Verge 5.1

VERGE CALVIN COLLEGE VOL. 5.1

How one recent grad turned a major in art and computer science into an amazing job at Groupon p. 8

GET YOUR

TICKETS

Just weeks after they were featured on Saturday Night Live, the band The National played to a packed crowd of students in Calvin’s Van Noord Arena. It was considered the don’t-miss concert of the year, with student tickets only $15—far below what you’d pay for a show at a regular venue. The show also included a sit-down discussion with band members where students could ask questions about the band’s lyrics, faith and their calling as artists.

In 2014–15, artists like OK GO, Switchfoot and Ingrid Michaelson are already booked to play Calvin’s venues. Plan your visit to coincide with a show and receive special pricing on your concert tickets.

Check www.calvin.edu/sao for upcoming concert dates and www.calvin.edu/visit to schedule your visit!

VERGE Vol. 5.1

A Calvin College publication for prospective students and parents

Justice Roll 6 Let Down: Traveling in Honduras

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.”

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.”

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.

8 14 10MightSignsBe you a

Contact To submit a question or a letter: verge@calvin.edu

Knight

To change your address: verge@calvin.edu

4

Production VERGE is produced three times a year by Calvin’s admissions and financial aid office.

16

Choose Your Major

18

Engineer to Missionary

19

Public Health Defined

www.calvin.edu/verge

20

Athletics

Editorial and creative team: Allison Graff ’07, head writer Jeanne Nienhuis ’80, editor Joy’l Ver Heul ’04, creative director Nate Hibma ’04, web rockstar

22

Fitness at Calvin

24

Faculty Profile: Becca McBride

25

Music at Calvin

Contributing writers: Beth Heinen Bell ’03 Calvin News & Stories Molly Monet ’15 Calvin College Chimes

26

Financial Aid

27

Meet Your Admissions Counselor

Contributing photographers: Colton Credell ’14 Jill DeVries ’08 Mikaela Mannes ’16 Stephen Norregaard ’15

Make It and Then Break It

Visit

12 Create

Great 28 The Gatsby Formal

Campus Security and Personal Safety Calvin College is committed to assisting all members of the Calvin community in providing for their own safety and security. The annual Clery security and fire safety compliance document is available on the Campus Safety website at www.calvin.edu/go/clery.

If you would like to receive a paper copy of the combined Annual Security and Fire Safety Report, which contains this information, you can stop by the Calvin College Campus Safety Department in the Mail and Print Services Building at 3230 Lake Drive SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546, or you can request a copy be mailed to you by calling (616) 526-6751.

The website and booklet contain information regarding campus security and personal safety including topics such as: crime prevention, fire safety, college security law enforcement authority, crime reporting policies, disciplinary procedures and other matters of importance related to security and safety on campus.

Calvin College admits students of any race, color and national or ethnic origin.

2

BUILD YOUR

FAITH AT CALVIN

CAMPUSWIDE BIBLE STUDIES Held every fall and focused on one book of the Bible.

CHAPEL A daily opportunity to worship, learn and grow with the Calvin community.

LOFT Living Our Faith Together, a student-led service on Sunday evenings.

MENTORING

DORM WORSHIP

Get paired with a mentor from the Calvin community.

Wednesday evening worship services, held in each residence hall.

RE-IGKNIGHT AND VERVE All-student-led worship services (pictured).

SERVICE LEARNING Find hundreds of opportunities to learn and grow by serving the local community.

LOCAL CHURCHES More than 700 nearby churches give you plenty of worship options.

JUBILEE FELLOWS A ministry exploration program for juniors.

3

T E G D N A E M O C to

w o kn us w ww.c

alvin. ed

u

i s i v /

t

Things to do on your visit Take a tour Visit a class Dig into your major Meet a prof Talk with a coach Attend a rehearsal Taste the food Stay overnight in the dorms

choose a visit pairing

Schedule your visit during one of these events: Dance Guild performance A Knights game or other athletic event Buck Fridays/Nite Life An SAO (Student Activities Office) concert Cold Knight Plunge A Calvin Theatre Company play International Development conference Festival of Faith and Music Planes, trains or automobiles?

Calvin students come from across the country and around the world, so driving to campus for a visit isn’t always an option.

To help manage travel costs, check out our visit grants at www.calvin.edu/admissions/visit/grants.

4

register soon; DATES FILL UP FAST

www.calvin.edu/visit Fridays at Calvin

Department Visit Days

Oct. 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 Nov. 7, 14, 21 Dec. 5 Feb. 6, 13, 20, 27 March 6, 27 April 10, 17, 24

Oct. 10 Health Sciences Nov. 7 Engineering, Computing or Physics Nov. 14 Communication Arts and Sciences Feb. 6 Music Mar. 6 Health Sciences Apr. 17 Engineering, Computing or Physics

Explore GR on your visit Stay overnight on your Fridays at Calvin visit and have a chance to hang out in Grand Rapids! www.calvin.edu/visit

S D I P A R D N A R

East town

G

#1

Grand Rapids’ ranking on Lonely Planet’s Best in U.S. Travel 2014 list 5

MEXICO

Let Justice Roll Down s a r u d n o H aterina to

K Travel with Calvin students travel to dozens of locations around the world each year for three-week January interim trips, semester programs and summer work/internships.

You can be sure they experience lots of adventure swimming with sea turtles in Galapagos, climbing the Great Wall of China and trying new foods with host families. But Calvin’s study abroad opportunities are about more than just adventure.

The Honduras Justice semester is an opportunity for students to see a completely different way of life—including extreme poverty and corruption—and begin to imagine solutions to these problems.

Calvin student Katerina Parsons takes you with her on her first trip outside the United States:

A very muddy situation Deep in the mountains of rural Honduras, where there were more coffee plants and wandering cows than people, our bus sputtered and stopped.

Its wheels spun helplessly, burying us deeper into the muddy road.

It was raining. We filed out of the bus to push and to throw clods of dirt and rocks beneath the tires for traction, but it wasn’t until local people brought us a length of rope and helped us pull that the bus began to slide forward.

6

ons aterina Pars s K y b n e tt ri e w College Chim in the Calvin

GUATEMALA

EL SALVADOR Suburban girl I’m from the suburbs. Three months earlier, I had never left the United States. But there I stood, knee-deep in muck, pulling our vehicle in unison with people who before had only been statistics to me. I looked out over hills of distant coffee farms and drippingwet banana trees and I was amazed at how very different the world is from everything I was used to.

In Honduras, where 10 of us studied abroad last fall, nothing was like what we were used to. One day we dressed up for class at the U.S. embassy in Honduras, hearing from speakers about the political climate; the next, we visited rural farms where families could barely afford to buy school supplies for their children. Honduran streets host both beggars rattling cups for change and businesspeople checking their iPhones.

“It surprised me how much of Honduras was similar to the United States, and how much was different,” said sophomore Bethany Cok, who was in Honduras with me. “One day

we could shop at a multi-story mall with a movie theater downtown and it felt almost like the U.S., and the next day we’d be in a rural community where people rely on subsistence farming to survive.”

Understanding the roots of injustice This study in contrasts has led to a greater focus on justice issues throughout the course of the semester.

“We used to spend a lot of time talking about the importance of agriculture, health, education, housing and other big topics that seemed essential to helping the poor,” said Jo An Van Engen, who first proposed the semester program with her husband, sociology/ social work professor Kurt Ver Beek, 18 years ago. “But over the years it became obvious that the poor can’t hang on to any of those things if they live in a society where no one protects their rights.”

HONDURAS

NICARAGUA

Part of what made this teaching so memorable was how many statistics came to life for us. On farms and in factories, we had the chance to hear from otherwise-marginalized people.

“When our friend David talks about his harrowing journey to get to the United States where he hoped to find work that would provide for his wife and baby, our students care a lot more about the issues involved in fixing our broken immigration system,” said Jo Ann.

Discovering ways to make a difference This personal aspect stuck with many of us. Living with, and becoming close to, our host families meant that we would never again be able to read about Honduras without thinking not just of people we met in passing, but also of our Honduran mothers, aunts and brothers.

The semester experience gave senior Raquel Botero motivation to find a way to make a difference. “Because I know that God loves the people living under constant threat of violence and extreme poverty just as much as he loves middle-class America, I realized that it’s our job as Christians to do something about this injustice,” Raquel said. “We all have a part to play.”

In Honduras, our professors warned us that schedules would change at the last minute, or that hundreds of cattle might suddenly appear in the middle of the road. In our case, we discovered that buses could get stuck in the mud in the pouring rain.

Life in Honduras may be unpredictable, but in this unpredictability we faced both challenges and joy. In sweatshops and toy factories, through hectic traffic and garbled Spanish, the 10 of us experienced a country in need of justice alongside those actively pursuing it.

He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.

And what does the LORD require of you?

To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8, NIV Learn m abroa ore about s d opp tudy ortu during the Fr nities idays Calvin at vi www.c sit program alvin. edu/v isit

COSTA RICA 7

Make it bre k a AND THEN

>>>>

8

TECHNOLOGY

ART

By Allison R. Graff ’07

it >>>>>>>>>>>>

Joe Girolamo ’11 made his first iPhone app in a three-week class held during Calvin’s January interim. Now, sitting in a corporate conference room in Chicago, he seems embarrassed to talk about what the app actually did.

“I think it was a Whack-a-mole game, or something like that,” he says. “It never really made it to the App Store because of copyright issues.”

While Joe’s app development efforts as a Calvin student didn’t exactly make him famous, it helped prepare him for the website and app design work he does now.

Design work seen by more than 200 million subscribers worldwide.

And if you’ve ever browsed the deals on Groupon, you might be one of them.

9

Make-your-own major In high school, Joe developed websites as a hobby, so when he went to college he thought he would try software engineering and remain open-minded about career options.

“I didn’t really know what I wanted to do, so the liberal arts [at Calvin] was great.

I wanted to get a taste of everything.”

But as a freshman, software engineering courses just didn’t feel right to him, and he missed the creative side of website development. So with the careful help of his computer science advisor, Harry Plantinga, Joe created his own academic path that combined the things he loved: technology, art and business.

Joe calls it the “entrepreneurial startup major.” Basically, a major that gave him the technical and design skills, tied together with enough business know-how to work in the most cutting-edge sectors of the economy. Like Groupon.

“If you go to college for something you’re really passionate about, it shouldn’t be too hard to find a place you really want to work at when you graduate.”

Back to the “board” room When Joe graduated from Calvin in 2011, he knew he wanted to work in technology design for a company in his native Midwest. So he pursued options in the Chicago area, receiving several job offers.

But going back to his commitment to follow his passions, a temporary, threemonth position at a then-startup called Groupon convinced him to eschew the other more long-term options.

“I ultimately chose Groupon because I was excited about being a part of a consumer website design team in the earlier stages of the company.”

10

It turns out Joe made the right decision.

After completing his three-month “trial job” at the company, they hired him on as a product designer. Three years later, he calls himself a “veteran” at a company that has exploded into the global market, connecting businesses and customers through great deals on products.

And as a successful startup business, Groupon creates a workplace environment that young professionals like Joe love.

The “board room” he’s sitting in? It has a dart board mounted on the wall, just in case a meeting gets a little too boring.

Other conference rooms contain Nerf guns and other gadgets to keep things interesting while at work. Employees wear jeans and Groupon-green track jackets to work.

“I love the tech industry and Groupon because it’s very collaborative, it’s fairly informal and it’s just a really easy environment to get into. There’s no shock going from college to the tech industry. It’s fast. You’re always busy. There’s no down time.”

Learning to work with everyone Joe attributes the success he’s had in the fast-paced, collaborative work environment at Groupon to the kind of education he got at Calvin.

“What really helped prepare me for the real world was the unique opportunity I had, at Calvin College and Grand Rapids in general, to meet and learn from people across disciplines. As a liberal arts college, Calvin encourages cross-discipline learning, which helped me develop a more holistic skill set and prepare me for my current job.”

Even though the “Whack-a-mole” app Joe developed at Calvin never made it to the market, the experience he had working with a team of engineers to

actually make the product was invaluable when he started working at Groupon.

“You have to be a liaison. You can’t just stick to your group; you have to work with all sorts of people. I work with a product manager, an engineer, other designers, editorial [at Groupon].”

And when it comes to a liberal arts education, he thinks nothing could have prepared him better for the daily grind of his work.

“One of the biggest things [I learned] at Calvin was writing skills, which are huge in the corporate world. I write so many emails, which are kind of informal, but I do a lot of things where I have to be concise and explain my ideas and decisions very clearly.”

“

Real experience counts

Be proactive while you’re in college— make things, break things and work with others throughout the process.”

“Calvin College and Grand Rapids are filled with passionate and creative young people, so it’s a great place to learn, grow and prepare you for your future career.”

Of course, Joe did more than take a cool iPhone app course to prepare for the kind of work he does at Groupon. Opportuni- His advice to students dreaming of fun ties on campus and in the Grand Rapids jobs in the technology industry? area gave him real experience applying “Be proactive while you’re in college— his knowledge in the work environment. make things, break things and work Outside of class, he had a student job with others throughout the process.” at Calvin’s Digital Studio, where students and profs can get help creating websites or other online media. Joe also worked with other Calvin art/technology hybrid majors for a tech startup incubator in downtown Grand Rapids, designing concepts for apps.

Intrigued by the idea of making and breaking things?

Check out Calvin’s Artist Collaborative scholarship program for first-year students.

This two-year program includes courses, an international trip and opportunities to explore the growing art scene in Grand Rapids. You’ll also work on a collaborative project with other members and display it in one of Calvin’s art galleries.

To be considered for the Artist Collaborative, apply to Calvin and indicate your interest in art, music, dance, theater, graphic design or writing on your application.

Learn more at www.calvin.edu/arts.

11

it is er a v e t at wh ld jus e r s o to u the w d. e v i r e ate e d mak e cre h t is av s to lvin ution ates h a u tC ol e a ew s grad v i e n d c an ate l re wil d cre dents u yo an stu ion ideas alvin t a c C edu e new ings e t h h t t a n er w ithi gen a fe w o e t ar ed g edd udyin Here b Em ’re st tter. e you bit b e littl

FLASH MOBS FOR JUSTICE

DESIGNS THAT DANCE

Corrin Timmer ’14

THE NIGHTLY NEWS

Major: business What she created: A flashmob in Times Square, New York City, to provoke action by the UN on behalf of the victims of ongoing violence in Syria.

Bethany Paquette ’16 Major: graphic design What she created: Designs to help the GR Ballet promote its programs to the local community.

The backstory: The GR Ballet is

Ryan Struyk ’14 Majors: political science and mathematics What he creates: ABC News in Washington, D.C., as an intern on Calvin’s semester program there.

The backstory: Ryan was the editor in chief of Calvin’s student newspaper, Chimes, before he headed to Washington, D.C. to spend his last semester as a student interning for ABC News.

One his second day there, he covered the State of the Union address at the White House.

If you love this, try: political science major, journalism minor, Chimes writing or editing, Semester in Washington, D.C. program

12

an innovative company bringing dance to people who thought ballet was only for certain kinds of people. In her advanced graphic design class, Bethany worked with the company to create logos, flyers and brochure designs that would be appealing to many audiences while still maintaining a sense of sophistication.

If you love this, try: graphic design major, digital communication major, business marketing major

The backstory: Corrin has done several event-planning internships at Calvin, so when she went on Calvin’s Semester in Washington, D.C., program, she found an internship that would give her even more experience, this time working on behalf of refugees in the Middle East. Her efforts to organize the flash mob in Times Square even landed her on NBC News’ website.

If you love this, try: business marketing major, Calvin Orientation Board internship, Nite Life student assistant Read more at www.calvin.edu/news/archive/weare-calvin-corrin-timmer.

SOCKS FOR WATER

Ryan Roff ’09 Majors: business and communications

What he created: Designed sweet socks and marketing materials for Statement Sockwear.

The backstory: Ryan got together with former co-workers who went to the same church to launch a brand of colorful socks with a purpose. Each sock purchase provides 100 days of clean water to one person in Rwanda.

If you love this, try: strategic communications major, business marketing major, international development studies major, Semester in Ghana, "Searching for Water in Kenya" interim course, Global Business Brigades

ART THAT SAVES LIVES Chantelle Yazzie ’15 Majors: social work and studio art What she created: Sugar sculptures depicting images of death resulting from high sugar consumption.

The backstory: Chantelle grew up in Navajo Nation, where the high rate of diabetes and other health issues is strongly related to poor diet and high sugar intake. She created her sculptures to raise awareness among her family and friends of the dangers of consuming too much sugar.

If you love this, try: art major, Read more at www.calvin.edu/go/socks-for-water

A QUADCOPTER FOR BETTER SECURITY

The Visual Arts Guild, psychology major, social work major, attend or enter your art in ArtPrize Read more at www.calvin.edu/verge

EAGLEYE Team ’14 (Senior Engineering Design Project Team made up of Jared Zoodsma, Robert Hoff, Drew Brandsen and Spencer Olson)

Major: Engineering What they created: A quadcopter (think mini-drone) system that travels in and above military vehicles to keep them safe from improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

The backstory: Every engineering major collaborates with a team of three to five people to create a senior engineering design product.

Eagleye’s product combined a flying quadcopter device with a base station device to keep military (or other) vehicles safer while in dangerous territories.

If you love this, try: engineering, computer science

13

10 SIGNS

You’ve already picked out the perfect furniture arrangement for the dorm room you’ll share with your future roommate. http://bit.ly/1tWWh45

YOU MIGHT BE A

K N I G H T

Jumping into a frozen pond through a hole in the ice sounds like a good time.

You’ve been known to feed squirrels.

You have insider information that Batman recently became the athletic director at Calvin. http://bit.ly/ UILcXx

5:00 You’re a bit miffed that Gryffindor copied Calvin’s colors.

http://social.calvin.edu/i-knew-this-college-wasthe-ri-622593987.html

Swimming with turtles and sharks is what you do for fun. http://bit.ly/1lai17a

14

To you, the peace sign has always been a symbol of John Calvin.

You’re toying with the idea of joining Dance Guild, even though you totally mashed your date’s toes at prom.

You find yourself— and 15 of your best friends— gathering every night at 5:00 p.m. to get dinner together.

You’re planning to use your campus visit to stake out a seriously sweet study carrel in the library.

Midnight Madness

Calvin's Got Talent

Airband

Rangeela

Sem Pond Jump

Cardboard Canoe Race

KNIGHT

TRADITIONS Dance Guild

Chaos Day

15

Accounting Accounting Global Management African Studies Archaeology Architecture Art Art Education Art History Asian Studies Astronomy Audiology Biblical Studies Bilingual Education Biochemistry

Yes ,

16

Biology Biotechnology Business Business Communications Business Operations Business & Mathematics Chemical Engineering Chemistry Chinese Church-Based Community Development Civil & Environmental Engineering Classical Languages Communications Comparative Politics, Governments & Globalization Computer Science Congregational Studies Counseling Dance Pre-Dentistry

we

ha

ve

Digital Communications Dutch Early Childhood Education Earth/Space Science Education Economics Education – BA, BS, MEd Electrical & Computer Engineering Elementary Education Engineering – general English English as a Second Language Environmental Geology Environmental Sciences Environmental Studies Exercise Science Film Studies (Production) Finance Fine Arts French Gender Studies Pre-Genetic Counseling Geography Geology German Global Studies Graphic Design Greek Health Education History Human Resources

you

rm

Information Systems Integrated Science Studies Interdisciplinary Studies International Development Studies International Relations Japanese Journalism Kinesiology (Physical Education) Korean Language Arts Latin Latin American Studies Pre-Law Linguistics Literature Marketing Mathematics & Statistics Mathematics & Economics Mechanical Engineering Media Studies Pre-Medicine Medieval Studies Ministry Leadership Missions Music Music Education Music Performance Netherlandic Studies Nursing Pre-Occupational Therapy Optics Pre-Optometry Pre-Pharmacy Philosophy Pre-Physical Therapy Pre-Physician Assistant Physics

ajo

r

Physics & Computer Science Pre-Podiatry Political Science Psychology Public Accounting Public Health Religious Studies Sciences (Undecided) Scientific Computation & Modeling Secondary Education Pre-Seminary Social Science Social Studies Social Work Sociology Spanish Special Education Speech Pathology – MA Speech Pathology & Audiology Sport Management Strategic Communication Sustainability Studies Theater Theological Studies Therapeutic Recreation Undecided Urban Studies Pre-Veterinary Worship Music Writing Youth Ministry

So where do you even start choosing the major (or majors!) that is right for you? Here’s how a few current Calvin students chose their programs.

Frederick Ankomah ’16

Andrew Holwerda ’17

Major: Accounting

Major: Social Work

I chose an accounting major because firstly, I love math and accounting is linked with math. More importantly I loved the art of creating business, managing funds and using resources for the benefit of society.

Taking core [required classes] has helped me decide what I would like to do, but more importantly helped me to know what was not right for me. My goal is to be able to work with people and be able to help them out, so social work seemed like a good route for me.

Jonathan Manni ’17 Major: Engineering Minor: Computer Science

+ 100

I have always enjoyed designing and constructing projects for the sake of learning something new about how a system works. Engineering seemed like the right choice for me because I have the opportunity to do design work that has real-world impact.

ac

ad

em

ic

Cynthia Claucherty ’17 Major: Nursing Minor: Psychology Nursing fits my personality because I am more of a hands-on type of person.

Nurses also are continuously working with people and trying to make them feel better, which is one of my best skills.

optio

ns

17

ENGINEER

we were trained in how to think and process with a biblical worldview.”

Calvin’s mission to prepare graduates to think deeply, act justly and live wholeheartedly as Christ’s agents of renewal in the world shaped Ryan’s life path and mission in profound ways.

Ryan Waalkes ’02

Major: Engineering Current Occupation: Urban Ministry

Calvin graduate Ryan Waalkes is a missionary— a real full-time servinghis-heart-out-for-the-goodof-others kind of guy. But he didn’t have to travel far to find his field.

Ryan lives with a group of dedicated Christians in a neglected neighborhood on Grand Rapids’ northwest side.

Together they form the Bridge Street House of Prayer (BSHOP)* and work to build a bridge between community members in need and the local church.

They have a free coffee shop, offer tutoring and mentoring at local schools and hold special events to build community with neighbors and give them a sense

MISSIONARY

By Beth Heinen Bell ’03 18

of belonging. The ultimate goal is to draw residents closer to Christ by demonstrating His love to others.

As the founder and director of BSHOP, Ryan develops new outreach programs, raises money for the ministry, and brings youth groups from the Grand Rapids area and beyond to participate in inner-city mission experiences.

It may be surprising to discover that at Calvin, Ryan studied to become a civil engineer.

In fact, he did great work at a private engineering firm for several years before going into full-time ministry. The transition to ministry wasn’t as hard as you might think, he says: “I [was] reminded of what one of my engineering professors told us. He said that they were not training us to fill a specific job, but rather, they were training us how to think—how to process and analyze. Even more valuable,

“While my work in urban ministry is vastly different from my vocational training as an engineer, I have found my college education at Calvin to be invaluable. I was taught to think critically about the world around me … which is crucial for effective urban ministry.”

“Plus, I get a front row seat to the kingdom of God bringing light to one of the dark places of our city. What could be more exciting, challenging and rewarding than that?” *The BSHOP is not affiliated with the International House of Prayer movement.

Calvin’s new ministry studies program Calvin’s ministry studies minor allows you to pursue a major in another field— such as biology, international relations, English—and explore different types of Christian work at the same time. The 20-21 credit hour program includes a required course called “Church and Society” and an internship practicum, and then allows you to customize the program depending on your interests: • Community development • Congregational studies • Missions • Music in worship • Pastoral ministry • Worship • Youth ministry

DEFINED

PUBLIC HEALTH WHAT IS PUBLIC HEALTH? It protects and improves the health of individuals and communities locally and globally.

BASICALLY: You will create health solutions that directly affect people’s lives, sometimes on a large scale.

Why public health workers are in demand Public health workers respond to growing national and global concerns such as:

INCREASED JOB GROWTH through 2022*

23%

job growth in health administration/ management

disease and illness pandemics (HIV/AIDS, malaria, ebola)

poor nutrition

air and water quality

21%

job growth in community health work and health education

11%

Choose a career path Biostatistics & Research

Take classes in • Epidemiology

• Biostatistics

• Health economics

• Public policy

• Health care ethics • Global health Global Health

Public Health Law/Policy Hospital Administration Community Health Education

Health Care Communications

Epidemiology and Disease Prevention

• Health psychology

job growth in environmental safety

10%

job growth in epidemiology

27%

job growth in biostatistics *Source=Bureau of Labor Statistics

If you want to be a...

DOCTOR = PUBLIC HEALTH + PRE-MED MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONAL = PUBLIC HEALTH + PSYCHOLOGY PUBLIC HEALTH SCIENTIST = PUBLIC HEALTH + BIOLOGY HEALTH CARE POLICY-MAKER = PUBLIC HEALTH + PRE-LAW HEALTH CARE ADMINISTRATOR = PUBLIC HEALTH + BUSINESS GLOBAL HEALTH WORKER = PUBLIC HEALTH + INTL. DEV. STUDIES 19

How do you lead as a captain of the basketball team?

I try to be a model for students younger than me. It’s important to be a leader who leads from among instead of from above in a condescending sort of way.

I try really hard to be inclusive with everyone.

Best moment on the team last year?

Playing in the NCAA III tournament.

Not a lot of people get to have that experience and it’s something you really have to be thankful for. Now that I’ve gotten a taste for it, it’s a real motivator.

What are you looking forward to as captain in the 2014-15 season?

I’m looking forward to developing Hometown: Grand Rapids, Mich. the team chemistry. With the talent Major: psychology we have and the chemistry we build, I think we can look forward to a lot of success in the upcoming year. Of What do you love about basketball course, we’re very competitive, so at Calvin? we all want to get back to the NCAA Calvin athletics has a long tradition tournament and see what kind of of success—and it’s not just about run we can have there. winning and losing. It recognizes that student athletes are going on What would you tell high school students to be successful in the future as interested in playing basketball at Calvin? well. The coaches really care about Prepare to be part of something the lessons that you learn through bigger than yourself: to be part the athletic experience. It’s also just of a tradition that works toward amazing to be a part of something excellence and success. You will bigger than yourself. have an unbelievable community What’s the team environment like? of support here. But you’re not Mentoring is a huge thing. One of going to be pampered because the first places I found mentors at you’re an athlete. You’re held to a Calvin was through older students high bar, both as an athlete and on the basketball team. In fact, when as a student. But in the end, the graduation happens, it’s one of the experiences you have are priceless hardest times of the year because and the lessons you learn will set the guys leaving have taught you you up for success both on and so many life lessons. off the court.

Courtside with Jordan Daley ’16 Jordan is the guard for Calvin’s men’s basketball team, known for its success in the MIAA and for winning two NCAA III titles in its history. As the team captain for the 2014-15 season, he talks about what it’s like to be a student athlete at Calvin.

Why did you choose Calvin as a place to play basketball?

I grew up going to Calvin basketball camps and developed a relationship with Coach VandeStreek. Basketball was a big priority when it came to my college search. But in my senior year of high school, I started thinking about more than just basketball and Calvin offered other things as well.

The size of Calvin was huge for me.

At a place this size, I could be invested in basketball, but also get to know a variety of people through other activities. It offered so many more opportunities than I would have gotten at either a bigger school or a non-liberal arts school. It kind of has a niche for everybody.

20

At our team retreat last year we came up with a very unique goal.

We said we were going to invest in team relationships, to invest in each other personally.

THEN

Women’s field hockey was a precursor to the now-popular sport of women’s lacrosse. The sport was played at Calvin from 1968–1990, and regularly dominated the MIAA during its run.

Quickening the pace Women’s lacrosse is only in its second year as a varsity sport at Calvin, but it’s already seeing success on the field. For the first time ever, the Knights reached the MIAA tournament, finishing the year 9–6 overall and in third place in the MIAA.

Women’s Lacrosse

Said the women’s lacrosse coach Blake Boehm at the end of the 2013–14 lacrosse season: “Right now we are ahead of where we originally thought we would be when we started as a varsity program last year. We are developing into a strong program and the future is bright.”

NOW

The women’s lacrosse team just finished its second year as a varsity sport at Calvin. Already the team is seeing success in the MIAA, ranking third in the 2013–14 season.

Originally played as a club-level sport, women’s lacrosse has been part of Calvin’s athletic family since 1997. The transition to varsity level has proven both challenging and rewarding for the team, especially in its second season. Initially predicted to come in fifth in the overall MIAA rankings, placing third was a result of hard work and the motivation of the players.

21

WORK Venema Aquatic Center

Morren Fitness Center

Beach Volleyball Court

22

Huizenga Indoor Track and Tennis Center

IT

At Calvin, you’ll be encouraged to be healthy in mind, spirit and body. Incredible workout facilities and miles of running paths can help you stay fit and have a little fun, too.

LIFT IT With two complete free weight racks (5 to 100 lbs.), tons of benches and squat racks and a sea of machines to push, pull, crunch and everything in between, Calvin’s gym can handle pretty much anything your program can throw at it.

Check out the new Calvin Weightlifting student org to learn more about how you can find a community with other students who love to lift.

23

Faculty Profile

Professor Becca McBride

Political Science

Credentials: PhD in political science, Vanderbilt University; MA in Russian, Eurasian and East European studies, Georgetown University

By Beth Heinen Bell ’03

Research interests: Ethnic conflict and terrorism Claim to fame: Reigning Disney Cruise Line “Disney Trivia” champion Hidden talent: Clogging

Walk into Professor Becca McBride’s office and one of the first things you’ll notice is a Disney Trivia trophy on display. Then you’ll notice all the books about war, terrorism and peace studies, mostly from her graduate studies at Georgetown and Vanderbilt.

Professor McBride, who teaches political science and international relations classes at Calvin, is glad to be in a place where both her passions— international relations and Disney—can coexist.

Disney: From family escape to research obsession While in grad school, Prof.

McBride took her family on vacations to Disney World, where they could get away from normal life. But as a scholar who is always curious about the world, she decided to do her own research about Disney on the side.

view of progress—often referred to as the American Dream—and travel to Florida to see how it’s presented at the theme park. Then, they’ll compare that approach to the ways other cultures define progress.

A teacher and encourager The encouragement that Calvin gave her to explore her passions is exactly the sort of thing Prof. McBride hopes to provide for her students.

“It was initially just an escape from a demanding graduate “I am finally at a place program. Over time, however, “I have a passion for teaching. that rewards creativity and …I hope my own students I started to see parallels with innovative thinking. Calvin can see how I care about my [other] research.” is quite unique as an academic them as individuals, and Now, in the “Disney, Culinstitution in this way. I try to teach in a way that ture and Progress” class she try to add fun things to my captures their imagination. is teaching during Calvin’s classes to show that you “I want them to see me as a 2015 January interim, Prof. can be different, and have person who has been exactly McBride has a chance to passions that others might where they are. I want them combine both her research think are a little unconvento see God in my journey, obsession and her cultural tional, and still be legitimate!” because I want them to learn interests. The class will study to see God in their journeys.”

Walt Disney’s Americanized 24

New programs in international relations Prof. McBride teaches courses in two new programs offered within the international relations major. Explore the politics and governments of countries around the world with these academic options: Comparative Politics, Governments and Globalization International Cooperation and Conflict

Rockford

Love music? Want to find your niche at Calvin where you can get to know great people? Calvin has nine musical ensembles: Capella, Women’s Chorale, Campus Choir, Gospel Choir, Oratorio Society, Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Pep Band and Calvin Orchestra.

Students from all majors at Calvin get involved in these groups—most of which conveniently practice in the later afternoon when courses aren’t typically scheduled.

And these groups aren’t just about hard work either—each ensemble has at least one social activity coordinator who works to build community among the members. Five of the groups tour internationally on a rotating schedule, with recent trips to China, Guatemala and South Africa.

Last year, members of Gospel Choir spent 10 days in Guatemala, performing in Guatemala City, Coban, Antigua and Panajachel. The diverse choir, which performs everything from spirituals to jazz to African-American gospel music, is open to all students, staff, faculty and alumni. Choir members love the spirit of community within the ensemble.

“Gospel Choir’s traditional dismissal after each rehearsal is a time of praise reports and prayer requests, concluding with hugs,” says director Charsie Sawyer. “Our students sincerely care for and pray for each other.”

UNITY www.calvin.edu/music

27 25

FINANCIAL AID

STEP 1 Apply for admission to Calvin. www.calvin.edu/apply

STEP 2 File for financial aid, optimally by the dates suggested below. www.calvin.edu/finaid • U.S. students: February 15 • Canadian students: April 1 • International students: April 1

STEP 3 Financial aid packages arrive.

Starting in mid-March, Calvin will send you a financial aid package to supplement your family’s contribution to the costs of your education.

STEP 4 Send your enrollment deposit to reserve your place in the Class of 2018!

26

• U.S. students: May 1 • Canadian students: June 1 • International students: June 1

CLASS OF 2018

Most students wonder whether they will be able to afford a college education, particularly during today’s challenging economic times.

At Calvin, we work with families of all sizes and income levels in order to make a Calvin education possible.

$20,000 average financial aid package

95%

of Calvin students receive some form of financial aid

SCHOLARSHIP TIPS You are automatically considered for Calvin’s general academic scholarships after you are admitted.

Explore more scholarship options at www.calvin.edu/go/ scholarshipsearch Scholarship announcements are sent periodically, but they don’t give the full picture.

Wait for your complete financial aid package before making a college decision.

The Pacific Coast (based in L.A.)

The Midwest (based in Chicago)

Bart Tocci

Becky Kim

Rocky Mountain States, the Midwest, West Michigan

Ben Hollemans

Meeting the athletic recruits on campus and across the country

West Michigan Asia

Susan Alley

Mid-Atlantic States, Southern States, the Midwest

Rachel Boss

Southeast Michigan, West Michigan

Audrey Waldron

Nunana Nyomi

The Midwest, West Michigan

Samuel Lee

Africa, Canada

(not pictured)

Check the website to find out when your admissions counselor is coming to your neighborhood www.calvin.edu/admissions

Ryan Souders

The Northeast, West Michigan

Jeronica Andrews

Kelly Powers

South and Central America

Sarah Bonthuis

Traveling to you this fall

27

Imagine a gorgeous two-level ballroom at Grand Rapids’ elite Amway Grand hotel, packed with almost 500 Calvin students dressed in their Roaring ’20s finest. The number of sparkly objects in the room is mind-boggling, fitting perfectly with the venue and music played by a live jazz band.

The event is almost as sumptuous as the Baz Luhrmann movie itself, just without all the added drama. Freshman Brooke Bonnema couldn’t wait to attend the event: “The Gatsby formal is by far the most brilliant thing Calvin has put together,” Bonnema said.

Students sipped ginger ale from sparkling glasses.

No Calvin social event is complete without a photobooth.

28

THE GREAT

GATSBY

FORMAL A live jazz band added to the authenticity of the evening.

Explore more fun activities presented

by Nite Life at www.nite-life.org.

29

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

Did someone say coffee break?

We did, and here’s a free beverage coupon to make your Calvin visit even sweeter.

Stop by the Fish House during your campus visit and have a free drink on us.

USE BY 5/31/2015

BEVERAGE COUPON

One free beverage at the Fish House

This coupon is for campus visitors only. This voucher has no cash value and must be surrendered at time of use.