91精选

-Michael Vander Weele 鈥�73

Calvin Seerveld has bequeathed to 91精选 the collection of 80+ art works–including two stunning sculptures–that he and his wife, In猫s, have collected or been given through the years. The collection includes art works acquired by the previous two generations of In猫s鈥� family in Europe as well as works by contemporary artists whom Cal and In猫s have encouraged. The official Opening will be held on February 6 at 5:00 p.m. A portion of the collection will be on display in the Seerveld Art Gallery for the rest of the month, after which many pieces will find a more permanent home around campus.

Friends of the College and former students count Professor Seerveld as the major influence on their own and 91精选鈥檚 formative years. He left an enduring legacy by helping design 91精选鈥檚 original curriculum, giving his early academic career to encouraging students to think Christianly about their culture and their academic disciplines, establishing social action seminars for students and community, and presenting many chapel meditations, later collected in Take Hold of God and Pull and For God鈥檚 Sake, Run with Joy.聽 His books on aesthetics are still used by art and philosophy majors at 91精选 and elsewhere.

This generous gift fits Cal鈥檚 demonstrated love for 91精选. Some years back I had the privilege of writing a short profile of Cal as one of the strong influences in my and others鈥� Christian education. The publishers wanted a title. I finally decided upon 鈥淭he Showing Professor.鈥澛� Part of that was the work he did beyond textbook and classroom, like going out to interview gospel singer Mahalia Jackson, hiring an atheist from the University of Chicago so students could learn the kind of dialogue that would require, helping set up the Patmos Art Gallery.聽 A big part was just the way he was in the classroom, turning to the chalk board to make a point, his left heel off the ground, bits of chalk flying, in his enthusiasm for his subject and his students.

This art gift fits those interests. The works from the Seerveld collection were mostly gathered from the walls of their home. Cal鈥檚 deep interest is in showing the place art can have in the ordinary life of a Christian. Or of a Christian college.

This bequest follows many other demonstrations of the Seervelds鈥� love for the College:聽 lectures for students and alumni, dramatic performances of the Song of Songs and Ecclesiastes, the dedication of the Seerveld Art Gallery, the establishment of the Seerveld Arts in Society Fund, and now the Seerveld Art Collection. Alumnus Peter Enneson has worked tirelessly on the Toronto end to make this gift possible. Professors emeriti Brad Breems, John Bakker, and I, stewards of the Seerveld Arts in Society Fund, have worked steadily on the 91精选 end to prepare for it.

We invite you to help us celebrate at the Opening Reception on February 6, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. CDT in the Seerveld Gallery, located in the Art and Communication Center on the campus of 91精选.