January 2025
From the President
Dear Parents,
What gifts did you receive this Christmas, and what gifts did you offer?
For two dozen Wheaton students and their chaperones, Christmas Break began with a flight to Quito, Ecuador on a DC8 transport to share the gift of Jesus Christ.
In partnership with Operation Christmas Child—a global project sponsored by our friends at Samaritan’s Purse—these students carried precious cargo: shoeboxes full of age-appropriate gifts, plus a copy of the Word of God. While in Ecuador, these student volunteers helped local churches distribute gifts and host ministry events for their communities. The result, we pray, is that many of the children who received a shoebox also received Jesus by faith as the greatest of all gifts.
As our students return to class next week, we hope and pray that all of them have experienced rest and renewal over the holidays, as well as worship and fellowship. Seeing them return to campus is a great way for us to begin the New Year. They too are a gift—one of God’s first gifts to us in 2025!
In Christ's service,
Philip Ryken
President
Prayer Opportunity for Parents
Every February, we invite all Wheaton parents to join Zoom prayer calls to pray for your students and Wheaton College. The calls are scheduled to coincide with the Collegiate Day of Prayer, a day set apart to pray for college campuses across the nation.
This year’s Zoom Parent Prayer Calls are on Thursday, February 27 at 7 p.m. in all U.S. time zones, with one exception, there will be one call at 7 a.m. EST. Each prayer call will be led by a current parent and parents will be invited to pray silently or aloud.
Registration is required and will close on Tuesday, February 25 at midnight. When registering, please select the time zone that works best with your schedule, regardless of which time zone you reside in. Login information will be sent the day before the calls. Thank you for considering joining this special time of prayer! Register now.
Campus Housing
We are excited to welcome our students back for the spring semester. Housing opens for returning students at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 11, 2025. Classes begin on Monday, January 13. Meal plans begin with dinner on Saturday, January 11, 2025. Orientation for new and transfer students begins on Friday, January 10, 2024. Check out the details here.
New semesters provide opportunities for new beginnings. Encourage your student to take advantage of the new semester and make choices that allow them to create healthy patterns and routines as they begin their academics, continue their relationships, connect with their roommates about any fall semester glitches, and care for their physical and emotional wellbeing. Lamentations 3:23-33 says, “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”
Center for Vocation and Career
The CVC is kicking off spring semester with the start of our Senior Series! Every month between now and April, there will be an event to help your senior navigate the job search, develop post-grad life skills, and prepare to take their first next steps after Wheaton. On January 28, we will have our first Senior Series event, Career Catalyst. Students can receive a free professional headshot, get their resume and cover letter reviewed, update their LinkedIn profile, and more, all in one place. If your student is a senior, encourage them to sign up here!
Another thing for all students to watch for: Externship Day registration closes on January 16th! Externship Day is a one-day job shadowing opportunity that connects Wheaton students with alumni and employer partners across the Chicagoland area. If your student wants to explore an industry, make connections, or try out a ‘day in the life’ of a working Wheatie, this event is for them. To learn more, visit our website here.
Student Health Services
The winter months are upon us and this time of year traditionally brings coughs, colds, and influenza. It is not too late for students to get a flu vaccine at Student Health Services for $30 billed to the student’s account. Our nurses, nurse practitioners, and physicians are available Monday through Friday for appointments for any medical need. These visits are included in the Health and Wellness fee paid each semester. Students can request an appointment by calling 630-752-5072, emailing student.health.services@wheaton.edu, or online through their MyChart.
All medical paperwork for new or returning spring semester students is due on January 12. Please reach out to Student Health Services if there are any questions about this requirement and a SHS staff member will assist with the process
The Student Wellness Team is looking forward to planning the annual “De-Stress” Fest again this spring. Various departments from around campus will work to provide students a break from studies with an event in Coray Gym. Therapy dogs, healthy snacks, mindful exercises, and fun crafts are just some of the plans underway to encourage a respite from studies.
Washington D.C. Regional Event with
President Ryken
If you reside in the Washington D.C. area, please join us on Friday, January 31 for a special Wheaton event! The evening will include a casual dinner and encouraging words from President Ryken. All alumni, past and current parents, and friends of Wheaton are invited to attend. Learn more and register.
-825x300.jpg)
Wheaton in the North Woods
Help your student take a load off during the school year and get ahead with Wheaton in the Northwoods (WIN). WIN is a two to four-week immersive May-term program at HoneyRock. The program includes concentrated coursework and pre- and post-class work for a well-rounded educational experience. Set in the Northwoods of Wisconsin, WIN allows students to fulfill most of their Christ at the Core general education requirements while connecting with the community, exploring God’s creation, and learning from exceptional Wheaton faculty. This intensive program opens space in the traditional semester for students to explore double majors, catch up on credits, or even graduate early! Learn More Here!
How to Pray for Wheaton in January
- Pray for travel safety as students return to campus for the spring semester.
- Pray that new students (first years and transfers) experience a smooth transition to Wheaton and that they make friends quickly.
- Pray that the campus community continues to grow in its love for God and each other.
- Pray for President Ryken, members of the Senior Administrative Cabinet, and Chaplain Wilson, that the Lord will give them wisdom as they lead the College through another semester and that they would find joy and purpose in their work.
The Wheaton College Parent Engagement Team
