Calvin Alumni Association

🌍 Did you know? It’s World Environment Day—and Calvin alumni have a hands‑on way to celebrate! 🌱

Calvin University offers private volunteer workdays at the Ecosystem Preserve for community, corporate, or alumni groups. Gather 8 or more volunteers and build your team while caring for God’s creation.

Volunteer activities may include seed collection, invasive species removal, transplanting native plants, trail work, native garden maintenance, and other special projects.

🗓️ Weekday or weekend options
⏰ Preferred times: 9 a.m.–noon and/or 1–4 p.m.
Interested in hosting a workday?
📧 Email [email protected] to learn more and schedule your group.

Throwback Thursday: A Makeshift Residence Hall in 1946

Like many colleges across the country, Calvin experienced a dramatic surge in enrollment following the end of World War II. Student numbers jumped from 503 in the fall of 1945 to 1,245 just one year later.

At the time, on-campus housing was available for some women, while remaining women—and all men—lived in college‑approved private homes. By the fall of 1946, however, there simply weren’t enough homes to accommodate the influx of male students. In response, the college leased eight rooms and a basement in the Alexander School, located about half a mile from the Franklin campus. The building had already been condemned for classroom use, but it became a temporary solution—and quickly earned the nickname “Alexander Lodge.”

For $2.50 per week, men slept on army surplus bunks, fitting up to 15 students per classroom. Conditions were spartan: food was not permitted in the building, and hot water didn’t flow until mid‑October.

📸 Pictured here on September 16, 1946, are Kenneth Slager ’50 at the desk, Maurice Couwenhoven ’50 in the top bunk, and Harry Arnold ’50—making the most of college life during an extraordinary moment in Calvin’s history.

Reunion in a Box! 🖤💛

Can’t make it back to campus? We’ll bring Calvin to you!

Gather four or more Calvin alumni—roommates, teammates, or friends—and host your own mini‑reunion. Sign up for a Reunion in a Box and we’ll send you free Calvin swag, including alumni t‑shirts, stickers, and a Calvin trivia game.

https://calvin.edu/go/reunion-box

Calvin Stories in the World: Alumni Living Their Callings

As part of Calvin University’s 150th anniversary, we hosted a Calvin Stories in the World alumni + faculty panel featuring Anne Zaki ’99 and Melissa Smith ’06. Together with faculty participants Craig Hanson and Jim Ludema, they reflected on how Calvin shaped their vocations and their work as agents of renewal in diverse global contexts.
Anne shared insights from her ministry, counseling, and teaching in Egypt, while Melissa reflected on her work in architecture, urban design, and climate-responsive practice in India.

🎧 If you weren’t able to attend—or would like to revisit the discussion—we invite you to listen to the recording. https://www.youtube.com/live/lYHJU9W1muI

Throwback Thursday: The Calvin Choir Goes West

During the spring of 1954, the Calvin Acappella Choir embarked on its first tour west of the Rocky Mountains. Funds raised from a performance at the Lotus Club of Grand Rapids helped cover transportation costs, and choir members were accompanied by choir director Sid Youngsma and his wife. Alumni along the route assisted with accommodations and local arrangements.

The tour began on March 23, traveling by train from Grand Rapids to Chicago and then west aboard the streamliner City of Denver. Along the way, the choir performed in multiple locations, including Bellflower, California; Ontario, California; Hanford and Ripon, California; and Stockton, California. Repertoires often centered on the theme “America the Beautiful,” featuring hymns and patriotic music.

The choir traveled extensively by train, including on the California Zephyr, and experienced both the challenges and unique beauty of cross country rail travel, passing through scenic areas like Feather River Canyon. The western tour concluded late on April 7, marking a significant milestone in the choir’s history and expanding Calvin’s musical presence beyond the Midwest.

❤️ A Gift of Gratitude, A Legacy for the Future ❤️
We recently celebrated the Workman Track and Field Dedication, honoring alumna Mary Workman and her late husband, Jim. More than 60 years after graduating, Mary’s generous $3 million investment is already shaping Calvin’s future in meaningful ways.

This remarkable gift reflects deep gratitude for a faith filled Calvin education and a lasting commitment to students, athletics, and campus life for generations to come.

📖 Read the full story:
https://calvin.edu/stories/gift-gratitude-mary-workmans-3-million-investment-calvins-future

🎓📚 Listen In: Heritage Class Event Recording Available 📚🎓
Alumni and friends are invited to listen to a recent Heritage Class lecture on Faith Formation in Young Adults. In this thoughtful talk, Pastor Mary reflects on how faith is shaped in today’s rising generations, with special attention to the impacts of the pandemic, social media, and the American church.

Whether you joined us live or missed the event, this engaging lecture offers meaningful insight and encouragement for anyone invested in the spiritual lives of young adults.

▶️ Watch the lecture here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eD_S5VZlH54

📖 Throwback Thursday: The First Dormitory

In the early 1900s, Calvin faced mounting challenges—financial strain, enrollment growth, and limited housing made the need for a dormitory increasingly urgent. Under the leadership of Rev. John J. Hiemenga (first picture), Calvin worked diligently to reduce its debt while also laying plans for student housing that could serve the growing campus.

Through determined fundraising and the generosity of supporters like William A. Van Agthoven (third picture), who gave sacrificially and quietly, Calvin’s first dormitory became a reality. The building opened in 1924, offering housing for 80 students and including a kitchen, dining hall, and gymnasium—thoughtfully designed to support both daily life and community.

These early efforts reflected deep faith, trust, and perseverance. They also paved the way for Calvin’s eventual growth, including the campus move to Knollcrest just a few years later.

📚 Interested in more stories from Calvin’s past? Explore Calvin Heritage Hall:
https://www.calvin.edu/hh

🎉 Class of 1976—What a Milestone! 🎉

The Class of 1976 recently enjoyed a joyful 50‑year reunion gathering during Commencement weekend. This golden anniversary was made even more meaningful as it took place during Calvin University’s 150th anniversary year!

Thank you for celebrating with us and for being such an important part of the Calvin community. 💛⚔️