About Spiritual Formation

The office of Spiritual Formation and Christian Community seeks to cultivate a student experience that engages, develops and supports students to thrive holistically through a vibrant Christian community.

Cornerstone University’s mission states that “We exist to equip men and women to excel as influencers in our world for Christ by offering a student-focused learning community where Jesus Christ is central.” Our unique contribution to that mission includes:

“…equip men and women to excel as influencers in our world for Christ and his kingdom"

• Global Outreach opportunities - providing students with intercultural and cross-cultural service opportunities in Grand Rapids and across the world
• Spiritually forming discipleship opportunities - connecting students to discipleship opportunities through relational ministry
• Community Life - student activities, campus engagement, intramural sports and student organizations

“…by offering a student-focused learning community”

• Residence Life - Residence hall and commuter life programs, providing a transformative Christian community by connecting, challenging and caring for students.
• Counseling, Health and Wellness Services
• Multicultural Affairs - develops cultural awareness and competencies through seminars, student activities and mentoring opportunities.  Supports international students and advances diversity engagement.

“…where Jesus Christ is central.”

• Chapel 
• Evensong - Sunday night worship events around campus
• Small groups and mentoring - Student bible study groups and mentoring opportunities contribute to spiritual maturation

We recognize that the process of spiritual formation in students’ lives takes place in numerous contexts across Cornerstone’s campus – in the classroom, in mentoring relationships with faculty members, in the midst of competition on athletic courts and fields, and in the relationships forged through on-campus employment. Students’ spiritual growth begins long before and continues long after their time at Cornerstone. The transition years between late adolescence and early adulthood offer a unique season of spiritual development during the college years.  We take seriously our role in cultivating the transformational work of Christ in the lives of students.  Our passion is to live out the truth of Paul’s words to the Thessalonians during that season:

We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us. (1 Thessalonians 2:8)

Notice of Nondiscriminatory Policy Toward Students

Cornerstone University does not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, sex, age, disability or veteran status in any of its education policies and programs that it operates.

Questions regarding our nondiscrimination policy or any other aspects of Title IX may be referred to Cornerstone’s Title IX Coordinator or one of the Title IX Deputy Coordinators:

Kevin Hall
Associate VP of Spiritual Formation & Christian Community | Title IX Coordinator
titleIX@cornerstone.edu

For questions/complaints regarding issues and incidents involving employees
Kathy Natelborg
Director of Human Resources | Title IX Deputy Coordinator
Welch Administration Building
kathy.natelborg@cornerstone.edu

For questions/complaints regarding issues and incidents involving students
Allie Brown
Director of Residence Life and Student Conduct | Title IX Deputy Coordinator
Corum Student Union
 

For questions regarding Campus Safety
Brian Cowell
Director of Campus Safety
 

The provisions of this catalog are not to be regarded as an irrevocable contract between the student and Cornerstone University. Changes and modification in educational policy are implemented when deemed appropriate and not necessarily with the issuance of a new catalog. This catalog has attempted to present information in as accurate and up-to-date a fashion as possible. Changes will be publicized through normal channels and will be included in the following catalog.

All material in this catalog applies to the 2024-25 academic year and reflects information available on the publication date. Cornerstone University reserves the right to revise all announcements contained in this publication and, at its discretion, to make reasonable changes in requirements to improve or update academic and non-academic programs.

Campus Photography

All enrolled students at Cornerstone University grant permission to the university to use their likeness as captured in videos and photographs obtained during university-sponsored events and photo shoots. These photos and videos may be used in a variety of print and digital publications and advertisements for the university. The university holds sole distribution rights to such photos and/or videos and will only use them for publications promoting the university. These photos and/or videos will not be sold or distributed to outside parties at any time. The university reserves the right to crop, edit or treat all photos or videos at its discretion and may discontinue use without notice.

Every effort is made to represent Cornerstone University students and their stories with integrity and authenticity. If for any reason a student does not wish to grant this permission, he/she must sign a form in the university’s Marketing & Communications Office.

For further information on this policy, please contact the university's Marketing & Communications Office.

Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention Information

Cornerstone University takes seriously the health and wellbeing of students.  Using prohibitions, awareness, training, sanctions, support, counseling and care, we seek to not only prevent drug and alcohol abuse, but also provide supportive interventions toward healing as needed.    More information is available in the student handbook.