The ICHS Board of Trustees is very excited to announce that Mr. Brent Vermeulen will be the school’s next principal. His term will begin on June 3, 2024. Mr. Vermeulen becomes just the eighth principal in the school’s 79-year history. Mr. Vermeulen succeeds Mr. Peter Boonstra who is retiring at the end of this school year after serving for 24 years. We thank everyone for their prayers during the search process and we ask that you continue to pray for Mr. Vermeulen and the school during this time of transition. We know that with Mr. Vermeulen’s leadership, the school will continue its tradition of excellence and more importantly continue to develop students with a passion for God, people, and the world.
Background:
Mr. Vermeulen has taught at Illiana for the past six years in the STEM/Engineering department. He currently teaches Introduction to Engineering Design, Computer Integrated Manufacturing, Civil Engineering and Architecture, and Engineering and Design Development. He started the STEM program here at Illiana and also began the dual credit program which has blossomed from three courses to twenty different courses under his leadership. He also started the hugely popular Illiana Makerspace program which produces, markets, and sells wooden products to local stores and community members.
Mr. Vermeulen received his undergraduate degree from Purdue University, West Lafayette and he has a Masters in Technology Education from Ball State University. Before coming to Illiana, he taught at Hobart High School for ten years.
Mr. Vermeulen and his wife Amanda live in Schererville with their three children. Harper (6th grade), Harris (3rd grade), and Hudson (Kindergarten) all attend Crown Point Christian School where Amanda works as a school counselor. The Vermeulens attend Faith Church Highland.
In addition to teaching, Mr. Vermeulen is the head boys golf coach. He has coached golf at Illiana for the past fifteen years.
“I love teaching for the opportunity to pour love into teenage students at a very vulnerable age,” said Mr. Vermeulen. ” God has blessed me with an opportunity to be a mentor and role model for many high school students in the classroom and as a coach.”
When he’s not at school, Mr. Vermeulen and his family love to go boating on Lake Michigan. He also loves to play golf and he is a diehard Purdue basketball fan.
Mr. Vermeulen’s Illiana roots run very deep indeed. He met his wife Amanda while they served together on Student Council at Illiana. Their first date was to homecoming during their Junior year.
“I am humbled and excited to see what God has in store for me and more importantly for Illiana Christian High School,” said Mr. Vermeulen. “You don’t always know the gifts that God has blessed you with until he puts people in your path to encourage and uplift you into roles and responsibilities that you didn’t think were possible. I feel privileged and blessed to serve in his kingdom through this leadership role. We have the best faculty, students, and staff here at Illiana and it is awesome to be a part of that team.”
