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A Safe Place to Stretch: How Meg Pheifer Found Her Calling at Calvin

msk23@calvin.edu — Wed, 13 May 2026 18:10:48 +0000

A Safe Place to Stretch: How Meg Pheifer Found Her Calling at Calvin msk23@calvin.edu Wed, 05/13/2026 - 14:10

Meg Pheifer ’26 is stepping into the world with clarity, courage, and a calling that stretches far beyond herself. After graduation, she’s heading to Bangkok, Thailand, to work with International Justice Mission, an opportunity that reflects not just what she’s learned, but who she’s become.

But Pheifer didn’t arrive at Calvin with that path fully mapped out. In fact, like many students, she came with questions.

Why She Chose Calvin

For much of high school, Meg thought she would pursue a career in medicine. But something shifted during an AP history class.

“I just loved it,” she says. “It was so interesting, I thought, what if I studied this?”

That curiosity led her to consider a different path, one that others sometimes questioned for its practicality. But Pheifer saw something more. She wanted a place that would help her explore big questions about humanity, purpose, and the world.

Calvin stood out.

With its strong liberal arts tradition and Christ-centered approach, she believed it would challenge her to think deeply and help her discover how a passion for history could translate into a meaningful life.

Experiences That Shaped Her

At Calvin, Pheifer's understanding of history quickly expanded.

“It’s so much less about memorizing people and events,” she explains. “It’s about patterns of human existence, the human story.”

That shift became a turning point.

She arrived as a history major with a political science minor already in mind, drawn to how systems and policies shape people’s lives. But one of the most unexpected moments came later, when she discovered something she hadn’t even known existed: an urban studies minor.

Thanks to flexible advising and Calvin’s interdisciplinary approach, she was able to add the minor just before her junior year and complete it in only two years.

That addition proved pivotal.

Through her coursework, Pheifer began connecting history to modern systems, injustice, and public policy in deeper, more tangible ways. She learned not just to study the past, but to apply it, asking better questions about the present and imagining better futures.

Her academic journey didn’t just sharpen her thinking; it reshaped how she saw people.

“It’s given me a deeper sense of human dignity and compassion,” she says. “I’ve learned to listen well, to understand others’ stories, and to share them.”

How She Grew Personally

Faith played a central role in Pheifer's experience but not in the way some might expect.

“At Calvin, faith is rich, but not forced,” she explains. “Professors create space for real dialogue. You’re encouraged to think deeply, to wrestle, to grow.”

That openness helped Pheifer expand her understanding of Christianity. Through chapel, campus ministries, and especially her involvement in the gospel choir, she encountered expressions of faith that stretched her perspective.

“My horizons have been radically expanded,” she says. “I’ve learned what it means to be part of a global Church.”

One of the most meaningful aspects of her time at Calvin was discovering that faith and learning aren’t separate, they inform each other. And that integration helped her begin asking a deeper question:

What is God calling me to?

Experiential Learning

Pheifer didn’t just learn in the classroom, she lived her education.

Through three May-term and semester abroad experiences, she studied in France, the United Kingdom, and Kenya. Each trip added a new layer to her understanding of the world.

“I’ve left pieces of my heart in different places,” she says. “It’s taught me that home can be many places.”

These experiences pushed her toward cultural humility, helping her recognize her own assumptions while embracing the beauty and complexity of other cultures.

Back on campus, Pheifer immersed herself in student life. She served as an orientation leader for three years, participated in gospel choir, and leaned into leadership opportunities across campus.

“It can be overwhelming,” she admits. “But it’s worth it. Calvin isn’t just about academics, it’s about becoming a whole person.”

That’s where another turning point emerged: realizing college isn’t meant to be transactional.

“It’s not just about getting a degree and a job,” she says. “It’s about formation, who you’re becoming.”

Where She Is Now

Today, Pheifer stands ready to take on a global role working in Thailand with a nonprofit focused on justice.

It’s a bold step. One that requires courage, adaptability, and a willingness to step into the unknown.

But she feels prepared.

“Calvin gave me the confidence to try new things,” she says. “I’ve been stretched here. I know I can go out into the world and not just endure but thrive.”

What Made Calvin Unique

When Pheifer reflects on her experience, one phrase comes to mind:

A safe place to stretch.

Calvin offered her both support and challenge, a community that cared deeply while pushing her to grow.

“You can do Calvin safely,” she says. “Or you can do it adventurously. And the adventurous way is always better.”

Her advice to prospective students?

“Get involved. Build relationships. Try new things. If all you do is go to class and go home, you’re missing it.”

Wednesday, May 13, 2026 - 12:00

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From Classroom to Career: How Experiential Learning Shaped Sofie Schumerth’s Engineering Path

msk23@calvin.edu — Tue, 12 May 2026 18:01:26 +0000

From Classroom to Career: How Experiential Learning Shaped Sofie Schumerth’s Engineering Path msk23@calvin.edu Tue, 05/12/2026 - 14:01

When Sofie Schumerth ’26 graduates this May, she’ll walk away with an engineering degree and a clear next step. Just weeks later, she’ll move to Denver, Colorado, to begin her career with Muller Engineering Company.

“If you told me four years ago this is where I’d be, I would have thought it sounded like a dream,” said Schumerth. “I wouldn’t have known how it was going to happen.”

The path Schumerth started on in the fall of 2022 would make this destination possible. From Appleton, Wisconsin, she had applied to four Midwest schools. A rigorous engineering education and the opportunity to run cross country were of utmost importance in her selection. A strong scholarship package and a standout campus visit helped make the decision clear. She chose ��Ƶ.

Discovering engineering as a way to serve

From her first engineering class, Schumerth sensed she was in the right place. While she had always loved math, hands-on problem solving, and designing solutions, Calvin’s Engineering 101 course reframed her understanding of what engineering could be.

“Engineering 101 was the first time that I started thinking of engineering as a service profession, and that made it more exciting to me,” said Schumerth. “I could really see myself diving into the mathematical component and also being able to help people.”

For Schumerth that is where the seeds got initially planted. Over the next few years, she’s seen how those seeds have blossomed.

Learning by doing, guided by faculty

As Schumerth progressed through the engineering program, she was exposed to all major concentrations. She said that breadth helped her build a strong knowledge base while she discerned where her interests and skills aligned best.

Sofie Schumerth (second from right) and four fellow civil engineering majors developed construction‑ready design solutions for a local church’s parking lot for their senior design project.

A turning point for her came in her hydraulics courses taught by Professor Wildschut.

“She is really passionate about stormwater,” said Schumerth. “Seeing her passion come through made me realize that this is the kind of work that I want to go into—building a career path towards stormwater management and floodplain remediation. Those courses kind of put me on that path.”

While her professors instilled passion, they also helped solidify concepts through hands-on learning experiences. Early courses reinforced concepts through labs, while upper-level classes became increasingly project-based with students being asked to solve complex, real-world problems using what they had learned.

Connected to opportunities beyond the classroom

While Schumerth’s professors integrated experiential learning opportunities into the regular coursework cadence, they also connected her to many opportunities beyond the classroom.

Schumerth studied engineering abroad in Germany after her first year, conducted research during her sophomore year (with a paper currently under review by a major journal), and completed an internship in her field this past summer (which has led to continued part-time work during her final year at Calvin).

She also served as an intern with the Calvin Energy Recovery Fund, where she helped install a solar array on campus and contributed to efficiency upgrades to university facilities.

Perhaps most impactful was the professional connection that shaped her post-graduation plans.

“Professor Wildschut connected me with a Calvin alum, who then connected me with their company,” said Schumerth. “That’s how I ended up with the position I’m starting this summer.”

Graduating with more than a degree

As Schumerth prepares to head out west to begin her career, she leaves Calvin with far more than technical knowledge in her field.

She leaves with friendships formed through cross country and her major, a love for the outdoors cultivated through outdoor recreation opportunities, and enduring relationships with professors who became mentors, advocates, and friends.

Schumerth’s story reflects a broader truth about engineering education at Calvin: when rigorous academics are paired with experiential learning, faculty mentorship, and real‑world opportunities, students graduate both ready to serve and lead.

Tuesday, May 12, 2026 - 12:00

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When doors opened wider than Alyssa Pokharel ever imagined

msk23@calvin.edu — Tue, 12 May 2026 17:33:40 +0000

When doors opened wider than Alyssa Pokharel ever imagined msk23@calvin.edu Tue, 05/12/2026 - 13:33

When Alyssa Pokharel was five years old, she told her parents she was going to Calvin.

“My mom went to Calvin, and I grew up hearing stories of how transformational it was for her,” said Pokharel, who is from Nepal. “She found the Lord there and was mentored deeply by so many good people.”

Wrestling with her decision

Years later, when it came time to apply to college, some family friends wondered if she was aiming too low. They encouraged her to apply to Harvard or other Ivy League schools—places they believed would open more doors.

“I remember wondering ‘should I?’” said Pokharel. “‘Is choosing Calvin settling for something that’s reachable?’”

As she weighed her options, Pokharel returned to a formative experience from her sophomore year of high school. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she participated virtually in Calvin’s Young Women’s Business Institute, which offered her a glimpse of what college learning at Calvin could look like. There, she encountered an academic environment where intellectual rigor and Christian faith were not in competition, but deeply connected.

Discovering clarity

“The more I thought about Calvin and other schools, the more I kept coming back to the beauty of being able to be formed with such a robust faith foundation and that is what fuels your academic pursuit—the idea that your faith is what propels you into wanting to learn these things and being curious,” said Pokharel.

With that clarity, Pokharel made the decision to go to Calvin. But one significant obstacle remained: immigration.

Overcoming an obstacle

At the height of the pandemic-related backlogs, Pokharel was initially told that the earliest available visa interview date was four years away—effectively closing the doors to her plans.

“I remember praying, ‘if it is your will, God, will you open the door?” recalls Pokharel.

Then, unexpectedly, the embassy contacted her and scheduled an interview in time for her to begin college.

“It was so God. Truly a miracle,” said Pokharel, who is double majoring in philosophy and psychology with a neuroscience concentration.

Opening the door to many opportunities

It wasn’t long before she understood the significance of that moment. With the door to Calvin open, countless opportunities lay ahead.

From her first year, Pokharel immersed herself in campus life. She served on student senate, joined the ministry leadership cohort, danced in Rangeela, and worked for admissions as a tour guide. Over the next couple of years, she became a Barnabas in her residence hall, a lab teaching assistant, an orientation assistant, and a leader in Psych Club.

She conducted research projects with two professors, presented at conferences, and got connected to scholars working at the intersection of spirituality and healthcare. She also started a weekly prayer gathering, and, this year, serves as Calvin’s student body president.

“When people ask me if Calvin is what I thought it would be, I always tell them, it’s better,” said Pokharel.

Making connections

Not only because of the amount of opportunities, she explains, but because of the people who helped guide her toward them.

“I really flourish in small, tight-knit communities where I know people and they know me, and I think Calvin has been so great for that,” said Pokharel. “At Calvin, I’ve had the ability to receive mentorship and develop close relationships with professors who have poured into me and who have reached out about things they didn’t have to.”

She credits her academic adviser in particular for helping connect her with internships and research presentation opportunities.

“I’m not sure I’d get that at a larger or more prestigious school,” said Pokharel.
“Everything at Calvin seems collaborative. We’re seeking the collective good.”

Equipped for what’s next

After graduation, Pokharel will complete an internship at Indiana University Medical School as she applies to graduate programs in psychology. Her long-term goal is to integrate what she’s learned in philosophy about cultivating flourishing in communities with her training in mental health.

“I’ve always wanted to work in the field of mental health,” said Pokharel. “I grew up in a community where it was stigmatized, and I saw people around me struggling. I love people, and I’m fascinated by how they think and act, but also by how one person’s struggle can affect an entire community.”

Through her experience at Calvin, Pokharel says, she has been equipped to pursue this passion of working to help create healthier communities.

Tuesday, May 12, 2026 - 12:00

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On Saturday, May 9, Alyssa Pokharel provided remarks to the Class of 2026 during their Commencement ceremony.

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Encouraged to Excel: How Calvin Shaped Alyssa Scholten into a Leader in Pediatric Care

spt6@calvin.edu — Tue, 12 May 2026 14:22:44 +0000

Encouraged to Excel: How Calvin Shaped Alyssa Scholten into a Leader in Pediatric Care spt6@calvin.edu Tue, 05/12/2026 - 10:22

Alyssa Scholten ’18 has always cared deeply about people. What Calvin added was the courage and competence to turn that care into action.

As a pediatric speech-language pathologist at Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital, Scholten works with some of the most vulnerable patients and families. In a hospital setting, she helps children find their voice, supports safe feeding and swallowing, and walks alongside families in some of their most emotional, high-stakes moments. Beyond the bedside, she contributes to research that advances patient care and mentors the next generation of clinicians, all while approaching her work as a form of ministry.

It’s demanding work, but it’s something Scholten thrives in. That didn’t happen by accident.

At Calvin, Scholten was encouraged to step outside her comfort zone by being challenged academically, invited into research, and mentored by faculty who saw her potential before she fully saw it herself.

Those experiences didn’t just prepare her for a career. They shaped how she leads, serves, and gives back.

A Decision That Changed Everything

Scholten didn’t plan to attend Calvin. In fact, she had verbally committed to another college to play volleyball. Then, almost by accident, she attended a Calvin volleyball camp. Just “extra swings,” she figured.

But something unexpected happened. “It wasn’t the facilities or the program,” Scholten says. “It was the people.”

Calvin players, one of them a Division III Player of the Year, treated her like a friend, not a recruit. She asked about her life. Her faith. The ways she had seen God at work.

“They saw me as more than an athlete. More than a potential roster spot,” she says. “They saw me as a person.”

In that moment, Scholten felt something rare: valued not for what she could do, but for who she was.

Community That Shapes You

That sense of being known didn’t stop after her first visit. At Calvin, Scholten found deep community in two places: athletics and the speech pathology department.

Volleyball gave her lifelong friendships. Friends who would later stand beside her at weddings, become godparents, and remain anchors in her faith. But just as influential were her professors, who blurred the line between instructor, mentor, and spiritual guide.

“These weren’t just professors teaching content,” Scholten says. “They prayed for me. They walked with me. And they stayed in my life long after graduation.”

Over time, those relationships helped Scholten begin to see how her love for people and her academic work could come together.

Vocation, Lived Out

Calvin talks often about vocation. Scholten admits it didn’t resonate at first. That changed when professors pushed her to think differently about work, not as a title or a paycheck, but as a form of service.

Now, in pediatric acute care at Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital, that idea is no longer theoretical. It’s daily practice.

“Feeding is sacred,” Scholten says. “It’s emotional. It’s relational. Scripture is full of food imagery, the Bread of Life, the wedding feast, living water. To walk alongside a mother feeding her baby for the first time? That’s holy work.”

Even when she can’t speak openly about faith, Scholten lives it through excellence, humility, and the way she dignifies patients and families in their most vulnerable moments.

And thanks to her mentors who insisted she stretch, ask questions, and pursue research she wasn’t sure she was ready for, Scholten’s care is not only compassionate but transformative.

Mentors Who Open Doors

In Calvin’s speech pathology program, faculty saw both Scholten’s drive and her heart for people and pushed her to develop the skills to serve them well. Professors Beth Oommen and Brian Kreisman encouraged Scholten to pursue a graduate thesis, an intimidating challenge that required navigating research design, institutional review boards, and data collection.

“At first, I thought, ‘sure, why not,’” Scholten recalls. “But once I was actually in it, I realized how much confidence it gave me.”

That confidence stayed with her, and it was reinforced through Calvin’s hands-on clinical preparation. Alongside rigorous coursework and research, Scholten began working with patients early through Calvin’s on-campus clinic and completed full-time externships in hospitals, rehabilitation settings, and public schools.

Through those combined experiences, she learned how to ask better questions, evaluate evidence, and translate learning into better care, skills she uses daily in her work at Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital.

At the hospital, she leads and contributes to research projects that directly improve feeding outcomes for medically complex children, including patients requiring full ventilator support.

“What felt overwhelming at the time became foundational,” she says. “Calvin made research feel accessible, and paired with clinical experience, it prepared me to step into my job with confidence.”

What Made Calvin Different

For Scholten, Calvin’s difference wasn’t one program or one professor; it was an ecosystem.

A place where:
•    Faculty formed relationships, not just résumés
•    Faith was practiced, not just discussed
•    Excellence and service were inseparable
•    Students were prepared for real work with real impact

“I wouldn’t be a speech pathologist without Calvin,” she says. “I wouldn’t have this job. And I wouldn’t be living this calling.

A Call to Future Students

Scholten’s advice to students considering speech pathology or Calvin?

“Don’t settle,” she says. “Your first job doesn’t have to be your last. But don’t stop until you find work that sets your soul on fire.”

She pauses, then adds:

“There are jobs where you can love what you do years in. And there are places that help you become who God created you to be.”

For Alyssa Scholten, that place was Calvin. And the work she does now is proof.

Monday, June 1, 2026 - 12:00

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Cancer survivor, Calvin student-athlete to graduate Saturday after remarkable journey of faith, perseverance

ld39@calvin.edu — Thu, 07 May 2026 18:56:01 +0000

Cancer survivor, Calvin student-athlete to graduate Saturday after remarkable journey of faith, perseverance ld39@calvin.edu Thu, 05/07/2026 - 14:56

Eight months ago, Colin Jambekar was sitting through chemotherapy treatments that lasted up to seven hours a day while trying to keep pace with a demanding civil engineering course load.

This Saturday, he will walk across the commencement stage at ��Ƶ as a college graduate, cancer survivor, and conference champion student-athlete.

Read an extended version of this story

The native of Grosse Pointe, Michigan, came to Calvin for its nationally respected engineering program and continued his athletic career as a javelin thrower on the university’s track and field team. After steadily improving during his first three collegiate seasons, Jambekar entered the fall of 2025 poised for a breakthrough senior year.

Then came an unexpected diagnosis.

After discovering abnormalities during a self-exam in late August, Jambekar sought medical attention and was diagnosed with testicular cancer. Doctors later discovered the cancer had spread into his lymph nodes, leading to surgery followed by three rounds of chemotherapy.

“It’s shocking at first,” said Jambekar. “It forces you on your knees to pray and I prayed a lot.”

Throughout treatment, Jambekar continued pursuing his degree while traveling regularly to Detroit for chemotherapy infusions. He credits Calvin faculty and staff for helping him navigate one of the most difficult seasons of his life.

“My professors were great,” said Jambekar. “I would not be graduating from Calvin without their help. My engineering professors helped me work ahead. They were willing to work around my medical treatments and helped with my time management.”

The treatments came with immense physical and emotional challenges. Jambekar lost weight, strength, and stamina while also dealing with anxiety and post-traumatic stress tied to his cancer treatments.

“There is a psychological part of the battle,” he said. “I kept telling myself that it wasn’t about me. It was about glorifying God through my struggles.”

This spring, Jambekar returned to competition for the Calvin track and field team after nearly 11 months away from competition. At the 2026 MIAA Championships, he delivered a career-best javelin throw of 49.08 meters while helping Calvin capture the conference title.

The moment became even more meaningful because he competed alongside his younger brother, Lucas, who won the conference championship in the event.

“Getting to watch Colin overcome everything and find joy in the performance was something right out of a movie,” said Calvin associate head coach Jacob Graham.

Calvin head coach Adam Haldorson said Jambekar’s impact extended far beyond athletics.

“He wanted to use his diagnosis to find a way to make other people’s lives better and further God’s kingdom by showing God’s grace and glory through his hardships,” said Haldorson. “He’s been a great ambassador for people that one day will go through this cancer journey.”

Jambekar completed his engineering senior design project this spring and has accepted a position with Anchor Construction in Grand Rapids following graduation.

Now considered cancer free, he continues follow-up appointments with doctors but faces the future with confidence grounded in faith.

“I know that God is in control and that His will is perfect,” said Jambekar. “That brings me peace and the confidence to live for Him moving forward.”

Commencement ceremonies for ��Ƶ will take place at 2 p.m., Saturday, May 9.

Thursday, May 7, 2026 - 12:00

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Finding a Calling That Serves Others: Luke Harlow’s Journey at Calvin

ld39@calvin.edu — Fri, 01 May 2026 13:07:57 +0000

Finding a Calling That Serves Others: Luke Harlow’s Journey at Calvin ld39@calvin.edu Fri, 05/01/2026 - 09:07

Because Calvin was always close to home, Luke Harlow ’26 assumed he already knew everything he needed to know about it.

What he didn’t expect was just how much more there would be to discover.

Now, preparing to graduate, that early assumption feels almost ironic.

“It’s honestly kind of sad,” Harlow reflects. “I feel like I’m just now scratching the surface of everything Calvin has to offer right as I’m about to leave.”

That sense of surprise didn’t come from one defining moment. It took shape slowly as Harlow was encouraged by his professors to partner on research opportunities, apply for externships, and travel abroad to experience medical practices in different cultural contexts.

When Curiosity Is Taken Seriously

Harlow arrived at Calvin intending to study psychology. He knew he wanted to help people, but he wasn't sure how that would come to fruition. Then one organic chemistry class in his sophomore year sparked the conversation.

After the course, a professor noticed how fully Harlow engaged with the material and pulled him aside.

“If you want to be a chemistry major, it’s only a few more classes,” Harlow was told.

It wasn’t a directive. It was an invitation.

Professors like Donald Tellinghuisen in psychology and Chad Tatko in chemistry consistently approached Luke that way—asking questions, naming strengths, and helping him see connections between disciplines instead of forcing him to choose between them.

That pattern of someone noticing his curiosity and then making space for it defined Harlow’s academic experience.

Learning That Keeps Expanding

As Harlow leaned into exploration, his learning moved well beyond the classroom.

Through the Clean Water Institute, he became involved in applied research that connected environmental science to global health. What began as research alongside faculty eventually grew into leadership, as Harlow served as a teaching assistant and helped guide other students through lab work and data analysis.

Psychology followed a similar path. Research embedded in coursework opened doors to interdisciplinary projects Harlow never would have pursued on his own. In each case, professors recognized his curiosity and trustworthiness and invited him into meaningful work.

“Those opportunities weren’t just about building a résumé,” Harlow says. “They kept reshaping how I thought about learning—like it was something living, not contained to a class.”

The deeper he went, the clearer it became: Calvin wasn’t something you could fully “figure out” from the outside. Its depth revealed itself through participation.

A Turning Point in Nepal

That realization reached a turning point in Nepal.

Harlow first learned about Calvin’s May term in cross‑cultural medicine early in college through Dr. Kumar Sinniah. Though eager to go, Harlow was encouraged to wait until after he had gained clinical experience so that the opportunity could truly take root.

By the time he traveled to Nepal, Harlow had spent significant time working at Pine Rest Psychiatric Hospital and later at Exalta Health, a nonprofit clinic serving uninsured and underinsured patients in the Grand Rapids area. Those experiences sharpened his awareness of how deeply health is shaped by access, culture, and community.

For a month, Harlow and other students were able to shadow physicians in rural mountain hospitals and in specialized clinics in major cities. Each day revealed what care looks like and what it demands.

“That experience really clarified things for me,” he says. “It wasn’t just about medicine anymore. It felt vocational.”

For the first time, Harlow felt faith, learning, and calling converge. Service to underserved communities wasn’t abstract, rather, it was becoming central to how he imagined his future. And with that clarity came a sharper sense of what he was looking for in medical school.

MSU’s Early Assurance Program: Turning Calling into a Path

That’s what made Michigan State University’s College of Human Medicine stand out. Its explicit focus on community‑centered care, access for underserved populations, and training physicians to serve where the need is greatest mirrored what Harlow had seen firsthand and what Calvin had been shaping all along.

Through Calvin’s partnership with MSU, Harlow applied to—and was accepted into—the Early Assurance Program, a selective pathway that allows Calvin students to secure a future spot in medical school while finishing their undergraduate degree.

Now, as he prepares for graduation, Harlow sees his time at Calvin as formative in ways he couldn’t have predicted.

“I thought I knew what Calvin was when I started,” he says. “But every year, it surprised me.”

His advice to students considering Calvin is simple: don’t settle for the surface.

“Get involved. Ask questions. Take ownership of your education,” Harlow says. “So much of what Calvin offers shows up once you step in and let people walk with you.”

Friday, May 1, 2026 - 12:00

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