Together, they have led Calvin student groups to the Netherlands for more than 20 years.
Henk is Professor of Geography and Environmental Studies, Emeritus at Calvin. Since retiring from Calvin in 2012, he was appointed Senior Research Fellow at the Van Raalte Institute at Hope College, where he focuses on Dutch American history and culture. He grew up in the Netherlands, is fluent in Dutch and has spent a number of semesters on research and teaching leaves in the country. He is currently working on an Atlas of Dutch American History and Culture.
Bob is a civil engineer and Professor of Engineering at Calvin. He recently worked for one of the Dutch regional water management authorities. He also wrote Designed for Dry Feet: Flood Protection and Land Reclamation in the Netherlands (ASCE Press, 2006).
Come along with Merlyn & Dorothy. Retired educators, the Vander Leests have combined their passion for learning with a “get out there” attitude. They have hosted land, ocean, and river groups to bucket-list destinations around the world since 1995.
Bruce and and his wife Judy have traveled widely for adventure and work. Bruce is a writer and video producer who has been in more than 75 countries around the world, many of them during his tenure as a journalist and correspondent for the Chicago Tribune. Judy is a retired RN and parish nurse who has put her medical skills and compassionate touch to bear on behalf of homeless and disadvantaged families. They live in Grand Haven, Michigan, near the Lake Michigan shoreline.
Passionate about expanding their own horizons and those of others, Johannes (John) and Lynda Witte have been leading tour groups to destinations in North and South America, Europe, Africa, and Asia since 1985. Both former educators, Lynda became an at-home mother after leaving education, and John joined Witte Travel & Tours as a group sales consultant and tour leader. They are parents of five children and 15 grandchildren. John and Lynda’s knowledge and experience have earned them a reputation as top-notch tour leaders. Group members appreciate the way they cater to each individual’s needs and interests. They especially enjoy leading small groups.
Passionate about expanding his own horizons and those of others, Johannes (John) Witte has been leading tour groups to destinations in North and South America, Europe, Africa, and Asia since 1985. A former educator, John joined Witte Travel & Tours as a group sales consultant and tour leader. John’s knowledge and experience have earned him a reputation as a top-notch tour leader, and group members appreciate the way he caters to individual needs and interests. John and his wife Lynda are the parents of five children and 15 grandchildren.
Dr. Jennifer Holberg is professor of English and co-director of the Calvin Center for Faith & Writing. She is a popular CALL teacher, and she has led Calvin student interim classes to study Dante in Florence.
Mary is a genealogist, historian, writer, teacher, and lecturer. She has researched 19th & 20th-century Dutch immigration to Wisconsin for 30 years and has lectured throughout the Midwest and the Netherlands on the subject. She has a B.S. from UW-Madison and an M.A. & M.F.A. from Northern Illinois University. Mary has taken numerous trips to the Netherlands and has traveled extensively in the Achterhoek and Zeeland.
Henk has 30 years of experience leading student and adult groups on tours of the Netherlands. He is a Professor of Geography and Environmental Studies, Emeritus at Calvin University. Since retiring from Calvin in 2012, he is Senior Research Fellow at the Van Raalte Institute at Hope College, where he focuses on Dutch American history and culture. He grew up in the Netherlands, is fluent in Dutch, and has spent a number of semesters on research and teaching leaves in the country.
Ken Bratt is a retired professor of Classics at Calvin University who has led many student groups to Greece and Italy. He and Laurel directed a Calvin Semester in Britain, and they have traveled with adult groups to Italy, Greece, Germany, Switzerland, the Pacific Northwest, the Canadian Rockies, and several of the national parks in the U.S. They both have a passion for lifelong learning and love to share that learning by traveling with a group. Ken and Laurel are the parents of three children and they have four grandchildren.
