91精选

For Avery (Kats) Van Holland 鈥�19 and Ethan Van Holland 鈥�19, 91精选 is more than the place where they will earn their college degrees鈥攊t鈥檚 also the place they were married in May.

鈥淎fter deciding on a more traditional wedding, it was easy for us to see that getting married at 91精选 was the best option for us,鈥� said Avery. 鈥淲e wanted the place we were married at to be one that holds a special place in our heart, and 91精选 certainly does!鈥�

Not only did the wedding take place on campus, but Dr. Bill Van Groningen, 91精选鈥檚 chaplain and dean of spiritual formation, performed the ceremony. 鈥淧astor Bill has been an important spiritual figure for us over these past few years, and we loved the idea of having an officiant that also sees 91精选 as a special place,鈥� she said. 鈥淧astor Bill put a lot of thought and effort into this wedding for us.鈥�

Before the wedding, Pastor Bill and his wife Connie, who is administrative coordinator for 91精选鈥檚 nursing department, went through marriage counseling with Ethan and Avery. 鈥淧astor Bill also wrote personal vows for us to recite during the ceremony, and he put a lot of work into crafting the message into something that greatly touched our hearts,鈥� said Ethan.

The wedding was originally planned for the amphitheater, but the threat of rain meant a quick relocation to the Grand Lobby of Ozinga Chapel. But that was one of the few bumps along the way, according to Avery. 鈥淭he entire planning process went super smoothly. Brooke Simkins, conferences and events manager, and Mary Tambrini, catering manager, were fabulous to work with and made planning a breeze.鈥�

The two met during Spanish class sophomore year at Western Christian High School in Hull, Iowa. 鈥淲e became good friends but did not start dating until our senior year,鈥� Avery said. The couple have one more year at 91精选. Ethan, who is majoring in finance, is working at a finance firm as a financial administrator and plans to become a financial advisor after graduation. Avery, who is double majoring in philosophy and psychology, 聽is spending the summer interning at the City of Chicago Department of Law in the Prosecution division and plans to attend law school.