Peter A. De Vos Collection, 1972-1985
Title: Peter A. De Vos Collection, 1972-1985
Creator: De Vos, Peter A. (1940-1993)
Professor of philosophy and provost at Calvin College; and dean at Jordan College, Grand Rapids, Michigan. The collection includes correspondence; appointments; evaluations; conference papers; thesis; and audio tapes, i.e., lectures, honors convocations, and chapel talks. [See also the Campus Titles Database.]
Peter Allen De Vos graduated from Calvin College in 1961 and finished his master's at Brown University in 1964. Later in life, he returned to Brown University to pursue his doctorate, writing his dissertation on Descartes.
In 1965, De Vos returned to Calvin not as a student but rather as a professor of philosophy. From his introductory courses to his upper level courses, students applauded him as an educator; so much so many of his students became teachers of philosophy themselves. In 1977, he became interested in environmental ethics and researched his topic up until his death. By 1978, De Vos was appointed Dean of the Faculty and then elected to provost in 1981. In 1990, De Vos found a new home at Jordan College where he became their dean. Jordan College emphasized environmental concerns, which was of great interest to him.
On a personal level, De Vos and his wife Karen had two children--Michelle and Scott. The De Vos family were members of Grace Christian Reformed Church. De Vos was also a member of the Society of Christian Philosophers and the president of the International Association for Promotion of Christian Higher Education. Due to a heart attack, De Vos passed away at the age of 53.
Alternate Extent Statement: 1.75 cubic ft.
Acquisition Source: Gift of the P.A. De Vos family
Series 1: Correspondence --- 1977-1985
Folder 1: Correspondence --- March, 1977 - December, 1978
Folder 2: Correspondence --- January - August, 1979
Folder 3: Correspondence --- September - December, 1979
Folder 4: Correspondence --- January - June, 1980
Folder 5: Correspondence --- July - September, 1980
Folder 6: Correspondence --- October - December, 1980
Folder 7: Correspondence --- January - April, 1981
Folder 8: Correspondence --- May - August, 1981
Folder 4: Correspondence --- January - March, 1983
Folder 5: Correspondence --- April - September, 1983
Folder 7: Correspondence --- January - July, 1984
Folder 8: Correspondence --- August - December, 1984
Folder 10: Correspondence referred to Peter De Vos --- 1978-1981
Series 2: Correspondence, Appointments, Leaves of Absence, Evaluation --- 1979-1984
Folder 1: Regarding Thorpe Hall, London, England --- 1981-1982
Folder 2: Faculty appointments --- 1979
Folder 7: Appointments: Department Chairman --- 1979-1983
Folder 8: Leaves of absence --- 1979-1980
Folder 10: Committee appointments --- 1981
Folder 11: Faculty evaluation of President Diekema at his request --- 1979
Series 3: Varia --- 1977-1985
Folder 1: CCCS (Calvin Center for Christian Scholarship) --- 1983
Folder 2: Peter De Vos affiliation with CCCS --- 1977-1984
Folder 3: Faculty Development Seminars --- 1979-1982
Folder 4: AICUM (Association of Independent-Colleges and Universities) --- 1980-1981
Folder 5: NEH (National Endowment for the Humanities) --- 1978-1983
Folder 6: ICICHE (International Conference of Institutions for Christian Higher Education) --- 1979-1981
Folder 7: Multi-cultural Lectureship Committee --- 1984-
Folder 8: A Proposal for Curricular Change --- 1985
Folder 9: Descartes, Brown University --- 1972