Parent Newsletter - November, 2022
November 2022
From the President
Dear Parents,
The beauty of God’s creation through autumn splendor enhanced Family Weekend November 4 and 5. We enjoyed hearing from Wheaton parents Matt and Beth Redman in Chapel, as well as a phenomenal Talent Show, athletic contests, and concerts.
Several hundred parents joined Lisa and me for a prayer breakfast on Saturday morning, when I shared how the widow Naomi, grieving her losses, believed God enough to pray blessing on Ruth and Boaz—an act of faith which led to the birth of King David’s father Jesse and ultimately to the birth of the eternal King Jesus.
With standing room only at Armerding Concert Hall on Saturday evening, 133 student musicians sang spirituals, ancient church music, and lyrical reflections from poets and theologians. Many selections celebrated the Christian hope of God’s mercy for a dying world.
An arrangement by Assistant Professor of Music Donté Ford of the spiritual, “Ain’t Got Time to Die,” well expresses the joy of serving Christ and his Kingdom:
Lord, I keep so busy praisin’ my Jesus,
Ain’t got time to die…
Lord, I keep so busy workin’ fer de Kingdom…
Lord, I keep so busy servin’ my Master…
‘Cause it takes all o’ my time to praise my Jesus, all o’ my time to praise my Lord.
If I don’t praise Him, de rocks gonter cry out, ‘Glory and honor, glory and honor!’
Ain’t got time to die.”
In Christ’s service,
Philip Ryken
President
Admissions - Visit Opportunities
The undergraduate admissions team has been busy welcoming hundreds of prospective students and families to campus this fall. Highlights include the brand-new Harvest-Education Visit Day, the STEM Visit Day, and the well-loved Fridays at Wheaton events. As the colder months begin, opportunities for prospective families to visit Wheaton continue. You can find a complete list of events at wheaton.edu/visit. We hope to see you and your family members in the coming months!
Campus Housing during Holiday Breaks
Thanksgiving Housing: College housing and meal service remain open during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.
Christmas Housing: College housing closes at noon on Friday, December 16 and reopens at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 7. The regular meal plan ends with dinner on Thursday, December 15 and resumes with dinner on Saturday, January 7.
All campus housing closes for Christmas Break. However, limited campus housing is offered for a select group of students who are required to be on campus or are unable to travel home for break.
With permission through the Residence Life Office, students may stay during Christmas Break for the following reasons:
- athletics
- students who live internationally
- class participation or for-credit internship
Information on the approval process, deadlines and fees may be found on the Housing website.
Housing Calendar: As you plan future arrival and departure dates, please reference the housing calendar.
Conservatory of Music News
This fall, we welcomed three new faculty members to the Conservatory of Music. Dr. Benjamin Klemme, Associate Professor of Music—Symphony Orchestra Conductor; Dr. Brady McNeil, Assistant Professor of Music—Music Education and Symphonic Band Conductor; and Dr. Jerry Blackstone, Visiting Professor of Music–Men’s Glee Club and Women’s Chorale Director. They have each conducted concerts with their ensembles and are now preparing for the Wheaton College Christmas Festival, Beautiful Savior, with Dr. John William Trotter—Concert Choir, Dr. Kathleen Kastner—Percussion Ensemble, and Tanya Egler—Gospel Choir. This year’s Christmas Festival features seven ensembles playing Christmas classics and festive contemporary compositions. We invite you to attend one of three performances on December 2 and 3, or watch either of the 7:30 p.m. performances via livestream. Tickets are available at wheaton.edu/christmastickets and the livestream can be accessed at wheaton.edu/streaming.
Foundations: A Student Success Series
The Learning & Teaching Collaborative has been busy expanding its program offerings for student academic flourishing via a series of workshops on the first Wednesday of each month called Foundations: A Student Success Series. Students have already engaged in topics from “reading with a purpose” to “scaffolding assignments.” The next session, December 7 at 6:00 p.m., will appropriately focus on studying for final exams. Encourage your student to attend – they may be surprised at what they discover! Questions? Contact ltc@wheaton.edu
The Center for Vocation and Career
At Wheaton’s Center for Vocation and Career (CVC), professional career coaches and student ambassadors meet with students to help them with first steps in their vocational journeys. Conversations focus on resumes, cover letters, the internship search, and introducing students to the wide array of services the CVC offers. We have seen an uptick in first-year students visiting the CVC, thanks to our collaboration with faculty who include an assignment to connect with the CVC as part of their first-year seminar courses. If your student hasn't connected with the CVC yet this year, please encourage them to sign up for a 1:1 coaching appointment via Handshake, or stop by during drop-in hours between 9:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
The CVC continues to offer “Career Connections” as a resource to students. These are casual conversations over coffee and cinnamon rolls where students gather with employers in our space to learn about potential job and internship opportunities.
Keep in touch on the CVC's Instagram to see upcoming events.
A Word of Thanks from Parent Engagement
Parent Engagement is grateful for our parent community all year long, but as Thanksgiving draws near, we are especially focused on what a gift our parents are. Thank you for sacrificing financially for your son or daughter to attend Wheaton. Thank you for cheering, and praying for the academic, social, and spiritual growth occurring in your student’s life. And we especially thank you for praying for all of us at Wheaton College. Wheaton parents are the best, and in this season set aside to give thanks, we thank God for you. Happy Thanksgiving!
Ways to Pray for Wheaton in November
- “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his steadfast love endures forever.” Psalm 136:1
- Pray that the Lord will strengthen all our students as they tackle the build-up of exams and projects due before Thanksgiving break. “I can do all this through him who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13
- Pray that God’s peace will reign in the hearts of those who are anxious, overwhelmed, and fearful. “And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.” Colossians 3:15
- Pray that God will strengthen families who enter the holiday season burdened with concerns related to health, relationships, or finances. “Our soul waits for the Lord; he is our help and our shield.” Psalm 33:20
With thanks for your involvement and prayers,
The Wheaton College Parent Engagement Team
