Collection Overview
Title: Peter A. De Vos Collection, 1972-1985
ID: COLL/066
Creator: De Vos, Peter A. (1940-1993)
Extent: 4.0 Boxes. More info below.
Arrangement: Folder level description
Abstract
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.]
Biographical Note
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.
Administrative Information
Alternate Extent Statement:
1.75 cubic ft.
Acquisition Source:
Gift of the P.A. De Vos family
Box and Folder Listing
- Series 1: Correspondence --- 1977-1985
- Box 1
- 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 9: Correspondence --- September - December, 1981
- Box 2
- Folder 1: Correspondence --- January - June, 1982
- Folder 2: Correspondence --- July - September, 1982
- Folder 3: Correspondence --- October - December, 1982
- Folder 4: Correspondence --- January - March, 1983
- Folder 5: Correspondence --- April - September, 1983
- Folder 6: Correspondence --- October - December, 1983
- Folder 7: Correspondence --- January - July, 1984
- Folder 8: Correspondence --- August - December, 1984
- Folder 9: Correspondence --- January - July, 1985
- Folder 10: Correspondence referred to Peter De Vos --- 1978-1981
- Folder 11: Correspondence referred to Peter De Vos --- 1982-1985
- Series 2: Correspondence, Appointments, Leaves of Absence, Evaluation --- 1979-1984
- Box 3
- Folder 1: Regarding Thorpe Hall, London, England --- 1981-1982
- Folder 2: Faculty appointments --- 1979
- Folder 3: Faculty appointments --- 1980
- Folder 4: Faculty appointments --- 1982
- Folder 5: Faculty appointments --- 1983
- Folder 6: Faculty appointments --- 1984
- Folder 7: Appointments: Department Chairman --- 1979-1983
- Folder 8: Leaves of absence --- 1979-1980
- Folder 9: Leaves of absence --- 1981-1984
- Folder 10: Committee appointments --- 1981
- Folder 11: Faculty evaluation of President Diekema at his request --- 1979
- Series 3: Varia --- 1977-1985
- Box 4
- 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