John De Vries Collection, 1932-1967 | Heritage Hall, Hekman Library

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Collection Overview

Title: John De Vries Collection, 1932-1967

ID: COLL/068

Primary Creator: De Vries, John (1907-1967)

Extent: 8.0 Boxes. More info below.

Arrangement: Folder level description

Subjects: Chemistry - Study and teaching (Higher), Science - Study and teaching

Abstract

Professor of chemistry at Calvin College. The collection includes speeches; chapter drafts of "Beyond the Atom" and "Essentials of Physical Science"; correspondence; articles; book reviews; and course notes detailing the relationship between religion and science, the emergence of nuclear sciences during the mid-century, early studies of radio-carbon dating, organic chemistry, pharmacology, and physical chemistry. [See also the Campus Titles Database.]

Biographical Note

John De Vries (1907-1967) a native of Smilde, the Netherlands, graduated from Calvin College in 1929 and with a PhD from the University of Illinois in 1933 and began a notable career in teaching chemistry first at Huron College, then Knox College, and from 1939 until his death at Calvin College. During his tenure, he focused on academic excellence as demonstrated by the large number of Calvin College chemistry majors who earned PhDs. As a chemist, he was part of the vanguard examining nuclear sciences and wrote a number of articles and books such as Beyond the Atom.

In 1960 he was one of six college chemistry instructors awarded a citation by the Manufacturing Chemists Association, Inc. In addition, beginning in 1960, he served for fourteen months as the acting program director of the Institutes Section of the National Science Foundation. During 1965-1966, he again served the National Science Foundation as its assistant program director.

In 1930 De Vries married Sophy Bolt; they had four sons—George R., John F., James H., and Robert C.

Subject/Index Terms

Chemistry - Study and teaching (Higher)
Science - Study and teaching

Administrative Information

Repository: Heritage Hall, Hekman Library

Alternate Extent Statement: 3.0 cubic ft.

Acquisition Source: Gift of J. De Vries

Box and Folder Listing

Browse by Series:

[Series 1: Speeches and Chapel Talks, 1939-1951],
[Series 2: Manuscript for "Beyond the Atom"],
[Series 3: Correspondence, 1932-1967],
[Series 4: Manuscript for "Essentials of Physical Science"by John De Vries],
[Series 5: Papers and Speeches],
[Series 6: Course Material, 1940-1960s],
[Series 7: Miscellany],
[All]

Series 7: Miscellany

Box 8

Item 1: PhD diploma --- 1933
Item 2: Funeral memory books --- 1967, 1977
Item 3: Nameplate --- n.d.
Item 4: Small silver dish --- 1965
Item 5: DVD: Biology @ Calvin --- 2005
Item 6: DVD: Calvin Ortho Research files --- 2002
Item 7: Citation --- 1960