February 19, 1999 Calvin College Chimes
IN OTHER NEWS: Homecoming brings students, alumni together Course requirements to be changed in 2000 Knight club gains popularity, increases spirit English professor awarded for exemplary teaching Airband ’99: Performing is more important than winning		Some zany homecoming ideas ditched for reality photo courtesy Vandenbroek Dean of Student Development Bob Crow and Acting Vice President of Student Life David Hoekema joined 28 Calvin students in jumping through the ice into the Seminary pond on Monday. The first 25 students received a free Calvin towel. Sources report that the crowds began to thin when Hoekema derobed for his jump, but they soon returned when Crow was ready to spring. “It was like beauty and the beast,” said one witness. By Sarah Potter EDITOR IN CHIEF Randy Buursma can just picture it. The Calvin students and alumni packed into the Calvin Natatorium -- not to watch a swim meet (although that would be nice) -- but to watch the annual homecoming synchronized swimming competition. “I think it would be a real hoot to watch,” Buursma said. The synchronized swimming event, along with many other ideas was abandoned by the Homecoming Committee, which Buursma has served on for several years. Although we may never participate in a campus-wide sand castle building competition, these “reject ideas” provide insight into the enormous planning efforts that go into homecoming. For example, the Homecoming Committee has tried to show Jaws in the pool. That idea never became reality because of complications with lifeguards and the video being ruined due to the moisture. Under a Valentine’s day theme several years ago, the committee tried to hold a Calvin-style Studs or Dating Game show (“there’s just not enough studs at Calvin,” said Buursma). Some ideas never pan out because of weather complications. “An idea that got scrapped was to have a snow sculpting contest between the residence halls, as well as skating night on the pond and sled riding down the hill by the baseball field,” said Dean of Student Development Bob Crow. Last year’s homecoming committee, under the theme of “Summer Knights” tried to coordinate a pep rally, beach volleyball, a parade and even a fight song. The planners of homecoming are often discouraged because not very many students attend the events that do happen. “I think we need more natural enthusiasm,” said Buursma. Those who jumped: Jodi Finkbiner Amy Juenger Hannah Hutton Maureen Mkolesia Tara Vander Molen Amy Boersen Linde VanDenBerg Amber Hoekstra Christy DeHoog Cheri Swier Nikki Luurtsema Erika Thomson Kellie Brady Sarah Brink Berniz Constanza Melissa Wiersum Derek Kleinheksel Paul Schoppe Erin Gilmartin Tim DeJonge Matt Rip Mitch Disselkoen Matt Lisser Dace DeKruis Jon Ippel
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