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Calvin University's official student newspaper since 1907

Calvin University Chimes

Since 1907
Calvin University's official student newspaper since 1907

Calvin University Chimes

Calvin University's official student newspaper since 1907

Calvin University Chimes

All content by Bethany Cok
Professor Christiana deGroot speaks to reporters at the convocation. Photo courtesy calvin.edu

Handlon program holds first convocation

Bethany Cok
May 7, 2016

It’s a sight not often seen in prison visiting rooms: students clad in blue and orange mingling with robed college faculty and board members and representatives from the Michigan Department of Corrections. Good-natured...

Photo courtesy calvin.edu

Inmates in ministry program engaged in asking questions

Bethany Cok
April 7, 2016

“We’re going to start with a quiz,” announced Calvin religion professor Christiana deGroot, “so everyone clear your desks.” There were some groans, as well as an enthusiastic “Let’s go,”...

Photos Courtesy Active Minds Facebook

Out of the Shadows: Students speak out about mental health disorders at Calvin

Bethany Cok
February 20, 2016

Nearly all of fall semester, there was a statistic written on the sidewalk outside the fieldhouse: “One in four college students suffers from a mental disorder.” Chimes sat down with students and staff...

Mental Illness should be discussed in community

Bethany Cok
February 19, 2016

Mental health disorders at Calvin are certainly not a taboo topic, but they are an uncomfortable one. All too often, struggles with depression and anxiety, psychiatric hospitalizations and discussions...

“We Stand Together”: Calvin College shows solidarity against displays of racism

“We Stand Together”: Calvin College shows solidarity against displays of racism

Bethany Cok
November 25, 2015

The image of a swastika and the words “white power,” scrawled late Sunday night in the snow on a car windshield, sent shockwaves through the Calvin community. In a response that students and staff...

Photo courtesy Jennifer Holberg

Professor Jennifer Holberg recognized as “YWCA Woman of Achievement”

Bethany Cok
November 23, 2015

On Tuesday, professor Jennifer Holberg of the English department was recognized as a “YWCA Woman of Achievement” at a YWCA Tribute Awards luncheon. The luncheon, held at DeVos Place, honored six...

Photo courtesy Jennifer Holberg

Professor Jennifer Holberg wins YWCA Tribute Award

Bethany Cok
November 19, 2015

On Tuesday, professor Jennifer Holberg of the English department was recognized as a “YWCA Woman of Achievement” at a YWCA Tribute Awards luncheon. The luncheon, held at DeVos Place, honored six...

Students hang out in intercultural lounge, another resource developed to help connect students. Photo Credit Katelyn Bosch

BLEND helps biracial and multiracial students share experience

Bethany Cok
November 13, 2015

Kjh-Lajhni Sanford leaned forward earnestly in her chair, her voice cutting clearly through the background hum of activity in the Intercultural Student Development Lounge. “One thing that a lot of...

Vocation is not synonymous with career

Bethany Cok
November 9, 2015

Advising recess used to induce in me a state of panic matched only by the chaos of waiting in line for Uppercrust’s grilled cheese during rush hour. It was the time of the semester when I realized,...

Food Recovery Network saves 217 lbs of food. Photo Credit Joey Budi

High Participation for Food Day

Bethany Cok
November 1, 2015

Student leaders in Calvin’s Food Recovery Network (FRN) faced an unexpected problem during their event on Friday: they had to keep pulling up chairs to accommodate a crowd much larger than anticipated....

Students gather to pray outside of abortion clinic. Another group gathers to protest. Photo Credit Rachel Evans

Calvin Students for Life pray outside abortion clinic, pro-choice group responds

Bethany Cok
October 25, 2015

The contrast between the two groups stationed in front of the gray building was stark: one held bright pink signs and waved exuberantly at passing cars, the other huddled in a small circle with heads bowed. Though...

Photo Credit Rachel Evans

Campfires on Commons offers taste of camping without leaving campus

Bethany Cok
October 16, 2015

Last Friday, students were able to enjoy the warmth of crackling campfires without journeying beyond the center of Calvin’s campus. Campfires on Commons, an event hosted by Calvin Nite Life, featured...

NASA reports liquid water on modern-day Mars

Bethany Cok
October 11, 2015

Humans have long pondered the potential for life on other planets in the universe. Up until recently, however, we have not had the technology or research capabilities to deeply investigate beyond our planet...

Photo Credit Gail Heffner

Plaster Creek Stewards event assists Alger Heights

Bethany Cok
October 3, 2015

This past Saturday, Calvin students, professors and community members came together to learn about the environmental challenges facing the Plaster Creek Watershed and to volunteer their time to address...

Student Organization Spotlight: Architecture Club

Bethany Cok
September 26, 2015

Though this club may be historically small in numbers, it is rich in community, off-campus expeditions and understanding connections with other disciplines. The Calvin Architecture Club, though comprised...

Photo Credit Audrey Hughey

Lord Huron Performs Engaging Concert for Sold-Out Crowd

Bethany Cok
September 20, 2015

Last Wednesday evening, a sold-out audience gathered in the Covenant Fine Arts Center to hear Lord Huron, a folk-rock band known for its broad instrumentation and intriguing lyrics. The band’s energy...

CERF celebrates milestones with campus-wide events

Bethany Cok
May 14, 2015

Last week, the Calvin Energy Recovery Fund (CERF) sponsored a lights-out event, a poster session and a sustainability scavenger hunt on Calvin’s campus. These events were a celebration of the fact...

29.2 percent of Calvin's faculty were part time as of fall 2016; Photo courtesy calvin.edu

Calvin tuition to increase by 3.49 percent

Bethany Cok
April 30, 2015

Every year, it seems that college tuition increases with the predictability of the changing seasons and the endless Knollcrest vs. Commons debates. However, Joel DeBruin, Calvin’s director of finance,...

Photo courtesy calvin.edu

Barnabi reflect on the year’s challenges and rewards

Bethany Cok
April 23, 2015

It’s not a stretch to say that nearly every student on Calvin’s campus knows at least one person who has served as a Barnabas. Though a main role of the Barnabi is to encourage other students to...

Photo courtesy calvin.edu

Q&A: KHvR custodian Nelly Jordan de Flores

Bethany Cok
April 13, 2015

Nelly Jordan de Flores is a Custodian in Kalsbeek Huizenga Van Reken, where she ensures that the dorm is clean and managed. Chimes sat down with Nelly to learn more about the work that goes on behind the...

Silent Observers allows anonymous crime reporting on campus

Bethany Cok
April 9, 2015

Every so often, rumors circulate about Calvin’s judicial process, sometimes rooted in fact but in other cases, purely fiction. One such rumor, that Calvin students can get paid $50 for turning in...

Chimes staff lays out the paper in 1959. Photo courtesy calvin.edu

Where are they now? Chimes alumni look back

Bethany Cok
March 6, 2015

Dr. Susan Bruxvoort Lipscomb—Features editor (1994-95), Editor-in-Chief (1995-96) After graduating from Calvin, Dr. Bruxvoort Lipscomb went on to complete an M.A. in Humanities from the University...

Pope Francis speaks out against ISIS

Bethany Cok
February 20, 2015

This past weekend, the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) released a video showing the beheading of 21 Coptic Christians on a beach in Libya. The international community quickly condemned the actions...

Photo courtesy calvin.edu

Calvin College Professor receives cancer research grant

Bethany Cok
February 13, 2015

By now, it comes as no surprise to learn that another faculty member of the Calvin science department has received a grant to conduct research. Biochemistry professor Brendan Looyenga recently received...

File photo.

Calvin prepares for re-accreditation process

Bethany Cok
February 5, 2015

As an accredited college through the Higher Learning Commission, Calvin must undergo a process of re-accreditation every 10 years. This spring, Calvin will once again go through this process, which...

Calvin hosts new chapter of Girls Who Code

Bethany Cok
January 22, 2015

For a nation striving towards gender equality, the United States still has a surprisingly large gender gap between men and women in tech careers. Gender disparity in STEM fields (science, technology,...

Photo by John Muyskens

MSDO moves forward with stabilized structure

Bethany Cok
December 4, 2014

After a year of transitions in the Multicultural and International Student Development Offices (MSDO), both offices are now fully staffed and better equipped to support the AHANA and international student...

Photo by Katelyn Bosch

Calvin involves students in search for VP of student life

Bethany Cok
November 6, 2014

Calvin has begun its search for a new vice president of student life after Shirley Hoogstra left Calvin this fall, having served in the position for the past 15 years. A committee of 11 members will...

Pope’s declaration on evolution actually not a doctrinal shift

Bethany Cok
November 6, 2014

There has long been a debate among Christians surrounding the idea of evolution, the Big Bang and the origins of life in the universe. This past Monday, Pope Francis weighed in on the controversy, saying...

Photo by Ericka Buitenhuis

New intercultural lounge provides safe space for students

Bethany Cok
October 27, 2014

This past year has seen renovations across campus, including remodeling in Johnny’s and the Spoelhof Fieldhouse as well as the creation of a new intercultural lounge for students. This lounge, located...

Loan Default Rate at Calvin Falls to 2.5%

Bethany Cok
October 16, 2014

According to data released by the U.S. Department of Education, Calvin students have a low loan default rate compared to students at other institutions of higher learning around the nation. Many students...

Photo by Laura Sheppard

Calvin promotes positive “welcoming traditions”

Bethany Cok
October 4, 2014

Many floor communities and sports teams at Calvin welcome new students with a community activity, generally called a “welcome tradition” as opposed to “initiation” or “hazing.” The purpose...

Photo Courtesy Hekman Library

Discussion about Sabbath extends beyond issue of library hours

Bethany Cok
September 18, 2014

Despite recent discussions about opening Calvin’s library on Sunday afternoons, there are no immediate plans to implement Sunday hours, pending further discussion.  This past spring, the Hekman Library...

Photo by Grant Alphenaar.

Calvin recognized as top school for undergraduate research

Bethany Cok
September 11, 2014

Calvin has been recognized by the U.S. News and World Report as a top liberal arts college and an institution with top-notch undergraduate research programs.  In this year’s rankings, Calvin is one...

Photo courtesy calvin college department of music

Cello Cabaret promises unique concert experience

Bethany Cok
April 25, 2014

The Calvin Music Department has concerts nearly every week, but few are as unorthodox and entertaining as Cello Cabaret. This Saturday at 3 p.m. in the CFAC Recital Hall, 20 cellists will be performing...

Photo courtesy Nite Life

Third-annual Calvin’s Got Talent competition will feature 19 acts

Bethany Cok
April 3, 2014

This weekend, Nite Life will be hosting its final event of the year, Calvin’s Got Talent (CGT). For the third year running, it promises to be an evening of entertainment unlike any other on Calvin’s...

Photo courtesy African Student Association

Iron Chef Africa showcases cooking talent, distinctive food

Bethany Cok
March 12, 2014

Last Saturday afternoon, teams of Calvin students demonstrated their cooking abilities while vying for the honor of winning Iron Chef Africa. This competition, hosted by the African Students Association,...

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