Leadership Iowa visited Dordt University as part of their Education session in Sioux Center. Members participated in a higher education panel and toured key facilities around campus.
On Friday, April 4, members of Leadership Iowa visited Dordt University as part of their Education session. The Leadership Iowa program, launched in 1982 by Governor Ray, is a state-level leadership and issues awareness program. While the group has visited Sioux Center in the past for their Agriculture session, this was the first time for the Education session.
Dale Zevenbergen, director of the K&K Dooyema Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation, is an alumnus of Leadership Iowa and, along with other local Leadership Iowa alumni, coordinated the group’s visit to Sioux Center and Dordt University.
“Participating in the Leadership Iowa program was one of the most impactful experiences I’ve had in my 30+ year career,” says Zevenbergen. “It broadened my understanding of the state and helped me build relationships with other leaders from across Iowa. To have the opportunity to host the Education session here in Sioux Center, including a day on Dordt’s campus, was an incredible opportunity to share the spirit of cooperation that we work so hard to preserve across the city, the community schools, the Christian School, and Dordt University.”
As part of their day on Dordt’s campus, the group participated in a moderated panel discussion about the state of higher education. The panel included Dr. Brandon Huisman, vice president for advancement and marketing at Dordt University, Dale Zevenbergen, Dr. Albert Mosley from Morningside University, and Dr. Jesse Ulrich from Iowa Central Community College. The discussion focused on the challenges and opportunities facing modern higher education, with participants responding to a series of questions on the topic.
Following the panel, the group of 45 business leaders toured Dordt’s campus, breaking into three smaller groups to visit key campus facilities. Along the way, they heard from Dordt faculty and leadership about the university’s commitment and unique approach to athletics, education, and community. Zevenbergen emphasized that the tour was a powerful chance to share how God is actively working at Dordt, transforming students’ lives and positively affecting the surrounding community. “This was a wonderful opportunity to showcase Dordt and the community to a group of leaders from Central and Eastern Iowa who knew very little about our university and area,” says Zevenbergen.
“It was a joy to help facilitate this visit, and we look forward to another opportunity in the years to come,” he adds.
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.
Dordt University’s Ag Club will host its Annual Ag Day on Friday, April 25, featuring agricultural equipment displays, animals, and a student-run event highlighting the importance of agriculture, with a pulled pork meal available for purchase.
Dordt University’s Kinesiology program reports a 100% acceptance rate for its 2025 class of students applying to physical therapy graduate schools, starting their preparation in the first year.
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