"Dordt is truly a special space," Miller shares. "The culture here is exceptional, and it's evident that students feel a sense of ownership and camaraderie. They are driven, engaged, and supportive of one another."
Dordt University’s Gaming Guild recently hosted Zach Miller, a producer from PlainJoe: A Storyland Studio, on Dordt’s campus. Miller was able to share his expertise and passion for storytelling, encouraging students to explore how storytelling impacts their Christian faith and their future career paths.
Dr. Brad Hickey, faculty advisor for the Gaming Guild, appreciated Miller's genuine interest in understanding the university's Gaming Guild program and community space. "Zach intentionally sought to organically understand the heartbeat and rhythms of our program," says Hickey. "He took time to listen to students, faculty, and staff, asking questions and showing authentic interest in their experiences."
Miller's ability to connect with students and inspire them to think differently about storytelling was particularly noteworthy. "In each class he spoke, Zach expertly wove a beautiful picture of how students could use storytelling as a means to participate in God's redemptive work, regardless of their vocation or interests," adds Hickey.
"Dordt is truly a special space," Miller shares. "The culture here is exceptional, and it's evident that students feel a sense of ownership and camaraderie. They are driven, engaged, and supportive of one another."
Miller recalls how, when he asked students about the significance of the Gaming Guild, several became emotional. “The phrase ‘I found my tribe’ was a common response,” he says. “It’s inspiring to see how this space brings people together and fosters a sense of belonging.”
The Gaming Guild at Dordt University provides a community for gamers who are also committed followers of Jesus. The goal is to help gamers connect with each other, think more broadly about their calling as gamers, and develop their own gaming-related gifts to serve God’s kingdom.
PlainJoe: A Storyland Studio is a “team of down-to-earth designers, artists, architects, strategists, specialists, and problem solvers who design branded experiences in the faith and nonprofit sectors.” They serve as experts in designing brand identities, interactive experiences, architecture, and physical spaces to connect story, create value, and captivate audiences. Zach Miller has worked as a producer at PlainJoe for nearly three years and Storyland Studios for nearly five years.
Miller's visit to Dordt University left him optimistic about the future. "In this remarkable corner of Iowa, the next generation of professionals is taking shape. The Gaming Guild is nurturing driven, intelligent individuals who have the potential to make a real difference in the world," says Miller. "I'm thrilled to see how they'll continue to grow and make an impact."
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. Dordt, located in Sioux Center, Iowa, is a comprehensive university named to the best college lists by U.S. News and World Report, Forbes.com, The Wall Street Journal, Washington Monthly, and Princeton Review.
The Dordt Defender women's basketball team won the program's first Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) Postseason Tournament title with a come from behind win over Concordia University (Nebraska) on Tuesday, March 5 in the DeWitt Gymnasium in Sioux Center, Iowa.
Jocelyn Zonnefeld, a senior majoring in data science, mathematics, and statistics, participated in the prestigious Synthetic Biology Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois.
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