Parent Newsletter - November, 2023 

From the President

Dear Parents,

Wheaton students usually learn as much outside as they do inside the classroom, including through special evening lectures.

For example, last month we were blessed to host best-selling authors Esau McCaulley, Beth Moore, and Daniel Nayeri to the stage of Edman Chapel to talk about their recent memoirs. You can learn from these thought leaders and listen to the wisdom they shared with our students here.

Soon many of you will welcome your students home for Thanksgiving. Be sure to ask what they have been learning!

In Christ's Service,

Philip Ryken
President 

Family Weekend

This year’s Family Weekend schedule offered annual favorites like the Talent Show, the President’s Prayer Time, a (winning!) football game, and the Family Weekend Choral Showcase. However, the most highly rated activity of the weekend according to parents, was spending time with their students.

If you didn’t see the Family Weekend football game in person or online, watch the thrilling end to the game here. Way to go, Thunder!

Center for Vocation and Career Networking Night

The Center for Vocation and Career (CVC) welcomed more than 75 undergrads to our space for our annual Internship Exploration event in October. Attendees heard from their peers who completed internships in a variety of fields including finance, non-profit, government, Christian Study Centers, healthcare, and journalism.

On November 16, Wheaton alumni will be in the CVC to share about their current roles and career journeys since Wheaton. Networking Night is an excellent opportunity for your student to hear how alumni have used their liberal arts education since graduation, and also used the critical tool of networking in their own careers. Our hope is that students are inspired and encouraged to build connections within the greater alumni network.

If your student can’t make it to Networking Night, encourage them to sign up for Externship Day. On January 30, students will connect with Chicagoland alumni at their places of work for on-site job shadowing opportunities. Alumni are registering now as hosts, and student registration will open soon! More details to come in next month’s newsletter.

Campus Housing During Holiday Breaks

Thanksgiving Housing: College housing and meal service remain open during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.

Christmas Housing: College housing closes at noon on Friday, December 15 and reopens at 3 p.m. on Saturday, January 6.  The regular meal plan ends with dinner on Thursday, December 14 and resumes with dinner on Saturday, January 6.

All campus housing closes for Christmas Break. However, we do offer limited campus housing for a select group of students who are required to be on campus or are unable to travel home for break.

With permission through the Residence Life Office, students may stay during Christmas Break for the following reasons:

- athletics
- students who live internationally
- graduate students living in Saint and Elliot, Michigan Apartments, and the LaBar house
- class participation or for-credit internship

Information on the approval process, deadlines and fees may be found on our website.  

Housing Calendar

As you plan future arrival and departure dates, please reference our housing calendar.

Wheaton College Christmas Festival – December 1 and 2

The Wheaton College Christmas Festival, Let the Stable Still Astonish, will be performed on December 1 and 2. The concert will feature the Wheaton College Concert Choir, Gospel Choir, Men’s Glee Club, Women’s Chorale, Percussion Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Symphony Orchestra, and Zoe’s Feet. Purchase tickets and get more information. 

The 7:30 p.m. performances on Friday, December 1 and Saturday, December 2 will be livestreamed. Join via livestream.

Campus Store Offers Online Sale

Announcing the Friends & Family Online Sale at the bookstore!

The Friends & Family Online Sale offers substantial discounts on the campus store site. You can save up to 30% off and the sale runs from November 22-27. Get more details and the online sales code.

Employment and Paid Internships:
HoneyRock Center for Leadership Development

The job hunt is afoot for all students! Whether it’s a summer job, a paid internship, or a much-needed season of discernment while gaining work experience, HoneyRock has several avenues for employment every year.

Summer Staff at HoneyRock
(May 25, 2024 – August 12, 2024*)

Every summer, HoneyRock looks to hire an expansive team of college-aged summer staff to fill a wide variety of essential roles. Pursuing employment or a paid internship at HoneyRock affords your student the time, space, and hands-on experiences to expand their leadership capacity and heart for service through immersive life-on-life ministry with youth, young adults, and their peers.

Summer employment opportunities range from cabin-leading to construction, media production to meal-making, water-skiing to worship-coordinating, hospitality to horsemanship!

*Some employment start/end dates are flexible, depending on the position.

Encourage your student to apply today!

HoneyRock Fellows Program
(August 2024 – May 2025)

The HoneyRock Fellows Program is a paid 9-month fellowship that consists of purposeful vocational discernment, spiritual formation, and leadership development for college graduates at The HoneyRock Center for Leadership Development of Wheaton College. Fellows work directly with Wheaton College’s Vanguard Gap Year students and generally have a common interest in student development, resident life, and/or emerging adult ministry.

Encourage your student to explore the Fellows Program!

How to Pray for Wheaton this Month

As Thanksgiving Break approaches, please pray for:

• God’s protection for students traveling home;
• God’s peace and presence for students who need to stay on campus over break;
• Rest and refreshment for faculty and staff

With thanks for your involvement and prayers, 

The Wheaton College Parent Engagement Team