Spirit of Detroit Scholarship

This scholarship was established by Rev. Douglas and Robin Vrieland to help students from the city of Detroit develop a Christian worldview. Douglas’ experience growing up in the Detroit area during the Civil Rights Movement in the late 1960s, as well as his education at Calvin have been formative influences on his life and ministry. He believes passionately the words of Abraham Kuyper, that “every square inch of this world belongs to God,” and that includes the city of Detroit that has suffered such hardship over the last 50 years. Since the city of Detroit went bankrupt in 2013, many are beginning to reinvest in the city and working to create an ecologically sustainable large city. Much of the thinking behind this effort has humanistic presuppositions. This scholarship is designed to bring a Reformed and Kuyperian worldview to the table where these discussions are taking place.

Basic criteria:

• entering freshman, sophomore, junior or senior year
• resident of the city of Detroit
• financial need is considered
• preference given to students who express a desire to return to Detroit after graduation

Renewal criteria: This scholarship is automatically renewable if the student continues to make satisfactory academic progress. Renewal is subject to funding availability.