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{{Short description|Christian university in Grand Rapids, Michigan, US}}
{{for-multi|the Presbyterian university in South Korea|Calvin University (South Korea)|the Swiss secondary school|Collège Calvin}}
{{Use American English|date=September 2025}}
{{Infobox university
 | name                   = Calvin University
 | former_names           = Calvin College and Seminary (1876–1906)<br />John Calvin Junior College (1906–1931)<br />Calvin College (1931–2019)
 | image                  = Calvin College seal.svg
 | image_upright          = 0.7
 | motto                  = My heart I offer to you, O Lord, promptly and sincerely
 | religious_affiliation  = [[Christian Reformed Church in North America|Christian Reformed Church]]
 | established            = {{start date and age|1876|8|4}}
 | type                   = [[Private university]]
 | faculty                = 328<ref name="Faculty">{{Cite web | title = 2019 Fall Day 10 Report | publisher = Calvin University | url = https://calvin.edu/offices-services/enrollment-research/reports/archives/2019/2019-fall-census-day-10-report.pdf | access-date = April 6, 2020 | archive-date = April 6, 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200406162425/https://calvin.edu/offices-services/enrollment-research/reports/archives/2019/2019-fall-census-day-10-report.pdf | url-status = dead }}</ref>
 | president              = Gregory Elzinga
 | students               = 3,256<ref name="Enrollment">{{cite web |last1=Kucinski |first1=Matt |title=First-year Undergraduate And Graduate Enrollment Rising at Calvin University |url=https://calvin.edu/news/archive/first-year-undergraduate-and-graduate-enrollment-rising-at-calvin-university}}</ref>
 | city                   = [[Grand Rapids, Michigan]]
 | country                = U.S.
 | endowment              = $286.1 million (2024)<ref name=usnwr>{{Cite web | title = Calvin University | publisher = Calvin University/Plante Moran | url = https://calvin.edu/sites/default/files/2024-12/104600_Calvin_University_0624_FS_Audit_-_Publ.pdf| access-date = April 17, 2025}}</ref>
 | campus                 = Suburban, {{cvt|390|acre}}
 | athletics_affiliations = [[NCAA Division III]] – [[Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association|MIAA]]
 | sports_nickname        = [[Calvin Knights|Knights]]
 | colors                 = {{color box|maroon}}{{color box|gold}} Maroon and gold
 | academic_affiliations  = {{hlist
| [[Calvin Theological Seminary]]
| [[Council for Christian Colleges and Universities|CCCU]]
| [[Council of Independent Colleges|CIC]]
| [[International Association for Promotion of Christian Higher Education|IAPCHE]]
| [[National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program|Space-grant]]
}}
 | website                = {{url|https://calvin.edu/|calvin.edu}}
 | logo                   = Calvin univ full logo.png
 | logo_size              = 200
}}

'''Calvin University'''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://calvin.edu/vision2030/|title=Vision 2030|website=Calvin University|language=en|access-date=2019-07-09|last3=Info@calvin.edu|first3=(616) 526-6000 {{!}} 1-800-688-0122 {{!}}}}</ref><ref name="woodtv.com">{{Cite web|url=https://www.woodtv.com/news/grand-rapids/calvin-college-changing-to-university/|title=Calvin College changing to university|date=2019-07-08|website=WOODTV.com|language=en-US|access-date=2019-07-09}}</ref> is a [[Private university|private]] Christian university<ref name="woodtv.com"/> in [[Grand Rapids, Michigan]], United States. Founded in 1876, Calvin University is an educational institution of the [[Christian Reformed Church in North America|Christian Reformed Church]] and stands in the Reformed ([[Calvinist]]) tradition.<ref name=usnwr /> Known as '''Calvin College''' for most of its history, the school is named after [[John Calvin]], the 16th-century [[Protestant Reformation|Protestant Reformer]].
{{TOC limit|2}}

==History==
The [[Christian Reformed Church in North America]] founded the school on August 4, 1876, as part of Calvin College and Theological Seminary (with the seminary becoming [[Calvin Theological Seminary]]) to train church ministers. The college and seminary began with seven students, in a rented upper room on Spring Street, in [[Grand Rapids, Michigan]], with [[Geert Egberts Boer|Geert Boer]] as the docent. The initial six-year [[curriculum]] included four years of literary studies and two years of [[theology]]. In 1892, the campus moved to the intersection of Madison Avenue and Franklin Street (Fifth Avenue) in Grand Rapids. In September 1894, the school expanded the curriculum for those who were not pre-theological students, effectually making the institution a college preparatory school. In 1900, the curriculum further broadened, making it more attractive to students interested in teaching or preparing for professional courses at universities, and [[Albertus John Rooks|Albertus Rooks]] became the school's principal. In 1901, Calvin admitted the first women to the school.<ref name="History">{{cite web  | title = History  | publisher = Calvin University  | url = https://calvin.edu/about/history/ | access-date = 30 December 2016}}</ref>

In 1906, the literary department of the college became known as ''John Calvin Junior College'' and the college held its first commencement.<ref name="History"/> The student newspaper ''Chimes'' was first published in 1907.<ref name="AboutChimes">{{cite web  | title = About - Calvin University Chimes  | publisher = Calvin University Chimes  | url = https://calvinchimes.org/about/ | access-date = 28 May 2024}}</ref> Around 1910, the west Michigan cities of [[Muskegon]] and [[Kalamazoo]] fought to have Calvin relocate to their respective cities. Muskegon offered [[US$]]10,000 (approximately $260,000 in 2015 dollars) and a tract of land to attract the college. The city of Grand Rapids countered with its own $10,000 offer and the junior college chose to stay in Grand Rapids. In time, the two-year college became a four-year college. In 1917, John Calvin Junior College moved to the Franklin Street Campus, which was the southeast edge of Grand Rapids at the time. Two years later the college appointed its first official president, the [[John Hiemenga|Rev. J.J. Hiemenga]].

Then a year later, in 1920, the college officially transitioned into a four-year college following the liberal arts philosophy of the [[Vrije Universiteit|Free University]] in [[Amsterdam]] as laid out by Dutch theologian and statesman [[Abraham Kuyper]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Kuyper|first=Abraham|title=Lectures on Calvinism: The Stone Lectures of 1898|year=2008|publisher=Hendrickson Publishers|isbn=9781598562989|pages=197|url=http://www.reformationalpublishingproject.com/pdf_books/Scanned_Books_PDF/LecturesOnCalvinism.pdf|access-date=2013-08-26|archive-date=2013-04-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130418041707/http://www.reformationalpublishingproject.com/pdf_books/Scanned_Books_PDF/LecturesOnCalvinism.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> The next year the college awarded its first bachelor's degree. In 1924, with the opening of [[Grand Rapids Christian High School]], the college offered its last year of college preparatory education, turned its focus exclusively to higher education, and opened its first dormitory. In 1925, the college began a teacher training program and, in 1926, appointed its first female faculty member, Johanna Timmer, as Dean of Women. The college dedicated its library, the Hekman Library on March 8, 1928. The college later dedicated its seminary building at the Franklin Street Campus on October 29, 1930. Still under the leadership of Rev. Hiemenga the college faced significant trouble during the [[Great Depression]] as financial hardship beset the college.<ref name="rbkuiper">{{cite web|title=Rienk B. Kuiper|url=http://www.calvin.edu/hh/seminary_presidents/semm_pres_kuiper.htm|website=Calvin University|access-date=2 June 2015}}</ref>

Although the school grew slowly in those early years, by 1930 it had reached its pre-[[World War I]] size of 350–450 students. Like many colleges in the United States, the end of the war led to the fastest enrollment increase in Calvin's history. By 1950 the enrollment had climbed to 1,270 and Calvin joined the [[Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association|M.I.A.A.]] The enrollment increase led to space limitations at the Franklin Campus. William Spoelhoef became president of Calvin in 1951.<ref name="History" />

In 1956, the [[Synod]] of the Christian Reformed Church authorized the college to purchase the Knollcrest Farm from J.C. Miller for $400,000 (approximately $3.6 million in 2018). Located beyond the Grand Rapids city limits at the time, the Knollcrest farm increased Calvin's campus from approximately one large city block to {{convert|390|acre|ha|abbr=off}} with a {{convert|100|acre|ha|adj=on}} nature preserve. Many were reticent about the project and the college's ability to finance it, but Spoelhof pursued the initiative. The Theological Seminary was first to move to the new campus since it did not need to be close to the rest of the college, building a new academic building and holding classes there starting in 1960. As space constraints became more noticeable on the Franklin campus, the college built its first academic building on the Knollcrest Campus and first held classes there in 1962. For the next 10 years, the college continued to operate at both the Knollcrest and Franklin campuses, until fully transitioning to the Knollcrest Campus in 1973. During the latter decades of the 20th century, Calvin grew to around 4,200 students. In 1991, the seminary and the college established separate boards of trustees.

At the turn of the millennium, Calvin began several new construction projects. Among these were a new communications and political science building, a conference center and hotel. In 2006, Calvin announced an expansion of the Fieldhouse which was completed in the spring of 2009.<ref>{{cite web  | last = Anderson  | first = Myrna  | title = Calvin dedicates new fieldhouse | publisher = Calvin College  | date = 2009-02-24 | url = http://www.calvin.edu/news/2008-09/SFC-dedication/ | access-date = 2009-03-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110608130957/http://www.calvin.edu/news/2008-09/SFC-dedication/|archive-date=2011-06-08}}</ref> Shortly after, in 2010, Calvin completed an extensive renovation and expansion of the Fine Arts Center, thereafter rededicated as the Covenant Fine Arts Center.<ref>{{cite web|title=Vision & Priorities: Covenant Fine Arts Center|url=http://www.calvin.edu/campaign/priorities/fac/|work=The Campaign for Calvin College|publisher=Calvin College|access-date=26 August 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130531232749/http://www.calvin.edu/campaign/priorities/fac/|archive-date=31 May 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The school made national headlines in 2005 when [[President of the United States|US President]] [[George W. Bush]] served as commencement speaker. Reactions among students and faculty were mixed. According to ''[[The Washington Post]]'', more than 800 faculty members, alumni, students and friends of the school signed a full-page ad in the ''[[Grand Rapids Press]]'', saying that Bush's policies "...violate many deeply held principles of Calvin College."<ref name="Fletcher">{{cite news| url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/05/21/AR2005052100719.html | newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] | title=Bush Issues Call to Service at Michigan College | first=Michael A. | last=Fletcher | date=May 22, 2005 | access-date=April 28, 2010}}</ref>

In the summer of 2008, ''The Capella of Calvin College'', the concert choir of Calvin under the direction of professor [[Joel P. Navarro|Joel Navarro]], earned two third prizes in the Mixed and Free Category at the 37th Florilege Vocal de Tours Competition in [[Tours]], France.<ref name=florilege>{{cite web|title=2008 Choral Singing Competition's Prize List|url=http://www.florilegevocal.com/files/File/palmares_37eme_edition_GB.pdf|website=37th Florilege Vocal de Tours|access-date=2 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120325070827/http://www.florilegevocal.com/files/File/palmares_37eme_edition_GB.pdf|archive-date=2012-03-25|url-status=usurped}}</ref>

In August 2009, the college's board of trustees issued a controversial memo to all employees that said that faculty were prohibited from teaching, writing about, or advocating on behalf of [[homosexuality]] or homosexual issues such as [[same-sex marriage]]. Many faculty members were critical of the policy and of the way it was adopted without consultation by the board.<ref name="Memo">{{cite news  | last =Murray   | first =Dave   | title = Calvin College professors call for discussion about memo warning against homosexual advocacy  | newspaper = The Grand Rapids Press | date = August 28, 2009 | url = http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2009/08/calvin_college_professors_call.html }}</ref> The Faculty Senate, by a vote of 36–4, asked the Board to withdraw the memo.<ref>{{cite web|last=Harger|first=Jim (Oct. 1, 2009)|title=Calvin College Senate asks college to drop order on teaching about homosexuality and same-sex marriage|date=October 2009 |url=http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2009/10/calvin_college_faculty_senate.html|publisher=MLive.com|access-date=Jan 5, 2013}}</ref> The official policy of the college continues to be that the "proper place" for sexual relations is a "marriage relationship between a man and a woman".<ref>{{cite web |title=LGBT+ Students and Homosexuality FAQ |url=https://calvin.edu/events/sexuality-series/lgbt-homosexuality-faq.html?dotcmsredir=1 |access-date=11 November 2017 |website=Calvin University}}</ref>

In June 2012, the Synod of the Christian Reformed Church of North America voted to appoint [[Michael K. Le Roy]] as the president of Calvin College,<ref>{{Cite news | title = Calvin College's New President| work = Calvin College| date = June 12, 2012 | url = http://www.calvin.edu/admin/president/inauguration/| access-date = June 12, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120903013000/http://www.calvin.edu/admin/president/inauguration/|archive-date=2012-09-03}}</ref> succeeding President [[Gaylen J. Byker]]. Within months of assuming office, President Le Roy disclosed that Calvin faced a financial crisis, with $117 million in debt at the time.<ref>{{cite web|last=McVicar|first=Brian|title=Calvin College has $115 million in long-term debt, report shows|url=http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2013/03/calvin_college_financial_troub.html|work=mLive|access-date=26 August 2013|date=1 March 2013}}</ref> As part of the debt reduction plan, Calvin raised $25 million in eight months to reduce its long-term debt to $90 million. It continues to implement cost-cutting measures.<ref>{{cite web|last=McVicar|first=Brian|title=How Calvin College convinced donors to give $25 million for debt relief|url=http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2014/05/how_calvin_college_convinced_d.html|work=mLive|access-date=13 August 2015|date=11 May 2014}}</ref> In September 2015, four lightly enrolled majors were reduced to minors and one minor eliminated, marking the final step in academic division prioritization.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Le Roy|first1=Michael|title=Prioritization Process Update|url=http://www.calvin.edu/admin/president/finances/|website=Calvin College|access-date=31 December 2016|date=October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151010084929/http://www.calvin.edu/admin/president/finances/|archive-date=2015-10-10}}</ref>

Calvin College changed its name to Calvin University on July 10, 2019, a date that matches the 510th birthday of John Calvin, the college's namesake.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://calvin.edu/news/archive/calvin-university-coming-in-july-2019|title=Calvin University coming in July 2019|last=Kucinski|first=Matt|date=November 29, 2018|website=Calvin University|language=en|access-date=2019-08-29}}</ref> As an institution that already had numerous departments and centers, it was hoped that a name change to Calvin University would make the college more attractive to potential students as, internationally, colleges are considered a lower academic category than a university.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://calvinchimes.org/2018/10/05/calvin-to-become-university-by-2020/|title=Calvin admin. lays groundwork for university|last=Hofman|first=Michelle|date=October 5, 2018|website=Calvin College Chimes|access-date=2019-08-29}}</ref>

In 2021, the university ended several "underperforming" majors and minors, citing financial strain. The programs cut included the [[astronomy]] minor, [[Chinese language|Chinese]] major and minor, [[Classics|classical studies]] major and minor, [[Greek language|Greek]] minor, [[Latin]] minor, [[Dutch language|Dutch]] major and minor, [[German language|German]] major, and global development studies major and minor. This included dismissing tenured faculty members.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Ham|first=Harm Venhuizen & Abigail|title=Facing financial strain, university cuts programs, 2 tenured profs and facilities department|url=https://calvinchimes.org/2021/06/10/facing-financial-strain-university-cuts-programs-2-tenured-profs-and-facilities-department/|access-date=2021-12-03|website=Calvin University Chimes}}</ref>

President Le Roy announced he would step down on June 10, 2021.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Frick |first1=Melissa |title=Calvin University President Michael Le Roy announces resignation after 10 years |url=https://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/2021/06/calvin-university-president-michael-le-roy-announces-resignation-after-10-years.html |access-date=2022-03-28 |work=MLive |date=June 10, 2021}}</ref> On March 8, 2022, the Calvin University Board of Trustees announced the appointment of [[Wiebe Boer]] as the 12th president of Calvin College, succeeding Michael Le Roy.<ref>{{cite press release|last=Kucinski|first=Matt|date=March 28, 2022|title=Calvin University appoints Dr. Wiebe Boer as next president|url=https://calvin.edu/news/archive/calvin-university-appoints-dr-wiebe-boer-as-next-president|location=Grand Rapids, MI|publisher=Calvin University|access-date=2022-03-28}}</ref>

In July 2023, the university announced that it was acquiring the [[Compass College of Film and Media]] in the fall of 2023. It will become part of the university's communication school.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.highereddive.com/news/calvin-university-to-acquire-compass-college-of-film-media/685616/ |title=Calvin University to acquire Compass College of Film & Media |date=July 7, 2023 |first=Laura |last=Spitalniak |publisher=[[Higher Ed Dive]] |accessdate=July 7, 2023}}</ref>

In February 2024, Wiebe Boer resigned from the position of president facing allegations of "concerning and inappropriate conduct". Vice President of Advancement Gregory Elzinga was appointed interim president.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://calvinchimes.org/2024/02/26/breaking-calvin-university-president-wiebe-boer-resigns-concerning-and-inappropriate-conduct-alleged/ |title=BREAKING: Calvin University President Wiebe Boer resigns, "concerning and inappropriate" conduct alleged – Calvin University Chimes |date=February 26, 2024 |first=Savannah |last=Shustack |newspaper=Chimes |accessdate=February 26, 2024}}</ref> Boer and his wife Joanna retaliated in April with a federal lawsuit against Calvin University, alleging defamation and breach of contract, including a list of complaints against Calvin in its handling of his resignation and its actions prior.<ref>{{cite news|last=Shustack|first=Savannah|title=Wiebe and Joanna Boer sue Calvin for breach of contract, defamation|url=https://calvinchimes.org/2024/04/12/wiebe-and-joanna-boer-sue-calvin-for-breach-of-contract-defamation/|access-date=13 April 2024|newspaper=Chimes|date=12 April 2024}}</ref> In June, the Boers dropped their suit against Calvin. The Calvin Board of Trustees and the Boers issued a joint statement, saying that "the Board and the Boers had resolved the matter, and the Boers have dropped their legal actions."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/2024/06/former-calvin-university-president-and-wife-drop-lawsuit-against-school.html |title=Former Calvin University president and wife drop lawsuit against school |date =June 14, 2024 |first=John |last=Tunison |newspaper=MLive |accessdate=September 19, 2024}}</ref>

In October 2024, the Calvin board of trustees announced that Gregory Elzinga would serve as Calvin's 13th president after serving as the university's interim president since February 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-10-21 |title=Calvin University Announces the Appointment of Greg Elzinga as 13th President - News & Stories {{!}} Calvin University |url=https://calvin.edu/stories/calvin-university-announces-appointment-greg-elzinga-13th-president |access-date=2024-10-21 |website=calvin.edu |language=en}}</ref>

In November 2025, citing financial strain, president Gregory Elzinga announced a 12.5% reduction in faculty headcount within the next two years. As part of this reduction, the university also decided to eliminate the [[French language|French]] and [[sociology]] majors, as well as minors in [[German language|German]] and [[journalism]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sparling |first=Sarah |title=Budget cuts slash programs and faculty: Students react with grief and frustration |url=https://calvinchimes.org/2025/11/17/budget-cuts-slash-programs-and-faculty-students-react-with-grief-and-frustration/ |access-date=2025-11-17 |website=Calvin University Chimes}}</ref>

==Academics==
Calvin University is [[Higher education accreditation in the United States|accredited]] by the [[Higher Learning Commission]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Calvin College|url=http://www.ncahlc.org/component/com_directory/Action,ShowBasic/Itemid,/instid,1312/|work=The Higher Learning Commission|access-date=26 August 2013|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304095601/http://www.ncahlc.org/component/com_directory/Action,ShowBasic/Itemid,/instid,1312/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Calvin offers majors or minors in over 100 academic or pre-professional fields and ten graduate programs.<ref>{{cite web|title=Majors, Minors and Programs|url=http://www.calvin.edu/academics/majors-minors/|work=Calvin University|access-date=26 August 2013|archive-date=30 August 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090830164431/http://www.calvin.edu/academics/majors-minors/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Its most popular undergraduate majors, in terms of 2023 graduates, were:<ref>{{cite web |url=https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=169080#programs |website=nces.ed.gov |publisher=U.S. Dept of Education |title=Calvin University |access-date=May 26, 2024}}</ref>
::Engineering (79)
::Registered Nurse/Registered Nursing (66)
::Elementary Education & Teaching (40)
::Accounting (31)
::Computer Science (30)
::Lay Ministry (30)

Calvin is a member of the [[Council for Christian Colleges and Universities]]<ref name=cccu>{{cite web|title=Members & Affiliates|url=https://www.cccu.org/members_and_affiliates|work=Council for Christian Colleges & Universities|access-date=26 August 2013}}</ref> and as an institution in the [[Calvinism|Calvinist tradition]], subscribes to a robust theology that produces a high regard for participating in and forming culture.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.thefish.com/music/reviews/11617510/Newsflash%3a-Christian-colleges-discover-secular-music!/ | title=Newsflash: Christian colleges discover secular music! | publisher=[[Christianity Today International]] | access-date=November 29, 2011 | first=Kate |last=Bowman}}</ref>

===Admissions===

{{Infobox U.S. college admissions
|year              = 2021
|admit rate        = 91.6<br />(2,992 out of 3,267)
|admit rate change = 
|yield rate        = 24.6<br />(736 out of 2,992)
|yield rate change = 
|test optional   = yes
|SAT Total         = 1130-1330<br />(among 61% of [[freshman|FTFs]])
|SAT Total change  = 
|ACT               = 24-30<br />(among 24% of [[freshman|FTFs]])
|ACT change        = 
|float             = right
|ref               = <ref name="FallEnrollmentReport">{{cite web |url=https://calvin.edu/offices-services/effectiveness-analytics/CDS_2021-2022.pdf |title=Calvin University Common Data Set 2021-2022 |publisher=Calvin University |access-date=2022-11-17 |archive-date=2022-11-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221118040716/https://calvin.edu/offices-services/effectiveness-analytics/CDS_2021-2022.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>
}}

For the Class of 2025 (enrolled fall 2021), Calvin University received 3,267 applications and accepted 2,992 (91.6%). Of those accepted, 736 enrolled, a [[Yield (college admissions)|yield rate]] (the percentage of accepted students who choose to attend the university) of 24.6%. Calvin University's freshman [[University student retention|retention rate]] is 86%, with 77.1% going on to graduate within six years.<ref name="FallEnrollmentReport" />

Of the 61% of the incoming freshman class who submitted [[SAT]] scores; the middle 50 percent Composite scores were 1130–1330. Of the 24% of enrolled freshmen in 2021 who submitted [[ACT (test)|ACT]] scores; the middle 50 percent Composite score was between 24 and 30.<ref name="FallEnrollmentReport" />

Together with [[Michigan State University]], [[Michigan Technological University]], [[Wayne State University]], [[Hillsdale College]], [[Kalamazoo College]], and [[Hope College]], Calvin University is one of the seven college-sponsors of the National Merit Scholarship Program in the state. The university sponsored 5 Merit Scholarship awards in 2020. In the 2020–2021 academic year, 7 freshman students were [[National Merit Scholars]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nationalmerit.org/s/1758/images/gid2/editor_documents/annual_report.pdf|title=National Merit Scholarship Corporation 2019-20 Annual Report|publisher=National Merit Scholarship Corporation|access-date=December 19, 2022}}</ref>

===Core curriculum===

{{Infobox US university ranking
<!-- U.S. rankings -->| Forbes = 213
| USNWR_REG = 3
}}

Calvin has a core curriculum with four parts: Foundations, Competencies & Skills, Knowledge & Understanding, and Cross-Disciplinary Integrations. The average student takes 45 hours of core courses in the course of a four-year degree at Calvin, though engineering majors and students in other professional programs have flexible ways to meet core requirements because some majors now require a higher number of credits to confer a degree.

The ''Capstone'' course, generally taken during the senior year, draws together themes and concepts from the core curriculum. Some Capstone courses are intended for students of specific majors, while others may be unrelated to a student's chosen major(s) and minor(s), such as PHIL 205: Ethics, which can qualify as the capstone course for students of any major, including non-philosophy majors.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Core Curriculum – Calvin College – Acalog ACMS™ |url=https://catalog.calvin.edu/content.php?catoid=15&navoid=483 |website=catalog.calvin.edu}}</ref>

===Off-campus programs===
Calvin offers a large number of off-campus programs and ranks 2nd among baccalaureate institutions for the number of students who study abroad each year.<ref name="Study Abroad Ranking">{{cite web|title=Open Doors Data|url=http://www.iie.org/Research-and-Publications/Open-Doors/Data/US-Study-Abroad/Leading-Institutions-by-Institutional-Type/2013-14/|work=Institute of International Education|access-date=24 October 2016|archive-date=25 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161025110738/http://www.iie.org/Research-and-Publications/Open-Doors/Data/US-Study-Abroad/Leading-Institutions-by-Institutional-Type/2013-14/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

====Semester programs====
Calvin runs 11 of its own off-campus semester programs. These programs are led by Calvin faculty to ensure that students receive the same caliber of education that they would receive on campus. These programs are offered in the United Kingdom, China, France, Germany, Ghana, Honduras, Hungary, Peru, Spain, and [[Washington, D.C.]]<ref name="Off Campus">{{cite web|title=Off-Campus Programs|url=https://calvin.edu/offices-services/off-campus-programs/programs/semester-programs/|work=Calvin University|access-date=24 October 2016|archive-date=3 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170703234706/https://calvin.edu/offices-services/off-campus-programs/programs/semester-programs/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Additionally, Calvin works with numerous other colleges to offer dozens of other off-campus programs around the world.<ref name="Non-Calvin Programs">{{cite web|title=Non-Calvin Programs|url=https://calvin.edu/offices-services/off-campus-programs/programs/non-calvin-programs/|work=Calvin University|access-date=24 October 2016}}</ref>

====Off-campus interim====
Calvin also offers a variety of off-campus programs during the one-month interim term that takes place each May. In 2017, Calvin offered 33 different off-campus programs around the world (this number fluctuates slightly each year).<ref name="Off-Campus Interim">{{cite web|title=Off-Campus Interim|url=https://calvin.edu/offices-services/off-campus-programs/programs/interim-programs/all-interims/|work=Calvin University|access-date=24 October 2016|archive-date=25 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161025050646/https://calvin.edu/offices-services/off-campus-programs/programs/interim-programs/all-interims/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Campus==
[[File:Calvin aerial.jpg|thumb|Aerial view of Calvin's campus]]
Calvin acquired the {{convert|166|acre|km2|adj=on}} property in the mid-1950s and began a process of turning a biologically diverse farm into a center for Christian higher education.<ref>{{cite web|last=Rosendale|first=Lynn Bolt|title=50 Candles for Knollcrest|url=http://www.calvin.edu/publications/spark/2006/fall/knollcrest.htm|work=Spark|publisher=Calvin College|access-date=26 August 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131210191220/http://www.calvin.edu/publications/spark/2006/fall/knollcrest.htm|archive-date=2013-12-10}}</ref> The master plan for the site was developed in 1957 by William Beye Fyfe, an adherent of the [[Prairie School]] of architecture.<ref name=master>{{cite news|title=Master Plan designer dies|url=http://www.calvin.edu/publications/spark/fall01/fyfe.htm|access-date=20 March 2012|newspaper=The Calvin Spark|date=October 2001}}</ref> Working with President Spoelhof, Fyfe came up with a set of design principles for the campus aimed to symbolically represent and physically promote such ideals as the [[integration of faith and learning]]; integration of administration, faculty, and students; and the inter-relatedness of all the disciplines.<ref name="master" />

===Academic buildings===
Calvin has nine academic buildings on campus.

The first to be constructed was Hiemenga Hall, named after [[John Hiemenga]] and built in 1961. Hiemenga Hall houses academic departments including modern languages, [[history]], [[philosophy]], classical languages, gender studies, and [[theology|religion]]. The building also houses some programs and offices. It is connected to the campus chapel and the Spoelhof Center via tunnels.

The Spoelhof Center, named after president emeritus [[William Spoelhof]], houses the [[art]], [[education]], [[social work]] and [[sociology]] departments, the Office of the President, and several other administrative departments. The Gezon Auditorium is also housed in the Spoelhof Center. Dedicated in 1974, the Gezon Auditorium primarily serves as the main stage for the Calvin Theatre Company. Like the CFAC, it has flexible lighting and sound systems and serves as a venue for concerts, lectures and other events. The Spoelhof Center connects to the Science Building and Hiemenga Hall via tunnels.

The Science Building houses many of the science departments at Calvin, including [[engineering]], [[physics]], [[astronomy]], [[psychology]] and [[nursing]]. The building also includes half of the [[Calvin-Rehoboth Robotic Observatory]]. When there are favorable skies, the observatory is open to the public on most weeknights.<ref>{{cite web|title=Calvin Observatory|url=http://www.calvin.edu/academic/phys/observatory/|work=Physics and Astronomy|publisher=Calvin University|access-date=20 March 2012}}</ref> The Science Building is also distinctive for having been designed in the shape of a hexagon, emulating the [[benzene]] ring. In 2009, it was the backdrop for scenes of the film ''[[The Genesis Code]]''.<ref>{{cite news|last=Serba|first=John|title='Genesis Code' shoot on Calvin College campus has actors dressed in winter garb|url=http://www.mlive.com/entertainment/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2009/08/grand_rapids_hopefully_movie.html|access-date=7 April 2012|newspaper=The Grand Rapids Press|date=4 August 2009}}</ref>

Constructed in 1998, DeVries Hall houses classrooms, faculty offices, research labs and a greenhouse. In addition to the [[biology]] and [[chemistry]] departments, the building houses the West Michigan Regional Lab, a consortium between the college and local hospital, Spectrum Health.

Attached to DeVries Hall and the Science Building is North Hall, which houses several departments including [[economics]], [[business]], [[geology]], [[geography]], [[environmental studies]], [[computer science]], and [[mathematics]].

To the west of North Hall is the Engineering Building which consists of the Prince Engineering Design Center and the Vermeer Engineering Projects Center. The Engineering Building was constructed in 1999 and houses faculty and student research facilities, metal and wood shops, a wind tunnel, a three-dimensional printer, and an [[anechoic chamber]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Engineering Facilities|url=http://www.calvin.edu/academic/engineering/about/facilities/|work=Calvin College|access-date=26 August 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140406112734/http://www.calvin.edu/academic/engineering/about/facilities/|archive-date=2014-04-06}}</ref>

The Spoelhof Fieldhouse Complex, located on the north end of campus, houses a number of classrooms and the [[Kinesiology]] department. The fieldhouse underwent a major renovation and expansion in 2009.<ref>{{cite web|title=Spoelhof Fieldhouse Complex|url=http://www.calvin.edu/map/sfc/|work=Campus Map|publisher=Calvin University|access-date=26 August 2013|archive-date=28 August 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130828020701/http://www.calvin.edu/map/sfc/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The Covenant Fine Arts Center is one of the most recognizable buildings on campus, given its giant heptagon shape. Designed around the central auditorium, which seats 1,011, the CFAC houses the music and English departments. The CFAC auditorium is the preeminent musical performance space on campus featuring exceptional acoustics. At the back of the stage is the 39 rank, 32 stop mechanical action organ built by Schlicker Organ Company in 1966. Since its opening, the CFAC has hosted over 18,000 events. The auditorium is designed for versatility and is equipped with acoustical curtains, shifting acoustic deflection panels, a stage lift, and three catwalks. The building was closed for 2009–2010 for extensive remodeling.

[[File:Calvin Crossing in Winter.jpg|thumb|right|Calvin Crossing]]

In 2002, the DeVos Communication Center was constructed across the East Beltline Road. It is connected to west campus by the Calvin Crossing bridge. The building's upper-level houses department and faculty offices for both the political science and communications arts and sciences departments. Additionally, there is a suite of audiology and speech pathology classrooms and facilities including a working clinic. The lower level of the building features media production and consumption facilities such as the Bytwerk Video Theatre, an audio studio, [[sound stage]], control room, and editing suites for audio and video production. The ground floor features classrooms, a public atrium, and a snack shop.

In March 2021, the university began construction on a new building to house the Calvin University School of Business. The building resides on the east side of the campus, next to the DeVos Communication Center. The Business Department Chair envisions classrooms designed specifically for case studies, a new computer lab, breakout rooms, a hospitality area, seminars with local businesspeople, and study spaces.{{citation needed|date=August 2022}}

===Hekman Library===
Beginning in 1917 with 3,500 volumes, Calvin's "library room" eventually became the modern Hekman Library now holding over one million volumes.<ref>{{cite web|title=Library Statistics|url=https://library.calvin.edu/about/statistics|work=Hekman Library|publisher=Calvin University|access-date=20 November 2019}}</ref> The collection's emphasis is on works in the traditional liberal arts disciplines. The library's strongest collections are in [[Theology]], [[Religion]], [[American literature]], [[British literature]], and [[Philosophy]].

In terms of books, serial backfiles, and other paper materials held, Hekman Library, as of 2013, is the largest private academic library in the state.<ref>{{cite web|title=Hekman Library|url=http://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=biggest+libraries+in+michigan|access-date=22 May 2013}}</ref>

The H. Henry Meeter Center for Calvin Studies is located in the Hekman Library. The center specializes in John Calvin and Calvinism. With many rare items, books, manuscripts, articles and literature, the Meeter Center is the largest collection of Calvin materials in North America.<ref>{{cite web|title=Meeter Center|url=http://www.calvin.edu/meeter/about/|publisher=Calvin University|access-date=20 March 2012}}</ref>

===Athletic facilities===
The Spoelhof Fieldhouse Complex is home to the combined health, physical education, recreation, dance and sport department. In Spring 2007, the college began a $50 million construction project to renovate and expand the Calvin Fieldhouse. The fieldhouse reopened in Spring 2009 as the Spoelhof Fieldhouse Complex. The {{convert|362000|sqft|m2}} facility includes a new 5,000-seat arena ([[Van Noord Arena]]) which is currently the largest arena in a Division III school, an Olympic-regulation swimming pool (Venema Aquatic Center) which seats about 550, a tennis and track center (Huizenga Tennis and Track Center) containing 4 tennis courts and a 200-meter track, {{convert|14000|sqft|m2}} of weight training rooms and a custom made rock climbing wall.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://calvin.edu/athletics/facilities/|title=Athletic Facilities|publisher=calvin.edu|access-date=2019-04-05}}</ref> The Hoogenboom Health and Recreation Center contains the original renovated gym that is now used for basketball, volleyball, PE classes, intramurals, and concerts. The Hoogenboom Center has two dance studios as well as racquetball courts and exercise science laboratories.

===Chapel===
[[File:Calvin Chapel.jpg|thumb|left|Calvin University Chapel]]
Though always part of the master plan, the chapel was not built until the late 1980s. It holds daily services in a protected time slot to ensure that all students and faculty members are able to attend the 20 minute worship services if they so choose. Chapel services follow a weekly rhythm and each day of the week has a different theme (Believe, Behold, Belong, Be Still, and Be Loud).<ref>{{cite web|title=Chapel|url=http://www.calvin.edu/faith/worship/chapel.html|work=Calvin University|access-date=26 August 2013}}</ref>

Designed by GMB Architects, the chapel sits at the highest point of the academic circle and its spire rises above all of the academic buildings. Shaped as an octagon, with seating in the round, the chapel offers exceptional acoustics for both instrumental and vocal music, in addition to the spoken word. The chapel also features a large organ built by [[Dobson Pipe Organ Builders]]. The three manual instrument uses mechanical key action with a detached console. The facade pipes, made of 75% burnished tin, conceal some 2,500 pipes. In addition to the sanctuary, the chapel has small prayer rooms, meeting spaces, a kitchen, theatre storage and rehearsal spaces.

A tunnel system connecting to the Spoelhof Center creates an outdoor plaza at ground level and the multi-use Lab Theatre below. The Lab Theatre is a blackbox theatre built in 1988 as a part of the chapel building project.<ref>{{cite web|title=Theater Locations: Behind the Scenes|url=http://www.calvin.edu/academic/cas/ctc/theaters/more-info.html|work=Calvin Theatre Company|publisher=Calvin University|access-date=26 August 2013}}</ref>

===Bunker Interpretive Center===
The Bunker Interpretive Center is located in Calvin's nature preserve and serves as the home base for formal programs and an educational resource for the approximately 5,000 casual visitors that the Calvin University Ecosystem Preserve & Native Gardens receives annually. The Bunker Interpretive Center is Gold [[Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design|LEED]] certified.<ref>{{cite web|title=Calvin College Bunker Interpretive Center|url=http://www.usgbc.org/projects/calvin-college-bunker-interpretive-cente|work=U.S. Green Building Council|access-date=26 August 2013}}</ref>

=== Bruce Dice Mineralogical Museum ===
The Bruce Dice Mineralogical Museum is located on the first floor of North Hall. It opened in 2012 after a collection of over 300 minerals and fossils was donated by 1948 alumnus Bruce B. Dice. The Museum serves as a home for the collection and an outreach resource for local school and hobby groups, as well as hosting casual visitors during open hours. The Museum is known for its collection of Cretaceous fossils from Lebanon.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=University |first1=Calvin |last2=SE |first2=3201 Burton |last3=Grand Rapids |first3=Michigan 49546-4388 |title=Overview – Geo |url=https://calvin.edu/academics/departments-programs/geo/bruce-dice-mineralogical-museum/ |access-date=2022-10-20 |website=Calvin University |language=en}}</ref>

== Centers and institutes ==
Centers include the Calvin Center for Christian Scholarship (CCCS), the Calvin Center for Faith and Writing (CCFW), the Calvin Center for Innovation in Business (CCIB), the Center for Social Research (CSR), the H. Henry Meeter Center for Calvin Studies, and the Van Lunen Center: Executive Management in Christian Schools. Institutes include the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship (CICW), The Clean Water Institute (CWI), the Kuyers Institute for Christian Teaching and Learning, the Nagel Institute for the Study of World Christianity, and the Paul B. Henry Institute for the Study of Christianity and Politics.

==Student life==

===Student body===

In 2021, Calvin University had approximately 3,307 students, 54% female and 46% male.<ref name="Key Facts">{{cite web |title=Key Facts – About |url=https://calvin.edu/about/key-facts/ |access-date=20 March 2021 |website=Calvin University |language=en}}</ref> The average class size was 23 and there was a 13:1 student/faculty ratio.<ref name=classsizeandfacultystudentratio>{{cite web|title=Key Facts|url=https://calvin.edu/about/key-facts/|access-date=23 November 2016}}</ref> Michigan residents comprised 55% of the student body and 12% of the students were from other countries.<ref name=day10report>{{Cite web | title = Fall Census (Day 10) Report | publisher = Calvin University | url = https://calvin.edu/offices-services/enrollment-research/reports/ | access-date = 20 November 2019 | archive-date = 16 November 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181116023635/https://calvin.edu/offices-services/enrollment-research/reports/ | url-status = dead }}</ref> 224 full-time faculty taught at the college and 90.6% had obtained the terminal degree in their field.<ref name=day10report /><ref name="financialaid">{{cite web|title=Key Facts|url=https://calvin.edu/about/key-facts/#student-profile|website=Calvin University|access-date=23 November 2016}}</ref>

===Residence life===
Calvin has six residence halls on campus which house the majority of the [[freshman]] and [[Sophomore year|sophomore]] classes, as the college has a policy that requires most first and second year students to live on campus. First and second year students may live off-campus if they lodge with their parents, it has been more than two years since their high school graduation date, or if they qualify for a rare exception. The university also has two residence halls dedicated to upper-class housing, as well as eight upper-class apartment complexes on the east side of campus.<ref>{{cite web|title=Knollcrest East Apartments|url=https://calvin.edu/life-calvin/residence-life/housing-options/knollcrest-east-apartments|access-date=September 19, 2024}}</ref>

Kalsbeek-Huizenga-van Reken Hall houses three Living-Learning communities, each aligned with one of Calvin's signature Cohorts. Each Living-Learning floor has a specific theme and a co-ed residence structure, along with theme-specific programming and events. Students who wish to live on one of the three floors must usually submit a separate application the spring semester before moving onto the floor.<ref>{{cite web|title=
Residence Hall Communities|url=https://calvin.edu/residence-life/living-learning-communities/residence-hall-communities|access-date=September 19, 2024}}</ref>

One of the most notable events put on by residence life is "Chaos Day", during which the residents of each of the halls have their own theme, decorate their dorm, and dress in costumes to compete in a number of relay races and similar games.<ref>{{cite news|last=Struyk|first=Ryan|title=Underclassmen, dorm leadership rally for Chaos Day|url=http://www.calvin.edu/chimes/2012/09/06/underclassmen-dorm-leadership-rally-for-chaos-day/|access-date=26 August 2013|newspaper=Chimes|date=7 September 2012}}</ref> The dorm building Schultze-Eldersveld has traditionally dominated the Chaos Day competition and has the most victories of any hall.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Buitenhuis|first1=Ericka|title=45 Years of Chaos Day: The Making of Calvin's Coveted Competition|url=http://www.calvin.edu/chimes/2014/09/13/45-years-of-chaos-day-the-making-of-calvins-coveted-competition/|website=Chimes|access-date=31 December 2016|date=12 September 2014}}</ref>

===Student Activities Office and The Calvin Concert Series===
The Student Activities Office at Calvin plans and hosts many films, concerts, and lectures to foster cultural engagement and discernment in a Christian context. The Student Activities Office shows a wide variety of popular and lesser-known films throughout the year. Admission to these films, hosted in the Covenant Fine Arts Center, is $1.<ref>{{cite web|title=About Us|url=http://www.calvin.edu/sao/about-us.html|work=Student Activities Office|publisher=Calvin University|access-date=26 August 2013|archive-date=5 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005001725/http://www.calvin.edu/sao/about-us.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

[[File:Ben Harper at Calvin College.jpg|thumb|[[Ben Harper and the Innocent Criminals]] live at Calvin College, 2000]]

Calvin is also notable for its extensive concert series. Before each concert, Calvin hosts a question and answer session with students and the artist. These sessions are meant to give artists a way to converse with students about their music and art. Calvin has hosted a variety of acts including:<ref>{{cite web|title=Calendar|url=http://www.calvin.edu/sao/calendar/|work=Student Activities Office|publisher=Calvin University|access-date=30 December 2016|date=September 2016|archive-date=23 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161023151759/http://calvin.edu/sao/calendar/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Fun., Switchfoot, Death Cab for Cutie, Sufjan Stevens, MuteMath, Gungor, MGMT, the Soil & the Sun, Twin Forks, Ingrid Michaelson, Home Free, Regina Spektor, Over the Rhine, Anberlin, Jon Foreman, Peter Rollins and David Bazan, Kishi Bashi, All Sons & Daughters, NEEDTOBREATHE, Shad, Miracles of Modern Science, Diego Garcia, San Fermin, The Brilliance, Delorean, Pop Scholars, Okkervil River, The Head and The Heart, The National, Julianna Barwick, Lone Bellow, The Milk Carton Kids, Lily & Madeleine, and Lecrae. The January Series also offers a wide selection of authors, singers, and musicians.

Because of its extensive and varied concert series, the Student Activities Office has faced controversy over the years. In September 2010, the college canceled a concert by Canadian indie rock band, [[The New Pornographers]]. According to an official statement released by Calvin, the concert was cancelled after several complaints were made due to the band's name referring to pornography.<ref>{{cite news|title=Calvin College CANCELS New Pornographers Concert Over Band's Name|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/09/15/calvin-college-cancels-ne_n_717494.html|access-date=26 August 2013|newspaper=Huffington Post|date=15 September 2010}}</ref> [[Fun (band)|Fun.]]'s advocacy of gay marriage was also met with significant controversy when Calvin hosted them in 2012.<ref name="Fun. Concert Controversy">{{cite web|last=Struyk|first=Ryan|title=Role of gay marriage advocacy at Fun. concert raises concerns|url=http://www.calvin.edu/chimes/2012/10/31/role-of-gay-marriage-advocacy-at-fun-concert-raises-concerns/|access-date=July 9, 2013}}</ref>

===Safety===
Campus security and parking policy enforcement services are provided by Calvin University's Campus Safety Department. Some Calvin University campus safety officers have been armed with firearms since 2008,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.campussafetymagazine.com/news/calvin-college-officers-to-carry-firearms/|title=Calvin College Officers to Carry Firearms|date=2008-04-16|website=Campus Safety Magazine|language=en|access-date=2019-08-29}}</ref> a decision that the Campus Safety Department director William Corner describes as a response to concerns that the college was not adequately prepared to respond to a similar event following the 2007 Virginia Tech campus shooting.<ref name="calvinchimes.org">{{Cite web|url=https://calvinchimes.org/2016/11/05/calvin-a-model-for-armed-campus-safety-officers-at-christian-colleges/|title=Calvin a model for armed campus safety officers at Christian colleges|last=Hughey|first=Maddie|date=November 5, 2016|website=Calvin College Chimes|access-date=2019-08-29}}</ref> Initially, only Campus Safety supervisors who were former law enforcement and fully licensed to carry firearms on a school campus were permitted to carry firearms on Calvin's campus. At that time, all campus safety supervisors were issued collapsible batons, chemical spray, and handcuffs as standard policy, even if they were not armed with a firearm.

At the time and until 2017, non-supervisory Campus Safety officers were student employees who performed their duties unarmed. In 2017, the Campus Safety Department discontinued hiring students for non-supervisory campus safety officer roles, electing instead to hire former law enforcement officers who were licensed to carry firearms on campus. The department continued to employ students as dispatchers, building security officers, and customer service staff. The Campus Safety Department director, William Corner, stated that student officers were not fully qualified for the risk level of some of the incidents they were responding too. "We were putting the students in positions that, honestly, I was not comfortable with for their safety and their level of experience."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://calvinchimes.org/2017/09/29/campus-safety-increases-staff-student-hires/|title=Campus safety increases staff, hires fewer students|last=Butler|first=Hannah|date=September 29, 2017|website=Calvin College Chimes|access-date=2019-08-29}}</ref>

In September 2014, full-time, non-student Calvin College campus safety personnel began wearing body cameras while on duty. Officers are required to turn on the cameras in specific circumstances.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://calvinchimes.org/2014/09/25/campus-safety-recordings-hold-both-sides-accountable/|title=Campus Safety recordings hold both sides accountable|last=Bullis|first=Jenny|date=September 25, 2014|website=Calvin College Chimes|access-date=2019-08-29}}</ref>

In 2016, Calvin College was described as being a model for the arming of campus security staff at other smaller college institutions in the United States.<ref name="calvinchimes.org"/>

A Calvin College campus safety supervisor was criminally charged with "reckless use of a firearm" after a November 2016 on-duty incident.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/2017/02/calvin_campus_safety_patrol_su.html|title=Calvin campus safety patrol supervisor charged over gun incident with pedestrian|last=Tunison|first=John|date=February 16, 2017|website=mlive.com|language=en-US|access-date=2019-08-29}}</ref> The armed supervisor, Lee Swafford, allegedly did not fire his duty firearm in the incident that resulted in his arrest, but after a routine review of body camera footage by the Campus Safety Department director, William Corner, the college placed Swafford on administrative leave pending the outcome of an internal investigation. After the investigation, Calvin College dismissed Swafford on December 6, 2016. The college forwarded its evidence to the Grand Rapids Police Department and Kent County prosecutors then laid charges in February 2017. After the police issued a warrant for his arrest, Swafford turned himself in and was released on bail.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://calvinchimes.org/2017/02/15/campus-safety-officer-charged/|title=Former campus safety officer charged with misdemeanor|last=Hughey|first=Maddie|date=February 16, 2017|website=Calvin College Chimes|access-date=2019-08-29}}</ref> In an open letter to college students, faculty, staff and visitors, college president Michael Le Roy described the officer's actions as "deeply disappointing to me." He also stated that the incident had involved a campus visitor, not a student or staff member.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://calvin.edu/dotAsset/0b0c3205-a868-4753-884f-50c11e586217.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=2019-02-03 |archive-date=2019-02-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190203143719/https://calvin.edu/dotAsset/0b0c3205-a868-4753-884f-50c11e586217.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> Swafford pled guilty to a misdemeanor charge of reckless use of firearms on June 5, 2017 and was sentenced to a $300 fine.

Calvin University implemented a "one button" campus lockdown system in 2017. The new [[UTC Climate, Controls & Security|Lenel]] system can lock down every exterior door on the college campus with the push of a single button. The college has also offered active shooter response training to some staff and students.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://calvinchimes.org/2017/10/13/calvin-prepared-for-active-shooter/|title=Calvin prepared for active shooter|last=Ford|first=Peter|date=October 13, 2017|website=Calvin College Chimes|access-date=2019-08-29}}</ref>

==Athletics==
{{Main|Calvin Knights}}

Calvin University fields 10 men's and 11 women's intercollegiate teams and several club sports, known as the [[Calvin Knights]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Sports & Recreation|url=http://www.calvin.edu/community/sports.html|work=Calvin University|access-date=26 August 2013|archive-date=9 August 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130809051415/http://www.calvin.edu/community/sports.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> Men's volleyball became the 22nd varsity sport in the 2023–2024 school year.<ref>{{cite press release|url=https://mcvl.org/sports/mvball/2022-23/releases/20230404k9xzmp |title=Calvin University to Become MCVL's Tenth Member in 2024 |publisher=Midwest Collegiate Volleyball League |date=April 5, 2023 |access-date=April 19, 2023}}</ref>

==Publications==
Students at Calvin publish a weekly student newspaper, ''Chimes'',<ref>{{cite web|title=TCalvin Chimes|url=https://calvin.edu/offices-services/student-organizations/calvin-chimes|publisher=Calvin University|access-date=20 November 2019|archive-date=9 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200809234612/https://calvin.edu/offices-services/student-organizations/calvin-chimes|url-status=dead}}</ref> and a biannual journal of arts and letters commentary, ''Dialogue''. A yearbook, ''Prism'', is also published for each school year. Student filmmakers have also made many short films and videos, like the popular [http://vimeo.com/11201881 Lipdub at Calvin College] and the super-low-budget adaptation of Homer's ''[[Iliad]]'', ''Meynin'', both in 2010.

The school distributes ''Knightfile'', a seasonal magazine on sports at the college,<ref>{{cite web|title=Knightfile|url=http://www.calvin.edu/publications/knight/|publisher=Calvin College|access-date=20 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120127141026/http://www.calvin.edu/publications/knight/|archive-date=27 January 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> ''Uncompressed'', a cultural discussion publication, and ''Spark'',<ref>{{cite web|title=The Calvin Spark|url=http://www.calvin.edu/spark/|publisher=Calvin University|access-date=20 March 2012|archive-date=17 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120317220121/http://www.calvin.edu/spark/|url-status=dead}}</ref> a magazine for alumni and friends.

==Notable alumni==
{{main category|Calvin University alumni}}
{{div col|colwidth=30em}}
*[[M.I Abaga]], Nigerian musician
*[[David Agema]], 1971, Republican National Committeeman
*[[William Brashler]], author of ''The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars and Motor Kings''<ref>{{Cite web |title=William Brashler Collection, 1968–1993 &#124; Heritage Hall, Hekman Library |url=https://archives.calvin.edu/?p=collections/findingaid&id=21&q=&rootcontentid=9146 |website=archives.calvin.edu}}</ref>
*[[Meindert DeJong]], a Dutch-born American writer of children's books who won the Hans Christian Andersen Award
*[[Betsy DeVos]], former chair of the Republican party in Michigan and former Secretary of Education<ref>{{cite web|last1=Westervelt|first1=Ed|title=Trump Chooses Betsy DeVos For Education Secretary|url=https://www.npr.org/sections/ed/2016/11/23/499642077/trump-chooses-betsy-devos-for-education-secretary|website=nprEd|access-date=31 December 2016|date=23 November 2016}}</ref>
*[[Keith DeRose]], Allison Foundation Professor of Philosophy at Yale University
*[[Richard DeVos]], founder of Amway and Orlando Magic CEO
*[[Peter DeVries]], 1931, editor and novelist
*[[William K. Frankena]] 1930, moral philosopher, chairman U. of Michigan philosophy department, distinguished alumnus
*[[Wayne Huizenga]], businessman (attended)
*[[Bill Huizenga]], U.S. Congressman
*[[Peter Kreeft]], professor of philosophy and theology at Boston College
*[[Marc Evan Jackson]], 1992, actor and comedian
*[[Paul Ronald Lambers]], [[Medal of Honor]] Recipient – [[Vietnam War]]<ref>{{cite web|url= http://hollandmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Medal-of-Honor-Brochure.pdf |title=HOLLAND'S CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR RECIPIENTS |publisher=Holland Museum  |access-date=2022-03-28}}</ref>
*[[David LaGrand]], 1988, Mayor of Grand Rapids and former Michigan State Representative
*[[Todd Martinez]], 1989, theoretical chemist and professor
*[[Chris Molnar]], writer, editor and publisher of [[Archway Editions]]
*[[Kunle Olukotun]], father of the multi-core processor, Stanford computer science professor 
*[[Jeannine Oppewall]], 1968, Academy Award-nominated production designer
*[[Alvin Plantinga]], theistic contemporary philosopher of religion
*[[Derk Pereboom]], 1978, philosopher and Susan Linn Sage Professor at [[Cornell University]]
*[[Patricia Rozema]], 1981, filmmaker
*[[Kenneth L. Ryskamp]], 1951, U.S. Federal District Judge
*[[Paul Schrader]], 1968, Academy Award-nominated screenwriter and filmmaker
*[[Wessel H. Smitter]], novelist
*[[Carl Strikwerda]], president of [[Elizabethtown College]]
*[[Jay Van Andel]], businessman, co-founder of Amway
*[[John Van Engen]] 1969, professor of history and [[Haskins Medal]] winner
*[[Jon Vander Ark]], president of [[Republic Services]]
*[[David L. Vander Meulen]], professor of English at the [[University of Virginia]] and editor of the journal of the [[Bibliographical Society of the University of Virginia]] 
*[[John Witte Jr.]] 1982, [[Robert W. Woodruff Professor]] at [[Emory University School of Law]]
{{div col end}}

==Notable faculty==
{{div col|colwidth=30em}}
*[[Lionel Basney]], Professor of English, poet, author, critic
*[[Johannes Broene]], 1908–1925 teaching primarily in Philosophy and Education; also classes in History, Civics, Government, Chemistry, and Psychology
*[[Brian Diemer]], 1986–Present, Head Cross Country Coach
*[[Kristin Kobes Du Mez]], Professor of History, author of ''[[Jesus and John Wayne]]''
*[[Vern Ehlers]], 1966–1982, Professor of Physics, served as U.S. Representative from Grand Rapids
*[[John E. Hare]], 1989–2003, Professor of Philosophy
*[[Paul B. Henry]], 1970–1978, Professor of Political Science
*[[William Harry Jellema]], 1920–1936, 1948–1963 founder of Calvin's Philosophy Department
*[[George Marsden]], 1965–1986, 2010–present, Professor of History
*[[Richard Mouw]], 1968–1985, Professor of Philosophy
*[[Damaris Seleina Parsitau|Damaris Parsitau]], first African Woman President of the African Association for the Study of Religion and its Diaspora (AASR) and the first African Woman Director of the Nagel Institute for the Study of World Christianity at Calvin
*[[Alvin Plantinga]], 1963–1981, Professor of Philosophy
*[[H. Evan Runner]], 1951–1981, Professor of Philosophy
*[[Gary D. Schmidt|Gary Schmidt]], 1986–2023, Professor of English, awarded two [[Newbery Medal|Newbery Honor]] awards for his young-adult fiction
*[[James K.A. Smith]], 2002–present, Professor of Philosophy
*[[William Spoelhof]], 1946–1951, Professor of History and Political Science
*[[Ralph Stob]], 1915–1964, Professor of Classics
*[[Howard J. Van Till]], emeritus Professor of Physics
*[[Nicholas Wolterstorff]], 1959–1989, Professor of Philosophy
{{div col end}}

==See also==
* [[List of presidents of Calvin University]]
* [[Cornelius Van Til]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{ccat}}
* {{oweb}}
* [https://calvinknights.com/ Athletics website]

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