Bruce and Joanne Deckinga/Compassion International Scholarship

Mike and Amy Crook established this scholarship in honor of Amy’s parents, Bruce and Joanne Deckinga. Bruce was a pre-med Calvin student who put himself through school, in part by working on a garbage truck back home in Chicago. Joanne was an elementary education major at Calvin who throughout her life has blessed many listeners with her talent as an organist. In addition to honoring their parents, the Crooks wish to introduce Calvin students to the blessings of child sponsorship through Compassion International. The scholarship recipient will choose a child in the Child Sponsorship Program of Compassion International and commit to correspond with that child a minimum of three times per year. For the current scholarship recipient, the Crooks have made arrangements at Compassion International to fund the child sponsorship. Upon graduation, the Crooks encourage the recipient to prayerfully consider continuing the sponsorship on their own.

Basic criteria:

• entering sophomore, junior, or senior year
• pursuing a degree in pre-med or elementary education
• will correspond with a child through Compassion International
• preference is given to students who worked on a garbage truck or play the organ
• financial need is considered

Renewal criteria: This scholarship is automatically renewable if the student maintains satisfactory academic progress and maintains the sponsorship commitment. Renewal is subject to funding availability.