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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

Josh Parks

Josh Parks, Editor-in-Chief

Josh Parks is the Editor-in-Chief of Chimes this year after rising through the ranks as a copy editor, religion editor and then print editor. He’s a junior from Holland, MI, studying violin performance and English literature, and he splits his time approximately equally between the Commons Annex basement and the CFAC practice room hallway. He also takes credit for the ancient Roman climate joke in Maddie’s bio two spots over. Josh eagerly awaits every chance to throw a Tolkien reference, Disney song or Princess Bride quote into a conversation (or maybe even an article). While his fascination with things like faculty senate and administrative committees may seem rather unusual, he’s excited to keep students informed about the goings-on at Calvin for another year.

All content by Josh Parks
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Editorial: The imperfect can be good

Josh Parks, Editor-in-Chief
May 4, 2018

Last weekend, I performed my senior violin recital in Calvin’s Recital Hall. Standing in front of dozens of friends, family members and teachers, I played the notes I knew so well: the opening melody...

Photo courtesy Jonathan Merritt.

Q&A: Jonathan Merritt talks religion journalism

Josh Parks, Editor-in-Chief
May 3, 2018

Religion journalist Jonathan Merritt spoke at Calvin’s Festival of Faith & Writing in April. He writes for The Atlantic, The Week and Religion News Service, and he’s the author of “A Faith of...

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Editorial: Why men should take gender studies classes

Josh Parks, Editor-in-Chief
April 27, 2018

As I’ve been working on the last few issues of my Chimes career, I’ve been thinking a lot about how to listen to and amplify voices other than my own. As a news organization, we try to do that by publishing...

Photo courtesy calvin.edu.

Revised vision statement reflects community feedback

Josh Parks, Editor-in-Chief
April 19, 2018

The Vision 2030 team recently released an updated draft of Calvin’s vision statement, incorporating feedback from listening sessions with the Calvin community. The team spent the first half of this...

Photo by Josh Parks.

Students approve of draft vision statement

Josh Parks, Editor-in-Chief
March 1, 2018

Students expressed enthusiasm for Calvin’s draft vision statement at a forum hosted by President Michael Le Roy and Sarah Visser, vice president for student life, on Monday, Feb. 26. The forum took...

Photo courtesy Calvin.edu

Draft statement envisions Calvin as university

Josh Parks, Editor-in-Chief
February 15, 2018

The Vision 2030 team has released a new draft vision statement that includes rebranding Calvin College as Calvin University by 2030. The team is holding three forums to present the statement and receive...

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Editorial: Changes at Chimes

Josh Parks, Editor-in-Chief
February 2, 2018

Chimes reassembled our staff this week, fresh from interim break and trips around the world, ready for another semester of writing and editing and keeping Calvin informed. This spring, we’re making...

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Editorial: Living in the grand pause

Josh Parks, Editor-in-Chief
December 8, 2017

Last weekend I played in my last ever Calvin Oratorio Society performance of Handel’s “Messiah.” These performances have been highlights of each of my four years at Calvin, and as stressed-out as...

Photo courtesy Calvin.edu.

Calvin in 2029: College or university?

Josh Parks and Michelle Hofman
November 17, 2017

Calvin is currently considering the question of whether to remain a comprehensive liberal arts college or become a “liberal arts university.” This is one of four questions framing Calvin’s current...

In a video, Sarah Visser and Wesley Brooks invited the Calvin community to join the discussion envisioning Calvin in 2029. Photo courtesy Calvin College.

Panel discussion opens visioning process to public

Josh Parks, Editor-in-Chief
November 10, 2017

A panel discussion Monday afternoon considered the role of satellite campuses, online learning and other multi-platform offerings in Calvin’s future. The event, one of four public Vision 2029 discussions...

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Editorial: remembering why

Josh Parks, Editor-in-Chief
November 3, 2017

It often surprises me how hard it is to get started working on something I love. I have many ongoing projects this year—a large paper, an honors thesis, a violin recital, this newspaper—and they all...

CCCU commends new birth control exemption

Josh Parks and Julia McKee
October 19, 2017

The Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU) issued a statement on Wednesday, Oct. 6, praising the Trump administration’s expansion of the religious exemption to the Affordable Care Act’s...

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Editorial: cynicism and hope

Josh Parks, Editor-in-Chief
September 28, 2017

We are well-trained in cynicism these days. We expect promises from on high to be broken, whether they’re from politicians, pastors or college presidents. We’re suspicious of anyone who asks us to...

Incoming students participate Street Fest as part of Quest. This year's incoming class was small than in previous years. Photo Courtesy Calvin College Facebook page.

Higher retention balances smaller incoming class

Josh Parks, Editor-in-Chief
September 28, 2017

Calvin is once again welcoming a smaller incoming class to campus this fall, though retention of students from last year’s incoming class rose enough to compensate. This year’s class includes 889...

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Editorial: new website

Josh Parks, Editor-in-Chief
September 14, 2017

Even print newspapers can embrace in the 21st century. It was a big step forward for Chimes when we updated and modernized our website in 2012, and this week we’re excited to announce another milestone:...

Photo courtesy calvin.edu

Calvin ends school year with staff cuts

Josh Parks
June 3, 2017

Calvin informed 12 staff members on Monday, May 22, that they’d be losing their jobs, according to an email President Michael Le Roy sent to faculty and staff. These involuntary reductions come after...

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

Calvin’s use of adjuncts increasing, still below average

Josh Parks
May 5, 2017

Calvin is following a national trend by using a higher percentage of adjunct professors in recent years, though it still falls below the national average. According to a recent report by the American...

Photo courtesy Calvin College.

Alvin Plantinga Q&A

Josh Parks
May 5, 2017

Philosopher and professor emeritus Alvin Plantinga is this year’s Templeton Prize laureate. Chimes sat down with Plantinga this week to talk about the award, his work and his relationship with Calvin. Chimes:...

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Editorial: many thank-yous

Josh Parks
May 5, 2017

Thankfully, I still have a year before I need to do the required pre-graduation sappy editorial, so that’s not what you’re getting here. Instead, I want to offer a (non-exhaustive) list of people who...

Photo Courtesy calvin.edu

B.S./B.S.C. core exemption proposal fails

Josh Parks
April 28, 2017

The proposal to grant an exemption from the Persons in Community (PIC) core category and the second year of foreign language to students in Bachelor of Science (BS) and Bachelor of Computer Science (BCS)...

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Editorial: Grasp your God-given necessities

Josh Parks
April 20, 2017

Okay, bear with me for three minutes as I talk about vocation. We’re all sick of hearing about it — for at least two reasons. First, no one at this school can shut up about it, and second, it sends...

Photo courtesy calvin.edu.

History department expands core offerings

Josh Parks
March 10, 2017

Calvin’s history department is increasing the variety of classes that will count for core credit. Ten 200-level classes will now satisfy the Historical Foundations core category, as will one new 100-level...

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Editorial: Give student senate things to say

Josh Parks
March 3, 2017

One of my favorite professors at Calvin says often that students have more power here than they know. After all, we pay the bills, we sign up for classes, we evaluate professors. And historically, when...

Photo courtesy Calvin.edu.

New program pays students to prepare for careers

Josh Parks
February 28, 2017

A new cross-curricular program will pay Calvin students to prepare for careers and life after college. Calvin LifeWork, which will launch next year, offers “modules” in four major categories: vocation,...

Calvin is trying to cut costs through the new retirement incentive program. Photo courtesy Wikimedia Commons.

Declining enrollment prompts retirement incentive

Josh Parks
February 24, 2017

Calvin is offering a voluntary retirement incentive to staff and faculty members who are at least 60 years old and have worked at Calvin for at least 10 years. The incentive, which was announced on...

Photo courtesy Calvin.edu

Broene expands offerings in response to high demand

Josh Parks
February 3, 2017

The Broene counseling center is introducing several new treatment options for students this semester due to increased demand. Over the past five years, student demand for services at Broene has increased...

Calvin community members react to alumni letter, support DeVos

Josh Parks
January 29, 2017

In the wake of the alumni letter opposing Betsy DeVos’s confirmation, many other Calvin alumni have voiced their support of the secretary of education appointee. A Facebook page called Knights for...

Calvin alumni oppose DeVos by the hundreds

Josh Parks
January 23, 2017

UPDATE 1/28: Calvin College has released the following updated statement: The alumni-initiated letter challenging the appointment of Betsy DeVos as U.S. Secretary of Education has generated a lot of...

Photo courtesy Taylor Davis

January Series (1/19): Taylor Davis

Josh Parks
January 20, 2017

"American violinist in concert" The January Series took a break from lectures on Thursday for a performance by Taylor Davis, whose violin covers of video game and film music on YouTube have earned her...

Editorial: Hope in the dead of winter

Josh Parks
January 13, 2017

Barack Obama ran his 2008 campaign on hope. In his farewell address on Tuesday night, he repeated his basic hope in America and its citizens, despite setbacks and threats to democracy: “For every...

A performer stands on the Gezon Auditorium stage.

Committees identify next steps for art at Calvin

Josh Parks
January 13, 2017

Four of the five committees chartered by the provost’s office to discuss the future of the arts at Calvin submitted their reports on Dec. 15. These committees studied messaging, physical spaces, fundraising...

Photo by Mary Taber

January Series (1/11): Gary Haugen

Josh Parks
January 11, 2017

“Until All are Free: A Look at Slavery Today and the Church’s Invitation to End It” Gary Haugen, director of the International Justice Mission (IJM), began his January Series presentation on this...

Photo by Karren Huttenga, courtesy crcna.org/synod

CRC leaders wrestle with same-sex marriage: a look at Synod 2016

Josh Parks
December 8, 2016

This year’s Synod of the Christian Reformed Church in North America (CRCNA) received a report from the Committee to Provide Pastoral Guidance Regarding Same-Sex Marriage, which was chartered by Synod...

Photo from Calvin.edu

Calvin professor appears on conservative watchlist

Josh Parks
December 2, 2016

After last November’s racist snow-writing incident, Calvin social work professor Joe Kuilema wrote a piece in Chimes urging readers to confront the reality of white privilege and institutional racism....

Photo by Steven Huyser-Honig

Worship leader brings new psalms to congregations

Josh Parks
November 18, 2016

Last Thursday, songwriter and worship leader Wendell Kimbrough visited Calvin to lead morning chapel and participate in a Q&A with John Witvliet, the director of the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship. Kimbrough...

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Editorial: Give space to lament

Josh Parks
November 10, 2016

I don’t know what to say right now. I’m angry, sad, scared and exhausted. I’m writing this on the day after the election, and I’ve spent all day with people who don’t know what to say, who hadn’t...

Photo by Mike Lentz

Trump and Clinton make final fight for West Michigan

Josh Parks
November 8, 2016

West Michigan was a battleground during the final day before the election as both major presidential candidates held events in the Grand Rapids area on Monday. Hillary Clinton spoke at Grand Valley...

Feelings on Trump mixed among Calvin Republicans, choose not to endorse

Josh Parks
October 22, 2016

Like many right-leaning Christians this year, the Calvin College Republicans have found Donald Trump to be an unsatisfactory candidate for president. The student organization has chosen not to endorse...

This graph depicts the number of first time in any college (FTIAC) students enrolled in Calvin (it doesn't include transfer students).

Lowest enrollment in decades

Josh Parks
October 15, 2016

Calvin released this year’s day 10 enrollment report last week, and the news is mixed. Both total enrollment and FTIAC (first time in any college) enrollment are down significantly from the last few...

Photo by Ruth VandenBos

Notes at Noon showcases musical collaboration

Josh Parks
October 7, 2016

This Tuesday, the second Notes at Noon concert of the year featured Calvin staff accompanist Linda Hoisington in an all-Dvorak program. Hoisington is a graduate of Wheaton College and the University...

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Editorial: The power of religious difference

Josh Parks
October 2, 2016

This summer, I read Diarmaid MacCulloch’s massive book “Christianity: The First Three Thousand Years.” It was full of names I didn’t know and don’t remember, theological debates I didn’t really...

Courtesy Judy Vriesema

Calvin alumna donates life-saving kidney

Josh Parks
September 30, 2016

“That’s the most audacious bulletin announcement I’ve ever read.” That was Susan Huizenga Cleveland’s (’85) reaction to a paragraph in Church of the Servant CRC’s bulletin last November...

Administration racing to re-invigorate the arts

Josh Parks
September 16, 2016

While Calvin’s arts departments have received many blows to programs, faculty positions and morale over the last few years, those who love these departments and disciplines have been quick to make their...

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Editorial: On Convocation and the arts

Josh Parks
September 9, 2016

Calvin’s arts and humanities departments are getting used to unpleasant emails. Due to faculty buyouts and eliminated majors, students and faculty in these departments have lost colleagues, resources...

Faculty Assembly fails to pass core model by four votes

Josh Parks
May 7, 2016

At Monday’s full faculty assembly, the proposal for a revised core curriculum structure failed to receive the required 60 percent supermajority needed for approval. Out of 227 faculty votes cast, there...

Faculty senate approves new core curriculum proposal

Josh Parks
April 29, 2016

At their final meeting of the year on April 25, faculty senate approved the structure for the new curriculum. The model was brought to faculty senate by the core curriculum committee (CCC) and the educational...

Photo courtesy calvin.edu

NY Phil choral conductor in residence at Calvin

Josh Parks
April 24, 2016

Award-winning conductor Joseph Flummerfelt will be directing this year’s final concert in the music department’s Guest Artist Series at 8 p.m. on Saturday, April 23. The program, entitled “Choral...

Professor Jane Zwart interviews Zadie Smith. Photo by Lisa Beth Anderson.

Festival speakers warn of the dangers of certainty

Josh Parks
April 21, 2016

“It’s impossible to fail at reading.” This claim, set out by Lisa Cockrel, the new director of the Festival of Faith and Writing, at its opening plenary, was tried and tested, pondered and played...

A participant browsing the books at the Festival of Faith and Writing in 2014, Photo courtesy Festival of Faith and Writing

Calvin creates Center for Faith and Writing after generous donation

Josh Parks
April 3, 2016

Following a large donation from Zondervan editor Bob Hudson and his wife, Shelley, Calvin announced the creation of the Calvin Center for Faith and Writing (CCFW) on Wednesday, March 23. In addition to...

Chimes File Photo

Student senate votes to operate outside constitution

Josh Parks
March 3, 2016

During their weekly meeting last Monday, student senate unanimously voted to approve a leadership model not found in their constitution. Speaking to senators on this vote, student senate advisor John...

Calvin censors Islam-themed piece at classical concert

Josh Parks
February 26, 2016

Members of the vocal ensemble Cantus revealed during their concert at Calvin last Friday, Feb. 19, that the college had censored a piece whose lyrics contained Muslim themes. The concert, part of the...

Sanders clear candidate for Calvin students

Josh Parks
February 14, 2016

Now that we have officially entered the exciting, tumultuous and occasionally frustrating time known as the American election cycle, Chimes wanted to know where its readers stood. After receiving over...

On cynicism and magic

Josh Parks
February 13, 2016

There is such a thing as magic. It has other names: joy, wonder, meaning, love. It’s what you feel when, on the last day of your Interim trip to Walt Disney World (WDW), you’re singing along with...

Don’t collapse the arts

Josh Parks
December 13, 2015

At last week’s faculty senate meeting, the core curriculum committee (CCC) presented a “draft working model” of a new core to the senators for feedback. Provost Brandsen stressed that it was tentative...

Photo by Meredith Hanson

Calvin implements college-wide effort to increase student retention

Josh Parks
December 3, 2015

Each year, about 130 first-time students decide not to return for a second year at Calvin. In an effort to reduce this number, the president’s office has identified improving first-to-second-year retention...

David Lockington near the beginning of his tenure with the Grand Rapids Symphony. Photos courtesy John Varineau.

Grand Rapids Symphony searches for conductor

Josh Parks
October 25, 2015

In addition to hearing great music performed by a world-renowned orchestra, this season’s Grand Rapids Symphony (GRS) concertgoers will also be treated to a truly dramatic program book cover. Sporting...

Photo courtesy calvin.edu

Enrollment steady, admissions begins new initiatives

Josh Parks
September 30, 2015

This fall’s Day 10 enrollment report tells a familiar story. Both total enrollment and the number of incoming students are held steady from last year, while the student body continues to become more...

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How to respond in an active shooter situation

Josh Parks
September 26, 2015

On Tuesday afternoon, William Corner, director of campus safety, gave a presentation in the Commons Annex Lecture Hall called “Shots Fired on Campus: What to do in the event of an active shooter.” Last...

Photo Courtesy calvin.edu

Art, music, history faculty take voluntary buyouts

Josh Parks
September 14, 2015

Three of Calvin’s academic departments are adapting to smaller full-time faculty numbers this year after seven professors took the voluntary buyouts offered in May. The buyouts were an attempt to bring...

Photos courtesy calvin.edu

Q&A with Nate Bradford, co-associate chaplain for residence life

Josh Parks
May 13, 2015

Nate and Aminah Bradford have been co-associate chaplains for residence life at Calvin for the last seven years. They will be leaving their roles here at the end of this academic year so Aminah can pursue...

Cuban communist leader thanks pope for his role in Cuba-US negotiations

Josh Parks
May 13, 2015

Last Sunday, May 10, current Cuban President Raul Castro participated in a private audience with Pope Francis in Vatican City. Castro visited the pontiff to thank him for his role in the recent improvement...

Photo courtesy calvin.edu.

Opinion: Faculty buyouts could threaten Calvin’s liberal arts focus

Josh Parks
May 7, 2015

Two weeks ago, Calvin students received an email from President Le Roy informing them that faculty in the art and art history, music and history departments had been offered a limited number of voluntary...

Synod 2015 to include overture against East Grand Rapids churches

Josh Parks
May 7, 2015

This year’s Synod of the Christian Reformed Church in North America (CRCNA) will be held from June 12 to 18 at Dordt College in Sioux Center, Iowa. The annual meeting of the denomination’s governing...

Photo courtesy calvin.edu

Q&A: Music professor and conductor John Varineau

Josh Parks
April 23, 2015

John Varineau is a clarinetist, a professor of music at Calvin College and the conductor of the Calvin College Orchestra. He also conducts the Grand Rapids Symphony Orchestra, the Grand Rapids Youth Symphony...

Photo courtesy calvin.edu

Sociology professor to study science/religion divide at Oxford

Josh Parks
April 16, 2015

In a month-long program at Oxford University this summer, 25 faculty members from the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities will meet to “bridge the two cultures of science and the humanities.” The...

Prayer labyrinth provides space for meditation, prayer during Holy Week

Josh Parks
March 26, 2015

For four days during Holy Week, March 30 through April 2, the Chapel undercroft will feature a prayer labyrinth. The labyrinth is intended to provide a unique place for quiet, restful, meditative prayer...

Tales and legends of St. Patrick, Apostle of Ireland

Josh Parks
March 26, 2015

St. Patrick is probably the most prominent Catholic saint in contemporary American culture who isn’t found taking gift requests from children at malls. Mention the holiday named after him, and it’s...

Taize chapels offer rest and reflection

Josh Parks
March 5, 2015

“Please Enter Quietly” signs will grace the lobby of Calvin’s chapel on Thursdays in March as chapel services feature worship in the Taize style, led by Calvin professors Stephanie Sandberg and Karen...

What is Coptic Christianity?

Josh Parks
February 26, 2015

On Feb. 15, pro-ISIS militants published a video showing the beheading of 21 Coptic Christians. In denouncing this action, Pope Francis urged all Christians worldwide to hear the testimony of these “Christian...

CRC opposes Canadian Supreme Court ‘right to die’ decision

Josh Parks
February 26, 2015

In a unanimous decision on Feb. 6, the Supreme Court of Canada (SCC) ruled that laws banning physician-assisted suicide (PAS) are unconstitutional. Four leaders of the Christian Reformed Church in North...

Ash Wednesday chapel a reminder of Lent’s purpose

Josh Parks
February 20, 2015

For many Christians, Lent is about giving up something delicious for 40 days as an exercise of willpower, and Ash Wednesday is the confident beginning of this fast before Hershey’s Special Dark bars...

Photo by Andrew Kromminga

Chaplain reflects on interim trip to Kenya and Uganda

Josh Parks
February 20, 2015

While thousands of on-campus students were reading Tolkien, developing Christian minds or bowling, one group of Calvin students, staff and faculty spent their Interim learning in two African countries,...

Salaam conference seeks understanding of Islam for Christians

Josh Parks
February 12, 2015

Although love is the traditional focus of Valentine’s Day, the Salaam Project conference will be moving a couple fruits of the Spirit over to concentrate on peace on Saturday, Feb. 14. Hosted by Calvin...

Photo courtesy calvin.edu

Six-week campus Bible study focuses on “Sabbath”

Josh Parks
February 5, 2015

Calvin is taking on the issue of “Sabbath” in a campus-wide Bible study during the first six weeks of second semester. Much like last semester’s James study, it will include both LOFT services and...

Applications for next year’s Worship Apprentice team open now

Applications for next year’s Worship Apprentice team open now

Josh Parks
February 5, 2015

Campus ministries is currently taking applications for next year’s worship apprentice (WA) team. The WAs are a group of six to eight students responsible for leading worship at Calvin, planning chapel...

Tradition of Developing a Christian Mind continues

Josh Parks
January 22, 2015

Every Interim, students in classes across campus discuss everything from humor to Jewish culture to democracy in Africa, all with a generous helping of kingdom perspective. This is Developing a Christian...

Photo courtesy calvin.edu

Chapel series seeks faith-filled ways to approach big issues

Josh Parks
January 15, 2015

The familiar weekly chapel pattern is on hiatus this Interim as campus ministries presents a three-week series called “By Faith.” The series focuses both on the faith of biblical figures recorded in...

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