--- title: Tom and Sandy Plooy named 2026 Ambassador Award recipients date: 2026-08-25T06:55:00-05:00 author: Jennifer Vermeer canonical_url: "https://www.dordt.edu/news/tom-and-sandy-plooy-named-2026-ambassador-award-recipients" section: News --- [ View Dordt News](https://www.dordt.edu/news) [Notable](https://www.dordt.edu/news?category=notable) Aug 25, 2026 # Tom and Sandy Plooy named 2026 Ambassador Award recipients This year, Dordt University has named Tom and Sandy Plooy the recipients of the Ambassador Award, recognizing their generous commitment to Christian education. ![](https://d3evso2dxyohou.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/IMG_6806.jpeg?mode=crop&pos=center-center&w=66&h=57&f=webp&c=0a2c800e&v=cdc246d2dbd71292ca902b1489d2bdae8293f00cbecb94db7fcb075c946484e6) ![]()Tom and Sandy Plooy have been named the recipients of the 2026 Dordt University Ambassador Award, which recognizes Dordt constituents who has made an impactful service to Dordt’s mission and Christian higher education. The Plooys’ relationship with Dordt began differently than many, as neither of them, nor any of their children or grandchildren, attended Dordt. Rather, the relationship grew from a phone call from a student working in Dordt’s call center. “I had heard about Dordt, and the student was very positive about her experience there,” explains Tom Plooy. “I told her I would send a check for $2,000. She thanked me and hung up the phone. About five minutes later she called back and said, ‘Are you sure you want to donate that much?’” “I verified it, and Sandy and I have enjoyed that story ever since,” adds Plooy. This was just the beginning of their longstanding relationship with Dordt and generosity toward its students. Inspired by a passion for Christian education and hunting, the Plooys later came up with the idea for the Rooster Booster Scholarship Fund, which raises money for students with financial needs. ![](https://d3evso2dxyohou.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/IMG_2897.jpeg?mode=fit&pos=center-center&w=57&h=65&c=94aa5e55&v=cafa8eee79800e5879dbfc789cc02a13dd51dab985ad01e438aa990737e5f913) For 20 years, Dordt supporters have gathered each November near Platte, South Dakota, for the Rooster Booster pheasant hunt. The fundraiser has raised more than seven million dollars endowed for scholarships. Dave Vander Werf, director of planned giving at Dordt, says Plooy’s servant’s heart and desire to help others was instrumental in cultivating the scholarship fund. “Tom’s passion for the outdoors was instrumental in the starting of the Rooster Booster Scholarship,” explains Dell Faber, 1987 Dordt alumnus and Rooster Booster attendee. “His willingness to not only give to this scholarship but to emphasize his deep desire to keep the cost of higher education affordable for the students is contagious.” “Because of Tom and Sandy’s encouragement, the Rooster Booster Scholarship now has over 70 recipients receiving $3,000 each year,” adds Vander Werf. Tom Plooy grew up on a dairy farm in Ripon, California, as the youngest of five children. His parents were Dutch immigrants who came to the United States in 1930. He met Sandy at Ripon Christian High School. The Plooys have been “snowbirds” since 2010, spending winters in Arizona and spring and fall in Alaska, where they are able to enjoy outdoor activities such as hunting, fishing, and flying. Plooy says he is inspired by Dordt’s mission to prepare students to be ambassadors for Christ and His kingdom work. “We love what Dordt is doing for the Lord and for young people,” he says. “I believe God is at work through Dordt and its staff and that they are faithful to their calling,” Plooy adds. “I want to be involved where I see God is at work.” --- **About Dordt University** As an institution of higher education committed to the Reformed Christian perspective, Dordt University equips students, alumni, and the broader community to work effectively toward Christ-centered renewal in all aspects of contemporary life. Located in Sioux Center, Iowa, Dordt offers undergraduate and graduate programs that help students live their faith in every area of life. Through rigorous learning, meaningful relationships, and whole-person formation, students gain the practical wisdom to serve God and neighbor through their work and in their communities. Dordt has been named among the nation's leading Christian universities by *U.S. News & World Report*, *Niche*, and other national publications. --- [Next Article ![](https://d3evso2dxyohou.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/CameronGrimes_DanielGarcia_000421.jpg?mode=crop&pos=center-center&w=56&h=33&f=webp&c=3b248424&v=bb22a934a2bf168de92299d599480e14f4b56af45af1baf3a6c10ecb2b4a45c3) Campus Aug 24, 2026 ## Dordt University embarks on one-year generative AI pilot program “We want to bring this about for all students, staff, and faculty together, so that it’s not just the students who can afford subscriptions to premium services that have access, but rather every single person at Dordt has the same level of access." Read More ](https://www.dordt.edu/news/dordt-university-embarks-on-one-year-generative-ai-pilot-program) [ ![]() ## View All Dordt News View News ](https://www.dordt.edu/news) 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) Aug 26 Athletics Men's Soccer #### [8/26 4:45 PM Dordt University Men's Soccer vs Graceland ](https://www.dordt.edu/events/8-26-445-pm-dordt-university-mens-soccer-vs-graceland) ![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]]>