I’ve been thinking quite often about sin over the past year. You might be surprised to see a president’s column focus on such a topic. Typically, columns like this are filled with the glories of students, alumni, and faculty of the university. I’ve written those pieces in the past—and will again.I believe that readers of The Voice of Dordt University …
A Reunion for Ernie Benally
When he was 13, Ernest Phillip Benally (’58) almost died. No one, even the nurses, expected him to live. A rattlesnake bite was almost always fatal. Traditional Navajos once had strong feelings about rattlesnakes, worshipped them after a fashion, even though (and maybe because) they so deeply feared their bites. Folk wisdom claimed that once the venom entered the blood …
Getting Your Hands Dirty
It’s not a burden to be heartfully blessed by the beauty of a waterfall or a gaggle of snow geese over your head just after dusk. The truth? Every dawn is a revelation. Mountains stop your breathing. A fresh lake’s gaudy reflections somehow mirror the soul’s peace. Think about it: where would we be without rivers? For 35 years, outdoorsy …
Gaming and Faith
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 …
The Importance of Being Apprenticed
This spring, in conjunction with the mainstage production The Importance of Being Earnest, the Dordt Theatre Department is facilitating an acting apprenticeship program. “The idea for this program formed out of the need to be prepared for Covid-19 to impact our ability to keep a show going,” says Associate Professor of Acting and Directing Laurel Koerner. “We had a few …
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 …
2021 Dordt Grads Achieve 100 Percent Career Outcome
One hundred percent of Dordt University’s class of 2021 were employed or were accepted into graduate school within six months of graduation. “We are so pleased with the outcomes for our graduates,” says Amy Westra, associate director of career development. “This data shows the hard work and dedication of Dordt students and also the value of a Dordt education.” This …