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While shoveling sand in sandboxes, children often have dreams of tunneling to China. This dream is coming true for Chris Van Velzer, Student Organizations coordinator at Pepperdine. Although he is leaving his shovel at home, Chris and his wife, Corrie, who is the assistant to the director of admissions, will be leaving for Hong Kong this summer.
Chris said that he and Corrie enjoy their jobs at Pepperdine, but it has been a long-term goal to work in China, for business reasons and to serve God.
Growing up in an Air Force family, Chris said he is used to moving around. The longest he has ever stayed in one place has been here at Pepperdine. So it comes as no surprise that he is ready to make a fresh start for himself and his family.
“It’s so hard to leave because we are so comfortable right now,” Chris said. “We’re not sick of our jobs or anything, but this is just something that we have been called to do.”
Chris’ job bring him into close contact with students daily. Practically anything having to do with students is part of his job description. Overseeing every group on campus, he deals with all Greek organizations, the budget committee and many on-campus events. He answers hundreds of phone calls and e-mails a day all while managing to keep a positive outlook on life.
A big stress for next year with Chris not being on campus is sorority recruitment.
“Of course I’m worried about Chris leaving next year,” said Charnay Kalama, vice president of social outreach on Panhellenic council and the person running recruitment next year.
“He makes the Greek system, but I know that whoever they bring in will be just fine as well. I’ll still be e-mailing Chris everyday with my questions; he knows that, it’s OK.”
Though students said they are sad to see the Van Velzers leave, they are excited for Chris and Corrie as they live out their dream.
“I am just so happy that he is finally getting to do something that he has wanted to for a long time.” said junior Lonnie Camacho, another member of Panhellenic, “We’ll miss him but we can’t hold on forever.”
Van Velzer’s wife, Corrie serves as office manager of admissions and plans new student events like Preview Day. While a student at Pepperdine, Corrie went overseas to Argentina.
Corrie spent her junior year in high school in Hong Kong and said she fell in love with the Asian culture.
Last year, Corrie’s parents moved back to Hong Kong to adopt a child. This was one of the reasons the Van Velzers said they felt it was their time to move to China. The couple will live in Hong Kong with Corrie’s parents after the move.
Although the opportunities in China specifically in the fields of business and ministry have a strong calling to the Van Velzers, they still are going to miss Pepperdine immensely.
The couple met at Pepperdine, and the school has been a large part of their lives together.
While visiting during her senior year in high school, Corrie visited choir rehearsal at the end of her day after writing off Pepperdine as a school she did not want to attend. During that hour of singing, Corrie met Chris and changed her mind.
Once Corrie came her freshmen year, Chris who was then a senior, said he could no longer resist and asked her out. Getting engaged her junior year and finally marrying in 2004, the two have been inseparable ever since.
“We’ll probably only be in China for three to five years.” said Chris. The couple said they don’t look at this as being the end, but only the beginning.
Submitted 04-06-2006
MALIBU, CA
