Expanding Knowledge

For Matt Haken, choosing a college was about finding a place where he could thrive spiritually, academically, and personally. “Dordt checked all the boxes for me," says Haken. "It’s committed to its Christian faith, it has a robust engineering program, I was able to participate in athletics, I received a lot of financial support through scholarships, and it has a close-knit community.”

Growing up, Haken had always been fascinated by how God’s creation and man-made elements interacted. “I remember as a young kid sitting by the creek that runs through our pasture and wondering where the water came from and where it was going, or marveling at the complex traffic overpass systems as we drove through big cities,” he recalls.

Purposeful Learning

Dordt’s engineering program has been the perfect fit for his passions. “My experience in the engineering program has been very positive. The engineering coursework is very rigorous, but I enjoyed putting the work in and ultimately learned a lot,” he says.

Haken also appreciates how well Dordt connected academics to faith. “One thing I didn’t realize was how well Dordt would help me understand how my Christian faith ought to inform the way I approach engineering,” he explains. “Thinking about how engineering is a vocation that can be used to serve my neighbor and advance the kingdom of God has been one of the most encouraging aspects of my time in the engineering program.”

One of the most rewarding experiences has been his role as a teaching assistant in the engineering department. “I only needed to take 0.5 credits this whole year, so I was planning to look for full-time employment to make some money while I was here,” explains Haken. “In discussions with engineering department chair last year, it became clear that the department had the need and would be willing to hire me as a department assistant for around 30 hours per week.”

“This has worked well for me because I am close to the athletic facilities for practices, and I enjoy being around the engineering department and helping out," says Haken. "I have been fulfilling various roles for the department including holding study sessions, coordinating engineering club events, grading courses, and proctoring quizzes.”

Beyond the Classroom

During his time at Dordt, Haken has been involved in various activities around campus. For his first two years, he played basketball and was part of the 2022 National Tournament team. Additionally, he has competed on the track and field team for the last three years, participated in the annual Big Tour, and planned the Kansas City trip. He has also been active in the Dordt American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Chapter, contributing to events such as the concrete canoe competition.

Staying actively involved in campus life as a fifth-year, part-time student has allowed Haken to continue forging lasting relationships. “Being here as a 5th year student is an interesting position to be in. There is a sense in which my time here should have come to an end because most of my friends have moved on, but there is also a sense in which the welcoming community of Dordt has allowed me to form new relationships and stay involved,” he reflects.

Haken's time at Dordt has not only led him to meaningful relationships but also a deeper understanding of his faith. "I have realized that all of life is faith," says Haken. "Everything that I do in this life is shaped by faith in who Christ is, what He has done, and what He calls me to be. Realizing this has really made me think about the little things that I do or don't do and how they are a reflection of the things that I hold to be important."

Looking Ahead

Haken has been accepted into Iowa State’s College of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, where he will work as a research assistant specializing in agricultural drainage and water recycling. “During my time at Dordt, I’ve experienced success in my undergraduate engineering courses, which has led me to feel called to continue my studies,” Haken says. “I hope to use my abilities to advance God’s kingdom by studying His creation and fostering more sustainable resource use.”

He has also found a new passion for academia. “Dordt is a great place,” he says. “Maybe I’ll find myself back here as an engineering professor someday.”