On Friday, January 24, 2025, Greg Elzinga was installed as �鶹��’s 13th president in a formal inauguration ceremony in the Covenant Fine Arts Center auditorium. Faculty, dressed in full academic regalia, joined with students, staff, administrators and alumni. West Michigan leaders, the board of trustees, representatives from the Christian Reformed Church in North America, administrators in higher education, two of Calvin’s past presidents: Gaylen Byker and Michael Le Roy, Calvin seminary president Jul Medenblik, and Elzinga’s family were all in attendance for this historic moment. 

An inauguration ceremony’s purpose is primarily to install a new president and allow them to share their vision. And while that would indeed take place at this inauguration, there was a much deeper purpose that emerged from the start. 

First things first 

“Today, we celebrate God’s provision of the 13th president of �鶹��,” said Perrin Rynders, chair of the presidential search committee, in his first words of welcome. “God has shown his faithfulness to �鶹�� for nearly 149 years.” 

After the Calvin Worship Apprentices led all in attendance in the opening hymn “Praise to the Lord, the Almighty,” university pastor Mary Hulst began to pray. 

“Our faithful God, we praise you today for your steady faithfulness to �鶹��,” said Hulst. “For almost 150 years you have guided your people to provide a Christ-centered education, first to pastors, and then teachers, and now to nurses, web designers, filmmakers, authors, artists, and engineers. At Calvin, one generation has extolled your works to the next, telling of your mighty acts, and we are grateful.” 

From the Land Acknowledgment to the Litany, from the Song of Praise to the presentation of the presidential medallion and a gift, the purpose of the event was literally being emblazed on objects and hearts. 

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“The vase has been glazed in maroon and gold with the words on it in gold,” said Hulst, in sharing the intentionality by which the vase—a gift created by studio art instructor Lee Bolt ‘05 for President Elzinga—was made. “The words, Greg, are those you have used on many occasions during your first year as president: ‘The future is secure, for our world belongs to God.’” 

By the time President Elzinga stood up to give his inaugural address the tone was already clearly set. But he began his remarks making sure the purpose of this day was crystal clear: 

“Thank you so much for coming together to celebrate God’s faithfulness through �鶹��,” said Elzinga. 

Leading with character 

While the entire ceremony was meant to celebrate God’s faithfulness, it also provided the broader community with an opportunity to get to know Calvin’s 13th president. 

And how his brother, Brett Elzinga ’93, chose to introduce him was not the typical sharing what he’s done—his accolades, prior job experience, the events and experiences that shaped him. He noted “those things can be read online; they can be seen on LinkedIn.” 

“What I want to do today is share with you who he is, the character of Greg,” said Brett Elzinga. 

Brett Elzinga then looked up at a large projector screen that had the image of a word cloud featuring words of varying sizes. The image depicted sentiments solicited from Greg Elzinga’s family, friends, current and past co-workers, and many members of the Calvin community. 

“I wasn’t so much surprised by the number of words, there were hundreds. I was struck by the consistency. I was also struck by the themes,” said Brett Elzinga. “It didn’t take long for me to very quickly see the values of �鶹�� embedded in these words. The values of boldness and humility, of curiosity and conviction, of diversity and inclusion, and tradition and innovation. Some of those words verbatim are in there. Greg embodies those values.” 

Confirming a calling, reflecting in gratitude 

With the importance of Elzinga’s character clearly stated, Elzinga took to the podium. After spending several minutes acknowledging and thanking the many people who have played a formative role in his life, he began to confirm his calling to the role. 

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“Many of you know that the role of president is not something I ever expected, nor is it one that I aspired to. Having now served in the role for ten months, I can stand before you today and say how much I love this role, cheering on and deeply appreciating this mission that empowers more Calvin graduates to be sent as Christ’s agents of renewal to a world that is in need of what our students will deliver,” said Elzinga. 

He also acknowledged that while he is called to lead Calvin, he is dependent on the many gifts the community brings to this collaborative mission. 

“I cannot imagine having a team that is better equipped to pursue our mission as we are approaching the 150th anniversary of this institution’s history,” said Elzinga. “Achieving our goals and tackling the challenges ahead of us is a campus-wide effort that doesn’t begin or end with any one person, department, school, or division. It extends to all faculty, staff, and administrative leadership. It relies on the continuing curiosity and faith-filled learning of our students. It also extends to our alumni and supporters, working together as partners to continue building a university that is impacting our world in powerful ways for the glory of God.” 

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Sharing a vision 

Elzinga then shared a three-pronged vision that includes strengthening the institution’s focus on continued enrollment growth, casting and sharing a vision for Calvin’s future that is attractive and compelling, and revitalizing aspects of the institution’s organizational structure including an enhanced approach to Calvin’s people and culture. He said the end goal of all of these pursuits is to fulfill the university’s mission of equipping students to think deeply, to act justly, and to live wholeheartedly as Christ’s agents of renewal in the world.” 

As I’ve traveled the country and the world, I’m absolutely convinced more than ever before that’s indeed a mission our world needs.

Elzinga then spent the latter part of his address asking the Calvin community to reflect upon how  to most effectively continue to live out this mission. 

“Before our mission of renewal can be lived out, what is the foundation that we are building on? What is the condition of a community in which renewal thrives and flourishes?” 

Reflecting on Ephesians 3:14-21, which his daughter Brooke read prior to his address, Elzinga proposed Calvin must start with something fundamental: reconciliation. 

“Reconciliation is the way forward for our community, our nation, and the world. It is rooted deeply in the gospel of Jesus Christ, which reconciles us and sends us out as those who reconcile. We become effective agents of renewal only when we begin as ambassadors of reconciliation,” said Elzinga. “Reconciliation is the prerequesite to renewal.” 

How then shall we live? 

“As ambassadors of reconciliation we are called to bridge divides, heal wounds, and foster unity. In our university community, this means creating an environment where every individual feels valued, respected, and heard. It means engaging in open dialogue, working together to overcome the challenges that divide us. Our mission is to build a community where love, understanding, and mutual respect are the cornerstones of our interactions.” 

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Elzinga continued, “furthermore, we are called to be agents of renewal. As agents of renewal, we are tasked with the continuous pursuit of knowledge, innovation, and personal growth. Being agents of renewal also means taking responsibility for the world around us. It means striving for sustainability, advocating for justice, and working toward a future where all creation can flourish. Our commitment to renewal is reflected in our dedication to research, our innovative approaches to education, and our efforts to make a positive impact on society. And we do this because this is what followers of Jesus Christ are called and commanded to do.” 

In wrapping up his address, Elzinga challenged the community to embrace their roles as ambassadors of reconciliation and agents of renewal. 

“Let us commit to building a university community that reflects these values in every aspect of our work and our study. Together, we can create a place where these are not just ideals but lived realities. Through Christ, the true ministry of reconciliation becomes the seedbed for renewal.”