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Alumni Michael and Wendi VanWoerkom Make Transformational Gift to ��ɬֱ��’s Aerospace Engineering Program

msk23@calvin.edu — Wed, 25 Feb 2026 00:25:47 +0000

Alumni Michael and Wendi VanWoerkom Make Transformational Gift to ��ɬֱ��’s Aerospace Engineering Program msk23@calvin.edu Tue, 02/24/2026 - 19:25

��ɬֱ�� alumni Michael ’95 and Wendi VanWoerkom ’96 have made a significant gift to support the long-term growth of ��ɬֱ��’s new aerospace engineering concentration, positioning the university to become a national leader in aerospace education within Christian higher education.

The gift will fund advanced laboratory equipment, create the VanWoerkom Aerospace Lab, and establish the VanWoerkom Endowed Professorship dedicated to space systems, hands-on student projects, and external research funding. The aerospace concentration officially joined Calvin’s ABET-accredited engineering program in Fall 2025, with full lab implementation targeted by FY 2027.

“This extraordinary gift reflects the very best of Calvin - alumni who are deeply grateful for their education and eager to invest in the next generation,” said Greg Elzinga, ��ɬֱ�� president. “Michael and Wendi’s vision will allow our students to pursue cutting-edge aerospace engineering while being formed by a Christ-centered education that emphasizes purpose, responsibility, and service.”

A Gift Rooted in Gratitude and Vision

Both Calvin graduates, the VanWoerkoms credit their Calvin education with laying the foundation for their professional success. Michael went on to earn an advanced degree from the University of Michigan and later founded the aerospace company ExoTerra. Wendi, who also earned her engineering degree from Calvin, currently works for Muller Engineering Company in Lakewood, Colorado. The couple met as students in Calvin’s engineering program, and their connection to the university remains deeply personal: their oldest son, Ethan, graduated from Calvin in 2024, and their middle son, Drew, is currently a junior.

“Calvin prepared us exceptionally well - for our careers, for leadership, and for life,” said the VanWoerkoms. Michael will play an active advisory role in the program, mentoring students, supporting senior design projects, and assisting with industry connections, job placement, and graduate school pathways.

Planting the Future of Aerospace at Calvin

The VanWoerkom gift will support three foundational elements of the program’s growth:

The Seed: Immediate funding for lab equipment and faculty support.
The Soil: Infrastructure for a CubeSat satellite program and aerospace laboratories.
The Gardener: An endowed professorship to lead space-focused coursework, mentor hands-on projects, and pursue competitive grants, including NASA funding.

The new VanWoerkom Aerospace Lab will occupy renovated space within Calvin’s engineering building and will be recognized with exterior signage and an interior plaque honoring the VanWoerkom family’s leadership gift.

A Program Designed for Impact

Calvin engineering students graduate with the technical skills expected of graduates from much larger programs and the critical thinking and communication skills you’d expect from a top Christian liberal arts university. The aerospace concentration prepares students for challenging careers in a variety of fields including aircraft and spacecraft design, aerospace manufacturing, underwater vehicles, orbital systems, and ground vehicle design. Students graduate in four years with real-world experience through internships, research opportunities, study abroad, and optional international or sustainability designations.

Just as important, the program reflects Calvin’s mission to educate students who seek to serve Christ and contribute to the flourishing of God’s world, all within a Reformed Christian environment. “At Calvin, our faith and ethics perspectives are not simply ‘add-ons’,” Ken Visser, professor of aerospace engineering points out, “They shape our teaching strategies, and guide our students to think about their responsibility to the profession and how their choices impact God’s creation. This gift from the VanWoerkoms will provide tremendous opportunities for our students and enriches our ability to train them to become both technically excellent and deeply grounded engineers.”

Launching a New Chapter

With strong alumni leadership, experienced faculty, and a clear vision for growth, ��ɬֱ��’s aerospace engineering program is poised to become a distinctive presence in Christian higher education - one rooted in innovation, faith, and service. For more information on ��ɬֱ��’s aerospace engineering concentration follow this link: /majors-programs/aerospace-engineering-bse

Tuesday, February 24, 2026 - 12:00

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Aero engineering takes off this fall at ��ɬֱ��

msk23@calvin.edu — Wed, 24 Sep 2025 11:36:43 +0000

Aero engineering takes off this fall at ��ɬֱ�� msk23@calvin.edu Wed, 09/24/2025 - 07:36

Starting this fall, an aerospace engineering concentration is now being offered at ��ɬֱ��. The addition adds strength to an already nationally respected engineering program, which recently rose to its highest ranking ever (#38) on U.S. News & World Report’s best undergraduate engineering programs list.

Since the program was officially announced last fall, it’s drawn a lot of interest from both incoming and current students.

An unique opportunity

“I was looking at other smaller Christian schools and a lot of them didn’t have engineering in general, and I specifically wanted to go into aerospace,” said Kyle Chakery ’29, a first-year student from Grand Prairie, Texas. “So, Calvin’s program drew me in and knowing it was the first year was really exciting.”

“I think it’s the first Christian college to have an aero program,” said Juan Moon ’27, a junior who grew up in South Korea and Thailand. “Tying aerospace engineering and Christian values together is so valuable when you go into industry because it helps set your heart posture to appropriately focus on the right things.”

A seasoned first-year program

While the program is in its infancy, aerospace engineering majors at Calvin are encouraged that the professors they are learning from have vast industry experience. Ken Visser spent a decade working at NASA and Boeing, including helping design the Boeing 767-400ER. His groundbreaking contributions to the field of aerodynamics led to him being honored as an Associate Fellow of the AIAA earlier this year. While Visser assumes a leading role in launching the new aerospace engineering program, he is part of a team of faculty colleagues with aerospace experience, including Matt Heun, who worked with NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory before teaching at Calvin, and Fred Haan, whose specialty is experimental aerodynamics, to name a couple. 

“I am excited about learning aero here because the profs who are part of the aero program have a lot of experience up their sleeves. They’ve been everywhere, done everything,” said Ava Ibrahim, a sophomore from Whitinsville, Massachusetts. “The education I am going to get is going to be valuable, which is a solid foundation.”

Christ-centered values add value

But students say it’s more than just being prepared with all the technical skills.

“There are a lot of profs here who I believe are overqualified based on what they’ve achieved in industry, but they are here because they found God was calling them to be here in the first place and I feel that’s a gift for the students,” said Moon. “They teach more than just technical things. Yes, the profs are qualified to teach those aspects, but they go beyond to relate these technical aspects to Christian values, showing us how to live in industry guided by what you believe in.”

Passionate professors, caring mentors

What the students in the aero program find most valuable is something common to all disciplines at Calvin—professors who are passionate about their field and committed to personally knowing each of their students.

“I really appreciate the passion of the professors that I have. They care a lot about the material and it’s easy to follow along with lectures when you can tell they have a passion in what they are doing and a lot of real world experience to share with the class,” said Michael Liggett, a junior from Rockford, Michigan.

“On my visit to campus last year, I got to have a one-on-one visit with Ken Visser, and we chatted for 20-30 minutes, and he was amazing to talk to. We talked about planes, some of the Apollo missions, and it was really exciting. You could see the passion he has for aerospace. I love that he has a major passion for exploration, design, creativity, and critical thinking,” said Chakery. “Now, as a student, I feel the professors are very easy to talk to, specifically Visser, and I’m not afraid to ask questions if I’m confused.”

Going beyond aero helps other skills take off

Beyond the proximity to professors who serve as both industry experts and mentors, students in Calvin’s aero program also see the immense value of a liberal arts education.

“I think a lot of engineering requires good written and verbal communication, and I know that the liberal arts education I’m getting at Calvin will be most helpful in those areas: reading, writing, and speaking,” said Ibrahim. “So, it’s been so good to have an oral rhetoric class for engineers.”

Ibrahim is also grateful for the opportunity to take sociology and psychology classes. “Learning the way people around you think is really helpful and I think some people would miss out on having that knowledge, how to integrate into society without a liberal arts education.”

“It [a liberal arts education] just expands your broadness of thought. You get a wider scope of what there is out there theologically and philosophically, which I think is unique and important in understanding engineering design as well,” said Chakery. “We talk about moral norms in engineering design which means stuff has to be up to code morally, ethically, and physically, because some of the stuff you build will have an impact on other people, so you would have to build that with a broad scope in mind.”

Learn more about the aerospace engineering program at Calvin.

Wednesday, September 24, 2025 - 12:00

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Ava Ibrahim, a sophomore from Whitinsville, Massachusetts, is a part of the recently added aerospace engineering program at ��ɬֱ��.

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Calvin engineering professor inducted into world's largest aerospace professional society

msk23@calvin.edu — Wed, 08 Jan 2025 16:13:34 +0000

Calvin engineering professor inducted into world's largest aerospace professional society msk23@calvin.edu Wed, 01/08/2025 - 11:13

��ɬֱ�� is proud to announce that Kenneth D. Visser, professor of engineering, has been selected as a member of the Class of 2025 Associate Fellows of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), the world’s largest aerospace professional society. Visser will be formally honored and inducted at the AIAA Associate Fellows Induction Ceremony and Dinner on Wednesday, January 8, 2025.

AIAA Associate Fellows are recognized as leaders in the aerospace community, having made outstanding contributions to the arts, sciences, or technology of aeronautics and astronautics. According to the AIAA Constitution, this distinction is reserved for individuals who have accomplished or led significant engineering or scientific work or whose work has been of outstanding merit. Each year, only one member for every 150 AIAA members is selected as an associate fellow.

Visser earned this prestigious recognition for his groundbreaking contributions to the field of aerodynamics and his dedication to improving fuel efficiency and sustainable power generation. The citation accompanying his award reads:

“For improving the environment through the application of aerodynamics to aircraft wing tips, tractor trailers, and wind turbines thereby enhancing fuel efficiency and sustainable power generation.”

Notable achievements:

Aircraft Wings: Visser’s work on aerodynamics contributed to the design of the Boeing 767-400ER raked wing tips, which provide significant fuel efficiency benefits. The innovation has been applied to many other Boeing aircraft, including the 777 and the 737, and continues to impact global aviation. His research activities included collaborations with Fairchild Dornier and the Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt (DLR) in Germany to advance computational techniques for aircraft drag reduction.
Tractor-Trailers: Visser developed aerodynamic enhancements for tractor-trailers, including skirts and trailer extensions that improve fuel efficiency by reducing drag. These designs have led to patents and widespread adoption in the trucking industry, with fuel savings estimated at over 1.4 billion gallons per year across the U.S. truck fleet.
Wind Turbines: The design and development of a ducted wind turbine to increase power production by optimizing the airflow has been Visser’s third major focus. The resulting commercialization of this technology culminated in the founding of the company Ducted Wind Turbines, Inc. His efforts to advance renewable energy solutions has been supported by over $2 million in funding from industry, government, and private agencies.

Visser’s career exemplifies the integration of technical excellence, environmental stewardship, and practical application. His innovations enhance the efficiency of existing systems and contribute to a more sustainable future.

“We are thrilled to celebrate Dr. Visser’s induction into the AIAA Associate Fellows Class of 2025,” said Noah Toly, ��ɬֱ��’s provost. “His achievements reflect the caliber of expertise and innovation that ��ɬֱ�� faculty bring to their fields, and we are proud to see his work recognized on this global stage.”

About the AIAA Associate Fellows Program

The AIAA Associate Fellows Program recognizes individuals who have made significant and lasting contributions to the aerospace profession. Members are nominated and selected by their peers, underscoring their impact and leadership within the field.

About ��ɬֱ��

Founded in 1876, ��ɬֱ�� is a top-ranked, liberal arts institution that equips its 3,600 students from 48 U.S. states, 66 countries, and five Canadian provinces to think deeply, to act justly, and to live wholeheartedly as Christ’s agents of renewal in the world. Calvin offers 100+ majors and programs, including a growing portfolio of graduate-level offerings. Calvin students engage in intensive internships, community-based service learning, and significant research that results in publishing and presenting alongside world-class faculty. The university’s 400-acre campus is in the vibrant city of Grand Rapids, Michigan. Discover more at www.calvin.edu. 

Wednesday, January 8, 2025 - 12:00

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Getting Ready to Fly at ��ɬֱ��

msk23@calvin.edu — Mon, 11 Nov 2024 22:56:25 +0000

Getting Ready to Fly at ��ɬֱ�� msk23@calvin.edu Mon, 11/11/2024 - 17:56

For one weekend each month, Reuben Arends heads about 45 miles east to Grand Ledge Army Aviation Support Facility and Armory where he works on helicopters.

“Something I always wanted to do since I was a kid was to fly something,” said Arends. “And the military was always something that appealed to me too. I thought it was cool. It’s very different than any other job that I’ve seen.”

During his senior year at Unity Christian High School (Hudsonville, Mich.) Arends joined the Army National Guard. After high school he completed basic training in Oklahoma before moving on to advanced individual training (AIT) in Virginia.

“As my AIT graduation date was approaching, I was wondering what’s my next step after this,” said Arends.

Knowing he didn’t want to be far from his family, that he wanted a Christian education, and he was looking for a strong engineering program, ��ɬֱ�� became the clear choice for Arends.

Right Place, Right Time

“My goal is to go to Army Flight school and fly Blackhawks,” said Arends. “And I know a degree from here will help.”

So this fall, Arends started at Calvin pursuing an engineering degree with a mechanical concentration. Within weeks of starting, he realized he was in the right place at the right time as ��ɬֱ�� announced it was starting an aerospace engineering program.

“It was a pretty pleasant surprise,” said Arends, who plans to switch his concentration to align even better with his future goals.

A Depth of Preparation

As Arends prepares for the next step in his journey, he’s grateful for the community he’s part of at Calvin.

“The community is proving to be better than I expected,” said Arends. “In the military environment you have to look out for yourself, here it’s very different, people really care for other people.”

He also appreciates the depth of his education.

“An education is one thing, but here there’s much more of a focus on development that goes beyond just an education,” said Arends. “This place uses a Christian lens to grow you in more ways than just your degree and that’s definitely appealing.”

Monday, November 11, 2024 - 12:00

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Reuben Arends (middle) with members of his family at his graduation from Advanced Individual Training.

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Ready for Takeoff: A Christ-Centered Aerospace Engineering Program

msk23@calvin.edu — Tue, 24 Sep 2024 11:36:17 +0000

Ready for Takeoff: A Christ-Centered Aerospace Engineering Program msk23@calvin.edu Tue, 09/24/2024 - 07:36

Ken Visser’s fascination with aero is palpable.

“My enthusiasm for aero is just over the hill. I love it!,” said Visser.

It all started in 1969.

“When I was five years old my dad made me watch something significant,” said Visser, referencing the Apollo 11 mission to the moon. “From that point forward, I collected everything on space. I wrote letters to NASA, and I received lots of material back from them, including pictures.”

Building A Career

Then, in seventh grade, Visser was allowed to participate in a science fair where he built a model of Launch Complex 39, where they launched Apollo missions, on an 8’ x 4’ sheet of plywood. He realized if he was going to enter the science fair to win, he’d need to know everything he could possibly be asked. So, he learned as much as he could, and the more he learned, the more fascinated he became.

Fast forward 40 years and Visser has had quite the career in aerospace, including working at NASA and Boeing, and for the past couple of decades as a professor of aerospace engineering at Clarkson University, a small private university in upstate New York.

However, over the past couple of years, God was stirring up something in Visser’s heart.

Called to a New Mission

“I believe God was calling me to do specific kingdom work based on all the experience He’d given me up to this point,” said Visser. “Forty years ago, when I was graduating high school and wanted to study aerospace engineering at a Reformed university, I couldn’t find one.”

So, four decades later, Visser scanned the higher education landscape yet again and what he discovered was all too familiar. “It was pretty much the same as it was back then.”

So, he contacted six Christ-centered universities in the United States and asked them if they were interested in starting an aerospace program.

“All six were interested,” said Visser. “But only two could commit the resources to do it.”

One of those two was ��ɬֱ��.

The ultimate deciding factor? “Calvin was the closest to my wife’s family in upstate New York. We can make it there in a day’s drive.”

Launching a New Venture

So Visser is preparing to launch something new at ��ɬֱ��: an aerospace engineering program. And his “why” is deep.

“I only have so many years on this earth, and I wanted to help provide an opportunity for young Christian men and women to study aerospace engineering in a Christian environment,” said Visser. “These four years are very formative for students and, as God is sovereign over everything we do, including aerospace engineering, providing the opportunity to learn in a Christian environment is a great opportunity”

Visser says he thinks it’s absolutely invaluable for someone who is a Christian to study their vocation in a Christian environment where they can discover how to integrate their Christian faith with their field, how to design something and do it in a Christian way, and to ask what does designing something in a Christian way even mean?

“Engineering students aren’t coming to Calvin to go out into the world to be traditional missionaries, per se. They want to be engineers,” said Visser. “Yet, they are discovering how to serve God and be a missionary as a Christian engineer and that concept takes time to develop. So, offering the environment to do that formative work is absolutely crucial.”

Growing Interest

While the aerospace concentration won’t be added officially to Calvin’s nationally respected engineering program until Fall 2025, Visser is already fielding quite a bit of interest.

“A family came to visit recently and their son, who is in his senior year of high school, walked into my office and I could tell right away his enthusiasm for aero was just like mine at that age,” said Visser.

He said the young man’s eyes lit up when he saw all the artifacts in Visser’s office, including a photo of lunar module commander for Apollo 13, Fred Haise, who Visser had spent several hours with on one occasion.

“It’s a surprise in a way, but it’s like you are unleashing this unbridled enthusiasm, similar to what I had when I was that age when I was wanting to do something with rockets and spaceships. Students are saying, ‘Wow, I can do this at Calvin?’ And I can say, ‘yes, you can do that at Calvin.”

An Ideal Launching Pad

While Visser will have a leading role in launching the new aerospace engineering program, he isn’t the only professor with a background in aero. In fact, he joins a program that has a number of faculty with aerospace experience, including Matt Heun, who worked with NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory before teaching at Calvin, and Fred Haan, whose specialty is experimental aerodynamics, to name a couple.

“This is a terrifically strong engineering program,” said Visser. “The academically excellent, Christ-centered focus of this ABET-accredited program provides an ideal launching pad for students who want to pursue the many paths an aerospace engineering degree opens up.”

Opening a World of Opportunities

And Visser says there are a lot of paths one can take inside aerospace.

“For instance, aerodynamics, propulsion, stability and control—how to coordinate and move things around, structures of an aircraft of a satellite—that kind of stuff,” said Visser. “And it doesn’t have to be airplanes or rockets. At Boeing, I worked with an America’s Cup team in the area of hydrodynamics. It encompasses vehicle design in auto racing to the development of wind turbines for renewable energy. I’ve recommended students go work for Ferrari in the wind tunnel in Italy. You can be anything from a flight test engineer to a liaison engineer—the person who talks with those on the factory floor and with the engineers to improve processes. There are so many opportunities.”

For more details about the program, contact Gayle Ermer, engineering department chair.

Tuesday, September 24, 2024 - 12:00

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