Fun, Fellowship & Campus Traditions
Kuyper College recognizes that no college education is complete without a good amount of fun and fellowship, so there's always a special event waiting in the wings. All students - residential, nonresidential, and nontraditional - are invited to take part in campus events.
The Student Activities Club is responsible for planning and organizing many of the campus events, but activities are also offered by the Spiritual Life Committee, members of Student Senate, the Intramural Committee, HANDS (Helping and Nurturing During Service) and the Residence Life staff.
Some events are longtime campus traditions, while some are fairly new but on their way to becoming traditions. And, there's always room for new and creative activities every year. One of the great things about Kuyper College is that students are encouraged to come up with new ways to have fun. If you've got an idea for an event or activity, chances are you'll be given the green light to organize it.
Campus Traditions
Fun Fest
This takes place at the beginning of the fall semester. It's a competition between Schaal and Timmer halls and a team combining Holt Apartment residents and Off-Campus students. Teams compete in a variety of messy games and activities that kick-off the new school year. The winning team gets the coveted spot on the nameplate of the Fun Fest Trophy.
All-Campus Retreat
Very early in the fall semester, students get away to enjoy a variety of activities during a retreat at destinations such as Spring Hill, Timber Wolf Lake, and Camp Geneva. It's a great chance to get to know your classmates better and be challenged in your walk with Christ.
Farm Fest
This event brings out the cowboy and cowgirl in our students. Square dancing, a hay ride, a bonfire, and great prizes make this one terrific fall evening.
Christmas Banquet
The Christmas Banquet is a tradition that's been around for more than 60 years. This formal night includes a great meal, entertainment, and dancing.
Midnight Bowling
Every spring semester, the College rents a bowling alley, and students vie for prizes as the best-and worst-bowlers.
Super Bowl Party
Come to the party and cheer on your team, eat some great food and hang out with other students, faculty and staff.
Variety Show
Students enjoy showcasing their God-given talents in the Variety Show each spring, competing for various prizes. This is an event you won't want to miss.
The End of Year Bash
Students, faculty and staff enjoy dinner, live music and lawn games in the backyard as they celebrate the completion of the school year.
Other events and activities that Kuyper College students have enjoyed:
Getting Involved
Several campus organizations provide opportunities for personal and spiritual growth and to guide campus policies-or to just have fun.
Bible Studies
Weekly Bible studies are held on each residence hall floor. There are also Bible study opportunities for students living off campus.
Choir
The Kuyper College Choir performs on campus and at area churches and schools. Most students take choir for credit, but there are students who take the course purely for the enjoyment. The academic portion of choir is a brief overview of music in its historical and cultural contexts. The music presented by the choir is drawn from a variety of historical periods and represents a wide range of styles. For more information about the choir, e-mail Carol Hochhalter at chochhalter@kuyper.edu or call her at (616) 988-3697.
HANDS (Helping and Nurturing During Service)
HANDS is a student group with a passion to change the world. Anyone with this passion is invited to join HANDS as they reach out and try to understand social justice issues with a holistic view. For more information contact Becky Sikkes at rebeccasikkes@students.kuyper.edu.
Intramural Committee
The Intramural Committee is very active in organizing athletic opportunities for the Kuyper College community. The committee is responsible for organizing tournaments, activities, and outings to promote active lifestyles and good sportsmanship. Tournaments are held in basketball, flag football, volleyball, ultimate Frisbee, indoor and outdoor soccer, pool, and table tennis. The Intramural Committee also plans activities such as lunchtime dodgeball, softball games, and nighttime games. Outings may include ski trips, hockey games, basketball games, baseball games, bowling, and ice-skating. For more information, contact Christine Moran at cmoran@kuyper.edu or at (616) 988-3691.
Mission Trips
During spring break, Christmas break, and summer sessions, Kuyper College offers several mission-trip opportunities. These trips have taken students to Russia, the Dominican Republic, Romania, Texas, Florida, and a variety of other places.
Spiritual Life Committee
The Spiritual Life Committee oversees chapel services, organizes the All-campus Retreat, helps facilitate a program of Bible study and prayer groups, and makes recommendations aimed at increasing the overall spiritual vitality on campus. For more information about this committee, contact Christy Johnson at christinajohnson@students.kuyper.edu or call (616) 988-3696.
Student Activities Club
Members of the Student Activities Club plan and organize all kinds of campus events. The committee sponsors an event once a month and aims to provide opportunities for social events that will build community at Kuyper College. For more information, contact Andrea Smith, Student Activities Club advisor at asmith@kuyper.edu or at (616) 988-3650.
Student Senate
Each year, a group of students is elected and appointed to serve as advocates for the student body as members of Student Senate. These representatives voice the concerns of students and address issues of vital importance to the entire college community. The result is often positive change and a better Kuyper College for everyone.
Members of Student Senate play an active role on a number of college committees in addition to taking on projects as a group. Representatives are elected and appointed from among all year levels (freshman, sophomore, junior, senior) and from multicultural, off-campus, and international students.
To be eligible to serve on Student Senate, students must be full-time, plan to attend the College for the full year of their term, and be in good academic standing (GPA of 2.5 or higher). Students are eligible to serve as Chair of Student Senate only if they've previously served as a member of Student Senate for at least one year.
To learn more about becoming a campus leader through Student Senate, contact Cisco Gonzalez, director of student life, at cgonzalez@kuyper.edu or at (616) 988-3702.
Yearbook Staff
Put your skills to work creating and publishing a book that will provide a wealth of memories to Kuyper College students. For more information, contact Andrea Smith at asmith@kuyper.edu or at (616) 988-3650.