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