Saying goodbye to the Commons

In mid-February, demolition work on the Commons began, bringing an end to a building that held decades of Dordt memories.

First, construction crews dismantled the inside—from removing artwork in the Commons lobby to safely handling hazardous materials within the walls and ceiling. A huge entrance was cut through the old West Commons wall to make room for equipment. Passersby may not have known anything was going on aside from a few trucks parked nearby and the occasional worker walking in and out of the front doors.

Second, the construction team took on the exterior. Right before students left for spring break, crews brought in excavators and skid steers, bulldozers and side dumps. They started at the West Commons and moved to the east. At one point, the metal frame of double doors stood alone without any walls.
For a few days, piles of brick and concrete marked the place where generations of Dordt students had gathered.

By February 27, the Commons was gone.

It signaled the end of an era for Dordt. For many years, students walked through the Commons doors to grab food between classes, enjoy meals with friends, and share moments that shaped their college experience.

Still, it was time for something new. The Atrium, which opened in fall 2025, has quickly become the vibrant centerpiece of campus life. In many ways, it reflects years of planning aimed at supporting how students grow in community today.

But this new vision of how students live and learn together was also built upon the foundation of what began in the Commons.

Let’s rewind 60 years.

In February 1964, Dordt students eagerly anticipated the opening of the Dining Commons. Their anticipation showed up in the February 4 issue of the Diamond, Dordt’s student newspaper, where students noted that the Commons still wasn’t ready—even though construction had been underway since 1963.

We might not know when, exactly, the first meal was served in the Commons, but we do know a hootenanny event was held on February 18, and lunch was served after the mainstage theatrical performance on March 3. By March 14, students were going through the line at the Commons, and on April 10, an open house was held.

The Dining Commons had modest physical beginnings. At first it was little more than a box, with food served and students seated where future buffet lines would one day be. Eventually, a larger kitchen area was added, as well as the West Commons and a lobby area. Later, additional seating and the boardroom to the east completed the space.

Phyllis Mulder (’62) and Curt Roelofs (’66) were the first couple to have their wedding reception in the Commons. It was a Thursday evening—August 27, 1964, to be exact. “We hired the women working in the kitchen to prepare and serve the dinner,” recalls Curt. “Our main entrée was spam on a bakery bun, with salad.”

Dorothy Christoffels (’67) remembers the Commons during its first year—“what a change it was from eating in the old basement,” she says. Earning 75 cents an hour at the Commons, Christoffels says she can’t forget Mrs. Wassenaar and her ladies: “the pie was great, but not the fatty pork chops.”

In 1966, freshman James Schaap (’70) was assigned to the Commons for his work study job. “When I went to work, they gave me a long hose and told me to spray off the dinner plates when students brought them to the counter,” he recalls. “They should not have done that. I had a ball.”

With limited food options, cooks sometimes saved the best dishes for special guests who stopped by for lunch. “Apple crisp and butterscotch pudding somehow disappeared before they got there, to Mrs. Wasenaar’s consternation,” says Melba De Kok (’68). She also remembers Sunday evenings after church, when the Commons opened for coffee, cookies, and social time—the only on-campus spot where students could gather in large groups.

Carla (Roetman, ’74) Dittmer remembers a moment from the early 1970s, the night before Christmas break. “Reverend B.J. Haan, then the president of the college, sauntered into the dining area wearing a huge Santa-like grin,” she says. “Turning slowly to address the diners in his big booming voice, arms extended wide, he shouted, ‘Merry Christmas, everyone! And when you go home be sure to tell your parents you LOVE Dordt College!’ (There was a slight vibrato in that ‘LOVE.’ Can’t you just imagine it?).”

Renae Venhuizen (’79) remembers Reverend Haan in the Commons as well. “He would walk around the Commons patting the heads of the kids at the tables. We called them ‘floating benedictions.’”

Laughter abounded in the Commons, too, as there were plenty of pranks and jokes to be had.

“Being honest—hope I can’t still get in trouble for this—but the Commons trays were the BEST sleds,” says Yvonne Vaags Kimm (’98). “We may have taken a few and been pulled behind cars down some of the frozen farm roads.”

“We snuck 100+ oranges out of the Commons over the course of a week and made fresh-squeezed orange juice in the basement of East Hall,” says Cora (Bonnema, ’11) Radde. “Delicious winter treat!”

“While my twin brother Chris Wyenberg was washing dishes in the Commons, I put on swim goggles and rode the conveyer trays in,” says Jason Wyenberg (’07).

“I double-stacked dirty dishes and food trays, only to find out years later that my wife worked in there,” Dan Hol (’94) says sheepishly.

“I recall that the Commons was closed because of missing silverware sometime in the ‘80s,” says Thriesa (Kolk, ’83) Hubers.

While some students found the Commons food to be familiar and comforting, others saw eating there as an adventure—in more ways than one.

“I was from Washington, and I was confused the first time I saw the word ‘tavern’ on the menu,” says Melanie Benson-VandenBrink (’99). “My first thought was, ‘Isn’t this a Christian college? What does a tavern have to do with food?’ Then I learned we were having sloppy joes. I still live in Iowa and haven’t conformed to calling it ‘tavern.’”

“The little breaded sardines that would stare back at you if you bit off the breading, but also the unlimited Boston cream pie on Sunday,” says Troy Vander Molen (’94).

“I remember going in before and after track practice and having new, innovative combinations of cereal, soft serve ice cream, and peanut butter,” says Valerie (Kallemeyn, ‘01) Plantinga.

“There were Frankly Friday dinners (hot dogs), flipping the glasses onto the tray with water still in them, the annual Hula party with President Zylstra handing out leis, and just enjoying meals together,” says Laura (Apol, ’02) Eisenga.

“Having the chish sandwich—we couldn’t tell if it was chicken or fish,” quips Jim Jansen (’88).

Sunday lunch after church was a favorite for Darryl DeRuiter (’86). “They always did a great job of having good food to remind us of home Sunday dinners. Roast or ham, mashed potatoes and gravy, pie. Those crusts were made from scratch, I am sure, by the wonderful ladies like Ann Vos.”

“The camaraderie over a meal and the Sunday homemade pies that gave us a homemade hug each week,” says Deborah (De Jong, ‘81) Lindemulder.

Many have happy memories of the Canadian Thanksgiving and American Thanksgiving meals. For others, like Debra Alons (’83), the Madrigal Dinners left their mark. “We had Madrigal Dinners every year, and we would pack the place with audience members. We had a long table at the front where we, the performers, sat. We dressed in costumes of the time period and sang Christmas carols. It was so much fun!”

For many students, working in the Commons became a place where they learned responsibility and leadership.

“It was a great work study environment,” says Matthew Haan (’02). “I have countless joyful memories working with the cooks, particularly Delma. Jim Calkhoven taught so many the gift of leadership and working as a team.”

“My two years working at the Commons were some of the most meaningful parts of my Dordt experience—even though they didn’t start out that way,” says Steve Westra, who transferred away his junior year. “I complained plenty in those early days, but as time went on, I found my rhythm. Eventually I moved into inventory—a job that came with trust, keys, and a sense that I had earned my place. Looking back, the Commons wasn’t just a job; it was a classroom of its own.”

And the people working at the Commons? They left an impression, too.

“My favorite memory about the Commons is Donna,” says Jacklyn Groen. “She not only greeted us warmly at the entrance, while clicking her number counter for each person, but what was amazing and so special is that she tried to know us all by name! Donna’s joyful greeting made each of us feel seen and loved.”

“My senior year, I worked for Mike Cassidy, who was the best boss I ever had,” says Stephen Hoogerhyde (’76). “Part of my job was to go in late at night, pull down the filters above the stoves, run them through the dishwashing machine, wipe down the area around the stoves, and put the filters back up. Kind of cool working alone in the Commons at night.”

Yet what stands out most is the community.

“A lot of great conversation and fellowship happened there,” says Nancy (Hoffmann, ’87) Smits.

“Slow evening meals with friends, and cheesecake!” says Rachel (Kroeze, ’78) TeGrootenhuis.

“So many laughs and conversations with friends,” adds Emily (Schaap, ’97) Hilleman.

“So many great memories of breakfast club, dinner after band practice, and trying to fit as many people as possible around a table,” says Ruth (Lynch, ’06) Tsavatewa.

“I met my husband in that building,” says Emily (DeVries, ’12) Laverman. As did Carissa (Geels, ’22) Groen, when as a high schooler visiting Dordt, she ran into the runner-up for Dordt’s freshman talent show. “It was a super awkward introduction, but it didn’t really matter, because 7.5 years later Damon and I are married.”

“I remember standing in line waiting for food,” says Doris (Maas, ’71) Boogerd. “Dennis Boogerd’s friends picked me out of the line and told him to call me for a date. Three years later, we were married.”

Even as alumni look back with gratitude, many are also looking ahead.

“So many good memories there for generations of Defenders, but so many great improvements happening—I’m excited to see The Atrium someday,” says David Vos (’08).

“May the Lord replace the Commons with new buildings that create powerful memories just like the old,” says Brian Huseland (’95).