--- title: "Dr. Kathleen VanTol to serve as master's commencement speaker at Dordt" date: 2025-04-09T06:12:00-05:00 author: Sarah Moss canonical_url: "https://www.dordt.edu/news/dr-kathleen-vantol-to-serve-as-masters-commencement-speaker-at-dordt" section: News --- [ View Dordt News](https://www.dordt.edu/news) [Education](https://www.dordt.edu/news?category=education) [Graduate Programs](https://www.dordt.edu/news?category=graduate-programs) [Notable](https://www.dordt.edu/news?category=notable) Apr 9, 2025 # Dr. Kathleen VanTol to serve as master's commencement speaker at Dordt Dr. Kathleen VanTol, professor of education at Dordt University, will deliver the commencement address at Dordt’s master’s commencement and hooding ceremony on May 9. ![](https://d3evso2dxyohou.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/2023-24/20250318-_DSC7850.jpg?mode=crop&pos=0.5525-0.46&w=66&h=57&f=webp&c=01b8af20&v=5c376bf8550d720d86c065cca4fcd2f1539e493bc024d9e98e7fb717a8031718) ![]()Dr. Kathleen VanTol, professor of education at Dordt University, will serve as the master’s commencement and hooding ceremony speaker for the Class of 2025. The ceremony will take place on Friday, May 9 at 2 p.m. in the B.J. Haan Auditorium. Having served at Dordt for over a decade, VanTol specializes in special education and teaching courses in both undergraduate and graduate programs. She holds a Ph.D. in Special Education from Western Michigan University and has extensive experience working with individuals with disabilities. She also completed post-graduate studies in Applied Behavior Analysis at Florida Institute of Technology and is a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst as well as a Board Certified Advocate in Special Education. ![](https://d3evso2dxyohou.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/2023-24/20250403-_DSC2418.jpg?mode=fit&pos=center-center&w=57&h=65&c=de7200cb&v=e2cd75c01d104efe0ce916bd2415305f76dd8153abd2aace1f0138ba4582018b) In addition to her teaching and research, she is passionate about preparing educators to serve all learners in ways that reflect Christ’s love and justice. Her commencement address, titled **“**Transforming the Ordinary,” will center on Romans 12:1 as paraphrased in *The Message*: “So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering.” “As graduates put what they’ve learned into practice, I want to challenge them to see their work, relationships, and daily routines not as mundane tasks but as sacred opportunities to reflect God’s love and bring renewal to the world,” says VanTol. The master's commencement and hooding ceremony at Dordt University celebrates the hard-earned achievements of graduate students who have completed their master’s degrees. Many of these graduates have balanced their studies alongside careers, family responsibilities, and other commitments. This ceremony acknowledges their dedication, perseverance, and academic achievement. A light reception will follow for graduates and their families. For more information about Dordt University’s graduate programs and commencement, visit [dordt.edu/events/commencement](https://www.dordt.edu/events/commencement). --- **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/i-Zg2xD3b-X3.jpg?mode=crop&pos=center-center&w=56&h=33&f=webp&c=6ed90c1f&v=7db5983c9a12736026587f8d333187b802b41cc2aaa0aff8bdf4b6e0aa27c175) Academics Apr 09, 2025 ## Dordt’s kinesiology program prepares students for graduate level success Dordt University’s Kinesiology program reports a 100% acceptance rate for its 2025 class of students applying to physical therapy graduate schools, starting their preparation in the first year. Read More ](https://www.dordt.edu/news/dordts-kinesiology-program-prepares-students-for-graduate-level-success) [Next Article ![](https://d3evso2dxyohou.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/2023-24/houtsma.png?mode=crop&pos=center-center&w=56&h=33&f=webp&c=bec4506d&v=0b646ffedd68e772f27dc6ffa5b66fb6886f2f7682addf18c0b81b26f0cbab2c) Arts Apr 08, 2025 ## Dordt University presents "Blueprints" art exhibit by Kendall Houtsma Dordt University will host Blueprints, a solo exhibition by Kendall Houtsma from April 7 to May 10, exploring how life’s defining moments shape identity and personal growth, with an artist reception on April 10 at 7 p.m. Read More ](https://www.dordt.edu/news/dordt-university-presents-blueprints-art-exhibit-by-kendall-houtsma) [ ![]() ## View All Dordt News View News ](https://www.dordt.edu/news) Aug 24 Athletics Women's Golf #### [8/24 10:00 AM Dordt University Women's Golf vs Mount Marty Invite - Hillcrest Golf Course // 18 Holes ](https://www.dordt.edu/events/8-24-1100-am-dordt-university-womens-golf-vs-mount-marty-invite-18-holes-hillcrest-golf-course) Aug 25 Athletics Women's Golf #### [8/25 10:00 AM Dordt University Women's Golf vs Mount Marty Invite - Fox Run Golf Course // 18 Holes ](https://www.dordt.edu/events/8-25-1000-am-dordt-university-womens-golf-vs-mount-marty-invite-18-holes-fox-run-golf-course) Aug 26 General #### [Chapel & Convocation ](https://www.dordt.edu/events/chapel-convocation-2026-08-26) ![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]]>