Dubbed the Defender Clay Dusters, Dordt’s trapshooting club is one of the newest and most popular sports clubs on campus. “We’re a group of people with a shared interest in shooting,” says Dr. Tom Prinsen, communication professor and the trapshooting club’s faculty adviser. “Our mission is to provide opportunities for education, training, and mentoring of students in a safe, ethical, …
Mitigating Motto Migration
In Christi Glorium—”All for the Glory of Christ”—was the original motto of Harvard University. Chosen by the board in 1650, this motto served for the first nearly 200 years until it was changed in 1836 to Veritas Christo et Ecclesiae, or “Truth for Christ and the Church.” By 1880, Harvard jettisoned Christ and the church in the seal, and since …
Alex Vasquez Brings Young Life to Sioux County
Alex Vasquez (’18) first heard about Young Life, a para-church organization, when he was a senior in high school in Dallas, Texas. At the time, he felt that he’d achieved everything he’d ever wanted—he had great grades, a girlfriend, football success, and popularity. So, when, according to Vasquez, a “super corny and weird” guy approached him about attending Young Life’s …
The Life and Times of Leonard Gooz
“Every experience in life influences you,” says Leonard Gooz (‘02). “Your family, your community, the friends you surround yourself with.” Gooz can point to many experiences over the years that have led him to his current position as vice president for customer experience and innovation at Hilton, where he works with brands like DoubleTree and Embassy Suites. His life today …
Gen Z, Faith Formation, and Campus Ministries
There are more than four former Christians in America for every one new convert to Christianity,” said Aaron Baart (’99), dean of chapel, in a January 2018 chapel talk in his series “Why They Leave, and Why It Matters.” “That statistic hit me right between the eyes. I thought back on classmates I went to Christian school with who no …
The Story of a Wheelchair
Two senior engineering design teams at Dordt University are busy upgrading a pediatric wheelchair that’s already having a global impact. Hope Haven, a life skills ministry program located in Rock Valley, Iowa, has distributed more than 20,000 wheelchairs to disabled children worldwide. By working with eight Dordt engineering majors on two separate changes to the chair, Hope Haven expects to …
Doing Field Work
It’s a tough time to work in law enforcement and criminal justice. Jon Moeller, a Dordt University criminal justice instructor and an FBI agent, is aware of that. “Perception of law enforcement is poor, and there are fewer people who want to go into criminal justice and law enforcement as career paths,” says Moeller. But, in some ways, that’s what …
Doubling Down on the Arts
New professors bring momentum and passion to their programs. While other institutions are downsizing their arts programs, Dordt University is choosing to double down on the arts. Now, thanks in part to the excitement and passion of new faculty, the arts are flourishing at Dordt. Let us introduce you to our newest arts faculty, so you can see for yourself …
An Inside Look at Nursing
“How are you feeling?” “I—I can’t catch my breath,” says the patient in a shaky voice. Crouching down to eye level and putting her hand on the patient’s shoulder, the nursing student says calmly, “Can you breathe with me? We’re going to breathe in and out. Ready?” Together, the patient and the nurse breathe in, and out. In, and out. …
More Locally-Grown Food on Menu
Fields and farmland surround Dordt University, and Dordt’s food service provider is committed to taking full advantage of that privilege. In the past four years, Dordt Dining Services, led by Head Chef Nick Lawrence, has purchased locally grown food as often as possible. “When we buy from local farmers, we know where our food is coming from,” says Lawrence, who …