DORDT COLLEGE
KUYPER SCHOLARS PROGRAM NEWSLETTER
June 2011
Jan Veth
May God grant the Christian scholar in a still higher
degree the courage, perseverance, and energy "to
go back to his own principles in his thinking, to
renew all scientific investigation on the lines of these
principles, and to glut the press with the burden of
his cogent studies."
Steven Mangold, Linn Grove, IA
History; Philosophy
attending Univ. Iowa Law School
A. Kuyper Lectures on Calvinism
2011 Kuyper Scholar Graduates
Congratulations to the 2011 Kuyper Scholars.
Adrianna Oudman, Wheatfield, IN
Stephanie Argo, St. Paul, MN
Spanish & Theology; Linguistics
Engineering
attending the Summer Institute in Linguistics at TWU
Rachel (Koopmans) Minto, Chatham, ON
Art: Fine Arts Studio & Philosophy
Meredith Crilly, Knoxville, TN
Art: Fine Arts Studio
Robert Minto, Phoenix, AZ
Adrian deLange, Aylmer, ON
Theology: Youth Ministry
pursuing an M.Div. at Calvin Seminary
Philosophy
pursuing a Ph.D. at Boston College
Luke Schut, Pella, IA
English: Literature
pursuing an M.A. at Iowa State University
Matthew Gerrelts, Waterloo, IA
Philosophy
pursuing premedical studies at the University of
Colorado
Sarah Seymour, Chula Vista, CA
Biology
P.A. program at Harding University
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Scholars Seminars
Projects Completed during 2010-11
Kuyper Scholars interact with
lectures or events by attending and
then preparing an evaluative essay,
which is presented and discussed at
scholars seminars.
Struggling Within Community in Contemporary Literature
Meredith Crilly (SR)
"A Critique of Bat Boy"
Adrian de Lange (SR)
"Owning Our Theology"
"The Taize Religious Community"
"The Psalms and Culture--Then and
Now"
Caroline Eckstrom (SO)
"Now What? A Response to Shane
Claiborne"
Matt Gerrelts (SR)
"Capetown 2010: A Global Mission"
Emily Hageman (JR)
"A Review of Memento and Inception"
"The Music of Jonathan Posthuma"
"Oedipus: A Devised Production"
Adrian Hielema (JR)
"I'm on a Horse: The New Holy Grail of
Viral Marketing"
"Equal Opportunity Fart Jokes: The
Men and Morals Behind South Park"
"Revolution in Egypt"
Kristin Janssen
"Facebook Friends and Terrible Singing:
A Spiritual Retreat"
"American Christians Get Generous:
Clifford Anderson, Vincent Bicote, and
Marilynne Robinson on Culture and
Liberalism"
Anna Kalfs (JR)
"Tendinitis: An Incurable Disease"
Maddie Kooima (SO)
"Just Say Something"--Not the Best
Advice"
Justin Krosschell (SR)
"A Kuyperian Perspective on Plasma
Physics"
"Reviewing Senior Design Projects in
Engineering"
Jon Luetchens (SO)
"Eugenics of Ethanol: Is it Worth It?"
"Misconceptions--the Death of
Agriculture: A Response to Trent Loos"
(continued on next page)
Most of the following independent projects were presented at Ideafest, the
annual symposium celebrating student research at Dordt College.
Stephanie Argo
Advisor: Mary Dengler, Professor of English
A sense of belonging is essential to a person’s well-being, making community a
common theme in fictional writing. Personal and communal tension arises, however,
with troubled relationships. From James Joyce’s early nineteenth century novel to Paul
Harding’s contemporary story, interactions between fear and community are central
to plot and character development. These relationships define characters and create
stories that show readers the foundational nature of basic human interaction.
Orwell and Hemingway on War: The Enemy and How to Fight It
Caroline Eckstrom and Lisa Young
Advisor: David Zwart, Instructor of History
American journalist Ernest Hemingway liked big game hunting and bloody bullfights;
British novelist George Orwell preferred raising chickens and vegetables. What did
these two writers have in common? Both Hemingway and Orwell participated in the
Spanish Civil War of the 1930s, and they each preserved their experiences in works
that have now become classics: For Whom the Bell Tolls and Homage to Catalonia.
Although both men fought on the same side and wrote about the same topic, their
writings present two different interpretations of the war. Hemingway depicts the war
as a fatalistic tragedy about humanity, while Orwell accepts it as a challenge to defend
human rights and equality. Both works contribute contrasting but valuable
perspectives to the Spanish Civil War and to the fundamental principles it involved.
Shift Happens: From The Copernican Revolution to the Structures of
Scientific Revolutions
Justin Krosschell
Advisor: John Zwart, Professor of Physics
Physicist and philosopher of science, Thomas Kuhn is best known for his extensive
work studying the nature of changes in scientific knowledge. Interestingly, the ideas
presented in Kuhn's first major work, The Copernican Revolution: Planetary
Astronomy in the Development of Western Thought (1957), differ from those given his
later work, The Structures of Scientific Revolutions (1962), a book that set the
benchmark for defining scientific revolutions and the effects they have on the
scientific community. In his first book, Kuhn explained the larger topic of the shift in
scientific knowledge and cosmology that occurred during the Copernican revolution in
terms of an incremental approach to the development of science. In the second book,
which more generally addresses the nature of scientific activity in a much broader
historical context, Kuhn advocated a much less incremental approach and one based
more on shifts between incommensurable scientific paradigms. This comparative
study of both of Kuhn's works, shows the significant shift in his views in the short five
years between their publications.
Search for the Word of God
David Mahlum
Advisor: Clinton Lowin, Assistant Professor of Theology
A debate often ignored, the King James Version debate needs to be clarified. The
scriptures say that God's words will continue forever, that they are pure, and that He
will preserve them. David Mahlum invites you to see that God has made a single Bible
for English-speakers, the King James Bible (KJB), and that it is different from other
versions. He will demonstrate differences between the KJB and newer versions. He
will discuss the authors of the KJB and how God used them in His work.
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Seminars Continued…
Projects Continued
Robert Minto (SR)
"Baruch Spinoza: Monism"
"Spinoza's Philosophy: The Move from
Perspectival Ontology to NonTeleological Ethics"
"The Great Novel of Fraternity: Flaubert
and the Ideals of the French
Revolution."
Steve Olson (JR)
"Review of the movie The Book Of Eli"
"Las Vegas PLIA Trip"
Adrianna Oudman (SR)
"Off-Campus Programs: Positives,
Negatives, and Suggestions"
"Sing it Loudly: the Princeton
Conference Organ Recital"
Dirk Oudman (FR)
"Lost Calling: A Critique of Dordt's
Mission"
"From the Cheap Seats: on Dordt's
Teacher-Education Program"
Alex Pasker (SO)
"Truth and Misconception in Avatar"
Michelle Palmer (SO)
"A Network of Love: A Discussion of the
Oppression of Muslim Women"
"A Network of Love, Part Two: On the
Muslim World"
Jonathan Posthuma (JR)
"Voices: Reflections on the
Compositional Process"
"A Festival of New Music: What Are
Composers Celebrating?"
Lael Radde (JR)
"Twilight: Warning--Contents are
Fiction"
Luke Schut (SR)
"Where Is She Coming From: A
Response to Marilynne Robinson"
Sarah Spencer
"Get Smart Series: Love and Logic"
"Sophisticated Geekery"
Steve Spurgeon
"Metallica: Beneficial or Risky?"
Alex Updike (SO)
"An Actor's Response to Tartuffe"
"Freud as a Fraud: What is Wrong with
the Psycho-Dynamic Theory"
"What Does Islam Really Represent: A
Response to Dr. Shayesteh's
Presentation"
"A Response to the Immigration
Conference: In the Bull's Eye of Divine
Favor"
What the United States Can Learn from Education Systems Across the
World
Lael Radde
Advisor: Ed Starkenburg, Professor of Education
Education is a requirement in almost all nations in the world, but how education
happens differs widely from nation to nation. As standardized tests allow the
comparison of students across the world, nations are racing to improve their
education systems to compete in the global market. In my paper, I will discuss the
similarities and difference between the top five nations and the United States. I will
propose that the feature which the United States needs to take from these nations is a
higher emphasis on foreign language learning, beginning at a young age.
What Happens When Science and Theology Conflict? A Response to
the Modern Approach of Integrating Human Evolution into
Christianity and the Theological Implications
Sarah Seymour
Advisors: Tony Jelsma, Professor of Biology, and Mary Dengler, Professor of English
This paper is a summary of a semester-long study researching the scientific and
theological aspects of human evolution. The goal or objective of this study is to
analyze modern scientific evidences for human evolution and the corresponding
theological consequences to those assumptions. Conflicts in science and theology
regarding this topic have created much controversy and necessitated creative
integration for a number of Christian scientists. The theological implications for
nonliteral biblical interpretation when in conflict with scientific findings are especially
important to this presentation, specifically the scientific evidences stemming the
debate for or against a literal Adam and Eve, a new approach to the fall and original
sin, and a metaphorical understanding of the creation story found in Genesis.
Composition Recital
Jonathan Posthuma
Advisor: Karen DeMol, Professor of Music
Jonathan Posthuma performed and directed a
composition recital on Friday, Feb. 18, 2011. Nearly all
the compositions in the program were premieres of his
own compositions, and featured the talents of many
students. In addition, Jonathan has been recognized for
his talent in composition by the Composer’s Region VI
New Music Festival.
Crossings
Robert Minto, Luke Schut, Caroline Eckstrom, and Jonathan Postuma, Editors
Three issues of Crossings were published. Copies are available in the library.



The Stranger Among Us
(Fall 2010, Vol. 1)
Work
(Fall 2010, Vol. 2)
Utopia
(Spring 2011, Vol. 1)
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Contracts Completed during 2010-11
Contracts are smaller projects completed in conjunction
with a particular course (noted in parentheses).
The Seriousness of Play (Phil 206)
Matthew Gerrelts
Advisor: Mark Tazelaar, Professor of Philosophy
Although art cannot be exhaustively defined, important
elements of aesthetic experience can be identified, giving a
clearer and more fulfilling picture of the ambiguity of art. This
paper seeks to provide insight into the meaning of art or the
“aesthetic” via the philosopher Hans-Georg Gadamer's
reflections on the experience of art and the interpretive
elements that are involved therein, particularly using his
understanding of “play” as a hermeneutic key to unlock a more
comprehensive metaphor for the role that art plays in giving
meaning to human living.
Laban: Master of Theatre (TA 204)
Emily Hageman
Advisor: April Hubbard, Associate Professor of Theatre Arts
This work analyzes the work of Rudoff Laban. It studies his
theories, and it gives a series of examples of the way his
theories are applied in theater productions.
The “Stolen Generation”: A Study of the Attempted
Extinction of the Australian Aboriginal Culture
(Ling 201)
Kristin Janssen
Advisor: Leendert van Beek, Associate Professor of Foreign
Language
Since the origin of language diversity at the Tower of Babel, the
danger of language extinction has also existed. Mankind’s
crippling of specific languages is best understood with a historic
example, such as the Australian government’s attempt at
exterminating the aboriginal culture in the twentieth century.
International awareness of this issue created through movies
like The Rabbit-Proof Fence and the more recent Australia may
have caused the Australian government to recently issue an
official apology. Because language diversity is celebrated and
blessed by God, it is our role as Christians to protect this vital
aspect of every culture.
Inclusion: a Philosophy of Education (Ed 251)
Kristin Janssen
Advisor: Kathleen VanTol, Assistant Professor of Education
Finding one’s place in the world is central to the human
experience. In fact, the feelings of isolation and loneliness are
some of the worst feelings humans can experience. In a
country so focused on personal achievement, value, and worth,
individuals with disabilities are often excluded. Today,
attitudes toward and laws regarding the education of
exceptional students have brought an increase of students with
disabilities out of segregated settings and into universally
inclusive schools. These schools welcome all children, place
students with disabilities in general education classes, and
provide exceptional students with the support necessary for
success. However, these changes in special education are
actually quite controversial. I have explored the issue of
inclusion from various perspectives, observed inclusion in true
educational settings, and examined the role of future Christian
teachers in regards to the inclusion and integration of
exceptional students. I conclude that now is the time to
implement inclusion into our educational systems by
welcoming students with disabilities into the regular schools
and classrooms based on a biblical and educational framework
consisting of strategies to facilitate full community support.
Inclusion does not merely assimilate exceptional students into
the classroom; inclusion provides an outstanding education to
all students.
Designing a Power Audio Amplifier (Egr 323)
Justin Krosschell
Advisor: Douglas DeBoer, Professor of Engineering
This project will consist of designing and building a high-fidelity
power audio amplifier receiver using MOSFETs and/or BJTs
following a classic biasing design. The amplifier will
complement the construction of an AM/FM radio that will be
created as part of the final project of the course.
Composition in Standard Musical Form (Mus 203)
Peter Kuipers
Advisor: Karen DeMol, Professor of Music
Contrary to popular belief, a memorable melody does not
result from ceaseless repetition over the radio. In fact, a
melody can become both endearing and memorable all within
the first listening. Forms, patterns of repetition and reiteration,
can be used to call attention to a particular melodic line, which
the composer can use to transform the melody played once
into a line of music that rolls back and forth in the recesses of
the listener's mind. It is this recurring theme or subject that is
important to the piece and what ultimately makes the melody
memorable.
Magnets in Vehicle Suspension (Egr 104)
Timothy Lewis
Advisor: Justin Vander Werff, Instructor of Engineering
The purpose of this research was to study the feasibility of
using permanent magnets in vehicle suspension to regain
energy lost from bumps in order to propel electric vehicles
further. My research thus far has shown multiple ways of
achieving this purpose but will generally not regain enough
energy for it to be cost effective in a real world setting. My
current calculations estimate that with a high efficiency energy
capture system, the car could be propelled about a mile further
in a city setting and possibly two or three miles in a country or
rough road setting.
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Contracts Continued:
I Can Be Your Friend (Psyc 210)
Nematode Protection Products: Evaluating
Technologies in Corn Crop Protection (Ag 316)
Adrianna Oudman
Jon Luetchens
Advisor: Chris Goedhart, Professor of Agriculture
The agricultural community is bombarded with advertisements
and recommendations for competing products and
technologies designed to protect crops from pests. This
presentation will examine the role of a broader decision
making process as applied to selecting between two new
competing anti-nematicidal products, Avicta® and VOTIVO™.
Rather than focusing solely on competing yield or economic
data, I will include other dimensions of evaluation including
sustainability and the ideas of Egbert Schuurman and Jacques
Ellul in evaluating technologies.
A Study of Impressionist
Painting (Art 225)
Rachel Minto
Advisor: Matthew Drissell,
Instructor of Art
A study of impressionist painting,
emphasizing the work of Manet.
Non-western Ceramic
Traditions (Art 210)
Rachel Minto
Advisor: Jake Van Wyk, Professor
of Art
A study of African, Asian, and South American pottery
traditions which led to the creation of several artworks.
Environmental Philosophy (Envr 151)
Robert Minto
Advisor: Ronald Vos, Professor of Agriculture
Environmental studies seeks to place mankind in its objective
relationship to the rest of the biosphere. This perspective is,
sadly, rather new. It has provoked a lot of rethinking by many
parties, among them ethical thinkers. In particular, I
considered the thought of Stuart Hall in Stewardship: A Biblical
Symbol Come of Age, deep ecology, and social ecology. I
conclude by considering whether Hall's interpretation of
scripture was a result of rational study or rationalization of the
impending environmental crisis.
Contemporary Theories of Justice (PlSt 201)
Robert Minto
Advisor: Donald King, Associate Professor of Political Studies
This project involved a study of Rawls' A Theory of Justice and
reactions to him from Nozick, Sandel, and Walzer. This study
shows that the political and ethical question of justice can
never proceed without reference to prior metaphysical
assumptions.
Homeric and Old Testament Writing (Hist 220)
Advisor: Jessical Cleveringa, Instructor of Psychology
How many friends do you have? Over 100 seniors and
freshmen answered this and other questions on a survey I
created. Their responses were entered into data spreadsheets
and compared between freshmen and seniors. The exhibit will
show the differences between the groups in number of
friendships, how friendships were formed, and percentage of
friendships that endured over the course of four years in
college. The exhibit will include graphs and data analysis from
the surveys as well as theoretical explanations of the data from
social psychology.
Teaching Christianly In Public Schools: The Reality
And The Legality Of Staying True To Faith In The
Public School Setting (Ed 201)
Alex Pasker
Advisor: Ed Starkenburg, Professor of Education
Christian teachers in public schools are often unsure of how to
stay true to their faith, while honoring their students' differing
views and obeying the establishment of religion clause of the
Constitution. This investigation developed definitions of the
philosophies guiding education, and how they compare to a
Christian approach. I interviewed Christian teachers currently
working in the public school system to discover what they
believe and practice regarding the role of their faith in their
teaching. I then used materials from the teacher education
course and other professional texts, in order to clearly define
the different philosophies that guide teaching, including
materialism, humanism, and pluralism, and the Christian
perspective. Finally, I examined materials that discuss the legal
definition of religion, the laws that regulate religion in schools,
and the effect of important court cases on the topic. I found
that a Christian approach to education is unique in its focus on
truth, wonder, justice, grace, and seeing the student as a whole
person, not just a mind to be filled. I also discovered that
Christian teachers in public schools are not as restricted as
many believe, and that it is possible for teachers to honor their
Christian faith without evangelizing.
Notational Techniques for Prepared Piano (Mus
391)
Jonathan Posthuma
Advisor: Luke Dahn, Tutorial Adjunct in Music
Prepared piano composition has no comprehensive system for
notation and relies heavily on written instructions or visual
demonstrations. I have created a working symbolic system that
I will use in my own composition. Prepared piano music has
often been viewed as experimental, atonal, complicated, and
generally inaccessible, but through this paper, I created an
approachable and clear notational system and compose
repertoire that is accessible and enjoyable to performers and
their audiences.
Steve Olson
Advisor: Bobbi Sutherland, Assistant Professor of History
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Contracts Continued:
National Presentations and Papers
What Does a Rock Have To Do with God Anyway?
(Bio 227)
The following students presented papers at national
conferences this year or published papers in journals.
Sarah Spencer
 Stephanie Argo " Gendered Technolgy: Women And
Automotive History" and "Holistic Design Of CharProducing Biomass Cookstove For Zambian Village"
(with Ian Kuipers)
 Justin Krosschell "Intercalibration Of Noaa's Goes
Energetic Particle Sensor (Eps) Solar Proton
Measurements During Solar Cycle 23"
 Alex Pasker "Teaching Christianly In Public Schools:
The Reality And The Legality Of Staying True To Faith
In The Public School Setting."
National Conference on Undergraduate Research,
Ithaca College, NY, March 31-April 2, 2011.
 Adrianna Oudman “A Semester in Nicaragua:
Positives, Negatives, and Ways to Improve”
North American Christian Foreign Language
Association Conference,
Abilene, TX April 7-9, 2011
 Jonathan Postuma "Voices"
performed at Composer’s Region VI New Music
Festival,
University of Central Missouri on April 8, 2011
 Steve Mangold "Language, Legitimacy, and Law:
Postmodern Jurisprudence in Historical Context"
USD Student History Conference, 12 April 2011.
 Matthew Gerrelts "The Inherent Poetry of Meaning"
Pro Rege, 39, September 2010, 26-39.
 Robert Minto, book review of "Absence of Mind: The
Dispelling of Inwardness from the Modern Myth of
the Self" by Marilynne Robinson
Pro Rege, 39, September 2010, 46-47.
Advisor: James Mahaffy, Professor of Biology
Whether studying in paleontology, chemistry, engineering, or
any other field, Christians in the sciences all face the same
question of how to live out their faith in how they do their
work. In the highly secularized field of science, however, this
can be a daunting task. This paper will discuss how scientists
can live out their faith in the way they do the day-to-day tasks
of science and what exactly looking at a rock can have to do
with Christian faith.
Ethics in Biomedical Engineering (Egr 104)
Lee Veldkamp
Advisor: Justin Vander Werff, Instructor of Engineering
In a field—such as biomedical engineering—that is advancing
so rapidly, one must look at what is being done and ask if it
should be being done. More importantly though, everyone in
all fields of study must be able to work in their field having the
skill set and ability to make ethical decisions every single day.
Lastly, ethics is not only making a decision between two
choices, but it is also making a choice. When faced with the
option to do something or not, if doing something would be
beneficial, it is unethical not to do it.
Book Discussions
This spring, two groups held book discussions.
His Dark Materials trilogy by Philip Pullman
Luke Schut (leader), Stephanie Argo, Steve Olson, Lael
Radde, Sarah Spencer, Lee Veldkamp
Enrique's Journey and immigration
Adrianna Oudman (leader), Adrian deLange, Kristin
Janssen, Dirk Oudman, Alex Pasker
KSP Co-Directors
Mary Dengler
Professor of English
[email protected]
712-722-6251
Carl Fictorie
Professor of Chemistry
[email protected]
712-722-6283
www.dordt.edu/ksp
Stephanie A., Alex P. and Justin K. at NCUR.
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