Stronger Together
Choosing a college wasn’t difficult for Karter Hoogendoorn. “I decided to attend Ƶ because it had a good accounting program, and because Ƶis located in my hometown,” says Hoogendoorn.
Ƶwas also an easy choice for Hoogendoorn because it meant he could continue to volunteer as a first responder.
plays a pivotal role in Hoogendoorn’s life, especially as his father and two uncles have served as firefighters since 2001. Hoogendoorn joined the team in a voluntary capacity as a junior in high school.
On top of his studies at Dordt, Hoogendoorn has completed over 230 hours of classes for the fire department. Additionally, his goal of becoming a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) requires at least 150 credits to sit for the CPA exam. Because of this, Hoogendoorn chose to double major in accounting and finance. And that’s not all: Hoogendoorn is a part-time EMT for the .
Having so many different roles can be challenging, but Hoogendoorn says it’s worth it. “For the most part, I can balance volunteering quite well with my studies. Sometimes it gets to be a little much, but the long hours and hard work are worth it,” says Hoogendoorn. “The feeling that I get from helping others on a daily basis is unexplainable.”
Balancing a challenging course load with other responsibilities is a weighty task. Thankfully, Hoogendoorn has a lot of support.
“The best part of being on the Sioux Center Fire Department would be the brothers that I get to serve alongside,” says Hoogendoorn. “Although we all joke around with each other, you will not find a more supportive group anywhere. We all hold each other accountable and support each other in everything.”
Additionally, Hoogendoorn’s professors have encouraged him in his many endeavors. “My professors have always been very understanding about the first responder part of my life,” says Hoogendoorn. “I have had to leave class multiple times to go out on calls, and professors are always understanding.”
Having empathetic professors is just one example of the Ƶcommunity Hoogendoorn values. He says, “The best part of Ƶis the people.” His relationships with roommates, classmates and others around campus have made Hoogendoorn’s college experience formative, both academically and spiritually.
“Being able to have conversations about faith with anyone on campus is really a special thing,” says Hoogendoorn. “I have had many fruitful conversations with my roommates on faith and Christianity. Being able to grow in our faith together is something truly special on Dordt’s campus.”
One of the best places on campus to have these interactions, according to Hoogendoorn, is the Defender Grille. “The main reason I like the Grille is because it is a place where people go to commune with each other,” says Hoogendoorn. “The good food mixed with great friends makes the Grille the best place to be on campus.”
Sioux Center will always be home to Hoogendoorn—that’s his plan, at least. “My plans for after graduation are to get my CPA license and hopefully locate a job in town so I can stay on Sioux Center Fire and Sioux Center Ambulance Departments,” says Hoogendoorn.
