--- title: Dordt University community remembers Bernie DeWit (1934-2024) date: 2024-04-16T11:05:00-05:00 author: Sarah Moss canonical_url: "https://www.dordt.edu/news/dordt-university-community-remembers-bernie-dewit-1934-2024" section: News --- [ View Dordt News](https://www.dordt.edu/news) [Academics](https://www.dordt.edu/news?category=academics) Apr 16, 2024 # Dordt University community remembers Bernie DeWit (1934-2024) DeWit served at Dordt University for 34 years as Vice President for Business. As Dordt University president Dr. Erik Hoekstra states, DeWit "planned for the financial future of Dordt in ways that will be felt for as many generations as serve and study here, until Christ returns.” ![](https://d3evso2dxyohou.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/2023-24/Bernie-DeWit_2000.jpg?mode=crop&pos=0.5635-0.368&w=66&h=57&f=webp&c=e79eae31&v=32c1e54a21573f1b499c3113ce617b69dc213568b529c36055bb48c73f6b8b27) ![]()Bernard “Bernie” DeWit passed away on April 6, 2024, at the age of 89. DeWit served at Dordt University for 34 years as Vice President for Business; his [obituary](https://www.mfhonline.com/obituary/bernard-de-wit)states that “he loved his work and the people with whom he worked.” “To say that we stand on Bernie’s shoulders would be accurate, but not enough,” says Dr. Erik Hoekstra, president of Dordt. “Under his leadership, most of Dordt’s core campus was built, our accounting and computer systems were modernized, and a financial structure that still serves Dordt today was begun. Hoekstra adds that DeWit “planned for the financial future of Dordt in ways that will be felt for as many generations as serve and study here, until Christ returns.” ![](https://d3evso2dxyohou.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/2023-24/BernieDeWitcirca2000.jpg?mode=fit&pos=center-center&w=57&h=65&c=f5a6dbf4&v=9a84249e13e7fad21d069058034ffa953541b1dde4193102cd87d3453543d78d) Professor Emeritus of English Dr. James Calvin Schaap knew DeWit for 58 years. “He was quiet, reserved, but not shy, and he wore, for all his days, a ready smile,” recalls Schaap. Hoekstra admired DeWit for his servant-hearted leadership. “Bernie had a joyful and optimistic spirit about him that just made you feel good to be with him—and no matter the challenge, Bernie always had a can-do spirit about him that you just knew everything was going to work out just fine.” DeWit was married to his wife, Kathy, for nearly 67 years. They had three daughters, all of whom attended Dordt. One daughter, Lisa Christians, has served in the Registrar’s Office for over 20 years. [Dr. Mark Christians](https://www.dordt.edu/news/psychology-professor-dr-mark-christians-to-serve-as-2023-commencement-speaker), a son-in-law, has been teaching in Dordt’s psychology department since 2000. Many of DeWit’s grandchildren also attended Dordt. DeWit attended college at[ Augustana College (now University)](https://www.augie.edu/) in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, where he earned a degree in Business Administration. He served in the U.S. Army for two years and spent much of that time in San Antonio, Texas. Prior to serving at Dordt, DeWit coached and taught business courses at [Southwest Christian High School](https://www.swcschools.org/) in Edgerton, Minnesota. “Please join me in praising God for Bernie’s life and ministry—and pray the Holy Spirit will be near to Kathy, Lisa, Mark, and their entire family in the days ahead as they grieve and remember the wonderful life of a godly man.” To read DeWit’s obituary, visit **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 U.S. News and World Report, The Wall Street Journal, Times Higher Education, Forbes.com, Washington Monthly, and Princeton Review. --- [Previous Article ![](https://d3evso2dxyohou.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/2023-24/shared-image-4.jpg?mode=crop&pos=0.3891-0.3719&w=56&h=33&f=webp&c=5366f6be&v=0a781257e5b067327a680e23d2861022cfd8993bd684953735c2660343ec8946) Arts Apr 16, 2024 ## Dordt senior art exhibit features 10 powerful, heartfelt hymns "Anthem," a senior art exhibit by Meggie Kleveland, features hymns depicted through collaged pieces using painting, printmaking, and other techniques. Kleveland's exhibit, inspired by her deep connection to music and faith, will be on display from April 15 to May 13 in the Art and Design Department Art Gallery. Read More ](https://www.dordt.edu/news/dordt-senior-art-exhibit-features-10-powerful-heartfelt-hymns) [Next Article ![](https://d3evso2dxyohou.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/2023-24/2023-01-17_000360.jpg?mode=crop&pos=center-center&w=56&h=33&f=webp&c=77b50571&v=7bd4afd8bf0c2d68564ab4d1b6d024f627e17ffaeaf9b70f5c72aace5c7f8fbb) Music Apr 15, 2024 ## Dordt Wind Symphony invited to perform at prestigious state conference The Dordt University Wind Symphony will perform at Iowa Bandmasters Association (IBA) Annual Conference in Des Moines in May. Director Dr. Onsby Rose highlights the significance of the opportunity for students to showcase their talent to over 2,000 music educators, emphasizing the exceptional quality of Dordt's non-music-major musicians. Read More ](https://www.dordt.edu/news/dordt-wind-symphony-invited-to-perform-at-prestigious-state-conference) [ ![]() ## View All Dordt News View News ](https://www.dordt.edu/news) 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) Aug 21 Athletics Women's Soccer #### [8/21 Dordt University Women's Soccer at Bethel - Thresher Stadium ](https://www.dordt.edu/events/8-21-dordt-university-womens-soccer-at-bethel) ![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]]>