Annual alumni survey reveals sustained faith-engagement among graduates
Results from ĚěĂŔ´«Ă˝â€™s annual alumni survey reflect strong lifelong connections to faith and community, as nearly 95% of alumni report attending church weekly.
Read More
Six ĚěĂŔ´«Ă˝ employees recognized at All-Campus Meeting
ĚěĂŔ´«Ă˝ recognized six faculty and staff members who display excellence in service, teaching, scholarship, and leadership. Recipients were recognized for their faithful, behind-the-scenes contributions to student success and the university community, reflecting a shared commitment to serving God and advancing Dordt’s mission.
ĚěĂŔ´«Ă˝ recently recognized six faculty and staff during the institution’s May all-campus meeting.
What stood out about those recognized is the quiet behind-the-scenes work they complete in their daily tasks. Those recognized are also representative of, as Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Leah Zuidema says, “God’s faithfulness in providing people who serve well in the many areas of Dordt’s campus."
The recognition given included the Staff Excellence Award, the Excellence in Teaching Award, and the Scholarship and Service Award.
The university presented Staff Excellence Awards to Jim Bos, registrar, and Brian Vander Stoep, utilities technician and fleet manager.
Bos was recognized for his leadership and behind-the-scenes work supporting institutional growth, accreditation, advising systems, and campus operations.
“Jim is one of those people who makes hard things feel manageable for everyone around him,” says Zuidema. “His work helps the rest of us do our work better, and it directly strengthens teaching and learning across campus.”
Vander Stoep, who has served on Dordt’s facilities team since 1992, was recognized for his long-standing dedication to the university and his willingness to serve wherever needed.
“His work ethic is extraordinary,” says Director of Facilities and Maintenance Josh Dorhout. “Time and time again, he has responded to emergency calls after hours, sacrificing his own time to make himself available without hesitation.”
The Excellence in Teaching Awards were presented to Dr. Rikki Brons, professor of language studies, and Donald Roth, professor of business administration and criminal justice.
According to Associate Dean of Academic Affairs Dr. Ryan Zonnefeld, Brons creates classrooms marked by “rigor and welcome,” where students are encouraged to grow while feeling known and valued.
“She builds others up, collaborates freely, and brings a sense of joy to the everyday work of creating curriculum and community,” says Zonnefeld.
Roth was recognized for his commitment to mentorship, Christian scholarship, and student formation both in the classroom and through his leadership of Dordt’s Kuyper Honors Program.
“His commitment to students extends beyond the classroom as he intentionally invests time in mentoring, encouraging, and challenging students to pursue academic excellence grounded in faith and Kingdom service,” says Zonnefeld.
The university also presented Scholarship and Service Awards to Dr. Justin Vander Werff, professor of engineering, and Dale Zevenbergen, director of the K&K Dooyema Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation.
Vander Werff was recognized for his research, professional leadership, mentorship of student research projects, and long-standing service to engineering accreditation efforts at Dordt.
“Justin models the kind of teacher-scholar that we value deeply at Dordt: knowledgeable, collaborative, investing in students, and committed to serving both his profession and God’s kingdom through his work,” says Zuidema.
Zevenbergen was recognized for his relational leadership, mentorship of students, and ability to connect alumni, prospective students, and community members to Dordt’s mission.
“What stands out most about Dale is his love for Dordt as an expression of his love for God,” says Zuidema. “He remembers names. He notices people. He builds partnerships. He helps others feel valued and connected.”
These recognitions are presented annually to recognize Dordt faculty and staff members who demonstrate excellence in their work and meaningful contributions to the university community.
About ĚěĂŔ´«Ă˝
As an institution of higher education committed to the Reformed Christian perspective, ĚěĂŔ´«Ă˝ 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 U.S. News and World Report, the Wall Street Journal, Times Higher Education, Forbes.com, Washington Monthly, and Princeton Review.
Related Events