WINTER 2009 VOLUME 54 NUMBER 2

It was a great “opportunity to learn history in a different setting. ” in their footsteps Students say a staff ride was the best way to learn about the Civil War

Sally Jongsma ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­Van der Waal from Boyden, Iowa. nineteenth century. Following a battle, they “The trip was one of the greatest moments went on a “staff ride” to analyze what had r. Paul Fessler admitted he was a bit in my educational experience,” said Sarah Roth happened and what went right or wrong. The INSIDE nervous the day before the staff ride from Escondido, California. She and the other military continues to use them today, as do he planned for the history students in students each became experts on different forest fire fighters, as a way to learn from what hisD American Civil War and Restoration course. characters and had to weave their knowledge has happened before. Some business schools He knew the success of the trip rested as much together as they recreated and analyzed the use staff rides to examine leadership decisions. on students’ preparation as his. He needn’t have battles. Today the United States Army College uses worried. Despite having had to read four books “I wouldn’t have missed it for anything,” said staff rides as part of its leadership training for and numerous primary and secondary source Ryan Jensema from Oostburg, Wisconsin. “It generals. Fessler got the idea for doing a ride 5Video receives articles on the Wilson’s Creek and Pea Ridge was a great opportunity to learn history in a with his class following his participation in one international battles, the students were ready and eager for different setting and also to get to know the during a seminar for twenty historians during awards the trip. people in my class much better.” the summer of 2007 at West Point. “It’s part of the reason why I took the class. Staff rides were first used by Prussian “On the staff ride at Wilson’s Creek and Pea There was a rumor going around that generals in the early Ridge, we stood where the battle took place and we might be going to do asked why they made the decisions they something like this, and I’ve did,” says Fessler. Some things always been interested in became very clear to Fessler’s 6Education how place affects history, students just from being there. students share so looking forward They saw that the hollows curriculum units to going to the actual at Wilson’s Creek created battlefields was exciting. acoustic shadows that We were talking about it all semester,” said Krystle (continued on page 2)

11Thirteen fall athletes earn NAIA Scholar Athlete awards

DORDT COLLEGE FROM THE PRESIDENT Campus Capsules

New addition Sure Fire Investing Dr. Carl E. Zylstra frankly, enough time for such an education him ever more fully because of our greater is named to “sink in” and become part of who we are— understanding of his world and our growing “Have I got a deal for you!” and will be—for the rest of our lives. awe that he is both the origin and the he new academic fter the economic turmoil of the Education is one of the only investments ultimate goal of all that we study. Education Tspace currently under past year, few of us are likely to be that actually increases in impact as time helps us understand more fully the marvels construction will be called attracted by such a sales pitch. goes by. Formal education is of the chemical structure of living things, the Douglas and Henrietta AYet, again this year, Dordt College just a foundation, but it is the for example, and in so doing we honor (Miedema) Ribbens Academic has sent representatives across the foundation that is necessary the glorious designer and sustainer of the Complex, honoring two early continent and literally around to undergird all of our future creation we’ve been studying. And a solidly contributors to the success of the world to tell people that we experiences as they become biblically-based education prepares us for a Dordt College. have a deal for them: We offer new layers in forming and lifetime of benefiting those whom we touch Dr. Douglas Ribbens was an opportunity that may take a shaping our effectiveness as with our lives of service. Take for example the college’s first professor of considerable investment of time, servants of Jesus Christ—in Dordt College graduates who become education and served Dordt effort, and money to accomplish, whatever area of life he may call teachers. Their profession will provide a College for thirty-seven but in the end it will be far us. steady income and great personal satisfaction, years as a professor, registrar, more valuable than what Once in a while, I’ll ask to be sure, but it will also allow those teachers administrator, and director of it costs. gatherings of alumni how to benefit immeasurably the lives of the the library. Ribbens has been An investment in many are doing the same future students whom they shape and nurture described as an insightful and education lasts a lifetime. thing they started doing through their instructional efforts. practical realist who balanced Education is one of the when they graduated from That’s why, in the end, I’m convinced that President B.J. Haan’s passionate few experiences in life Dordt College. Probably less Dordt College is still on solid ground as we creativity, providing the that, if effective, becomes Dr. Carl E. Zylstra than a fourth of them are still continue to recommend an investment in teamwork that moved the college part of who you are. I’m in the same career. So while a education. I’m well aware that the college forward. A former principal, he often asked why students need to invest four college education prepares us for our first job, bears a tremendous responsibility to make brought administrative skills years in a residential college experience. After the true value of a Dordt education actually that educational experience as affordable an to the fledgling institution, all, so the question goes, aren’t there cheaper grows throughout our lives because it equips investment as possible. So this year we have and helped the junior college and more efficient ways to get across the us with the worldview and fundamental continued trying to limit our educational move to an accredited four-year information that a solid education provides? insight that can prepare us for whatever new cost, on the one hand, while at the same time institution. Of course there are. The world wide web, opportunities develop over the decades of maximizing the quality of the educational Henrietta (Miedema) for instance, is a source of almost limitless life and service that follow. Where else can experience that investment makes possible. Ribbens played a key support information and you surely don’t have to live you find that sort of investment, one that It may be true that the current role at the college from 1957 on a campus in Sioux Center, Iowa, to gain appreciates in value throughout the years, no environment has made us wary of “sure-fire until retirement in 1992. access to it. But to acquire the kind of faith- matter what life circumstances we confront? investment” offers. Personally, however, I’m Miedema began as the lone infused, biblically-directed education that Finally, I’m not sure that many other still glad to be able to represent at least one college secretary in 1957, Dordt College is committed to providing does investments guarantee lifetime dividends investment that, as God provides his blessing, but over the years combined take a faith-filled environment, biblically- for us and, at the same time, benefit others is pretty much guaranteed to enrich our lives, secretarial duties with keeping committed mentors and teachers, and, quite even more. God benefits when we praise benefit Christ’s kingdom, and add to his glory. the books, taking care of student accounts, and essentially becoming assistant registrar during the years that Douglas Staff ride created a bond as students learned Ribbens served dual roles as registrar and academic dean. (continued from page 1) the officers?” The new addition will give prevented the army from hearing the battle Fessler shared his students’ feeling that students in the education already going on. Walking through the the trip had been successful. department use of a smart cornfields and seeing the terrain of the “Students learn more if they are well- technology classroom, a science battlefield helped them sense the soldiers’ prepared and are excited about what they’re methods classroom, and three fear of not being able to see far and know learning,” he said, noting that experiential new model classrooms. Art what they were facing. The experience learning often cements knowledge in a way students will gain additional helped them get a better sense of what classroom lectures can’t. classroom space for sculpture, the soldiers had gone through and how Another benefit of the trip for students painting, and print-making. exhausted they would have been after hiking was getting to know other history students Digital media students will with their equipment and ammunition. better. Wilson’s Creek in Missouri and Pea Ridge in Arkan- benefit from expanded digital But it did much more. Prior to the trip sas were the third and fourth battles of the Civil War, “The highlight of the trip for me was media computer labs. students did extensive research on the battles but many people don’t know much about them be- going on this trip with people who were and each person became an expert on one or cause they were so far west and most attention went to really interested in the Civil War and eager two people who were involved in the battle. battles further east. No photos of these battles made to learn more about it,” said Emily Sajdak it into Ken Burns “Civil War” documentary. Yet, un- Soldiers were black and white, wealthy derstanding something about these battles helps his- from Pella, Iowa. and poor, said Fessler. Many were Christians, torians understand why there was basically a guerilla “All of us share an interest in history, most had left families. They were driven by war in Missouri following these events, says Dr. Paul so we could make historical references or passions, hatreds, and commitments. Fessler Fessler. jokes in the middle of the conversation and wanted his students to know not just the everybody actually knew what we were facts of the battle but understand how their challenging assumptions, and making new talking about,” says Van der Waal. characters’ worldviews shaped their actions. discoveries as they combined their research “Besides hiking around the battlefields, Why did they fight and continue to fight? and their experience on the battlefield. one of the highlights for me was cooking Drawing on the preparation he and his “Having to conduct in-depth research to supper and having ‘homemade’ meals students had done, Fessler played the role of understand a worldview different than my together,” said Phillip Van Maanen from facilitator throughout the trek through the own was a unique challenge and blessing,” Sioux Center. battlefields, asking questions to help them said Roth. “I learned the importance of Fessler had rented a cabin with a kitchen. come to a deeper understanding on a micro examining motivations. We had to leave Following the evening meal the first evening, level—from describing the anti-slavery our comfort zones of learning and stretch the students pored over their studies to Union general who hated Southerners to ourselves into another time and place.” make sure they were well prepared for the the privates from Missouri who wanted to “We usually look at large themes and battlefield trips. Other evenings they carried defend their homes and property—even philosophies in history,” says Fessler. “It’s on their discussions of the day’s events and Despite the cold weather, bricklayers are laying the walls for the new addition. To though relatively few owned slaves. hard to understand individual participants what they’d learned. make way for the new facility, one older The students jumped in with enthusiasm and see that they were on the battlefield for “The hard work paid off,” said Fessler. section of early classrooms was torn and knowledge, sharing what they knew, a variety of different reasons. How did those “The students knew as much as many of the down, but the original building remains. adding to what others contributed, factors influence judgment—especially of staff members at the battlefields.” . Voice 2 Campus Capsules

Vermeer donates CNC equipment

irst-year engineering students Fare not only learning to draw 3-D model parts but they’re also making prototypes to get a better sense of how to design parts that use resources efficiently and are easier to produce. These efforts are possible thanks to the donation of a series of CNC (computer numerical control) machines funded by the Vermeer Foundation of Pella, Iowa. Our object isn’t to teach students how to machine parts, says Dr. Ethan Brue, a professor of mechanical engineering— although senior students do use the machines to make parts for their senior design projects. The point is it teaches them a holistic Members of the Academic Senate are from back and across: Duane Bajema, Hubert Krygsman, Art Attema, Bob De Smith, James Schaap, Jim Bos, Sherri Lantinga, Ethan approach to design that helps Brue, Pat Kornelis, Charles Veenstra, Wayne Kobes, John Kok, Carl Zylstra, Bethany Schuttinga, and Erik Hoekstra. them think about conserving materials and making the machinist’s job more efficient. Teams of three students work with instructors and Dordt elects its first senators senior students to take an idea from concept to polypropylene Sally Jongsma collaborative spirit, understanding, and Faculty representatives on the Senate are prototype. They create the wisdom that has characterized the early elected by their colleagues, and they take program that feeds instructions rovost Erik Hoekstra refers to “water meetings. He adds, “We didn’t have a good their responsibility to their peers seriously. to the machine, which then spits cooler” conversations and faculty venue for this kind of sharing of ideas Kornelis says she feels responsible for getting out the part. member James Schaap talks about before.” Three large faculty meetings per input from other faculty. Schaap, convinced “If you only do a 3-D learningP to dance together as they describe year were neither frequent enough nor small that it provides a good way for faculty to drawing, you may only see a the meetings of the new Academic Senate. enough to function in this way. The smaller hear administrative ideas, believes that hole as a hole. By creating the Both agree that the Senate has provided a Senate allows participants to explore and as this new institutional entity grows, the prototype you may learn that way to have good conversations between constructively challenge ideas that relate to transparent conversations will benefit the placing the hole in a slightly faculty and academic administrators about the academic program. institution. different place could save a how Dordt College should practice its Hoekstra, who often refers to one of Senate meeting agendas are sent to all machinist two or three steps,” mission and move into the future. his favorite resources for working together faculty members and anyone may attend. says Brue. “They might even be The Academic Senate began this year, effectively, Stephan Covey’s book, The Speed Minutes are distributed after the meetings able to avoid having a machinist putting in place another piece of the of Trust, notes that for people to work in a timely manner. The faculty assembly roll his eyes and groan ‘What administrative restructuring that also together they need to trust one another’s that has been in existence will continue to were they thinking?’” Brue changed the position of Vice President for intent. meet three times each year and still will be says with a chuckle, based on Academic Affairs to Provost. “People tend to judge themselves by their primarily a place to report on policy and his experience. He’d like Dordt “Our primary responsibility is to talk intent and judge others by their behavior,” curricular issues facing the institution. But graduates to see themselves as about issues that relate to our academic says Hoekstra. He has urged all members of now those reports and discussions will have one part of a team in the design mission,” says Senate Chair Hubert the Senate to assume the best of intentions had significantly more team development process. He’d also like them to Krygsman, who has played a crucial role in from each other as they wrestle with what it because of the work of the Senate. design in ways that use resources helping the new body find its proper role in means to be Christians in this organization. “The Senate is giving faculty more sustainably and efficiently. campus life. “God does bless us when we are faithful,” opportunity to participate in decision Making prototypes of what they Developing serviceable insight happens says Hoekstra. making, enabling us to work together more design could help them do both. chiefly through the faculty, but faculty “It feels like we are moving forward,” said effectively and function more collegially,” cannot teach and navigate all of the Dr. Pat Kornelis, the faculty secretary of the adds Senate Chair Hubert Krygsman relationships, influences, and changes in Senate, noting that productive discussions “We’re still learning how to do this,” adds society that have an impact on education, have been held. She believes that discussions Schaap, noting that the dance likely will says Provost Erik Hoekstra. The Senate is about enrollment management that were continue for some time. Engineering Professor Kevin a place for discussion in a smaller setting recently on the table of the Senate would Timmer shows his students what the CNC machines will for people who see different parts of the not have happened before the Senate was allow them to do. educational picture. formed. Yet enrollment issues directly affect The Senate is made up of sixteen faculty. Faculty and administrators share members, fourteen of whom can vote. The their insights, discuss with integrity, and call college president and provost are non- each other to accountability in ways that voting members. Other members include Kornelis believes will make the institution the Associate Provost for Co-Curricular stronger. Programs, the chair and secretary of the Schaap, too, believes that the creation faculty, the three division deans, one faculty of the Senate has been good for the college. member from each division, and three at- “The atmosphere has been very open,” large faculty members. he says. Administrators listen to faculty “There’s an intimacy that’s started contributions and faculty respond to to develop between the members,” administrative ideas and proposals for the says Hoekstra, who is pleased with the academic program.

Voice 3 Center for Educational Services helps new teachers Sally Jongsma

dozen new teachers are being The new director of the Center for Educational Services is Education Professor Lloyd Den Boer, who was a mentored this year by experienced teacher and principal before joining the education department in 1999. teachers, thanks in part to efforts of theA Dordt College Center for Educational the list of things that are often forgotten In the meantime, the education department Services (CES). In mid-August, Lloyd in orientations,” says Den Boer of the list through CES is working on other ways to Den Boer, an education professor and the of compiled “little things” he’s gathered give support to multi-grade teachers. The new director of the Center, led a day-long throughout his years as teacher, principal, annual B. J. Haan Conference scheduled workshop for mentees and mentors from and professor. for March 12 and 13 will have as its theme Christian schools from the Heartland District For this year, new teachers at six schools “Teaching Reading/Forming Faith.” David of Christian School International. The aim  On the Web were matched with experienced teachers in Smith of the Kuyers Center at Calvin was to set up a mentoring program that could their school. Following the August meeting, College will be the keynote speaker. help them become better teachers and get Information and registration for the participants were asked to submit a specific A new focus of the CES will be to acclimated to their schools more quickly. annual B.J. Haan Conference can mentoring plan by September 15 and then help Iowa Christian schools prepare to The goal of the workshop was to provide be found at center.dordt.edu/bjh_ convened again as a group at a breakfast implement the recently adopted Iowa Core resources and activities through which conference/ meeting on October 2, at the Heartland Curriculum. The Iowa Department of teachers could share wisdom about how to Teachers Convention held on Dordt’s Education gives all accredited schools until be effective teachers. Den Boer gave those campus. 2012 to complete implementation, calling who attended a handbook that included The mentoring program grew out of it the biggest reform initiative in Iowa summaries of such things as: “Lots of research points to the benefits CES’s desire to provide practical service education for several decades. Schools will • principles of adult learning relevant to of mentoring programs,” says Den Boer. to local schools. Den Boer met with area need to rewrite K-12 curriculum in literacy, mentoring They help new teachers learn about their principals last spring to ask them what science, social studies, and math as well • research on phases of professional environment more quickly, which means they most needed from CES. Mentoring as analyze student assessment and teacher development of teachers they can focus on their teaching more programs and help for multi-grade teachers professional development data. • mentoring models and practices completely. Research also indicates that were at the top of the list. “The DOE appears to be strengthening • the model of reflective practice fewer mentored teachers leave teaching in Den Boer, working with education the rigor of local curriculum and developed for Christian teachers the early years. This offers great benefits department colleagues Pat Kornelis and promoting teaching strategies that engage by John Van Dyk in his 2007 book both for schools, which don’t have to be Timothy Van Soelen, will visit teacher pairs students at deeper levels of understanding,” “Fostering a Reflective Culture in the looking for as many new teachers, and for in their schools in January to see how they says Den Boer, who notes that the changes Christian School: The Maplewood students, who benefit from learning from are doing. have happened sooner than expected. “It’s Story” (Dordt College Press: Sioux experienced teachers. The mentoring workshop and support both exciting and a bit overwhelming to see Center, IA). “Teachers were especially excited about will be available annually for new teachers. it right in front of us.” Horton is named first artist-in-residence Sarah Groneck Baroque-era musician Louis-Nicholas playing, as well as debunking the idea that Clerambault while January will celebrate organists can’t play pop choruses. ordt has been home to many the bicentennial of German composer Felix De Mol was pleased with the first budding artists but never an artist- Mendelssohn. performance in September and with the first in-residence until now. This is the During November and April, Horton workshop event. “Twenty-three individuals Dinaugural year of the artist-in-residence will work with Dordt faculty and students to came [to the workshop] from places like program for the music department. present hymn festivals “in connection with California and Sioux Falls,” said De Mol. “I What, exactly, is an artist-in-residence? the seasons of the Christian year—advent was tickled pink to hear that.” “An artist-in-residence is a guest in November, Easter in April,” said De Mol. Horton said he appreciates working performer who comes to campus to perform The festival events are led by the organ with other students and Dordt faculty on repeatedly within a given time span,” Karen De Mol Robert Horton and will incorporate poetry readings and the performances. “I could bang out solo said Dr. Karen De Mol, chair of Dordt’s singing. recitals by the dozens, but it takes special music department. She said that having an Kaliningrad, Russia. Organizing the events was a focus to pull off an event that involves other artist-in-residence is similar to having an Having taught organ at Dordt the past “collaborative” effort: “He suggested, and people,” he said. “It helped a great deal that additional temporary faculty member. three years, Horton already has many we responded,” said De Mol. “We liked his both the faculty and students involved were “Plus, the artist and the sponsoring student fans. Junior Helen van Beek is one basic ideas for what to play, and we formed models of professionalism.” institution get to know each other and such supporter. “It is obvious he knows a lot the programs around them.” Although he did not want to pick discover ways that the artist-in-residence about music, not only how to make music, In addition to organ performances, favorites, Horton said one performance can strengthen the institution through but also the technical and theoretical ideas Horton is also giving public lectures, stood out most in his mind. “The French lectures, workshops, lessons, and master behind it,” said van Beek. “I had him for workshops for area organists, and master baroque theme for the first event was classes,” said De Mol. music theory and aural skills, and it was a classes for organ students. the most personal choice,” he said. “I’ve The first Dordt artist-in-residence is blast. I think everyone learned a lot.” When designing the organ workshops, been deeply attached to that music since I Dr. Robert Horton. A former Dordt music Through the artist-in-residence program Horton and the Dordt music department studied in France and have been working on professor, Horton has won many awards this year, Horton is scheduled for four Dordt had a specific goal in mind: “We wanted to producing a DVD about French music.” for his organ-playing skills, including the performances—in September, November, hit a variety of topics that would be directly De Mol and Horton have been Jordan International Competition prize January, and April. September and January’s useful to church musicians,” said Horton. encouraged by the response from the and first place in the Mikhail Tariverdiev performances focus on the music of single The workshops center around the need community and look forward to the rest of International Organ Competition in composers. September’s event featured for articulation and improvisation in organ- this year’s performances.

Voice 4 Campus Try a "Problem of the Week" Capsules Sarah Groneck Once the problem has been or years, Dordt students and faculty solved, the winner’s  On the Web have gone to the Problem of the Week name is placed in an Crop results are to sate their thirst for mathematics. end-of-the-semester If you are interested in participating F The Problem of the Week was drawing. One name in the Problem of the Week, the announced established to encourage analytical is drawn from the problems can be found at courses. thinking. bucket and will gdeyoung.com. Answers can be Jane Ver Steeg “The department decided to use it to receive a prize. This submitted to Dr. De Young via e-mail promote mathematics,” said mathematics fall’s winner will at [email protected] rop yield results from professor and Problem-of-the-Week Gary De Young receive the game Cfield trials conducted by coordinator Dr. Gary De Young. “Some Blockus Duo, while the Dordt College agriculture are easy, requiring logical thought or the spring semester winner will be given the department were released on only algebra, while a few require second- card game Set. mathematics. November 24. semester calculus.” De Young said that students aren’t the “Have a good time,” De Young advised. The field trials were How does De Young unearth these only ones who take part in the Problem of “The point is to have fun with mathematics.” conducted by agriculture majors problems? the Week. For those mathematically inclined, here is a in Dordt’s Field Crop Production “It’s a carefully guarded secret,” he said. “Dordt faculty and staff can submit sample Problem of the Week: and Management class, under The current POW is posted outside De problems, [and] we’ve had Dordt grads and Problem #10: Flag Poles the supervision of Dr. Ron Young's office faithfully every Friday at people not associated with Dordt send in Two flag poles of heights h and k are Vos, professor of agriculture. noon. Participants are given two weeks to work,” he said. “There was even a man from situated 2a units apart on a level surface. Students who participated in submit the answer to the problem, but the Texas who e-mailed a solution just for fun.” Find the set of all points on the surface the comparison study were problem remains open if no one sends in a De Young hopes that the Problem of the which are so situated that the angles of Brett Heidema, Manhattan, correct answer. Week inspires others to find enjoyment in elevation of the tops of the poles are equal. Montana; Josh Koch, Earlham, Iowa; Johnathon J. Nagel, Three Rivers, Michigan; Benjamin Witte, Wauconda Illinois; and Maria Verburg, Vergennes, Video receives international awards Vermont. They were assisted by Mike Schouten of the Dordt Jane Ver Steeg Agriculture Stewardship Center. The crop production class ordt College’s video production was surprised this year by the company, Prairie Grass Productions, lack of corn rootworms. The was awarded a silver Davey Award department had trapped adult Dfor its entry “SPICE,” a seven-minute corn rootworms for the past promotional film based on Dordt’s semester three years, and this year’s test abroad program, Studies Program In plots showed a marked decrease. Contemporary Europe. The International Twenty-one varieties from Academy of the Visual Arts in New York nine companies were included in selected its 2008 Davey Awards from more the yield trials: Asgrow, Dekalb, than 4,000 entries from across the U.S. and Croplan, Pioneer, Prairie Brand, around the world. The SPICE video also Mycogen, Northrup King, Stine, recently received a Platinum Award in the and Viking. international MarCom Film Competition. In the six Dordt trials, seed “We were truly amazed and excited at varieties were planted in strips the overall caliber and quality of this year’s of one or two equipment-widths pool of entries” noted Linda Day, IAVA across the field. Because these executive director. “The Davey Awards serves narrow strips lie close to one as the benchmark for recognizing creative another, field variability is excellence and continues to raise the bar in minimized. The treatments are honoring the best work from small agencies replicated at least four times in and firms worldwide. Congratulations to the field to overcome chance the ‘Creative Davids’ at the forefront of field differences. In addition, their industry, helping to push the limits in the order of the varieties in creativity and design.” each block is chosen at random, The Davey Awards refer to David avoiding a source of unconscious defeating the giant Goliath with a big idea bias. and a little rock—the sort of thing small Jesse Brauning (right) served as student production assistant for Professor Mark Volkers' award winning video. “To ensure accuracy and firms do each year with big ideas, rather credibility of our data, we than big budgets. Gold and silver awards are used on-farm comparison presented to first and second place winners Slums Documentary analysis,” said Vos. Replication, based on rating scores.  On the Web randomization, and field-sized The MarCom Awards program is strips ensure that results will be rairie Grass Productions has administered and judged by the Association For more information about valid and applicable to farmers’ begun work on a documentary of Marketing and Communication the Davey Awards, visit www. P field situations. Vos said results about the slums of the world, which Professionals. Judges are industry daveyawards.com. For more are published at a LSD (least is being funded by a grant from the professionals who look for companies and information about Dordt College’s significant difference) of .05, college’s Andreas Center. During individuals whose talent exceeds a high digital media program, see www. “which means that these results Christmas break, Volkers and ten standard of excellence and whose work dordt.edu/academics/programs/ are statistically valid 19 out of 20 digital media majors will travel to serves as a benchmark for the industry. digital_media/ times.” The SPICE video was created by Professor Manila to film slums in that region of “We hope our data will Mark Volkers and a student production the world. give farmers a valuable tool in assistant, Jesse Brauning. Brauning is a senior deciding their seed choices for Digital Media Production major from the on Dordt’s website, on the website of the next year,” said Vos. Results Dominican Republic. Gereformeerde Hogeschool, and on Dutch introduction of the digital media major from this and from previous Volkers traveled to Europe last March YouTub e. in 2005. Many have benefited Christian years’ trials are available at during Dordt’s spring break and captured Volkers has also received an honorable ministries (Hope Haven, Timothy Institute, the agriculture department’s about twelve hours of film footage. Editing mention from MarCom for a Dordt College Christian Reformed Home Missions, etc.), website: http://www.dordt. and adding special effects were done over admissions video he produced. but area businesses have also hired the edu/academics/programs/ the next few months to create the finished The Dordt production company has production company to create promotional agriculture/ product now available for viewing online turned out a wide variety of films since the videos.

Voice 5 Campus Christians does what he teaches Capsules Sally Jongsma of cancer, mortality a real community-based health project,” said rates, and more. They Christians. Students learn how to work with r. Mark Christians was recently also document gaps statistics and become better aware of how Loin Kings tapped for his expertise in data in services. community health projects operate and are analysis and is leading a team of Christians funded. win Iron Chef Dmedical professionals through a self-study and the self-study “Someone is diagnosed with breast cancer process for the local Siouxland affiliate of the team look at data every three minutes,” says Christians when competition Susan G. Komen For the Cure organization. they’ve collected asked about his motivation for serving on The national group, which funds breast and propose a plan the team. He’s also dealt with cancer in his ordt's first annual Iron Chef cancer research, also awards grants to for funding local family, making the urgency more real. “Many DChallenge pulled in ten regional affiliates so they can offer services programs. Requests Mark Christians types of cancer are treatable. I’d like to help teams, nearly 400 people, and to women that will help prevent and treat for grants need to be make treatment available to those who need a variety of menu items, all of breast cancer. To receive these funds, local based on data that show how it will benefit it .” which contained a special secret organizations must participate in periodic the health of the community. He’s also trying to live his department’s ingredient announced just before self-studies that identify characteristics of Senior psychology students will assist mission to provide students with the the clock started for the one-hour their populations including such things Christians as he analyzes the data and writes knowledge and professional skills to live lives cooking competition: pineapple. as ethnic background, availability of the report. of service. And he’s even been “komenized,” Sponsored by Dordt College mammograms and other services, incidences “This gives them valuable experience in sporting a pink band around his wrist. Campus Ministries, more than $1500 was raised for the Family Crisis Center and two supporting ministries, along with donations of more than 1000 cans of food. Future teachers post their class With a 60-minute time limit to create an appetizer, a main dish, and a dessert, the Loin Kings won the culinary units online for others to use competition, claiming the $300 prize and the golden spatula Sarah Groneck award for their bacon-wrapped pork loin, stuffed tortilla, and ducation Professor Dennis Vander citrus crème. This international Plaats believes that middle school cooking team included Ricardo teaching needs to engage students in Aquino from Xalapa, Mexico; E“meaningful learning.” Jander Talen from Charlottetown, That is exactly what he tries to Prince Edward Island, Canada; implement in his Education 266—Middle Kyle Rietema from Hanford, School Curriculum and Instruction class, a California; Elijah Palmer from course that gives its students a foretaste of Norfolk, Virginia; and Grant the middle school world via simulation. Dykstra from Highland, Indiana. Students are placed in teaching groups Other teams included within a fictitious school dubbed Cornland Garbanzo and the Chickpeas (in Christian Middle School. “At the beginning bright green chefs hats), Spamalot of the semester, students apply for teaching (in Groucho Marx noses and positions, and I work as administrator,” said glasses), Domination A La Mode, Vander Plaats. Breakfast in Bed, Umanji, Joy, In an average day of class, Vander Seconds Please, Totally Sauced, Plaats incorporates the FLIP teaching and the Briaars. system. “Flip teaching refers to flipping the Each team had three tables, one traditional in and out of class expectations,” electrical outlet, and an outdoor said Vander Plaats. “Instead of lecturing in grill, along with their own class and doing assignments out of class, we assortment of cooking utensils flip the two and do lecturing out of class and and dinnerware to chop, slice, assignments in class.” Vander Plaats posts blend, and serve up a three-course his lectures online for the students to read menu. and digest. When they come to class, they Ten judges sampled and draw on what they’ve learned to develop selected the winners of the curriculum. Dr. Dennis Vander Plaats believes that the best learning happens when students are using what they learn. He challenge. Each participating team This year, the course’s nine students have puts that into practice as administrator of his "Cornfield Christian School." donated $50 to the cause, and a been split into two teaching teams. Those local grocery store donated $75 in focusing on the eighth grade are creating teachers in the field.” cooking supplies for each team. a thematic unit on cars, while the seventh Students aren’t the only ones who benefit The $300 Iron Chef prize money grade group is creating a thematic unit on On the Web from thematic units, however. Thanks to was also donated, and more than the Great Depression.  Vander Plaats’ class website, teachers from $2,000 worth of door prizes were Alison Kok, a senior, has been working Students' thematic work is posted on around the country have used the thematic awarded, thanks to other local with the seventh-grade team on the Great the Education 266 website: center. units. Dordt graduate Elizabeth Hickox (’06) businesses. Depression unit. She has found creating dordt.edu/266.543units/index.html has used the thematic units in her classroom a thematic unit to be “challenging” but in Boynton Beach, Florida. also says that it has been well worth the “I have used these resources many times effort. “I have learned a lot about writing in my last few years [of teaching],” said curriculum so that the goals relate to the develop learning centers and assessment Hickox. In addition, faculty members in her student as a whole, for students to grow procedures along with their thematic unit,” middle school have used some of the ideas not only cognitively in school, but socially, Vander Plaats said. to do a school-wide integrated unit. Jander Talen emotionally, physically, and spiritually,” she As the semester comes to a close, Kok said that the course has helped from the said. students will present the thematic units to confirm her desire to teach middle winning Loin Kings Senior Ben Dirksen believes he and his each other during the week prior to exams. school students and “has also helped me classmates will reap the benefits of the class Vander Plaats agrees that the work his understand how it is my duty as a teacher to in their future teaching. “The class brings students are doing now will be useful as guide and care for each student as a whole, great insight to topics that need to be dealt they begin teaching. “I am humbled by not just academically.” with on a daily basis in the middle school the quality of work these students do in “I would highly recommend this course setting,” he said. developing curriculum,” said Vander Plaats. to others,” said Dirksen. “It is definitely one Students work on more than simply “They fully engage themselves in work of the best education courses I have taken. It constructing a thematic unit, however. “They that is useful not only to themselves but to is insightful and very applicable.”

Voice 6 student PROFILE Campus Jeong Capsules takes the next step on organ Dordt theater production Sarah Groneck considered for o Senior Grace Jeong, the organ is more than a musical instrument—it competition has been a catalyst to her salvation and Tthe key to her academic success. he Dordt College Theater But Jeong hasn’t always loved the organ. Department was notified “(When I started in seventh grade), I didn’t earlier this fall that its want to play,” Jeong said. “There were two Tperformance of “Urinetown” thousand people in my church, and organ was held in consideration was considered an important instrument. Grace Jeong says it was a great honor to play the organ in the B.J. Haan Auditorium. She also deeply appreci- for inclusion in the regional We didn’t have anyone to play, so my mom ated her "passionate music professors." American College Theater commanded me to.” Festival (ACTF) to be held from A soft-spoken and easygoing girl growing Jeong’s nervousness spurred her toward a wanted to experience it. January 18 to 23. In addition, a up in a Korean society that demanded stronger faith. “I’ve always wanted to know more about scene from the show “The Cop parental respect, Jeong was willing to give the “I was a pastor’s daughter, and I thought America, and I like living here now,” she said. Song” was nominated for the organ a try. She became proficient in organ that I had a good faith,” she said. “But I found She found the American professors to be ACTF Invited Scene Showcase, playing, she said, “once my feet could reach that I didn’t pray as much as I should. My more easygoing in her practice time, she said: a festival event featuring choice the pedals.” She practiced an average of six mom would pray for me, so I started praying “I practice only an hour a day here.” scenes from Region Five hours a day. more by myself and more deeply.” Now a senior, Jeong will be attending productions. However, Jeong ran into some problems Slowly, Jeong saw a change in her playing. Westminster Choir College in Princeton, New Dordt’s fall stage production once she reached high school. The academic “During the competitions, I felt as if God Jersey, for graduate school work in organ- was directed by Theatre Arts world of Seoul, Korea—Jeong’s hometown—is was helping me,” she said. “I was very calm. playing. instructor April Hubbard and more rigorous than the American school Then I realized that God was helping me. “All the music people know about this presented in October. The system; to get into the university, Jeong had to Organ is the string that connects me and school,” Jeong said. “It was my first choice of musical comedy used humor play several twenty-minute songs flawlessly. God. It keeps me praying to him.” graduate schools, [and] I got the first prize to to nudge audiences to think Because of this, Jeong felt great pressure. Jeong eventually won first prize at the go there.” about creation care and how to “Whenever I had a competition, my hands university in Seoul before transferring to And as God moved with her from Korea respond when individual rights would get sweaty,” she said. “Often my hands Dordt two years later. to the United States, she knows that the string and privileges conflict with would slip on the keys, and I’d miss a note. The transition from Korean culture to binding them will take him to New Jersey, corporate pressure, in this case And that could cost me a lot.” American culture was a shock, but Jeong too. when access to public facilities is regulated. The Kennedy Center ACTF is a nationwide program that annually sponsors regional Dordt students "shine their lights" theater festivals. Region Five consists of colleges and Jane Ver Steeg universities in North and South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, ordt College students were selected Missouri, Iowa, and Minnesota. to “shine their lights” in a new web Students from participating initiative by the Christian Reformed colleges and universities attend WorldD Relief Committee (CRWRC). the festival and participate in The CRWRC launched a website on World workshops and view invited AIDS Day as part of their mission to respond productions. Each year a to the needs of people who suffer from poverty, maximum of eight shows across hunger, disaster, and injustice. the region are chosen to stage www.iEmbraceAIDS.com was created to their performance at the festival. help a new generation be a light at the end Although the department of the tunnel of the AIDS crisis, and shine learned on December 15 that the light of Christ around the world. The site “Urinetown" was not chosen, includes a variety of options for young people The advanced photography class worked with nearly seventy students in a light painting event held on campus to the “Cop Song” scene from the to do their part to learn about the disease, raise create images for CRWRC's Embrace AIDS website. "They loved the whole process," says instructor and photog- play was selected as a showcase awareness with their friends, and be part of the rapher Doug Burg—working on a real project and creating art with a group. scene, and Senior Danielle Roos solution. was selected to participate in the Dordt students participated in the initiative check out the great images that were created festival as a student director. with Shine A Light Day, held on campus by students. Young people can download the “This is a tremendous December 1. Dordt’s adjunct photography  On the Web images and use them in whatever way they compliment for our actors, instructor, Doug Burg, worked with students to wish. One way is to send a light postcard to designers, and technical create painted light images. About 100 Dordt "Shine A Light" their friends. Once at the site they can learn support crews, as well as for Light painting is done in totally darkened photos are now posted at www. about the effects of AIDS and how they can get Dordt College for supporting a spaces with a very slow camera shutter speed. iembraceaids.com/#/pictures involved in the worldwide fight against AIDS. theater department that has the During the 30 seconds in which images were Burg hired his advanced photography capability of producing theater being digitally recorded, the movement of students to assist with the the December 1 that can win this honor,” said student models with a variety of colored event. They gave participants ideas for their Hubbard. lighting created interesting motion and light Julia Keilty from SMAK Publicity Agency, compositions, helped decorate subjects, and patterns. who helped oversee the campus event. She did some of the shooting and actual light “We had great participation at Dordt,” said encouraged everyone to go to the website to painting.

Voice 7 CENTER PIECE

Election years always provide good students to know how others are thinking about Journalism issues as they form and argue for their own Luke De Koster, who teaches a course opinions. learning opportunities. This fall’s election in basic newswriting, believes that a good journalist needs to be an informed citizen. Business dramatically captured the attention of To cover news journalists need to know what Business Professor Dale Zevenbergen found is going on in the world. De Koster had his election polls to be a gold mine for teaching people across the United States and will students read articles on patriotism, investigate research and statistical methods for marketing. likely go down in history books. rumors that came up during the campaign, and “Students at first find it hard to believe Teachable read background articles on candidates to better that a survey of 1100 people can give a reliable understand the complexity of factors that drive result for the whole population,” he says. Daily Many Dordt professors took the opportunity to relate their them. monitoring of the polls, especially those by “It’s important to me that students think Gallup, helped make the process real and not coursework to events and issues related to the election as a way to about the bigger world and not just about what just theoretical. The online sites give a wealth help students become more engaged with what they were learning. they believe or were raised to believe,” says De of data and describe in detail the process used. Koster. “I challenge them to back up what they And students could see how different polls believe; if our faith pushes us to say something focus on different information. Sally Jongsma variety of factors and that the issues themselves we need to be able to back it up,” he says, adding “Because polls were in the news daily, it was were more complex than they first thought. that a good journalist needs to enjoy ideas and a perfect time to learn,” says Zevenbergen, who o students learn more during King also had his students follow referenda try to understand how God’s Word speaks to points to spikes and drops in the presidential such times? Yes, in some ways, that appeared on the ballots in several states, the news they are writing about. polls after events like the announcement of and especially in some majors. including the California same-sex marriage This fall’s election offered instructors immediate classroom resources “The world writes off stereotypical Christian Sarah Palin for vice president and the fall of In political studies classes, for and the Colorado life begins at conception Moments answers,” he says. And just throwing in Bible Lehman Brothers. example,D following political campaigns helps initiatives. This assignment, too, challenged verses as a piece of evidence doesn’t speak to Zevenbergen wasn’t primarily trying to students see more clearly the effects of specific students to understand why people voted as non-Christians. teach his students how to do surveys but how to policies, and, for recently come-of-age voters, they did. As they studied they learned, for “We need to be creative communicators of use the information that can be obtained from it helps them think about how they will make example, that part of the reason some citizens the gospel in politics as well as in movies and them. Ultimately his students put what they their decisions as they vote for the first time. in Colorado did not vote “yes” was because of other parts of life,” he says. He urges his students had learned about polls and surveys to work They not only had to think about who they the complexity of the initiative’s implications: to use words in ways people don’t expect and in for them in a class project on setting up a new would vote for but also figure out the logistics that calling a fertilized egg a person had ways that help them think differently. restaurant. of voting for the first time. implications for political representation, for freezing embryos, for fertility issues, for English Social Work Political Studies criminal laws involving pregnant women, and English Professor Leah Zuidema regularly The day after the election, Social Work “It was the first time many students really more. tries to engage her students in what is going on Professor Erin Olson was teaching her students thought about what voting involves,” says “They learned that sometimes technology around them and often selects current articles about setting goals with clients. To help them Political Studies Professor Donald King, who moves faster than the law,” says King. And they that will get their attention. apply the concept, she had them divide in encouraged his students to get the information learned that setting policy means taking into “The political season offers such good groups to help President-elect Obama write they needed in time to vote by absentee ballot account a complex set of implications. Despite opportunities to hear well-crafted speeches,” some goals for his first term in office. Students or register to vote in Iowa. losing on a particular vote, those advocating she says. She wanted students to analyze the had to follow ten principles, including such “Most of the time people don’t pay close justice for the unborn can learn and benefit way language is and can be used effectively. things as being realistic, flexible, and timely. attention to details of policymaking,” says King. from such referenda as they take their next step Zuidema had her students study speeches by “Some were excited by the challenge, others By studying in Iowa this year, Dordt students in shaping policy. both presidential candidates to understand the groaned ‘More politics?’” said Olson. But the got to see and hear John McCain right on “It is difficult to think beyond partisan techniques they used to communicate their exercise helped students see the difficulty and campus. Hillary Clinton and Mike Huckabee politics in the United States,” says King. And ideas: cohesion of thought, repetition and importance of setting good goals, whether came to Sioux Center, and Barack Obama came most of his students are reluctant to even symmetry of words, main emphases. they would be working primarily with people’s to Le Mars, twenty minutes south. think about a multi-party system, which Zuidema and her students found that interpersonal relationships or developing public “It sometimes takes more than a talking King believes would offer citizens, including Obama arranged his words skillfully, using policy. professor to spark interest,” says King. Christians, more choices. many of the techniques they had learned for “Listening to and talking with people who are “Increasing numbers of evangelical effective communication. They used a software Education making policy helps professors and students Christians believe that they need to be thinking program called WORDLE that downloads the Future teachers had an opportunity to put legs on ideas—which is what education is about biblical responsibility to the poor and the words in a document to create a word picture participate in a live-stream moderated debate all about.” Students whose interest is piqued environment as well as abortion and same-sex based on which words were used and how often between education experts in the McCain and often want to learn more and begin asking marriage,” King notes. As citizens they want they were used. (http://www.wordle.net/) Obama campaigns. Linda Darling-Hammond “Who are these people?” “What do they stand to have more choices than what has developed “It quickly became clear that Obama’s words and Lisa Graham Keegan debated issues such as for?” and “How will they affect my future?” in a polarized two-party system. He urges his were more content heavy. Scanning the top school choice and No Child Left Behind. King’s goal is to have his students think students to carefully discern how their faith twenty-five words gave us a good sense of his “It was good to see student interest in through the issues, basing their opinions and shapes their ideas, learn to biblically defend message,” says Zuidema. McCain, on the other these issues,” says Professor Tim Van Soelen. decisions on knowledge of the issues. Even their positions, and then look for a candidate hand, more often used words aimed to connect Although education policy affects all schools, it though he acknowledges that neither he nor that comes closest to those ideals. with his audience. His word pictures did not will especially affect those who go on to teach in his students can leave their political leanings To help them do this King had his give a strong sense of the content of his ideas public schools across the country. behind, he urges his students not to think first students read a new book by Wheaton but of trying to relate to his listeners. of all from a partisan position. Instead, he College Professor Amy Black titled Beyond The goal of these assignments was not to wants them to think first as Christians trying to Left and Right: Helping Christians make Sense evaluate the speeches—although reading them “It’s helpful when events understand how to deal with the challenges of of American Politics. Black takes up topics helped students become more informed about are of such magnitude that it’s governing and policymaking. such as “Can Christians Honestly Disagree?” the candidates’ positions, but to discover which In that spirit, King assigned each of the “Beyond the Ballot Box: Other ways faith style was easier to follow and which had a impossible not to be aware of students in his American National Politics class can inform politics,” “Is Liberal a Bad Word? greater impact. and captured by them,” says a specific national congressional race to follow Understanding political labels,” and “Are all “Grammar is not stuffy,” says Zuidema, who throughout the campaign and then analyze the Christians Republicans? Separating Truth from uses pieces from magazines like Newsweek as King. Although he and his results after the election. Because many races Myth.” well as textbook and online sources. “You can colleagues know that there are were close, doing the research was interesting. King encourages students to listen to a learn a lot from writers and speakers.” Her goal Students reported to the class, summarizing variety of voices, pointing them to Christian is for students to apply the techniques they always plenty of things to relate their findings in a written report emphasizing magazines, major newspapers, and online learn from others in their own writing and their coursework to, tying to the key elements that contributed to the final analyses. He also encourages them to read speaking. She presents them with a variety of outcome. Students looked for voting patterns more than one newspaper or online news pieces to analyze, and even though the class such major events makes it and tried to understand what those patterns source and watch more than one television conversations don’t focus on evaluating the easier for students to see the meant for voter attitudes. As they kept current news program as they learn about political content, students become more informed as on the issues in the campaigns, they came to see issues. Only then, he believes, will they be able they read. concrete relevance of what they that how people voted was based on a complex to articulate and defend their own views. Like King and De Koster, she too wants her are learning.

Voice 8 Voice 9 FACULTY news Campus Capsules Drs. Mary Dengler and Carl Fictorie symposium at the annual meeting of the attended the National Collegiate Honors Touches the Sky American Psychological Association held Council Conference in San Antonio on in Boston in August. Titled “Workable October 23-25. Dengler gave a short course policies: Meaning what we say,” the Norm Matheis presentation on the challenges for honors ouches the Sky by Dr. James presentation was connected to her work on programs at small faith-based institutions. TSchaap has been republished and Project Syllabus. In October, she presented pens new book While there, Dengler also met with the is available from: a paper titled “Person-Career Fit: Preparing CCCU honors directors, and as a member DVB Publishing LLC Introductory Students for Psychology- new book by retired Dordt of the CCCU’s Scholarship and Christianity 2051 Woodlawn Ave S.E Related Careers” at the annual Great Plains ACollege Art Professor in Oxford (SCIO) board, she participated Grand Rapids, MI 49546 Conference for the Teaching of Psychology Norman Matheis was released by in a meeting to evaluate the current Oxford held at the University of South Dakota in (616) 949-2999 Dordt College Press. semester. Vermillion. dvbpublishing@ God’s Garden: Sketches, Dr. James C. Schaap’s book Near Unto Dr. Doug Allen gave an oral presentation sbcglobal.net Drawings, and Watercolors is God, a revision of the old Abraham Kuyper at the NASA Aura Science Team Meeting a collection of classic, has been republished by Dordt $13.50 each (Michigan add 6% tax) on October 27-30, 2008, in Columbia Matheis’s artwork Press. Another previously published book, Free shipping for Dordt alumni in the 48 states Maryland. The paper was titled “Behavior that captures Startling Joy, has been released this fall of Long-Lived Tracers during the Summer- magnificent on CD. Schaap, with the assistance of his to-Winter Tracer Transition in the Polar scenery from student, Alyssa Hoogendoorn, read and a request by the Chinese to include some Stratosphere.” Allen took two students, across the United recorded the stories. The two-CD set is “hot topics,” as he taught there this summer. Justin Krosschell and Jon Trueblood, who States and available from the Dordt bookstore. When the markets started to seize up worked with him this summer, to the Canada. The first of two parts of Schaap’s essay this fall, Visser updated this material for conference. They were able to meet the “While we traveled, I often “Rehoboth: Righteous Acts, Filthy Rags, students in the Core 300 class, (Calling, sponsor of their summer research, Dr. made quick sketches of places and a Mission Cemetery” appears in the Task, and Culture), the Justice Matters Gloria Manny. that caught my eye,” said January/February 2009 issue of Books and Club, the Faculty Forum, and to parents and On August 21, 2008, Art Professor David Matheis. The illustrations drawn Culture. The second part will be printed in grandparents over Parents’ Weekend. Versluis was featured from this collection of sketches the March/April issue. Dr. Sherri Lantinga, professor of on “The Daily were done over a thirty-five-year Schaap also spoke at a November 7 and 8 psychology and dean Palette,” a website period, from the early 1970s to Saturday night banquet and Sunday worship of the social sciences, of the University of 2005. service for a CRC centennial celebration has been part of Iowa College of Art In addition to Matheis’s marking the presence of the CRC in Project Syllabus and Art History. art, the book contains essays Winnipeg, Manitoba, for 100 years. for several years. The site features the about creation: “The Gospel of Schaap and Theology Professor Jason Project Syllabus is work of a different Creation” by Cal Seerveld; “Is Lief led a men’s a national, peer- Iowa-connected Creation a Lost Cause?” by Cal retreat for the reviewed database artist every day and DeWitt; “God’s Good Creation” Lynden, Washington, of psychology includes work in the David Versluis by Neal Plantinga Jr.; “Creation Bethel Christian syllabi. Lantinga visual arts, writing, Appreciation” by Herm Van Reformed Church serves as a Sherri Lantinga film, and music. Its mission is to promote Niejenhuis; and “Valuing Life” in early November. reviewer and uses public awareness and engagement with the by Del Vander Zee. Bible verses They read stories and a standard template to judge whether a arts in Iowa. Pages are also permanently are paired with the artwork Scripture and led particular syllabus shows enough innovative, archived by the University of Iowa Digital throughout the book. discussions around creative, and good teaching to warrant Libraries in the Iowa Gallery. http://digital. Art Professor David Versluis the topic “A Theology posting. This work has been valuable for lib.uiowa.edu/gallery The link to Versluis’s did the production work for of Presence—for Jason Lief her work as dean, allowing her to easily page is http://dailypalette.uiowa.edu/ the project. “Dave brought the Men, as Men.” review course syllabi and recommend Versluis was also invited by the book from germination to full Dr. John Visser, professor of business, improvements in layout, organization, and Morningside College art department faculty fruition,” said Matheis, who was prepared a talk about the risks in the teaching strategies that will also benefit to serve as a judge for the 2008 Student Art Versluis’s art professor many international financial markets and the Dordt faculty and students. Exhibition. Judging took place on November years ago at Calvin College. potential impact on China in response to Lantinga also participated in a 1, 2008. “Norm first showed me the project a few years ago, and he gave me instructions about what Dordt College is seeking applications in the following areas: he envisioned for the book,” said Position Openings Versluis. “For most of this year his health has not been very To learn more about a faculty position and Faculty Positions (summer/fall 2009) good, and I wanted to finish the receive application materials, qualified persons Art-Visual Arts—teach graphic design and animation, work with InDesign, Illustrator, project for him.” Versluis added committed to a Reformed, biblical perspective and Photoshop and After Effects educational philosophy are encouraged to e-mail a that Norm was a tremendous letter of interest and curriculum vita/resume to: Agriculture/Ag Business—both teaching and departmental outreach in agricultural inspiration for him as a student, economics, agri-business, and/or contemporary agricultural practices and this was a way of expressing Dr. Erik Hoekstra, Provost Biology—teach botanical science and/or human biology courses fundamental to his gratitude. Facsimile: 712-722-6035 programs in agriculture, biology, chemistry, and health science “Norm's artwork has been E-mail: [email protected] Education—teach selected education courses at the undergraduate and/or graduate appreciated by many in the Website: www.dordt.edu/offices/academic_affairs level Dordt community, the church community, and the community To learn more about an administrative Engineering—teach electrical, mechanical, structural, and/or general engineering courses of Northwest Iowa,” said leadership position and receive application Versluis. materials, e-mail a letter of interest and resume to: English/Journalism—teach journalism and/or business and technical writing, college Matheis has been an artist all composition, developmental writing, screenwriting, or poetry Susan Droog, Human Resources —teach Western Culture I & II (core), ancient and medieval history, and some of his life. He has been retired Facsimile: 712-722-6035 History upper-level courses based on experience/expertise outside the history department from teaching since 1989. E-mail: [email protected] God’s Garden: Sketches, Phone: 712-722-6011 Mathematics/Computer Science—introductory and/or intermediate level Drawings, and Watercolors and courses in either mathematics or computer science Dordt College is an equal opportunity institution his previous book, Witness, Physics— (possible opening) teach introductory courses and labs for majors and are available for purchase at that strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and disabled persons. non-majors and upper level physics courses. Preference will be given to a candidate the Dordt College bookstore, with the ability to teach introductory astronomy courses that serve the core program or online at www.dordt.edu/ Sociology—teach undergraduate courses, introductory, advanced, and special topics bookstore Administrative Leadership Position Director of Career Services and Calling—will be responsible for assisting students in exploring vocation and calling as it relates to developing his or her identity within the kingdom of God

Voice 10 Sports Two fall teams make trip to nationals Michael Byker Sports Information Director Defenders earn national honors

he Dordt College athletic department wrapped up its fall season in early December. Two teams earned NAIA Scholar Athletes trips to the NAIA National Tournament to highlight Volleyball Toutstanding seasons. Kristin De Ronde, senior, Oskaloosa, Iowa The women’s soccer team advanced to the NAIA Cassie Huizenga, junior, Orange City, Iowa National Tournament for the first time in the team’s history. The Defenders hosted a game with Park University of Cross Country Missouri and played the Pirates to a 1-1 draw through two Marne De Bruin, senior, Oskaloosa, Iowa overtimes. Park then advanced to the round of sixteen in Sara Hanenburg, senior, Milaca, Minnesota the tournament with a 5-3 advantage after a shootout to Steph Helmus, senior, Caledonia, Michigan determine which team advanced. Sierra Zomer, junior, Corsica, South Dakota The Defenders finished the year 18-1-1, with Coach David Christensen, junior, Waconia, Minnesota Dave Schenk earning Great Plains Athletic Conference Brent Van Schepen, junior, Edgerton, Minnesota coach-of-the-year honors in his first year on the bench. Devin Van’t Hof, junior, Edgerton, Minnesota Kate Du Mez and Kelsie De Nooy claimed Offensive and Soccer Defensive GPAC Player of the Year honors respectively. Kristi Ouwinga, junior, Byron Center, Michigan Du Mez earned NAIA Honorable Mention All-American Kate Du Mez, junior, Brookfield, Wisconsin honors for the second year in a row. Kelsie DeNooy, senior, Denver, Colorado The Defender volleyball team advanced to the NAIA Sarah Sikkema, senior, Ridgetown, Ontario National Tournament in Sioux City, Iowa, after beating Indiana Wesleyan in the opening round of the tournament All-Americans in Sioux Center. The Defenders were one of twenty-four Senior Jen Kempers from Sioux Center placed teams to comprise the final site field that played three ninth in the 5,000 meter race with a time of 17:41 matches in pool play. Dordt lost three tight matches in pool and the NAIA All-American status that goes with a play to finish their year with a record of 32-10. top-30 finish. Kempers is a three-time NAIA Cross The 32 wins matched Dordt’s 2007 win total. Kendra Country Meet qualifier; earned All-American status Potgeter, a middle blocker who led Dordt in kills and in 2007 and 2008 in cross country and was the kill efficiency in 2008, was named an NAIA All- 2006 track and field steeplechase champion while American Second Team member. claiming runner-up honors in 2007 and 2008. Dordt sent two runners to the NAIA National Sophomore Kendra Potgeter from Byron Center, Cross Country Meet in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Kendra Potgeter led the Defender volleyball team in kills and kill ef- Michigan, has been named a NAIA All-America Jen Kempers ran in her third consecutive ficiency en route to a 2008 national tournament berth. Second-Team member. The 6-2 middle blocker led national meet Dordt with 3.78 kills per set this season and hit for and finished have eight games remaining on their regular season a .320 kill efficiency with a team high 1.25 blocks as an All- Kelsie De Nooy schedule which resumes January 15. The Blades per set. Potgeter was earlier named to the All-Great American will host the Pacific Regionals at the Vernon Arena Plains Athletic Conference First-Team and was a for the second February 13 and 14. Second-Team honoree in 2007. Potgeter has 1056 straight year. Kempers concluded her The Defender men’s basketball team won career kills through two seasons. highly decorated career with a 9th place eight of their first ten games and played before several Junior soccer player Kate Du Mez from finish in a time of 17:41 for the 5,000 alumni over the Thanksgiving weekend in Oshkosh, Brookfield, Wisconsin, received an honorable meter race. Brent Van Schepen qualified for Wisconsin, where the Defenders treated the fans to mention on the NAIA All-American team. Du Mez, the men’s field and ran a personal best time of a pair of wins. The bulk of the Great Plains Athletic who lead the team in scoring, was also the Great 26:21 over the 8,000 meter course to place 132nd Conference season takes place after January 1. The Plains Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the in a field that featured over 300 runners. Defender women have won three games in the first Year and was a First-team all-conference selection. Before the fall sports were finished, the winter semester while playing without a full lineup, since several Du Mez had 11 goals and 9 assists in 2008 and is sports had taken the court and ice. The Blades were members of the soccer team. The Defenders will in the Dordt top 10 in most of the career statistical hockey team ended their semester with a 13-6 have their anticipated lineup of regular players in place in catagories. record and are 8-1 in the newly formed North a tournament hosted by Northwestern on December 30 Central Collegiate Hockey Association. The Blades and 31.

FACULTY news

Two Dordt College coaches were named Dr. Ron Vos, professor of agriculture, titled “Preachers, GPAC Coach of the Year in their sport. was one of four authors of a recently Pews, and Pupils: 2009 PR AIRI E GR AS S Dave Schenk earned the award in women’s published article in the Agronomy Journal, Commemorating FILM C H ALLE NG E soccer and Greg Van Dyke in women’s Volume 100, Issue 4, 2008. The article is the Past in cross country. This is Schenk’s first year as titled “Optimum Stand Density of Spring Twentieth-Century coach. Triticale for Grain Yield and Alfalfa Dutch America.” On November 1, Dr. John Zwart gave a Establishment.” Vos collaborated with Zwart has received January 15-17, 2009 presentation at the others from Iowa State University and two consecutive Register online by Tuesday, January 13 annual meeting of the USDA-ARS National Soil Tilth Lab in research fellowships the Iowa Section Ames, Iowa, which draws on work done at at the Van Raalte www.dordt.edu/filmchallenge of the American the Dordt Agriculture Stewardship Center Institute. His first David Zwart Association of by Vos and his students over the past five fellowship was awarded for the 2007- The Prairie Grass Film Challenge is eager to get Physics Teachers years. Tritcale is a cross between wheat 08 academic year while he was a Ph.D. as many teams involved in making films as they held at North Iowa and rye that can be grown in rotation and student in history at Western Michigan can. The challenge, which will be held on from Area Community used for animal feed while breaking up pest University in Kalamazoo. A second January 15-17, is open to film buffs of all ages (adults, college, high schools). College in Mason cycles and providing erosion control that fellowship, awarded for the summer of City, Iowa. His may be part of a corn soybean rotation. 2008 enabled him to complete his research For more information go to talk was titled John Zwart History Professor David Zwart, who into the way Dutch-American Protestants www.dordt.edu/filmchallenge “Adventures in was a visiting research fellow at the Van commemorated their institutions, Designing an Experiment: A Cautionary Raalte Institute of Hope College, delivered particularly their churches and educational Tale for Students (and Faculty).” a public lecture on Thursday, October 2, institutions.

Voice 11 2008 Named Vernon shows his commitment to Scholarship Recipients community, education, progressss

(continued from previous issue) Sally Jongsma business. As a city councilman for decades he encouraged long-term rather than short- Louis & Tina Van Dyke History oss Vernon has always been term thinking. In part as a result of his Scholarship Elijah Palmer community-minded. He is convinced leadership, Sioux Center has come to be Lyle & Marlene Bleeker Engineering that if people and organizations are known as a progressive community. Vernon Scholarship Monique Lieuwen doingR good work, they should be supported. likes to cite the decision early on to install He’s put his money behind that public utilities underground, even though it Martin Seven Classics Scholarship Daniel Den Boer commitment many times over the seventy was more expensive initially. As a fireman, plus years he’s lived in Sioux Center. The he encouraged the city to provide good Martin Seven Communication MTC Foundation Scholarships are one equipment, believing that the community Scholarship Hani Yang example. Seventeen years ago, as head of the had to think about quality of service as local Mutual Telephone Company, he helped much as price. Today he believes that laying Martin Seven English Scholarship Sarah Groneck set up the six $1000 scholarships awarded this foundation has added to the quality of Elaine Hannink to three Dordt College students and three life in the community and provided long- Northwestern College students each year term savings. Martin Seven HPER Scholarship since then. Recipients are required to be in Ross and Velma Vernon also gave Melissa Hulstein Knobloch the Sioux Center 722- telephone exchange generously. “They supported things they Martin Seven Mathematics Scholarship area to be eligible. Each scholarship is believed would give long-term benefit to Jenna Vander Woude renewable for three years. Over the years the whole community,” says Boone. The ice the MTC Foundation has helped fifty-one arena in the All Season’s Center, the Crown Mike Vanden Bosch English Scholarship Dordt students and fifty-one Northwestern Pointe retirement complex, and the newly Laurissa Boman students get a college education, providing Ross Vernon completed public library are only some of Mildred M. Dupon Memorial Music scholarships to twenty-four of them the ways they helped the community grow. Education Scholarship Emily Greenfield each year. In 2000, the amount of each he graduated from college, was offered a Vernon’s support of students is another scholarship was raised to $1500 per year. position in the company. Today he is CEO. part of this commitment to look at the long Minnie J. Dahm Organ Education Making it possible for these students to Vernon has always valued education term. Scholarship Jonathan Posthuma get their education is one way Vernon has for himself and for others. And he’s This fall Vernon was in his office at Karyn Regnerus encouraged, supported, and enabled young continued to learn, staying current with new Premier Communication sorting through Minnie Julia Dahm Premedical people in the community to use their gifts developments in his field. He was convinced a lifetime of miscellaneous “stuff.” He Scholarship Kiley Boone and be successful. that if you weren’t moving forward you were came across some thank you letters, one Theo Mobach Arriving in Sioux Center with his wife moving backward. received years ago from a woman he’d met Velma in 1937, Vernon took a fledgling “When you do something it makes sense at a national phone company meeting. She MTC Foundation Scholarship Zachary Davelaar telephone company and made it a to have it last awhile,” he says. “Many people needed help keeping the company started by Benjamin Dirksen progressive and successful business. Armed tend to look only short term. I like to look her grandfather afloat because she needed Dorinda Hibma with a degree in engineering, he began long term.” He mentions the decision to to make improvements in order to stay in Joy Horstman looking to the future and to what it would install fiber cable very early, before many business. Vernon pulled together a small Melissa Hulstein Knobloch take to move from old equipment to newer companies and communities were doing group of people to lend her the money. Hillary Marra Darren Raih technology, and sometimes change attitudes so. Because of what Boone calls a “gutsy” Years later she was only one of many to Danielle Roos from “this is good enough” to “this is an decision Vernon made in the early ’50s to have thanked Vernon for his support and Andrew Sybesma exciting possibility.” He borrowed money to borrow money to significantly upgrade encouragement. Braden Kooiker install new equipment and modernized the phone company equipment, the Sioux In his desk, he also found letters from Brielle Moerman operation in ways that positioned it for the Center area had cable television already in some of the students supported through the Morgan Rodenburgh future. He also hired many young people. 1981 and internet service by 1996. MTC Foundation scholarships. Nick R. Van Til Scholarship During the war, Velma ran the company Vernon has always been interested in “Many told me they would not have been Kyle Dieleman while Ross was in the army. new developments. He went in to his office able to afford college without help,” he says “People sometimes ask me ‘Is there daily until he was in his early ’90s. Today with a smile of satisfaction. Today he lives Nick Verbrugge International Student anyone in town who didn’t work for you?’” at 97, he still talks knowledgeably about quietly in the assisted living wing at Crown Scholarship Ephron Poyer he says in his firm but soft-spoken way. the communication business he was so Pointe, alone after seventy-three years of Oostra, Bierma, Van Engen P.L.C. From the early years of hiring young women intimately involved in for so many years. marriage to his beloved Velma, who died Prelaw Scholarship Allison Mars operators to today’s more hi tech support Over the years, he traveled the country early last year. The Vernons, who donated staff, Vernon has given many young people and served on many local and national generously to the community, continued Pella Business Scholarship a start to their careers or good experience telephone company boards and committees, to live simply and put the needs of young Lance Dieleman in the working world. The current taking the lead in bringing state-of-the-art people and their community in the fore. Pella Engineering Scholarship manager of what is now called Premier communication to Iowa. Today, there are fifty-one Dordt College Brian Haan Communications, Doug Boone, worked His commitment to the community students who have received nearly a million for Vernon for years as a student and once was as strong as his commitment to his dollars because of that commitment. Phoenix Heritage Scholarship Mackenzie Voss

Presidential Grant for Future Leaders Darrin Beekman Melinda Vander Ark

R.J. Dykstra Business Administration Scholarship Van Phoebe Tran This summer, get the kids

Ralph & Cornelia Gritters Business Scholarship Christopher Kuiper Ralph Jennings Family Agriculture Outta Your Hair Scholarship Kurt Franje

Ralph Jennings Memorial Agriculture Scholarship Nathan Sahr Dordt Discovery Days

Randy Poel Memorial Scholarship June 22-26, 2009. Registration opens March 25. Todd Bakker Dordt Discovery Days is a camp that provides both an academic and social setting and offers middle school students an opportunity to Richard & Hendrika Zwart Scholarship explore new interests or dive deeper into familiar ones. Jenna Vander Woude www.dordt.edu/events/ddd/ (continued on page 13)

Voice 12 alumni 2008 Named Scholarship Alumni stories inspire others Recipients

Wes Fopma made a presentation at this Nominations sought Director of Alumni Relations meeting, while yet another (continued from page 12) Dordt alumna made her Ringerwole Organ Scholarship uring the two years I’ve presentation as Director of Andrew Friend ominations for the Distinguished been Director of Alumni CRWRC in Canada. It was very NAlumni Award are now being Relations and Church exciting, as alumni director, Ringerwole Piano Scholarship accepted for 2009. Alumni who are Relations,D I’ve visited with a to see and hear about the work Melinda Vander Ark nominated will have distinguished number of alumni who are part of of these graduates in Christ’s Robert & Lois Vermeer Engineering themselves in some fashion within their the Dordt College family. It’s been a kingdom! Scholarship Duy Nguyen respective field, have given evidence of joy to see how God is working This past summer I living out a reformational worldview, and through Dordt alumni. had the opportunity to visit Ron & Jo Ritsema Elementary Education are able to make a valuable contribution For example, recently with an alumnus from Rock Scholarship Rebecca Schelhaas to the Dordt College academic while at Classis Central Valley, who told me how Rooster Booster Scholarship community. Award winners will be California of the Christian his father had taught him Trent Geleynse recognized during Alumni Weekend in Reformed Church in Ripon, Wes Fopma the importance of charitable September of 2009. California, to make a giving. His dad would have Simon & Lena Prins Memorial The Alumni Council of the Alumni presentation, I was also able to witness an him come to the kitchen table on Saturday Scholarship April Reitsma Association made the decision last examination of one of our alumni who is night and have him write out the checks Amber Van’t Hof Grant Vis spring to begin recognizing three entering the ministry as a church planter for the church offerings for the next day Distinguished Alumni Award winners in Sacramento, California. I was excited for in church and for the other causes they Sioux Center Municipal Utilities annually. The Council’s intent is to him and his family as he begins is work. He supported. Dad would then sign them and Scholarship Joshua Koedam recognize one alumnus from each gave a tremendous testimony of his faith son would put them in the appropriate division of the college: Natural and how God is working in the Sacramento envelopes. It struck me as a great way to pass Smith Business Information Systems Scholarship Kristina De Graaf Sciences, Social Sciences, and the area. along the importance of giving to children Humanities. In Ripon I also had the opportunity and to all those who come behind us. Steensma Engineering Scholarship Nominations and rationale for your to tour a winery where a Dordt grad is There isn’t enough space for me to tell Danielle Kelderman nomination may be submitted online the chief operating officer. He spoke of you all the stories I’ve heard about alumni http://www.dordt.edu/cgi-bin/main/ how he has been guiding the winery to who have distinguished themselves in Steensma Music Scholarship Nathan Groenendyk alumni/distinguished_alumni/nominate. more “green” friendly packaging and how their calling in God’s kingdom. These pl ; by e-mail [email protected]; or by his company wants to leave as small a stories inspire current students, inspire Syne & Judy Altena Track and Field letter to the Alumni Office, c/o Dordt carbon footprint as possible in all of their other alumni, and inspire the broader Scholarship Sierra Zomer College, 498 4th Avenue NE, Sioux operations. Christian community as they strive to Center, Iowa 51250. In Calgary, Alberta, I had the live out their callings. In September we Talsma Memorial Premedical Scholarship Melissa Kroll Past recipients are listed on Dordt’s opportunity to make a presentation at hope to recognize three alumni over Andrea Senneker website. http://www.dordt.edu/main/ Classis Alberta South/Saskatchewan where Alumni Weekend for their work in the alumni/da_recipients.shtml the chairperson of this meeting was a Dordt kingdom. We need your help in sending Teachers for Underprivileged Children alumnus. A president of another Christian us nominations. I look forward to hearing Scholarship Sonya Addink college, who was a Dordt alumnus, also from you! Trans Ova Agriculture Scholarship Brett Westra

Van Klaveren Achievement Grant EMPLOYEE ANNIVERSARIES:July 1, 2008 - June 30, 2009 Bradley Den Herder Paul Kleyer

Vander Ark Family Scholarship Kelsie De Nooy Sierra Zomer

Vander Haag Computer Science Scholarship Daniel Mahaffy Derek Raebel Rebekah Van Maanen

Vander Haag International Student Scholarship Anh Pham Tassneem Ibrahim Etson Williams

Vermeer Agriculture Scholarship Jeremy Brue Ryan Johnson Adria Stamm Andrea Meier

Vermeer Computer Science Intern Scholarship Brett Bousema

Vermeer Engineering Intern Scholarship Joel Sikkema

Vermeer Engineering Scholarship Peter Attema Pictured left to right, top to bottom Nolan Van Gaalen Professor of Engineering Greg Van Soelen Associate Director of Katiegrace Youngsma John Zwart Professor of Physics Admissions Stephen Pederson 35 year Sally Jongsma Publications Editor Denny Vander Plaats Professor of Education Wayne Kobes Professor of Theology Viss Mathematics and Science 20 year 10 year Scholarship Rachel Hondred 30 year Pam Adams Professor of Education Linsay Vladimirov Campus Ministries Denny De Waard KDCR Director Robert De Smith Professor of English Coordinator Vogel Paint Scholarship Mike Epema Director of Financial Aid Rich Haan Network Technician Autumn Wielenga Den Boer Gidge Meyer Learning Resource Center 15 year Keith Sewell Professor of History Coordinator Nancy Krygsman Administrative Assistant for Dawn Van Den Hul Interlibrary Loan Advancement Coordinator 25 year Harlan Muilenburg Grounds Supervisor Brian Van Donselaar Director of Computer Phil De Stigter Maintenance Security Darlene Reichert Public Services Desk Services System Technician Supervisor Arnola Wynia Housekeeper/Custodian

Voice 13 Alumni notes

Gene Van Stedum (’58) recently completed Van Der Hoek of Lake Tapps, Washington, Valerie (De Vries, ’02) and David Hartemink another volunteer stint with CRWRC. He served as announce the birth of Clayton Rien on September (’02) announce the birth of Jeremiah John, born on a first responder in Bridge City, Texas, cleaning up 9, 2008. October 9, 2008 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. after Hurricane Ike. Andrew and Tricia (Rozenboom, ’99) Koster Dennis De Kok (’66), athletic director at of Albion Park Rail, Australia, welcomed Lily Jane, Mount Vernon Christian School (MVCS) in Mount on July 11, 2008. Vernon, Washington, was presented with the Elmer John (’99) and Heather (Williams, ’99) Smith Clarkson award by the Washington Interscholastic announce the birth of Daisy Elizabeth, born Activities Association (WIAA). He was also on May 21, 2008 in St. Albert, Alberta. She was honored by having the new MVCS gymnasium welcomed home by sister Vivian. court named in his honor. De Kok was given the Extreme Makeover Tyler (’00) and Tami (Rinker, ’00) Schemper Washington State District One Athletic Director announce the birth of Cody John, born on August of the Year award of 2007 and was named “Best of 27, 2008, in Temecula, California. Big sister, Mollie Susan (Vander Vegt ’88) De Vries Washington Program Director for Athletes” for the (2) welcomed him home. and her family were recently featured Washington Federation of Independent Schools. De Channon (’00) and Joni (Link, ’00) Visscher p Shari (Olmsted, ’02) and Adam Montague in an episode of ABC’s “Extreme Kok has been an athletic director for over forty-two recently moved from St. Louis, Missouri, to announce the birth of Addison James, born at Makeover: Home Edition.” Susan years. Houston, Texas, where Channon now works as a home on September 12, 2008 in Kalispell, Montana. suffers from ventricular tachycardia, Kathleen Greimann, (’76) of Prinsburg, Post-doctoral Fellow at the Lunar and Planetary Addison joins sister Ella. a life-threatening disorder which Minnesota, passed away on November 24, 2008, Institute (LPI). Channon will conduct research in Lindsey (Miller, ’03) and Scott Haney of Laurel keeps her heart constantly beating in Willmar, Minnesota. A teacher for many years, the atmospheric chemistry of Jupiter and other gas Hill, Florida, announce the birth of Mason Cole above one hundred beats per Kathleen taught at Oskaloosa School for Christian giant planets. Channon and Joni have two boys, on September 8, 2008, in Yakima, Washington. He minute. Her husband Dirk, a Instruction in Oskaloosa, Iowa, from 1976 to 1982. Connor (5) and Jackson (2). joins big sister Madison. mechanic, suffers from severe She later moved to Prinsburg and taught first grade John (’00) and Jodi (Fopma, ’00) De Berg of Jon (’03) and Jennifer (Landherr, ’03) Myers arthritis in his only hand, which at Central Minnesota Christian School. Sioux Falls, South Dakota, announce the birth of announce the arrival of Evan James on September limits his ability to make major home Jay Wierenga (’83) recently graduated from Tyler Edward on October 21, 2008. He joins Abbie 12, 2008. He joins siblings Ethan (4) and Emma repairs. The Extreme Makeover the CREATE Executive Program in Counter- (2). (3). Jennifer received her Master’s in Health Care team redesigned and rebuilt the De Terrorism at the CREATE Homeland Security Joshua (’00) and Jill (Sjaarda, ’01) Iverson of Administration from Bellevue University in July Vries home in Albert Lee, Minnesota Center at the University of Southern California. Sioux Falls, South Dakota, announce the birth of 2008. to make their lives a little more CREATE (Center for Risk and Economic Analysis Benjamin Joshua on May 15, 2008. Kelly (Helms, ’03) Ram writes, “I’m back in stress-free. Susan and Dirk have of Terrorism Events) is the first university center Jodi Roorda (’01) and Brian VanderPol were school, in seminary of all places. This fall I enrolled three children: April, Hanna, and funded by the U.S. Department of Homeland married on June 28, 2008, in Everson, Washington. in Grand Rapids Theological Seminary, the Derik. You can watch previous Security as part of the DHS University Programs. They live in Mount Vernon, Washington. seminary of Cornerstone University’s school. I hope epidsodes on ABC's website: abc. Wierenga is currently Deputy Director of Marlin (’01) and Sarah (Treick, ’01) Viss to receive my master’s in counseling (hopefully go.com/primetime/xtremehome Communications for the California Governor’s of Santa Rosa, California, announce the birth of before 2012) and get my LPC one of these days.” Office of Homeland Security. Sabine Ruth, born on September 28, 2008. Chris (’03) and Megan (Bosma, ’03) Begeman Elizabeth (Tiesma, ’83) Van Den Tempel Richard and Robin (Gindl, ’01) Flores of Chandler, Arizona, announce the birth of Avery wrote to tell about the death of her son Darryl on Mark (’95) and Kim Vande Zande of Holland, welcomed Gabriella Joy into the world on April 12, Lynn on September 8, 2008. August 7, 2008, in a four-wheeler accident while Michigan, welcome the birth of Amber Ruth on 2008. She joins brother Isaac. Matt (’04) and Kim (Vis, ’04) Veldhuisen of vacationing on Manitoulin Island in Ontario. October 8, 2008. She joins sisters Kayla and Emily. Doug (’01) and Tammy (Bekker, ’01) Gorter Chilliwack, British Columbia, announce the birth of Darryl was a funeral director in Stratford, Ontario. Joel (’95) and Valerie (Gritters, ’95) of Sunnyside, Washington, welcomed Hannah Joy Avery Marina on October 9, 2008. He played rugby and helped out on the family farm Minderhoud announce the birth of Lydia Grace on on June 6, 2008. Todd De Rooy (’04) serves as pastor at the in Poole, Ontario. October 14, 2008. She joins Jared (11), Kara (10), Kevin (’01) and Lyndsay (Van Essen, ’01) United Reformed Church in Orange City, Iowa. Jans (’82) and Denise (Kooi, ’80) Pops Nathan (8), Trevor (6), Emma (5), and Lyndsay (2). Schenk of Ripon, California, were blessed with the He spent last summer on pastoral assignments in announce the adoption of three children into their Jill (Van Voorst, ’95) Ritz accepted a position birth of Morgan Rae on August 22, 2008. She joins Lethbridge, Alberta, and a URC church plant in family: Victoria Marie (6), Dominic Josiah (3), and as payroll coordinator at PR Financial Services, LLC Ethan (2). Sioux Center, Iowa. His wife, Chantelle, stays at Annelies Katrina (1). Jans has been employed with located in Orange City, Iowa. Jill had worked at Van Anna (De Leeuw, ’01) and Jason De Goei home with son Elliott (3) and daughter Emma (11 the Workers’ Compensation Board of Alberta as a Beek Natural Science, LLC as an accountant. announce the birth of Annika Jenae, born on months) and also volunteers at crisis pregnancy business intelligence analyst for the last 23 years. Mikayla Kristine was born on October 29, February 14, 2008, in Sioux Center. Big sister centers in Sioux Falls and other area locations. Denise is a homeschooling mother. 2008, to Brian (’96) and Kristine (Huenink, ’98) Jaedalyn (2) welcomed her home. Joel (’05) and Hillary Keizer were married on Tim (’83) and Suzette (Luyt, ’82) Vos recently Altena of Little River, South Carolina. Big sister Daniel and Erin (Roosma, ’01) Vander Kooi of September 29, 2007, at Lake Phelps in Creswell, moved to Columbia, Missouri, where Tim is a Kirali (19 months) welcomed her home. Lynden, Washington, announce the birth of Taya North Carolina. They currently live in Pinetown, professor of journalism studies at the University Brian (’96) and Michelle (Hoekstra, ’96) Grace on October 5, 2008. North Carolina. of Missouri School of Journalism. He received Wilgenburg will be moving to the Washington, Andrew Steers (’01), a 2008 graduate of the Ethan (’05) Koerner is serving a one- his Ph.D. in mass communication from Syracuse D.C., area, where Brian has accepted a position at University of Denver Sturm College of Law, recently year appointment as technical director and University in 2005. Suzette earned a masters in the National Institute of Neurological Disorders received news he passed the 2008 Colorado Bar scenic designer for the theater department at nutrition science from Syracuse University in 2004 and Stroke, part of the National Institutes of Health Exam. He is currently employed as a deputy district Northwestern College in Orange City, Iowa. Laurel and is working as a clinical dietitian for University (NIH). Michelle has been teaching high school attorney in Aurora, Colorado, at the 18th Judicial (Alons, ’05) is working as an adjunct in the Dordt of Missouri Health Care. English on a part-time basis, while caring for district attorney’s office. theater department. Phil Kruis (’80) of Tucson, Arizona, pastor Braden (7) and Will (3). Doug (’01) and Becky (Hathaway, ’02) Jared (’05) and April (TeKrony, ’05) Brouwer of Rincon Mountain Presbyterian Church, was Ryan (’96) and Rachel (Calkhoven, ’99) Dirksen of Colorado Springs, Colorado, announce announce the birth of Noah Wayne, born recently awarded a grant by the Lilly Endowment Schaap announce the birth of Isabella Rae, born the birth of Jayden John on October 29, 2006. They November 17, 2008, in Granite Falls, Minnesota., to allow Kruis to take a sabbatical leave in the on June 5, 2008, in Sergeant Bluff, Iowa. She was also were blessed with the birth of daughter Ava Steve and Denise (Noorman, ’05) summer of 2009. He is the first pastor in the PCA welcomed home by Ethan (5), Brady (5), and Dylon Dawn on September 5, 2008. Uittenbogaard of Jenison, Michigan, announce the denomination in the nine-year history of the Lilly (3). Chris (’02) and Rachel (Micheals, ’00) birth of Alaina Joy on June 18, 2008. Endowment’s Clergy Renewal program to be Kevin and Laura (Vander Wier, ’97) DeHaan Wassenaar of Omaha, Nebraska, announce the Shawn and Lisa (Kooiman, ’05) van Andel awarded such a grant. welcomed Kaylee Lauren on December 2, 2007. births of Hannah Lynn on April 15, 2005, and of Port Perry, Ontario, welcomed Sophia Edan on Jeff (’91) Voorhees, pastor of the Drenthe Shawn and Stephanie (Steensma, ’97) Caden James on October 29, 2007. September 5, 2008. Christian Reformed Church in Michigan, went McCarthy announce the birth of Kelvin Jay on Luke (’02) and Tracey (Wikkerink, ’03) Micah (’06) and Caryn (Fennema, ’04) to be with the Lord as a result of a car accident. October 19, 2008. He was welcomed by sisters Shannon of Evergreen Park, Illinois, welcomed Schouten of Sioux Center, Iowa, welcomed Alexis He leaves behind his wife Kate, and four young Sydney and Chloe. Clare Jillian on September 23, 2008. Joy into the world on June 27, 2008. children: Calvin (6), Hannah (5), Felicity (2), and Chris (’97) and Christina (Talstra, ’99) Lopez Wade (’02) and Leanne (Prins, ’03) Halma Gabriel (9 mo.). of Bellingham, Washington, announce the birth announce the birth of Adelyn Hope on October 10, Joel (’92) and Laura (Vernooy, ’94) Terpstra of of Autumn Jude Hilligje, born on August 31, 2008. She joins Ashton (3) and Ella (1). Cedar Rapids, Iowa, announce the birth of Alexa Jo 2008. Christina, once a Starbucks Coffee barista, Lisa (Bolkema, ’02) and Nathan Tintle of on April 8, 2008. now works as a stay-at-home mom. Chris works Holland, Michigan, announce the birth of Levi Craig Van Hill (’94) of Sioux Falls, South delivering appliances. Wayne on June 6, 2008. Dakota, was installed as the new pastor of the First Luke (’98) and Karla (Haagsma, ’99) Vander Jeff (’02) and Abby (Dekker, ’02) De Weerd Christian Reformed Church of Waupun, Wisconsin Leest of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, announce the of Rock Valley, Iowa, announce the birth of Brynn on September 28, 2008. He has served as a youth birth of Levi James on May 15, 2008. Abigail on August 19, 2008. pastor in Iowa and Michigan and attended Calvin Mike and Tricia (Weg, ’98) Peuse of Gilbert, Tessa (De Wit, ’02) and Nathan Stob announce p Nathan (’07) and Sara (Wasco, ’05) Terrell Seminary in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Van Hill and Arizona, welcomed William Douglas into the world the birth of triplets: Isaiah Edward, Abigail June, of Cape Girardeau, Missouri, announce the birth of his wife, Dominique, live in Waupun with their son, on June 26, 2008. and Emily Caroline, born on October 20, 2008, in Annika Jane, who was born two months early on Parker. Hans (’98) and Tieneke (Doornenbal, ’00) Orange City, Iowa. January 23, 2008.

Voice 14 ALUMNI stories Honest Work Kimberly Jongejan Teaches Kids About Life Through Theatre When Kimberly (Dykstra) Jongejan was in kindergarten she discovered the theatre. She was an angel in the Christmas play. She sang a solo. Then and there she fell in love with performance art.

Kristen Cnossen Nichols Take a recent production of Stuart Little for example. One of Jongejan’s goals y parents were immensely was that everything about it would feel supportive,” says Jongejan. like it had stepped fresh out of a coloring Taking piano lessons, book. Keeping even the smallest choices attending lots of cultural and consistent with this larger vision, the theatricalM events, singing in the choir—all costumes and elements of the set were of these became parts of a childhood where outlined in big black lines and colored in she learned about her gifts and prepared for with crayon-like strokes. While the coloring a life doing what she loves best. book idea seems to fit well with the fact that Today Jongejan helps children discover this is theatre for children, Jongejan pushes that same love. Married to fellow Dordt to break new ground with every show. alumnus Philip Jongejan and the mother She does this by having high of three daughters, she is the director of expectations regarding what her actors can the Northglenn Youth Theatre program handle. Many children’s productions use a in Northglenn, Colorado. Since 1994 the version of the script that has been modified program has provided young people ages for performances by children. Instead of eight to eighteen with an opportunity to choosing these modified versions, Jongejan participate in large-scale, professionally usually chooses the longer, more complete directed shows. Jongejan joined the staff original. This can get tricky, and she is in 1996 as a stage manager and technical always careful about not exposing her assistant. In January of 1997, she was asked actors to anything inappropriate for their to direct. Now her cast and crew mount age or experience. However, part of her three to four shows per year, and she has notion of honesty is that kids can handle a missed only a handful since she started— lot more than what people give them credit two for the births of two of her daughters, for. and one other when she offered an assistant “I feel a strong responsibility to preserve the opportunity to direct. their childhood but to not dumb down their Under her direction the theatre has experience. This means assuming they are earned high honors. Local publications able to handle the material. I set the bar have named it the “Best of” and “Reader’s high, explain my expectations, and then Choice” in children’s theater, and it has support them the whole way.” received the most national honors of any Jongejan explains the difference between youth theater in Colorado. This past year a less-complicated version of a story and Jongejan earned an “Outstanding Direction” a deeper version this way: Any of today’s award from the National Youth Theatre children’s movies, especially those that organization for her direction of Into the retell old fairy tales, provide an ending Woods. The show garnered six nominations where everything turns out wonderfully.The with five awards in all. original versions of these stories are rarely “Knowing the caliber of my peers in so neatly buttoned. other states, it was an amazing honor,” The success of Into the Woods is a says Jongejan. More than 180 different clear example that this approach works. shows and companies participated in Her actors were delighted to be doing the the competition. She credits her Dordt real version, and she has been thanked instructors, especially those in the theatre When she graduated, Kimberly Jongejan ('94) didn't expect to support herself with her theater major. She has repeatedly by parents. Allowing her actors department, with providing her the skills to been wonderfully surprised to find the perfect fit in her job with a children's theater in the Denver area. to work with this more complicated excel. material gives them a way to connect with “I can specifically point to each one has always been supportive of the arts. a safe, encouraging, challenging, and a story that more accurately reflects real and express how they molded me through Recently one of sixty-seven cities to be rewarding environment where they can life. As a result, she believes, acting can help constructive criticisms (whether I wanted named “Playful City USA,” it has always discover their talents and learn to work with them craft their own views of the world and to hear them or not!) and through example. firmly supported its cultural programs. a group toward a common goal. The actors their place in it. The staff was integral in laying down the Besides directing the city’s youth theatre really love what they do. Audiences love it “As I watch children, I can see that the foundation. Sometimes I regret not listening program, Jongejan also oversees cultural too. Shows are often sold out in advance. perspective they take [in a show] affects to them even more carefully!” class offerings such as drama, dance, art, Her study at Dordt taught her that every how they approach life.Honesty on the stage When she graduated from Dordt in and music, as well as a summer concert artist should have a clear motivation behind makes the transfer to real life.” 1994, Jongejan had earned both theatre series and other special events. She also sits each production. Jongejan didn’t initially plan to work arts and communication degrees. Her first on the Board of Directors for the Colorado “I want to be honest,” says Jongejan. “I with kids, but now she feels such an love was theatre, but she didn’t expect to Theatre Guild want to honor my talents and gifts as well as immense blessing from it that she wouldn’t make a living in it and planned to fall back The Northglenn theatre program draws those of the kids.” In each show she strives do anything else. Her work continues to on her study of communication. Now she children and teenagers from the greater to sincerely convey the writer’s intended deeply affect her already well-grounded acknowledges how blessed she is to have metro Denver area and sometimes even message. Her idea of honesty goes deeper faith. solid employment—complete with benefits, beyond. Actors of all experience levels than the surface notion of just telling the “I see how God has planted talents in leave, and vacation time—in the field she are welcome. Some are new to the stage, truth. Every choice, right down to the very every person. I know that he expects me has loved since childhood. while others have already worked in other practical matters of costume and set, must to use the gifts he’s given me to further his The city of Northglenn, a suburb of theatrical productions, commercials, or reflect the genuine intention behind the kingdom. What a blessing to impact young Denver with a population of 30,000 people, movies. NYT works to give young actors story. lives.”

Voice 15 For more information about events these go please and to www.dordt.edu/events for schedules athletic Mar. 13 Feb. 13 Feb. 7 Feb. 6 Jan. 15-17 Mar. 5,7 Feb. 7 Feb. 14 Mar. 6 Mar. 10 Mar. 27 Jan 15 Jan. 9 B.J. Haan Auditorium Campus Activities Feb. 26-28 TePaske Theatre Theatre Jan. 23 B.J. Haan Auditorium Music Feb. 18-Mar. 8 Jan. 15-Feb. 15 Campus Center Gallery Art 7:30 p.m 7:00 p.m. 8:00 a.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 11:00 a.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 pm 7:30 pm 7:30 pm 7:30 pm

centuries for and purposes the it which used has been “ Annual Junior Exhibit Art Cross Purpose NISO Pops Concert NISO String Fever Campus-Community Band/Jazz Concert Choral Ensembles Concert Chamber Orchestra and Band Home Concert Tour Concert St. Vincent Travelogue Prairie Grass Screening Film Day of Encouragement Parklands Travelogue Enchanted April Prairie Grass Festival Film Convocation: Dr. Roy Clouser Enchanted April HortonRobert Organ Recital Mesoamerica Travelogue

WINTER 2009 VOLUME 54 NUMBER 2 ” -asampling of many the forms cross the has over taken the EVENTS e-mail to [email protected]. Fourth Ave. or Center, Sioux NE, IA 51250-1606 498 College, Dordt VOICE, to correspondence and corrections address Send college. the of needs to and activities, year programs, the per about information times share four published is The education. higher Christian of friends and alumni as you to sent is The Sioux Center, IA 51250-1606 498 Fourth Ave. NE Dordt College return service requested Voice , an outreach of Dordt College, College, Dordt of outreach an ,

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Voice Teaching with the election 8 John president vice Baas, for Jamin Ver Velde,design graphic Michael Byker, sports writer Jane Verwriter Steeg, staff Sarah Groneck, student writer Jongsma,Sally editor Contributors college advancement college Madelia, MN56062 U.S. PostagePaid Non-Profit Org. Permit No.4 Kimberly Senate begins Jongejan at 15 its work 3 work—honestly