Edward and Jennie VanderBrug Family

This scholarship is dedicated to the memory of Edward and Jennie (Hoekstra) VanderBrug. It is intended to encourage and enable promising students to uphold the Christian world and life view and values that were theirs.

Both Edward and Jennie (Hoekstra) VanderBrug were immigrants to the USA in the early 1900s. Edward and Jennie met when Edward came to Detroit in the 1920s, seeking work in the automobile industry. Edward was a successful tool and die maker who established his own manufacturing business, and Jennie was an office worker. Both were devoted to each other, their children, and their grandchildren.

Although it was difficult in their times for one to obtain a significant amount of formal education, they were dedicated supporters of Christian schools. They strongly encouraged their children to take full advantage of all educational opportunities. All four of their children attended Christian schools including Calvin College. (Each of their children’s spouses also attended Calvin, as have 21 of their grandchildren and their spouses.)

Edward and Jennie were intent on serving God’s purposes in their generation. Consistent with their belief that everything belongs to the Lord, this scholarship is meant to assist those who, sharing this belief, want their college education to assist them in living their whole life to the glory of God.