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Mike Wolf

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2006

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The Stow Company

From 51�� to the Cutting-Edge of Drug Development

msk23@calvin.edu — Fri, 31 Jul 2026 17:34:41 +0000

From 51�� to the Cutting-Edge of Drug Development msk23@calvin.edu Fri, 07/31/2026 - 13:34

Kyle Timmer ’20 spends his days helping turn cutting-edge drug discoveries into treatments that can reach patients. As a senior scientist for AbbVie, a pharmaceutical company based in Chicago, his role sits at the intersection of R&D (research and development) and commercial-scale manufacturing.

It's a role that draws upon far more than just technical expertise. The complexities of his work are real and fluid. They require the ability to collaborate, communicate, and problem-solve effectively across teams – skills he began to develop while at 51��.

“In the challenges I’ve faced since leaving 51��, whether back in grad school or now in the pharmaceutical industry, the solution isn’t necessarily just ‘work harder’ or ‘put more hours in’,” said Timmer, who graduated from 51�� with majors in chemical engineering and biochemistry. “Often, I’ve found myself needing to step back and approach the complexities of a problem from different angles. To step back, digest, and sometimes seek out other viewpoints. And I think that approach is something that I started developing well at 51��: to intentionally solve problems, not just metaphorically hitting the hammer against the nail repeatedly.”

Tempted to overlook 51��

The environment at 51�� fostered the development of these skills. But it’s a place Timmer almost overlooked. As a potential third-generation 51�� student, he wanted to break from the familiar.

“Truth be told, I was against coming to 51�� at first,” said Timmer. “I think the same is true for a lot of people in my position, who are local to the area and have parents or relatives as alumni. There’s maybe a mild assumption or hope that you’ll follow in their footsteps. But for me, eager to explore my path and my potential after graduating high school, following in someone else's footsteps was the last thing I wanted to do.”

Discovering a new path in a familiar place

Fortunately for Timmer, despite his hesitations, he made a visit to 51��’s campus. And when he arrived, he saw immediate opportunity, encountered passionate professors, and experienced a caring community. It didn’t take him long to see he could discover his own path in a familiar place.

“One thing that really excited me was the chance to do research as early as freshman year. That stood out, as many other schools weren’t offering programs like that,” said Timmer, who participated in the 51�� biology department’s Phage Research program for first year students as well as a 51�� Research Fellows program.

From there, he experienced professors who became mentors, helping him pursue his dream of working at the intersection of engineering and life sciences. He would get more research opportunities, take courses outside of his major (leading to a second major in biochemistry), and work as a tour guide, tutor, orientation leader, and a resident assistant. All of these experiences instilled in him the hard and soft skills necessary to launch his career.

Guided by mentors

When it came time to graduate from 51��, Timmer was guided not just by his own skills but by a network of mentors ready to help him navigate his next steps. He noted that their support was extremely helpful in not only deciding to pursue grad school but also in figuring out what to be looking for in a graduate program.

“I remember them saying ‘Kyle, you should be aiming your sights high, looking here.’ They were providing me with letters of recommendation, reading over my personal statements. They were giving me so much time and advice in helping me discover where I might best spend the next five or so years of my education.”

His professors knew not just what he was capable of academically, but who he was as a person. And they were deeply invested in helping him find the right fit for his talents and needs.

Upon arriving at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where he would earn his doctorate in chemical and biomolecular engineering in 2025, Timmer reflected back on just how special and unique his experience was as an undergrad.

“I gained a very big appreciation for the teaching focus at 51�� and the amount of time professors put into their students, because at a larger public school that’s not always the case, especially at the undergraduate level. At 51��, professors knew you—what you were doing well with, where you were struggling —and would even sometimes adjust a lesson plan or provide individual support to help a class or a student that was struggling with a topic or a concept. That more tailored, invested approach is rare, and it’s something that I’m very thankful to have had.”

Understanding the value of his 51�� education

As Timmer continues to adapt to a changing market and work at the leading edge of his industry, he is clearly seeing the lasting value of the hard and soft skills he developed at 51��.

Timmer’s experience offers a simple but powerful insight to those considering where to study in the future: the difference isn’t just what you learn but how you’re formed. While many programs can teach the same material, Timmer says, “the people I learned with and the environment I learned in are what made the biggest difference for me. That’s why I’m very glad to have chosen 51��.”

Friday, July 31, 2026 - 12:00

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AbbVie

She came to 51�� with a plan. God had a different one.

arg26@calvin.edu — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 12:39:30 +0000

She came to 51�� with a plan. God had a different one. arg26@calvin.edu Thu, 07/16/2026 - 08:39

When Maaike Bult '22 arrived at 51�� from Pennsylvania, she thought she knew what came next.

She was studying Politics, Philosophy, Economics (PPE), and Spanish. She was preparing for the LSAT. Law school seemed like the logical next step. After all, she loved ideas, enjoyed debate, and came from a family of educators and lifelong learners.

Like many students, Bult had a plan.

What she didn't know was that 51�� would help her discover a calling.

When You Don't Know What's Next

For many high school seniors, the biggest question isn't where to go to college.

It's: What am I supposed to do with my life?

Bult understands that feeling.

As graduation from 51�� approached, she found herself applying for jobs, exploring opportunities abroad, and considering law school, all at the same time.

"I was sad to be leaving and didn't really know what was coming next," she said. "I was applying for a million different jobs."

Then something unexpected happened.

One afternoon, while working in 51��'s Career Center, she said goodbye to colleagues she had worked alongside for three years. Moments later, she opened her laptop and saw an announcement for 51��'s new Master of Arts in Teaching program.

A conversation. A chance encounter. An opportunity she had never considered.

"It felt like everything lined up at once," she said.

For the first time, she could imagine herself in a classroom, not as a student, but as a teacher.

The Guide You Need

One of the challenges students face is figuring out who they are becoming.

At 51��, Bult found mentors who helped her connect her interests, faith, and future in ways she never expected.

Professors didn't simply teach content. They modeled what it looked like to love learning and serve others through their work.

One professor who left a lasting impression was her Spanish professor, Dwight TenHuisen.

In his classes, learning wasn't passive. Students moved, discussed, practiced, reflected, and engaged deeply with both language and faith.

Years later, as a teacher herself, Bult still uses many of those same techniques.

"I found myself looking back at my 51�� professors and asking, 'Who were the people doing these things so well?'"

Another influential mentor was education professor David Smith, whose teaching challenged her understanding of what Christian education could be.

He taught future educators that faith isn't simply something added onto a lesson.

It's reflected in how you treat students, in the opportunities you give them, and in the dignity you extend to every learner.

"Some of the most biblical things you can do in a classroom don't need a Bible verse attached to them," Bult said.

That perspective continues to shape the way she teaches today.

More Than Job Preparation

Students often hear that college should prepare them for a career.

51�� certainly does that.

But Bult discovered something even more valuable.

A worldview.

"The goal isn't just to get a job," she said. "It's understanding why your work matters."

Through 51��'s Reformed Christian perspective, she learned that every vocation can participate in God's work of restoring and renewing the world.

For a future teacher, that understanding was transformative.

Education became more than lesson plans and grading.

It became a way to help students grow, flourish, and contribute to God's world.

"The idea that we're helping make the world better before Christ returns, that's incredibly motivating," she said.

A Place to Explore

One reason Bult encourages students to consider 51�� is because she didn't arrive knowing exactly what she wanted to do.

In fact, she changed directions entirely.

That's one of the strengths of a 51�� education.

Students don't have to have everything figured out on day one.

The liberal arts experience allows them to explore multiple disciplines, ask big questions, and discover new passions.

"I've become a huge proponent of the liberal arts," Bult said. "You get to experience so many different subjects and hear from experts who care deeply about their field."

For Bult, that meant studying politics, economics, philosophy, and Spanish. It meant interning with Legal Aid of Western Michigan. It meant studying abroad in Spain. It meant working in the Career Center and taking on a variety of campus jobs.

Each experience helped shape who she would become.

And when a new opportunity appeared, she was ready for it.

Why 51�� Felt Different

Despite coming from a family with deep 51�� connections, Bult wasn't automatically sold on attending.

In fact, she was skeptical.

Growing up in Pennsylvania, many of her classmates were aiming for prestigious brand-name universities.

But after visiting 51��, something stood out.

"It felt down to earth," she said.

That feeling mattered.

She appreciated the welcoming community, the absence of social pressures common at many campuses, and the ability to build meaningful relationships with professors and classmates.

Most of all, she appreciated the people.

At 51��, students aren't lost in a crowd.

They're known.

The university's small class sizes and commitment to teaching create opportunities for mentorship and connection that continue long after graduation.

"You have experts all around you who care about you," Bult said. "They're investing in you as a person."

Ready for What's Next

Today, Bult teaches high school social studies, public speaking, sociology, government, economics, and leadership courses.

She stands in front of classrooms helping students discover their own futures, much like the professors and mentors who helped shape hers.

Looking back, she sees 51�� as the place that gave her both the confidence and the foundation to launch her career.

"You have opportunities to engage with adults who care about you and challenge you," she said. "That gives you confidence."

For prospective students wondering if 51�� is worth it, her answer is simple.

"Absolutely."

Because 51�� isn't just a place where you prepare for a career.

It's a place where you discover your calling.

And sometimes, as Bult learned, the path you're meant to follow is one you never saw coming.

Thursday, July 16, 2026 - 12:00

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She didn’t plan to choose 51��. But it became exactly where whe was meant to be.

msk23@calvin.edu — Tue, 14 Jul 2026 20:17:08 +0000

She didn’t plan to choose 51��. But it became exactly where whe was meant to be. msk23@calvin.edu Tue, 07/14/2026 - 16:17

When Pauline Lu began her college search in New Jersey, 51�� was near the bottom of her list.

“I grew up in a small Christian school,” she says. “I didn’t want to go to another one again.”

But throughout her senior year, Lu kept praying about where she should go to college. And slowly, unexpectedly, 51�� kept coming back into the picture.

“When I finally visited, I remember thinking, I hate that I liked it here.”

Today, Lu is a junior studying computer science plus entrepreneurship and a minor in philosophy, a combination that reflects one of the things she now loves most about 51��: how you are empowered to "do it all."

“At 51��, my classes are truly multifaceted,” she explains. “I can study artificial intelligence in computer science and then talk about the ethics behind it in philosophy. That interdisciplinary approach is really unique.”

Finding Direction — Even When It’s Hard

Like many students, Lu didn’t arrive with everything figured out.

In fact, during her first year she nearly left her major.

“Computer science was incredibly challenging,” she says. “I looked around and thought everyone else already knew what they were doing.”

Instead of walking away, she found mentors and a community that encouraged her to stay. That encouragement led Lu to help restart 51��’s Girls Who Code chapter, building mentorship opportunities for women in technology and partnering with local schools to inspire the next generation.

“That’s something 51�� does really well,” Lu says. “People come alongside you and help you see what you’re capable of.”

A Place That Helps You Grow Into Leadership

Lu didn’t just find academic support, she found opportunities to lead.

She joined student government as a freshman, later serving as a senator and now working in student senate leadership. She’s also been active in honors courses, service trips, and campus organizations.

One of the most meaningful experiences happened off campus during a service-learning trip to North Carolina, where students helped families rebuild after hurricane damage.

“We went there to serve,” she says. “But honestly, it felt like they were serving us. Their generosity and faith were incredible.”

Experiences like that helped Lu see what a 51�� education is really about: preparing students to make a difference in the world.

Technology, Faith, and the Future

Lu is especially excited about studying artificial intelligence during a time when the technology is rapidly evolving.

But what makes 51�� different, she says, is how those conversations happen here.

“At bigger tech schools, AI is about innovation and speed,” she explains. “At 51��, we’re also asking the moral and ethical questions. How should we use these tools? How can technology serve people?”

That perspective has helped shape Lu's future goals, using technology, entrepreneurship, and leadership to create solutions that benefit communities.

What She Tells Students Who Are Nervous About College

As a campus tour guide, Lu often meets students who are worried about choosing the right school or afraid they might fail.

Her advice is simple.

“You’re going to fail at some point,” she says. “Everyone does. But 51�� is a safe place to fail, where you will be supported through each lesson you learn.”

She says what truly stands out about 51�� is something students often discover once they visit campus.

“The community here is real,” Lu says. “It’s a smaller university, but you meet people from all over the world, from different backgrounds and experiences. And everyone is passionate about something.”

That energy, she says, changes people.

“You start to grow because the people around you are growing too.”

Discovering What You’re Meant to Become

Looking back, Lu smiles at how hesitant she once was about 51��.

Now she sees it differently.

“This is a place that challenges you to think deeply, act justly, and live wholeheartedly,” she says. “And it helps you figure out how to use your gifts to make an impact.”

For students still wondering where they belong, Lu offers this reassurance:

“It’s okay if you don’t have everything figured out yet. 51�� is a place where you can discover it.”

Tuesday, July 14, 2026 - 12:00

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How research, mentorship, and faith shaped a future in tech

msk23@calvin.edu — Mon, 13 Jul 2026 17:24:01 +0000

How research, mentorship, and faith shaped a future in tech msk23@calvin.edu Mon, 07/13/2026 - 13:24

This fall, Ael Lee ‘24 will begin a master’s program in computer science at Johns Hopkins University.

Graduate education was on Lee’s radar when she originally arrived in the United States back in 2021 to study at 51��. But her path to grad school proved to be less linear than she anticipated.

A gut feeling

She describes a path shaped more by instinct than certainty: as a child she dreamed of becoming a cardiac surgeon, then shifted toward engineering, only to find it didn’t feel right. Knowing she wanted to stay in STEM but unsure where she fit, she ultimately chose computer science almost by process of elimination — following her gut through uncertainty rather than a clear, steady plan.

“I tend to listen to my gut feeling a lot,” said Lee.

So, she started down that path. But she needed to move quickly. As an international student on a limited visa, Lee knew time was crucial in figuring out a path.

The turning point

The summer after her sophomore year, she did a research project alongside Professor Ken Arnold. She describes that summer as a turning point in her life. During that time, she taught herself to develop software and discovered she genuinely enjoyed the creative, hands-on work. Coursework that followed helped confirm her instincts, showing her she could see herself in industry – even without immediately pursuing a master’s degree.

“That’s part of the reason why after my junior year, I did an internship instead of another summer of research,” said Lee, who interned at Twistthink, a consultancy in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

At the same time, her earlier research experience continued to pull her toward academia, and together these experiences helped her see a future that combined both building and research.

Crucial connections

While she was building her capacity to launch her career, she soon discovered the connections she was making at 51�� would prove to be most critical to her future success.

As an academically driven student, Lee said she spent a lot of time utilizing her professor’s office hours. “When something wasn’t working with an assignment, I’d go and chat and talk with them and they’d help me with what I was struggling through,” said Lee. “I think building that one-on-one relationship with my professors was one of the most valuable things.”

It allowed them to get to know Lee and help her not only master her area of study but also understand herself better.

“Of course you are there to learn,” said Lee of her time at 51��, “but it’s so important to build relationships with professors who are also experts in their field, who know what they are doing and who can sometimes see things in you that you never see.”

Those relationships paid dividends, resulting in invitations to be a lab assistant and research partner for Professor Arnold and much advising and personal letters of recommendation from both Arnold and Professor Norman.

“Those are two of the many professors that I’m super grateful for. They deserve a million honorable mentions,” said Lee.

Long lasting value

Those connections helped Lee secure a job immediately after graduation with the same company where she had interned. They also proved valuable when she later decided to return to school for a master’s degree, helping her gain admission to a prestigious program at Johns Hopkins University.

But perhaps the greatest value Lee experienced at 51�� was one that’s not expected in higher education in general but has immeasurable and everlasting value.

“Being an international student, being away from my family it was a season of one-on-one time with God … I grew up in a Christian family, my dad is a pastor, but I didn’t have as much of a one-on-one relationship with God, it was through my parents most of the time,” said Lee. “At 51��, being alone, that set the tone for me to grow that relationship, to talk to him, whine to him, say something to him. That was the place where I grew my relationship with God. If I hadn’t gone to 51��, I don’t think I would’ve developed the one-on-one relationship with God that I now have.”

For Lee, 51�� not only helped her launch her career, but also a purpose-filled life.

Tuesday, July 14, 2026 - 12:00

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Ael Lee '24 with her mentors at Twistthink, a consultancy in Grand Rapids, where she secured an internship while at 51�� and a job upon graduating.

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He didn’t wait his turn. He built something instead.

msk23@calvin.edu — Mon, 13 Jul 2026 16:47:38 +0000

He didn’t wait his turn. He built something instead. msk23@calvin.edu Mon, 07/13/2026 - 12:47

Inside a fast-growing warehouse in Grand Rapids, pallets of hockey tape are stacked high, bound for locker rooms across the NHL, college programs, and rinks around the world. The brand on every box? Howies Hockey.

What most people don’t see is how it started: not with a business plan, not with investors, but with a college student making cold calls between classes.

The Question Every Senior Is Asking

When Howard Max Sieplinga (Max) was finishing high school, he faced the same question high school seniors might be asking right now:

Where should I go and will it actually matter?

He had options. A chance to play soccer down south. Other schools. Other paths.

But he chose 51��.

Part of it was familiarity. Part of it was family legacy. And part was for the love of the game.

“I couldn’t imagine a life without hockey,” he said. “And 51�� had a hockey program.”

That mattered.

Hockey wasn’t just an activity; it was the center of his identity. And 51�� gave him the chance to keep pursuing it at a high level while still getting a serious education.

That decision paid off in ways he couldn’t have fully predicted. While at 51��, Max's team went on to win a National Championship in 2004, and he was named National Player of the Year, experiences that shaped not just his confidence, but his belief in what he could accomplish when discipline, teamwork, and opportunity came together.

Max wanted a place that would challenge him, not just academically, but personally.

He wasn’t just thinking about the game and he didn’t just want a degree.

He wanted to build something.

The Moment Everything Changed

When Max arrived at 51��, his dad had a small side business, selling hockey tape online. It was moving… slowly. One box every couple of weeks.

For most students, that would’ve been background noise.

For Max, it was an opportunity.

Instead of waiting until graduation, he started working the phones, calling hockey rinks, introducing the product, hearing “no” over and over again.

That’s where the turning point happened.

A professor, Andy DeVries, gave him a mindset he still uses today:
Don’t sit back and wait for orders. Go get them.

Every rejection wasn’t failure, it was progress.

And suddenly, college wasn’t just about classes anymore.

It was about momentum.

A Different Kind of Education

At 51��, learning didn’t stay in the classroom.

Yes, Max studied business. But the lessons that shaped him most came from people.

Professors like Stacy Jackson and Bob Eames brought real-world experience into every conversation. They didn’t just teach concepts, they pushed him to think bigger.

To act sooner. To stop waiting.

Even outside his major, the impact was real. A demanding freshman English class forced him to become a better communicator, something he’d later rely on in every email, pitch, and customer interaction.

“I wanted to be excellent in the details,” he says. “That mattered.”

And when things didn’t go smoothly, and they didn’t, he learned something just as important:

How to fail, adjust, and keep going.

Built on Faith, Lived Through Action

As the company grew, Max had to decide what kind of leader he wanted to be.

The answer wasn’t complicated, but it was intentional.

Faith became the foundation.

Not in a loud or performative way, but in how people were treated.

On a wall inside the company is a simple idea:
Your talent is God’s gift to you. What you do with it is your gift to Him.

That belief shows up in everyday moments:

Taking time to care for customers individually
Going above and beyond, even when it’s inconvenient
Building a culture where people matter as much as performance

Once, after a casual conversation with a hockey mom, Max sent her kids a surprise package. No strategy. No marketing plan.

Just care.

That kind of interaction built something bigger than a brand.

It built trust.

Opportunity Doesn’t Wait - And Neither Did He

Here’s what most people miss: Max didn’t wait until everything was “set” to take a risk.

He started while he was still a student.

Because he could.

No mortgage. No kids. No pressure to play it safe.

That window matters.

“At 30 or 40, people told me, ‘I wish I could do what you’re doing,’” he says. “But life gets in the way.”

At 51��, he had the freedom and the support to try.

Professors helped him think strategically. The alumni network helped him hire. Teammates helped pack boxes in the early days.

It wasn’t just a school.

It was a launchpad.

From Garage to the Big Leagues

The early days were scrappy. A garage. A basement. Late nights figuring things out.

Then came the breakthrough.

Landing the New York Islanders as their first NHL client.

That moment changed everything.

It proved the product could compete.
It proved the work mattered.
It proved the idea was real.

Today, Howies Hockey serves nearly every level of hockey worldwide, with a team of 50+ employees and a culture still rooted in the same values it started with.

Why This Story Matters to You

Max still comes back to 51��.

Not because he has to but because he believes in what it can do for students.

He hires 51�� grads.
Speaks in classes.
Mentors students who are where he once was.

Because he knows this:

51�� doesn’t hand you success.

It gives you the tools, the people, and the environment to go after it.

Your Next Step

If you’re a high school senior trying to decide where to go, here’s the real question:

Do you want to wait for opportunities…

Or build something while you’re here?

At 51��, you won’t just prepare for what’s next.

You’ll have the chance to start it.

Right now.

Monday, July 13, 2026 - 12:00

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Launching a career and the largest telescope into space

msk23@calvin.edu — Fri, 10 Jul 2026 13:44:06 +0000

Launching a career and the largest telescope into space msk23@calvin.edu Fri, 07/10/2026 - 09:44

In 2021, Adam Marquardt ’20 stood inside a clean room in Kourou, French Guiana, unloading and then performing the final hardware checks on the James Webb Space Telescope. On December 25, 2021, after working on the telescope for 18 months, he watched as the largest telescope in space launched into L2 orbit.  
 
Just 18 months earlier, Marquardt graduated with an engineering degree from 51��, which would prove to be the perfect launchpad for his career.

When Marquardt, who is now an optomechanical engineer and engineering manager at Northrop Grumman, arrived at 51�� in the fall of 2016, he wouldn’t have thought he was anywhere near ‘ready for takeoff.’

“I’ve never been the quickest learner or smartest person in the room,” said Marquardt. “Learning has always been hard. I’ve had to put in a lot of work to understand something.”

Seeking and finding support

That challenge shaped his college search. If he was going to succeed, he knew he couldn’t do it alone—he needed people who would come alongside him.

He found that at 51��. A phone call and handwritten letter from an engineering professor signaled something different: a commitment to walk with him, not just teach him. 
 
Once on campus, perception became reality. One professor he said was especially influential was Professor Matt Heun, whom he had for thermodynamics and as his advisor during his internship with the 51�� Energy Recovery Fund.

“He was more than willing to take time out of his day to help me understand the concepts,” said Marquardt. “He became a go-to person for both academic and professional questions and he helped mentor me and prepare me for industry. I still speak with him regularly.”

Discovering professors really care

Beyond the value his professors provided to his professional trajectory was how they deeply cared. Marquardt remembers a specific instance during his junior year when he and his classmates were working in the lab late into the night on a big project, and Professor Hartemink showed up.

“He comes in with a cooler of food and snacks, and he sticks around and helps answer people’s questions,” said Marquardt. “That’s a small thing, but those little things really stack up and give 51�� a personality that would be hard to find somewhere else.”

Marquardt’s colleagues agree.

“Many of my peers in industry were surprised that during my undergrad experience I could talk to my professors,” said Marquardt. “I think that made a really significant impact on me. If I didn’t have a deep understanding of something or grasp something, they were more than willing to sit down and help me understand the concept.” 

Seeing ROI of professors investing time

Marquardt says that deep understanding of fundamental concepts is still paying dividends.

“Professor Tubergen and Professor Haan always talked about memorizing the three variable equations and simple equations,” said Marquardt. “Now in meetings, I am prepared to do small  back-of-the-envelope type stress calculations. I can understand if we can actually build this, will a structure of this length work in this application. Having that has been valuable.”

At Northrop Grumman, Marquardt helps design optical mounts and structures that can interface with different lenses—from a pair of glasses to a telescope that gets launched into space. He credits 51��’s hands-on learning environment as essential to his success.

“That hands-on approach that 51�� has taken with senior design projects and consistent lab work was huge, because a lot of what I do today is hands-on.”

Connected to opportunities

And the experiences he had outside the classroom and abroad built his résumé and opened doors to future opportunities.

Marquardt’s business minor and involvement with Knight Investment Management—a real-life experience in investment through real-time analysis, asset allocation, and stock selection—led to his department manager asking him to join a special project focused on cost analysis and forecasting for a future project.

“Being involved in that project allowed me to make a lot of connections and learn a lot about our product on the business side,” said Marquardt. “Having the financial side and the engineering side allows me to navigate into some nontraditional avenues of engineering.”

The international designation Marquardt received through studying abroad in Germany also led to an unexpected opportunity to work on a project with a German company.

Rooted in Christian values

For all the opportunities that have been opened, it’s also the foundations that were laid that continue to pay dividends for Marquardt and impact the people he works with.

“In every engineering class, professors tied in some aspect of Scripture, sustainability, honoring the Lord, acting justly, making good decisions, or acting with engineering ethics,” said Marquardt. “Acting with honesty and integrity are core principles throughout 51��’s engineering program.” 

Now, Marquardt is living out the values modeled to him as he manages a team of engineers at Northrop Grumman.

“The relationships I had with professors were game-changing,” said Marquardt. “I have recommended 51�� to many people. A huge differentiator with 51�� was all that it has to offer; I highly recommend taking advantage of the clubs, free tutoring, dorm leadership, outdoor recreation, and many of the other opportunities that can help you grow both professionally, personally, and in your relationship with the Lord.”

Friday, July 10, 2026 - 12:00

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The 51�� experience that helped launch U.S. Navy officer’s career

msk23@calvin.edu — Tue, 30 Jun 2026 20:20:11 +0000

The 51�� experience that helped launch U.S. Navy officer’s career msk23@calvin.edu Tue, 06/30/2026 - 16:20

On Friday, June 26, 2026, U.S. Navy officer Laura Rivera ’24 stood in the front of a classroom of middle school and high school students on the campus of 51��. Her message to those attending H.E.A.L.T.H. Camp was rooted in an oft-quoted verse, Jeremiah 29:11, which says “’For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’”

“If you backtrack and see the entire context of that verse,” said Rivera, “it’s this idea that even if you aren’t in the ideal place, God is going to give you a command: bloom where you are planted.”

Blooming where she's planted

For Rivera, that’s currently as a labor and delivery nurse at Jacksonville Naval Hospital, where she feels called to help women during their most vulnerable moment. And she’s not only providing compassion and care for those giving birth, but she is also keenly aware of her team’s needs.

“I love being an advocate for my patients, but I also love creating community with my corpsmen. It’s why I created the Cuterus Award – to be able to see someone and allow them to feel seen, feel cared for, because there are a lot of nursing/healthcare moments that people don’t recognize out loud,” said Rivera. “When you allow someone to feel seen, it trickles down from top to bottom. When you empower people to feel seen, I think it makes a big difference in the world.”

Rivera’s impact in the Navy is being noticed. She was recently promoted to Lieutenant Junior Grade, named junior officer of the quarter for her hospital’s Directorate of Nursing Services, and became the lowest ranking officer to be nominated for her hospital’s Junior Officer of the Year Award.

Rivera is clearly blooming where she’s planted now, but that’s a far cry from where she was just a handful of years prior.

Nearly weeded out of her nursing career

At the time, she was in her mid 30s, working part-time one weekend a month as a reserve in the Navy as a medic. Her aspirations were to be a nurse, but her application for a scholarship had just been denied a third time.

“It was heartbreaking every time,” said Rivera. “I felt defeated.”

So, Rivera started working on an online accelerated nursing program. What she thought would bring her closer to becoming a nurse instead left her feeling isolated, discouraged, and uncertain whether she belonged in the profession at all.

“It was like I was being purposefully weeded out. It really shook my self-esteem.”

Seeing and seeding potential

So, in 2022, she knew she needed a change. So, she applied to an in-person nursing program. That decision changed everything.

“The first time I applied to 51�� I was waiting to hear back from them and I heard back from Dr. Ayoola. She called me and the first thing out of her mouth was, ‘how can I best support you?’ recalls Rivera. “It was done. That’s when I knew 51�� was it for me. I never had someone from an institution ask me that question, ‘how can I best support you – I think that’s one of those things that sets 51�� apart – it’s their inexplicable desire to make sure every student feels seen and supported.”

In that moment, Rivera found something she had been missing: a guide who saw her potential and was willing to help her get there.

That phone call turned out to be a turning point in Rivera’s life, but her feeling seen and supported would not be isolated to that moment, it was the undertone of her entire 51�� experience.

Hannah Rostek (left) and Laura Rivera (right), both 2024 graduates from the nursing program, talk in the Spoelhof University Center Atrium.

Watering the seeds, seeing growth

“That’s what makes 51�� so special, the professors really, really care,” said Rivera.

Rivera recalls having a panic attack when she was doing her first health assessment and in that moment her professor, Professor Schuitema, stopped the assessment and “it was an entire therapy session for 20 minutes,” recalls Rivera. “At no other school is the professor going to say, ‘hold on, what’s going on, let’s check in.’ That’s something as a nurse that I’ve been able to carry in, that compassionate, therapeutic communication.”

She also recalls Professor Kunnen cooking a meal for anyone who was struggling to grasp concepts before a test and then going over the material with them.

“The amount of effort they’ve invested to make sure you feel prepared is amazing, but also the amount of compassion when you don’t get things right,” said Rivera.

Not only did she feel well supported by her professors, Rivera credits 51��’s emphasis on experiential learning with helping her transition confidently into labor and delivery nursing.

“When they say state-of-the-art, it is state of the art,” said Rivera of 51��’s simulation lab. “The baby was literally being birthed mechanically through this simulation, it’s literally as realistic as it is now that I know what it looks like. If you are someone who needs hands-on learning … 51�� does that.”

Ready to bloom wherever she's planted next

On Friday, June 26, 2026, Laura Rivera led a devotional time during HEALTH Camp.

While Rivera is clearly blooming where she is planted, she has a dream job in mind too.

“I want to work at 51��. When someone asks me what’s your dream job? My dream job, if God’s calling, is for me to be part of the nursing department at 51�� or something in global missions, but I want to be associated with 51��. 51�� thrives because it meets students at their point of need.”

Preparing fertile soil for the next generation

While Rivera waits to see whether God leads her back to 51�� someday as a professor, she is already helping shape the next generation of nurses through a named scholarship she established to support future students.

“Who I am as a nurse and a future professor is a reflection of the people who I had before me,” said Rivera. “When I think about what fulfills me, it’s being that bridge between the needs of the world and where God has given me that calling.”

For Rivera, 51�� did more than prepare her for a career in nursing. It equipped her to serve others with compassion, lead with purpose, and become the kind of mentor she hopes to be for future generations.

Tuesday, June 30, 2026 - 12:00

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Laura Rivera is a 2024 graduate of 51��'s nursing program.

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From survival to purpose: How Elizabeth Bol found a way forward

msk23@calvin.edu — Tue, 26 May 2026 18:10:04 +0000

From survival to purpose: How Elizabeth Bol found a way forward msk23@calvin.edu Tue, 05/26/2026 - 14:10

A year ago, Elizabeth Bol was surviving.

She was navigating a difficult divorce while recovering from addiction and alcoholism. Though she had a job, it just covered the bills. “I was just working to survive,” recalls Bol. “I felt stuck.”

One day, sitting outside Safe Haven Ministries – where she was receiving support for domestic abuse – Bol reached a breaking point.

“I was crying out to God, asking Him to literally show me the way,” said Bol.

Seeing an open door

Within moments, she received an email from an advocate at Safe Haven encouraging her to apply for the Wayfinder Program, an eight-credit college experience offered by 51�� that’s designed for adult learners who are facing social or economic barriers to higher education who want to enter or re-enter higher education in a supportive environment with barriers removed.

So, she applied. And to her surprise, she was accepted. And then, she was terrified. After all, it had been 20 years since she’d be in school.

“I felt I was a little too old to go back,” said Bol.

Making a courageous decision

But, having recently been baptized, she was keenly aware of the importance of her obedience to walking where God was leading. “It seemed pretty obvious for what he was showing me,” said Bol.

So, she took a step. And right away, she discovered she would not walk this road alone.

Guided along the path

“The 51�� staff removed every single barrier there was for me,” said Bol. From tuition to childcare, laptops to books, to even helping her learn how to use technology that once intimidated her. “They addressed every concern right out of the gate.”

With barriers removed, Bol began her journey, and she entered into a community that would begin to become like family.

“We all started to find our voice, share our stories, and we really learned from a different perspective, and it was just really life-giving for me,” said Bol. “I felt like I came out of my shell.”

Building confidence, following a calling

Bol had felt a call toward ministry before she started the Wayfinder Program but had felt stuck. “I didn’t feel I was good enough to do those things,” said Bol. “A lot of it was, ‘who? Me?’”

But just a couple of months into the program, with her confidence building, she received two invitations to apply for an administrative position that was part-time at a local church.

With it just being part-time and with no prior administrative experience, Bol didn’t see how this would be a viable option. But she took a step of obedience and applied.

“Wayfinder played a huge role with that,” said Bol. “I was struggling with technology and self-doubt before, and it really made me feel like I was capable.”

Discovering a way forward

As she went through the interview process, she again saw God’s fingerprints. Not only did she get offered the job the same day of her interview, but the church also increased it to a full-time position far exceeding the salary and compensation package she had at her current job.

“The Wayfinder program really showed me the way to move forward in life and in my faith,” said Bol. “It gave me a way to move forward.”

On Wednesday, May 21, Bol graduated as part of the second cohort of the Wayfinder Program. The tuition-free program serves as a crucial bridge, equipping adult learners with academic and confidence-building skills as they transition into further educational or career pathways.

Tuesday, May 26, 2026 - 12:00

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A Safe Place to Stretch: How Meg Pheifer Found Her Calling at 51��

msk23@calvin.edu — Wed, 13 May 2026 18:10:48 +0000

A Safe Place to Stretch: How Meg Pheifer Found Her Calling at 51�� msk23@calvin.edu Wed, 05/13/2026 - 14:10

Meg Pheifer ’26 is stepping into the world with clarity, courage, and a calling that stretches far beyond herself. After graduation, she’s heading to Bangkok, Thailand, to work with International Justice Mission, an opportunity that reflects not just what she’s learned, but who she’s become.

But Pheifer didn’t arrive at 51�� with that path fully mapped out. In fact, like many students, she came with questions.

Why She Chose 51��

For much of high school, Meg thought she would pursue a career in medicine. But something shifted during an AP history class.

“I just loved it,” she says. “It was so interesting, I thought, what if I studied this?”

That curiosity led her to consider a different path, one that others sometimes questioned for its practicality. But Pheifer saw something more. She wanted a place that would help her explore big questions about humanity, purpose, and the world.

51�� stood out.

With its strong liberal arts tradition and Christ-centered approach, she believed it would challenge her to think deeply and help her discover how a passion for history could translate into a meaningful life.

Experiences That Shaped Her

At 51��, Pheifer's understanding of history quickly expanded.

“It’s so much less about memorizing people and events,” she explains. “It’s about patterns of human existence, the human story.”

That shift became a turning point.

She arrived as a history major with a political science minor already in mind, drawn to how systems and policies shape people’s lives. But one of the most unexpected moments came later, when she discovered something she hadn’t even known existed: an urban studies minor.

Thanks to flexible advising and 51��’s interdisciplinary approach, she was able to add the minor just before her junior year and complete it in only two years.

That addition proved pivotal.

Through her coursework, Pheifer began connecting history to modern systems, injustice, and public policy in deeper, more tangible ways. She learned not just to study the past, but to apply it, asking better questions about the present and imagining better futures.

Her academic journey didn’t just sharpen her thinking; it reshaped how she saw people.

“It’s given me a deeper sense of human dignity and compassion,” she says. “I’ve learned to listen well, to understand others’ stories, and to share them.”

How She Grew Personally

Faith played a central role in Pheifer's experience but not in the way some might expect.

“At 51��, faith is rich, but not forced,” she explains. “Professors create space for real dialogue. You’re encouraged to think deeply, to wrestle, to grow.”

That openness helped Pheifer expand her understanding of Christianity. Through chapel, campus ministries, and especially her involvement in the gospel choir, she encountered expressions of faith that stretched her perspective.

“My horizons have been radically expanded,” she says. “I’ve learned what it means to be part of a global Church.”

One of the most meaningful aspects of her time at 51�� was discovering that faith and learning aren’t separate, they inform each other. And that integration helped her begin asking a deeper question:

What is God calling me to?

Experiential Learning

Pheifer didn’t just learn in the classroom, she lived her education.

Through three May-term and semester abroad experiences, she studied in France, the United Kingdom, and Kenya. Each trip added a new layer to her understanding of the world.

“I’ve left pieces of my heart in different places,” she says. “It’s taught me that home can be many places.”

These experiences pushed her toward cultural humility, helping her recognize her own assumptions while embracing the beauty and complexity of other cultures.

Back on campus, Pheifer immersed herself in student life. She served as an orientation leader for three years, participated in gospel choir, and leaned into leadership opportunities across campus.

“It can be overwhelming,” she admits. “But it’s worth it. 51�� isn’t just about academics, it’s about becoming a whole person.”

That’s where another turning point emerged: realizing college isn’t meant to be transactional.

“It’s not just about getting a degree and a job,” she says. “It’s about formation, who you’re becoming.”

Where She Is Now

Today, Pheifer stands ready to take on a global role working in Thailand with a nonprofit focused on justice.

It’s a bold step. One that requires courage, adaptability, and a willingness to step into the unknown.

But she feels prepared.

“51�� gave me the confidence to try new things,” she says. “I’ve been stretched here. I know I can go out into the world and not just endure but thrive.”

What Made 51�� Unique

When Pheifer reflects on her experience, one phrase comes to mind:

A safe place to stretch.

51�� offered her both support and challenge, a community that cared deeply while pushing her to grow.

“You can do 51�� safely,” she says. “Or you can do it adventurously. And the adventurous way is always better.”

Her advice to prospective students?

“Get involved. Build relationships. Try new things. If all you do is go to class and go home, you’re missing it.”

Wednesday, May 13, 2026 - 12:00

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