IN OTHER FEATURES:
Feminists remain active

In a place called Rehoboth

Boonstra has served as the Theological and Seminary Librarian at Calvin for 10 years.

“Among the most significant experiences has been the contact with international students,” he said. “I have been greatly enriched by getting to know them.” Boonstra leaves Calvin with many memories and experiences. “I’m enjoying my final year, but am also looking forward to being involved in projects I’ve not had sufficient time.”

Conrad Bult

Bult has been helping students in the library since the fall of 1965. He has served as Reference Librarian, and for the last several years as both the Reference Librarian and Assistant Library Director for College-related matters. “My best memories are working with students on a variety of topics too numerous to mention,” said Bult. “[I leave Calvin with] a curious blend of soberness and happiness.”

Philip Holtrop

Holtrop has been teaching various religion courses at Calvin for the past 22 years. During this time, Holtrop has seen the Calvin student body grow and change. “The student body has changed immensely, from largely ‘Dutch’ students, CRC types, to a more diversified group, from all kinds of backgrounds,” he said. “This makes teaching interesting in our department.” After retirement, Holtrop plans to continue his research in Calvin studies and Christianity and culture, the early post-reformation and particular doctrinal areas. Holtrop would also like to teach Christian theology for information in China.

Gordon Van Harn

Van Harn is completing his 38th year at Calvin. He began his career as part of the Biology department at Calvin in 1961, teaching courses in Animal Physiology and researching in this area as well. From 1982 to 1985, Van Harn served as Academic Dean for the divisions of Natural Science and Mathematics and the Division of the Contextual Disciplines. Among his fondest memories, he counts his wonderful colleagues, students who are serious about their studies and fine persons, and a great calling with continuing challenges. Considering his feelings on leaving, Van Harn said, “My feelings are gratitude for what Calvin has contributed to my own development, thankful for the development of the college in the last 38 years, confident that it is in good hands, relieved that I do not have specific responsibilities for the welfare of the college in the next 38 years, and [I] anticipate the time for setting my own schedule of activities.”

Thomas Ozinga

Ozinga, professor of Communication, is in his 36th year at Calvin. He started in September, 1963: “This was two months before President John F. Kennedy — who had thrilled me and thousands of other students on the University of Michigan campus when he stood in front of the Michigan Union to launch the Peace Corps — was assassinated,” he said. Ozinga spent his first 14 years in what was then called the Speech Department, teaching various Communication courses. In 1977, he moved to the administration to become Calvin’s Director of College Relations, a new position that focused on public relations. “During my 13 years as an administrator, the Speech Department became the Communications Department. I returned to the classroom in my ‘new’ department in 1990, where I have spent the last nine years teaching a variety of courses and running the internship program.

“God has given me many happy years at Calvin, but now it is time to retire,” said Ozinga. “I am eager to be freed from rigid schedules and plan to explore many volunteer opportunities in the community.”

Roger Griffioen

Griffioen has been at Calvin for 38 years. From 1985 to 1992 he served as Academic Dean for the divisions of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, and Contextual Disciplines.

“When I came to Calvin there was no Physics Department, and now we have one of the finest departments of any liberal arts college in the country,” he said. “I experienced the move from the Franklin campus to the Knollcrest, and was involved in the planning of the original building; during the past two years I have been involved in the planning for the new Life Sciences Building. One of the major joys of being a faculty member is seeing former students who have gone into many varied careers throughout the country, and in other countries, and see them providing a positive Christian influence, as well as professional competence, in whatever they are doing.

“I have very mixed feelings,” said Griffioen about his departure from Calvin. “Since I have been at Calvin for 38 years on the faculty as well as for four years as a student, it has been a major part of my life. In some ways I am looking forward to retiring, but I certainly plan to remain active in the physics department and the college, as well as some other activities which are planned.”

Carl Mulder

“Twenty-two years is a long time to work in the same place at the same job,” remarked Mulder. “But diversity of task can well serve as motivator and provide job satisfaction.” In the Education Department, Mulder met varied opportunities — teaching education courses, as well as planning programs and advising in the master’s program in school administration.

“The memory that will linger with me is the many excellent students/young adults that I was able to get to know while here,” said Mulder. “Working as faculty mentor with the ASCD Executive Board has engraved that thought in my mind. Yet, leaving here is something which I am eager to do. Committee meetings are getting in the way of caring for my flower gardens. If you keep paying your social security I will be able to continue my volunteer teaching which I enjoy so much. And tight teaching schedules get in the way of the time I want to spend with my grandchildren. So, thanks for 22 good years at Calvin.”

Carl Kaiser

Kaiser has been a Music professor for 22 years. He considered “achieving tenure and performing Schubert’s song cycle ‘Die Winterreise (Winter’s Journey)’” his most outstanding memories and experiences at Calvin.

His feelings about leaving Calvin are of “anticipation: the five-day-a-week grind is too much now!”