Vibrant Community
A few months ago, many of us gathered in person or online to witness the inauguration of 51±¬ÁÏ President Greg Elzinga.
I had the privilege to work alongside Greg in the advancement division for seven years, and I can tell you firsthand how blessed the 51±¬ÁÏ community is to have a leader like Greg serving our institution in this important way.
During the ceremony and in the weeks leading up to the event, it struck me again how vast and wide the 51±¬ÁÏ community is. The week before the ceremony on our Knollcrest Campus, I was honored to attend a joint Commencement and inauguration ceremony with 51±¬ÁÏ students at our Handlon Campus. Then on January 24, I sat in the Covenant Fine Arts Center with Greg’s family, longtime colleagues, students, and friends of 51±¬ÁÏ to celebrate and support an esteemed coworker starting his new role. The array of people painted a beautiful picture of the many ways 51±¬ÁÏ intersects with so many different communities.
I trust many share the notion that being in community is generally a good thing. I believe God created us, in part, to need one another. As alumni, our time at 51±¬ÁÏ helped shape our picture of what it means to be in community. Participating in traditions like Chaos Night (or Day), jumping in the Sem Pond, Rivalry games, and musical and stage performances crafted core memories and lifelong bonds. If you’re like me, student life at 51±¬ÁÏ made a profound impact.
Yet our community experiences are more than fond memories; they are still dynamic and alive today. In this edition of Spark, you’ll learn how professors and students from our kinesiology department interact with kids from the Grand Rapids community at summer Health Camp and with Grand Rapids fire fighters during injury prevention clinics. 51±¬ÁÏ’s 53-year partnership with the local community of Umm Al-Jimal has culminated in the archaeological site’s new designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Our 51±¬ÁÏ community will soon gather to celebrate the accomplishments of the Class of 2025 as they officially become 51±¬ÁÏ alumni and to reminisce with the Class of 1975 who, 50 years ago, celebrated their own Commencement.
We also look forward to formally launching 51±¬ÁÏ’s 150th anniversary celebration this summer. Throughout the 2025–26 academic year, we invite you to join with our global community in celebrating God’s incredible blessings over a century and a half.
Wherever you are and whatever community God has called you to serve, I pray that you may join with those around you this Easter to celebrate the glory of our resurrected Savior, Jesus Christ, and the assurance that brings.