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On the first floor of Hekman Library, just steps from the consistent flow of students and the hum of Peet’s Coffee, Nexus coach sits down with classmates to talk about money. The Nexus financial coaching space is deliberately placed where students already spend their time, and conversations often start the same way: uncertainty, stress, and a sense that finances feel more complicated than they should.

For DeKruyter, the work is personal.  He grew up in a family where money was openly discussed and held his first job in sixth grade. He remembers being captivated by how the stock market worked. “I couldn’t believe you could make money without physically working for it,” he said. “That curiosity never really left.”

When he arrived at Calvin, he planned to study finance but quickly pivoted to financial planning. The shift was driven by what he saw around him. Many of his peers, he realized, had never been taught how to budget, save, or think long-term about money. “A lot of students are overwhelmed,” he said. “They’re hearing constant messages about spending and success, and it’s overwhelming trying to sort through all of that.”

Nexus meets that need by grounding financial decisions in five biblical principles, from living within one’s means to giving generously. Coaches walk alongside students through practical tools like budgeting and the “five uses of money,” helping them gain clarity and confidence. 

Working with a coach helps students see the power of small, consistent actions. Even investing $5 a day in a responsible stock market fund can grow into $1 million by age 60 for a college student. The real challenge—and opportunity—is taking the first step.

“What most people in their early 20s don’t realize is that they are able to make a compounding difference in their lives and in God’s kingdom,” said Professor and Nexus faculty advisor Ron Winowiecki.  “It’s the immediate little things that create a snowball effect resulting in something much bigger than they ever could have imagined.”

Now a senior and just a few months away from graduation, DeKruyter reflects on a Calvin experience filled with defining moments—from the announcement of Calvin football his freshman year and scoring the program’s first-ever touchdown, to competing in competition and being a Nexus coach. As he looks ahead, DeKruyter hopes to continue helping others navigate financial decisions with purpose, one conversation at a time.