Parent Newsletter - January, 2023

From the President

Dear Parents,

Students have returned from their winter break to resume studies and co-curricular activities, with seniors heading for the finish line: Commencement in May.

Lisa and I enjoyed having our two Wheaties with us over the break—a privilege that many but not all Wheaton parents can enjoy. International students who cannot return home for the Christmas break are well cared for. This December, Senior Sarah Kwan worked with Jerry Woehr, International Student Program Director, to purchase and provide meals and program fun times together. A few days before Christmas I enjoyed hosting a brunch for international students at a nearby eatery.

Senior Biology major Yoonjung Kim from South Korea has not returned home for two years. This Christmas she spent her break with a classmate’s family from Virginia, and says, “Wheaton’s winter breaks, despite the distance from home, still give us fabulous times of fellowship, rest, and yummy food.”

This week, Yoonjung and all Wheaton students were warmly welcomed back to their home away from home. Please pray for your student and us as we look forward to a vibrant semester filled with many growth opportunities.

In Christ’s service,

Philip Ryken
President 

Collegiate Day of Prayer

"Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.” (Jeremiah 33:3 NIV)

Join with other parents to pray for Wheaton students and the Wheaton campus. Zoom Parent Prayer Gatherings will occur on Thursday, February 23 at 7:00 p.m. in all U.S. time zones. The date coincides with the Collegiate Day of Prayer, a day set apart to pray for college campuses across the country. We’re hoping hundreds of Wheaton parents will unify in prayer on this day!

Registration is required and will close on Tuesday, February 21 at midnight. Register Now.

Important Dates for the Next Three Years

If you like to plan ahead, you can view important campus dates for the next three years here. Happy planning!

CVC Offers Funding Scholarships for Internships

Applications are now open for the 2023 Summer Internship Scholarship! Internships and research opportunities are some of the best ways for students to gain hands-on experience and develop marketable skills, as well as build relationships in industries they’re interested in exploring for potential future careers. Our CVC Summer Internship Scholarship Fund helps undergrad students alleviate the financial strain of unpaid or underpaid internship experiences and provides a curriculum to maximize student learning and development.

Scholarships range between $1,000-5,000 and students do not need to have secured an internship before applying (proof of accepted internship must be provided before funds will be disbursed). Funds can be used to cover housing expenses, travel costs, and even food/local transportation. Applications are open now through March 17, 2023.

For more information and to forward the application to an interested current Wheaton student, click here. To see some summer intern scholarship recipient stories, check out this link. Encourage your student to connect with the CVC office! Drop-ins are available Monday – Friday from 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., and students can request 1:1 coaching appointments via Handshake.

Student Health Services

With the return from Christmas Break, Student Health Services (SHS) also anticipates the return of COVID-19 and influenza infections as students regather. Rapid testing is available at SHS for both viruses, and appointments are available for treatment if needed. If students are diagnosed with either COVID-19 or flu, they will be given a five-day Notice of Absence for classes and given instructions for isolating and getting food at the dining hall if on a meal plan. Flu shots are still available at SHS for $35 charged to the student account.

A new physician, Dr. Stephen Hawthorne ’81, is joining the SHS team this semester on Tuesdays. He is a former missionary doctor, serving in Bolivia for 33 years. With a heart for Wheaton College students, he specializes in general family practice medicine and has a passion for global health and teaching.

DeStress Fest is already being planned for midterm week to bring together various campus departments to provide de-stressing fun for students, including therapy dogs, healthy snacks, and relaxing games and activities.

A reminder for all Spring entering or returning students, Student Health Services medical entrance paperwork is due by January 16th.

Get Notified with Merit

Get notified when your student achieves something remarkable! Wheaton uses Merit, a platform that allows students to showcase their success, to keep the public informed of student accomplishments. To receive emails about your student’s activities and achievements, enter your information here. 

How can you pray for Wheaton this month?

• Pray for returning students as they settle into their spring semester, find new rhythms and routines, and return to work, studies, and relationships.
• Pray for new students (freshmen and transfers) as they adjust to campus and find their space(s). Pray that they would find belonging, community, and a solid landing place.
• Pray for faculty, staff, and administrators as they begin a new semester of teaching, meetings, planning, and so much more. Pray for the burdens on their shoulders as they seek to care for students in a multitude of ways.
• Pray for seniors as they start their last semester on campus and are looking ahead to the future whether it's job applications, grad school, finding places to live, moving, family dynamics, and everything else in between.

With thanks for your involvement and prayers, 

The Wheaton College Parent Engagement Team