The beginning of the 150th year of Calvin University is underway. A sense of starting fresh is to be found underneath the layers of chill air and soon-to-be- colorful foliage.
The 2025-2026 school year brings with it Calvin’s new football field, 1,000-plus new students according to Calvin News, and a monumental 150th year filled with celebrations across the university and even across the world.
Starting the year off strong after Labor Day weekend, the Calvin student body — featuring 3,600 students from over 60 countries around the world, according to Calvin News — returned to classes on Sept. 2. As classes began, a number of kickoff events on campus followed suit on campus, such as the annual church fair, Cokes & Clubs and Chaos Night, as well as the start of many clubs across campus..
Cokes & Clubs
At Cokes & Clubs, the semesterly event for students to browse clubs that may pique their interest, Chimes spoke with students about their general sentiments going into this semester.
For freshman Hayden Button, beginning to attend Calvin has been an experience like no other. For Button, being at Calvin has meant that “I’ve met more people in the last week than I have in the last six months. . . I’m very tired; I’m very happy. This is the most fun I’ve ever had at a school function.” This excitement going into the new year is apparent in all areas of campus life — freshmen and seniors alike are gearing up for all that will come with the new year.
Freshman Metti Altaye, while also enjoying her time on campus so far, has felt like she’s right where she’s meant to be. “I feel like the Lord has really purposely put me here — and even my roommates,” she said. “I feel very seen and heard so far.”
Chaos Night
Chaos Night took place on Friday night, preceded by Chant Night on Thursday. Chaos Night brings together every dorm to compete in a series of mental games and physical challenges to select a winner. This year, Bolt Heinz Timmer won, and Beets Veenstra claimed the win in the tug-of-war competition.
“Though RHET and SET do an amazing job at building dorm and floor culture, Chaos Night is a tradition that has history and can get everyone hyped up in a way that a new event isn’t always able to achieve,” Raena Boone, the NVW RA, said. Boone also explained that an event like this early in the year can help students feel a sense of belonging and promote dorm unity. Sam Smith, a member of the KHvR RHET, shared how important an event like this can be for freshmen and getting them involved with new people.
“It’s sad we lost, but overall the energy was much higher,” Smith told Chimes, in reference to Chaos Night last year. “As a returning person, it’s really cool. I didn’t get to play many games, but a lot of returners got to play in a few.”
Looking ahead
Many students are looking forward to all that lies ahead this year. For Vice President of Operations Meg Pheifer, looking ahead to all that is coming is just as important as reminiscing on good times past. Pheifer says that “it has just brought me so much joy to see all the faces of students — both returning and new students. It’s exciting to hear about where people have been over the summer, what they’ve been up to, and also what they’re looking forward to with this new school year.”
For seniors such as Pheifer, the 150th year of Calvin is their last year as college students. Reflecting on this, Pheifer says that she is “excited to celebrate the lasts and to really lean into community this year, to make new friends, to strengthen existing friendships, and just to enjoy all that senior year has to offer.”
Whether it’s your first year, your last year, or any of the in-betweens, Calvin has much to offer you this year — and even just this week. Jessica Pratt and Claire Cirocco will be performing on campus Sept. 10, the Black Student Union (BSU) cookout will be held on Sept. 12, and the Calvin Knights football team will play their first-ever on-campus game against Concordia University on Sept. 13.
