Dordt University Professor of Agriculture Dr. John Olthoff retires after 36 years

A retirement open house will be held on Friday, April 25 from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. in the Eckardt Lounge to recognize Dordt University faculty retiree, Dr. John Olthoff.

Dr. John Olthoff has been a professor in Dordt University's Agriculture department for 36 years, teaching a wide range of courses. Some of the courses he has taught include Foods: Connecting to Life, Feed and Feeding, Anatomy and Physiology of Animals, Principles of Dairy Science, and Agriculture Genetics.

“John's many years of experience in the animal agriculture industry have given him a wealth of knowledge in many different content areas,” says Dr. Holly De Vries, assistant professor of agriculture at Dordt. “This is apparent in the way he is able to instruct a wide variety of upper-level animal science courses at great depth.”

In addition to his extensive knowledge, De Vries says Olthoff’s genuine interest in his students has been instrumental in their learning and the community at large. “Whether advising pre-vet students, leading the Dairy Challenge team or working with community partners guiding student research projects, he has invested his time in furthering the ag program and its impact on the agriculture community. “

“As a student, I had Dr. Olthoff as a professor,” adds De Vries. “It has been a true honor to serve alongside him in the department since coming to Dordt as a professor myself."

About Dordt University

As an institution of higher education committed to the Reformed Christian perspective, Dordt University equips students, faculty, alumni, and the broader community to work toward Christ-centered renewal in all aspects of contemporary life. Located in Sioux Center, Iowa, Dordt is a comprehensive university named to the best college lists by the Wall Street Journal, Times Higher Education, Forbes.com, Washington Monthly, and Princeton Review.