Final Word with Dr . Leanne Van Dyk

from Vantage Summer 2022

Alumni Updates

As she moves on to new journeys and adventures, we wanted to give Leanne Van Dyk the final word…

The last two and a half years have been tumultuous for everyone to say the least but have also offered the opportunity for self-reflection, learning a new hobby, or connecting in new ways and for most there have been some bright spots . What are the things you want to carry over from the pandemic period?

I have always enjoyed cooking, but during the pandemic, I started cooking more, trying new recipes and expanding my range. My daughter, son-in-law, and niece all lived with me during those months and we enjoyed cooking together. I certainly intend to carry over into my retirement life the joys of hosting dinner parties and honing my cooking skills!

What will you miss most about Decatur and Atlanta after you return to Michigan?

There is so much that I will miss about Atlanta! I will miss the warmer winters, the sunnier skies, the green canopy of trees, the hiking trails of north Georgia, the airport where you can get almost anywhere on one plane, my unbeatable commute of walking across the street and up the sidewalk, the restaurants on the Square in downtown Decatur, the symphony, the Atlanta Master Chorale, dear friends, gifted colleagues, the students, traveling to congregations

to preach and teach, kind and encouraging trustees, the farmers’ market, the bicycle paths, the brew pubs, and the joy of joining in the mission of Columbia Seminary.

What are you looking forward to rediscovering in Michigan?

There is so much that I will miss here but so much to anticipate returning to Holland, Michigan. My family and significant friends are there. From landlocked Atlanta, I will return to the white sand beaches of Lake Michigan just minutes away from my condo. Although I will no doubt complain a bit about the winter cold, I look forward to taking up cross-country skiing again and going for a run on the heated sidewalks of downtown which melt snow and ice for a safe footing.

What are you most looking forward to catching up on in retirement?

I am often asked, “What are you going to do in retirement?” I admit that I answer, “I’m not sure yet.” But this does not bother me. Instead, I am looking forward to being open to possible opportunities to volunteer, possible invitations to serve, possible ideas that will surprise and delight me. I am curious what the Holy Spirit might have in mind for me and I intend to be alert to what might be next. This is going to be an adventure! What are you reading now and what is on your to-beread list?

I tend to read two or three books at a time, switching from one to another depending on my mood. Right now, I am reading a book by Arthur Brooks, From Strength to Strength, which is about the challenges of the later chapters of life, about how to make a graceful turn from productivity to imagination and wisdom. Then, I am reading a book by an author I deeply respect, On the Road with Saint Augustine, by James K.A. Smith. This book explores in a fresh way how this ancient thinker and pastor illuminates our heart’s journey and our longing for God. Finally, I am reading a book I got for Christmas, The Dictionary of Lost Words, by Pip Williams, a novel that imagines women who find and preserve words that convey women’s experiences. My plan for developing a reading list is to start asking friends who live right around the corner from my little condo what they suggest. Often, it is a personal recommendation that is just right!

How do you want the Columbia community to remember you?

It is interesting, isn’t it, that the stories that will begin to cluster around me after I leave are not really up to me. A legacy or a reputation begins to emerge after my boxes are packed and the moving truck heads up north. I hope, though, that the Columbia community remembers me as a colleague who always told the truth, who laughed easily, especially in the hallways of Campbell Hall, who tried to be kind and encouraging, who stretched toward excellence and insisted on improvement, who listened deeply, who acted justly, who loved this community and the God who calls us. That is a tall order! But I do hope that I am remembered for these core values that I have tried to live into every day.

What final words and thoughts do you want to leave with the Columbia community?

I am very hopeful for the future of Columbia Seminary. I am delighted with the appointment of the new president and believe that Columbia, with its new Vision Statement approved by the Board in March, is ready to launch into a new chapter of service to the church and the world. I remain convinced that the mission of the seminary is more important now than ever. So, Columbia community, you have my parting blessing, my gratitude, my respect, and my hope. I encourage you to support the new president so that the mission of the seminary can truly gain momentum as the bicentennial approaches later in this decade and the seminary begins its “third century.” What a challenge and joy that will be! Blessings to you all!