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I believe writing and sharing what I write is ultimately my life's work.
Although I’ve known my calling is to love God and my neighbor, how to best live out my vocational calling wasn't initially clear to me. After graduating high school in 1978, I entered Calvin University as a pre-seminary student but dropped out of that program and finished in 1982 with a BA in English and (almost) a minor in business. Then I pursued an MBA at Western Michigan University), drove a moving van, delivered pizzas, and began work as a stockbroker. I graduated from WMU in 1985.
In 1989 I returned to Calvin University to teach business. While there, from 1991-1993, I took a two-year leave of absence to take doctoral level courses in marketing at the University of Illinois at Chicago. In 1995 I successfully defended my Ph.D. dissertation on the power of heroes in advertising. Back at Calvin, I taught marketing, leadership, and small business management courses. I also authored articles and made presentations on faith and business.
In 2004 I accepted a business teaching position at Hope College and began writing a column called "The Business Next Door" for the Holland Sentinel. From 2007 to 2016, I directed Hope’s Center for Faithful Leadership, including its CFL Consulting, Hope Entrepreneurship Initiative, and Leadership Minor programs; from 2017 to 2021 I served as advisor to Hope’s Baker Scholars. I taught courses: in marketing, entrepreneurship, and leadership. For one year I took a leave of absence to serve as the business department chair at Trinity Christian College.
While serving at Hope College, in 2016 I launched Start-Up AcademE, Inc. to engage under-served students. From 2021-2024 I freely contributed a weekly column on local business history to the Holland Sentinel.
In 2022 I began working part-time with adults with special needs at Preferred Employment and Living Supports. That year I also retired from Hope College. But then, in August, I accepted a full-time position at Cornerstone University as Professor of Management and Faculty Lead of the Center for Experiential Learning. I left Cornerstone in June 2025 and accepted a half-time role at Calvin University where I teach courses on entrepreneurship.
Presently I am working on two book-length biographies for local families, and a column called "The Business Next Door" for Ottawa News Network. I am also blessed to occasionally lead Sunday morning biblical teachings at my church. Because I think by writing, it is another opportunity to write and share!
If you wish to know more about me, here is my vita.
-steve vanderveen