Years before he earned a Ph.D. in theology and culture and began his teaching career at Dordt University, Dr. Brad Hickey found solace in video games. “I came from a dysfunctional family and had a difficult childhood. I struggled with confidence and had a major stutter,” he recalls. “I couldn’t even order a cheeseburger at a restaurant without significant issues.” …
Domino Dominance
About 10 years ago, Alex and Derek Koops were watching videos of kinetic contraptions when they stumbled upon domino art, which are design projects built out of thousands of dominoes that are eventually toppled. They were intrigued enough to start making their own builds in their parents’ house in Sioux Center and to eventually post YouTube videos online. They slowly …
Dordt’s Local Impact
How much economic value does Dordt University bring to Sioux County? A recent study conducted by Emsi Burning Glass shows that, in short, Dordt University creates “a positive net impact on the county economy and generates significant return on investment for students and society and benefits for taxpayers.” The study, which was based on the 2019-20 fiscal year, examines the …
Collaborating via Art
How can the Art and Design Department provide more opportunities for students and the campus community to collaborate? That’s been a focus of art professors Vaughn Donahue and David Platter this year; as a result, they have repurposed an old art space and have worked hard to invite both the campus community and the greater Sioux Center community to a …
Core Program Gets a Refresh
The Core Program has long been at the heart of what makes a Dordt education distinctive. Core courses are ones that all students must take to graduate, such as Biblical Foundations, Roots of Western Culture, and Advanced Reformed Thought. Dordt’s Core Program has five goals for students: (a) exhibit a joyful commitment to living out Christ’s Word, (b) understand and …
Being Dordt Alumni
Dordt has had a profound impact on Kate (Van Weelden, ’18) De Vries as a wife, a friend, and a church member. “Because of my time in Dordt’s education program, I am a more effective Christian educator at Des Moines Christian School,” she says. “I have a passion for Christ-centered teaching, and I’m more prepared to answer questions like, ‘What …
Making a Defense
I have served for nearly a decade as president of Dordt University. One question I’ve been asked often is about Dordt’s identity as “the Defenders.” It’s a name that we have begun to use more often, from referring to our alumni base as “Defender Nation” to establishing our place athletically as “Defender Athletics.” Where did the name “Defender” come from? …
Student Trains Pup for Partners for Patriots
This year Katie Ribbens, a senior psychology major, plans to raise, train, and care for a service dog while living and studying on campus. Ribbens is participating in Partners for Patriots, a nonprofit organization that pairs war veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with trained service animals. “Approximately 22 veterans with PTSD take their lives every day,” she says. …
Hearing B.J. Haan Once More
A few years ago, Archives Coordinator Ingrid Mulder opened a drawer and found two boxes of deteriorating cassette tapes. Upon further examination, she realized that 11 of the cassettes were interviews of B.J. Haan, Dordt’s first president, narrating his recollections of Dordt’s early years. Knowing that these tapes were a special part of Dordt’s history, Mulder brought them to Hulst …
Emeriti after Retirement
What do professors do after they retire? These recent Dordt emeriti are continuing their academic interests—and so far, they love it. Dr. Mary Dengler, professor emerita of English, says she feels busier than ever since retiring. She enjoys spending time reading novels and books on theology, political theory, as well as literary and art theory; watching films; and having conversations …