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Week of New Theatre Cross Welcome DCC dept. country page move first place page 2 page 6 page 8 page 9 September 20, 2018 Issue 1 Follow us online Big Changes: Dordt to unveil new University logo Erika Buiter – Staff Writer work that needs to take place every summer just to keep this place operating like it needs to,” On May 13, 2019, Dordt College will become Dordt’s director of facilities and services Nate known as Dordt University—but before then, van Niejenhuis said. there is still work to be done. Dordt’s marketing In addition to their regular work, maintenance and communication office was behind the will be in charge of re-tagging the “Dordt original university announcement. Now, they College” signs on the red brick gateways, as are busy working toward the next big reveal— well as removing the pedestal signs in front announcing the new university logo during of the buildings. Signs will be taken to a Defender Days, a date which they chose very local contractor who will reface them with the intentionally. new logo. In addition, the banners along the “Defender Days is one of the biggest on- sidewalks and signposts in the parking lots will campus events of the year,” said Sarah Moss, be replaced. director of marketing and communication at Photo by Erika Buiter “A lot of the actual re-creating of the decal Dordt. “Approximately 1,200 alumni, parents, consultant to create the new logo. In mid-May, It’s not just students who want to see the will be done by an outside contractor,” van siblings and Dordt supporters visit campus, not they came to campus and held focus groups, logo—Dordt staff are eager for the reveal, too. Niejenhuis said. “The removal, repair, cleaning, to mention the students and employees already including two student groups. Jim Bos, registrar and director of institutional replacement and reinstallation will be handled on campus as well. It seemed like another “We wanted to make sure students were research, is preparing paperwork for the by our department. We will begin that as soon as opportunity to celebrate the university initiative involved in the focus groups because obviously name change, including IRS forms, possible possible immediately following our changeover. and to make sure people are aware of the logo their perception of what Dordt is should trademarks, and new transcripts and diplomas— Folks can anticipate that work being ongoing change. That’s really what we’re doing—raising influence what the logo looks like,” Moss said. all of which will have the new logo. Bos will throughout the summer.” awareness and having fun with it.” The responses of the focus groups were start the filing process for the name change in Van Niejenhuis will work with both outside The new logo will be revealed on Friday, Oct. analyzed and compiled into a brand assessment, January. For staff like Bos, the logo reveal contractors and the Athletics department on 19, in the Campus Center before “Late Night and over the summer, logo designs were received brings both work and excitement. two of the bigger changes—replacing the DC with the Defenders.” Some Dordt University and the deciding process began. While the student population—and staff—will cross on the football field and on the De Witt merchandise will be tossed out at the event. “Over the course of the summer we were only have to wait another month to see the new Gymnasium floor. Overall, though, he’s looking The logo change is by far the earliest and most able to present the logos to some students, logo, physical changes to campus will not appear forward to the change. important of the physical changes that will the administrative cabinet and the university until next summer. After the official change “I think there’s some mixed feelings,” van take place because of the change to University. initiative task force,” Moss said. to University on May 13, 2019, signs with Niejenhuis said. “I think we’re excited about Whatever the new logo is, it will be everywhere Student Government also recently saw some “Dordt College” or the “DC Cross” will have what the new is going to look like, and what it’s on campus. logo designs. But students should not get to go—and that’s going to be the Maintenance going to bring, and there’s a little nostalgia to Dordt administration tasked the marketing overeager this early on. Department’s job. see the old go. But at the end of the day, I think office with spearheading the logo design process. “We’re close, but there are still some aspects “The biggest challenge is that we have all of it’s a positive change for Dordt.” The marketing office contracted a designer and that need to be finalized,” Moss said. our ongoing maintenance, upgrading and repair Putting the she in STEM More than words on a page Evangeline Colarossi -- Staff Writer Before this age, students are not widely exposed to programming. These classes expose students Jenna Stephens -- Staff Writer “While the ability to read is important at all Dordt currently has thirty-five computer to scientific and computational thinking, which levels, research shows reading by the end of science majors. Only three of them are female. can be used across the board of majors. If you are paging through the Diamond, third grade is a critical predictor of success,” the Last year, there were none. “We push communication on our students, chances are you can read and comprehend overview of the Iowa Early Literacy Law states. While working on her doctorate, Professor though the stereotype is just sitting behind the words in front of you. The ability to read The law points to long term consequences of Sandouka is one of four women in her program. a screen programming all of the time,” is sometimes taken for granted once mastered. reading difficulties, such as dropping out of She is Dordt’s only female Computer Science commented Sandouka. But those first years of learning the alphabet and school. But the effects stretch far beyond a professor. Elizabeth Wilterdink is a freshman at sounding out syllables are vital in promoting diploma. The National Center of Women in Information Dordt, and one of the three women in the future success. Diversity in reading ability can be a Technology (NCWIT) partnered with Microsoft computer science program. Elizabeth’s father Iowa’s Governor Kim Reynolds recently challenge for teachers because children come to increase the diversity among IT programs. programmed computer games with her as she announced that the percentage of students in in to elementary school at a variety of places. These companies pooled money towards a grew up, and from a young age Elizabeth was kindergarten through third grade who met or Some are ready to read, some are not. The grant that will be used to focus on promoting drawn to computer science. surpassed reading standards rose to 70.5 percent home environment plays a significant role in the interest and involvement of IT within junior “I can see myself in a career of computer in the spring of 2018. This marked a 0.8 percent determining reading ability as exposure to high girls. science, it seemed like a very definite option,” increase since fall 2017, and added to the reading materials and simply being talked to “It’s about inspiration — it’s about insight,” Elizabeth said. now three year streak of rising rates in Iowa’s can influence their literacy later in life. said Linda Boff, chief marketing officer of In her free time, Elizabeth creates programs for students. Many Dordt students volunteer with the Owl’s General Electric. “If you show young girls her computer. She has made a program similar Despite this progress, the fact that almost 30 Nest program at the Sioux Center library. They women who have achieved in STEM, hopefully to Learn Mode on Quizlet, but specialized it to percent of Iowa’s K-3 students fail to reach the meet weekly, serving as one-on-one mentors for you’re showing them the pathway.” work with short questions and long answers, state’s benchmark reading standards pushes struggling readers. Professor Sandouka is using the NCWIT grant along with spaced repetition. She has also made teachers, parents, community members, and “Reading is important, because being able to through her appbuilding class during Dordt a program to help her memorize large chunks of legislators to do more. understand and evaluate the ideas around you Discovery Days. If a girl signs up for Dordt scripture word for word. “It’s like a vehicle for other learning,” said Dr. enables you to be more informed in the choices Discovery Days and chooses to take this class, Although Elizabeth has already seen the Gwen Marra, Professor of Education. “When you have to make in your daily life,” said they will find that the cost for their week of minority of females in her field of study, she you learn how to read and master that skill or Jennifer Breems, Director of Library Services camp has been covered by this grant. has no fear about her gender affecting a future develop proficiency, then it makes your learning at Dordt. “Reading can increase your empathy The number of girls that take App Building career. “I’m not worried about my chances of in other areas easier.” for other people and help you see things from has increased from one to eight over the past getting a job or being respected, as long as I put The Iowa Early Literacy Law, adopted in other people’s point of view.” three years.

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