�鶹��

He was “passionate about his work,” “cared deeply for students,” and was “a warrior for justice.” 
 
These are a few of the phrases Calvin faculty use to describe their longtime colleague and friend Tom Hoeksema Sr. 
 
“Tom had to be one of the most loved professors at Calvin valuing each student and wanting the best for them,” said Jim Rooks, a colleague of Hoeksema’s. 
 
Hoeksema, 79, died unexpectedly at his home on September 30, 2025. He served as a professor of education at �鶹�� for more than 35 years. During his tenure at Calvin and into retirement, Hoeksema worked tirelessly to promote equality and inclusion for all people. 
 
“Tom had a big heart for everyone, but especially for people with disabilities,” said Bob Keeley, a longtime colleague. 

Creating new pathways

After graduating from Calvin in 1968 and earning master’s and doctoral degrees in special education from Michigan State University, Hoeksema returned to his alma mater in 1975 to establish a special education program. Not only did he develop the philosophical framework and curriculum for the new program, but he also pushed for physical improvements to the campus that would promote inclusion for all. 
 
“He helped me, and many others think about how we do things and how that might affect people with disabilities,” said Keeley. “He helped Calvin become a more accessible campus, a crusade he continued until he retired.”

Removing barriers, building bridges

Hoeksema’s desire for educational justice was rooted in a central vision that consistently drove his work. In a retirement tribute to Hoeksema in 2011, then provost Claudia Beversluis communicated Hoeksema’s vision this way: 
 
“All students are learners, all deserve inclusion in communities, communities need all their members, and barriers are signs of injustice and harm the whole people of God.” 
 
It's clear that Hoeksema dedicated his life to removing barriers. But he didn’t just work to bring down walls of injustice, he helped build bridges and equip bridge builders.

Ripple effects

“This vision has born rich fruit—in the lives of students who went on to become teachers, in the lives of students taught by those teachers, in the lives of communities challenged to ask different kinds of questions than they had been accustomed to asking,” said Beversluis in her retirement tribute to Hoeksema. 

“He taught me what it means to be an open and thoughtful Christian educator,” said Ron Sjoerdsma, a longtime colleague. “He was committed to helping colleagues and Calvin as a whole.” 

 “Tom put Calvin ‘on the map’ in terms of special education,” said Keeley. “He had a huge impact on his students and in schools, both Christian and public throughout West Michigan and beyond.”

A living legacy

When you do a google search for Hoeksema’s name, you will certainly come across accolades like his 2001 Presidential Award for Exemplary Teaching, 2014 Faith and Learning Award, or his receiving the 2017 Henri Nouwen Award. You may also find resources authored by Hoeksema for helping churches and communities to think well about inclusion for all people, including through his service as a board member of All One Body. But his legacy lives on in classrooms and communities, in the hearts of educators and citizens who are passionate about their work, care deeply for all people, and who are warriors for justice. 
 
“Tom’s students loved him, and they caught his passion for helping every student,” said Keeley. “Tom’s commitment to all people, regardless of their ability, was rooted in his faith and in the image of God being found in everyone.” 
 
This motivation was made clear by Hoeksema himself in a note he wrote about his final wishes: “Any love people felt from me spills out of my deep joy in being loved by God and my desire to be in the flow of that river.” 

Hoeksema is survived by his wife Mary, their four children: Tom Jr. (Stacia), Adam (Coy), Laura, and Jenny (Mark); 19 grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister Mary Koning, brother William (Angie) Hoeksema, in-laws, nieces and nephews. 

A visitation will take place Saturday, October 4, from 3-5 p.m. at Grace Church (100 Buckley Ave. SE, Grand Rapids, Mich.). A memorial worship service will be held at the same location on Sunday, October 5, at 4 p.m. with a visitation hour immediately preceding the service.