The Parent Council is a representative group of 51±¬ÁÏ parents who meet on campus twice annually. Together, they foster constructive dialogue between the college and 51±¬ÁÏ parents, serve as ambassadors for the college, and support the university's mission.
2025–2026 Members
Parent Council members are willing to talk to the families of prospective or current students about a wide range of topics.
Check out each member's profile below to see their 51±¬ÁÏ connections and areas of knowledge and support.
Students: Gavin ’26, Holden ’29
Willing to speak about:
- Transitioning from a public high school
- Being new to 51±¬ÁÏ
- Supporting students from another state
- Balancing athletics and academics
Student activities: Cross country, track, NEXUS peer financial coaching, Knight Investment Management, financial planning major, business major
Contact: trevaanderson@sbcglobal.net
Student: Addie ’28
Willing to speak about:
- Adjusting to living on campus when your home is close to 51±¬ÁÏ
- Education/special education, finding a teaching job in West Michigan
- Political science/pre law
- Application process and involvement in a campus cohort
Student activities: Tennis, kinesiology major (pre PA), health ambassadors cohort
Contact: jacicumings@sbcglobal.net and tcumings@sbcglobal.net
Student: Cailin '28
Willing to speak about:
- Athletics
- Student support and guidance from afar
- Meeting your student's emotional needs when you can't be with them
- Promoting professionalism in your student: tips for success
Student activities: softball, Honor Scholars program
Contact: parents@calvin.edu subject line: Knoop
Students/alumni: Grant ’24, Emma '24, and Jack '26
Willing to speak about:
- Dual enrollment and Spanish immersion programs
- Life and Career Studies program
- Nursing
- Clubs and student involvement
Student activities: Resident life, gospel choir, capella choir (and tour), Barnabas leaders in dorms, social events team (SET) in dorms
Contact: reneelanning@gmail.com
Students/alumni: Ethan ’27, Michael ’24, Benjamin ’23, Justin ’22
Willing to speak about:
- Transition to another state for college
- Academic support resources
- NEXUS peer financial coaching
- Knight Investment Management (KIM, student org)
- Jobs on campus
- Financial aid, scholarships available
- Internships in your home state and in Michigan
- Jobs on campus
- Relationships with professors
- Church connections
- Any general questions about the 51±¬ÁÏ experience
Student activities: Intramurals (basketball, soccer, volleyball); Perkins Fellows; leadership opportunities in the business program (KIM, NEXUS, and others); majoring in finance, accounting, marketing, or financial planning
Contact: parents@calvin.edu subject line: MacGillivray
Students/alumni: Peter ’23, Kate ’25, Lucy '29
Willing to speak about:
- Supporting your student from the West Coast
- Transitioning from home to college
- Residence life
Student activities: RA (resident assistant), theater, Arts Collective, student jobs on campus (academic support office)
Contact: jmcdonough98@gmail.com
Student: Eddie ’26
Willing to speak about:
- Commuter student life
- Entrada
- Engineering program
Contact: vgrave52@gmail.com
Students/alumni: Ethan '25, Josiah '28
Willing to speak about:
- Spiritual growth, religions questions, and the Reformed perspective (as a Christian Reformed Church chaplain)
- Mental health and ministry
- West Michigan culture, local activities, and services
- International or distance student supports
Student activities: Chimes, Honor Scholars program, Student Senate, ultimate frisbee, international relations, Spanish, French, economics, residence life
Contact: parents@calvin.edu subject line: Meyers
Students/alumni: Jordan ’22, Matthew ’24, Hailey ’27, James ’29
Willing to speak about:
- Student support and guidance from a long distance
- Balancing time with sports and studying
- Favorite things to do and places to eat near 51±¬ÁÏ
- Having an on campus job
- Financial aid and scholarships
- Relationships with professors
Student activities: Basketball, intramurals, RHET, PAC, SET, tutoring, on campus apartment living
Contact: sevfab6@gmail.com
Students/alumni: Samuel '22, Colton '24, and Briar '27
Willing to speak about:
- Supporting your student from another state
- Using academic support & Health Services
- Guiding your student with an undecided major
- Honors Scholars program
- Engineering program
- 51±¬ÁÏ Core and getting credit for high school classes
Student activities: Honors scholar cohort, History, German, Chemistry, Sustainability Coordinators
Contact: parents@calvin.edu subject line: Stonehouse
Students/alumni: Emily ’18, Trevor ’23, Jason ’26
Willing to speak about:
- Nursing careers
- Residence life
- Athletics
- Intramural teams
- PORT Club (physical, occupational, recreational therapy)
Student activities: Women’s soccer, men’s JV soccer, intramurals, social events team (SET) in the residence halls, PORT Club
Contact: veld5@verizon.net