It’s a family thing... Matt Lind Glen Wierenga still has his five-digit student number from 1969. That’s when he first started at Calvin, but now Glen has returned as a full time student to pursue a degree in secondary education. His two daughters, Heather and Kristin are also Calvin students. Glen started at Calvin in 1969, but dropped out several years later for a good job opportunity. “One of the biggest changes that I can think of is voluntary chapel. When I was first here it wasn’t voluntary. They would take pictures of you to see if you were in your seat...It’s very positive going to chapel now,” said Glen. Glen has returned to college because he feels it is something he has to do. “It’s a calling that I have,” said Glen, “In order to follow up on it, this is what I have to do.” He hopes to become a high school history or psychology teacher. Glen said the students seem more dedicated than in the 1960s and professors seem to be more conscientious of the students’ needs. “In the past, [class] seemed to be more concentrated around the professor,” Glen said. None of the Wierengas feel that it is particularly strange that all three of them go to school together. According to Heather, a senior elementary education major: “I think it’s cool. Seeing as how I was the first one here, and my sister came last year, I don’t see how it’s changed. If I were in high school and you told me that I was going to go to college with my dad, I might have had some problems, but now, I’m very accepting of that fact. I don’t mind talking to him when I’m around my friends,” Heather said. Heather’s sophomore sister Kristin said, “I’ve noticed that when I tell people about my dad, it’s kind of shocking. It’s not a negative response, but people are really surprised.”Glen told his daughters they could call him “Glen” if they saw him around campus, Kristin said. “I think it takes a lot of courage for him to do what he wants to do,” said Kristin. Kristin’s dad has a professor she had last semester, so the two talk about the course. “When I started out, I was very concerned that [Heather and Kristin] would be uncomfortable with this,” Glen said. “I initially started taking courses at the Grand Rapids Community College, and the plan was to eventually go to Calvin and finish my degree. It wasn’t like I just announced, ‘Okay girls, I’m going to Calvin this fall.’ They were always well aware of what my plans were,” he said. All three feel like they have gotten a lot of support from within their families and within their community. Glen’s wife, Mary, is a nurse at the Orthopedic Associates in Grand Rapids and attended Calvin. According to Glen: “One important thing about her, is that she has been a great, support, help, stand-along-side person. I’m really grateful. It was never a problem with her.” “What I’ve heard from friends, people and church gives us support,” said Glen, “I’ve never heard any negative comments... It’s just reassuring to hear people give encouragement.” Halloween, Hallowed’s eve, All Saint’s Day and Reformation Day are all celebrated around or on October 31, but Calvin does not celebrate one designated holiday. If Halloween is celebrated, it is a dorm based activity, said John Witte, the assistant dean of residence life. When it comes down to the policy of the administration, Witte said: “We don’t celebrate it.” Calvin students are neither discouraged nor encouraged to celebrate the holiday. Activities like Halloween parties and Light in the Night continue because in the past they have never shifted towards satanic practices. The activities are held to promote safe alternatives for holiday fun. Even if students have not been encouraged or discouraged to celebrate Halloween, Calvin does focus on the harvest theme with activities like Fall Music Festival. All Saints Day will be celebrated in Monday’s chapel service. Chaplain Dale Cooper explained that All Saints Day gives thanks for people’s lives and remembers those who have died. Specifically, people immediately connected to the Calvin community will be remembered at the celebration.