Author: News from Hope College

The ‘And’ of God

On September 12, 2021, the Rev. Ross Dieleman ’04 opened a sermon series at Fellowship Reformed Church in Holland, Michigan, with an interactive call-and-response: “Macaroni and — .” The congregation responded: “Cheese.” Dieleman continued: “Lost and — . Rise and — . Forgive and — . Grace and — . Naked and — .” From… Continue Reading →

Where Dreams Begin

In post-war Japan in the 1950s, Maurice Kawashima was an orphaned teenager who took a well-deserved break from supporting himself and from his studies and went to the theatre to watch Stagecoach, the classic 1939 film starring Claire Trevor and John Wayne. Someday, he thought, he’d like to visit the nation that he was seeing… Continue Reading →

Leading with the Heart

A member of the Hope College Board of Trustees invited Dr. Richard Frost, retiring dean of students and vice president for student development, to lunch. He wanted to get Frost’s view on how the student body was faring, particularly as they weather the pandemic, and perhaps gain some insights to the qualities needed for the… Continue Reading →

A National Honor for Lasting Impact

As noted later in this issue, 2021 Distinguished Alumni Award recipient Lara Plewka ’98 MacGregor of Louisville, Kentucky, died on Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2022. Age 45, she passed away from metastatic breast cancer. A full obituary is available online (with a link to a video interview last year in conjunction with her DAA). In this… Continue Reading →

Distinctive Hope: A Dozen Strong

Hope’s 12 Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association regular-season championships in team sports during the 2021-22 school year reflect the college’s consistent excellence in athletics: strong performances in event after event, from sport to sport, and across fall, winter and spring. Hope’s league-record MIAA Commissioner’s Cups — the 38th this year, 22 more than any other member… Continue Reading →

From the President: Matthew A. Scogin ʼ02

Dear Friends and Family of Hope College, An important strength of Hope is that the college isn’t distinguished by one quality, but many. Some institutions of higher education are known for outstanding teaching and strong mentoring relationships with faculty and staff. Some are known for research and scholarly inquiry. Some are known for faith development.… Continue Reading →

Quote Unquote: Commencement

As the members of Hope’s graduating Class of 2022 prepared to receive their diplomas and cross the stage into the future, Commencement speaker Dr. Marcus Fila shared one last lesson before they became alumni: “Play the Long Game.” More than 710 graduating seniors participated in the ceremony, held on Sunday, May 8, at Ray and… Continue Reading →

Campus Scene

NEW SCHOOL YEAR The college’s 161st academic year is nigh, with the members of the incoming Class of 2026 arrive on Friday, Aug. 26, for the start of New Student Orientation that evening. The rest of the students will begin to return on Sunday, Aug. 28. The Opening Convocation marking the official beginning of the… Continue Reading →

Blazing Trails

At Hope, more than 400 students are the first in their families to pursue a four-year degree, often referred to as first-generation college students or more affectionately “first-gen.” And while attending college is a major life change for every student, first-gen students experience additional challenges. Especially as Hope pursues Hope Forward — making a Hope… Continue Reading →

Distinctive Hope: A Reflection of Community

“Of the Sun,” representing traditions of Zimbabwe, Congo, Cameroon, Togo and Nigeria, brightens a mid-November evening as international students bring a bit of their homelands to Hope through “Images: A Reflection of Cultures.” Featuring dance, skits, poetry, fashion, music and more from around the world, the student-organized event is a popular fall highlight, a gift… Continue Reading →

From the President: Matthew A. Scogin ʼ02

For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. – John 3:16 Dear Friends and Family of Hope College, This fall, we welcomed the largest number of new students in Hope’s history: 955 attending college for the first time, and… Continue Reading →

Quote Unquote: Convocation

Speaking during the Opening Convocation on Sunday, Aug. 28, at DeVos Fieldhouse, Dr. Deborah Vriend Van Duinen shared a three-point plan to help the incoming Class of 2026 make the most of the experience ahead. The title of Van Duinen’s address, “Invitation to Hope: Knowing, Doing, Being,” was also her outline, providing what she described… Continue Reading →

Campus Scene

ENROLLMENT REPORT Hope has enrolled a record number of students entering college for the first time, contributing to a third consecutive year with an increase in the college’s overall headcount. A total of 955 first-time college students joined Hope this fall, topping the previous record of 904 set in the fall of 2012 (2021’s total… Continue Reading →

Hope Receives National Award for Excellence in Diversity

Hope has received the 2022 Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine, the oldest and largest diversity-focused publication in higher education. As a recipient of the annual HEED Award — a national honor recognizing U.S. colleges and universities that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion — Hope was… Continue Reading →

New Vita Scholars Program Develops Pastors Faster

Hope and Western Theological Seminary have established a “3-2” pastor-preparation program that will provide specialized training for ministering to underserved communities. The new Vita Scholars Program (Vita is Latin for “Life”) will enable students to graduate from Hope with a Bachelor of Arts degree and from the seminary with a Master of Divinity degree after… Continue Reading →

“Algorithm + You = Art”

Viewers play a major role in a Hope professor’s award-winning entry in the international ArtPrize competition held this fall. They collaborate for an experience that is different every time. Created by Dr. Charles Cusack, professor of computer science and mathematics, “Algorithm + You = Art” invites those visiting it to enter a phrase and pick… Continue Reading →

Fall Season Features Memorable Journeys

A record-tying cross country run and a fourth NCAA volleyball regional title highlighted a successful start to the 2022-23 school year for Hope College Athletics. Coach Becky Schmidt, Volleyball Seth Almquist, Men’s Golf Purple Games Lauren Lee, Volleyball Connor Vachon, Men’s Cross Country Ana Tucker, Women’s Cross Country Senior Ana Tucker equaled the highest finish… Continue Reading →

A Honey of a Project

It takes eight to 12 bees a lifetime to produce enough honey to fill a single teaspoon. The three hives installed on the Hope campus this past spring generated 10 gallons that ultimately found their way to the shelves of the college’s bookstore to provide a sweet taste of campus and West Michigan. That’s a… Continue Reading →