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Calvin University Inaugurates 13th President

January 29, 2025
Student body president Tyler VerMerris joins with ceremony participants in the laying on of hands and in offering a prayer for Calvin’s new president, Greg Elzinga.
Student body president Tyler VerMerris joins with ceremony participants in the laying on of hands and in offering a prayer for Calvin’s new president, Greg Elzinga.
calvin.edu

On Friday, Jan. 24, 2025, Greg Elzinga was installed as Calvin University’s 13th president in a formal inauguration ceremony in the Covenant Fine Arts Center auditorium. 

“Today, we celebrate God’s provision of the 13th president of Calvin University,” said Perrin Rynders, chair of the presidential search committee, in his opening words of welcome. “God has shown his faithfulness to Calvin University for nearly 149 years.” 

After the Calvin Worship Apprentices led all in attendance in singing the opening hymn, “Praise to the Lord, the Almighty,” university pastor Mary Hulst began to pray.

“Our faithful God, we praise you today for your steady faithfulness to Calvin University,” said Hulst. “For almost 150 years you have guided your people to provide a Christ-centered education – first to pastors, and then teachers, and now to nurses, web designers, filmmakers, authors, artists, and engineers. At Calvin, one generation has extolled your works to the next, telling of your mighty acts, and we are grateful.” 

And as President Elzinga stood to give his inaugural address, he began by making sure the purpose of the day was clear: 

“Thank you so much for coming together to celebrate God’s faithfulness through Calvin University. . . .” 

“Many of you know that the role of president is not something I ever expected; nor is it one that I aspired to,” Elzinga continued. “Having now served in the role for ten months, I can stand before you today and say how much I love this role, cheering on and deeply appreciating this mission that empowers more Calvin graduates to be sent as Christ’s agents of renewal to a world that is in need of what our students will deliver.” 

The president also acknowledged that while he is called to lead Calvin, he is dependent on the many gifts the community brings to this collaborative mission. 

“I cannot imagine having a team that is better equipped to pursue our mission as we are approaching the 150th anniversary of this institution’s history,” said Elzinga. “Achieving our goals and tackling the challenges ahead of us is a campus-wide effort that doesn’t begin or end with any one person, department, school, or division. It extends to all faculty, staff, and administrative leadership. It relies on the continuing curiosity and faith-filled learning of our students. It also extends to our alumni and supporters, working together as partners to continue building a university that is impacting our world in powerful ways for the glory of God.” 

Sharing a Vision 

Elzinga then shared a three-pronged vision that includes strengthening the institution’s focus on continued enrollment growth, casting and sharing a vision for Calvin’s future that is attractive and compelling, and revitalizing aspects of the institution’s organizational structure, including an enhanced approach to Calvin’s people and culture. He said the end goal of all of these pursuits is to fulfill the university’s mission of equipping students “to think deeply, to act justly, and to live wholeheartedly as Christ’s agents of renewal in the world.” 

“As I’ve traveled the country and the world,” he added, “I’m absolutely convinced more than ever before that that’s indeed a mission our world needs.”

Elzinga spent the latter part of his address asking the Calvin community to reflect on how most effectively to continue living out this mission. 

“Before our mission of renewal can be lived out,” he queried, “What is the foundation that we are building on? What is the condition of a community in which renewal thrives and flourishes?” 

Reflecting on Ephesians 3:14-21, which his daughter Brooke read prior to his address, Elzinga proposed that Calvin must start with something fundamental: reconciliation.

“Reconciliation is the way forward for our community, our nation, and the world. It is rooted deeply in the gospel of Jesus Christ, which reconciles us and sends us out as those who reconcile. We become effective agents of renewal only when we begin as ambassadors of reconciliation,” said Elzinga. “Reconciliation is the prerequisite to renewal.” 

“As ambassadors of reconciliation we are called to bridge divides, heal wounds, and foster unity. In our university community, this means creating an environment where every individual feels valued, respected, and heard. It means engaging in open dialogue, working together to overcome the challenges that divide us. Our mission is to build a community where love, understanding, and mutual respect are the cornerstones of our interactions.” 

Elzinga continued, “Furthermore, we are called to be agents of renewal. As agents of renewal, we are tasked with the continuous pursuit of knowledge, innovation, and personal growth. Being agents of renewal also means taking responsibility for the world around us. It means striving for sustainability, advocating for justice, and working toward a future where all creation can flourish. Our commitment to renewal is reflected in our dedication to research, our innovative approaches to education, and our efforts to make a positive impact on society. And we do this because this is what followers of Jesus Christ are called and commanded to do.” 

Wrapping up his address, Elzinga challenged his listeners: “Let us commit to building a university community that reflects these values in every aspect of our work and our study. Together, we can create a place where these are not just ideals but lived realities. Through Christ, the true ministry of reconciliation becomes the seedbed for renewal.”