VERGE 2.3

VERGE C ALVIN COLLEGE | VOL. 2.3

PLUS: THE FIRST-YEAR EXPERIENCE ENERGY ON A GRAND SCALE 100+ WAYS TO GET INVOLVED PROJECT DORMWAY II

Media production grads: jobs that take them from cliffs to couches p. 12

WILDERNESS ORIENTATION Learn wilderness skills, reflect on God’s kingdom, live in intentional community and make meaningful and lasting relationships.

No previous experience necessary.

Register online: www.calvin.edu/go/enroll

NORTH CHANNEL SEA KAYAKING AND CLIMBING IN NORTHERN MICHIGAN

VERGE Vol. 2.3

A Calvin College publication for prospective students and parents Verge—the edge, rim or margin; the brink. The point beyond which an act, state or condition is likely to start or happen—as in “on the verge.”

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The verge is a place where you’re finally able to see everything that’s in front of you. A place where you can say, “I can get there from here.”

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At Calvin, you’ll find yourself on the verge of more than you can imagine. New ideas, unexpected opportunities, new territory in your life, your studies and your faith. From the verge, you’ll catch a vision of how to live. And Calvin will take you there.

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CONTACT To submit a question or a letter: verge@calvin.edu To change your address: verge@calvin.edu PRODUCTION VERGE is produced three times a year by Calvin’s admissions and financial aid office.

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www.calvin.edu/verge EDITORIAL AND CREATIVE TEAM: Jeanne Nienhuis ’80, editor Allison Graff ’07, head writer Joy’l Ver Heul ’04, creative director Jorie Ellens ’11 Beth Heinen Bell ’03 CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Samantha Vanderberg ’12 Davis Dryer ’12 Andrew Steiner ’11 CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS: Lisa Anderson Jill DeVries ’06 Jerry Chen ’14 Christian Pondella Benjamin Ditto John Stoffer ’10 Steve de Jong

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FEATURES

MORE

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3 ADVISING 6 INTERIM OFF CAMPUS 8 FACULTY PROFILE: BOB KEELEY 9 TEACHER EDUCATION 11 MENTORING Q&A 22 CALVIN SPORTS 24 100+ WAYS TO GET INVOLVED 25 A NEW WAY TO GAME 28 PROFILE: AHRAM CHEON 29 GRAND RAPIDS 30 FINANCIAL AID 32 INTERNATIONAL STUDENT

IN THE EXECUTIVE CHAIR

THE FIRST-YEAR EXPERIENCE ENERGY ON A GRAND SCALE THE 6:1 VIEW OF THE UNIVERSE CALVIN THEATRE COMPANY PROJECT DORMWAY II

PLAN FOR YOUR ADVISING APPOINTMENT

DO YOU KNOW YOUR MAJOR?

START HERE

YES Use your program’s website to explore course requirements and other important information.

Are you interested in teacher education, nursing, engineering or pre-med? Be sure to mention this to your advisor so he or she can get you into the right courses.

Contact your coach for information on try-outs and practice schedules.

Be sure to sign up for music auditions when you register for orientation.

NO Browse through Calvin’s course catalog, or explore majors and programs on Calvin’s website to start thinking through your options.

ARE YOU INTERESTED IN MUSIC OR ATHLETICS?

YES Be sure to tell your advisor so he or she can get you into the right courses.

NO Be honest with your advisor. If you have strong interests or dislikes let him or her know.

DO YOU WANT TO STUDY ABROAD?

END HERE YOUR FIRST-SEMESTER CLASS SCHEDULE

After you meet with your academic advisor during Passport, an advising sheet will be sent to Calvin’s registrar, where your first-semester schedule will be created for you.

YES Tell your advisor right away. Many semester-abroad programs cover foreign language requirements or other core requirements.

NO Consider getting involved in your academic department’s student organization, or check out related internships.

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THE FIRST-YEAR EXPERIENCE

KAYLA DANAHY MAJOR: biology HOME: Brighton, Mich. & Seoul, South Korea

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WE D NE S DAY

T H U R S DAY

F R I DAY

CLASS

CLASS

CLASS

CLASS

CLASS

CLASS

RELAX & CALL HOME

CLASS

MO N DAY 8: 00AM

T U E S DAY

9: 00AM 10: 00AM 11: 00AM 12: 00PM

CLASS

CLASS

CLASS

LUNCH 1: 00PM

CLASS

2: 00PM 3: 00PM

HOMEWORK IN ROOM OR LIBRARY

HOMEWORK

6: 00PM

CLASS

CHEMISTRY LAB

HOMEWORK, NAP AND LAUNDRY CLEAN ROOM & HANG OUT WITH FRIENDS

CHEMISTRY TUTORING

4: 00PM 5: 00PM

LUNCH CLASS

WORKOUT

WORKOUT

THEATRE

THEATRE

7: 00PM

11: 00PM

My friends and I like to bake in our floor’s coffee kitchen.

WORKOUT

THEATRE FLOOR BIBLE STUDY

8: 00PM

10: 00PM

Biology123, “The Living World: Concepts and Connections” with Prof. Dornbos is my favorite class.

FLOOR DINNER FLOOR DINNER FLOOR DINNER FLOOR DINNER FLOOR DINNER THEATRE

9: 00PM

I love Friday SongFest.

CLASS LUNCH

LUNCH

LUNCH

CHAPEL

HANG OUT WITH FRIENDS IN JOHNNY’S FLOOR BOARD MEETING

HOMEWORK & TV WITH FRIENDS

JOHNNY’S

DORM WORSHIP

DORM ACTIVITIES

HANG OUT WITH FRIENDS OFF CAMPUS

Run through and tech rehearsal.

We usually go to Buck Fridays and later to Steak n’ Shake. www.buckfridays.com Johnny’s breakfast equivalency. You can use your missed meal money to pay for a late-night snack.

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LIBERIA

LONDON

BRAZIL 6 VERGE

ISRAEL

INTERIM OFF CAMPUS

ITALY

The rhythms of life at Calvin change each January as students and professors participate in a three-week term called interim. It’s a time when hundreds of students fan out across the globe. Some students snorkel through reefs in Australia, while others explore the art and architecture in Venice. Still others put their Spanish skills to the test in the Yucatan. This year, students traveled to New York City to experience jazz music in the heart of the industry.

JORDAN

INDIA

NEW ZEALAND

MEXICO

OPEN DOORS AT CALVIN Calvin earned high marks for its off-campus programs and international connections, according to the 2011 Open Doors report from the Institute for International Education.

No. 2

Calvin ranks second nationally among baccalaureate institutions for the total number of students who study abroad.

No. 5 CHINA

Calvin also ranks fifth in the same category for the total number of international students studying on campus.

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FACULTY PROFILE: BOB KEELEY Professor of education PhD in educational psychology from University of Denver, plus 20 years of teaching math to high school students

THE INSIDE TRACK WHY HE LOVES TEACHING AT CALVIN: “I get to be a teacher, I get to be a scholar, I get to be a mentor, I get to play my guitar, I get to hang out with students—it’s all of my favorite things wrapped up into one job.”

HOW HE CONNECTS WITH STUDENTS: Taking an entire class session to talk about each person’s personal and faith background and inviting students to be his Facebook friends (don’t worry, he won’t be offended if you ignore his request). “I like seeing [students] for who they are as people—that connection is really important to me and part of that is actually going to schools and sitting with students as they work with a supervising teacher. That’s really fun because you get to do one-on-one individual instruction.”

WHERE YOU’LL FIND HIM MOST FRIDAY MORNINGS: At Calvin’s weekly chapel hymn sing, which he leads with a group of students at least once each semester. “To be part of Friday morning when chapel is packed and students are completely surrounding us is pretty exciting.”

RESEARCH INTERESTS: How children develop in faith. Check out his recent book, Helping Our Children Grow in Faith: How the Church Can Nurture the Spiritual Development of Kids.

HIS DREAM FOR TEACHER ED STUDENTS: That they become the kind of teachers students point to as a person who made a difference in their lives; that they say, “I’m a better person, I know more, I’m able to do the things I want to do with my life because this teacher spent time with me and got to know me as a person.”

OFF THE CLOCK:

WEB EXCLUSIVE

Watch an interview vimeo.com/35163063

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He and his wife are in charge of children’s ministry at their church; he plays the guitar (he used to have his own band) and writes a blog about music at drbobk.blogspot.com.

PROF. KEELEY’S REASONS TO CHOOSE CALVIN’S TEACHER ED PROGRAM:

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DEDE ORLANDO ’11

You can try it out in your first year without making a commitment—and if you decide teaching isn’t for you, the classes count as core credit.

MAJOR: elementary education and special education HOME: Columbia, Md.

Social justice is a huge part of the curriculum: “We think that there are some things in schools that aren’t the way they ought to be. We want our students to be prepared to make changes, to be agents of renewal in schools.”

You won’t go alone into the classroom. “I think they feel really supported and cared for because we take such an interest in how they’re doing out in the field.”

TRY EARLY CHILDHOOD Changes in Michigan state law make getting an early childhood certification a boost to your resume. Calvin’s early childhood education program, established in the 1970s, is gaining in popularity because of this. In fact, the program is now a major that qualifies you to work in daycare and preschool settings as well as elementary schools up to fifth grade.

STUDENT TEACHER OF THE YEAR AWARD Everybody remembers that special teacher—you know, the one who inspires you to this day? The one who was hard on you at times because he or she cared enough to push you to achieve your goals?

Calvin’s teacher education program can help you become that kind of teacher.

In 2010–11, Calvin teacher education student DeDe Orlando was selected as Michigan’s Student Teacher of the Year. Now she has her own classroom, teaching first grade at Swansfield Elementary School in Columbia, Md.

98%

Ninety-eight percent of 2010 Calvin teacher education graduates were employed within one year after graduation (102 graduates).

TOP 5

Calvin’s pass rate for the Michigan Test for Teacher Certification is consistently in the top five for all colleges and universities in the state.

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ENERGY ON A GRAND SCALE When many people think of solar energy, they picture a few black panels mounted on the roof of a house. Not David Cieminis.

“I work in utility-scale solar development. Utility-scale solar projects are characterized as ground-mounted projects on 40 acres or more. The projects I work on in California’s Central Valley and High Desert region typically span over 200 acres.”

DAVID CIEMINIS ’04

It’s a big job, in every way. David is responsible for all aspects of such projects: determining project scope, negotiating with landowners, connecting grids and deciding which sites are the least likely to disturb critical wildlife habitats.

In California, projects of this magnitude take at least three years to build, so each project is also an exercise in looking to the future.

MAJOR: political science, with minors in economics and Third World Development GRADUATE STUDIES: MBA (business administration) and MS (natural resources and environment), both from the University of Michigan

David credits his time at Calvin with providing a great foundation for his life and his future. An interim in Tanzania opened his eyes to poverty and pain in the developing world and also the opportunities present there. His classes, extracurricular activities and his role as a student leader taught him the discipline, prioritization skills and a biblical worldview that continue to motivate him long after graduation.

CURRENT JOB: SunEdison (Costa Mesa, Calif.), one of the world’s largest solar companies

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My interest in solar energy is driven

by God’s call in Genesis 1:26 to be a steward of His creation and to act as His agent of renewal throughout the world. Working in renewable energy allows me to play a small part in caring for God’s creation.

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“I hope to combine my passions for Third World development and solar energy to bring solar energy to some of the 1.3 billion individuals around the world that lack access to electricity. Solar energy is quickly becoming one of the most cost-effective solutions to improve standards of living around the world.”

MENTORING

Q&A Each year, Calvin’s mentoring program pairs more than 180 students with mentors from Calvin’s faculty, staff and alumni. Participate in this program and you’ll meet six times each semester with your mentor, but that’s where the requirements end. How you interact with your mentor depends on what you want out of the relationship.

You might meet for coffee, study the Bible, attend a concert or lecture, or discuss a book together.

Q

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We sit and we talk and we share. We eat food together. We listen to one another. She offers advice and insight, and I share what’s on my heart.

Q

WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO APPLY FOR THE PROGRAM AND SCHOLARSHIP?

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I had always been intrigued by the concept of mentoring and I wanted to experience it myself. I was curious, I guess, and I really wanted to be mentored.

HOW DO YOU BENEFIT FROM YOUR MENTORING RELATIONSHIP?

A I have a solid and significant relationship with

someone who is not my peer nor my parent, so it’s a unique relationship. I benefit from having someone to share with who can offer insights from a different perspective. My mentor’s kindness and thoughtfulness always warms me, and I hopefully can be a blessing to her, too, which is my benefit.

Senior international student Joella Ranaivoson has been meeting with her mentor, Cindi Hoekstra, for two years now. Read her thoughts on the experience:

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WHAT DO YOU AND YOUR MENTOR DO TOGETHER? HOW OFTEN DO YOU MEET?

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WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO A NEW STUDENT CONSIDERING THE MENTORING PROGRAM?

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Do it! As long as you have a willing and open heart and mind to have someone speak and share into your life, and you into theirs, do it. If you want to have someone you can look to and share burdens and joys with, who can be a constant presence in your life, and you desire to bless them, too—do it.

TIP Each year 100 students in the mentoring program receive a $1,200 scholarship; apply for the scholarship in February of your first year at Calvin.

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THE 6:1 VIEW O

BY ALLISON R. GRAFF

Spielberg uses a 6:1 shooting ratio to craft each of his blockbuster films. This means that every scene that you see in Jaws or War Horse, for example, was shot at least six times to get everything just right.

God does even better than that, says Calvin media production professor Brian Fuller.

This means you might have to shoot a scene 12 times before you get it right, but in the process, you’ll learn everything it takes to make a stellar product.

“The idea here is that you just do it and keep doing it to get better at it. It’s how you train your mind, your hand and your heart.”

So when a media production student comes back from a shoot with three takes for each scene, he has to ask the question, “Do you really think your directing skills are somewhere between Spielberg’s and God’s?”

The graduates of Calvin’s media production program can tell you stories about just what it meant to do things over and over and over again until it was done right: late nights in the film editing suites, learning sophisticated professional editing software and collaborating with other majors on every class project.

The point? Being an accomplished filmmaker like Spielberg—and an aspiring one in Calvin’s media production program—can be a humbling experience.

But these same grads also tell the story of just where hard work, attention to detail, repetition, collaboration and determination can get you in the film and media industries.

“He has a 1:1 shooting ratio.”

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F THE UNIVERSE KYLE BERKOMPAS

MAJOR: media production HOME: Mill Creek, Wash.

TODAY: cameraman and editor at Sender Films

EXTREME WORK Kyle Berkompas just spent two months sleeping in a tent.

In Yosemite. After long days of dangling from 3,000-foot rock faces with a video camera in one hand and a rope in the other.

“I’m pretty excited to get down at the end of the day—you make the wrong move, and you’re dead. And not only is it a high-stress environment, but you also have to make sure your camera is in focus and your audio is good.”

Photo: Christian Pondella Photography

Kyle Berkompas balances himself on the side of a cliff while shooting footage for Sender Films, a rock climbing film production company.

The 2010 media production grad works for Sender Films, the premier rock climbing film production company in the United States. When he’s not out on the field capturing video of world-famous rock climbers, he’s in his office in Boulder, Colo., editing footage for documentaries and ads for companies like The North Face and Clif Bar.

SACRIFICE AND OLIVE GARDEN IN PURSUIT OF THE DREAM Working for Sender was Kyle’s dream job throughout college, and when he got an unpaid internship with the company after his senior year, he gave up a paid position at another company in Colorado to pursue it. Following his passion meant long days at Sender followed by waiting tables at Olive Garden, but when Sender offered him a full-time position that fall, the hard work paid off.

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“Rock climbing is the first sport that I got passionate about, but I also have a passion for filmmaking. It’s important to combine what you love so that your work doesn’t feel like work,” he said.

Charles Breiner is ready to shoot on Laid Off, a short film he wrote and co-directed while at Calvin.

TO CHANGE THE WORLD—OR NOT Kyle says a lot of new college graduates want to change the world—at least he did when he started working at Sender.

“In my first few months I was really cocky and thought I could change things, but then I realized that I just needed to work hard. My boss flat out said to me, ‘We’re not looking for creative people. We’re looking for people who have passion and who work hard.’”

This is where Kyle’s experience in Calvin’s media production program helped him shift his thinking about his role as a rookie in the workplace. Working on projects at Calvin— including a documentary film shot in New Jersey with Professor Fuller—gave him a work ethic that is pure gold to employers in the film industry.

“The long hours in the editing rooms and shooting on weekends showed me … what it takes to be in this industry.”

While someday Kyle might be the creative genius running a media production company, for now he’s content to spend long days shooting and evenings backing up video files by campfire.

CHARLES BREINER MAJOR: media production HOME: Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif.

Photo: Steve de Jong

TODAY: stand-in on Modern Family

ALL IN THE FAMILY Charles Breiner spends his days sitting on a couch. But this isn’t just any couch—it’s the living room couch made famous by Phil and Claire Dunphy of TV’s Modern Family.

A 2009 Calvin graduate, Charles is on the production staff as a stand-in on the Emmy-winning show. This means that he walks through the scenes for each episode of Modern Family for sound and lighting purposes while the actors who play Phil, Claire, Gloria, Jay and others get their hair and makeup done. Still, he gets plenty of time to be around the actors.

“Ty Burrell (Phil) and Julie Bowen (Claire) are the funniest people on earth—they work off of each other so well. It’s crazy because some of the funniest stuff doesn’t even make it to the screen.”

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GETTING OFF THE COUCH In reality, Charles does more than just sit on a couch.

He’s constantly observing the actors and making sure he understands what the production staff needs in each shot.

By paying attention to detail, he’s able to do his job well.

This awareness comes directly from his experience in Calvin’s media production program, he says.

“If I didn’t have the knowledge and wasn’t able to demonstrate what I was doing, I might not have lasted as long as I have. It was clear to my boss that I had knowledge of how things work.”

Though Charles’ primary interest is in film editing, Calvin’s media production program prepared him to understand every part of the production process.

“I’m of the opinion that the more you understand the complete process, the better you’ll be at your specific job. All of these people are working together in such a collaborative art.”

AHNA TERPSTRA ’12 MAJOR: media production ON-CAMPUS JOB: lab assistant for media production HOMETOWN: Grand Rapids, Mich.

Photo: John Stoffer

CREATING COMMUNITY ON CAMPUS AND ON THE JOB While at Calvin, Charles loved the way Professor Fuller encouraged all media production majors, from freshmen to seniors, to work and play together—even enjoy dinners at the professor’s house.

“Brian really understood the collaboration, how interacting and working with each other is very important for what we do. He’s so good at tying that in biblically—reminding us of how Jesus called his followers individually, by name. That kind of camaraderie is really valuable while you’re at Calvin, and now beyond Calvin.”

As Charles makes his way as a sort of “freshman” in the world of Hollywood, the benefits of community, collaboration and plain old hard work make even more sense.

“Your resumé is never going to get you hired; your interview and experience will get you hired. So having the ability to do lots of things at Calvin will definitely help you get jobs down the road.”

Ahna Terpstra discovered that her interest in creative storytelling fit really well with media and filmmaking.

Now, as a lab assistant in media production, she’s getting great experience troubleshooting problems that other students encounter when using equipment to tell their stories—experience that will be an asset in her job search after graduation.

The media production major keeps pretty busy. Most recently, she interned at Deep End Films in Grand Rapids.

She used her spring break to film a promotional video featuring alumni from Calvin’s computer science department. Over the summer, she went to Peru with a group of students and a media production professor to film a movie, Pescadora.

Ahna’s advice to new media production majors? “Get involved with other students’ projects. Juniors and seniors will need help, and you can get extra experience and meet more people.”

WEB EXCLUSIVE

Learn more calvin.edu/go/mediaproduction

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associate professor of communication arts and sciences CREDENTIALS: MFA, drama (film and video production), University of North Carolina EXPERIENCE: 20 years of teaching, seven years in Calvin’s media production department

MAJOR AWARDS: won an Emmy for his film Falloff produced the award-winning The Hope of the Quechua and A Shared Space, both with Calvin student crews

FACULTY PROFILE: BRIAN FULLER

Professor Brian Fuller is known for challenging his students to produce high-quality work while also teaching the importance of virtue in media production.

“At Calvin we very specifically connect what we do behind the camera with the kind of people we want to be. I’m looking for an intersection here between a camera angle and ... loving my neighbor. Now I’m seeing virtue woven among skill and knowledge.”

In the classroom and outside of it, Professor Fuller teaches the value of teamwork as a critical element in the filmmaking industry. He hires juniors and seniors as media production aides whose job is to help out first- and second-year students. He encourages the same aides to post requests for project assistance on a common bulletin board, giving freshmen and sophmores the opportunity to step up and expand their project reel for future employers.

In such a collaborative environment, developing community among media production majors isn’t difficult—but adding food to the mix also helps.

“The model in scripture is ... ‘we have a difficult task to do; let’s eat.’ It may be Chinese food and a Kung Fu movie at my house, or it’s cooking breakfast for dinner or a Tex-Mex pot luck.”

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THE FILM CREW Whether in New York City or Vancouver, British Columbia, Calvin media production grads are working in the field. In an industry that demands professionalism and experience, these students felt prepared for life after graduation.

WEB EXCLUSIVE

Watch videos and explore more calvin.edu/verge

RACHEL KOLB ’09 CURRENT GIG: PR/media manager at mycreditspecialist.com in New York City CAREER HIGHLIGHT: interning for Comedy Central and Celebrity Café, where she had a column called Bad Movie Night DREAM JOB: writing for The Daily Show with Jon Stewart

ALEXA HOOK ’10 CURRENT GIG: working as a production assistant on TLC’s show Intervention HOW CALVIN MEDIA PRODUCTION PREPARED HER FOR HER JOB: pressure to keep deadlines WHY SHE LOVED CALVIN’S MEDIA PRODUCTION PROGRAM: “I don’t know anywhere else in the world where the professors care so much about you.”

KRISTIN CRAWFORD ’11

NATE VANDERPLAS ’08

CURRENT GIG: working as a videographer and editor at Wycliffe Bible Translators, producing promotional videos

CURRENT GIG: freelance motion graphic designer doing character animation and compositing for Gorilla Pictures

WHY MEDIA PRODUCTION AT CALVIN? “The staff and professors are great teachers and friends to the students.”

FAVORITE CALVIN MEDIA PRODUCTION MEMORY: working on “ambitious, crazy” projects like the Rock Paper Scissors tournament and the award-winning Calvin LipDub (Watch at vimeo.com/11201881)

COOL PROJECT: Watchmen Motion Comic for Warner Bros.

ADVICE TO CURRENT STUDENTS: “Get as much experience as you can.”

CAILIN YATSKO ’10

KAREN ABAD ’07

CURRENT GIG: co-owns her own New York-based film production company, Bicephaly Pictures, which does cinematography for music videos, fashion videos and documentaries

CURRENT GIG: shooting and editing web content for a Chicago-based media company called Zacuto

CALVIN HIGHLIGHT: her short film, Product Placement, was featured at the 2011 Cannes Film Festival HOW CALVIN MEDIA PRODUCTION PREPARED HER FOR HER CAREER: “It gave me a strong foundation and covered all aspects of filmmaking and, from there, helped me figure out what I specifically wanted to do.”

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: nominated for two Chicago/Midwest editing Emmys; won for Filmfellas, a show she edited for Zacuto BEST CALVIN MEDIA PRODUCTION EXPERIENCE: taking a January interim course during which she shot a music video on 16mm film WATCH: vimeo.com/karenabadfilms

JOSH DONNELLY ’10

MIKE ROHLFING ’09

CURRENT GIG: Working at FIAT USA in advertising and social media marketing. Assisted in managing film shoots in LA and Mexico for the FIAT music video, Get Ready, and manages FIAT Source, the brand’s iPad app.

CURRENT GIG: editor for Coolfire Originals, working on projects for networks such as Discovery, Lifetime, Travel, Nickelodeon, OWN (Oprah Winfrey Network) and others

HOW CALVIN MEDIA PRODUCTION PREPARED HIM FOR HIS CAREER: “FIAT relies on me to make educated decisions based on my understanding of our target and overall market strategy. This attention to detail and functional understanding of what good advertising is has been one of the most beneficial things Calvin media production equipped me with.”

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Won a Mid-America Emmy in 2011 for his work on a public service announcement for Gateway 180, a homeless shelter in St. Louis, Mo. Shot and edited the pitch tape, or trailer, that launched Welcome to Sweetie Pies, a reality show about a popular soul-food restaurant in downtown St. Louis. The pitch tape made its way to Oprah Winfrey, who bought the show.

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Media labs feature industrystandard post-production tools like Avid Media Composer and Adobe After Effects.

It’s “Lights! Camera! Action!” on the high-definition, multi-camera studio and soundstage.

ENVELOPE, PLEASE The broader film community is noticing student-produced films at Calvin. In fact, pay a visit to Calvin’s media production department and you’ll walk by walls covered in student film posters adorned with film festival award logos.

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Coffee Shop: A Musical vimeo.com/11678288 Central States Communication Association (2011) Grand Rapids Film Festival (2011) SoCal Film Festival (2010) Silk City Film Festival (2010) Anchorage International Film Festival (2010) The Landlord charlesbreiner.com/videos/landlord.html Waterfront Film Festival (2009) Chiaroscuro Film Series (2009)

Need equipment? Calvin’s full-time chief engineer loans media production majors state-of-the-art cameras, lights and grip equipment.

Audio recording and Pro-Tools editing suites support student projects in location dialogue, music production and foley mixing.

Lip Dub at Calvin College vimeo.com/11201881 Myrtle Beach International Film Festival (2011) River Bend Film Festival (2011) SENE Film, Music & Arts Festival (2011) Four Minutes Later vimeo.com/15230089 Central States Communication Association (2011)

Wedding Night vimeo.com/11345634 Detroit Independent Film Festival (2010) Showbiz Expo Film Festival (2009) Young Cuts Film Festival Repechage (2009) Waterfront Film Festival (2008) Flint Film Festival (2008) Chiaroscuro Film Series (2008) Indy Awards (2008)

Laid Off vimeo.com/11340611 Waterfront Film Festival (2009)

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CALVIN THEATRE COMPANY—ONE BODY, MANY MEMBERS In Romans 12, the Apostle Paul wrote that it takes everyone for the body of Christ to function. Calvin Theatre Company (CTC) is a community that needs each of its members in order to stage a production—from actors and stage managers to members of the costume construction crew. Students in Calvin Theatre Company are able to learn and experience many aspects of the theatrical process including building unique props to exploring the physicality of a character.

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Check out these skills that you can develop as a member of CTC: • acting • stage management • scenic painting • scenic construction • property design • sound design • light or sound board operation • costume construction • wig or makeup design • marketing • graphic design

GET INVOLVED

Space in CTC is limited, so sign up to audition for a spot in the company when you register for Passport orientation. www.calvin.edu/academic/cas/ctc/the-company

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CARLIA CANTO ’14 MAJOR: biochemistry HOME: Marysville, Mich.

WOMEN’S GOLF This past fall, Carlia Canto set a Calvin record for lowest strokes per round for the women’s golf team at 82.7. And, being just a sophomore, she has two more years to lower that mark.

A graduate of Port Huron (Mich.) High School, Carlia chose Calvin after visiting the campus several times. “In all the three or four visits at Calvin, my family and I encountered great hospitality from the students and staff. It’s a beautiful campus; Calvin has high acceptance rates to med school and the professors take time to help their students,” she said.

A biochemistry major, Carlia wants to pursue a medical career, possibly in sports medicine. As with any sport, performing at a high level on the course and in the classroom is a challenge.

“I have a better understanding of what to do and expect now, but, of course at Calvin, it’s a challenging task to do the very best in both,” she said. “To me, academics is as important as golf, and I try to find balance and do the best I can in both.”

Not only did Carlia have a great season personally, but she led the women’s golf team to a fourth-place finish in the MIAA regular season and to the final spot in the spring MIAA tournament.

CALVIN FOURTH IN LEARFIELD SPORTS DIRECTORS’ CUP STANDINGS 22 VERGE

Calvin College is ranked fourth in the nation (NCAA Division III) in the Learfield Sports Directors’ Cup fall standings. The Knights completed the fall sports season with 262 points in the all-sports competition, trailing leader Washington University (Mo.) with 372, Middlebury (Vt.) with 359 and Amherst (Mass.) with 264.

The Learfield Sports Directors’ Cup is awarded annually to the nation’s best overall collegiate athletics program.

Top honors go to institutions that maintain a broad-based athletic program and that achieve success in both men’s and women’s sports.

2011 MIAA Fall Sports Standings Men’s Cross Country 1. Calvin 2. Hope 3. Albion 4. Alma

5. Adrian 6. Trine 7. Kalamazoo 8. Olivet

Women’s Cross Country 1. Hope 2. Calvin 3. Albion 4. Adrian 5. Alma

6. Kalamazoo 7. Saint Mary’s 8. Trine 9. Olivet

Men’s Golf 1. Hope 2. Trine 3. Alma 4. Olivet

5. Adrian 6. Calvin 7. Albion 8. Kalamazoo

Women’s Golf 1. Olivet 2. Hope 3. Saint Mary’s 4. Calvin 5. Adrian

6. Trine 7. Albion 8. Alma 9. Kalamazoo

Men’s Soccer 1. Calvin 2. Hope 3. Trine 4. Olivet

CALVIN HOCKEY Ten Michiganders, 10 Canadians, one Californian, one Hoosier and one Pennsylvanian (who happens to be the son of former Pittsburgh Penguin Troy Loney) make up the 2011–2012 Calvin hockey team. In its 39-year history, Calvin’s hockey team has drawn young men from all across North America—from California to Boston and British Columbia to Quebec.

The team has enjoyed numerous national tournament appearances and, in 2004, won the American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) national championship. Watch them play almost every cold weekend at the Eagles Ice Center.

5. Albion 6. Adrian 7. Kalamazoo 8. Alma

Women’s Soccer 1. Adrian 2. Alma 3. Kalamazoo 4. Calvin 4. Hope

6. Saint Mary’s 7. Trine 8. Olivet 9. Albion

Volleyball 1. Calvin 2. Hope 3. Alma 4. Trine 4. Kalamazoo

6. Saint Mary’s 7. Adrian 8. Olivet 9. Albion

23

100+

»

www.calvin.edu/go/opps

W AY S T O G E T I N V O LV E D

ACADEMIC CLUBS AND ORGANIZATIONS Abstraction–computer science American Institute for Architecture Students American Society of Civil Engineers American Society of Mechanical Engineers Biology Club Calvin Business Forum Calvin Nursing Students’ Association Festival of Faith and Writing Engineers Without Borders Global Business Brigades International Health and Development Club International Honors Society for Economics–Omnicron Delta Epsilon Middle East Club National Society of Black Engineers National Student Speech, Language and Hearing Association Organization of Students in Social Work Pre-Dental Club Pre-Medical Club Pre-Veterinary and Animal Science Club Society for the Promotion of Education SPQR: The Classics Club Student Association for Human Resource Management Theology Forum Women in Engineering

CULTURAL ORGANIZATIONS AND OPPORTUNITIES Asia Club Club Canada International Student Association Korean Student Association Multicultural Student Advisory Board Mu Kappa–fellowship for missionary or third culture kids Rangeela

24 VERGE

FAITH/DISCIPLESHIP

Barnabas Team Bible Bonanza Bible Studies Daily chapel InterVarsity Mission Fellowship Jubilee Fellows–ministry internships Late Nights–residence hall worship and discussion times Living Our Faith Together (LOFT) Sunday evening worship Mentoring Nurses Christian Fellowship Silent Retreat/ Spiritual Direction University Christian Outreach Worship Apprentices Worship Symposium Young Life leadership

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT Airband Anime Club Calvin Tabletop Roleplaying Guild Calvin Theatre Company Cave Café Cultural Discerners Festival of Faith and Music Film Arts Committee IMPROV Team Purl Jam–a community for knitters Storytelling Guild Student Activites Concerts Student Productions Spontaneous Wits Attesting Truth (SWAT)–improv with biblical truths Visual Arts Guild

INTENTIONAL LIVING COMMUNITIES ALLIANCE–student-athlete community Grassroots–community that explores cultures, ethnicities and diversity Creation Care–community focusing on environmental stewardship issues Honors–community that engages its academic work more deeply Knollcrest East Apartments Project Neighborhood–communities living in Grand Rapids neighborhoods Residence halls

MEDIA

Calvin Video Network (CVN) Chimes Dialogue–a literary and artistic journal Prism–the official Calvin yearbook

POLITICAL/SOCIAL/ LEADERSHIP ORGANIZATIONS Amnesty International Calvin College Conservatives Calvin College Democrats Faith and International Development Conference Model UN Social Justice Coalition Student Senate

MUSIC GROUPS Calvin Orchestra Calvin Wind Ensemble Campus Choir Capella Collegium Musicum Flute Choir Gospel Choir Handbell Ensemble Jazz Band Oratorio Society Pep Band Women’s Choir

ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP

Agricultural Engagement Club Community Garden Creation Care Living-Learning Community Environmental Stewardship Coalition Renewable Energy Organization Students for Compassionate Living

SPORTS AND FITNESS Calvin Crew Calvin Equestrian Club Calvin Volleyball Club Friday Night Soccer Club Martial Arts of China Student Martial Arts Club Rugby Running Club Ultimate Frisbee Club

INTERCOLLEGIATE SPORTS Baseball–men’s Softball–women’s Basketball Cross country Ice hockey–men’s Golf Lacrosse Soccer Swimming and diving Tennis Track and field–indoor and outdoor Volleyball–women’s

INTRAMURAL SPORTS AND OUTDOOR RECREATION Aerobics Badminton Basketball Biking Bowling Camping Canoeing Dodgeball Floor hockey Football Golf Indoor soccer Kayaking Mountain biking Pilates Pingpong Rock climbing Sailing Sand volleyball Skiing Snowboarding Softball Tennis Ultimate frisbee Volleyball Yoga

DANCE

A NEW WAY TO GAME Instead of spending Friday night in your dorm room playing Call of Duty with your roommate, you can join fellow gamers in events like Super Smash Bros Brawl Tournament (drawing 64 participants), Fighter Games Night, or Mario Kart and Mario Night with the Video Game Enclave (VGE).

The VGE is a new club devoted to playing and talking about video games.

Students play games in community and ask questions about the role of Christianity in video games.

The club meets weekly and hosts monthly events.

Ballroom Dancing Club Calvin Break Dancing Dance Guild

TRADITIONS

WEB EXCLUSIVE

Follow VGE on Facebook www.facebook.com/saoenclave

Chaos Day Cold Knight Club Mudbowl Calvin-Hope Rivalry

SERVICE LEARNING Weekly service learning Course-related service-learning projects Dorm community partnerships Spring break trips StreetFest–service learning for firstyear students

25

1,006 residence hall rooms—each one a blank canvas, waiting for the personalities of its occupants to bring it to life. Welcome to Project Dormway.

Calvin students rose to our challenge, creating some pretty “dormtastic” spaces on a student’s budget. Places where friends can’t help but hang out.

Stadium seating, DIY décor, shabby chic furnishings straight from grandma’s attic—you dream it, they brought it.

ELDERSVELD 206 Clara and Ellie

Cozy study nook

PROJECT DO GET THE LOOK DIY made out of yarn

Bathroom door turned into a quote wall

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50 paper cranes

Scattered throughout the halls are several three-person rooms—great for floor dance parties.

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HUIZENGA 356

Don’t forget to complete your housing application! calvin.edu/go/enroll

Luke, Abe and Richard

ORMWAY

PART I1 WEB EXCLUSIVE

View the online photo galleries calvin.edu/verge

DIY quote ladder

Add some green to your space

27

AHRAM CHEON HOMETOWN: Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia GRAD YEAR: 2012 MAJOR: interdisciplinary business and photography

WEB EXCLUSIVE

View the entire project calvin.edu/verge

When Ahram Cheon was assigned to come up with a portable portfolio that could be useful for future job interviews, she started thinking about how to mesh her passions for photography and human resources.

ABOUT MY PHOTOGRAPHY PROJECT: For my project, I asked each model to pose with one of his or her favorite objects. I also asked the models to answer a couple questions and write them down on a piece of paper. I wanted to know what their major was to see if their favorite object had something to do with their major.

MY APPROACH TO THE PROJECT: I want to get into human resources, and I recently have been interested in getting to know my friends and others around me better. As I was thinking about this project, I realized that sometimes, I do not know my friends as much as I want to, even someone as close as my roommate.

I wanted the photos to be personal and unique. One way I did that was by having different backgrounds for every model, instead of having a boring white background (I first started with a white background but that idea was shot down by the constructive criticisms of my photography class). Another way I made it more personal to the model was by having the model’s own words and handwriting on the photo.

WHAT I LEARNED DOING THE PROJECT: 1. Confirmed that forced smiles always look awkward.

2. A major or area of study does not fully describe what a person is like.

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THERE’S 4 YEARS’ WORTH OF

FREE

THINGS TO DO HERE

Grand Rapids

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Go swing dancing at Rosa Parks Circle in downtown Grand Rapids.

Watch fireworks at Celebration on the Grand.

Bike or walk around Reeds Lake, one mile from campus.

Hang out at the Fish Ladder, and watch salmon jump upstream.

Enjoy rock climbing and swimming at the Spoelhof Fieldhouse.

Ride your mountain bike in the Cannonsburg State Game Area.

Visit Calvin’s observatory, and view some planets and stars.

Browse art across downtown Grand Rapids during ArtPrize—go opening night to enjoy free food from venues.

Participate in a downtown event like the Sidewalk Chalk Flood, Zombie Walk or mass Pillow Fight.

Window-shop in Uptown, a nearby retail area.

WEB EXCLUSIVE

www.calvin.edu/go/gr

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LYNDSAY DEGROOT: women’s chorale, prayer group, yoga and rock climbing HOME: Niwot, Colo.

MAJOR: nursing LAUREN DEGROOT: track, young life, dorm activities coordinator HOME: Niwot, Colo.

MAJOR: nursing

Q

WHY CALVIN?

A LYNDSAY: I looked at 12 schools. My dad took

FINANCIAL AID

Q&A Q

A LAUREN: Honestly, I didn’t really want to go

My mom also got a full-time job to help pay for this, but it’s something she felt called to do, and Calvin is a college my parents believe in.

to Calvin because I felt like I was fulfilling a stereotype—I’m CRC, I’m a Dutch kid, so at first I was apprehensive about coming here. But when I started class it was so authentic. I tell people it’s because of the faith-based learning—it’s so real. It blows me away every day. I’m in love with my classes.

A LAUREN: I feel that at Calvin we’re allowed to

be stewards of our money. You can soak up everything—and that is serving the Lord by using money wisely. When I see the tuition statement, I think “whoa!” But my dad made it clear that there’s nothing wrong with student loans. He keeps telling us, “When you graduate, you’re going to get jobs. You’ll probably live in a crappy apartment at first, but you’ll pay it [your student loans] off.”

WHAT HAS SURPRISED YOU ABOUT CALVIN?

A LYNDSAY: My newfound love for school—I’m such a nerd! The professors are researching; they’ve done stuff that actually matters; they have real-life experience. This is their calling, their vocation. That was definitely surprising.

A LAUREN: Some people want to stay safe in college. I remember being in that boat. I could go to college 20 minutes from my house, but I chose to go 20 hours from home. This feels like jumping into cold water and being surprised [to find] that I love swimming on my own.

30 VERGE

A LYNDSAY: Our dad is an accountant, so he’s

taught us to be very careful with our money. Not stingy, but cautious. We both got scholarships at Calvin, and we each have taken out loans. We worked really hard in high school—at DQ, in a smoothie shop, in a nursing home. Now our job is to work hard and keep our scholarships.

four of us to visit Calvin, and I felt something so different about the vibe on campus. The academics were very impressive. And I saw right away that faith was the real thing. Everywhere else we went, it was like a side dish.

Q

ON COSTS AND FINANCIAL AID

Q

WHAT MAKES CALVIN WORTH IT?

A LYNDSAY: Authenticity is something I strive for in my life. That’s what Calvin College is: It’s authentic in everything it does. I don’t ever feel like I’m faking it.

A LAUREN: Intentionality. I’m an AC (activities

coordinator) in my dorm, and I realize that the smallest details are for a purpose. It takes more work to be intentional, but that’s how Calvin does everything—how they teach, give tests, run chapel, how Pastor Mary challenges us, what’s behind the January Series. Calvin wants us to grow and live.

FINDING A JOB

› › ›

Go to the Student Employment session during your summer Passport Orientation program.

You’ll learn about job opportunities, when to complete the necessary paperwork and how to use CalvinLink, our online job-posting service.

When you arrive on campus in the fall, submit applications and/or schedule interviews for the openings you’ve found on CalvinLink. Don’t be shy—it’s up to you to follow up on jobs that interest you.

Be professional. Even if the job is hauling trash, it’s still a job interview. Treat it with respect.

There are more than 1,800 jobs available on campus, so unless you’re really picky, there should be something that works with your schedule. CalvinLink also posts off-campus openings, and many businesses and restaurants nearby hire Calvin students.

A sampling of on-campus jobs: • Cashier in the campus store • Wait staff for catering events • Shovel snow • Shelve books in the library • Run the grill at Johnny’s • Become a campus tour guide

THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT FINANCIAL AID AWARD PACKAGES

1

$TEP

CONSIDER STUDENT LOANS While most families are cautious about college debt, loans can make a great education affordable. These loans must be repaid when you are no longer a student. You can accept, decline or reduce the loans offered in your financial aid package.

TIP

$TEP

3

Some aid packages include parent loans. Be sure you understand what loans are included in your awards before comparing bottom-line costs.

UNDERSTAND YOUR COSTS Costs and financial aid will be different at each institution, but you can compare your bottom-line costs by using this formula:

-

$TEP

Direct costs (tuition + room/board + fees) Financial aid (scholarships + grants + federal student loans) Out-of-pocket expenses Calvin’s payment plan breaks your outof-pocket expenses into six payments throughout the year.

TIP

Indirect costs, such as books, personal expenses and transportation, should also be considered when budgeting for college.

$TEP

2

EXPLORE JOB OPPORTUNITIES Some colleges will include earnings from on-campus jobs in aid packages. Be aware that these are anticipated wages that you have to earn and are not necessarily applied toward your college costs.

$TEP

DETERMINE WHAT AWARDS ARE GIFT AID Scholarships and grants are gift aid: money that is awarded based on need or merit that does not need to be repaid.

?

QUESTIONS

Calvin begins sending out financial aid packages in mid-March.

Call (800) 688-0122 or email finaid@calvin.edu

4

5

EVALUATE COST VS.VALUE Take time to carefully and prayerfully consider the costs and the value of the education you’ll receive.

• How will each college prepare you for both life and a career after college?

• What unique opportunities will you have at Calvin vs. college B? • How does your anticipated college debt compare with your projected earning potential?

31

NANA OWUSU-ACHAU ’12 MAJOR: computer information systems and business HOME: Accra, Ghana

STUDENT SENATE

Nana and his executive team lead Calvin’s 13-member student senate, providing services to students, representing student perspectives to the administration, and engaging the student body in projects that have both local and global reach.

SENATE PROJECTS 2011–2012 • Re-igKnight (“reignite”): monthly prayer services and prayer groups among students, faculty and staff that remind us to be conformed to the image of Christ.

• Operation Christmas Child (a Samaritan’s Purse project): packing shoeboxes for children in Africa, Asia, Central and South America.

• Calvin discount program: discounts for college students at local restaurants.

• Calvin community bike club: providing bikes for 24-hour use or for a whole semester.

See yourself as a student senator? Elections for first-year senators happen early in the fall. www.calvinsenate.org

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT IN THE EXECUTIVE CHAIR

BY ANDREW STEINER Nana Owusu-Achau first heard about Calvin while working as a college counselor at the American Embassy in his hometown of Accra, Ghana. A girl he was advising told him about the small Christian school in the Midwest. At the time, Nana had envisioned a future as an engineering major at an Ivy League school. Something about Calvin, though, caught his eye: “I saw a Calvin brochure that had some worship information on it …,” he said. “I thought, ‘This is really unique.’”

in the ring. “But it was one of those things where I felt—I don’t like using that word—I strongly felt that I had to occupy this role,” he said.

This past September, Nana, now a senior, stood at the podium during Opening Convocation to welcome students, faculty and staff as the college’s first African student body president.

A CHANGE OF PLANS; A DEFINITE VISION

CALLED TO LEADERSHIP The post is not Nana’s first experience with leadership. He was a prefect in his all-boys school in Kumasi, Ghana, where he also competed in debate and captained the basketball team. At Calvin, he has served as a resident assistant and an orientation leader, but when elections for student body president loomed, he wrestled with whether to throw his hat

32 VERGE

Nana’s campaign strategy was pretty grassroots. Along with his running mate, Becky Kim, Nana went door-to-door in the residence halls, talking with students and listening to their goals. It was effective: “Students saw I had involvement,” Nana demurred. “I’m just being real with people.”

Nana came to Calvin certain that he would be an engineer, but after a few site visits, that future no longer appealed to him. Instead, he has gone into information technology, a field he believes needs to be cultivated in Ghana.

“I don’t know if it’s going to be right after graduation, but I know I’m going back home,” he said. “God had a reason for birthing me there.”

Used with permission by News & Stories www.calvin.edu/news

Lupe Fiasco Sufjan Stevens Over the Rhine Death Cab for Cutie Fleet Foxes My Brightest Diamond Anathallo David Bazan The Mountain Goats Broken Social Scene The Decemberists Cornel West Andrew Bird Emmylou Harris Patty Griffin Gillian Welch Welcome Wagon

You care about pop culture.

So do we.

Wilco Anberlin Joanna Newsom Explosions in the Sky

Should you reject popular culture or embrace it?

Consider Calvin’s alternative: holy worldliness. Using the lens of our Christian faith, we help students engage with popular culture to discern its positives and negatives—to be in the world, but not of it. It’s a bold path, but we accept the challenge.

Grizzly Bear Derek Webb Ratatat Switchfoot Sigur Rós Jon Foreman K’NAAN Jars of Clay Cut Copy

Switchfoot September 29, 2011

Join the conversation. www.calvin.edu/go/culture

Office of Admissions and Financial Aid 3201 Burton St. SE Grand Rapids, MI 49546-4388 www.calvin.edu

FOLLOW CALVIN facebook.com/calvincollege facebook.com/calvinadmissions

MAJOR AT CALVIN biology, biochemistry (minor) and pre-med

GRADUATE STUDIES Loyola University Stritch School of Medicine, Mayo Clinic (residency), University of Pittsburgh fellowship in gastroenterology Lia Kaufman ’05 is no stranger to hard work: After four years of medical school at Loyola, she’s in her third year of residency at the prestigious Mayo Clinic. Still, Lia says that some of the most difficult academic work she’s ever done was in Calvin’s pre-med program.

Her classes—along with research she did with chemistry professor Darla McCarthy and volunteer work at places like the Cherry Street Health Clinic, Hope Rehab Center and Metro Health system—prepared her well for medical school.

Her advice to aspiring doctors and other health professionals? “Identify good mentors in your professors and get involved in research as soon as possible. Also, volunteer or find jobs in the medical field to get patient exposure.”

LIA KAUFMAN ’05