Calvin Names New VP of Finance, Administration

Sally Vander Ploeg has been appointed as Calvin College's vice president for administration and finance. Vander Ploeg has served as the director of finance and as chief financial officer for the college since December 2012.

The college's announcement follows an extensive national search that began in January. Vander Ploeg replaces Henry DeVries, who stepped down from his post this past fall.

"In a very short time Sally has distinguished herself as an effective servant-leader, a quick study, and a highly competent agent of change in the financial services office," said Calvin College president Michael Le Roy.

"Sally is devoted to Calvin College's mission and understands the important supporting role that the administration plays in the advancement of our academic goals and objectives."

Vander Ploeg has experience in accounting, business, finance, higher education and law.

From 1989 to 1999, she served as an international tax attorney for Amway Corporation, playing a key role in helping the company open up new markets overseas. From 1999 to 2012, she served as Calvin College's director of gift planning.

Vander Ploeg studied business at Calvin College and Michigan State University, earning her degree from MSU in 1982 and her law degree from Indiana University at Bloomington in 1985. She is also a certified public accountant.

Vander Ploeg says she looks forward to her continued work with the Calvin community in helping the college move toward financial sustainability.

"I am blessed to have this opportunity to work alongside so many talented colleagues, some who have been here for many years and bring great institutional knowledge to the finance area and others who are bringing fresh eyes to improving our internal processes," said Vander Ploeg.

"I am excited to lead a solid group of people who are already making great progress on setting Calvin on a financially sustainable track."

The college is currently in the midst of its strategic planning process, which commenced this past winter. Input from the Calvin community is helping to shape the vision of the college.

To date, more than 400 members of the Calvin community have participated in sessions identifying the college's strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and challenges, and brainstorming around key strategic issues the college faces.

College leaders say they are encouraged as enrollment projections for fall are ahead of last year at this time and fundraising goals have already been exceeded by more than $3 million.

The college will now begin a search for a new director of finance to fill the vacancy left by Vander Ploeg.