ý senior Trygve Bulthuis, a triple major in economics, philosophy, and political science, has been named the 2026 Economics Student of the Year for his thoughtful engagement with economic theory and its broader philosophical implications.
The ý Business, Economics, and Accounting Department has named Trygve Bulthuis, a senior triple major in economics, philosophy, and political science, as its 2026 Economics Student of the Year.
Faculty say the recognition reflects Bulthuis’ distinctive ability to pair analytical rigor with thoughtful reflection.
“Trygve has been a truly exceptional economics student,” says Dr. Josh Hollinger, assistant professor of business administration at Dordt. “He approaches his studies with careful attention, curiosity, and deep thoughtfulness. He’s able to dig into the details and the models of economics, and at the same time step back to consider the larger philosophical questions that underlie the discipline.”
Bulthuis’ academic journey reflects that integration. A member of Dordt’s Kuyper Honors Program, he was awarded the prestigious Lambertus Verberg Prize for Excellence in Kuyperian Scholarship for his essay “Kuyper in the Postmodern World: Kuyper’s Lectures on Calvinism and Postmodern Philosophy,” which he also presented at the 2024 Kuyper Conference at Calvin Theological Seminary.
Beyond campus, Bulthuis—a Rock Valley, Iowa, native—has pursued opportunities that bridge economics, philosophy, and public life. He studied at Scholarship and Christianity at Oxford (SCIO) in summer 2024, where he received one of two academic prizes for excellence. He also participated in Cato University in Washington, D.C., and later completed a fellowship with the Center for Religion, Culture, and Democracy, engaging questions of economics, policy, and religious liberty. In spring 2026, he attended the Savannah Seminar with the Center for Religion, Culture, and Democracy in Savannah, Georgia.
At Dordt, Bulthuis found particular value in the intellectual community surrounding the discipline.
“I enjoyed both the dialogues and debates I had with peers and faculty at the ECONversations hosted by Professor Hollinger,” he says. “Those conversations were a highlight of my time studying economics.”
He also contributed to preliminary research exploring the development of a potential philosophy, politics, and economics (PPE) program at Dordt—work that reflects both his academic interests and his investment in the university’s future.
After graduation, Bulthuis plans to continue his studies in philosophy, beginning with a master’s program at the University of Mississippi.
“I just want to be a student my whole life,” he says. “I hope that pursuing advanced degrees will help me become a better student—and, eventually, a teacher.”
About ý
As an institution of higher education committed to the Reformed Christian perspective, ý 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.
“As an engineering major, a stock pitch competition was not something I thought I would do at Dordt,” Miller says. “Through this challenge, I gained the skills necessary to accurately value a stock using financial models and data-backed projections. I’m now able to make a well-supported recommendation to potential investors.”
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