Calvin University

Three scholarship rejections. An accelerated nursing program that left her questioning whether she belonged. A dream that seemed further away than ever.

Then came a phone call from Calvin.

"How can I best support you?"

That's what Dr. Ayoola asked Laura Rivera '24 before she ever stepped into a classroom. For Rivera, that question changed everything.

Through professors who cared deeply, hands-on learning experiences, and a community that saw her potential, Rivera found the support she needed to become the nurse she was called to be.

Today, she's a labor and delivery nurse at Jacksonville Naval Hospital, a U.S. Navy officer, and an award-winning leader serving patients during some of life's most vulnerable moments.

And perhaps the most remarkable outcome?

Her dream job is to one day return to Calvin and help prepare the next generation of nurses.

Not many careers begin with a championship parade!

When Josh Lins '16 joined the Cleveland Cavaliers, his first day coincided with the start of the team's historic NBA Finals run. A decade later, he serves as Senior Vice President of Premium and Ticket Sales, helping lead one of the NBA’s most loyal fan bases.

Reflecting on his path, he offers this takeaway: “Adversity breeds opportunity. The hardship itself doesn’t define you. Stay curious. Keep a growth mindset. Be consistently reliable instead of occasionally extraordinary—even when it’s hard to be the person who never gives up.”

Read the full story ➡ https://calvin.edu/spark/making-magic-stands.

What a year it's been! 1️⃣5️⃣0️⃣ 🎉

Over the past year, the Calvin community came together to celebrate 150 years of God's faithfulness through campus events, global gatherings, alumni reunions, worship services, performances, and countless shared stories.

From Celebration Weeks on campus to Calvin on the Road events across 35 cities, thousands of alumni, students, faculty, staff, and friends joined in marking this milestone.

Thank you for being part of the story! Here's to the next chapter. ❤💛

As higher education adapts to the rise of AI, Calvin University professor Craig E. Mattson argues that some of the most important parts of learning can't be automated. In a new reflection, he explores how conversation, collaboration, and Christian community continue to offer something technology alone cannot: the opportunity to grow through genuine human connection.

Read Full Story ➡️

Does the Fullness of AI Fill All Things? Christian Liberal Arts Community in an Age of Large Language Models - Christian Scholar’s Review The other day, I got a call from a friend who’s finishing work at a dying Christian college. But she did not call to seek condolences. She called to share stories about the final weeks of this final semester. Despite tears in her voice, she sounded more joyously stunned than grieved. Students and ...

When God gives a vision, incredible things can happen.

Senior Matt Torrell set out to create a commercial with one clear message: Jesus saves.

The idea sparked just three months ago. With mentorship and support from professor Brian Scharp, Torrell brought that vision to life—filming the commercial in just two weeks and raising $55,000 in less than six days so it could debut during the USA vs. Australia game on June 19.

“I get chills thinking about it … There are so many testimonies of the Holy Spirit guiding and God blessing this project," shared Torrell.

View the commercial or watch it live during the USA game tonight vs Türkiye ➡ https://youtu.be/SII-YWHd9do?si=I7ZTaNZ7HZ93JKSs

Read the full story ➡️ https://calvin.edu/stories/calvin-student-athlete-uses-world-cup-commercial-share-gospel-millions

A look at Climbing Camp in action!

It's been fun watching campers build new skills, encourage one another, and spend time on the wall this summer.

There are still 8 spots available for our July 13–16 session.