Calvin alumna Betsy DeVos ’79 has been named the U.S. Secretary of Education. It’s the first time in the college’s 141-year history that one of its graduates has become a member of the Cabinet of the President of the United States.
“We congratulate Betsy (on her confirmation),” said Michael Le Roy, president of Calvin College, “and we pledge to pray for her as she takes on her important tasks and duties in the days, weeks, months and years to come.”
“It is a profound honor to serve America’s students in this capacity. Regardless of one’s views, we all share a common goal: to make public education better,” said DeVos.
DeVos was confirmed on Feb 7, 2017, thus becoming the primary adviser to President Trump on federal policies, programs and activities concerning K-12 and higher education in the United States.
Leading up to DeVos’ confirmation, Calvin alumni expressed a wide spectrum of opinions on her nomination and organized themselves to influence the confirmation process.
