The Diamond

By Kelly Zatlin, editor

With a new election year on its way, the Dordt Political Action Committee is getting a first-hand experience in politics as they help to organize Presidential Lecture Series on campus.

Former U.S. Senator Rick Santorum will be speaking at Dordt on Monday, May 2 for the third Presidential lecture, hosted by the Family Leader. 

The Family Leader, a “Christ-centered organization that will lead with humility and service to strengthen and protect the family,” wants politians with good Christian values to be heard throughout Iowa so that they might be recognized by the American people. 

Though Dordt is a non-partisan organization, the Family Leader approached the college and asked them to house these series of presidential lectures. 

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By Kristin Janssen, staff writer

Noticed those colored and lightweight canvas shoes popping up all over Dordt’s campus recently?  Although not ideal for wet weather conditions, they aren’t just appearing because Iowa’s snow is finally gone (for now).  TOMS Shoes are not only popular at Dordt; other campuses across the United States are also experiencing the same fashion trend.  In fact, TOMS are becoming quite the pandemic.

TOMS shoes were created by the Blake Mycoskie, a young American traveler who grew to love the barefoot children in Argentina during a trip to South America in 2006.  

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By Rachel Mulder, staff writer

“Rain, rain, go away!”  Spring has been overcast in Sioux Center, IA as we reached the monthly precipitation average and have not yet seen the sun.

Weather.com statistics say that the highest temperature so far for this month of April was 79°F and the lowest was 32°F.  The average precipitation in April is 2.83 inches and so far we have received 2.84 inches.

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By Luke Schut, staff writer

Your school year is coming to an end. If you’re a freshman (or even if you’re not) you may be worrying about the freshman 15, those pounds that many college students gain when they come to school. Well, matters aren’t as dire as you may think.

Generally, students gain weight when they come to school because they’re getting away from their parents. At school, students have full control of what they eat, and that can end up meaning lots of Mountain Dew, pizza, and Cheetos because mom isn’t there to make sure they don‘t ruin their dinner.

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By Alex Updike, staff writer

Have you ever wondered what exciting topics your friends are working on in class? Do you sit and wish you could learn about all the awesome subjects you do not have the time to take? Are you hungry and craving pizza? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions then Ideafest is the event for you!

On Thursday, April 28, students from all academic disciplines will have the opportunity to present their work in front of their peers and professors.

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By Kelly Zatlin, editor

Dordt’s own Prairie Grass Productions recently received a Webby Award for their involvement in a filming project, teamed up with Mission India and Click Rain online marketing. 

A Webby is a very sought after award that recognizes and honors great work that people have done online. According to Click Rain’s website, over 10,000 entries were submitted to the 15th annual Webby Awards, while less than 10 percent were distinguished as Official Honorees. 

As stated by Click Rain’s website, “When it comes to recognition in the online space, the Webby Awards are at the top of the pile.”

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By Aanna Stadem, staff writer

This semester one of my life dreams came true…I went to New York City. I still remember last semester when our professor, Doug Burg, came back from New York; my classmates and I joked about how he should have taken us with him. Approximately three and a half months later, we embarked on our epic field trip on steroids. I’m at a loss of words to accurately explain how great of an experience this was. It still amazes me that such a trip was made possible.

After Burg threw out the idea of us going to New York as a possible Spring Break trip, our classes were jam-packed full of anticipation; every week I’d go to class hoping for the 100% “Okay Go!” Once Dordt approved the trip, the few months following were full of planning, Facebook countdowns, and saving every penny I could. 

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By Adam McDonald, editor

You may have heard rumors that Dordt will be going through various changes during the summer. From the East Campus parking lot to the building of a new clock tower, things will definitely be different for all of us who plan on returning in the fall.

“We will be tearing up the parking lot and replacing it with drainage underneath to dry out the East Campus area,” said Bethany Schuttinga. “After the drainage goes it we will replace it with grass. It’s been part of a campus master plan that has been in progress for the last thirty years.”

In doing this renovation, the total number of parking spots lost will total around 150. Currently there are 209 existing spaces. Dordt plans on expanding the parking north of Covenant this summer to make up for the lost spaces.

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By Ally Karsyn, columnist

On April 29, while Will and Kate celebrate their royal wedding, I’ll be celebrating a wedding too—of my best and only girlfriend from my high school days.

Her wedding is something of a milestone for me, marking the glaringly obvious mistakes of my dating past. 

Three year ago, the groom-to-be and I were sitting in my car, attempting to have the “Defining the Relationship” talk for the fourth or fifth time. It took me seven months to get out of this vague relationship.

I cut ties with him right before I came to college.

Fast-forward a few years, and now I’m a bridesmaid in his wedding.

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By Adrian Hielema, columnist

For the unlucky few who have read my columns in the past, you will have noticed that they tend to focus on the specific part of the world in which I am living. When I was in the Middle East, that was no problem; the land was full of excitement, adventure, passion, and intrigue. Now I’m in Canada. Which, let’s face it, has none of those things.

Don’t get me wrong, I like Canada. Actually, that’s a bit of an understatement. I love Canada. If Canada were a person, I’d friend request it on Facebook, find its favorite movies, and then casually insert quotes from them into conversation with Canada so it would have no choice but to fall for me.

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