2002
The Voice: Spring 2002
Homecoming 2002
By Andrew De Young
“Then swell our voices with our throng in ardent, youthful jubilee, and find
with friends a Christian joy in camaraderie.”
This line from the Dordt College Alma Mater was the source for Homecoming
2002’s theme: “Celebrating Camaraderie.” As always, there were many activities and events at
homecoming for alumni to attend, but even though they appreciated these events, in
the end it was the renewed spirit of friendship and community that they
enjoyed most.
“I just love the camaraderie,” said Ron Vos, member of the class of
’70 and professor of agriculture at Dordt. Although he is on campus daily
and attends events frequently, he still looks forward to homecoming every year. According
to Vos, “It’s great to see people who come back. It’s nice to
catch up with my old classmates.”
Ray and Kelli (Keller, ’71) Schuttinga, from St. Paul, Minnesota, agree. “This is
our first homecoming,” said Kelli, “and it’s really great to be back. It’s
just great seeing people that you haven’t seen in a long time.” The
Schuttingas have other reasons to be excited, too. Their son Andy just became
an alumni board member. Kelli says, “I also used to be on the
board. This is the first time that there has been a second generation
board member.”
The Distinguished Alumni banquet on Friday kicked off the events. About ninety people
joined to honor Lloyd and Vicki Vander Kwaak (’78, ’78), this year’s distinguished
alumni. The Vander Kwaaks spoke at the banquet, repeating the message they gave
at a special homecoming chapel on Thursday, tracing their journey from Dordt to
where they are now. Lloyd is currently president and CEO of the Convalescent
Home for Children Network, an institution that helps families with special-needs children. Vicki
is a medical social worker and bereavement coordinator at Mercy Hospice in Johnston,
Iowa.
After the banquet, alumni could hear Pamela Ruiter-Feenstra (’83) give an organ recital
in the B.J. Haan Auditorium. Later, at the SUB Snack Bar, there was
a Dessert Reception where alumni were invited to share their college dating stories.
David Netz (’66) and Delmar Vander Zee (’66), two Dordt employees, shared the
story of how David met his wife, Phyllis, in their freshman year. Their
roommate was dating Phyllis, and had borrowed Delmar’s car to take her to
church. After church was over, David and Delmar hurried to the parking lot
and hid in the backseat. They were under some blankets, but they were
still discovered because they couldn’t keep from laughing. The next semester David and
Phyllis started dating. Phyllis was a cheerleader, and David, as a manager of
the basketball team, took the cheerleaders to games as part of his job.
“Even back then there were advantages to workstudy,” he jokes.
On Saturday, alumni chose from a variety of activities. Some watched the track
meet in the Recreation Center, while others saw the Defenders and Lady Defenders
play Doane in basketball. When the activity got to be too much, alumni
could relax, have some refreshments, and catch up with old friends in the
Hospitality Room. Kim and Kathy (Kuiper) Dooyema (’76, ex ’76) from Brookfield, Wisconsin,
seemed to appreciate the escape that the Hospitality Room provided. “We’re just relaxing
here for a while,” said Kim, “and pretty soon we’re going to go
watch our son, Ryan, play basketball.”
On Saturday evening, alumni and their familes had the opportunity to hear Dave
and Jody Van Kley perform a program based on a presentation they do
in schools.
Whether alums spent their homecoming day going to the games, touring the new
campus center, or just catching up with friends, Homecoming 2002 provided an environment
of renewed camaraderie for all the alumni who attended.
Pamela Ruiter-Feenstra presented an organ recital on the theme “Improvization in the Church
Year” at Homecoming. Ruiter-Feenstra is a professor of music and university organist at
Eastern Michigan University. She frequently performs in Sweden and Italy.
Dave and Jody (Krommendyk) Van Kley, both music majors, graduated from Dordt College
in 1984. Almost eighteen years later, now successful musicians with years of recording
and performing experience, they returned to perform at their alma mater for homecoming.
The Van Kleys have developed a school assembly program focusing on character development
and values titled “Music that Matters” that they have performed for over 10,000
students since 2000.
On Saturday night, Dave and Jody performed for alumni, students, and local families
in the B.J. Haan Auditorium.
