Calvin College Names First Female Chaplain

By The Associated Press, Saturday, March 14, 2009

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP) — A pastor described by the Christian Reformed Church as its first U.S. woman to be ordained as a minister has been named chaplain of Calvin College.

The Grand Rapids-based church says 39-year-old Mary Hulst will begin her duties in June. She replaces Dale Cooper, who retired in 2007 after 30 years as chaplain of the private, CRC-affiliated college.

"I love college students. I love Calvin College. And I love Jesus," Hulst said. "For me, chaplain seems like the perfect mix."

The Holland, Mich., native earned a bachelor's degree from Calvin College in 1991, a master's in divinity from Calvin Seminary in 1995 and a doctorate in communication ethics from the University of Illinois in 2005. She pastor of Eastern Avenue Christian Reformed Church in Grand Rapids for eight years.

Hulst will serve a pastoral role for students and for faculty and staff as well, reporting to both the vice president for student life and the provost, the school said. She will head the office of Christian formation, mentoring associate chaplains and other staff.

Hulst will also teach in the new department of congregational and ministries studies and in the seminary.