2001
The Voice: Summer 2001
Campus capsules
International students learn more about Iowa
International students had an opportunity to get a broader look at Iowa and Iowans this year
through the Iowa International Fellows Program. The program, which is supported by the Stanley
Foundation, aims to give the state's international students a better understanding of Iowa's
people and the role the state plays in the global environment.
Sanneke Kok, who is Dordt's coordinator for international students, encourages students
to attend the series of four workshops held at different centers in Iowa.
“When students come to college they tend to focus on the campus environment and not
the broader culture of the area in which the college is situated,” she says. This program gives
students the opportunity to reflect on and discuss issues to give them a greater awareness of what
is going on around them.
“Iowa with its declining population is looking to attract people to the state,” says Kok.
“This program is not just a crass way to keep people here, but an acknowledgment that Iowa has
something to offer,” she says, adding that it gives students a good look at the people and
government of the state and the role they play internationally in education, business, and politics. “Another important aspect of the program is the opportunity it gives international
students to make connections with fellow international students on other campuses,” she says.
Students agree.
“Being an international student is not always easy,” says Denise Mula from Istanbul,
Turkey. “Problems arise at times, and I wondered if it was just me or if other international
students face the same obstacles too.” She enjoyed the opportunity to talk with other students
from around the state.
Mula also appreciated what she learned at the four meetings. In October, students went to
Des Moines and met with state leaders to talk about the culture of Iowa. In November, the topic
was Leadership in the Global World; in January, Iowa Politics and State Government; and in
February, The Midwest and U.S. Foreign Policy.
According to Kok, one of the things students also enjoyed was explaining their Christian
background in a secular setting.
“They were exposed to a variety of life-styles and philosophies and found it challenging
to share their goals and ideals,” she says.
Dordt College displayed selections from Easter art competition during the month of April. The
Dordt College art faculty juried artwork from across the United States and Canada and selected
seven winning pieces. Fifteen additional entries were also selected for the exhibit.
The Office of Scholarships and Grants announced a new scholarship recently. The Bomgaars
Scholarship is an annually-funded $750 scholarship that will be awarded to a full-time student in
good academic standing. Preference will be given to a Bomgaars employee or dependent of an
employee.
Purple Martin Winners announced
Each year the English department hosts the Purple Martin Writing Contest. This year's winners
were: Fiction - Ben Groenewold, first; Patrick Bakker, second; Poetry - Sarah Den Boer and
Ryan Vande Kraats, first; Sarah Eekhoff,second; Personal writing - Danielle Vriend, first; Emily
Vander Hart, second; Analysis - Heidi Karges, first; Phil Postma, second; Persuasion - Rose Ann
Vander Wal, first; Ben Groenewold, second; Exposition - Ben Groenewold, first; Allison De
Jong, second.
All of the students who applied to veterinary school this year have been accepted. Marlin
Hoogland, Dan Altena, and Holly Vander Heide were all accepted at Iowa State's School of
Veterinary Medicine. Vander Heide is one of only a few non-residents accepted. She is also
being considered for the only non-resident spot at the Saskatchewan School of Veterinary
Medicine.
