CLASS NOTES

Spark readers: This section emphasizes Calvin graduates’ service, vocational, and reunion stories, along with “In Memoriam” notices. Send us news of your promotions, achievements, recognitions, and other announcements at spark@calvin.edu. Photos must be 300 dpi or approximately 1MB or greater in size.

The alumni association is also interested in knowing about important family milestones such as marriages and newcomers. Please send that news to alumni@calvin.edu

Heritage

(graduated more than 50 years ago)

01 Multiple generations of the Dr. James Timmer ’63 and Jacqueline Groot Timmer ’65 family gathered in Grand Rapids for Homecoming Weekend in September 2022.

Front row, from left to right: Jamie Visser Wierenga ’16, Michael Wierenga ’15 (professor of exercise science), Dr. James Timmer Sr. ’63 (professor emeritus of exercise science), Jacqueline Groot Timmer ’65, future Knight Ella Drews, Nathan Drews ’17, Anna Timmer Drews ’17

Back row, from left to right: Mike Wierenga ex’84, Jayne Timmer Wierenga ’89, Mitchell DeBruin ’18, Taylor Wierenga ’18, Gabrielle Timmer ’23, Calvin Miller ’23, Lauren Zeerip Timmer ’20, Christian Timmer ’19, Kathy Hulst Timmer ’90, Dr. James Timmer Jr. ’91 (athletic director)

An article titled “Schools and Teachers that Contributed to the Kentucky Sampler Tradition,” by Sheryl Vander Zee DeJong ’68 was published in The Journal of Early Southern Decorative Arts. DeJong’s is the first published scholarly research on Kentucky’s samplers. The tradition, often connected to New England and Mid-Atlantic histories, also has a rich history in the American South. DeJong has volunteered in the Textile Collection at the Smithsonian Institute since 1998 and has published articles and lectured on the collection. She is a contributor to the Antique Kentucky Samplers database.

1970s

On December 13, 2022, Bert Adema ’78, a commissioned pastor in the Christian Reformed Church and the executive director of Indigenous Christian Fellowship in Regina, Saskatchewan, received a Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal. This award, presented to Adema by Saskatchewan Lt. Gov. Russ Mirasty, was created to celebrate the 70th anniversary year of the late Queen Elizabeth’s accession to the throne. Indigenous Christian Fellowship is one of three ministries of the Christian Reformed Church that supports healing and reconciliation between Canada’s indigenous and non-indigenous people. Adema has served the Fellowship since 1993.

1980s

02 Kevin Adams ’82 and Gerry Meninga Adams ’82 spent forty days during the summer of 2022 walking the Camino Francés of the Camino de Santiago. Their pilgrimage began in St. Jean Pied de Port, France, in early July and concluded in Santiago, Spain, in mid-August. Despite record-breaking heat waves, they walked an average of 12 miles each day and enjoyed interactions with fellow pilgrims, spiritual reflection, and delicious food. The pilgrimage totaled over 500 miles.

1990s

The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) appointed Kevin Dykema ’95 president for a two-year term. NCTM is an international organization of more than 30,000 members. In this role, he will partner with educators to implement high quality mathematics instruction and advocate with policymakers to implement change. Dykema has taught 8th grade mathematics for over 25 years. He currently teaches at Mattawan Middle School in Mattawan, Michigan.

03 Eric Entingh ’91 led a 12-man canoeing and backpacking adventure to Isle Royale National Park for five days and four nights in August 2022. Among the 12 men were eight with ties to Calvin. The adventure successfully fostered new friendships, and the group is planning its next adventure.

Pictured from left to right near the Rock Harbor Lighthouse: Alex Corner ’15, Eric Entingh ’91, Darrell Bierman ’91 MDiv’96, Bill Corner ’89, Rich Wildeman ’86, Mike Dunn, Brian De Vries ’17, and Nathan Kerkstra ex’22

04 Steve Fridsma ’91 served as the project leader and architect for Monroe Community Church’s renovation of a 1963 industrial building in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The project received a 2022 Small Commercial Design Award from the American Institute of Architects. The church’s newly renovated ministry center was also named the best venue for the 2022 ArtPrize festival, an international art competition held annually in downtown Grand Rapids since 2009.

Fridsma is the leader of the ArtPrize Curation Team at MCC and an owner and principal architect at Elevate Studio, Grand Rapids. Alumni Jim VanderMolen ex’80, Michael McKinnon ’12, and Mary Wolters Fridsma ’92 served on the project design team as well.

Former teacher Erin Heuker ’91 has been employed as a counselor at Paddock Counseling PLLC in Cadillac, Michigan. She recently completed a master of arts in clinical mental health counseling from Cornerstone University.

The College of Medicine at the University of Illinois Chicago awarded Donald Vander Griend ’98 the 2022 Departmental Faculty of the Year Award for outstanding contributions to the department of pathology on November 16, 2022. Dr. Vander Griend is associate professor of pathology and associate director of shared resources at the UIC Cancer Center.

2000s

In October 2022, Jeremy Konyndyk ’00 became the president of Refugees International, an advocacy organization based in Washington, D.C. that focuses on international refugee, displacement, humanitarian, and human rights issues. Konyndyk said he is “eager to build on the organization’s long legacy of expertise and vocal leadership, while developing new partnerships and approaches for the years ahead.”