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 …
Dordt Campaign Aim is Planting for the Future
In March, Dordt publicly launched “Planting for the Future,” the largest capital campaign in the institution’s history with a goal of fundraising $90 million dollars by year-end 2023. “Our world needs a place like Dordt University to equip our students, alumni, and community to work toward Christ-centered renewal in all areas of life,” says President Erik Hoekstra. “Dordt has a …
Lambs Provide Hands-On Experience in Ag Course
Students in Dr. John Olthoff’s Beef and Sheep Science course don’t have to buy a textbook, but they do need to invest in feeder lambs. Each student pays $50 toward the purchase of weaned lambs, and that investment is supplemented by a bank loan. Throughout the semester, students apply what they learn about beef and sheep breeding, genetics, nutrition, 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 …
New Faculty Seminar
For decades, new full-time Dordt University faculty have gathered at the beginning of August to prepare for their academic service at Dordt, meeting weekly or bi-monthly during the school year week to discuss teaching and the Reformed worldview, share questions and experiences, and develop relationships across disciplines and levels of teaching experience. Today’s New Faculty Seminar is led by Education …