Events

Calvin Classic 5K

Virtual and on-campus options were available, and nearly 600 runners signed up to participate in the 5K race or youth fun run.

Students compete in Grand Prix Bed Races.

Nationally recognized comedian Michael Jr. and Calvin Improv provided a night full of laughter with their performances.

The chemistry and biochemistry department joined in the fun for Maroon & Gold Day. From left to right: Laura Westrate, Mark Muyskens, Dave Ross, Chad Tatko, Larry Louters, Chris Holstege, and Eric Arnoys. Calvin’s campus was full of life this fall as students, families, and alumni gathered for Homecoming & Family Weekend Sept. 30–Oct. 1.

There was something for everyone to enjoy. Sports fans caught student teams in action, while former hockey and men’s lacrosse players competed in alumni games. Guests laughed along with comedian Michael Jr. and enjoyed a “400 Years of African American Music History” musical exhibition by the Gospel Choir, hosted by the Calvin Academy for Lifelong Learning.

Alumni also brought their kids to make fresh-pressed apple cider in the Ecosystem Preserve, swim in the pool, and examine fluorescent rocks in the Dice Mineralogical Museum. It was a great weekend to be a Knight!

ALUMNI ASSOCIATION BOARD

First row: Minwoo Heo ’09, Eliezer Yeong ‘18, Carla de Jong Hiemstra ’94, Janorisè Evans Robinson ’92, Stephanie Vogelzang ’07 Middle row: Debra Perry ’91, Kathleen Smit Klaasen ’70, Johanna Chambery Zandstra ’91, Karen Zwart Hielema ’94, Jori Brink Hannah ’04 Back row: Jerry Cooper ex’66, Tyler Amidon ’93, Adam Kinder ’06, Levi Stoep ’13, Jeff Haverdink ’97 Not pictured: Jim Valk ’87, Dale Kaemingk ’77, Maxine Asante Mosley-Totoe ’06

CALVIN ON THE ROAD

This past summer and fall, Calvin alumni reunited throughout the U.S. and internationally, enjoying one another’s company and sharing their post-Calvin experiences. After several pandemic-impacted years, attendees expressed gratitude for the opportunity to gather once again.

Here’s where they met: Abuja, Nigeria on April 16; Jos, Nigeria on April 28; Lagos, Nigeria on May 4; Accra, Ghana on June 9; Boston, Mass. on July 12; Seoul, South Korea on July 16; Atlanta, Ga. on July 29; Jakarta, Indonesia on Aug. 3; Tinley Park, Ill. on Aug. 6; London, England on Sept. 11; Pella, Iowa on Oct. 3; Lynden, Wash. on Oct. 10; Denver, Colo. on Oct. 12; Hamilton, Ontario on Nov. 1; London, Ontario on Nov. 2.

President Wiebe Boer ’97, and his wife, Joanna ’03, attended several of these events, where they met with fellow alumni to share their vision for Calvin University.

Pella, Iowa

TRAVEL WITH CALVIN

Join alumni and friends for one of Calvin’s unique travel opportunities.

Greece

Visit several cities associated with Paul’s missionary journeys and take an Aegean cruise. Host: Ken Bratt April 29–May 13, 2023

Stratford Festival

Attend theater performances with guided discussions as well as a back-stage tour. Hosts: Debra Freeberg and Gary Schmidt June 5–8, 2023

The Wonders of Utah

Explore the beauty of Arches and Canyonlands National Parks, the paleontological record at Dinosaur National Monument, and the sites of Salt Lake City. Host: Ralph Stearley September 14–23, 2023

Namibia & South Africa

Go on game drives in Kruger National Park and Etosha National Park, view Sossusvlei’s 1000-foot sand dunes, and visit Johannesburg and Robben Island. Host: John Apol October 2023 (17 days)

See calvin.edu/go/travel for details. Email alumni@calvin.edu to request tour brochures for specific trips.

More on these events and others

calvin.edu/calendar

REUNION IN A BOX

The next time you get together with four or more Calvin roommates, teammates, or friends, let us know. The alumni association will send you a “Reunion in a Box” filled with fun swag to help you celebrate! Each box has one-of-a-kind T-shirts and some of our favorite Calvin goodies. Visit calvin.edu/go/reunion-box.

Back row, from left to right: Dave Huyser ’78, Dirk VanEyk ’06, Marten VanEyk ’74 Middle row, from left to right: Kristin Huyser VanEyk ’06, Dianne Schepers VanEyk ’74, Jeni Wittingen VanEyk ’02 Front row, from left to right: Colin VanEyk (in red), Lily VanEyk (in maroon), Ashley VanEyk (in red)

Back row, from left to right:

Sarah Bos Vander Plas ‘03, Katie Hughes Dorn ‘02, Jill Friesema Ties ‘03, Cheryl Potter ‘03, Susan Sytsma Bratt ‘03, Meghan Nash Eaken ‘03

Front row, from left to right:

Adrienne Bockheim Heideman ‘03, Kim DeHoog Benson ‘03, Kim Hendricks Veltkamp ‘03, Jaime Teixera Bannister ‘03, Hannah Hoogendam Marnoch ‘04

From left to right:

Carol Van Hal Browne ’81, Marj Dykhuis Terpstra ’82, Bob Terpstra ’81, Jeanne Evenhouse Ellens ’82, Tim Ellens ’82, Lori Olson Boehning ’81, Mike Medendorp ’82, Shari Vander Brug Medendorp ’82

From left to right:

Pictured with their children: Andries van der Meer ’10, Mary Tolsma van der Meer ’10, Kristen Cisneros Tolsma ’10, Mark Tolsma ’10, William Tolsma ’08, Maria Mejia Tolsma ’08

From left to right: Greg Snyder ’94, Mark Harvey ’93, Rob Patete ’94, Jeremy Lloyd ’94

Top row, from left to right: Dr. Joel VanderLugt ’00, Shontel Laning VanderLugt ’00, Don VanderLugt ex’82, Rachel VanderLugt Kuipers ’03, Christine Farough Thomas ’02 Front row, from left to right: Dr. James VanderLugt ’74, David VanderLugt ’02, Dawson Vanderlugt - expected 2026, Janet Oele VanderLugt ’02, Gertrude Zaagman Oele ’65, Jerry Oele ex’63

From left to right:

Janet Cok Vreugdenhil ’89, Gordon Vreugdenhil ’88, Dave Klanderman ’88, Barbara Dykhuis Klanderman ’87, Rod Tjoelker ’87, Tenda Palsrok Tjoelker ’87, Elise Tjoelker, Victor Norman ’87, Sherry Mandeville Knoppers ’87, Susan McBurney Norman ’88, John Knoppers ’88, Lois Litty ’87, David Klooster ’89, Matthew Tjoelker, Michelle Wildeboer Klooster ’89, Dan Tjoelker ’88, and Stephanie Miller Tjoelker ’87

Top to bottom, from left to right: Dave Swierenga ’63, Mary Venema Swierenga ’63, Thom Venema ’71, Peg Venema DeBoer ’67, Doug Jipping ’92, Steve Swierenga ’97, Nancy Venema Groom ’64, Pam Fieldhouse Groom ’94, Karen DeBoer Jipping ’94, Jessica Plaumann DeBoer ’05, Cherie DeBoer Smith ’92, Christine DeBoer ’97, Chris Groom ’94, Dan VandenBroek ’97, Jen DeBoer VandenBroek ’99, Joel Swierenga ’01, Tim DeBoer ’04

Left to right: Gladys Buckley VanderWoude ’64, Judy Oosterhouse Fletcher ’64, Jeannie Sterk Snoeyink ’64, Carol DeMots Woltjer ’64, Jan Weesies Gabrielse Scheffler ’64, Joy Stavenger Winkle ’64 Christina Baylor Tazelaar ’05, Cara Heeringa Matthies ’05, Kari Hongsermeier Politylo ’05, Cristin Carter Buys ’05, Renee Baas Sieplinga ’05, Cherilyn Dudley Larsen ’05, and Tanya Bovenkerk Disselkoen ’05

From left to right:

Emily Jipping ’23 & Anna Jipping ’26