Rich and Helen DeVos Gift $1.2 Million to Kuyper College.

Dr. Nicholas V. Kroeze, President of the College, announced that a major gift has been given to the school. The gift, by Rich and Helen DeVos, is in memory of Jack Van Laar, a Professor of Music at the College from 1952 to 1988.  

Commenting on the gift, Mr. DeVos said, “We are delighted to fund the faculty chair for the new Music and Worship major at Kuyper College and name it in honor of Mr. Jack Van Laar. The high standards and quality of music Jack brought into the music program of the College are a memorable and meaningful part of its history.  It is with great joy that Helen and I also extend this gift in memory and appreciation of the friendship we have shared with Jack and Eloise over the years.”  

According to Dr. Kroeze, the gift will help the College develop a premier music program, "a program that would have pleased Jack Van Laar very much."

"We are very grateful to Rich and Helen for their kindness and support of the College and our mission." added Dr. Kroeze. "This wonderful gift serves as an incentive to staff, faculty, students, donors and our many other stakeholders to continue to provide our students a well-rounded biblical and comprehensive academic college experience which allows them to see, understand and live all of life through the filter of Scripture."

Commenting on the college's mission, Mr. DeVos said, "We believe very strongly in the mission of Kuyper College to prepare ministry-directed Christian leaders for today's world. The church today has an increasing need for leadership that can draw people into meaningful worship. We see this new major, therefore, as a perfect complement to the on-going mission of the college."