Robert, a student in Calvin's CPI program, (Calvin Prison Initiative), wanted to thank the college for the blessing of the program, so he created something very special: a maroon-and-gold chess set. It is pictured on the right. Each piece has its own individual set of armor, depending on its rank. Robert used scissors, sewing needles, thumb tacks, pen casing, empty ink inserts, paper clips, tooth picks, fingernail clippers, paint brushes, a compass and a ruler to construct the pieces. 

Robert wanted to use his creative ability to give back to the program. Why a chess set? "...the game of chess is a demonstration of the multitude of ways we can move throughout life," he writes. For Robert, getting accepted into the CPI program was like "pushing my last pawn in order to recapture my queen [and] thus restoring my strength."

Come to the library's 2nd floor, just inside the main entrance, to see this magnificent chess board and set displayed.