COLL/231 Guide to the Carl Sinke Collection Sinke, Carl Collection

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Hekman Library 1855 Knollcrest Circle SE Grand Rapids, MI, 49546 URL: http://archives.calvin.edu Email: crcarchives@calvin.edu Phone: 616-526-6913 Fax: 616-526-7689
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Guide to the Carl Sinke Collection 1958/1985 Heritage Hall, Hekman Library Overview of the Collection Carl Sinke Collection 1958-1985 COLL/231 Sinke, Carl, 1928-2016 0.50 1 Boxes Heritage Hall, Hekman Library
Hekman Library 1855 Knollcrest Circle SE Grand Rapids, MI, URL: http://archives.calvin.edu Email: crcarchives@calvin.edu Phone: 616-526-6913 Fax: 616-526-7689
Professor of mathematics at Calvin College. The collection includes correspondence with mathematics department, American Mathematics Society, and prospective teachers; curriculum committee materials; staffing reports; evaluations; honor convocations; Calvin Center for Christian Scholarship materials; and new computer science course proposals.
Biographical Information:

Carol Sinke was born in Moline, Michigan on October 15, 1928. Sinke attended Calvin College, earning a degree in mathematics in 1945. Sinke went on to earn his Ph.D. in mathematics from Purdue University. After he received his Ph.D., Sinke enlisted in the U.S. Army and was stationed in California and Illinois. While in California he met his bride-to-be, a young school teacher named Cora Maw Waander. They were married in 1956, the same year that Sinke accepted a faculty position at Calvin College.

Although Sinke was the first Ph.D. mathematician at Calvin, he started out as an Instructor and had to work his way up the professional ladder. Sinke was known to have a "gruff" exterior, but the students knew that he had a warm heart and was always ready to help them. He often spent time working with students on a one-on-one basis.

Sinke served the college in many other ways. He was a member of the Faculty Organization Study Committee during the early 1970s. He also served as department chairperson for a total of 15 years and as department chairperson of the science division for 3 years. He also served on the Educational Policy Committee and the Professional Status Committee as well as coordinator of the Calvin Center for Christian Scholarship team.

Outside of the classroom, Sinke was also well-known for his hobby and interest in railroads. His interest determined his vacation destinations and how he traveled. He even had a railroad in his background in which family and local children loved to visit and ride. Sinke was a member of East Paris Christian Reformed Church and served as a Bible Study teacher. Sinke was also interested in local politics. He served many terms on Christian School boards and as Kentwood City Commissioner.

On January 20, 2016, Carl Sinke passed away at the age of 87. He was survived by his wife of 59 years, Cora Mae, and their four children. He had served Calvin College for 35 years.

Arrangement of Materials:

Folder level description

Detailed List of Contents id39618 Correspondence, Curriculum Committee Materials and Miscellaneous id39619 1 id39620 1 1 Correspondence 1964-1968 id39621 1 2 Correspondence 1969-1972 id39622 1 3 Correspondence with American Mathematics Society 1960-1961 id39623 1 4 Mathematics Department personnel 1967-1984 id39624 1 5 Correspondence to and from prospective teachers for the department 1964-1971 id39625 1 6 Mathematics department honors convocation 1958-1973 id39626 1 7 Curriculum Committee minutes 1981-1983 id39627 1 8 Curriculum Committee materials 1981-1983 id39628 1 9 Computer Science courses 1983-1985 id39629 1 10 Mathematics Department evaluation of the 4-1-4 plan undated id39630 1 11 Evaluation of the Calvin Science Department material 1959; undated id39631 1 12 Carl Sinke's association with the CCCS 1979-1985 id39632 1 13 id63771 1 13 Papers by Carl Sinke 1975, 1981 id63772 1 13 Miscellaneous Papers