden a camel to see the sun rise over Mount Sinai. “I’ve seen in my own life how much the fresh perspective of a new place can expand one’s understanding of God, God’s creation and one’s self.”
When the Rehoboth opportunity came up, she jumped at the chance.“I am really excited to see this course on cultures come alive and be taught in a community setting where the students will literally be part of the ongoing story of Christian life in Indian country.”
Professor Haney studies how differences in cultural values affect the economic well-being of future generations. She helped develop a computer simulation program called Societies (similar to “SimCity”). By tweaking different cultural aspects of a society, such as selfishness, the program shows what happens to wealth, inequality and sustainability over many generations.
WHY SHE LOVES TEACHING AT CALVIN “There is a wide variety of backgrounds and personalities here, but the common thread is a love of God and neighbor. I enjoy talking with students who care about the world around them and helping them discover their place in it.”
TRAVEL ADVENTURES Among other adventures, she has gone dog sledding in
RESEARCH INTEREST
A HEART FOR THOSE ON THE FRINGE “I relate easily to students who see themselves as a little outside the norm, so my office can be a safe space for them. I also take seriously the privilege of praying with students when they are struggling. I want to help those on the fringes of social groups realize that we’re all made in the image of God.”
7