“My favorite thing about Calvary is the care and concern shown to each student.”

Dr. Tom Bonine has been at Calvary longer than any other faculty member. He has been an adjunct professor for Calvary University since 1980. 

“I came to Calvary after teaching in Christian schools for ten years to work in the Education Department,” he said. “The Education Department was starting some secondary education programs and I had been teaching secondary education math and Bible courses, and I saw the need for more Christian School Teachers with a [minor] in Bible” (which Calvary requires of all education majors).

Bonine loves Calvary’s mission and getting to participate in it. “I have stayed for so long because I love helping Calvary grads prepare to live according to a biblical world view and to serve others in the world and in the church,” he said. 

“My favorite thing about Calvary is the care and concern shown to each student, and the emphasis on developing a biblical worldview and a Christ-centered approach to life and work and relationships.”

Bonine has also been at Calvary long enough to see how God has used each president to accomplish unique advancements.

“Each of the presidents that God has brought to Calvary through the years has made a valuable contribution to the ongoing growth and development of Calvary’s ministry,” he said. “Dr. Cone brought us into online blended education. Dr. Clark led us into a robust graduate school that includes biblical counseling and biblically based business administration. Dr Urey hired Dr. Clark to develop a counseling major at Calvary. Dr. Bathke brought us the Excel Program that became the basis for offering intensive classes. Dr. Madison kept us grounded theologically when many schools were ‘being tossed about by every wind of doctrine.’” 

Bonine’s favorite story is from when he first came to work at Calvary. “We were moving from 39th street to the present campus and I was helping move the library—loading shelves of books into big trucks and unloading them into the new library—and several students thought I was a new student because I looked so young. They were somewhat ‘shocked’ when they came to class and I was their professor.

“My one piece of advice to students would be the advice given to me by Pastor Smith—the man who led me to Christ. ‘Read one chapter of proverbs every day to obtain daily wisdom from God.’ My second piece of advice would be to read through the Bible every year to stay current with your biblical world view. My third piece of advice would be to embrace the biblical axiom for JOY. Jesus first, others second, yourself last. I would also like to share my life verses (Proverbs 3:5-6) Trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not unto your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your path.

Adam Weeks, Ashley Huseby, Rebekkah Harms, and Leah McNabb rehearse for the upcoming show.

Box Office Opens for Calvary Theatre’s The Fantasticks!

Calvary Theatre Arts is proud to present the longest running musical in the world, The Fantasticks. A beautiful coming of age story, The Fantasticks tells the story of the young lovers, Matt and Luisa, as they fall in love, realize that happily-ever-after isn’t always so happy, and grow stronger together for it. With romance, comedy, and sword fighting, this show has it all, even . . . vegetables?

The Fantasticks will run for two weekends with performances March 12 – 21, 2021.

We are also excited to announce that we will be hosting our performances in a different space this year in order to best follow Covid-19 guidelines and continue to bring this story to life while also keeping our guests safe. In-person performances will be held at Calvary University’s Student Life Center, and streaming options will be available for those who wish to experience the magic of theatre from the comfort of their homes.

For more information and to order your tickets please visit our box office page.

Cory Trowbridge honoring students in an AwardsChapel.

“It’s the people who make Calvary what it is.”

Cory Trowbridge has worked for Calvary University for over thirteen years. He was a student here before that, making his total time at Calvary almost fifteen years. However, like all good things must, his time here has come to an end. He recently accepted an offer to work for Arvest Bank, and his last day at Calvary was January 14.

When considering his time here at Calvary Trowbridge said, “I loved the lunchtime conversations! The opportunity to just ask my stupid questions and talk to people and to get to know students and let them get to know me a little bit.” He was extremely well known around campus and made many efforts to form good relationships with the students and other faculty.

When looking to the future and considering his new opportunity, Trowbridge stated that he is looking forward to a “new set of challenges” and a “new opportunity.” Trowbridge is certainly not one to back down from a challenge considering he has worked a number of different jobs at Calvary throughout these past thirteen years. One of those jobs was Dean of Students, and because of this there are many CU students who know him fondly as “Dean Cory” rather than “Mr. Trowbridge.” 

When asked if there was a message which he would like to give to the students and faculty here at Calvary, he simply stated that he wished them to “press on” and continue to fight the good fight. Continuing this thought, Trowbridge said, “I’m looking forward to seeing what happens in the students who are still around, and what happens with Calvary in the days ahead. It’s the people who make Calvary what it is.”

Two people are attempting to fill his shoes. Samuel Tschetter will be taking his place as Title IX Coordinator. Jeff Campa will be filling his role as Vice President of Student Development.