by Tim Hange | Sep 26, 2018
As I write this article, snippets of dialogue between one of my tutors and his client trickle down the hall. They are passionately discussing an essay, figuring out the best way to word a particularly troublesome sentence. This conversation reminds me of countless other conversations that testify to the ministry of the Clark Academic Center (CAC).
In a recent email, for example, one student wrote, “Thank you so much for the guidance on my paper! I was able to fix all the needed areas and have the paper turned in within an hour. […] I will definitely use the CAC for help in the future.” Another student told me in person that she was absolutely humbled by the amount of help the CAC tutors were providing her. I assured her it was a free service and we her happy to help.
Our Mission
What exactly is the ministry of the CAC? Maybe you’re new here—a new student or a new faculty member. Or, perhaps you’ve been here for a while but have never visited the CAC. Let me briefly detail some of what we do here. Then, come and see for yourself.
Our mission is simple, but we take it seriously:
The Clark Academic Center is a ministry-minded student service whose main focus is helping students succeed academically.
Our Goals
Did you catch that? Our job is to make you successful. How do we do that?
We meet the mission by . . .
- Providing tutorial assistance for college coursework and related academic skills
- Helping clients at Calvary University and other Calvary sites with documents in any stage of the writing process, in any discipline, in any medium, and in any genre
- Accommodating students with learning disabilities as recommended by the DSS Coordinator
- Serving the Calvary University community with academic support services
- Modeling the Christian walk in academic service and mentoring clients spiritually to affect spiritual growth alongside academic growth
Our Tutors
Our tutors are highly-trained students, who actively build their skills in a variety of subject areas. The tutors have to take the equivalent of a three-credit hour training course during their first semester of work, in addition to weekly professional development meetings.
Our Services
Most of our clients come in for help with writing, but we can serve in any academic area. Here’s a short list of things we’ve helped students with just this semester:
- Brainstorming, planning, writing, and reviewing essays
- Learning time management skills
- Understanding and applying Turabian and answering difficult Turabian questions
- Tutoring math
- Proctoring tests
- Reading textbooks out loud to students who are auditory processors or who have special needs
What else can the CAC do for you? The possibilities are virtually endless. It never hurts to ask. Need help with something? Give us a call at extension 1402.
by Sara Klaassen | Jul 13, 2018
Weekly Portraits of Calvary Life
Do It Heartily
Karen Hange painted railings near the Conference Center.
Each Tuesday during the summer, several Calvary staff members step away from their desks and pitch in to help with various maintenance projects around the campus. They clean in the dorm for the first few Tuesdays. Most weeks some people spend time mowing, weed-eating, and pulling weeds. This summer staff members have painted numerous spots and stained a gazebo as well.
Ashley Spicer, Rachel Hontz, Tasha Krahn, and Tressa Shoemaker stained the gazebo.
Because of the library move this spring, one of the Tuesday Work Day projects was putting together some additional shelves. Other staff members worked heartily at moving furniture to the CABRE.
CABRE
Last summer I told you that the building formerly known as the Seminary was being remodeled. At that time, we were planning to move the library and academic center to that space. God had other plans! Now the old seminary building has a new name to go with a new purpose. The CABRE (pronounced SAY-bur) is the Center for Advanced Biblical Research and Engagement. It houses the Pre-Trib Research Center, Center for Interdisciplinary Creation Studies, and the Burnham Center for Global Engagement.
Sara Klaassen
Alumni Relations Coordinator
by Sara Klaassen | Aug 18, 2017
Weekly Portraits of Calvary Life
With new students arriving in less than one week, another school year seems to be hurtling toward us! That is why our faculty and staff spent Thursday in meetings focused on preparations for the upcoming semester. Dr. Cone encouraged us from God’s Word, and the other members of the Cabinet gave reports from their respective departments.
One bit of news that I would like to pass on to you is about our enrollment numbers. We are praising the Lord that more than 315 students are currently registered for classes in Cycle 2*! Thank you for your prayers in that area. *Calvary’s academic year is now structured into 8-week cycles. Cycle 2 is August 28-October 20.
We are also excited about the progress being made on renovating the former seminary building into the new home of the Hilda Kroeker Library and Clark Academic Center. In addition to that project, we anticipate that work will soon begin on transforming the Student Life Center (formerly Turner’s German-American Hall which we purchased last fall) into our new dining hall. Please pray with us for safety, quality work, and timely completion.
Dr. Cone spoke to the faculty and staff on Thursday.
Sara Klaassen
Alumni Relations Coordinator
Upcoming Calvary Events
New students arrive August 24
Classes start August 28
Discover Calvary: Visit Day September 15
by Sara Klaassen | Jul 21, 2017
Weekly Portraits of Calvary Life
The Hilda Kroeker Library and Clark Academic Center will have a new home by the end of 2017. Work has already begun to transform the former Seminary building into an updated space for research and study. Some staff and faculty have spent the last few Tuesdays pulling up carpet, moving furniture, and painting walls, and a contractor will do some interior and exterior remodeling. The new space will be smaller and require a decrease in the physical materials available, but as a result there will be an increase in technology and digital offerings. The Clark Academic Center will have ample space for tutoring, and there will still be a classroom in the building. The new location is much closer to the dorm which will be beneficial to on-campus students. Please pray that the improvements will be completed in a timely manner, so that the move can be made as soon as possible.
Dr. Hessel, Joshua Paxton, Dr. Smith, and Dr. Bitner (l to r) removed carpet during a Tuesday Work Day.
Sara Klaassen
Alumni Relations Coordinator
by Sara Klaassen | Nov 11, 2016
Learning Center Renamed
At his inauguration this fall, Dr. Cone announced that the Learning Center will now be known as the Clark Academic Center in honor of President Emeritus Dr. James Clark. The center exists to assist all Calvary students with writing, study skills, and time management; their specialty is providing paper editing and Turabian Style formatting assistance. Dr. Terri Stricker is the Director of the CAC, and Ashley Spicer, Philip Parker, Jordan McFarland, Adam Weeks, Celeste Williams, and Karinna Wong serve as student tutors. Dr. Stricker says, “Student tutors consider their assistance a ministry that contributes to the academic development of Calvary students. We are committed to helping students with whatever the problem seems to be, so we may spend time quizzing a student for an upcoming exam, reviewing an essay, or assisting with planning for a research paper. The student tutors are uniquely chosen for their concern for students and for their ability to come alongside other students and encourage them.”
Celeste Williams, Dr. Terri Stricker, and Karinna Wong
Sara Klaassen
Alumni Relations Coordinator
THANK YOU, VETERANS, FOR YOUR SERVICE!
Upcoming Volleyball Games
November 11-12, ACCA Tournament at Joplin, MO
Upcoming Calvary Events
November 11 Masterworks Chorus: The Seven Last Words of Christ
November 17 Beauty and the Beast Auditions – Also open to alumni and friends of Calvary
December 2 How Great Our Joy (Christmas concert)
December 3 Winter Shorts (acting recital)
December 9-11 Madrigal Dinners
Upcoming Evidence Performances
November 13, 10:00 a.m. at Avondale Baptist Church in Kansas City, MO
November 13, 6:00 p.m. at Open Door Fellowship in Basehor, KS
November 20, 10:15 a.m. at Blue River Bible Church in Kansas City, MO
November 20, 6:15 p.m. at Red Bridge Baptist Church in Kansas City, MO
Upcoming Basketball Games
November 15, 6:00 (Women) & 8:00 p.m. (Men) vs. Kansas Christian at Overland Park, KS
November 18, 7:00 p.m. Men vs. CCCB at Home
November 19, 3:00 p.m. Men vs. Missouri S&T at Rolla, MO
November 21, 7:00 p.m. Women vs. CCCB at Home
