Presidential leadership

Four presidents have guided Dordt from a junior college of thirty-five students to a university of roughly two thousand—with a consistent Reformed Christian mission. See also the biographical register for founding-era context.

1957–1982

Rev. B.J. Haan

First President

Founding-era leader who grew enrollment from under 100 to 1,200 and articulated Scripturally Oriented Higher Education.

  • Explored founding a Christian college as early as 1947
  • Served simultaneously as Sioux Center CRC pastor and acting president, 1957–1963
  • Introduced programs in business, agriculture, engineering, and computer science
  • Retired in 1982 after shaping Dordt’s Reformed educational vision

Oral history & artifact →

1982–1996

Dr. John B. Hulst

Second President

Dean-turned-president who adopted The Educational Task and expanded Christian scholarship across the curriculum.

  • Present at groundbreaking; later dean of students (1968)
  • Led strategic plan Renewing the Vision
  • Master of Education program launched; six new buildings added
  • Promoted Christian higher education through IAPCHE and CCCU
1996–2012

Dr. Carl E. Zylstra

Third President

First non-founder president who matured facilities, faculty, and programs including nursing and the Campus Center.

  • Added football, Kuyper Honors Program, and multiple new majors
  • Built Campus Center and new residence halls
  • Described Dordt education as holistic “24/7” formation
  • Advocated for Christian higher education nationally
2012–present

Dr. Erik Hoekstra

Fourth President

Guides Dordt through university transition, graduate expansion, and continued mission-centered renewal.

  • Championed 2019 transition to Dordt University
  • Expanded online, graduate, and professional-technical offerings
  • Faculty secured $6.5M+ in NSF and external research grants (per university initiative)
  • Continues commitment to Reformed Christian perspective in all programs