Calvin Alumni Association

Welcome home, Paul. Calvin has appointed Paul Nagelkirk ’94 as our next dean of the School of Health. “The search team was impressed with Paul’s clear focus on building the relationships – ‘leadership through partnership,’ to use his phrase – with faculty, staff, students, and external partners that are crucial to the success of a school,” said Kevin den Dulk, interim provost. “He is someone who clearly understands that strategic thinking and relationship-building must go hand-in-hand.”

What doesn’t show up on the resume but is most clear to Nagelkirk is God’s providence in his academic journey. “The bulk of my career focused on being a scientist and I greatly enjoyed that time, but it became clear God had something else in mind and [...] he called me into academic leadership a few years ago,” said Nagelkirk. “That calling has made it possible for me to feel prepared to step into this dean’s role. I’m amazed how God has led me to this point."

https://calvin.edu/stories/calvin-appoints-paul-nagelkirk-dean-school-health

From making stroopwafels, cruising canals, and riding bicyles to visiting the Rijksmuseum, Kröller-Müller Museum, and Corrie ten Boom House, our Calvin Alumni Association and Calvin Academy for Lifelong Learning friends had a delightful time exploring the Netherlands! Thanks to Witte Travel & Tours for refining the itinerary and executing all the tour logistics.

Congrats to Alyssa Penning McElheny ‘13, 2026 HYROX World Champion! A Calvin steeplechase runner and recent U.S. Olympic marathon trials qualifier, McElheny took up HYROX in 2025 and has competed her way to the top of the elite athlete leaderboard, culminating in yesterday’s world championship in Stockholm.

Care, calling, and impact ❤️💛

At Calvin, Alyssa Scholten ’18 discovered how her passion for helping people could become a vocation. Today, she serves children and families in pediatric care—bringing skill, compassion, and hope to some of life’s most vulnerable moments.

Read more:
https://calvin.edu/stories/encouraged-excel-how-calvin-shaped-alyssa-scholten-leader-pediatric-care