The appointed as chair-elect during its October meetings. Lubben, the board’s current vice chair, has served on the board since 2011. He will assume the board chair duties from current chair Scott Spoelhof after the board’s May 2015 meetings.

“This is an exciting time for Calvin. We have a forward looking strategic plan, a visionary president, a world class faculty of scholars committed to the Reformed creeds and confessions and a gifted and diverse student body,” said Lubben. “Our Board of Trustees are people from across North America who have a wide range of talents and share a passion for helping Calvin to meet the mission to which it is called. We are supported, encouraged and prayed for by the . We serve Jesus Christ who is making all things new again. It brings me great joy to be a part of all of this and I am thankful for the privilege of serving.”

A well-respected leader

Lubben, a member of in Kalamazoo, Mich., currently serves as chair of the firm’s litigation section. He graduated from Calvin College in 1978 and earned his juris doctorate cum laude from Lubben’s practiced law since 1981 and is well respected by those in his field. He serves on the State Bar of Michigan’s Board of Commissioners and is involved in several professional associations. He is listed in the “” and has been named to the Top 100 list as a Michigan “Super Lawyer.”

A well-rounded leader

Lubben is an active member of his community as well, volunteering his time on numerous boards and committees over the years, including serving as president of the Kalamazoo Symphony Board (2011-2013), the Kalamazoo County Bar Association (1998-1999) and the Kalamazoo Christian School Association (1999), to name a few. Lubben has also served at his home church——as an elder, council president and catechism teacher.

“Craig has a servant’s heart, and is a gifted leader,” said Spoelhof. “When you combine his talents with his commitment to and passion for the mission of Calvin College, you can’t help but be excited for the future of the college.”

“I couldn’t be more pleased to see Craig appointed to this key leadership role on the board,” said Michael Le Roy, president of Calvin College. “Craig has impressed me as an attentive listener, a generative thinker, and a passionate proponent of the Calvin College mission.

“Scott Spoelhof has provided steady, positive leadership to the college’s board in a season of transition. In a short time he has become an important advisor and friend to me and his leadership of the board will be missed. We look forward to celebrating his many contributions in May.”

A bright future

Spoelhof has served on the board since 2006 and as board chair since 2011. His term ends in May. He says he is grateful for his time on the board and is excited to see the college flourish in the coming years.

“Calvin College is in a great position and on the right trajectory,” said Spoelhof. “We have a talented and committed faculty and staff, excellent leadership, an administration and board that are focused on the mission of the college, supportive alumni and we continue to attract talented students from all over the country who want to be part of the Calvin community and .

A full schedule

The trustees were on campus from Wednesday, Oct. 22 through Saturday, Oct. 25. The board spent time reviewing the college’s implementation of the and provided input into the ongoing . The group also listened to presentations by Sandra Upton, of the Cultural Intelligence Center, on the college’s current state and future opportunities in the area of and by Plante Moran’s auditing staff on the budget year 2013-14 audit.

The 31-member Calvin College Board of Trustees meets three times annually on the Calvin campus.  The board’s next meeting will be in February.