--- title: Dordt University mourns the passing of senior kinesiology major date: 2025-06-06T09:54:00-05:00 author: Sarah Moss canonical_url: "https://www.dordt.edu/news/dordt-university-mourns-the-passing-of-senior-kinesiology-major" section: News --- [ View Dordt News](https://www.dordt.edu/news) [Alumni](https://www.dordt.edu/news?category=alumni) [Notable](https://www.dordt.edu/news?category=notable) Jun 6, 2025 # Dordt University mourns the passing of senior kinesiology major Liam Sorensen, a Dordt University senior from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, passed away on Wednesday, June 4. A kinesiology major who was an offensive lineman on the Defenders football team, Liam was known for being kind, caring, and a joy to be around. ![](https://d3evso2dxyohou.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/2023-24/liam-sorenson-bw.jpg?mode=crop&pos=0.4926-0.3499&w=66&h=57&f=webp&c=fc1cb383&v=a62e378e409009121e13c70cba191a914363827b2a48d30545f0f9c0c8f618a9) ![]()Liam Sorensen, a Dordt University senior from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, passed away on Wednesday, June 4. A kinesiology major who was an offensive lineman on the Defenders football team, Liam was known for being kind, caring, and a joy to be around. ![](https://d3evso2dxyohou.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/2023-24/liam-sorenson-bw.jpg?mode=fit&pos=0.4926-0.3499&w=57&h=65&c=fc1cb383&v=d6ab335aeda4e4066894c8700e24fd2d381afde4c9c30650d2287a5e4ada8ab1) “Along with the entire campus community, my heart is heavy, and my prayers are frequent for all who mourn Liam’s passing,” says Dr. Erik Hoekstra, president of Dordt University. “I will never forget the soft smile when Liam liked, understood, or enjoyed the content of a class,” says Dr. Craig Stiemsma, professor of kinesiology at Dordt. “He was a tremendous student, very engaged in class, and extremely thoughtful.” Liam, who walked as a graduating senior this past May, had plans to attend chiropractic school this fall in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area. Liam left a legacy as a football player, says Head Football Coach Joel Penner. “He was a team-first kind of player. I would describe his role on the team as a ‘push/pull’ role: he pushed players around him to be their best, and he pulled younger players along by mentoring them. He had a positive influence on campus and dedicated himself to his schoolwork.” “Leaning into Jesus Christ’s victory over death and our participation in that as well allows me to also point to Liam’s faith in Christ as a blessed assurance that his story is not finished,” says Hoekstra. “As we read in Psalm 30, ‘weeping lasts for a night, but joy comes in the morning’ and that is my hope for Liam’s friends and family—through these difficult days—that the Holy Spirit and support of God’s people will bring them through this night of lament and grief.” Funeral arrangements for Liam Sorensen may be found at . --- **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 ![](https://d3evso2dxyohou.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/2023-24/processed-D8CE9403-064F-4223-A324-739368D601F3.jpeg?mode=crop&pos=center-center&w=56&h=33&f=webp&c=9d65fed9&v=4a478aec515398c4c37cd0607f9168519c16a4448f1ad5687db52e3b9ed38573) Voice Jun 09, 2025 ## Construction to Enhance Student Life and Learning By Sarah Moss From new student spaces to revitalized labs and athletic facilities, Dordt is investing in the future. This year’s slate of construction projects—both big and small—is designed to improve student experiences, expand academic opportunities, and prepare the campus for future growth. Read More ](https://www.dordt.edu/news/construction-to-enhance-student-life-and-learning) [Next Article ![](https://d3evso2dxyohou.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/2023-24/2024-11-22_000364.jpg?mode=crop&pos=center-center&w=56&h=33&f=webp&c=207eedf0&v=3fa64cd9560053baabd29271b5ee0b278c5320359c229b9707cd0e72c429048b) Business Voice Jun 06, 2025 ## Hollinger and Others Hold "ECONversations" By Andrea Dieleman “The goal,” says Hollinger, “is to stir up intelligent conversations about big economic issues.” Read More ](https://www.dordt.edu/news/hollinger-and-others-hold-econversations) [ ![]() ## 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]]>