Related Information

History

Calvin Theological Seminary and College Timeline

  • 1876 August 4, organized located on Spring Street, Grand Rapids, MI
  • 1876 Geert Egberts Boer, Docent (1876-1902)
  • 1892 Move to campus at Madison Ave. and Franklin St. (Fifth Ave.). Grand Rapids, MI
  • 1894 September 8 literary course begun - education preliminary to seminary instruction (comparable to present-day high school curriculum)
  • 1900 Literary course extended to five years and opened to non pre-seminary students
  • 1901 September 4 first women students admitted
  • 1906 First public commencement at LaGrave Ave. Christian Reformed Church
  • 1907 Student journal/newspaper Chimes begins, Alumni Association begins
  • 1908 Junior college course begun - 6 year program included 4 years high school and 2 years college
  • 1914 Three year college course begun, Franklin Campus purchased
  • 1917 Move to Franklin Campus, Grand Rapids, MI
  • 1919 First college president
  • 1920 Four year college course begun
  • 1921 First graduate with bachelor's degrees
  • 1924 With opening of Grand Rapids Christian High School, last year for preparatory students, first dormitory opened
  • 1925 Teacher training curriculum added
  • 1926 First dean of women, Johanna Timmer
  • 1928 March 8 Hekman Library dedicated
  • 1930 October 29 Franklin seminary building dedicated
  • 1931 Louis Berkhof, President (1931-1944)
  • 1944 Samuel Volbeda, President (1944-1952)
  • 1946 Enrollment jumps from 503 to 1245 in one year
  • 1950 College enters M.I.A.A.
  • 1952 R.B. Kuiper, President (1952-1956)
  • 1956 Knollcrest campus purchase approved by Synod of Christian Reformed Church
  • 1956 John H. Kromminga, President (1956-1983)
  • 1960 Theological Seminary begins classes on Knollcrest Campus
  • 1962 First college classes at held Knollcrest
  • 1973 Move to Knollcrest complete
  • 1983 James A. De Jong, President (1983-2003)
  • 1991 Seminary and College have separate boards of trustees
  • 2002 Cornelius (Neal) Plantinga Jr., President and Charles W. Colson Professor of Theology (2002-)
  • 2002 Seminary Student Center dedicated
  • 2004 Renovated Seminary Chapel dedicated Video (Real Player)