--- title: Defender Days to host some new events date: 2023-10-02T15:46:00-05:00 author: Bethany Van Voorst canonical_url: "https://www.dordt.edu/news/defender-days-to-host-some-new-events" section: News --- [ View Dordt News](https://www.dordt.edu/news) [Events](https://www.dordt.edu/news?category=events) Oct 2, 2023 # Defender Days to host some new events The Dordt Defender Days schedule is live and registration is open. Dordt will be hosting several new and unique events this year, including a groundbreaking ceremony and a family fun zone. ![A view of the front signage at Dordt's 7th Street entrance](https://d3evso2dxyohou.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/default-images/general-news.jpg?mode=crop&pos=center-center&w=66&h=57&f=webp&c=ab57879e&v=0b07b9dbfbf261f60c5383b69383f1d15a3463118bd38836c5bd58d461598554) ![]()Dordt University’s Defender Days, the biggest event of the year, will take place on October 27 and 28. Defender Days welcomes alumni and parents to return to campus and participate in special activities, in addition to athletic and music events. Dordt welcomes guests to join for three meal opportunities: - **Business Connections Breakfast** The Dordt Business Department and Dooyema Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation will be welcoming alumna Julie A. Peterson as the speaker for the 2023 [Business Connections Breakfast](https://www.dordt.edu/news/julie-peterson-to-speak-at-business-connections-breakfast). Peterson is a founding partner at Marq Consulting Group and is the founder and director of Marq Wine Group. Please [RSVP](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/defender-days-2023-tickets-675495123097?aff=oddtdtcreator) for this free breakfast when registering for Defender Days. - **Defender Nation Dinner** Join fellow Dordt alumni for an evening of fellowship over a delicious meal. [Darin Fey](https://www.dordt.edu/news/darin-fey-receives-distinguished-alumni-award) and [Wendy Gomez Matamoros](https://www.dordt.edu/news/wendy-gomez-matamoros-named-2023-horizon-award-recipient), the 2023 alumni award winners, will be recognized. [RSVP](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/defender-days-2023-tickets-675495123097?aff=oddtdtcreator) and ticket purchase are necessary for this event and can be done when registering for Defender Days. - **President’s Brunch** Join President Erik and Dr. Barb Hoekstra for brunch and a campus update. Please [RSVP](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/defender-days-2023-tickets-675495123097?aff=oddtdtcreator) for this free breakfast when registering for Defender Days. This year’s weekend will include several new or unique events: - **Family Fun Zone at the American State Bank Sports Complex Get a chance to burn off some of that extra energy playing on the indoor turf. [Register now](https://www.dordt.edu/events/defender-days-2026)for Defender Days to get free admission for your family to this activity. - **Commons and B.J. Haan Auditorium Expansion Groundbreaking** Dordt will break ground on its next large construction project—the new dining Commons. This new eating facility will be located between the Campus Center and the B.J. Haan Auditorium, connecting the spaces. In partnership with this project comes an expansion of the music building located on the south side of the auditorium. Come and celebrate the start of this project. - **Trapshooting Club Event** The Defender Trapshooting Club will be hosting a trap shooting event at the Rock Valley Gun Club. Alumni and friends are welcome to join in the event. - **Guest artist** The Dordt Art Department will be featuring guest artist Misty Bedwell and her show [“In His Side”](https://www.dordt.edu/news/in-his-side-art-exhibit-to-be-displayed) which seeks to share spiritual encouragement, thoughtful prayer, and quiet connection through mixed media and acrylic painting. An artist reception will take place in the gallery. Additionally, Defender Days will include basketball, hockey, football, soccer, and volleyball events, as well as both [vocal and instrumental music concerts](https://www.dordt.edu/news/dordt-to-host-three-ensemble-concerts-during-defender-days), and a [theatre production](https://www.dordt.edu/news/dordt-theatre-presents-the-lion-the-witch-and-the-wardrobe). For the dates and times, and the full schedule visit [Dordt.edu/defender-days](https://www.dordt.edu/events/defender-days-2026). Registration provides free admission to many of the events. **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. --- [Previous Article ![Dr. Tara Boer talks to someone using her hands to gesture](https://d3evso2dxyohou.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/2021-22/Academics/Social-Work/Tara-Boer.png?mode=crop&pos=center-center&w=56&h=33&f=webp&c=012d9d84&v=ea3e2bd0a064e60de3c34ae234a131f290c5e5607660ee9e8889ee4ac287a61d) Academics Oct 03, 2023 ## Dordt and Redeemer launch partner program Dordt University and Redeemer University (Ontario, Canada) are announcing a new partnership between Redeemer’s applied social sciences program and Dordt’s Master of Social Work (MSW). Read More ](https://www.dordt.edu/news/dordt-and-redeemer-announce-msw-partnership) [Next Article ![](https://d3evso2dxyohou.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/default-images/JP_KP_8127-002crop.png?mode=crop&pos=center-center&w=56&h=33&f=webp&c=9d802bce&v=6d6f8d9d865d47f540ef3a9ac89ea65a7739dbd1e245a443a91ce3260756aac9) Events Oct 02, 2023 ## Julie Peterson to speak at Business Connections Breakfast Dordt to welcome alumna Julie A. Peterson (’88) as the speaker for the Business Connections Breakfast to be held during Defender Days. Read More ](https://www.dordt.edu/news/julie-peterson-to-speak-at-business-connections-breakfast) [ ![]() ## View All Dordt News View News ](https://www.dordt.edu/news) Aug 19 General #### [International Student Orientation ](https://www.dordt.edu/events/international-student-orientation-2026-08-19) Aug 20 General #### [International Student Orientation ](https://www.dordt.edu/events/international-student-orientation-2026-08-20) Aug 20 Athletics Men's Soccer #### [8/20 8:00 PM Dordt University Men's Soccer at Carroll - Nelson Stadium ](https://www.dordt.edu/events/8-22-100-pm-dordt-university-mens-soccer-at-carroll) ![A picture of campus behind yellow prairie flowers](https://d3evso2dxyohou.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/2021-22/Buildings-and-Campus/2021-09-23_001574-1.jpg?mode=crop&pos=center-center&w=50&h=50&f=webp&c=3d670641&v=d2bdb7cbdc83e5be46d3a10afe8a1214a0e770536697eb0ddbe29e017d2e9577) <![CDATA[YII-BLOCK-BODY-END]]>