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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

Savannah Shustack

Savannah Shustack, Editor-in-Chief

Savannah Shustack, from the bustling city of North Adams, Massachusetts, where the downtown encompasses a whole 6 blocks, is a senior English major with a concentration in literature. She considers “nerd” to be a compliment (despite the attempts of her 6 younger siblings to infuse it with a derogatory connotation), so in spring 2022, she decided to work as a reporter for Chimes. Choosing to write on a deadline in her free time happens to be one of the nerdier things she’s done, right up there with postcard collecting and annotating her favorite book about the Supreme Court.

All content by Savannah Shustack

Letter from the Editor

Savannah Shustack, Editor-in-Chief
March 25, 2024

Dear Calvin community,  Throughout the last two weeks, Chimes has not published anything new about the resignation of former president Wiebe Boer. In times like these, we realize the community looks...

Past issues of campus, local and national news covering moments of tension on Calvin’s campus provide further understandings of historical controversy.

The messy middle

A Christian university’s history of navigating disagreement and dissent
Savannah Shustack and Ethan Meyers
February 26, 2024

Today, Republican presidential hopeful Nikki Haley will be the latest in a long line of political candidates to make a stop in Grand Rapids in recent years. As Haley hopes to thwart former President Donald...

President Boer highlighted the goals Calvin already achieved and the steps
Calvin must take to continue growing.

“Our strategy is enrollment growth”

Calvin’s updated Vision 2030 plan reflects institutional optimism
Savannah Shustack, Editor-in-Chief
February 12, 2024

As small liberal arts institutions are closing at rapid rates, Calvin’s leadership has formulated a strategic long-term plan based on robust enrollment growth.  Calvin’s updated Vision 2030 strategic...

200 level framing has proceeded without delay due to weather.

Construction progresses smoothly

Savannah Shustack, Editor-in-Chief
February 5, 2024

The Pioneer construction team and their subcontractors have started to pour a new foundation on the north side of Hiemenga Hall and construction progresses across campus. The north side once boasted...

 Demolition includes the “removal of ceilings, masonry, flooring, and mechanical elements.” Photo courtesy of Sarah Visser.

Campus construction steadily progresses

Savannah Shustack, Editor-in-Chief
November 7, 2023

Library construction is on track to meet the “ambitious” opening timeline of fall 2024, according to Sarah Visser, Executive Vice President for Student Experience and Strategy. Demolition is set to...

According to Maag, teaching CALL classes is enjoyable in part because of audience participation.

A never-ending CALLing

Calvin’s Academy for Lifelong Learning offers continuing education for seniors
Savannah Shustack, Editor-in-Chief
September 25, 2023

Marilyn Myers and Harry Myers have attended Calvin’s Academy for Lifelong Learning for over five years. Last December, they decided to take a class on Handel’s Messiah, thinking it would be about the...

Calvin’s total student body grew for the first time in a decade

Calvin’s total student body grew for the first time in a decade

Census data shows an increase in international and FTIAC enrollment, still declining Reformed populations
Savannah Shustack, Editor-in-Chief
September 18, 2023

The total number of students enrolled at Calvin University has increased for the first time in a decade, thanks to this year's strong incoming class of 1,111 students.  This number includes students...

Many different projects are in phase 1 of completion.

“There’s a hopefulness in building”

Enrollment and morale increases at Calvin despite lingering questions
Savannah Shustack and Maya Oeverman
September 5, 2023

There was nary a spot to stand at the first Friday chapel of the school year. Students –– many of whom are football players –– filled the bleachers at the new turf soccer field, surrounded by orange,...

January is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month

January is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month

Here’s what you can do about it
Savannah Shustack, General Assignement Editor
January 22, 2023

“The problem of human trafficking isn’t somewhere else: It’s part of our whole community, and it’s part of my community,” Rachel VerWys, CEO of Safe Haven Ministries and contributor to West Michigan’s...

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