Calvin College will be recognized as an "Adoption All-Star" by the Dave Thomas Center for Adoption Law at a special luncheon on May 4 in Columbus, Ohio. 
The "Adoption All Star" designation is being given to 50 employers across the country who offer "the very best adoption benefits to their employees." The awards are based on research done by the National Adoption Council. 
Calvin is the only college or university so honored this year. Other companies to be honored include Borden, Delta Air Lines, Price Waterhouse, State Farm Insurance, Toshiba, United Parcel Service and Wendy's International. 
Wendy's founder Dave Thomas, who is adopted, has been a strong advocate for adoption over the years and also will be honored at the May 4 luncheon. Former President Gerald R. Ford, also an adoptee, has been invited to be the keynote speaker. 
Calvin passed an adoption benefit for the 1998-99 school year. In the two years since the benefit has been in place there have been four Calvin employees who have taken advantage of the plan. Those adoptions have been both domestic and international. 
At the time the benefit was approved director of human resources Connie Bellows (above) said: "We believe that this benefit is right for Calvin College. Our medical insurance includes certain benefits for pregnancy. Now we will have comparable benefits for those who choose to have children via the adoption process." 
Calvin set its initial benefit at $4,250 (or $6,375 for two children adopted at the same time) based on the average cost of childbirth. The school has continued to adjust the benefit upward based on childbirth costs in recent years. It now stands at over $4,600. 
And Calvin employees continue to take advantage of the benefit. At least two Calvin employees have completed their adoption paperwork and are waiting for referrals in the next few months. 
Financial assistance for adoption is a hot issue in Lansing. The Michigan House passed two bills last fall that would offer tax credits to defray adoption expenses. The Senate finance committee has pledged to review those bills before June 9. Rep. Mickey Switalski, D- Roseville, sponsored one bill, which recommended a tax credit of $1,200, while Rep. Gary Woronchak, R- Dearborn, sponsored a bill that introduced the credit. Both lawmakers had widespread, bi-partisan support for their bills.