News from Hope College is published during April, August and December for alumni, friends and parents of Hope College by the Division of Public Affairs and Marketing.
Delbert Knooihuizen and Mimi Moncada ’43 Knooihuizen→
Delbert Knooihuizen and Mimi Moncada ’43 Knooihuizen celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary on Wednesday, Aug. 17, in Hudson, Ohio, at the Laurel Lake Retirement Community.
Harvey Heerspink ’49 of Jenison, Michigan, visited the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C., last year with more than 100 other World War II veterans from western Michigan. More than 1,000 veterans from all over America were there on that day.
Thomas VanDahm ’48 had his original composition chosen for publication in the spring issue of The American Recorder. The title is “Gugue” and it is for four-part recorder ensembles.
Art Van Eck ’48 and Bea VanHeest ’53 Van Eck were honored at the meeting of board members of the Fife Lake Historical Society for years of dedicated service. In October, they went on a Canadian cruise with three of their children and spouses, one of whom is Barbara Van Eck ’72.
Arthur Van Eck ’48 and his wife, Beatrice Van Heest ’53 Van Eck, continue to live in Fife Lake, Michigan, where he is a member of the Friends of the Library Board. During the fall of 2017 he gave two lectures on “The Making of the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible,” a lecture … Continue reading "Arthur Van Eck ’48"
Wallace Stoepker ’43 reports that at age 97, Western Theological Seminary has him listed as the oldest living alumnus. He and his wife, Dorothy, who have celebrated 72 years of marriage, are living in Kalamazoo, Michigan. He spoke at Western’s donor dinner in April 2017
John De Vries ’41 and his wife, Ruth, of Palo Alto, California, affected the world in retirement. After John retired from the research faculty at Cal State Hayward in 1987, they heard a missionary speak at their church, Menlo Park Presbyterian. The obstacle facing missionaries was their need for batteries to power their radios and … Continue reading "John De Vries ’41"
A traffic signal about 1,300 miles from Hope led to a new friendship for Russ Kraay ’49 and Lynne Kurzenberger ’76 Wissink-Tressler. Lynne was waiting at a red light in Fort Myers, Florida, when she noticed a Hope license plate frame on the vehicle ahead of her. The other driver went straight and she turned … Continue reading "Russ Kraay ’49"
Gerald A. Bax ’42 of Grand Rapids, Michigan, celebrated his 100th birthday on Jan. 15. He is a veteran of World War II, and his career included serving as director of the Pontiac State Hospital and as commandant of the Grand Rapids Veterans Home.
Art Van Eck ’48 and Bea VanHeest ’53 Van Eck celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary on Saturday, Aug. 24. During Advent, Art conducted the Fife Lake Christmas Choir.
Dick Hagni ’53 of Rolla, Missouri, retired from Missouri University of Science and Technology 16 years ago, after teaching geology for 45 years (the last 15 years serving as chairman of the Department of Geology and Geophysics). However, he continues to do research in geology, give professional presentations at geology meetings, and write papers on … Continue reading "Dick Hagni ’53"
Kate Ver Meulen ’53 Rudy of Greenwich, Connecticut, reports that in the winter months she and her husband live in “The Boulders” in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Terry Zylman ’59 of Grand Rapids, Michigan, taught high school band for 20 years in Michigan and performed with the Grand Rapids Symphony, Battle Creek Symphony, Lawrence Welk, Harry Connick Jr., Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, Temptations and Four Tops, touring Broadway shows and on numerous recordings, and is still performing.
Norma Hoffman ’52 Richardson of Mount Pleasant, Michigan, was recognized in November for 50 years as a faculty member at Central Michigan University, where she teaches Spanish. After graduation from Hope, she received her M.A. degree from the University of Iowa, where she was a teaching assistant. She earned an ABD from the University of … Continue reading "Norma Hoffman ’52 Richardson"
Lawrence Schut ’58 worked as a neurologist at CentraCare Clinic, a multispecialty clinic in St. Cloud, Minnesota, for 17 years. He retired in August 2014 but in April 2016 he was asked to join the University of Minnesota Physicians to see specific patients with the diagnosis of ataxia. His primary interest is the hereditary degenerative … Continue reading "Lawrence Schut ’58"
Dwayne “Tiger” Teusink ’58 was honored in September with the naming of the 12-court tennis facility at Holland High School “The Tiger Teusink Tennis Courts.” He was also honored in October as one of “Seven over Seventy” individuals recognized by Resthaven and The Holland Sentinel for extraordinary achievements. It was noted that Tiger coached for … Continue reading "Dwayne “Tiger” Teusink ’58"
Carl Ver Beek ’59 was selected for the Indiana University Law School’s Academy of Law Alumni Fellows. Induction into the Academy is the highest honor the Maurer School of Law can bestow upon one of its graduates, and recognizes alumni who have distinguished themselves in their careers through personal achievements and dedication to the highest … Continue reading "Carl Ver Beek ’59"
John “Dave” Haas ’53 of Palm Desert, California, reports that at age 85 he is in good health; plays some golf; and teaches in a program for students 55 or older, called OSHER. He writes that he just had a brother-in-law pass away at age 87 (attended Hope but did not graduate; lived his entire … Continue reading "John “Dave” Haas ’53"
Janice Polhemus ’56 Jessup of Virginia Beach, Virginia, was named an honorary member of the fraternity of Omega Tau Rho by the State of Virginia and Hampton Roads Associations of Realtors on Oct. 3.
Dick Kanode ’54 and Nancy Guldenschuh ’62 Zimmer are pictured in front of Lake Louise in Canada. They met up by chance on a bus tour that started in Calgary.
In the fall of 1929, the daughters of three young Hope professors celebrated together their first birthdays, which were just two months apart. On Sept. 2, Jan Vander Borgh ’50 Ver Helst, Ann Wolters ’50 Fredrickson and Ruth DeGraaf ’50 Dirkse celebrated their 90ths surrounded by family and friends at the Warm Friend, where they all now live. Lifelong … Continue reading "Ruth DeGraaf ’50 Dirkse"
In the fall of 1929, the daughters of three young Hope professors celebrated together their first birthdays, which were just two months apart. On Sept. 2, Jan Vander Borgh ’50 Ver Helst, Ann Wolters ’50 Fredrickson and Ruth DeGraaf ’50 Dirkse celebrated their 90ths surrounded by family and friends at the Warm Friend, where they all now live. Lifelong … Continue reading "Ann Wolters ’50 Fredrickson"
In the fall of 1929, the daughters of three young Hope professors celebrated together their first birthdays, which were just two months apart. On Sept. 2, Jan Vander Borgh ’50 Ver Helst, Ann Wolters ’50 Fredrickson and Ruth DeGraaf ’50 Dirkse celebrated their 90ths surrounded by family and friends at the Warm Friend, where they all now live. Lifelong … Continue reading "Jan Vander Borgh ’50 Ver Helst"
Jack Hunt ’52 of Kalamazoo, Michigan, read the spring issue’s story about Latif Jiji, who came to the U.S. from Iraq to attend Hope in the 1940s, with particular interest for a couple of specific reasons. For one, he had roomed with Latif, who helped him with algebra. For another, he, like Latif, found his future changed profoundly … Continue reading "Jack Hunt ’52"
Christine Denny ’56 Connaire married Jonathan Fine in 2014 at the age of 80. He was the founder of Physicians for Human Rights with offices in Boston and New York.
Robert Saunders ’59 reports that after 30 years, he sold his business, which he started, to a group of investment bankers and is retiring. He mentioned that it was more fun climbing the mountain than reaching the summit. He and his wife, Karen, are looking forward to spending more time at their lodge on John … Continue reading "Robert Saunders ’59"
Robert Kisken ’59 traveled years ago around United States photographing structures built by Finnish settlers in states including Michigan, Wisconsin, Montana, Idaho, Washington and Minnesota. He has given the photos to the Emigration Department in Turku, Finland. The photos have been on exhibit in Turku and the Emigration Museum in Seinajoki for years.
Soon, students from around the world will be traveling to Hope, some from blocks away and some from the opposite side of the globe. In the summer of 1927, William A. Heydorn ’28 and Howard R. Sluyter ’28 made an “epochal tour” from Holland to Long Island (and back) in a $10 Model T assembled … Continue reading "William H. Heydorn ’55"
Dean Veltman ’50 was among 70 veterans and astronauts who were honored on Friday, Oct. 18, during an annual Memorial Service at Patriot’s Point in Charleston, South Carolina, by the U.S.S. Yorktown Association. He was a chaplain with the United States Navy and was aboard the Yorktown when the Apollo 8 capsule was recovered in … Continue reading "Dean Veltman ’50"
The 1975 Summer Staff from Warwick, New York Conference Center enjoyed a reunion this past October with their beloved former Executive Director, Ron Lokhorst ’59, Mark Convoy ’75, Kristi Droppers ’76, Mary Mulder ’77, Dwayne Boyce ’77, Steve Paffrath ’77, George Beukema ’77, and Bill Agnew ’80 spent a weekend out at Castle Park in … Continue reading "Ron Lokhorst ’59"
Norma Hoffman ’52 Richardson retired in July after 54 years as a Spanish professor at Central Michigan University. She was tenured as a full- time professor in August 1967. She graduated from Hope with a major in Spanish, and received her M.A. in Spanish from the State University of Iowa, Iowa City, in 1954. She … Continue reading "Norma Hoffman ’52 Richardson"
L. James Harvey ’52 was recently presented with the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award by Marquis Who’s Who as a leader in the fields of education, academic administration and business consulting. His biography will appear in the new Marquis Who’s Who publication. He has also recently published his 14th book, 1001 Sentence Sermons, which … Continue reading "L. James Harvey ’52"
Carl Ver Beek ’59 of Grand Rapids, Michigan, received the Justice Foundation of West Michigan’s Lifetime Achievement Award on Thursday, May 13. The award recognizes a member of the Grand Rapids Bar Association for special contributions in service and support to the mission of GRBA and JFWM, the community at large, and the practice of law … Continue reading "Carl Ver Beek ’59"
L. James Harvey ’52 has updated and republished one of his earlier books titled, Does God Laugh? The book was released in September. This is his 12th book in the field of Christian living
Barry Whitsitt ’54 reports that he and his wife Mary Ann are celebrating their 70th wedding anniversary this month. Their family has grown to 30 members and they held a family reunion at their cottage in Holland, Michigan, this summer.
James Harvey ’52 has just published his 12th book in the Christian Living area. The book is titled Letters from Perverse University – 2nd Edition. The book contains a series of satirical letters from a professor of deception at Perverse University in Hell written to his former students in the U.S.A. working to undermine the … Continue reading "James Harvey ’52"
Richard Hagni ’53 received the Honorary Life Member Award from the International Association on the Genesis of Ore Deposits. The award is in recognition of lifetime achievements in the field of ore geology and services to the association and its commissions in the course of many years. He taught geology at Missouri University of Science … Continue reading "Richard Hagni ’53"
Charles Johnson ’54 published the book Another Watchman with his granddaughter, Kristin Johnson Vincenzes. He and his wife, Donna Huss, have been married for 69 years and he is 91 years old.
William Heydorn ’55 reports that his book, Geronimo: The Rest of the Story, has been published by WestBow Press. The book features photos from 1900 and 1901 when his grandfather, Howard Rutsen Furbeck, joined three other seminary students from Rutgers College to “sing the Gospel” to settlers in the new towns forming along rail lines … Continue reading "William Heydorn ’55"
George Boerigter ’61 was elected chairman of the New Mexico Angels, the local venture capital investment group in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The Angels consist of 60-75 accredited investors investing in five to seven deals per year. George also helped found the NM Startup Factory that annually starts three to four high tech NM firms
Gail Pennington ’63 Siefert of Morehead City, North Carolina, retired after 25 years of teaching high school German, French and English in New Jersey. She retired to North Carolina and has recently traveled to Israel and Beijing, China.
Norman Ten Brink ’65 retired as professor of geology at Grand Valley State University in 2003 and reports that he is now enjoying summers in Holland, Michigan, and winters in Green Valley, Arizona. Hiking, biking and archery are his favorite activities.
Bob Dahl ’66 and his daughter Rachel Dahl ’95 have published their second book, titled “The Nine A.M. Jog.” Rachel formatted and illustrated the book with original abstract watercolors of several of his poems. Their first book was “The Ten P.M. Walk,” published in 2014. Bob is a retired United Church of Christ minister living … Continue reading "Bob Dahl ’66"
Mary Groenewoud ’66 Hale of San Antonio, Texas, is a retired reading specialist. She and her husband, Dwight, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary in August 2017. She reports that they enjoy traveling and visiting family and friends.
William Hultgren ’66 of Dearborn, Michigan, retired after 44 years of employment with the City of Dearborn: 20 years as city attorney and 24 years as a district judge. His wife, Julie, is retiring after 25 years with the 19th District Court and City of Dearborn.
Robert Werge ’66 has retired as an international anthropologist with the U.S. Government and his consulting firm. He and his wife live in Denver, Colorado, close to one of their three children and three of their nine grandchildren. He moved to Colorado 20 years ago to ski, hike and bike, which he still enjoys.
Marcia De Graaf ’67 retired after 17 years as the human resources/community coordinator at DW McMillan Memorial Hospital in Brewton, Alabama. She will continue to serve on the board of directors of Covenant Alzheimer’s Services, where she has served since 2007 and plans to work with Alzheimer’s education for caregivers and their support team.
This fall, Hope College dedicated the press box at Ray and Sue Smith Stadium in honor of Tom Renner ’67 and Carole DeYoung ’67 Renner, and honored the couple during the H-Club Coaches’ Luncheon on Monday, Oct. 24. Tom served Hope for 47 years before retiring in 2013. He was associate vice president for public … Continue reading "Tom Renner ’67 and Carole DeYoung ’67 Renner"
Laurie Taylor ’67 Rossi of Fairview, New Mexico, has been studying to become a symphony conductor. She has begun playing the cello and plays with High Desert Strings of Santa Fe. She will be conducting the Santa Fe Symphony for one piece in December, the third year in a row.
Pamela VanderWeele ’68 of Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, is an interpretive volunteer at Sitka National Historical Park, Alaska. This is her second three-month volunteer position at Sitka. She is also an active Habitat for Humanity volunteer.
Karen Zeh ’69 Baumgardner moved to Iowa in December 2007 to serve the Reformed Presbyterian Church. During 2011-12, all three of her daughters were married. She and her husband currently have six granddaughters. She reports that in addition to being a pastor’s wife, she has an ESL Bible class for Japanese women.
Carolyn Westlake ’69 Sigler of Sterling Heights, Michigan, reports that she is currently enjoying her four grandchildren and camping. She and her husband recently celebrated their 41st wedding anniversary and have enjoyed several mission trips teaching ESL in central Europe.
Dorothy Spencer ’69 retired on Sept. 1, 2013, from East Carolina University’s Division of Health Sciences, where she served for more than 16 years as associate vice chancellor for communication and information services and director of the William E. Laupus Health Sciences Librarian. She reports that since retirement she has relocated to Loveland, Colorado, where … Continue reading "Dorothy Spencer ’69"
Jerry Hill ’61 reports that he is turning 77 in April, having retired in 1999. Since then he has provided technical consulting for aerospace companies including Boeing, Raytheon, ITT and IITRI (Illinois Institute of Technology Research Institute). He had provided project management for telemetry acquisitions for Topex-Poseidon, an oceanographic data-gathering satellite. Completing that project with … Continue reading "Jerry Hill ’61"
P. John Paarlberg Jr. ’61 and Dale Church ’62 Paarlberg→
P. John Paarlberg Jr. ’61 and Dale Church ’62 Paarlberg are living in a retirement community in Jacksonville, Florida. He reports that their youngest son, Jonathan, lives nearby with his family. When they moved there in May 2016, they met a lady who described herself as “sister-in-law” of D. Ivan Dykstra ’35. They are currently attending … Continue reading "P. John Paarlberg Jr. ’61 and Dale Church ’62 Paarlberg"
Betty Whitaker ’62 Jackson of Palm Bay, Florida, reports that since her retirement from classroom teaching after 40 years and in five states she is now an author. Her first book, It’s a God Thing!, has a setting similar to Hope College. Her 13th book was published in December, and her books include a fiction … Continue reading "Betty Whitaker ’62 Jackson"
Barbara Freggens ’64 O’Brien and Daniel O’Brien celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on board Holland America’s MS Koningsdam cruising the Greek Isles with a renewal of wedding vows performed by Captain Emiel de Vries.
Peter Paulsen ’64 and Lydia Thornburg ’13 both serve on the board of the Atlanta branch of a ministry that helps people “…see the face of God in the city.” The ministry is Discovering Opportunities for Outreach and Reflections (DOOR). Pete reports that in quiet moments at board meetings and while working on projects they … Continue reading "Peter Paulsen ’64"
Dick McFall ’65 is currently working as a substitute teacher in Beaverton, Oregon. It’s his 51st year in public education. He lives with his wife, Patti, in Portland.
Richard Hallock ’66 and Anne Knox ’66 Hallock celebrated 51 years of marriage and continue to spend their time in Los Angeles, California; New York; and Sarasota, Florida.
On Saturday, Jan. 28, students with the Washington Honors Semester joined Thelma (Tommye) Leenhouts ’66, a licensed D.C. tour guide, on a walking tour of D.C. monuments and memorials. The tour included: the Washington Monument, World War II Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, Korean War Memorial, Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, Franklin D. Roosevelt … Continue reading "Thelma (Tommye) Leenhouts ’66"
James Pohl ’67 has retired from 42 years of parish ministry in the United Church of Christ. He and his wife, Mary, live at the Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri.
Harold Lay ’68 retired after 38 years of ministry in the Reformed Church in America. He served five churches in New Jersey and New York, and traveled to RCA mission locations in Honduras, The Sudan, and Ethiopia. He and his wife, Marilyn, moved to Brick, New Jersey, where they are looking forward to new adventures.
Mary Richards ’69 Watson performed with Andrea Bocelli at Madison Square Garden in New York City, and the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, on December 15 and 18, singing backup with members of her chorus, the New York Choral Society. The NYCS has been singing annually with Bocelli on the U.S tour since 2000
Sue Utzinger ’67 Buchan of Muskegon, Michigan, reports that she is a retired educator, grandmother and clinical social worker with a private practice in North Muskegon, Michigan. She does some volunteer work at summer camp and stays active watching her grandchildren’s sporting events. She is enjoying West Michigan and planning some landscape painting and fishing.
Wesley Granberg-Michaelson ’67 of Santa Fe, New Mexico, had From Times Square to Timbuktu: The Post Christian West Meets the Non-Western Church published. He is also a member of the Global Christian Forum Steering Committee which met in Havana, Cuba, in March 2017.
John Killmaster ’67 of Boise, Idaho, and Shelley Sinquefield were married and he gained two step-children. He is publishing a book on his career as an artist and university professor. He was honored with an Albert Nelon Marquis Who’s Who Lifetime Achievement Award.
Judy Tanis ’67 Parr of Holland, Michigan, has been elected to a one-year term as president of the Hope Academy of Senior Professionals (HASP). The organization, which promotes lifelong learning, was founded at Hope in 1988 by Dr. John Hollenbach, professor emeritus of English. Since then, it has grown from 38 to 750 members.
Laurie Taylor ’67 Rossi of Fairview, New Mexico, will be conducting the Performance Santa Fe Symphony in Santa Fe, New Mexico, on December 24 and 31 at the Lensic Theatre. On Tuesday, July 4, she conducted the Santa Fe Concert Band on the Plaza.
Lois Dykema ’67 Sharpe of Saint Mary’s, Ohio, reports that she and her husband, George, have four children, eight grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren and feel very blessed.
Beppy Albers ’69 Michel of San Pedro, California, reports that she is humbled by the realization of grace in her life and those of her clients, which supersedes all difficulties and so inspires us. She is a “trauma therapist” (PTSD in private practice in Palos Verdes, California. Her newly published book Art Psychotherapy Experiential Workbook … Continue reading "Beppy Albers ’69 Michel"
Peter Walther ’69 of Rome, New York, was the director of music and organist at the First Baptist Church until 2016. He rewarded himself by spending all last summer in Vienna, where he reconnected with Hope professors Stephen Hemenway and Janis Gibbs. He reports that the memories of Dr. Paul Fried ’46 and Professor Molzer … Continue reading "Peter Walther ’69"
Gail Friesema ’61 Farnham of Ithaca, New York, attended the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance annual meeting in Atlanta, Georgia, in April. Members of the volunteer National Response Team and National Volunteer Team gathered to expand the teams’ knowledge of disaster ministries and response. She started volunteering in 2005 with hurricane Katrina recovery with her local presbytery … Continue reading "Gail Friesema ’61 Farnham"
Carl Vermeulen ’61 of Williamsburg, Virginia, and his students at Paul D. Camp Community College (Suffolk, Virginia) reported their peer-reviewed “Heat-Proofing Vaccines” to an international meeting of the American Society for Microbiology in New Orleans in June. Non-live vaccines such as DPT, meningococcus and Salk polio along with many for livestock were stabilized in dried … Continue reading "Carl Vermeulen ’61"
Jack A. Siebers ’63 of Holland, Michigan, has been included in The Best Lawyers in America 2018. He is in corporate law with Foster Swift Collins & Smith, P.C.
Anne Wiegerink ’60 Anderson of Sandwich, Illinois, has published a memoir, My Griefcase. The “Griefcase” looks deep into the heart of grief, and through a personal narrative provides a list of tips for survival. The tips enable the grieving and their support systems to learn to make the most of each day and to cope … Continue reading "Anne Wiegerink ’60 Anderson"
Kathryn Kurth ’60 Scudder of Dearborn, Michigan, recently had her fourth book on faith and prayer, Looking to Jesus, published. Her other books, Everyday Prayers and More (2014), Prayer Thoughts for Every Day (2015) and Prayers, Praise, and People (2016), are all available online. Although retired from elementary teaching, she continues to be an active … Continue reading "Kathryn Kurth ’60 Scudder"
George Boerigter ’61 has been elected to the board of the New Mexico Symphonic Chorus, making him the only person to serve on the boards of the three major New Mexico music organizations: NM Symphony Orchestra, Opera Southwest, and now the NM Symphonic Chorus. This past October, George’s company SoundOff Signal had a two-day celeberation … Continue reading "George Boerigter ’61"
Amy Henrickson ’78, Clark Matthews ’61 and Steve Maas ’81 have come together to create the Grandville Community Choir. The choir of more than 50 area singers performs at various community events in addition to holding two special concerts each year, in December and April. Keep up with the choir on its Facebook page (search … Continue reading "Clark Matthews ’61"
Vicki VanEck ’66 Hill and Louis Quondamatteo Jr. were married on July 9, 2017, in Jenison, Michigan. They honeymooned via a hot-red Mustang, from the Badlands to Paradise, Michigan. She reports: “no longer a widow with a cat, be encouraged, youthful folk!”
David Weddle ’66 retired from Colorado College in 2014 as professor emeritus of religion. He has pursued his work in comparative religion that began with the book Miracles: Wonder and Meaning in World Religions (New York University Press, 2010) and continues with Sacrifice in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam (New York University Press, 2017). He and … Continue reading "David Weddle ’66"
Alan Jones ’69 of Burr Ridge, Illinois, had his latest book, The First 100 Days in the Main Office: Transforming School Culture, published. Further information on the book, and others he has written, can be found on his web page.
George Bitner ’60 has retired after 49 years and 88 combined seasons of coaching the Spring Lake High School boys’ and girls’ golf teams. He has been inducted into MIGCA, MSHAA, AHSA, NHSCA and the MAAHF Halls of Fame.
Carl Vermeulen ’61 and his students at Paul D. Camp Community College in Virginia presented their peer-reviewed work at the annual meeting in Atlanta, Georgia, of the American Society for Microbiology, showing that nodes in all categories of vascular plants are instrumental in inhibiting the upward spread of bacterial diseases. This is a small part of … Continue reading "Carl Vermeulen ’61"
Betty Whitaker ’62 Jackson published her 16th book, which like its predecessors, is available on her website. She and her husband, Everett, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary this year. They parented two Hope graduates, Paul Jackson ’02 and Nancy Jackson ’04, both orchestra teachers and members of the Space Coast Symphony Orchestra in Florida.
Dick Kanode ’54 and Nancy Guldenschuh ’62 Zimmer are pictured in front of Lake Louise in Canada. They met up by chance on a bus tour that started in Calgary.
The alumni H-Club at Hope presented its Hope for Humanity Award to Dr. Vern L. Sterk ’64 of Holland, Michigan, during the college’s annual HOPEYs celebration of Hope athletics and senior student-athletes, held on April 18 at the Richard and Helen DeVos Fieldhouse. A former cross country runner for the Flying Dutchmen, he is a retired Reformed Church in … Continue reading "Vern L. Sterk ’64"
Allen Hoffman ’65 a recently retired Vail, Colorado, estate and business planning attorney, has relocated to Denver, Colorado, and with his wife, Darlene, has established Transformative Cognitions LLC, a life- and business-coaching company.
Philip Harmelink ’66 had an article published in The American Organist (the national magazine of the Guild of Organists) titled “Detail and Discipline in Music and Accounting.” The article describes his dual careers as accounting professor (more than 38 years) and chair of the department of accounting (28 years) at the University of New Orleans … Continue reading "Philip Harmelink ’66"
John Killmaster ’67 has published a book about his career as an artist, including time spent majoring in art at Hope and doing a number of paintings in the area. He went on to become a college art professor and continues to offer workshops through the country.
Randall Miller ’67 co-authored, with Paul Cimbala, The Northern Home Front During the Civil War. He continues as professor of history at Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Larry Van De Hoef ’67 and Carol Bultman ’68 Van De Hoef→
Larry Van De Hoef ’67 and Carol Bultman ’68 Van De Hoef have been busy the past six months relocating and expanding their toy store, Snickelfritz Toys, from a mall location to a store front location across the street. Their daughter, Heather Van De Hoef ’95 Edwards, is the store manager.
Bernace Brunsting ’68 De Young of Aventura, Florida, is a Grand Life Master, the highest rank in the American Contract Bridge League. In August 2017, she represented the United States at the World Championships in Lyon, France. Bernance is pictured is sitting in the front.
William Hoogstra ’68 retired four years ago after a career in the Air Force and then another career with the State of Texas. He has three children and six grandchildren. He and his wife of 37 years, Margaret, just returned from a trip to Israel, which he notes was way beyond expectation. He has been … Continue reading "William Hoogstra ’68"
James Sutherland ’68 reports that due to excellent health and enjoying the work, he continues to direct Reconciliation Ministries Network, which he began in 1999. Currently the focus is upon inner-city ministry in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and upon ministry in Juba and Malakal, South Sudan.
Linda Star Schreiber ’68 Tobin of Naperville, Illinois, reports that after a fulfilling career guiding and nurturing young gifted students, she is now teaching her young granddaughter French in preparation for their trip to France. Genealogy research has taken her there several times in the past, as well as to England, the Netherlands, Germany and … Continue reading "Linda Star Schreiber ’68 Tobin"
Pamela Reynolds ’68 VanderWeele was a VIP, Volunteer in Parks, at Petrified Forest National Park from August to November last year. She will be a VIP at Pecos National Historical Park this August through October
Lois Bonnema ’61 Schwartz who writes as Lois Carroll, had her 42nd book published in June. She writes contemporary and historical romantic suspense novels, and her 43rd will be out at the end of this year. Each book sold funds her service project, Sophie’s Smocks, that gives free feeding smocks to kids and adults around … Continue reading "Lois Bonnema ’61 Schwartz"
Paul Hesselink ’62 was honored on June 15 during the 50th-anniversary celebration of the Southern Nevada Chapter of the American Guild of Organists for his service as chair of the chapter’s organ recital series since the series’ inception in 2005. The citation read: “With deep appreciation for your professional contribution and committed service on bringing … Continue reading "Paul Hesselink ’62"
David Wikman ’62 was honored by The Friends of the Hackley Public Library with The Charles H. Hackley Commendation for Service to the Humanities on Monday, May 21. The award is for the individual whose outstanding contributions to the humanities have significantly benefited Muskegon’s citizens and whose leadership has exemplified the ideals set forth by … Continue reading "David Wikman ’62"
Dennis DeWitt ’63 has written a new book, Zoe Died, What Now? Finding Hope in Times of Loss. It was prompted by the very real grief that people feel when a family dog dies, an experience often endured alone because it lacks the fellowship and ritual that follow the death of a human family member or friend. The book … Continue reading "Dennis DeWitt ’63"
Kristin Blank ’63 Lucas received the Book of Golden Deeds Award from the Hillsdale Exchange Club. This award recognizes dedicated volunteers who give endless hours of their time and talents toward making their communities better places to live.
Jean Paduch ’63 Peelen has moved after 10 years on a barrier island off the west coast of Florida to the mountains of North Carolina. She has moved into a tiny house in a tiny house village called The Village at Flat Rock. She reports that she loves the mountains and the cool Carolina mornings.
Richard Bennink ’65 reports that after spending the first 10 years of retirement as an ex-pat living in Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, he has returned to the U.S. and he and his wife, Leslie, are presently enjoying living in Mattawan, Michigan.
Gretchen Paalman ’68 Latowsky received an environmental leadership award from the Region 1 Office of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in a ceremony at Faneuil Hall in Boston, Massachusetts. The award recognized her 31 years of service working to educate and protect the public from toxic threats to public health and the environment. She began … Continue reading "Gretchen Paalman ’68 Latowsky"
Barbara DeHart ’69 Eadie retired from teaching music in the Greater Victoria school district in British Columbia, Canada, in June. She is currently teaching private flute lessons as a post retirement career.
Alan Jones ’69 has published his latest book, The First 100 Days in the Main Office: Transforming a School Culture (Information Age Press). This book follows his two other works on the topic of instructional leadership, Becoming a Strong Instructional Leader: Saying NO to Business as Usual (Teachers College Press) and school improvement, Teaching Matters Most: A School Leader’s Guide to … Continue reading "Alan Jones ’69"
Marti Terpstra ’69 received a STAR (Sharing Time and Resources) Award. She is Volunteer of the Year (senior category) in the Kalamazoo, Michigan, area. She was nominated by Communities in Schools in Kalamazoo with support from RSVP, a volunteer program of senior services of southwest Michigan. She is a mentor in the Kalamazoo Public Schools … Continue reading "Marti Terpstra ’69"
The Boerigter-Hope connection is strong, as reflected in this photo of three generations of the family wearing shirts featuring the college’s Boerigter Center for Calling and Career, which opened this past fall funded by a major gift from SoundOff Signal in honor of Founder and Chairman George Boerigter ’61 and his wife, Sibilla. The couple’s Hope children, children-in-law and … Continue reading "George Boerigter ’61"
Dennis DeWitt ’63 taught Spanish for 10 years, was a school social worker for 20 years and an associate pastor for 20 years, and is author of two books, It’s Time to Clean the Basement Again and Zoe Died, What Now? Finding Hope in Times of Loss.
Marion Hoekstra ’65 of Laurel, Maryland, was recently honored by her church, Laurel Presbyterian, for her 50-year commitment to the church choir. She was given a plaque by the choir followed by a special fellowship hour. She continues to travel both in the U.S. and abroad, her most recent trip being to the Galapagos Islands, … Continue reading "Marion Hoekstra ’65"
Marilyn Koman-Crace ’68 was featured in the December issue of ECHO by her daughter, Jacquelyn Crace-Murray, a writer for the magazine. The article, titled “#2 Salmon Drive,” tells of her early teaching in Bush Alaska in the ’70s, a picture of what life was like in a rural village.
Katherine Reynolds ’61 was on a tour bus on the way to the Blue Lagoon in Iceland in April, when she started a conversation with another woman. They soon discovered that they are both Hope graduates. Pam Palmer ’91 is teaching in Loudoun County, Virginia, and Katherine is living in Durango, Colorado, where she a … Continue reading "Katherine Reynolds ’61"
Norman Kansfield ’62 was recently honored by Union Theological Seminary in New York City, the theological institution from which he received an STM degree in 1967. In October 2018, Union named him one of four distinguished alumni and presented him with the 2018 Unitas Award “for his steadfast and heroic activism on behalf of LGBTQ … Continue reading "Norman Kansfield ’62"
Darrel Staat ’64 is the coordinator of the Higher Education Executive Leadership (Ed.D.) program at Wingate University and had a second book published by Rowman and Littlefield in February 2019 titled Exponential Technologies: Higher Education in an Era of Serial Disruptions. During the 2018-19 academic year, he made seven presentations to educational and leadership audiences in … Continue reading "Darrel Staat ’64"
Carina Erikson ’65 and Sue Rose ’66 Naumann, who’d roomed together as students, reconnected for the first time in 54 years courtesy of a Hope regional event held in May at Wyckoff Reformed Church in New Jersey to introduce new president Matthew A. Scogin ’02. Sue volunteered to call alumni for the reception, and it … Continue reading "Carina Erikson ’65 and Sue Rose ’66 Naumann"
Timothy Tam ’69 received the highest award for service from The Christian Medical Dental Society of Canada during the group’s 50th conference, held in Vancouver in British Columbia. He is now practicing with his son, Isaac Tam ’01. He is practicing orthodontics and pediatric dentistry in Vancouver.
As surprise presents go, a college degree has to rank near the top. Although he attended Hope for three years as a member of the Class of ’61, Landis Zylman of Holland, Michigan, missed becoming a graduate because, as a pre-dentistry student, he was invited by the University of Michigan to enroll directly into dental … Continue reading "Landis Zylman ’61"
Paul Hesselink ’62 has concluded 14 years as chair and manager of the organ recital series for the Southern Nevada Chapter of the American Guild of Organists. At the final program of the season, the board of the organization surprised him with a special tribute for his service. During his tenure, he organized and produced … Continue reading "Paul Hesselink ’62"
Charles Postma ’67 and his wife, Patsy, have retired to Holland, Michigan. Pat sold her real estate business and they have settled into their new home at Macatawa Legends Golf Club.
Anne Wiegerink ’60 Anderson published her second book, Lessons from Charley, a memoir depicting 50-plus years of marriage. It’s the universal story of love, marriage and the human experience. Her first book, My Griefcase, was published in 2017.
Gail Friesema ’61 Farnham has been a member of the National Response Team of Presbyterian Disaster Assistance since 2007 and organized and participated in two work trips to New Bern, North Carolina, for the First Presbyterian Church of Ithaca after Hurricane Florence struck the area
Carl Vermeulen ’61 and his students reported at the Virginia Branch of the American Society for Microbiology on Friday, Nov. 08, that a variety of anesthetics can “put to sleep” not only sap flow in plants but also photosynthesis.
Stanley Hagemeyer ’62 published Courage to Care – You Can Help Others Who Are Suffering, designed to equip readers with skills and confidence to help anyone who is in a situation of pain or suffering. The book is designed to serve both as a training resource for volunteer care teams and also for personal use. … Continue reading "Stanley Hagemeyer ’62"
Don Mitchell ’63 of Ada, Michigan, received the Fraternal Society’s first “Lifetime Achievement Award” during the society’s 185th Anniversary Celebration in October 2019. The award was bestowed in sincere appreciation for his dedicated service to and support of the Fraternal Active Chapter and the Fraternal Alumni Association over the past four decades. The presentation was … Continue reading "Don Mitchell ’63"
Robert Dahl ’66 and Rachel Dahl ’95 published their third book, Comedy and Tragedy and what’s in between. The book features Rachel’s formatting and several of her original watercolors. In addition, there are many photos of Chris McKinley-Dahl’s mixed-media sculptures. The cover features one of Chris’ award-winning sculptures. The visual art interprets and complements the … Continue reading "Robert Dahl ’66"
Philip Harmelink ’66 was recognized for his 40 years of service as organist at St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church in Metairie, Louisiana, with a reception on Sunday, Dec. 8. He’s in his 30th year as chair of the department of accounting at the University of New Orleans, where he is the Ernst & Young Professor … Continue reading "Philip Harmelink ’66"
An organ concert at historic St. John’s Episcopal Church on Lafayette Square in Washington, D.C., provided an unexpected opportunity for Thelma (Tommye) Leenhouts ’66, who lives in the city, and David Heinze ’17 of Providence, Rhode Island, to recall a unique Hope music connection. Alerted by the college that a Hope graduate would be featured, … Continue reading "Thelma (Tommye) Leenhouts ’66"
Sid Disbrow ’68 received a second-place award in the People’s Choice category for his painting, Martini Blues in the Night at Art Walk – Grand Haven. This is the third year he has participated in the art walk.
Tom Roberts ’69 reports that after a 48-year career in inpatient psychiatry he has become an Indiana director of Therapy Dogs International. With his four certified therapy dogs, he makes daily visits to medical and psychiatric hospitals. He recently successfully lobbied the Indiana legislature for sex-crimes victims’ rights and has developed a court dog program. … Continue reading "Tom Roberts ’69"
Hope Appoints New Alumni Board Members and Officers During its May meeting, the Hope College Alumni Association Board of Directors appointed four new members and elected two new officers. The board’s new members are: Toni Gordon ’09 of Perrysburg, Ohio; Mary Lammers ’60 Kempker of Zeeland, Michigan; Dr. Kiersten Krause ’97 of Holland, Michigan; and … Continue reading "Mary Lammers ’60 Kempker"
Tim Tam ’69 was elected secretary and treasurer of the British Columbia Dental Association. He practices pediatric dentistry and orthodontics with two of his sons in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Darrel Staat ’64 had his fourth book, Student Focused Learning: Higher Education in an Exponential Digital Era, published on June 15, 2020. The book can be used by 21st century educators in higher education to learn what teaching methods already exist, different from the lecture/ discussion method, that support student focused learning. He joined the … Continue reading "Darrel Staat ’64"
Cindy Hill ’64 Wackerbarth and Paul Wackerbarth ’64→
Cindy Hill ’64 Wackerbarth and Paul Wackerbarth ’64 celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on August 23, 2019.
Richard Timmer ’68 is the chairman of the Chippewa County Road Commission and was elected president of the County Road Association of Michigan representing all 83 county road agencies.
Wesley Granberg-Michaelson ’67 published his 10th book, Without Oars: Casting Off into a Life of Pilgrimage. Drawing from experiences on the Camino de Santiago in Spain; Lourdes, France; Mt. Tabieorar, Nigeria; and elsewhere, he shares how faith is best experienced through embodied practices as a pilgrimage. Stories and resources are shared that encourage anyone’s inward … Continue reading "Wesley Granberg-Michaelson ’67"
Bob Terwilliger ’68 recently published a book of lighthearted essays titled Cleverly Yours: Humorous Glimpses of Life as a Christian. The book consists of a selection of Bob’s writings for the church newsletter during his 15 years as pastor of Bethany Reformed Church in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Each essay looks at an everyday event or circumstance … Continue reading "Bob Terwilliger ’68"
Tim Tam ’69 and his son, Isaac Tam ’01 were given the Recognition of Community Service Award on Monday, Nov. 30, by the British Columbia Dental Association for their extraordinary efforts to provide emergency dental care during British Columbia’s Stage 1 COVID-19 pandemic response.
George Boerigter ’61, founder of SoundOffSignal, participated in the groundbreaking of a new 100,000 square foot office and factory. This facility will enable the company to keep up with its historic growth pattern of doubling every five years. The new facility will ultimately house approximately 250 new employees. The company currently has about 175,000 sq. … Continue reading "George Boerigter ’61"
Darrel Staat ’64 has written his fifth book, Higher Education Planning in an Exponential Age: A Continuous, Dynamic Process, which was co-published by Rowman and Littlefield and the American Association of Community Colleges, (AACC) in April 2021. The book was featured by Rowman and Littlefield at the virtual AACC Convention in May 2021. Darrel was … Continue reading "Darrel Staat ’64"
George Arwady ’69 was elected board president of the New England Newspaper & Press Association. He is publisher and CEO of The Republican newspaper of Springfield, Massachusetts, having held similar positions in Michigan, New Jersey and Massachusetts for the past 41 years.
Betty Whitaker ’62 Jackson recently selfpublished her 27th book available on her website since her retirement from her 40-year secondary school teaching career. She and her sisters, Ellen Whitaker ’65 Conrad and Dorothy Whitaker, have recently been inducted into the DAR, tracing their Scudder family roots back to the Revolutionary War period. She won First … Continue reading "Betty Whitaker ’62 Jackson"
Joseph Mayne ’64 retired last summer from the department of mathematics and statistics at Loyola University Chicago. He was a Loyola faculty member for 48 years and served two terms as chair of the department. He conducted the Loyola Chamber Orchestra for 27 years and presented 92 orchestra concerts at Loyola. In retirement he and … Continue reading "Joseph Mayne ’64"
Darrel Staat ’64 edited a book titled Virtual Reality in Higher Education: Instruction for the Digital Age, which was co-published by Rowman and Littlefield Publishing Group and the American Association of Community Colleges. The chapters were researched and written by graduate students in the Higher Education Executive Leadership Program. This is his sixth published book.
Joan DeJager ’66 Flikkema was featured in the summer 2021 issue of Forum, the Calvin Theological Seminary magazine, in the article “Looking Back & Looking Ahead, Commemoration of the 25th anniversary of Women’s Ordination in the CRC.” She was a founding member of the Committee for Women in the Christian Reformed Church and helped establish … Continue reading "Joan DeJager ’66 Flikkema"
Alan Jones ’69 had a new book, Living up to Your School Mission Statement: Reforming Schools from the Inside Out, released in November. The book is the last in a series on school reform and instructional leadership (Becoming a Strong Instructional Leader, Teachers College Press; Teaching Matters Most, Corwin Press; and The First 100 Days … Continue reading "Alan Jones ’69"
Milt Nieuwsma ’63 of Holland, Michigan, authored a new book, Miracle on Chestnut Street: The Untold Story of Thomas Jefferson and the Declaration of Independence, published in December. It is intended especially for teens and young adults. Milt previously created—including conducting research for and writing—the Inventing America: Conversations with the Founders trilogy filmed at Hope … Continue reading "Milt Nieuwsma ’63"
Earl Johnson ’64 is currently writing in the Presbyterian Church (USA) Bible study series The Present Word. He also serves on the Albany Presbytery Peacemaking Task Force and the board of directors of the Mountain Valley Hospice and Palliative Care in Gloversville, New York.
Fred Wezeman ’64 of Palos Heights, Illinois, retired as professor emeritus at Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine after 38 years as professor of anatomy and cell biology, ending in 2014. His long tenure at Loyola included being a department chair, dean of the graduate school at the medical center, and director of musculoskeletal … Continue reading "Fred Wezeman ’64"
Nelson Murphy ’68 just completed a 2-plus year assignment as an interim associate conference minister in the Central Atlantic Conference of the United Church of Christ (UCC), primarily supporting the 64 churches of the New Jersey and Chesapeake Associations, UCC. With his wife, Sandie, he moved to Yardley, Pennsylvania, to be within an hour’s drive … Continue reading "Nelson Murphy ’68"
Anne Wiegerink ’60 Anderson had her third book published: Cubbie The Therapy Dog. The true story is told by Cubbie and illustrated by Donna Setterlund from California.
The week before his induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame (as featured on page 46), Jim Kaat ’60 was honored by the Minnesota Twins by having his number retired. He is pictured at center with former Hope teammate (and fellow pitcher) Al Kober ’60 and current Hope coach Stu Fritz.
Darrel Staat ’64 had his eighth book published by Rowman and Littlefield: Centers of Excellence: Niche Methods to Improve Higher Education in the 21st Century. Darrel is still working full time as associate professor in the Thayer School of Graduate Studies at Wingate University. He finds working with doctoral students a great pleasure.
Neal Sobania ’68 of Lakewood, Washington, is co-author, with longtime scholarly collaborator Dr. Raymond Silverman, of the book Ethiopian Church Art: Painters, Patrons, Purveyors. The image-rich study chronicles a tradition that has been part of Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity for more than 1,500 years. It is based on research they conducted for 25 years in the … Continue reading "Neal Sobania ’68"
Jon Smoker ’69 of Elkhart, Indiana, set a world bench press record of 216 pounds for 75+, 165 lb. class. It was previously held by a lifter from Azerbaijan.
Anne Wiegerink ’60 Anderson published her latest book, Cubbie The Therapy Dog, a children’s true story written from the perspective of her dog, Cubbie.
Gail Rutgers ’70 of Holland, Michigan, has been an artist at Uptown Gallery and Frame Shop in Holland for 22 years. She continues to exhibit and sell her art through the gallery.
Reed Brown ’71 is retired and enjoying life in the “Babylon by the Bay,” San Francisco, California, near theaters, War Memorial Opera House and other wonderful pastimes.
Warren Sherman ’71 has been accepted into a two-year master’s program at Brown University in cybersecurity. He is currently a consultant with Standard & Poor’s in the company’s New York headquarters.
Doris Smith ’72 DeLuca has retired as executive assistant and office manager from CTS Inc., a software consulting company headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama. She reports that she and her husband are looking forward to travel and more family time as her daughter and son-in-law have recently returned to the United States with their new daughter … Continue reading "Doris Smith ’72 DeLuca"
Sharon VanDyk ’72 Purkey of Sidney, Montana, retired from 30 years of teaching middle school language arts, history and mathematics. During the first month of retirement she traveled through northern Europe, and she looked forward to Japan in the fall.
Philip Tappert ’72 of Grapeland, Texas, is in his 30th year of ministry in France with students at the University of Montpellier, combined with a church-planting effort.
Christian Fenton ’73 has retired as deputy superintendent for business and operations after 37 years with the Grosse Pointe Public School System. He also served for a brief period as interim superintendent. Besides budget and finances, his focus has been on repairs, improvements and expansions to the district’s historically/architecturally significant K-12 building. He attended the … Continue reading "Christian Fenton ’73"
Lillie Parker ’73 Wilbourn of Portsmouth, Virginia, has retired from teaching after 32 years. She reports that she plans to travel and keep herself busy. She volunteers at her church’s school and will help raise her grandson.
Chuck Brooks ’74 of Harwood, Maryland, has worked as a senior security specialist and federal officer for the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Diplomatic Security in Washington, D.C. for the past 10 years. His responsibilities include executive protections, senior security liaison for the Office of Consular Affairs and serving as a diplomatic security officer … Continue reading "Chuck Brooks ’74"
Paula Huey ’74 Fox retired after 35 years of work as a public library reference librarian, mostly with Hennepin County Library in suburban Minneapolis, Minnesota. She reports that she now cares for her 100+-year-old mother.
Scott Lenheiser ’74 of Farmington Hills, Michigan, is in his 38th year as a member of the Michigan Bar Association. He specializes in real estate transactions, taxation issues and business law, and practices in Farmington Hills, Michigan, and Greater Detroit. He has helped his ninth client achieve decamillionaire net worth status.
Roxanne Vanderveer ’74 retired from the State of Michigan, Grand Traverse/Leelanau County Department of Human Services on Jan. 1, 2011, after 30 years of service. She reports that she enjoys her part-time job working in the tasting room at L. Mawby and Big Little Wineries located in rural Suttons Bay.
Kris Musco ’75 David of Warwick, Rhode Island, completed a year as district governor for Rotary International. As governor she was responsible for 66 Rotary clubs in the state of Rhode Island, southeastern Massachusetts, Cape Cod and the islands of Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard. The year ended with the Rotary International Convention in Seoul, South … Continue reading "Kris Musco ’75 David"
David Edwards ’75 recently was appointed president and CEO of the Essex County Community Foundation, a $52-million grant-making organization serving the north shore of Massachusetts.
Debra Buis ’75 Hartman and David Rockey were married on August 2, 2014. She reports that she and her husband are both retired and enjoy traveling. They divide their time between their homes in Freeport, Illinois, and Rapid City, South Dakota.
Glenn Wagner ’75 has published a book, God Incidents: Real Life Stories to Strengthen and Restore Your Faith, aimed to help persons who have lost faith, are losing faith or desire to help those who are struggling with faith issues. He has been a United Methodist Pastor for 40 years, and currently serves as senior … Continue reading "Glenn Wagner ’75"
Richard Williams ’75 of Albuquerque, New Mexico, is in his 18th year as director of community economic development, with responsibilities administering the state’s MainStreet program, the Arts and Cultural District program, the Historic Theaters Restoration Initiative and the rural frontier communities program. He continues to live in the North Valley along the Rio Grande Bosque.
Ellen Barker ’76 Smith of Holland, Michigan, opened Albert K’s Catering in May 2016 after a 30-year career in human resources. She followed her true passion for cooking and entertaining.
Rachel Hesselink ’77 retired in June 2015 with 31 years of federal service. For the past six years, she worked in the finance budget office of the Surface Combat Systems Center, Dept. of Navy in Wallops Island, Virginia. Her federal career also included 18 years with the U.S. Government Accountability Office, primarily conducting performance evaluations … Continue reading "Rachel Hesselink ’77"
Daniel Kiel ’77 will be bicycling Sea to Sea again, June through August. The trip is from Vancouver, BC, to Halifax, Nova Scotia. Sea to Sea raises funds to fight poverty.
Carolyn Walburn ’77 Metzler of Albuquerque, New Mexico, works at the Center for Action and Contemplation in Albuquerque, serving as spiritual director for the Living School, a two-year program doing a deep dive into the Christian mystical tradition through which students from all over the world respond to the needs and suffering of creation.
Ralph Schubert ’77 was named associate director for Title V Programs at the University of Illinois at Chicago’s Division of Specialized Care for Children. The division partners with Illinois families and communities to help children and youth with special health care needs connect to services and resources. He is supporting adoption of the “medical home” … Continue reading "Ralph Schubert ’77"
Judy Diephouse ’78 Wolffis of Grand Haven, Michigan, retired from the Grand Haven Public Schools after 37 years in education. She had taught in a learning disability resource room in second grade and in kindergarten. She reports that she is looking forward to enjoying walking, gardening, family and friends gathering at the cottage, and the … Continue reading "Judy Diephouse ’78 Wolffis"
Leah Sunderlin ’79 Haugneland has completed two years serving as the treasurer for Taylor High School Band Boosters, the band of which her daughter is a member. She has amassed more than 1,200 hours of service in both years and was nominated for Volunteer of the Year during the 2014-15 school year.
Mark Ongley ’79 of Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, published his first book, Into the Light: Healing Sexuality in Today’s Church, in August 2016. Its aim is to redeem the church’s discussion of sexuality by offering grace and healing to the sexually abused, addicted and sexually averse.
John Debreceni ’70 reports the 40th anniversary of Camp Sunrise, a summer residential camp for special needs children, founded by John and the youth of the Wyckoff Reformed Church. He is the director of human resources at a digital marketing communications company in New York City.
Wendell Wierenga ’70 will be honored during the annual Alumni Banquet on Saturday, April 29 with the Distinguished Alumni Award. Alumni Weekend Information
Rosezina Bard ’71 is in her second year of teaching overseas in Micronesia. Last year she was a volunteer teacher with World Teach in Micronesia, teaching both ninth grade English and kindergarten. She reports that she was blessed to be able to use both of her teaching certificates. This year she is teaching with a … Continue reading "Rosezina Bard ’71"
Don Poest ’71 reports that he retired in September after 38 years as pastor of the Brunswick Reformed Church, although he is still involved to some degree at all levels of denominational work. “God has been and is being incredibly good to me,” he writes.
Arlan TenClay ’71 reports that his wife Sondra was completely healed from her third bout with cancer on Aug. 8, 2016, on the day of her death, which occurred four days following their 44th wedding anniversary.
The book Elephant Baseball by Paul Heusinkveld ’72 of Holland, Michigan, offers an insider’s view of a unique world: the boarding-school experience of the missionary kid. Now retired after a career with the U.S. Department of State, Paul was a student at Kodaikanal School in the mountains of south India from fifth grade through high … Continue reading "Paul Heusinkveld ’72"
Fonda Van Sloten ’72 Kirchmeyer retired after more than 40 years in education. She reports that she continues her church, activism, volunteer and leisure activities, but at a saner and more enjoyable pace. Travel is also in the future when her husband, Rod, retires. They love living in the Southwest.
Kathy Smith ’72 Matthews reports that she is busily retired in Cumberland Gap, Tennessee, where she writes for the local newspaper and is a member of the art co-op as a photographer.
Gerry Swieringa ’72 and Peg Francis ’73 Swieringa→
Gerry Swieringa ’72 came out of a short-lived retirement to serve as rector of St. Brendan’s Anglican Church in Bellingham, Washington. He and his wife, Peg Francis ’73 Swieringa, live on a small rural farm where they raise chickens, quail and four grandchildren. He retired from BP American in 2010 after 27 years in the … Continue reading "Gerry Swieringa ’72 and Peg Francis ’73 Swieringa"
Suzanne Rutledge ’72 Viel retired in November 2015, after 41 years in healthcare. Within 10 days she and her husband, Don Viel ’71, had moved to DeWitt, Iowa, to be closer to their son and family. Don is on the golf course and she is enjoying grandson, gardening, quilting and volunteering.
Michael Ebbers ’73 of Green Cove Springs, Florida, retired in 2014 from IBM after more than 40 years of service. In 2015 he married Kathleen and in 2016 they bought a boat and began a trip known as the “Great Loop,” circumnavigating the eastern third of the country on the water. This will include six … Continue reading "Michael Ebbers ’73"
Daniel McAuliffe ’73 reports that he has turned 65 but rather than retire full-time will undertake a new career in teaching. He notes that as a political science major he intended to become a lawyer and save the world. However he had a minor in business which led to him being awarded a George F. … Continue reading "Daniel McAuliffe ’73"
Chadwick Busk ’74 is the co-author of “Curiouser and Curiouser Excuses for Legal Jargon,” an article that was published in the October issue of the Michigan Bar Journal. He continues his solo practice of corporate law after retiring from the Meijer Legal Department in 2014.
Scott Lenheiser ’74 is practicing law in Farmington Hills, Michigan, primarily in real estate, taxation and business law concerns, and in the Greater Detroit and Tri-County areas of Oakland, Wayne and Macomb counties. He also reports that he recently acquired an Enfield 2A1 military surplus rifle manufactured in 1958 for the Indian government to introduce … Continue reading "Scott Lenheiser ’74"
Judith Van De Hoef ’75 Bloor of Louisville, Kentucky, has retired from being the executive vice president of the Child Kind Center at Home of the Innocents after 23 years and reports that she is enjoying the transition into this new season of life.
Dave Cluley ’75 is the chair of the national media relations committee for the National Association of Health Underwriters, NAHU.org, a professional association of health insurance agents and insurance carriers. In August, he celebrated five years with Spectrum Health, in the communications and marketing department.
David DeKok ’75 has begun work on a new book with the working title “American Tragedy.” It is about Han Tak Lee, a Korean-American from New York City who was imprisoned in Pennsylvania for 24 years for a crime he did not commit. David’s previous four books include “Murder in the Stacks,” about the murder … Continue reading "David DeKok ’75"
Joan Donaldson ’75 was selected to receive a 2017 honor prize as part of the Jane Yolen Mid-List Honor Award, sponsored by Yolen and given at the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators’ Winter Conference.
John Bush ’76 retired after 43 years with Sodexo. As COO, he was responsible for business in Canada, Mexico, and the United States as well as supply management for the company’s food and faculty systems. He reports that he is relearning how to live at home and travel for pleasure.
David James ’76 has had his fifth chapbook of poems, Split-Level, published by Finishing Line Press, under the name D.R. James. He is also completing his 30th year of academic coaching in Hope’s Academic Success Center and his 32nd year of teaching in Hope’s Department of English. He and his wife, Suzy Doyle, live in the … Continue reading "David James ’76"
N. Jean Lambert ’76 of Greenville, North Carolina, is working with disabled children as a physical therapist, running a rehab agency with PT, OT and ST. She also plays tennis and sails in eastern North Carolina.
Rebecca Waller ’77 Gillan of Hammond, Louisiana, has released a new FreeSolo piano album called Clouds. The quiet album (#3) is created “in-the-moment” by using jazz and modal harmonies and classical-type melodies. After leaving Hope College, she moved to Los Angeles, California, where she performed regularly with big bands and musical theater, and had a … Continue reading "Rebecca Waller ’77 Gillan"
George Ranville ’78 and Gail Noerenberg ’78 Ranville→
George Ranville ’78 and Gail Noerenberg ’78 Ranville along with their son, Danny, opened Bière De Mac Brew Works, LLC in Mackinaw City, Michigan. George’s family has lived on Mackinac Island, Mackinaw City and in the straits area for many generations.
Laurie Griffen ’78 Vanderbeck of Jenison, Michigan, retired in June 2016 after 38 years teaching special needs students.
Sheryl Radike ’79 Page, Cindy McOwen ’79 Poole, Mimi Miller ’79 Brado and Sandy Busman ’79 Cott→
Sheryl Radike ’79 Page, Cindy McOwen ’79 Poole, Mimi Miller ’79 Brado and Sandy Busman ’79 Cott linked up in Littleton, Colorado, in October 2016. They met as freshmen living in first floor Kollen Hall and have been close friends ever since, and get together every two years for a weekend of fun and reminiscing.
Dawn Van Ark ’71 has retired after 46 years at Hope College, where she was library acquisitions specialist She was honored with a reception at the Van Wylen Library on Thursday, July 20.
Dorothy Breen ’72 of Carrabassett Valley, Maine, is an associate professor emerita from the University of Maine and is a licensed psychologist in private practice.
Nancy Cooper ’72 of Clifton, New Jersey, reports that she continues to be very active in the Reformed Church presently serving as elder delegate to classis as well as serving on two classis committees. In June, she attended the General Synod. She continues to serve as treasurer of her church, which she has done for … Continue reading "Nancy Cooper ’72"
Rick Hine ’72 and his wife, Linda, report that they are blissfully retired in Coronado, California. They are just as busy in retirement as they were during their work and family years. Their motto is simple: “Every day is a great day, some days are better.”
Laurel Dekker ’72 VanHaitsma Kempkers reports that after her husband’s passing, she married Gord Kempkers and moved from Ludington, to Hamilton, Michigan. Combined they have 14 grandchildren, with number 15 due in August.
William Strader ’74 presented at the Michigan Association for the Education of Young Children conference in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on Thursday-Saturday, April 20-22.
Sue Poppink ’75 of Portage, Michigan, has received the Teaching Excellence Award from the College of Education and Human Development at Western Michigan University. She has been a professor of educational leadership at WMU for the past 16 years.
Mike Carpenter ’76 retired in April 2017 after 35 years with American Blue Ribbon Holdings (Village Inn and Bakers Square restaurants) and reports that he looks forward to traveling and relaxing in their new home in Marysville, Washington.
Barbara Wrigley ’76 reports that after retiring in 2012 and the death of her wife in 2014, she moved from Berkeley, California to Durham, North Carolina. On Monday, April 24, she completed the competency development program for coach certification at the Gestalt International Study Center in Wellfleet, Massachusetts, and has launched a business, Heart’s Harvest. … Continue reading "Barbara Wrigley ’76"
Philip Bosch ’77 of Fallbrook, California, is the attending physician at the University of California, San Diego Medical Center. He is in the Department of Urology, where he runs the interstitial cystitis clinic. He has also published articles and has done research on interstitial cystitis.
Philip De Jong ’77 of Charlottesville, Virginia, has been appointed president of Uppermost Press LLC with offices in Charlottesville, Virginia, and Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Uppermost Press publishes inflight magazines including Selamata, the inflight magazine of Ethiopian Airlines. He was the former president and co-founder of Journey Group Inc. in Charlottesville.
Leslie Pett ’77 Johnson is currently working for ACSI Europe as an educational consultant, coming alongside new and growing Christian schools in Europe, especially the Czech/ Slovakia/Poland region. In talking about what it means to be a teacher who is a Christian (how one’s faith makes a difference), she has traveled as far as China … Continue reading "Leslie Pett ’77 Johnson"
Thomas Johnson ’77 of Prague, Czech Republic, represented the World Evangelical Alliance and the 600 million members of its churches in relation to the Vatican. This includes interacting with multiple departments of the Vatican. In February he began representing evangelicals in a multi-year series of Vatican-led consultations with about 40 scholars, diplomats and religious leaders … Continue reading "Thomas Johnson ’77"
Lynn Raffety ’77 Kennedy is an employee of the City of Virginia Beach Public Libraries. She is on the management team of the Tidewater Community College Joint-Use Library, a partnership serving both students and the community. She reports that she and her husband, Kevin Kennedy ’80, spend time with their children in California, Virginia, and … Continue reading "Lynn Raffety ’77 Kennedy"
Brenda Heath ’77 Vander Meulen of Holland, Michigan, is part of the Center for Leadership at Hope, teaching The Trusted Advisor and coaching CFL student consultants. She is a member of the board of directors for Good Samaritan Ministries in Holland, working to end poverty and homelessness in the community, all while still having her … Continue reading "Brenda Heath ’77 Vander Meulen"
Sylvia Haug ’77 Verdonk of South Haven, Michigan, retired from teaching high school mathematics for Coloma Schools in Coloma, Michigan, in 2010 after 32 years. She has since taught mathematic classes for Lake Michigan College and has taken on duties as director of religious education at St. Basil Catholic Church in South Haven, Michigan.
Bob Niedt ’78 of Fairfax, Virginia, is an online editor at Kiplinger Washington Editors, the renowed Washington, D.C., based publisher of print and online business forecasts and personal finance advice, including the monthly magazine Kiplinger’s Personal Finance, on newsstands nationwide. Bob lives in Northern Virginia with his wife, Linda. He reports that they explore the … Continue reading "Bob Niedt ’78"
“SOMETHING IN THE WATER” PART 2 Following publication of the article “Something in the Water” (Summer 2017), about microbreweries established by alumni, we learned that we missed the earliest of them all, Grand Teton Brewing, founded in 1988 by Charlie Otto ’78 and Ernie Otto ’70 (the latter of whom died in June 2008). Originally … Continue reading "Ernie Otto ’70"
Susan Klaner ’71 Madden of Onaway, Michigan, reports that September was filled with a trip to Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, for a 10-house, 10-day Blitz Build with Habitat for Humanity. Her team, which included 27 people from all over the USA, was divided up to build two houses. She reports that the families were all on site … Continue reading "Susan Klaner ’71 Madden"
Cathleen Work ’73 Draper of Edmonds, Washington, retired after 43 years in education. The first six were as a fifth- and sixth-grade teacher in the public schools of Oberlin, Ohio. One year was as a teaching assistant at University of Washington while working on a master’s in curriculum and instruction. The remaining years were in … Continue reading "Cathleen Work ’73 Draper"
Steve Norden ’74 of Dublin, Ohio, was recently awarded the John A. Price Award for Excellence in Law Enforcement Chaplaincy by the International Conference of Police Chaplains. He has served as a volunteer chaplain with the Dublin Ohio Police Department since 1990 and also with the Federal Bureau of Investigation since 2012
Robert Van Voorst ’74 is a professor of New Testament at Western Theological Seminary and recently had his book Commonly Misunderstood Verses of the Bible: What They Really Mean published by Cascade Press. It treats 24 passages from the Old and New Testaments, and is designed for both individual reading and group study.
Rich Williams ’75 reports that he has released performance measures for New Mexico Mainstreet. They have leveraged a combined $51,021.866 in private-sector reinvestment over the last five years, which has provided opportunities for local entrepreneurs to open and expand 558 net new businesses. For 15 years he has been the executive director of New Mexico … Continue reading "Rich Williams ’75"
Beverly Kerlikowske ’76 Butler of San Rafael, California, was recently honored at Theatre Bay Area’s 40th anniversary gala as one of the 40 people who have changed the face of regional theatre in the San Francisco Bay Area. She serves on the executive committee and board of Playground, a new plays incubator, and also on … Continue reading "Beverly Kerlikowske ’76 Butler"
Todd Harburn ’78 edited the book A Surgeon with Custer at the Little Big Horn. He is an independent scholar, orthopedic surgeon and doctor of sports medicine. He and his wife, Shirley Bolhouse ’79 Harburn, reside at the Straits of Mackinac, Michigan.
“SOMETHING IN THE WATER” PART 2 Following publication of the article “Something in the Water” (Summer 2017), about microbreweries established by alumni, we learned that we missed the earliest of them all, Grand Teton Brewing, founded in 1988 by Charlie Otto ’78 and Ernie Otto ’70 (the latter of whom died in June 2008). Originally … Continue reading "Charlie Otto ’78"
Adelheid Holthuis ’71 Denz of San Antonio, Texas, is the author of Uprooted: The Story of an Immigrant, a novella about a young surgical nurse who comes into adulthood during the horrors of World War II Germany. It is based on a true story, and grapples with Adelheid’s late mother’s wrenching emotional odyssey from Nazi … Continue reading "Adelheid Holthuis ’71 Denz"
The Hope College Alumni Association will honor two alumnae during the annual Alumni Banquet on Saturday, April 28. The association will present Distinguished Alumni Awards to award-winning author Lynn Davis ’71 Austin (right) of Holland, Michigan, whose 24 books have sold a combined total of more than one million copies worldwide. Austin is the author of 23 novels and a … Continue reading "Lynn Davis ’71 Austin"
Ruth Folkert ’71 Trippy of Auburn, Georgia, recently published her third novel, A Western Beauty – Colorado, 1879. Her first book, The Soul of the Rose, can be found in Hope’s library.
Randy Zomermaand ’72 (Tampa, Florida), Conley Zomermaand ’77 (Xenia, Ohio) and Mike Zomermaand ’81 (Canton, Michigan) met in Mt. Dora, Florida, and proudly represented Hope College at the Mt. Dora Bicycle Festival Oct. 5-8. The brothers, originally from Holland, Michigan, rode routes of 25, 56, 62 and a hilly 37 miles over the course of … Continue reading "Randy Zomermaand ’72"
Chadwick Busk ’74 of Rockford, Michigan, had the article “Using ‘Shall’ or ‘Will’ to Create Obligations in Business Contracts: Once More Unto the Breach” published in the October 2017 issue of the Michigan Bar Journal. He continues to practice information technology and corporate law from his home office and has a blog/ newsletter at busklaw.blogspot.com.
David DeKok ’75 of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, has been working as a contract correspondent in Pennsylvania for Reuters, the worldwide news service, since 2014. He has written several stories in the past year related to the fraternity hazing death of Timothy Piazza in 2017 at Penn State University, and the hazing death of Chen “Michael” Deng, … Continue reading "David DeKok ’75"
Karen Johnson-Weiner ’75 of Canton, New York, had a second edition published of her book New York Amish, Life in the Plain Communities of the Empire State (Cornell University Press). More than 20 new Amish communities in New York were established between the publication of the first edition in 2010 and the appearance of the … Continue reading "Karen Johnson-Weiner ’75"
Nancy Bennett ’76 Staal and her husband, Tim, are currently living and working in Tokyo, Japan where she is teaching grade four at Tokyo International School and Tim is the school librarian.
Thomas K. Johnson ’77 was among the leaders of the World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) who met with Pope Francis in the Vatican on Dec. 14 to discuss closer cooperation with the Catholic Church, particularly regarding issues of religious freedom and persecution of Christians around the world. Tom is WEA’s religious freedom ambassador to the Vatican. His specialty is human … Continue reading "Thomas K. Johnson ’77"
Randy Zomermaand ’72 (Tampa, Florida), Conley Zomermaand ’77 (Xenia, Ohio) and Mike Zomermaand ’81 (Canton, Michigan) met in Mt. Dora, Florida, and proudly represented Hope College at the Mt. Dora Bicycle Festival Oct. 5-8. The brothers, originally from Holland, Michigan, rode routes of 25, 56, 62 and a hilly 37 miles over the course of … Continue reading "Conley Zomermaand ’77"
Amy Henrickson ’78, Clark Matthews ’61 and Steve Maas ’81 have come together to create the Grandville Community Choir. The choir of more than 50 area singers performs at various community events in addition to holding two special concerts each year, in December and April. Keep up with the choir on its Facebook page (search … Continue reading "Amy Henrickson ’78"
Tom Allbaugh ’79 of Rancho Cucamonga, California, had his first novel, Apocalypse TV, released by eLectio Publishers on Sept. 12, 2017. It concerns an English professor who appears on a religious reality show.
Hendrika Vande Kemp ’71 had her first display of iris folded art, featuring recycled paper, at The Scrap Exchange Creative ReUse Center in Durham, North Carolina, from March 16 through April 14, 2017. She was one of two artists in an exhibit titled “The Found Object Collection.”
Kathryn Scholes ’73 Bolt reports that even though she retired from Sparta Area Schools in 2014 she manages to get called back every year to fill in as a school psychologist. She is an 11- year survivor of ovarian cancer and enjoys being outdoors whether it’s birding, walking, cycling, kayaking or cross country skiing, pastimes … Continue reading "Kathryn Scholes ’73 Bolt"
Sally Plagenhoef ’73 Morris returned to Holland, Michigan, after working for 35 years in the Palm Beach County School system as a German/Spanish teacher and high school counselor.
Claudia Tebben ’73 Sterne reports that every year she has a reunion with five other “cluster mates” who all met and became friends their freshman year at Hope in 1969: Leslie Carry ’73 Kruegel, Becky Eisenbise ’74 Hostetler, Anne Walvoord ’73 VanderByl, Lillian Bertalan and Ellen Swain Roberts (the latter two transferred to other colleges).
Claudia Tebben ’73 Sterne reports that every year she has a reunion with five other “cluster mates” who all met and became friends their freshman year at Hope in 1969: Leslie Carry ’73 Kruegel, Becky Eisenbise ’74 Hostetler, Anne Walvoord ’73 VanderByl, Lillian Bertalan and Ellen Swain Roberts (the latter two transferred to other colleges).
Claudia Tebben ’73 Sterne reports that every year she has a reunion with five other “cluster mates” who all met and became friends their freshman year at Hope in 1969: Leslie Carry ’73 Kruegel, Becky Eisenbise ’74 Hostetler, Anne Walvoord ’73 VanderByl, Lillian Bertalan and Ellen Swain Roberts (the latter two transferred to other colleges).
Jim McFarlin ’74 has published his latest book project, as ghostwriter of the nonfiction work The Booster. It is the never-before-told story of the late Ed Martin, the Detroit autoworker whose extravagant gifts to such players as Chris Webber and Jalen Rose ultimately led to the downfall of the University of Michigan’s “Fab Five,” arguably … Continue reading "Jim McFarlin ’74"
Terry Muilenberg ’74 reports that he was laid off from Plains All America Pipeline and is now “retired.” He is devoting full time to his business, Fred’s Custom Leather, making custom leather products. He does not miss the threeto-four-hour commute to downtown Houston, Texas, and now walks about 50 yards from his house to his … Continue reading "Terry Muilenberg ’74"
P.J. Coldren ’75 was the Fan Guest of Honor at the Malice Domestic 31 in Bethesda, Maryland, from Thursday, May 3, through Saturday, May 5. Malice Domestic™ is an annual fan convention in the metropolitan DC area that celebrates the traditional mystery, books best typified by the works of Agatha Christie.
Jeff Stewart ’75 recently received the Jim Crowley Award from the Michigan High School Football Coaches Association. He has been coaching high school football 42 years and is currently the Big Rapids football assistant coach.
Lisa Burger ’77 retired from Central Maine Healthcare and is looking forward to settling into her new home on Brandy Pond in Maine, where she reports she can enjoy boating and playing golf on a more regular basis.
Jon Post ’77 and his wife, Diane, are in Kathmandu, Nepal, pursuing research on dietary interventions for chronic diseases, and especially for diabetes mellitus Type 2. Diane was diagnosed with diabetes nine years ago and has been off all medications for that, high blood pressure and high cholesterol for more than four years. They are … Continue reading "Jon Post ’77"
Scott Bradley ’78 retired from teaching in Kansas and moved to Brooklyn, New York, where his wife teaches at Long Island University. He teaches band and violin at Catholic schools and other private schools, and performs extensively on trombone and tuba throughout New York City
Todd Harburn ’78 continues to serve as co-team physician for the Hope College football team. He is chief of surgery at Mackinac Straits Health System, an outpatient surgery center at the Straits of Mackinac in Northern Michigan. He has an arthroscopic surgery orthopedic practice. He reports that he enjoys writing in his “free time” as … Continue reading "Todd Harburn ’78"
Marianne Walck ’78 retired from Sandia National Laboratories in 2017 after a 33-year career, spending the last two years as vice president for Sandia’s facility in Livermore, California, and directing the energy and climate programs for the laboratory.
Vicki Wiegerink ’74 Rumpsa reports that she has 10 grandchildren and three foster grandchildren all living in Holland, Michigan. She is so thankful that they all live close and is looking forward to many family celebrations.
Rich Williams ’75 of Albuquerque, New Mexico, is celebrating 16 years directing the New Mexico MainStreet program, utilizing community economic and rural development strategies, which is a licensed program of the country-wide network of the National Main Street Center. They just released four short videos telling the stories of the entrepreneurs and business people across … Continue reading "Rich Williams ’75"
James Cannon ’76 retired from teaching after 41 years. He reports that he is looking forward to spending more time with his family as well as traveling more.
Gary Oegema ’78 of Lawton, Michigan, retired in June after teaching music for 39 years in two districts, the last 32 years in Lawton. His wife, Deb Cleason ’78 Oegema, who has accompanied the choirs for as many years, surprised him with a Mr. Holland’s Opus moment during his last choir concert by arranging to have many choir alumni join the … Continue reading "Gary Oegema ’78 and Deb Cleason ’78 Oegema"
Susan Klaner ’71 Madden is traveling this month with Habitat for Humanity to help rebuild a home for a family in Braga, Portugal. Currently the family rents a very small home with no indoor plumbing and little protection from the cold. The house to be renovated has been inherited by the family but is unlivable … Continue reading "Susan Klaner ’71 Madden"
William Hill-Alto ’72 retired from his career as a minister in the Reformed Church of America having served congregations nationally and internationally for 43 years and as a special education teacher for 20 years. He relocated from Vermont to Atlanta, Georgia, to be near his children and grandchildren in July 2018. As a kidney-transplanted person, … Continue reading "William Hill-Alto ’72"
Louise Hughes ’72 Davies reports that she received a stem cell transplant in September 2018. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2007, non-Hodgkins lymphoma in 2014 and another blood cancer in 2017. She is currently recovering at home. She retired in June 2015 after 21 years of teaching high school English.
Mark de Roo ’73 will be joining three other Holland area residents on climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania in June to raise funds for research and an eventual cure for early-onset Alzheimer’s, the disease that took his wife of 41 years, Roxanne, in early 2018. The summit is 19,321 feet and will take seven to … Continue reading "Mark de Roo ’73"
The Hope College Alumni Association will present Distinguished Alumni Awards to Jim McFarlin ’74 on Saturday, April 27, during the Annual Alumni Banquet. McFarlin is an author and freelance journalist who has had his work published in multiple national publications and has written or edited more than a dozen books (and has an article elsewhere in … Continue reading "Jim McFarlin ’74"
Steve Norden ’74 was selected to serve as the Grand Leprechaun for the Dublin, Ohio, St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Approximately 20,000 people attended what is promoted as central Ohio’s greenest, grandest St. Patrick’s Day parade. His selection was in recognition of 35 years of service to the Dublin community that includes his involvement with Dublin City Schools and … Continue reading "Steve Norden ’74"
Mark Johnson, John Caven, Dave Cluley and Mark Convoy ’75→
Former roommates from the Class of ’75 recently gathered at the home of Mark Johnson in Sarasota, Florida. After a 43-year absence, Kollen Hall buddies — John Caven (Rochester, New York), Dave Cluley (Ada, Michigan), and Mark Convoy (Glen Rock, New Jersey — took Mark up on his invitation and enjoyed the sights and activities of the Florida Gulf. Pictured are … Continue reading "Mark Johnson, John Caven, Dave Cluley and Mark Convoy ’75"
Linda Plunkett ’75 published a book, Supernatural Rescue, which chronicles true life interventions by God, including a supernatural rescue after a seven-hour brain surgery. Since Linda is a psychologist, in the second part of the book she gives hope for people going through similar devastating experiences.
Jon Constant ’72 published a second edition of his 2018 book, Leelanau by Kayak. It includes new material and over 20 new photos from kayaking Leelanau’s 100-mile Great Lake shoreline, as well as 23 of its beautiful inland lakes and three of its rivers.
James De Boer ’72 retired after decades of practicing family medicine in Danville, Illinois, and moved with Joyce, his wife of 41 years, to Washougal, Washington, to be nearer to their children. He is also an artist/printmaker and is active in the Portland, Oregon, arts scene.
Michael Ebbers ’73 and Kathy Ebbers are piloting their 33-foot cruiser boat on a 6,000-mile journey known as the Great Loop. This route circumnavigates the eastern third of the United States. They began in Norfolk, Virginia, went north through New York, west through Canada, then south past Chicago, Illinois, down inland rivers to Mobile, Alabama. … Continue reading "Michael Ebbers ’73"
Mark Brown ’77 has been inducted into the Bakken Society of Medtronic, Inc., in recognition of his multiple technical contributions to the company and to the biomedical-device industry. Since the Bekken Society was established in 1979, only 147 have been inducted. He has been with Medtronic since 1994. He’s now leading Medtronic efforts to collect data and … Continue reading "Mark Brown ’77"
Jill Nihart ’79 Van Zyl was inducted into the Lakewood Hall of Fame for 2019. This award recognizes former students and staff members who have made an exceptional contribution to society, achieved exceptional success, brought honor and prestige to Lakewood Public Schools, and have exhibited such qualities of character and action as to be outstanding role … Continue reading "Jill Nihart ’79 Van Zyl"
Robert Eckrich ’71 has been accepted into the docent training program at the SmithsonianInstitution’s National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C.
Mark DeRoo ’73 of Holland, Michigan, summited Mt. Kilimanjaro on June 20 with three friends. True to his alma mater, he’s holding a Hope pennant. Mark and the team dedicated the climb to his wife, Roxanne, who passed in 2018 from early-onset Alzheimer’s. The team raised over $70,000 to aid in research for this … Continue reading "Mark DeRoo ’73"
Rich Williams ’75 of Albuquerque, New Mexico, received the 2019 award in Distinguished Community Leadership during the annual meeting of the New Mexico chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects. He retired in May after 16 years as the director of New Mexico MainStreet in the state’s Economic Development Department. He now is principal … Continue reading "Rich Williams ’75"
James Cannon ’76 has recently been appointed assistant wrestling coach at RochesterInstitute of Technology (RIT) in Rochester, New York. He reports that he is very excited to be working in a college setting.
Dennis Miller ’76 received his Plant-BasedProfessional Culinary Certificate from RouxbeOnline Culinary School on Sunday, Aug. 4. As a new member of the American College Lifestyle Medicine, he is enrolling in eCornell’s(T. Colin Campbell’s) Plant-Based NutritionCertification from the Center for Nutrition Studies. He will be retiring from his family dental practice after 40-plus years this month … Continue reading "Dennis Miller ’76"
A traffic signal about 1,300 miles from Hope led to a new friendship for Russ Kraay ’49 and Lynne Kurzenberger ’76 Wissink-Tressler. Lynne was waiting at a red light in Fort Myers, Florida, when she noticed a Hope license plate frame on the vehicle ahead of her. The other driver went straight and she turned … Continue reading "Lynne Kurzenberger ’76 Wissink-Tressler"
Elizabeth Elliott ’77 McBride has published a book of poetry and prose about Glen Arbor and the Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore, Most Beautiful, released on Tuesday, Nov. 5. As a poetic tour of the area, the fully illustrated book (artwork by Connie Cronenwett), both introduces and commemorates the unique beauty and grandeur of the region.
Conley Zomermaand ’77 is in his 39th year of ordained ministry in the RCA and the PCUSA, having held four installed and 11 interim positions along the way. He is currently serving as interim pastor at Riverside Presbyterian Church, Jacksonville, Florida, and continues to be pleasantly surprised at the number of Hope College and western … Continue reading "Conley Zomermaand ’77"
Kathryn Page ’72 Camp has published her second middle-grade historical novel under the name Kaye Page. Creating Esther is about a 12-year old Native American girl who loves her life on an Ojibwe reservation, but it is 1895 and the old ways are disappearing.
Joyce Lambert ’72 Kievit retired from her full-time position as an editor and professor. She now teaches and designs curriculum part-time for Colorado State University, Global Campus.
. Robert Wolff ’74 was nominated by the Governor of South Carolina for the State Board of Nursing. The state senate confirmed him, and he has begun his service as a public member. He has also been assigned to represent the board as liaison to the recovering professionals program.
Renato Donato ’76 fully retired from the staff of the New York State Senate as of January 2019. He retired with 33 years of New York state and four years of federal government service. He served as the legislative director to Congressman Donald J. Mitchell, 31 C.D., New York State in Washington, D.C., and subsequently … Continue reading "Renato Donato ’76"
Leslie Doscher ’76 Snow reports that she retired in 2019 after 39 years in public education as a teacher and administrator and has successfully completed breast cancer treatment. She looks forward to a life of writing, traveling and family time.
Gary Van der Wege ’77 was selected as the United States referee to the IWAS Fencing World Cup in Amsterdam. He is a two-time Paralympian, and he remains active coaching in Texas and officiating at national and international events.
Julie Raabe ’78 Gentry reports that she is happily retired after 35 years as a professional dance educator and performer in the artist-in-education program, and as adjunct faculty at Kent State University. She was also a physical therapist assistant for 12 years. She currently dances with “Joyful Spirit Dancers” in church and volunteers with her … Continue reading "Julie Raabe ’78 Gentry"
The 1975 Summer Staff from Warwick, New York Conference Center enjoyed a reunion this past October with their beloved former Executive Director, Ron Lokhorst ’59, Mark Convoy ’75, Kristi Droppers ’76, Mary Mulder ’77, Dwayne Boyce ’77, Steve Paffrath ’77, George Beukema ’77, and Bill Agnew ’80 spent a weekend out at Castle Park in … Continue reading "Mark Convoy ’75"
The 1975 Summer Staff from Warwick, New York Conference Center enjoyed a reunion this past October with their beloved former Executive Director, Ron Lokhorst ’59, Mark Convoy ’75, Kristi Droppers ’76, Mary Mulder ’77, Dwayne Boyce ’77, Steve Paffrath ’77, George Beukema ’77, and Bill Agnew ’80 spent a weekend out at Castle Park in … Continue reading "Kristi Droppers ’76"
The 1975 Summer Staff from Warwick, New York Conference Center enjoyed a reunion this past October with their beloved former Executive Director, Ron Lokhorst ’59, Mark Convoy ’75, Kristi Droppers ’76, Mary Mulder ’77, Dwayne Boyce ’77, Steve Paffrath ’77, George Beukema ’77, and Bill Agnew ’80 spent a weekend out at Castle Park in … Continue reading "George Beukema ’77"
The 1975 Summer Staff from Warwick, New York Conference Center enjoyed a reunion this past October with their beloved former Executive Director, Ron Lokhorst ’59, Mark Convoy ’75, Kristi Droppers ’76, Mary Mulder ’77, Dwayne Boyce ’77, Steve Paffrath ’77, George Beukema ’77, and Bill Agnew ’80 spent a weekend out at Castle Park in … Continue reading "Dwayne Boyce ’77"
The 1975 Summer Staff from Warwick, New York Conference Center enjoyed a reunion this past October with their beloved former Executive Director, Ron Lokhorst ’59, Mark Convoy ’75, Kristi Droppers ’76, Mary Mulder ’77, Dwayne Boyce ’77, Steve Paffrath ’77, George Beukema ’77, and Bill Agnew ’80 spent a weekend out at Castle Park in … Continue reading "Mary Mulder ’77"
The 1975 Summer Staff from Warwick, New York Conference Center enjoyed a reunion this past October with their beloved former Executive Director, Ron Lokhorst ’59, Mark Convoy ’75, Kristi Droppers ’76, Mary Mulder ’77, Dwayne Boyce ’77, Steve Paffrath ’77, George Beukema ’77, and Bill Agnew ’80 spent a weekend out at Castle Park in … Continue reading "Steve Paffrath ’77"
The 1975 Summer Staff from Warwick, New York Conference Center enjoyed a reunion this past October with their beloved former Executive Director, Ron Lokhorst ’59, Mark Convoy ’75, Kristi Droppers ’76, Mary Mulder ’77, Dwayne Boyce ’77, Steve Paffrath ’77, George Beukema ’77, and Bill Agnew ’80 spent a weekend out at Castle Park in … Continue reading "Bill Agnew ’80"
Stan Sterk ’70 reports that 2019 was an eventful year. He retired after 49 years as a CPA, and participated in Christmas Vespers at Hope for the first time since 1966, an item on his bucket list. He is enjoying spending time with his young grandchildren, Theo (3) and Annalise, (2), and great granddaughter Kara, … Continue reading "Stan Sterk ’70"
Robert Luidens ’75 recently published a memoir titled The Kingdom Will Come Anyway – A Life in the Day of a Pastor. The full-length memoir entails several dozen recollective pieces about his life preparing for and then engaging in pastoral ministry with two beloved congregations.
David James ’76 writing as D.R. James, has published his ninth volume of poetry, the chapbook Flip Requiem. This past school year was his 35th teaching writing and literature in Hope’s English department and coordinating academic coaching and study skills tutoring in the Academic Success Center. He lives in the woods east of Saugatuck with … Continue reading "David James ’76"
George Bennett ’72 retired from his second career as a rostered deacon assigned to the Lower Susquehanna Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America after 13 years and will continue to reside in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.
Scott Lenheiser ’74 continues to practice law, primarily business and estate planning, and advises entrepreneurs’ concerns in the greater Detroit- Wayne and Oakland counties in Michigan. He exhibited at the annual Holland Gun and Knife Show on Saturday, Feb. 22. He has only missed exhibiting at this show a few times since 1987. He attended … Continue reading "Scott Lenheiser ’74"
Karen Johnson-Wiener ’75 had her book The Lives of Amish Women published by Johns Hopkins University Press. The book explores Amish women’s lives, looking at the contexts in which they grow up, the activities in which they engage, the values they come to espouse as members of particular church communities and the roles they define … Continue reading "Karen Johnson-Wiener ’75"
Sue Poppink ’75 has achieved the rank of full professor in the Department of Educational Leadership of the College of Education and Human Development at Western Michigan University.
Jerrianna van Gessel ’76 Boer retired from Hart-Ransom Union School District in Modesto, California. She began her teaching career teaching English, German and drama at Ripon Christian High School; next taught junior high English and social studies for 13 years at Hart-Ransom; and then served as principal of the K-8 school for 15 years. She … Continue reading "Jerrianna van Gessel ’76 Boer"
Jean Lightowler ’77 Kirchner retired this June from federal service having served 15 years with the U.S. Navy as a training director with the Naval Education and Training Command. She received the Superior Civilian Service Award. She retired from the State of Illinois University System in 2010. She now looks forward to reading, drawing, painting … Continue reading "Jean Lightowler ’77 Kirchner"
James Lampert ’77 reports that he is retired and living blissfully in Toronto, Ontario. He has published his first book, The Tao of Canada, a new translation of the Tao Te Ching for the discerning Canadian lifestyle. It imagines Lao Tzu traversing the Trans-Canada Highway and then stopping into a Tim Horton’s for a double- … Continue reading "James Lampert ’77"
Mary Jo Coughenour ’78 Baker has volunteered as secretary for the Historic Kenwood Neighborhood Association since 2017, earning the HKNA President’s Award 2019. Her neighborhood won the City of St. Petersburg Communications Award and two Honorable Mention Awards 2020, and was awarded NUSA National Neighborhood of the Year 2020. She initiated, co-authored, compiled and edited … Continue reading "Mary Jo Coughenour ’78 Baker"
Sheryl Radike ’79 Page along with Sandy Busman ’79 Cott, Cindy McOwen ’79 Poole and Mim Miller ’79 Brada traveled to Buena Vista, Colorado, for their biennial reunion. The four met the first day of freshman year while living in Kollen Hall and have maintained their long-distance friendship for 45 years.
Michael Ebbers ’73 retired in 2014 after nearly 41 years with IBM, where he worked with large mainframe computers. That career was sparked by taking a FORTRAN statistics course from Dr. Herbert Dershem while at Hope. He resides in the Catskill mountains of New York with his wife, Kathy. He reports that they ski in … Continue reading "Michael Ebbers ’73"
Mary Jo Coughenour ’78 Baker has edited and published two volumes (available through Amazon/Kindle) in collaboration with her dad, The Rev. Dr. Robert A. Coughenour, a Hope College professor 1969 to 1975, and 1974 H.O.P.E. award recipient. The first two books, from a series of four, are: In Pursuit of Wisdom: A Memoir, Vol. 1. … Continue reading "Mary Jo Coughenour ’78 Baker"
Robert Niedt ’78 and his wife, Linda, have moved to Staunton, Virginia, in the Shenandoah Valley, where he continues to write and edit for Kiplinger Washington Editors in Washington, D.C. (remotely that is, he reports, also noting that the view of the Blue Ridge Mountains is stunning).
Marcia Vanden Berg ’78 retired on Jan. 30, 2020, after 27 years at HealthWest in Muskegon, Michigan. She held positions as a case manager, community placement coordinator, clinical supervisor I and II, contract specialist and finally provider network manager. During her time at HealthWest, she also served on the crisis response team for the county … Continue reading "Marcia Vanden Berg ’78"
Christine Peacock ’70 Powers of Denver, Colorado, has been elected to the Board of Directors of Christian Living Communities, which was founded in 1972 through the collaboration of the Reformed Church in America and the Christian Reformed Church in the Denver area. The organization owns and manages 22 senior housing communities in Colorado and five … Continue reading "Christine Peacock ’70 Powers"
Beverly Kerlikowske ’76 Rose retired from Wells Fargo’s commercial banking division in San Francisco and moved with her husband to a small farm in Portland, Oregon. She reports that she is at work on her second novel, tending flower, herb and vegetable gardens, and raising a few chickens.
John Vander Kolk ’78 started Touch of Hope International, a non-profit organization that provides dental work for Syrian and Lebanese refugees. Dutch ’74 and Cyndy Hartman ’74 Nyboer recently helped out through a church in Zahle, Lebanon.
Nancy Forest-Flier ’71 continues to work as a freelance Dutch-English literary translator. Her most recent projects include A Philosophy of Madness: The Experience of Psychotic Thinking, by Wouter Kusters, published in 2020. The Dutch original, Filosofie van de waanzin, won the Socrates prize for best book on philosophy in the Netherlands in 2015. Also The … Continue reading "Nancy Forest-Flier ’71"
Nancy Milne ’74 Gus has retired after more than 35 years as business manager with the natural resource ecology lab and department of ecosystem science and sustainability at Colorado State University.
Scott Lenheiser ’74 reports that he is still practicing law in the Greater Detroit/Oakland and Wayne counties primarily in businessbusiness planning and estate planning areas. His Ford Taurus station wagon has reached 136,000 miles and is going strong. He attended the North American Society of Pipe Collectors show in Columbus, Ohio, in August and caught … Continue reading "Scott Lenheiser ’74"
Conley Zomermaand ’77 began his 13th interim ministry assignment in August, serving as interim pastor/head of staff at the First Presbyterian Church in Aiken, South Carolina. He reports that he was pleased to find that other Hope College and Holland personalities made it to Aiken before he did. It’s been a banner year for his … Continue reading "Conley Zomermaand ’77"
The Hope College Alumni Association will present Distinguished Alumni Awards to Jalaa’ Abdelwahab ’97 and the Rev. Dr. Tim Brown ’73 during the first in-person Alumni Weekend celebration since 2019. Abdelwahab recently became Director of Vaccine Programmes in the Country Programme of the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI) in Geneva, Switzerland, following 10 … Continue reading "Tim Brown ’73"
Mike Ebbers ’73 and his wife Kathy completed the Great Loop in their retirement years. It is a 6,000 mile boat trip around the eastern third of the United States. It can be done in four to nine months, but it took them three years, from 2016 to 2019. The trip included waterways in Canada … Continue reading "Mike Ebbers ’73"
Jackie Venhuisen ’73 Solt reports that her son, Jeffrey, tragically passed away on June 12, 2021, at the age of 43 from diabetes complications and leaves a great void in her life.
David Daubenspeck ’74 retired as a financial advisor with California Credit Union in June 2020. He then turned his attention to researching and writing his first book, The Shocking Disconnect: Why Christians Fail to Impact Culture and Politics and How to Make a Comeback. The book was published in November, 2021. A corollary small group … Continue reading "David Daubenspeck ’74"
Addy Whitehouse ’75 has published her debut novel, Signs of Murder: A Dana Demeter Mystery, under the pen name A. F. Whitehouse. She has retired after 40 years as an American Sign Language interpreter and lives in Waukesha, Wisconsin, with Bob Carty, her husband of 30 years.
Steven Mancinelli ’75 has relocated to the Catskill Mountains from Manhattan, New York City, where he lived for 40 years. He reports it’s better being a country boy.
Dirk Bloemendaal ’76 has wrapped up a 38-year career as a public policy advocate for Amway Corporation, representing the company and its independent distributors on the state and local public policy levels. He worked in Amway’s government affairs department, part of the company’s legal division, in nearly all the state capitols (his favorites were Sacramento, … Continue reading "Dirk Bloemendaal ’76"
Jack DeRuiter ’76 received the Alumni Professorship Award from Auburn University. The awards are presented on the basis of research, publishing and teaching.
Kathy Button ’79 Beauregard has retired after 42 years with Western Michigan University. She was the longest-serving athletic director at the same institution and just one of nine female athletic directors among 130 Football Bowl Subdivision schools across the nation.
Donald Steele ’72 had his play Mother’s Day produced by the theatre department at Wilkes University in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, on Feb. 24, 26 and 27, 2022. It was available online as well
Gerry Swieringa ’72 will be retiring as rector of St. Brendan’s Anglican Church in November. He reports that he and his wife, Peg Francis ’73 Swieringa, have no concrete plans beyond that point, but look forward eagerly to the spaciousness of life.
David Cluley ’75 was appointed to the board of directors of the Northern Lakes Economic Alliance. The NLEA works to facilitate economic development in Michigan’s Antrim, Charlevoix, Cheboygan and Emmet counties
Al Fedak ’75 and his wife, Susan Hermance ’75 Fedak, were featured in The Daily Gazette of Schenectady, New York, on Tuesday, Feb. 8: 50- Plus Living: Sue and Al Fedak – Lives filled with music. Al has more than 300 choral and organ works in print; more than 100 of his hymn tunes appear … Continue reading "Al Fedak ’75 and Susan Hermance ’75 Fedak"
Daryl Johnson ’75 reports that after 30 years of painting and raising a family in New Hampshire, she has moved to New Orleans where she maintains an art studio near Bayou St. John. She’s joined by her husband of 40 years, Corky Benson.
Dawn Erickson ’77 Brown and her husband, Ron, recently followed their daughter’s family to Indianapolis, Indiana, to be near them. She reports that although they loved living in Oregon, the pull of grandchildren was stronger.
Bart Neckers ’77 recently retired after a 40- year career as a family dentist in North East, Pennsylvania. He intends to spend more time with his spouse (Ann), children and grandchildren, and playing in senior softball leagues. Ann and Bart have traveled to seven European countries with Senior Softball USA to promote the sport through … Continue reading "Bart Neckers ’77"
Victor Folkert ’72 and Nancy Warren ’77 Folkert are actively retired in Conroe, Texas. In August, Wipf and Stock published Vic’s book, God through Cosmic Lenses: Quantum Mystery and Infinite Personality.
Gene Marie Callahan ’73 has been named artistic director of the Battenkill Chorale, Cambridge, New York. Battenkill Chorale is an unauditioned mixed chorus which performs in Washington, Warren, Rensselaer, and Saratoga Counties. In addition to her piano and voice students, she conducts the chorus at Siena College, where she also teaches Basics of Singing and … Continue reading "Gene Marie Callahan ’73"
Terrance Stevens ’73 retired from Pfizer in 2020 after a 44-year career in the pharmaceutical industry. He and his wife, Elizabeth, are enjoying traveling, golf, and grandchildren.
Addy Whitehouse ’75 published her second novel in the Dana Demeter Mystery series under the pen name A. F. Whitehouse. Her book, Signs of the Father, can be found on Amazon.
Karen Johnson-Weiner ’75 retired in 2016 but continued her research of the Amish, publishing Lives of Amish Women (Hopkins 2020) and All About the Amish (Herald Press 2020). Now her researching days are officially over. This past June, she donated her papers (including extensive correspondence with members of Amish communities) to the Young Center for … Continue reading "Karen Johnson-Weiner ’75"
Adelaide Whitehouse ’75 has published Signs of the Father: A Dana Demeter Mystery #2 under the name A.F. Whitehouse. The first in the series, Signs of Murder, is a finalist (Indie Fiction) for the Chicago Writers Association’s Book of the Year Award.
The Hope College Alumni Association Board of Directors has appointed four new members. The board’s new members are: Craig DeSousa ’72 of Garden City, New York; Liam Naumann ’25 of Wyckoff, New Jersey; Marissa Solorzano ’19 of Grand Rapids, Michigan; and Gaye van den Hombergh ’81 of Lincolnshire, Illinois. (Pictured clockwise starting from the top … Continue reading "Craig DeSousa ’72"
Jim McFarlin ’74 of Champaign, Illinois, was one of six outstanding journalists inducted into the 2023 class of the Michigan Journalism Hall of Fame in April for his outstanding contributions to the profession. McFarlin, a member of the Hope College Board of Trustees, is an award-winning author and freelance journalist with extensive newspaper and media-relations … Continue reading "Jim McFarlin ’74"
David DeKok ’75 recently had his first bylined stories in the New York Times in a long journalism career. Based in Harrisburg, Pennslvania, he covered the extradition hearing in the Poconos for Bryan Kohberger, accused killer of four Idaho college students, and the aftermath of the deadly chocolate factory gas explosion in West Reading, Pennslvania. … Continue reading "David DeKok ’75"
Nancy Blackwell ’77 reports that after long careers in information technology, 27 years for her and 44 years for her husband, they have both finally retired and have begun traveling, spending winters in the state and national parks of Florida and summers camping all over the country. When they’re not on the road, they are … Continue reading "Nancy Blackwell ’77"
Paul Hansen ’78 had his second book published: Thematic Expressions for the Lord’s Supper. The book deals with the weeks-long period between the announcement of an upcoming communion service and how to lead people to the table in a biblical fashion. He is currently working on his third book on forgiveness, called Sin and Forgiveness.
Ann Moored ’80 DeYoung of Coopersville, Michigan, recently retired after 35 years as a teacher, principal and curriculum coordinator. She is now pursuing various education consulting opportunities.
Debra Hall ’80 Tolsma of Muskegon, Michigan, left Steelcase Inc. in 2015 and formed her own company, Relevant Learning Solutions, specializing in leadership and workforce development. Most recently she signed with Harvard Business School Publishing to facilitate leadership development programs.
Marcia Wolffis ’81 von Ehr is currently pursuing an AAS degree in accounting at the University of Alaska. She works as a document specialist in the finance department of the Matanuska-Susitna Borough. She reports that she and her husband John “Pat” ’82 von Ehr are happily living in Palmer, Alaska.
Ron Bechtel ’82 is a program director at 70×7 Life Recover in Holland, Michigan, a ministry that teaches people with felonies how to do life better and places them in a job with one of more than 30 partner employers. He trains the mentors who help the participants succeed and directs the work of case … Continue reading "Ron Bechtel ’82"
Kathy Reeder ’83 Boerigter of Los Alamos, New Mexico, has received the prestigious Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST), announced by the White House in August and awarded to 213 outstanding K-12 science and mathematics teachers this year. The winners are selected by a panel of distinguished scientists, mathematicians and educators … Continue reading "Kathy Reeder ’83 Boerigter"
Jeffrey Beswick ’84 was selected by his peers for inclusion in the 2017 edition of The Best Lawyers in America. He has practiced law in the Grand Haven, Michigan area for more than 25 years.
Mark Nagelvoort ’84 of Holland, Michigan, was promoted to chief operating officer overseeing all divisions of Tommy Car Wash Systems, from sales, accounting, warehouse, IT and project management to construction.
Will Jewson ’86 is in his third year as the pastor of Asbury United Methodist Church in Janesville, Wisconsin, after a 25-year career in the major appliance/electronics industry.
Bonnie Baker ’87 Hooyenga of Holland, Michigan, is working with top doctors and doctor’s assistants in autism and top people in commercial organ and piano.
Steve Van Harn ’87 recently started a new role as senior purchasing analyst with LG Chem in addition to launching Rinchen Ranch to raise Tibetan Yak for meat, fiber and breeding.
Maureen Rand ’88 Oakley of Frederick, Maryland, was promoted to the rank of professor at Mount St. Mary’s University. She published The Bottle, the Breast, and the State: The Politics of Infant Feeding in the United States in 2015.
Raymund Woo ’88 of Maitland, Florida, was chosen as chief of staff at Florida Hospital for Children in Orlando, Florida, where he continues his research on robotic spinal surgery.
Daniel Hafley ’80 continues to work for the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality in Portland, Oregon, as a hydrogeologist and technical lead. He is actively engaged in a variety of urban redevelopment projects and Superfund cleanup work. He reports that his free time revolves around family and the outdoors (hiking, climbing) as well as taking … Continue reading "Daniel Hafley ’80"
Lois Lema ’80 and her basset hound, Dexter, have completed therapy dog training and are just waiting to head into the community in northern New Hampshire.
Barbara Mulder ’80 Wagenmaker is a program manager/supervisor for Children’s Protective Services of Ottawa County with a staff of specialists who investigate child abuse and neglect. She is also serving on the multi-disciplinary team for Ottawa County’s Children’s Advocacy Center with law enforcement, Ottawa County prosecutors, court staff, and service providers in providing services to … Continue reading "Barbara Mulder ’80 Wagenmaker"
David Braak ’82 of Ankeny, Iowa, is a chaplain at Spurgeon Manor extended care facility as well as PRN chaplain with Kindred Hospice. He substitute teaches occasionally.
Pam Spring ’83 is the president of Pam Spring Advertising and celebrated five years in business this past January.
David Ravi Bhaskar ’84 and Karen Wuertz ’86 Bhaskar→
David Ravi Bhaskar ’84 and Karen Wuertz ’86 Bhaskar have recently relocated to the beautiful Pacific Northwest. Karen is an ophthalmologist with The Polyclinic in Seattle, Washington, and Ravi is an obstetrician/gynecologist with The Franciscan Medical Group.
Tom Wagner ’84 had photography featured in the De Pree Art Center and Gallery at Hope this spring. His exhibition “No Motherland Without You: Images of North Korea” ran from Friday, Feb. 17 through Thursday, March 15, and showed photographs that Wagner took in North Korea during fur visits between the mid-1990s and early 2000s. … Continue reading "Tom Wagner ’84"
Margaret Oklatner ’85 McCarty serves as the pastor of the Gibson and South Gibson United Methodist Churches. January 2016 marked the start of her 10th year as a substitute teacher in the Mount View School District. She continues to direct the high school’s drama program, producing two shows with students in grades seven through 12 … Continue reading "Margaret Oklatner ’85 McCarty"
Steven Cooper ’87 is in his 15th year running Excella Consulting in Arlington, Virginia, a 220-person information technology firm serving large commercial and federal organizations in and around Washington, D.C.
Larry Wagenaar ’87 was recently reappointed by Michigan Governor Rick Snyder to a four-year term on the Michigan Historical Commission. The commission serves as an advisory body to the Michigan Historical Center, which is a part a Michigan Department of Natural Resources. He also serves as executive director of the Historical Society of Michigan (since … Continue reading "Larry Wagenaar ’87"
Chris Habben ’88 of Shawnee, Kansas, received this year’s Faculty of Distinction Award from the Kansas Independent College Association (KICA). He is the professor of marriage and family therapy, Kansas City site program director, and Kansas City site specialized accreditation and assessment administrator at Friends University. He was honored, along with faculty members from the … Continue reading "Chris Habben ’88"
Tim Kleyla ’88 has been selected by the director of the Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) to serve on the Mortgage Industry Advisory Board for the State of Michigan. The board meets directly with the DIFS regarding mortgage and lending issues concerning consumers and industry within Michigan.
Kevin Kremer ’88 has retired from his position as a middle school science teacher, track and cross-country coach and chief negotiator for Zeeland Public Schools to pursue his dream of serving the community of Hope College via the transportation department. He reports that a highlight of the past year was attending the commencement of his … Continue reading "Kevin Kremer ’88"
Michael Magan ’88 will be honored during the annual Alumni Banquet on Saturday, April 29 with the Distinguished Alumni Award. Alumni Weekend Information
Robin Kasten ’88 Wilson and her husband, Dan, recently retired onto a 36-foot Carver on the East Coast. She reports that the adventure of cruising is in full swing as they have already done a 200-mile trip from Florida’s St. John’s River to the Space Coast on the Intercoastal Waterway. They are currently docked at … Continue reading "Robin Kasten ’88 Wilson"
Kathryn Lawrence ’82 of San Jose, California, reports enjoying the scenery and weather of Northern California while tackling the challenges of a continuously growing business.
Karen Heikema ’82 Terpstra of El Cajon, California, works for the Public Library Foundation that supports 36 public libraries raising funds for many outstanding programs. This foundation raised funds to build the ninestory Central Library in downtown San Diego, California, as well as 11 new branch libraries since its inception 13 years ago. She reports … Continue reading "Karen Heikema ’82 Terpstra"
John Fanthorpe ’83 of Zeeland, Michigan, is celebrating the 25th anniversary of the John Fanthorpe Farm Bureau Insurance Agency located in Hudsonville, Michigan. He also serves as an ambassador for the Hudsonville Area Chamber of Commerce. John recently relocated his personal residence to Zeeland, Michigan, where he is taking on the challenges of his 113- … Continue reading "John Fanthorpe ’83"
Mike Spitters ’84 reports that he is experiencing the joys and challenges of planting a new Disciples of Christ church in the fastest growing city in America, Frisco, Texas. The church is called “Expedition Church,” and embodies a community-centered approach to doing ministry. His article, “Do What You Love to Grow A Church,” was featured … Continue reading "Mike Spitters ’84"
Betsy Buurma ’87 Berkey of Fenton, Michigan, reports that she is still singing after all these years. She has been directing her church choir for four years. Her highlight last fall was singing with the alumni Hope Chapel Choir in the new music hall.
Robin Beckett ’87 VanderHart of Caledonia, Michigan, received her CMA (certified management accountant) certification in December 2016. She is currently working as director of accounting for Emergency Care Specialists (a medical practice of physicians and physician assistants that staff emergency rooms throughout western and northern Michigan) and Medical Management Specialists (a medical billing company).
Christopher Habben ’88 of Shawnee, Kansas, began a two-year term on Jan. 1, 2017, as president of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy. AAMFT is the professional association for the field of marriage and family therapy, and represents the professional interests of more than 50,000 marriage and family therapists throughout the United States, … Continue reading "Christopher Habben ’88"
David Kuiper ’88 of Zeeland, Michigan, who is the vice president with Northpointe Bank, has earned the certified military home specialist designation. Earning this designation indicates a commitment and significant knowledge base that active duty service members and veterans can rely on for prompt and accurate service and advice.
Charles Aardema ’80 has published his first children’s picture book, called In My World. It is a whimsical, illustrated story that depicts a world in which animals, plants, insects and people behave and look very differently. He notes that a second book is in the works
Sheryl Busman ’80 Vander Wagen was recently elected to serve a second two-year term as secretary of the National Board of the Antiochian Women for the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America, based in Englewood, New Jersey. She will also serve as religious coordinator for the Antiochian Women for the Diocese of Toledo and … Continue reading "Sheryl Busman ’80 Vander Wagen"
Steven Visscher ’80 of Bronxville, New York, is pictured with the Emmy he won on Sunday, Sept. 17. He was part of the team that won the award for outstanding sound editing for a limited series, movie or special. He was the supervising Foley editor for the “Subtle Beast” episode (July 16, 2016) of The … Continue reading "Steven Visscher ’80"
Marty Klein ’81 is chief financial officer of Athene Holding Ltd., a retirement services company which listed on the NYSE last year. He and his wife, Debbie, reside in Richmond, Virginia, and New York City, New York, and celebrated the marriage of Marty’s daughter in July. His son is a senior at Rutgers University.
Nancy Kropf ’81 of Winterville, Georgia, has published a book, Evidence based Treatment with Older Adults. The book is written for mental health professionals and students that are working with older adults. She is the dean of the Byrdine F. Lewis College of Nursing and Health Professions.
Lori Moore ’81 had the stars of The Guiding Lighton her show, The Lori Moore Show on WWMT/CW7, including Kim Zimmer ’81. They were promoting their show The Lion in Winter at The Barn Theatre.
Lori Moore ’81 had the stars of The Guiding Lighton her show, The Lori Moore Show on WWMT/CW7, including Kim Zimmer ’81. They were promoting their show The Lion in Winter at The Barn Theatre.
Linda Leslie ’82 of Cincinnati, Ohio, celebrated her 10-year anniversary at University of Cincinnati, where she is a database team manager as part of the IT@UC software development team.
Linda Hardin ’86 and Otto Turrentine were married in July in Blaine, Washington. Linda is teaching her 30th year in special education and they live in East Lansing, Michigan.
Eric Tooley ’87 and Anne Hathaway ’88 Tooley of Ada, Michigan, were on opposite sides of the Black River during the Pull as students, but as parents they’ve enjoyed sharing the tradition together with daughter Allison ’18, who participated in the 120-year Hope tug-of-war during each of her four years at the college, two as … Continue reading "Eric Tooley ’87 and Anne Hathaway ’88 Tooley"
Scott Buhrmaster ’88 of Chicago, Illinois, has been named chief operating officer at the Force Science Institute, an internationally recognized, research-based organization focused on studying the intricate human dynamics involved in high-stress, rapidly unfolding force encounters involving law enforcement professionals. The institute provides specialized training for a wide variety of federal, state and local law … Continue reading "Scott Buhrmaster ’88"
Kathleen VandeZande ’80 Fairbanks of Burke, South Dakota, was selected from parent nominations for the 2017 South Dakota Special Education Staff of the Year award. She has taught for 36 years, with 25 years as a special education teacher.
Amy Henrickson ’78, Clark Matthews ’61 and Steve Maas ’81 have come together to create the Grandville Community Choir. The choir of more than 50 area singers performs at various community events in addition to holding two special concerts each year, in December and April. Keep up with the choir on its Facebook page (search … Continue reading "Steve Maas ’81"
Randy Zomermaand ’72 (Tampa, Florida), Conley Zomermaand ’77 (Xenia, Ohio) and Mike Zomermaand ’81 (Canton, Michigan) met in Mt. Dora, Florida, and proudly represented Hope College at the Mt. Dora Bicycle Festival Oct. 5-8. The brothers, originally from Holland, Michigan, rode routes of 25, 56, 62 and a hilly 37 miles over the course of … Continue reading "Mike Zomermaand ’81"
Johnathan Lein ’83 of Altamonte Springs, Florida, delivered the keynote address “Why Psychology?” in April at the fourth annual University of Central Florida Psychology Conference. He is an adjunct faculty member at the University of Southern California and the University of Central Florida graduate schools of social work.
Kevin Rebhan ’84 of Holland, Michigan, has been inducted into the American College of Dentists in Atlanta, Georgia. The ACD is the oldest major honorary organization for dentists, and its mission is to advance excellence, ethics, professionalism and leadership in dentistry. Induction is a distinct honor as only 3.5 percent of dentists in the United … Continue reading "Kevin Rebhan ’84"
Sally Budd ’85 of Alexandria, Virginia, retired in April 2017 after 32 years of service in the federal government. She spent 10 years on Capitol Hill working for Congressman William D. Ford (D-MI), followed by 22 years at the United States Department of Education.
Diane Boughton ’85 Walker of Manning, South Carolina, is teaching physical education in pre-K through sixth grade and coaching high school cross country and track with Clarendon County Schools District One. She recently became a certified track and field official with USATF. She has completed the USATF Certification 1 class to improve her coaching skills.
Julie Van Heest ’86 Gortsema is founder and president of a 501(c) 3 not-for-profit organization, All Our Kids Inc., which is committed to Christ’s call to care for orphans in distress. They serve in Tijuana, Mexico, where due to extreme crime and poverty, children are often abandoned at birth, forced into human trafficking or sold … Continue reading "Julie Van Heest ’86 Gortsema"
Alan Supp ’86 of Rockford, Michigan, recently ended his role as a board member at Blandford Nature Center due to term limits. While there, he served as treasurer, vice-chair, chair of the Donor Development Committee, co-chair of the Investment Committee and a member of the Capital and Endowment Campaign which recently concluded by raising more … Continue reading "Alan Supp ’86"
Amy Affleck ’88 Meyer reports that after 1 5 years of tending the home fires and freelance editing and teaching, she has returned to full-time work at Elfinwild Presbyterian Church in the North Hills of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, as director of children’s and family ministries. She states that she loves the new adventure and is grateful … Continue reading "Amy Affleck ’88 Meyer"
Brion Brooks ’80 became the executive director of the Village of Progress, a nonprofit agency in rural northwest Illinois, serving individuals with developmental disabilities, in 2014. In the spring of 2017 the agency opened The Village Bakery, a retail bakery and café in Oregon, Illinois. The Village Bakery provides competitive wages to men and women … Continue reading "Brion Brooks ’80"
Carol Springsteen ’80 took an early retirement in 2017 after working many years in the life insurance and annuity industry. She reports that while she decides on her “next act” she is happy training her dogs in both agility and rally, visiting her children, friends and relatives, and continuing in her quest to hike all … Continue reading "Carol Springsteen ’80"
Betty Buikema ’82 Birner published her sixth book on linguistics, titled Language and Meaning. She is a professor of linguistics and cognitive science in the department of English at Northern Illinois University, where she has taught since 2000.
During its May meeting, the Hope College Alumni Association Board of Directors appointed four new members and elected two new officers. The board’s new members are: Chandler Alberda, a junior from Austin, Texas; Lindsay Allward-Theimer ’11 of Atlanta, Georgia; Suzanne Marceny ’82 Caltrider of Mason, Michigan; and Phillip Torrence ’96 of Portage, Michigan. Newly elected as vice president … Continue reading "Suzanne Marceny ’82 Caltrider"
Dan Gundersen ’82 is the senior vice president and principal at Camoin Associates, a national economic development consulting company based in Saratoga Springs, New York, that has opened an office in Richmond.
Ingrid Anderson ’83 Baird has retired after 32 years of teaching high school French. In 2015 she was awarded the Kent County Education Association High School Teacher of the Year award. She currently volunteers through Bethany Christian Services teaching English to refugees and continues to tutor an inner-city school child through the Kid’s Hope program. … Continue reading "Ingrid Anderson ’83 Baird"
Robert Baird ’83 of Grand Rapids, Michigan, reports that 35 years after college graduation, his accomplishments include retaining a full head of hair, albeit gray. He is the president of HRA Psychological Services in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where his private practice involves forensic work (capacity to parent), disability determination, and general mental health and marriage … Continue reading "Robert Baird ’83"
Todd Holstege ’83 teaches K-5 physical education at Emmons Lake Elementary School in the Caledonia school system. He is finishing his 34th year of teaching, and in February was inducted into the Grand Rapids Christian High School Athletic Hall of Fame as an athlete. He was one of only 11 athletes to have been inducted … Continue reading "Todd Holstege ’83"
Melissa Stoll ’85 Cole received a doctorate of nursing practice with distinction from the Nurse Executive Organizational Leadership Program within the University of New Mexico College of Nursing. Her scholarly project was “How Nurse Leaders Assess Their Ethical Leadership Practice Before and After Ethical Leadership Training.”
Peggy Hallacy ’86 Gorno was given the Salute to Women honor for personal and professional excellence as a role model and mentor to other women at Grand Rapids Community College. She has held several positions at GRCC: assistant director of financial aid, campus information system coordinater, IT manager of academic applications and director of the … Continue reading "Peggy Hallacy ’86 Gorno"
Todd Garth ’87 was appointed chief program officer of GoodWeave International in September 2017. GoodWeave is one of the first and only organizations working to end child labor by connecting all the dots between New Delhi and New York, between a back alley factory and a boutique shop, between an artisan and the end consumer. … Continue reading "Todd Garth ’87"
Jacque Schaendorf ’87 is the president and CEO of The Insurance House Inc., which is based in Atlanta, Georgia. She is also serving as the 2018-19 president of the Wholesale and Specialty Insurance Association, which is a national association of surplus lines brokers and managing general agents, and is writing an article for the WSIA’s … Continue reading "Jacque Schaendorf ’87"
Jon McKeeby ’88 and Susan Milanowski ’88 McKeeby recently moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan. Jon is the chief information officer for the National Institutes of Health’s Clinical Center. Sue is a behavior consultant for children with autism for Centria Healthcare.
Kimberly Platte ’88 Orcutt is the Andrew W. Mellon curator of American Art at the Brooklyn Museum. She is the former Mellon curator at large for American Art at the Indianapolis Museum of Art.
Brenda Conant ’88 Wierenga-Huyser reports that her first husband, Dean Wierenga ’88, passed away in July 2011 after 23 years of marriage and shortly after graduating from seminary in May 2011, and that it has been a tough grief journey. She shares that God brought her a new husband, Dave Huyser, in June 2017 and … Continue reading "Brenda Conant ’88 Wierenga-Huyser"
Brian Mork ’83 retired this fall as a colonel after 30 years in the U.S. Air Force that included both active duty and reserve service. After obtaining a Ph.D. from the University of Illinois, he spent 10 years as a full-time Air Force pilot, including nuclear-alert duty before the Berlin Wall was taken down and flying during the first night of the … Continue reading "Brian Mork ’83"
Marie DeGroot ’84 Shields received a PharmD degree from Ferris State University College of Pharmacy in May. She is completing a residency at Borgess Hospital in Kalamazoo, Michigan.
Emily Wang ’85 Lewis of Madison, Wisconsin, has been promoted from associate to full clinical professor of radiology. She has worked at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health in Madison since 2005. She reports that she and her son enjoy the plentiful trails around the city. Emily remembers fondly her time … Continue reading "Emily Wang ’85 Lewis"
John Conser ’86 was named Civilian Aviation Instructor of the Year by the U.S. Army. He currently serves as an instructor of aviation ground school for all U.S. soldiers and marines entering service as unmanned-aircraft operators. He previously was a flight-line instructor for the Hunter MZ-5B and Shadow RZ-7 aircraft. John is a veteran of … Continue reading "John Conser ’86"
Alan Supp ’86 founded Lyon Capital Advisors in June. Lyon Capital provides comprehensive wealth advisory and institutional investment brokerage services employing the Fidelity, Pershing and Raymond James platforms. He termed out of his Blandford Nature Center board position, but continues to co-chair the investment committee for Blandford.
Harry Coffill ’89 of Grand Rapids, Michigan, is the district library media specialist at Godfrey-Lee Public Schools, having transitioned to a new school system after spending 25 years at East Grand Rapids Public Schools. He serves all four schools at Godfrey-Lee, focusing on collection management, technology integrations and student service.
Deborah Rezanka ’89 received a Bachelor of Science degree in 2018 from the University of New Mexico School of Engineering. She is currently working at Los Alamos National Lab in a post-baccalaureate position in the high- performance-computing division.
Mark Ennis ’80 has had his first book published. Circle of Seven: When His Servants Are Weak collects real pastoral-care stories that can challenge one’s faith, yet find healing in Christ and community.
Lynn Forth ’82 received the Top Women in Law from the Excellence in Law, 2018 Award. She is a partner at Buckner and Kourofsky LLP and works in the field of workers’ compensation.
Heidi Cope ’83 Roy received a Master of Social Work degree, advanced clinical practice, from Saint Leo University in August 2018 and she passed her LMSW exam (Georgia) in September 2018.
John Conser ’86 was selected as the U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence Civilian Aviation Instructor of the Year at the 1st Aviation Brigade, Fort Rucker, Alabama. John has served the Army at Fort Huachuca, Arizona, as a primary flight instructor for the Shadow RQ-7B and the Hunter MQ-5B as well as an FAA certified … Continue reading "John Conser ’86"
Tammy Lovell ’87 Frost, the second totally blind individual to graduate from Hope, published her first book. Fay and the Rainy Day, a Christian children’s book.
The Hope College Alumni Association will present Distinguished Alumni Awards to Dr. Douglas Van Wieren ’88, on Saturday, April 27, during the Annual Alumni Banquet. Van Wieren has been a site-reliability engineer with Google since 2017, and previously spent several years in higher education — in administration, teaching and research — in the United States and … Continue reading "Dr. Douglas Van Wieren ’88"
Lois Lema ’80 and her basset hound “Dexter” have continued to do much therapy-dog work in New Hampshire. Dexter is with the Alliance of Therapy Dogs and has been since 2017. He’ll be four in September. She reports that Dexter is loved at the nursing homes they visit. One home paints his nails a lovely … Continue reading "Lois Lema ’80"
Avid runner Kevin Kraay ’81, long-time business manager at Hope, hit the road with added purpose on Saturday, May 4, during the Nana’s Run 5K held in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on behalf of ALS patients and research. “It was especially memorable as I could honor my mom who passed away 15 years ago from ALS,” … Continue reading "Kevin Kraay ’81"
Thomas Picard ’81 of Richland, Michigan, is a psychiatrist who has left clinical practice for now as he pursues other interests. His book Star Trek: A Psychoanalysis, published in 2018, takes an in-depth look at the original 1960s Star Trek television series, and is intended to provide insights in an engaging and fun way for any … Continue reading "Thomas Picard ’81"
Thomas Kessel ’83 has joined Integrated Fiduciary Advisory Services as managing director. Integrated is a boutique wealth-management firm based in Birmingham Michigan, supporting the creation and preservation of the wealth of owners of privately-held business and family offices, and as well as trustees of foundations, endowments and retirement plans.
Johnny Marmelstein ’85 led the girls’ varsity soccer team at St. Margaret’s Episcopal School in San Juan Capistrano, California, to the CIF State Regional Championship, the first in school history. He was also named CIF-Southern Section Division four Coach of the Year, and, earlier in the season, he earned his 500th career win. His overall career … Continue reading "Johnny Marmelstein ’85"
Greg Reid ’86 received a law degree last year from Loyola University’s Beazley Institute for Health Law and Policy in Chicago, Illinois, with a focus on international data-privacy regulations and FDA regulatory law. He currently leads a large group of professionals as managing director of BDO LLP’s data privacy group that supports global clients’ data-privacy … Continue reading "Greg Reid ’86"
Lisa Jurries ’86 Waldorf was named Teacher of the Year at Hopewell Middle School in Milton, Georgia. She teaches students with moderate to severe intellectual disabilities.
Scott Buhrmaster ’88 has accepted a position as chief executive officer at Calibre Press, Inc., a market-leading law enforcement training organization that trains officers of all ranks from a wide range of federal, state and local agencies nationwide. Scott first worked with Calibre in 1989 shortly after graduating from Hope. The ceo position follows an … Continue reading "Scott Buhrmaster ’88"
Julie Maire ’88 Turner is a professor and department chair of nonprofit administration at Lindenwood University in the St. Louis, Missouri, region. She was selected to enter academic research and provide training in the use of experiential learning in nonprofit management at the Nonprofit Academic Centers Council international conference in July at the Cass School … Continue reading "Julie Maire ’88 Turner"
Eric Lunde ’83 retired from Peper Jaffray in April after 28 years in public finance, specializing in senior-living communities nationwide. Eric and his wife, Barbara, have two adult children and reside in Minnetonka, Minnesota
Wendy Vander Hart ’85 was elected a town-meeting member for a three-year term in Arlington, Massachusetts, serving in the representational government of the town in which she resides
Lisa Gierlach ’86 received a MTS from Calvin Theological Seminary and resides in Barrington, Illinois, where she is a controller for a nonprofit organization, Shelter Inc. in Arlington Heights, Illinois
Mark Rector ’87 and Cyndi Jager ’87 Gibson were married on Dec. 7, 2018, in GrandRapids, Michigan, after being introduced by a mutual friend at a Griffins hockey game. The couple now resides in Rockford, Michigan. Even though both graduated from Hope in1987, Cyndi lived in Gilmore Hall and was an education major while Mark … Continue reading "Mark Rector ’87 and Cyndi Jager ’87 Gibson"
Ann Boggess ’89 Bridgman is celebrating her 17th year as a residential interior designer for her firm, Just the Thing Decorating in Southlake, Texas. Celebrated by HOUZZ.com with multiple “best of HOUZZ” Design and Customer Service awards, she reports that she feels blessed to have found a career she loves that uses both her Hope … Continue reading "Ann Boggess ’89 Bridgman"
Brenda Hoffman ’89 Dieffenbach retired from teaching after 30 consecutive years. She recently began a new career as a development officer for Western Theological Seminary in Holland, Michigan
Craig S. Morford ’81 of Dallas, Texas, whose career in law has included leadership roles in the U.S. Department of Justice and the health care and energy industries, has been selected to receive a Distinguished Alumni Award from the Hope College Alumni Association. He was originally to have been honored during the Alumni Banquet that … Continue reading "Craig S. Morford ’81"
Diane Boughton ’85 Walker teaches physical education to elementary school students in Summerton, South Carolina, and coaches track at Scott’s Branch Middle School. She is also pursuing a master’s in education with a specialization in athletic coaching.
Lisa Jurries ’86 Waldorf Werner was named Teacher of the Year at Hopewell Middle School in Milton, Georgia. She teaches those with moderate to severe intellectual disabilities
Kay VandenBosch ’87 Kossen is the first female partner at Kreis Enderle in the 45-year history of the law firm. She has been with Kreis Enderle for more than 15 years and in 2018 was named a member of Michigan Lawyers Weekly’s “Women in the Law.”
Chad Campbell ’88 is the director of residential clinical services with Eagle Village, a Christian-based residential-, camp- and community-based provider of mental health services for struggling youth and their families located in Hersey, Michigan.
Daniel Vermeer ’88 of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, spoke at Hope on Thursday, Feb. 13, presenting the address “Ocean Futures: Making the Blue Economy Green” through the college’s annual John Shaughnessy Psychology Lecture Series. He is the founding director of the Center for Energy, Development and the Global Environment (EDGE) at Duke University, where he … Continue reading "Daniel Vermeer ’88"
Hope Appoints New Alumni Board Members and Officers During its May meeting, the Hope College Alumni Association Board of Directors appointed four new members and elected two new officers. The board’s new members are: Toni Gordon ’09 of Perrysburg, Ohio; Mary Lammers ’60 Kempker of Zeeland, Michigan; Dr. Kiersten Krause ’97 of Holland, Michigan; and … Continue reading "Tish Carr ’82 Boerigter"
Janna Rynders ’83 McLean had a paper, “A Protamine Knockdown Mimics the Function of Sd in Drosophila melanogaster,” published in the June 2020 edition of Genes, Genomes, Genetics. She co-wrote the paper with her undergraduate researcher Luke Gingell. She is the dean of arts and sciences at Bethel University in Mishawaka, Indiana.
Ken Neevel ’84 is the vice president of development and communications for Multiplication Network Ministries, a global church planting organization currently serving 50 countries.
Wendy Vanderhart ’85 completed a 13-year tenure as associate conference minister with the Southern New England Conference of the United Church of Christ. She is now serving as interim senior minister at First United Church of Christ in Northfield, Minnesota.
Hope Appoints New Alumni Board Members and Officers During its May meeting, the Hope College Alumni Association Board of Directors appointed four new members and elected two new officers. The board’s new members are: Toni Gordon ’09 of Perrysburg, Ohio; Mary Lammers ’60 Kempker of Zeeland, Michigan; Dr. Kiersten Krause ’97 of Holland, Michigan; and … Continue reading "Scott Watson ’86"
Mark Plosila ’81 retired from the State of Florida after 20 years of service. He began his career as an investigator and two years later was promoted to supervisor of an 11- county area. Seven years later he became an inspector. Although he received several citations during his career, the highlight was the President’s National … Continue reading "Mark Plosila ’81"
Mary De Vries ’84 Harrington has recently retired as the food safety and quality manager after 35 years of employment with General Mills working at the Yoplait facility in Reed City, Michigan. She and her husband, Chris, live in Paris, Michigan, where they operate a beef cattle farm. They have recently taken up white water … Continue reading "Mary De Vries ’84 Harrington"
Rob Berstrom ’86 is the SAP integration manager with Toledo Molding and Die, a division of Grammer AG. In this new role he will be in charge of the upcoming implementation of SAP R3 and Hanna for the North American locations. He has been with Toledo Molding and Die since 2015.
Deborah Heydenburg ’87 Fuller is a professor in the department of microbiology at the University of Washington and chief of infectious diseases and translational medicine division at the Washington National Primate Research Center. Her lab developed a promising COVID-19 vaccine that entered phase 1 human clinical trials in September 2020. This next generation vaccine could … Continue reading "Deborah Heydenburg ’87 Fuller"
Larry Wagenaar ’87 has been reappointed to the Michigan Historical Commission for a term ending in 2024 by Michigan’s Governor Gretchen Whitmer. He was first appointed in 2012 and provides oversight to the state’s Michigan History Center and also operates the Michigan Historic Marker Program. He was also elected vice president of the Cultural Advocacy … Continue reading "Larry Wagenaar ’87"
Dan Boerigter ’88 was elected chairperson of the board of directors of SoundOff Signal, a global leader in emergency lighting based in Hudsonville, Michigan. He continues to practice law in Minneapolis, Minnesota, as a partner in the firm of Yost & Baill. He and his wife, Christina Eisenmann ’88 Boerigter, currently have two sons enrolled … Continue reading "Dan Boerigter ’88"
Harry Coffill ’89 is entering his third year teaching for Godfrey-Lee Public Schools serving as library-media specialist for students in grades K-12. He reports that, like any teacher is finding, this year is serving up peculiar challenges, but he is proud to be working with the “Legends” at Godfrey-Lee.
The Hope College Alumni Association is honoring four alumni with Distinguished Alumni Awards this year. The association plans to celebrate both the 2020 and 2021 honorees virtually at a date to be determined. The awards are normally presented at the annual Alumni Banquet during Alumni Weekend each April, but this year’s and last year’s events … Continue reading "Craig Morford ’81"
Ellen Brandle ’86 reports that after 11 years in the same position at the same school (teaching English and German to five- and six-year-olds in an English language immersion program at an international school in Berlin), she requested in September to take over a new class of six year olds who are at high risk … Continue reading "Ellen Brandle ’86"
The Hope College Alumni Association is honoring four alumni with Distinguished Alumni Awards this year. The association plans to celebrate both the 2020 and 2021 honorees virtually at a date to be determined. The awards are normally presented at the annual Alumni Banquet during Alumni Weekend each April, but this year’s and last year’s events … Continue reading "Deborah Heydenburg ’87 Fuller"
Robin Bost ’80 Sharp was ordained as a minister of the Presbyterian Church in March 2021. She was called to serve as pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Waterford, Pennsylvania.
Cheryl Schemper ’82 Ramey retired after 39 years as a resource specialist with Ripon Unified School District. She reports that she is looking forward to traveling, camping, and spending time with her husband, Mike.
Greg VerBeek ’83 moved from Chicago, Illinois, to Austin, Texas, to head up the global contracts and strategic pricing operations for National Instruments.
Dan Boerigter ’88 is the executive chairman of the family company, SoundOffSignal, and led the groundbreaking for a major addition to the company. The new 100,000 square foot office and factory will enable the company to keep up with its historic growth pattern of doubling every five years. The new facility will ultimately house approximately … Continue reading "Dan Boerigter ’88"
The Hope College Alumni Association Board of Directors appointed four new members and elected three new officers during its April meeting. The board’s new members are: Naod Estifanos, a junior from Silver Spring, Maryland; Tracey Forbes ’03 Hoesch of Ann Arbor, Michigan; Michael Magan ’88 of London, England; and Jacob Sitati ’01 of Vernon Hills, … Continue reading "Michael Magan ’88"
Tracy Boockmeier ’89 Brower has published a second book, The Secrets to Happiness at Work, which is about empowering people to create and choose the conditions for happiness, wellbeing, fulfillment and success. She is a PhD sociologist studying work-life fulfillment and happiness. Her previous book is Bring Work to Life by Bringing Life to Work. … Continue reading "Tracy Boockmeier ’89 Brower"
Greg Shand ’80 reports that it’s been three years since he and his wife, Kim, retired from their company, Vega Consulting Solutions Inc., following their sale of Vega to the employees. They now reside in Naples, Florida. Greg spends some of his spare time traveling to racetracks across the country, teaching high performance driving, as … Continue reading "Greg Shand ’80"
Darlene Hiemstra ’86 Shotmeyer has been elected the New Jersey Bergen County Republican State Committeewoman serving for her third term. She was recently elected as the vice-chair of the New Jersey Republican State Party for the the entire state of New Jersey
Sue Sharp ’80 Anker retired as a school social worker seven years ago from Farmington Public Schools. She has been on the Young Life staff for the past four years as the Young Life Eastern Great Lakes Regional Capernaum coordinator and team leader for Metro Detroit Capernaum. Capernaum is a Young Life outreach ministry to … Continue reading "Sue Sharp ’80 Anker"
John Vander Ven Jr. ’81 and his family moved to Otsego, Michigan, from Australia, where he lived for almost 30 years. He reports that it is great to be back living in small town, rural America.
Paul Van Heest ’82 was a finalist in the 2021 International Artprize competition held in Grand Rapids, Michigan. His series of color pencil drawings, titled Four Calling Birds, also earned the artist four cash awards.
Tim Kasten ’82 has returned to Nairobi to the headquarters of the UN Environment Progamme (UNEP), where he serves as director of the policy and programme division responsible for UNEP’s strategic planning, results-based management, and setting the organizational programme to address the triple planetary crisis of climate change, loss of biodiversity and pollution.
Eva Dean Folkert ’83 of Holland, Michigan, retired from the Hope College staff in February. She had served most recently as interim director of public affairs and marketing, but since 1985 had served in a variety of capacities at the college, including as a writer and editor in the public relations office; a member of … Continue reading "Eva Dean Folkert ’83"
John Brender ’84 is author of the book Millennial Expats in China: Experiences and Observations, published in December 2021. He is director of special initiatives with the office of international programs at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan.
Wendy Vander Hart ’85 finished a call as interim senior minister at First United Church of Christ in Northfield, Minnesota, and is now serving as interim senior pastor of Union Church in Waban, Massachusetts.
David McWatters ’86 returned into the woods, one hundred yards from Lake Michigan, spending the COVID years renovating Manitou Lodge. He reports that he is grateful to wake up each morning with a beautiful girl beside him, albeit one with a large nose and hairy ears. He and his Great Dane, Gracie, go to the … Continue reading "David McWatters ’86"
Diana Krahe ’86 Steketee is a registered play therapist serving children in the Jenison, Michigan, area. She has a primary interest in the issues related to foster care and adoption, having previously worked in the child welfare system for 20 years. In March, she became president of the Michigan Association for Play Therapy after previously … Continue reading "Diana Krahe ’86 Steketee"
Chad Bergman ’89 recently purchased Farnham’s Furniture in Casper, Wyoming, where he has worked for the past 28 years. Farnham’s carries medium- to upper-end furniture and mattresses in a 45,000-square-foot showroom.
Eva Dean Folkert ’83 who retired this spring as interim director of public affairs and marketing, received a Meritorious Service Award from the Hope College Alumni Association on Monday, April 25. She had served in multiple capacities at Hope since 1985, including as senior administrator for women’s athletics, director of women’s athletics and co-director of … Continue reading "Eva Dean Folkert ’83"
Beth Anderson ’83 Robbins is the data and assessment supervisor for Collierville Schools in Collierville, Tennessee. She was the principal of West Collierville Middle School for the past five years.
Margie Oklatner ’85 McCarty moved to Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, in July 2020 and is the senior pastor of the Good Shepherd Buckhorn Charge. The charge has several active social ministries, including a diaper ministry, Bundles of Blessings. Margie sings with the Bloomsburg Singers. She was a featured soloist in “Serenade for Strings” this spring. She looks … Continue reading "Margie Oklatner ’85 McCarty"
Mike “Mickey” McVickar ’85 reports that his Intro to Art History class must have had some positive influence on him; approximately 20 pieces of art from his and his husband’s art collection will be featured in the exhibition “As Is: Beauty and the Body in Contemporary Art” at the Grand Valley State Universally Arts Gallery … Continue reading "Mike “Mickey” McVickar ’85"
Mark Rebhan ’85 has been named chief strategy officer at MRM-Detroit. MRM is a full-service marketing services agency, and is part of McCann Worldgroup
Pamela Pater-Ennis ’80 received of the Prophetic Ministry Award from New Brunswick Theological Seminary. She was honored for her work in My Sanctuary Healing, which is a ministry to those who have been abused by either clergy, church members or a wider congregation.
Kim Logie ’83 Bates retired after 27 years in education to work for herself and help small businesses move into a more tech-heavy environment. She reports she has been enjoying her house on the lake and being able to control her own schedule.
Todd Holstege ’83 retired in February of 2021 after 37 years of teaching, serving as athletic director and coaching. He keeps himself busy running his interior and exterior painting company and his Patience Properties. He and his wife, Kim, are following their son, Spencer, 6’5” and 320 lbs., starting LG at Purdue University. Spencer was … Continue reading "Todd Holstege ’83"
Linda Miller ’83 and Chuck Bryda were married on June 11, 2022, in Naperville, Illinois. Linda’s daughters, Carissa Speelman and Cailyn TenHoeve ’17, and Chuck’s daughter, Lindsay Bryda, were the attendants. Linda’s granddaughter, Adeline Speelman, was the flower girl and her grandson, Owen Speelman, was the ring bearer.
Tim Vande Bunte ’83 has retired as CEO and chairman of the board of Vande Bunte Eggs after 40 years with the company and is now selling the company. He reports that he looks forward to spending more time with his children, grandchildren and friends, and will continue traveling, including a mission trip with Every … Continue reading "Tim Vande Bunte ’83"
Wendy Vande Vusse ’84 Delhaye retired from Saugatuck Public Schools as director of guidance and counseling in June 2022 after 33 years in public education.
Duane VandenBrink ’84 reports that he is excited to have joined his alma mater as an adjunct professor this fall. He taught an evening chemistry course in the Schaap Science Center, and enjoyed the interaction and enthusiasm of his students.
Johnny Marmelstein ’85 has accepted the Dean of Students position at Pacifica Christian High School in Newport Beach, California. Pacifica Christian teaches students to think and live well by providing a rigorous, collegepreparatory, liberal arts education for students from all backgrounds and neighborhoods. He will also take over the Boys’ Varsity Soccer Program. In his … Continue reading "Johnny Marmelstein ’85"
Marjorie Lindner ’87 Gunnoe is a professor at Calvin University. She recently published The Person in Psychology and Christianity with InterVarsity Press.
Harry Coffill ’89 is continuing his service to Godfrey-Lee Public Schools, serving as K-12 library-media specialist. He reports that this year brings exciting changes, as Lee High- Middle School is building a new library, and Harry is helping in the design and relocation of the space. Additionally, Godfrey-Lee Schools received two library grants this year, … Continue reading "Harry Coffill ’89"
Matt Soeter ’81 lost his wife of 36 years, Grace Soeter in June 2021. He has subsequently married a widow, Becky Sue Maag Gagnon of Canyon Lake, California. He received a call in November 2021 to San Gabriel Presbyterian Church (ECO), a Chinese American congregation.
Nancy DeWitte ’82 Condon reports that many years after paddling across the U.S. in an open canoe, she has published an expedition account. Her adventure memoir is Paddle for Water, Canoeing across America with a Message and a Man I Never Intended to Marry. Armchair adventurers can now experience the trials, adventures, and achievements she … Continue reading "Nancy DeWitte ’82 Condon"
Linda Gruenberg ’86 released a middle-grade historical novel called Blazes & Brimestone, inspired by the historic fire in Holland, Michigan, 1871. The book is about three children who rescue horses from a livery stable when the city of Holland, Michigan, burns down. She is currently living in Lapland, Sweden.
The Hope College Alumni Association will present Distinguished Alumni Awards to Dr. Michael Dickinson ’87 and Sarah Sanderson ’03 on Saturday, April 29, during the banquet held as part of Alumni Weekend. Dickinson is a specialist in cardiovascular diseases and advanced heart failure and transplant with Corewell Health (formerly Spectrum Health Medical Group) in Grand … Continue reading "Michael Dickinson ’87"
The Hope College Alumni Association Board of Directors has appointed four new members. The board’s new members are: Craig DeSousa ’72 of Garden City, New York; Liam Naumann ’25 of Wyckoff, New Jersey; Marissa Solorzano ’19 of Grand Rapids, Michigan; and Gaye van den Hombergh ’81 of Lincolnshire, Illinois. (Pictured clockwise starting from the top … Continue reading "Gaye van den Hombergh ’81"
John Ratmeyer ’83 and Liliana Ratmeyer have served Navajo (Dine’) and other Indigenous peoples (Zuni, Hopi, Acoma, Laguna, etc.) through their work at the Gallup Indian Medical Center (Gallup, New Mexico) for nearly 32 years: John as a pediatrician, and Liliana as a medical lab technologist. He reports that they look forward to retirement some … Continue reading "John Ratmeyer ’83"
The Hope College Alumni Association Board of Directors has appointed four new members. The board’s new members are: Craig DeSousa ’72 of Garden City, New York; Liam Naumann ’25 of Wyckoff, New Jersey; Marissa Solorzano ’19 of Grand Rapids, Michigan; and Gaye van den Hombergh ’81 of Lincolnshire, Illinois. (Pictured clockwise starting from the top … Continue reading "Scott Watson ’86"
Mark DeWitt ’87 is chief advancement officer at Evergreen Commons in Holland, Michigan, following a 17-year philanthropy career at Hope during which he led several initiatives including the development of the Jack H. Miller Center for Musical Arts. He is building on a rich tradition of wellness, lifelong learning, travel, arts, disease physical function optimization … Continue reading "Mark DeWitt ’87"
David Kuiper ’88 of Dart Bank has been named Alignable’s 2023 Local Business Person Of The Year. Alignable is the largest online referral network for small businesses. David was recognized as a leader who has gone above and beyond guiding peers and supporting entire communities. He is the vice president and senior mortgage banker at … Continue reading "David Kuiper ’88"
Susan Renner ’90 Williams of East Grand Rapids, Michigan, has been appointed to the Hope College Alumni Association Board of Directors. She was named to the board during the group’s fall meeting, held on Thursday-Friday, Oct. 20-21, in conjunction with the college’s Homecoming Weekend.
Robert Anderle ’91 of Middletown, New York, relocated from his home of 18 years in and around Chicago in 2015, having accepted a call to serve as pastor of Scotchtown Presbyterian Church in Middletown, New York. He has been married since 2012 to Jacqui, and their two children are Braden (3) and Lydia (1).
Kathi Damsteegt ’91 Clark reports that she and her family have returned to Michigan, this time on the opposite end of the state in Milford, Michigan. Her husband took a design-engineering position with Mahle in Farmington Hills, Michigan, and they moved from western New York last spring. They have a daughter in her second year … Continue reading "Kathi Damsteegt ’91 Clark"
Patricia Stegink ’91 Villanueva of Eaton Rapids, Michigan, is now serving as school director for Happendance (501-c) in Okemos, Michigan, in addition to remaining on faculty. She is also the artistic director of Velocity Concert Dance and Education Exchange and assistant director with Impulse Student Dance Company.
William Charles Crowley ’92 taught a month-long Graham Technique intensive for a fifth year at the Centre de Danse du Marais in Paris, France, in August 2016 and held an audition for Dance 43 at Hope College in September 2016. He then traveled to East Lansing, Michigan, where he set his work, “Ghost Light” on … Continue reading "William Charles Crowley ’92"
Don Lingle ’92 of Dayton, Ohio, marked his 19th year at LexisNexis this past July. They have locations in Ohio, Georgia and Florida with emerging offices in North Carolina.
John Suchan ’92 of Wichita, Kansas, recently wrote and won a grant to purchase a class set of iPads for the autistic population of students at the Maize South Middle School where he is a counselor.
Jason Evert ’93 of Jacksonville, Florida, has joined Johnson, Mirmiran & Thompson (JMT, Inc.) as a senior marine scientist performing environmental impact analyses and ecosystem restoration planning. He is also associate faculty at the University of Phoenix, teaching biology to non-majors.
Allison Goins ’94 Ash of Glen Ellyn, Illinois, is the dean of student care and graduate student life at Wheaton College. She and her husband have two children, Ellie (6) and Maddy (4).
Danielle Phebus ’94 Bielby of Battle Creek, Michigan, reports that she and her husband celebrated 19 years of marriage and have four children. She is active in her church and her community.
Scott Crawford ’95 has been employed with Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, since 1999. He is the associate director of the office of undergraduate admissions.
Rachel Dahl ’95 and her father Bob Dahl ’66 have published their second book, titled “The Nine A.M. Jog.” Rachel formatted and illustrated the book with original abstract watercolors of several of his poems. Their first book was “The Ten P.M. Walk,” published in 2014. Bob is a retired United Church of Christ minister living … Continue reading "Rachel Dahl ’95 and Bob Dahl ’66"
Karen Paradis ’98 Filipiak is working part-time as a staff registered nurse at Mission Hospital in Asheville, North Carolina, in a women’s and children’s float pool. She is a mother of a 4-year-old daughter and an 18-month-old son.
Elizabeth Freeman ’98 graduated with a Master of Science degree in nutrition and integrative health. She partners with individuals and organizations to create awareness and drive change in food and healthy lifestyle choices.
Matthew Kuiper ’98 received his Ph.D. in Islamic studies and theology from the University of Notre Dame. He successfully defended his dissertation on modern Islamic history on Monday, June 27, and was awarded the Ph.D. on Sunday, July 31. He is a post-doctoral teaching and research fellow at Notre Dame and an adjunct faculty member … Continue reading "Matthew Kuiper ’98"
Erik Manninen ’98 was promoted to lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army on May 15, 2016. Currently, he serves as the internal medicine residency program director at William Beaumont Army Medical Center. WBAMC offers one of the six residency programs for internal medicine in Army hospitals. Erik and Melisa (married 17 years) and their children, … Continue reading "Erik Manninen ’98"
Kari Jackson ’99 Chavey of Novi, Michigan, marked her 10th year at General Motors in October in the propulsion systems embedded controls group, where she met her husband, Dana, whom she married on Oct. 1, 2011. She completed her master’s in global automotive and manufacturing engineering degree from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, in … Continue reading "Kari Jackson ’99 Chavey"
Erin Frazer ’99 Nagrant of Brunswick, Ohio, has been a hospitalist for the Cleveland Clinic since April 2014. She and Andrew Nagrant announce the birth of Mary Judith on June 21, 2012, and James Michael on June 7, 2015.
Kathryn Nixon ’99 of Hainseville, Illinois, recently received her LCSW and is maintaining a happy career at Allendale Association. She and Nadia Foster were married on Sept. 16, 2016.
William Charles Crowley ’92 had the distinct honor of being one of the first Americans ever to teach dance in Cuba since 1959, as part of the U.S.-Cuba People to People cultural exchange program, at the Danza Contemporanea de Cuba in Havana in December 2016. He returned to Hope College for a third year as … Continue reading "William Charles Crowley ’92"
Kimberly Manns ’92 reports that she was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer in January 2016. After three surgeries, five months of chemotherapy and 25 radiation sessions, she is finished with treatment and saying a grateful good-bye to 2016. She has been promoted to an assistant prosecuting attorney III for Kent County and entered 2017 with … Continue reading "Kimberly Manns ’92"
Jennifer Cameron ’93 reports that she has gained two daughters, Olivia and Callie, through the beautiful gift of adoption. The girls were both born in China. She met Olivia while serving in China in June 2012, and on July 1, 2013 they were declared together forever. Olivia traveled with her to pick up Callie and … Continue reading "Jennifer Cameron ’93"
Shalom Sonneveldt ’93 Jaconette of DeWitt, Michigan, added pastoral care assistant to her responsibilities at River Terrace Christian Reformed Church in East Lansing, Michigan, where she was already serving as children’s ministry director.
Michael VanHuis ’93 is the vice president of strategic initiatives for Missio Nexus. Missio Nexus has a 100-year history of advancing the effectiveness of the Great Commission community in North America in global mission.
Russ Johnson ’94 will be celebrating his 65th birthday by riding his bike in Sea to Sea 2017. He plans to leave Vancouver, Washington, bound for Halifax, Maine, on June 26.
Tammy DeRoo ’94 Russell earned her Ph.D. in evaluation, measurement and research from Western Michigan University. She remains living in Kalamazoo, Michigan, with her husband, Mark, and daughter, Amelia.
Dawn Campbell ’94 Wedemeyer of Almont, Michigan, was the Michigan Lottery Excellence in Education award winner in November. She is a special education teacher at Lapeer-Almont High School in Lapeer County. She was recognized with a $500 check from the Michigan Lottery and her class will receive a $500 grant.
Jennie Katterheinrich ’96 Dimmick and Nick Dimmick ’96→
Jennie Katterheinrich ’96 Dimmick and Nick Dimmick ’96 report that 2016 was quite the year: they moved back to Jennie’s hometown and to her old house. Nick became the pastor at Versailles Christian Church, where Jennie’s dad had been pastor from 1977 to 1996. They doubled their kid count from three to six by adopting … Continue reading "Jennie Katterheinrich ’96 Dimmick and Nick Dimmick ’96"
Craig Phillips ’97 and Kristin Schneider ’02 Phillips→
Craig Phillips ’97 and Kristin Schneider ’02 Phillips announce the birth of Benjamin Craig on June 18, 2015. He joined his big sisters, Elizabeth and Charlotte.
Stephan Currie ’98 has been promoted to executive director of the Michigan Association of Counties. He had been serving as deputy director, where he has been leading MAC’s daily operations for five years, plus has spurred new initiatives such as CoPro+, a collaborative purchasing program for public entities. Founded on Feb. 1, 1898, MAC is … Continue reading "Stephan Currie ’98 and Karen Pirich ’98 Currie"
Becky Hollenbeck ’98 Dykhuis and Brian Dykhuis ’98→
Becky Hollenbeck ’98 Dykhuis is the coordinator of connection and engagement at Trinity Reformed Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She and her husband, Brian Dykhuis ’98, live in Grandville, Michigan, with their four children.
Kari Vandrese ’98 Zamora had her middle school orchestra, the Faubion Honors Orchestra, chosen as one of the three middle school orchestras in the world selected to perform at the prestigious Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic on Friday, Dec. 16, in Chicago, Illinois.
Brent Bash ’99 is the director of North American Grains. He and his wife, Trish, live in Lakeville, Minnesota, with two future Flying Dutchmen, Anna and Otto.
Jon Brown ’99 and Kristyn Fox ’01 Brown announce the birth of their fourth daughter, Ava Grace, on Aug. 28, 2016. Jon serves as a pastor at Pillar Church in downtown Holland, Michigan.
Dan McCue ’99 graduated from Grinnell Mutual’s Emerging Leaders Program, a rigorous 15-month leadership development program.
M. Lynn Massey ’90 Breyfogle and Jim Breyfogle ’90→
M. Lynn Massey ’90 Breyfogle and Jim Breyfogle ’90 report that they are excited for their identical twin daughters, Jamie and Kimberly, to join Hope’s Class of 2021 this fall.
Todd Adams ’91 of Tallahassee, Florida, was elected president of the faculty senate at Florida State University. He also serves as a member of the FSU Board of Trustees and the FSU Foundation Board.
Kathleen Kelly ’91 Hayduck of Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, is co-founder and producer at her own production company, Turtlebox Productions, with her husband. Turtlebox is focused on creating meaningful media for children. Clients have included Sesame Workshop, CBC Kids and WGBH/PBS Kids. Her company’s first iOS app, “Run Salmon Run,” an educational storybook app about the … Continue reading "Kathleen Kelly ’91 Hayduck"
Amy Moeckel ’96 Peterson of St. Joseph, Michigan, is a school counselor at Upton Middle School and St. Joseph High School, both of which she and her husband attended, as do/will their two children.
Gail Messing ’96 Schramek of Lake Orion, Michigan, is an orthopedic nurse practitioner at St. Joseph Mercy Oakland. She and her husband have a son, Robert, who just finished first grade.
Ben Krombeen ’97 of Grand Rapids, Michigan, joined Baruch Senior Ministries as the vice president of finance in March. Baruch is based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and is a faith-based non-profit organization providing senior living services across Michigan.
Becky Hollenbeck ’98 Dykhuis of Grandville, Michigan, is the coordinator of connection and engagement at Trinity Reformed Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She and her husband, Brian Dykhuis ’98, live in Grandville, Michigan, with their four children.
Matthew Kuiper ’98 of South Bend, Indiana, has been awarded the University of Notre Dame’s 2017 Shaheen Graduate Award, given annually to the university’s outstanding Ph.D. graduate in the humanities. He was recently appointed assistant professor of Islamic Studies at Missouri State University. His book, Da’wa and Other Religions: Indian Muslims and the Modern Resurgence … Continue reading "Matthew Kuiper ’98"
M. Lynn Massey ’90 Breyfogle is an associate dean and professor at Bucknell University, and has been awarded an American Council on Education Fellowship for 2017-18. ACE is the nation’s premier higher education leadership development program preparing senior leaders to serve American colleges and universities. She will be serving her fellowship at Albion College under … Continue reading "M. Lynn Massey ’90 Breyfogle"
Norman “Chip” Duford ’90 completed his 24th summer in Holland, Michigan, as a member of the Hope Summer Repertory Theatre Acting Company. Roles he played were Alfieri in A View From The Bridge, President Roosevelt in Annie, The Musical and a member of the ensemble cast of Working.
Thomas R. Ter Maat ’90 of Ada, Michigan, has been included in The Best Lawyers in America 2018. He specializes in insurance law with Foster Swift Collins & Smith, P.C.
William Charles Crowley ’92 held an audition for Dance 44 at Hope this past spring and also served as program liaison for the 2017 Hope College Leap of Faith – Paris May Term. He then taught a month-long Graham Technique intensive for a sixth year at the Centre de Danse du Marais in Paris, France, … Continue reading "William Charles Crowley ’92"
Brian Keisling ’92 and Jill Eenigenburg ’92 Keisling→
Brian Keisling ’92 and Jill Eenigenburg ’92 Keisling celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary in August. Brian is director of operations and actuarial services for Michigan’s Medicaid program and Jill teaches private piano lessons. The oldest of their three children, Julia, is a fourth-generation Hope student and a member of the class of 2020.
Scott Runyon ’93 reports that he was honored to be called as the 16th senior pastor of the First Baptist Church of Birmingham, Michigan, in their nearly 150-year history of ministry in the beautiful and thriving city northwest of Detroit. He began on June 1 at an exciting transitional time as together they will be … Continue reading "Scott Runyon ’93"
Mark Baker ’94 of Midlothian, Virginia, reports that in June of 2016, the Federal Government appointed him to serve as an administrative law judge for the Social Security Administration in Richmond, Virginia. He has also continued his service in the U.S. Navy Reserves; he holds the rank of a commander and currently serves as the … Continue reading "Mark Baker ’94"
Jeff Baxter ’94 is the lead pastor of River Church, Lakewood, Colorado, and has written a new book, From Broken to Beautiful: What Repairing Streams Has Taught Me About Healing The Local Church.
Thomas Akland ’97 has recently been named to the Ascension Medical Group of Michigan board of trustees. Ascension is the nation’s largest nonprofit health system and one of the largest health systems in Michigan. He has served as the chief of the department of pediatrics since 2007 for Borgess Health in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and is … Continue reading "Thomas Akland ’97 and Audrey Coates ’97 Akland"
Rebecca Spencer ’97 of Amherst, Massachusetts, received a five-year, $2.64-million grant from the National Institutes of Health to study mid-day napping benefits on young children. She is a neuroscientist at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
Nine alumni who have pursued careers in opera or have experience as opera accompanists returned to campus on Tuesday, Oct. 24, to share their experience and talent during a panel discussion and a gala concert named for an acclaimed predecessor that brought them together for the first time. They gathered from as far away as … Continue reading "Beth Quimby ’99 Fischer"
Jen Baker ’91 recently moved to Bath, England, and reports that she is excited to discover the beauty found in the stunning and historic city. She has written three more books which will be published this year (January, April and September) and enjoys traveling internationally, speaking about the wonderful freedom found in Christ. She also … Continue reading "Jen Baker ’91"
David MacIntyre ’92 of Waukesha, Wisconsin, has been elected faculty president at Carroll University, where he teaches kinesiology in the exercise science program. He has been at Carroll since 1995. He is the first non-tenured, non-tenure track, clinical faculty member to serve as faculty president.
Michelle Ready ’92 of Nunica, Michigan, was named the 2017 Gerri Allen Communicator of the Year by the Michigan School Public Relations Association. She is the director of communications and integrated marketing for Ottawa Area Intermdiate School District.
Mike Nowlin ’93 reports that his family recently repatriated to central Ohio after working in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, for nearly four years. He was the executive director for Hagar Cambodia, a Christian non-profit ensuring that survivors of human rights abuses such as human trafficking, gender-based violence and abuse receive trauma recovery services. He reports that … Continue reading "Mike Nowlin ’93"
Trent Wakenight ’93 of Lorton, Virginia, has been working in the field of graphic facilitation and graphic recording since 2002, helping the federal government and industry-leading companies develop visual solutions to complex challenges and create poster-sized drawings in real-time at conferences and events. In 2017, he started his own firm, Marker Ninja LLC, and also … Continue reading "Trent Wakenight ’93"
Miriam Beyer ’98 and Thomas Meadows were married in November in Brooklyn, New York. She is the director of communications at The School at Columbia Univeristy, the K-8 school affiliated with Columbia. Tom is a product support analyst at Macmillan Publishers. They reside in Brooklyn, New York.
Todd Adams ’91 was elected as a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in fall 2017. AAAS is the world’s largest general scientific society.
Laura Holloway ’91 received her master’s in mathematics from Villanova University in May 2017. She is now teaching mathematics classes at Bucks County Community College in Bucks County, Pennsylvania.
David Zomer ’91 was installed as senior minister of Bethany Reformed Church in Kalamazoo, Michigan, on Sunday, March 18, by the Southwest Michigan Classis. He previously served as minister of Powell River Reformed Church of Powell River, British Columbia, and as an RCA missionary in Hungary and Italy. He was baptized at Bethany and has … Continue reading "David Zomer ’91"
Bill Boerman ’94 received the educator excellence award from the Air Zoo in Portage, Michigan, during its fifth annual West Michigan Science Innovation Hall of Fame Awards on Saturday, April 21. He teaches in Holland Public’s STEM/STEAM program, which launched in the 2016-17 school year.
Sandy Federico ’96 reports that she has started an exciting mid-career change adventure. After many years of teaching dance in private studios and public schools, most recently at the Academy for Academics & Arts in Huntsville, Alabama, she has moved to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to pursue a degree in physical therapy at Chatham University.
During its May meeting, the Hope College Alumni Association Board of Directors appointed four new members and elected two new officers. The board’s new members are: Chandler Alberda, a junior from Austin, Texas; Lindsay Allward-Theimer ’11 of Atlanta, Georgia; Suzanne Marceny ’82 Caltrider of Mason, Michigan; and Phillip Torrence ’96 of Portage, Michigan. Newly elected as vice president … Continue reading "Phillip Torrence ’96"
Daniel Cwik ’97 of Hoffman Estates, Illinois, worked for six months as a material handler at Insight in 2017-18 and in March started a job as a temporary mail clerk for Ricoh in Northbrook, Illinois. He is also considering a computer support certification and updating skills in HTML.
Sufjan Stevens ’98 performed his song “Mystery of Love” during the internationally televised 90th Academy Awards ceremony on March 4. Nominated for Best Original Song, “Mystery of Love” is one of three songs that he has in the film Call Me by Your Name. Read more about Sufjan on the Alumni Blog.
Glyn Williams ’98 is the vice president of the west region of Rapport Worldwide, a media planning and buying agency that is part of the Interpublic Group. Since helping found the Los Angeles, California, office of Rapport in 2013, he has led the office to double its staffing and more than triple the billings with … Continue reading "Glyn Williams ’98"
Megan Masta ’99 Stiverson is a family court referee, juvenile court administrator and youth home administrator with the 1st Circuit CourtFamily Division in Hillsdale County. She was the assistant and chief assistant prosecuting attorney for the past 13 years. She now presides primarily over child abuse/neglect cases and juvenile delinquency and is a team member … Continue reading "Megan Masta ’99 Stiverson"
Mark Bast ’92 of Grand Rapids, Michigan, visited campus this spring to celebrate a treasured recent acquisition: a 1983 BMW 320i, the same make, model and color as a car that he purchased in 1991 and drove as a student but had to sell following an accident. When he discovered it for sale online, from … Continue reading "Mark Bast ’92"
Karen Bentz ’92 Howatt is the assistant professor of nursing at Siena Heights University. She completed her Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from American Sentinel University in education leadership in August.
Johanna Pscodna ’92 received the Michigan Music Education Association (MMEA) 2018 Outstanding Administrator Award. She received the award in recognition of and appreciation for outstanding administrative support to MMEA and the cause of music education in Michigan. Johanna is in her 12th year as principal of Keicher Elementary in Michigan Center, Michigan.
As a scholar of 19th-century U.S. history, Anna-Lisa Cox ’94 isn’t accustomed to being in the spotlight. With the publication of her book The Bone and Sinew of the Land: America’s Forgotten Black Pioneers and the Struggle for Equality, however, she found herself the subject of numerous media interviews, recipient of multiple invitations to discuss her work … Continue reading "Anna-Lisa Cox ’94"
Raeann Schoudt ’94 reports that after moving away for 12 years she finally returned to Holland, Michigan, a year ago. “It’s good to be home,” she writes.
Christin Van Wyk ’95 Greiman was promoted to associate professor at Northwood University and completed a Doctorate of Business Administration degree from Northcentral University.
Kay Otto ’96 and Mark Ziegler were married on July 1, 2018. They have moved with their children to Kenosha, Wisconsin. Kay reports that she still loves working as a school social worker at Shabonee Elementary School in Northbrook, Illinois.
Craig Phillips ’97 and Kristin Schneider ’02 Phillips announce the birth of Anneke Joy on July 17, 2018. She joins older siblings Elizabeth, Charlotte and Benjamin.
Gretchen Rumohr-Voskuil ’97 was named the 2018 Outstanding Scholar of Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where she is an associate professor of English as well as the department chair and the writing- program administrator. The recognition is based on demonstrated excellence in scholarly or professional achievement in the previous five years, including publications and presentations, and the … Continue reading "Gretchen Rumohr-Voskuil ’97"
Jessica Grevenstuk ’98 Scholten and her husband, Tom, recently moved to Aurora, Illinois. Jess began as a pastor and head of staff at River Glen Presbyterian Church in Naperville in December 2017.
JP Buckingham ’99 has been appointed by Governor Rick Snyder to serve on the environmental permit review commission. The commission consists of 15 members appointed by the governor with experience in engineering, geology, hydrology, hydrogeology or a field of engineering or science related to air or water. The commission term will end August 28, 2020. JP is a partner at Triterra, … Continue reading "JP Buckingham ’99"
Rebecca Collins ’91 is the president of the Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC) Chicago Chapter. The ACC is the world’s largest community of in-house counsel, and the Chicago chapter serves more than 2,200 in- house attorneys in the Chicago area.
Daniel Combs ’93 and Shelli Rottschafer ’96 have published a collaborative chapbook through SwEP, a small publishing house out of Albuquerque, New Mexico. The work includes Daniel’s photography, Shelli’s narrative and student poetry. Shelli is an associate professor of Spanish at Aquinas College who teaches Latino/a literature, film and gender studies. Daniel is a freelance … Continue reading "Daniel Combs ’93"
Kristin Sikkenga ’93 Northrop reports that in addition to a full-time position as a special education teacher and department chair for Ann Arbor Public Schools, she is also venturing into two part-time careers. In 2017, she earned her STOTT Pilates Instructor Certification, and she teaches Pilates part time for a local Pilates studio and YMCA. … Continue reading "Kristin Sikkenga ’93 Northrop"
Bill Boerman ’94 received a check from the Michigan Lottery through the Excellence in Education Award program. The award is given to educators in the community who demonstrate excellence, dedication, inspiration, leadership and effectiveness in and out of the classroom. He is a sixth- and-eighth grade STEM teacher at Holland Middle School.
Heidi Aronson ’96 Kolk is an assistant professor in the Sam Fox School of Design and Visual Arts and assistant vice provost of academic assessment at Washington University in St. Louis. Her new book, Taking Possession, will be published this May.
Daniel Combs ’93 and Shelli Rottschafer ’96 have published a collaborative chapbook through SwEP, a small publishing house out of Albuquerque, New Mexico. The work includes Daniel’s photography, Shelli’s narrative and student poetry. Shelli is an associate professor of Spanish at Aquinas College who teaches Latino/a literature, film and gender studies. Daniel is a freelance … Continue reading "Shelli Rottschafer ’96"
Becky Ponka-Lokey ’98 reports that after taking a nine-year hiatus to stay home with her boys, she is thrilled to be teaching full-time again. She taught third grade last year, but has switched to fifth grade for the 2018-19 school year in the St. Joseph Public Schools.
Michael Brya ’99 is the athletic director at DeWitt High School, where he has taught since graduating from Hope. He has also been officiating college basketball for the last 12 years, five of which were at the Division I level.
Having attended the same alma mater and accomplished careers in medicine aren’t the only connections shared by Dr. Dara Spearman-Wardlow ’99 (left) and Dr. David Paul ’10 (right), who each received awards during the Black Excellence Dinner hosted by Hope’s Black Student Union during Homecoming Weekend. (They are pictured with fellow honoree Dr. Vicki-Lynn Holmes, associate professor of mathematics … Continue reading "Dara Spearman-Wardlow ’99"
Chris Carpenter ’90 in January became the fourth professor of emergency medicine in the history of Washington University in St. Louis. He was elected to the Society of Academic Emergency Medicine Board of Directors in March, and since November 2017 has chaired the Schwartz/Reisman Emergency Medicine Institute International Advisory Board. He was appointed to the … Continue reading "Chris Carpenter ’90"
Christopher Barrett ’91 received a Master of Science degree, in control of infectious diseases, in tropical medicine from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine in 2001 and is finishing his Doctor of Public Health degree at the University of Illinois at Chicago, School of Public Health.
Daniel Osterbaan ’91 has returned to the Hope College campus as the director of development for parent giving. He was with Marsh USA Inc. for 21 years.
There’s no way to know how, where or when life journeys will intersect. In 1992, Shonn Colbrunn ’94 and Gavin Loo ’93 posed for a photograph during a weekend trip to Budapest while attending the college’s Vienna Summer School. This past May, they reconnected in Hong Kong and recreated the moment. Shonn, who directs Hope’s … Continue reading "Gavin Loo ’93"
There’s no way to know how, where or when life journeys will intersect. In 1992, Shonn Colbrunn ’94 and Gavin Loo ’93 posed for a photograph during a weekend trip to Budapest while attending the college’s Vienna Summer School. This past May, they reconnected in Hong Kong and recreated the moment. Shonn, who directs Hope’s … Continue reading "Shonn Colburnn ’94"
Kristin Underhill ’95 participated in the Spring Gallery Show at Purdue Polytechnic Institute with an immersive sound and visual art experience titled “Wishes to the Wind.”
Sara Hewitt ’97 has resigned from her position at a non-profit behavioral health agency after 19 years and is working to find her next passion while continuing to build on the one she has for mental health and substance abuse. She is moving to Cocoa Beach, Florida, and will provide therapy with seniors as she … Continue reading "Sara Hewitt ’97"
Greg Vlietstra ’97 is the campaign treasurer for State Representative Brandt Iden, State Representative Pauline Wendzel and State Representative candidate Bronwyn Haltom.
Rebecca Hollenbeck ’98 Dykhuis is the librarian at West Elementary in the Grandville Public School District. This past year she has enjoyed helping kids discover great books and cultivate a love of reading.
David Theune ’99 and Nikki Rodgers ’99 Theune lived in Utrecht, Netherlands, from January through July. David received a Fulbright Distinguished Award in Teaching and ran his passion project, The Share Chair Podcast, from the Netherlands, as he wants to elevate empathy among teens by allowing them to share their stories on the podcast.
Jen Baker ’91 reports that she moved to Bath, England, last year and is thoroughly enjoying life in the iconic, beautiful spa town filled with Georgian architecture. She is working full time running Jen Baker Ministries and has written eight books to date, with her latest book launched on Friday, Oct. 4. It is titled … Continue reading "Jen Baker ’91"
Rhonda Berg ’91 is a new member of the Detroit Tap Repertory dance company. In addition, she will be performing in the Tap24.7 production of Murder at The TAP’OchoinDecember.
Tim Johnston ’93 reports that his latest novel in his Civil War historical fiction series has been published. Lockett’s Crucible is available in paperback or Amazon Kindle.
Heather Ozinga ’97 Roozeboom is the alumni relations and online marketing coordinator for Chicago Christian High School. She spent the last five years at home with her son.
Benjamin Lappenga ’99 has published The Faithfulness of the Risen Christ: Pistis and the Exalted Lord in the Pauline Letters through Baylor University Press.
John Matuska ’91 is a certified Design-Build Professional through the Design-Build Institute of America. He has more than 25 years of experience in the industry, with a special focus in a leadership role for projects utilizing the design-build delivery method. He has been with Ruby+Associates Inc. since 1993.
Kirsten Sullivan ’93 Billeter was named Educator of the Week through the Michigan Lottery’s Excellence in Education program. The program recognizes 34 teachers per year from pool of more than 500 nominees. The award includes a personal cash prize, a cash prize for the winner’s school and segment on news channels through the state. In … Continue reading "Kirsten Sullivan ’93 Billeter"
Meridith Hudson ’95 was married on her 45th birthday, June 23, 2018, to Nels Eric Olson. She reports that they have beautiful blended family that includes his son, Zach, and her two kids, Ryan and Ashley. They honeymooned in Negril, Jamaica. In 2016, she started her own business, doing what she is passionate about: dogs. … Continue reading "Meridith Hudson ’95"
Scott Crawford ’95 is assistant dean for dual-degree recruitment and advising at McKelvey School of Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, where he has been employed for 20 years.
Jared Vickers ’98 was named the 2019 Administrator of the Year by the Michigan Association of School Counselors. He is the principal of Western High School in Parma, Michigan.
Amy Bos ’99 is the new federal technology policy representative at the National Association of Realtors. She is responsible for providing strategic vision, regulatory and legislative analysis of issues related to data privacy, cybersecurity and copyright/patent reform. She previously spent the past nine years as legislative director for Congressman Jim Sensenbrenner (WI-05).
From Mentor and Student At Hope, Ellen Tanis ’90 Awad and Nancy Benda ’17 were mentor and student. Three years later, they have each completed graduate studies at the University of Georgia as friends and peers. Both pursued advanced degrees in student affairs at the Mary Frances Early College of Education of the University of … Continue reading "Ellen Tanis ’90 Awad"
Jim Breyfogle ’90 had his sixth short story about the “Adventures of Kat and Mangos” published in the Spring 2020 issue of Cirsova Magazine. The sixth adventure is called The Golden Pearl.
Tim Ritsema ’90 was selected for the George Lovich State Award of Merit from the Michigan Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. He is the athletic director at Jenison High School.
Bob Anderle ’91 returned to pastoral ministry in the Presbyterian Church (USA) in 2015 in upstate New York, and in 2018 began his current call as pastor of the Union Church of Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, New York. He resides with his wife, Jacqui, and two children, Braden (7) and Lydia (5), in the Bay Ridge … Continue reading "Bob Anderle ’91"
Hope Appoints New Alumni Board Members and Officers During its May meeting, the Hope College Alumni Association Board of Directors appointed four new members and elected two new officers. The board’s new members are: Toni Gordon ’09 of Perrysburg, Ohio; Mary Lammers ’60 Kempker of Zeeland, Michigan; Dr. Kiersten Krause ’97 of Holland, Michigan; and … Continue reading "Jonathan Liepe ’91"
Dan Combs ’93 and Shelli Rottschafer ’96 released a chapbook which includes his photography, her narrative and student poetry called Nuestros antepasados y la nueva generación en SW Michigan: Querencia in the Latinx Midwest: Photography and Ethno-poetics. Shelli teaches Latinx Literature, film and gender studies at Aquinas College. Daniel is a photographer and sommelier.
Yalonda Carter ’93 Dixon reports that she has enjoyed teaching over the past 27 years, which have included private and public schools, as well as home-educating her four children for seven of those years, with her first child, Emmanuel, graduating from college this past year from the University of Maryland. Her teaching experiences have spanned … Continue reading "Yalonda Carter ’93 Dixon"
Dan Combs ’93 and Shelli Rottschafer ’96 released a chapbook which includes his photography, her narrative and student poetry called Nuestros antepasados y la nueva generación en SW Michigan: Querencia in the Latinx Midwest: Photography and Ethno-poetics. Shelli teaches Latinx Literature, film and gender studies at Aquinas College. Daniel is a photographer and sommelier.
Hope Appoints New Alumni Board Members and Officers During its May meeting, the Hope College Alumni Association Board of Directors appointed four new members and elected two new officers. The board’s new members are: Toni Gordon ’09 of Perrysburg, Ohio; Mary Lammers ’60 Kempker of Zeeland, Michigan; Dr. Kiersten Krause ’97 of Holland, Michigan; and … Continue reading "Kiersten Krause ’97"
Lisa Jutte ’98 of Cincinnati, Ohio, has received an Athletic Trainer Service Award from the National Athletic Trainers’ Association. The award recognizes individuals who have been NATA members for at least 20 years for their contributions to the athletic training profession as a volunteer at the local and state levels. She is chair of the … Continue reading "Lisa Jutte ’98"
Rebecca Fein ’99 reports that following in the noble tradition of her ancestors, Dr. John Otte (1883) and Harriet Boot (1934) de Velder, she has completed her doctorate of health science (DHSc.) with an emphasis in global health at A.T. Still University. Her research focused on how geographic information systems and other technology can be … Continue reading "Rebecca Fein ’99"
Kelly Phillips ’91 Nichols has coauthored and published the young adult historical fiction eBook, Beyond the Dragonhead – A Viking Adventure. It has earned “#1 New Release” in its genre.
Shelly Woolman ’93 Cornish has retired from Alpena Public Schools after 25 years in education as both a teacher and a principal. Her husband also retired from his career as an orthopedic surgeon, so as young retirees they are enjoying time hiking, mountain biking and sailing. They are also planning a through-hike on the Appalachian … Continue reading "Shelly Woolman ’93 Cornish"
Julie Phillipps ’94 wrote and illustrated her first graphic novel, Pacey Packer Unicorn Tracker. The book is a humorous adventure about a girl who travels to a magical land to rescue her little sister from an evil unicorn. This middle-grade- graphic novel is the first in a series published by Random House Graphics. She has … Continue reading "Julie Phillipps ’94"
Hillary Heinze ’97 was recently appointed chairperson of the University of Michigan- Flint’s department of psychology. After graduating from Hope, she received her doctorate in clinical psychology at Wayne State University. As part of the requirements for her Ph.D., she spent two years conducting pre- doctoral research at Yale University.
Ryan Janus ’98 was named Musician of the Year by the United States Air Force band of Mid-America out of Scott Air Force Base, Illinois. He reports that he will be forever grateful to the world-class musical instruction at Hope, which helped him achieve his dream of touring the world playing music. He and his … Continue reading "Ryan Janus ’98"
Kathryn Nichols ’99 Campbell serves as pastor at Fellowship Presbyterian Church in Greensboro, North Carolina. Prior to starting this position in June, she and her husband, Austin, welcomed their second child, Archer Grayson, on Jan. 23.
Victoria Derr ’90 has recently published her second academic book, Latin American Transnational Children and Youth: Experiences of Nature and Place, Culture and Care Across the Americas with colleague Yolanda Corona. She is an associate professor at California State University Monterey Bay.
Michelle Hoppe ’90 Long is currently in her 10th season as director of education at Children’s Theatre of Charlotte and celebrating her latest play adaptation of The Velveteen Rabbit and its premiere on Broadway On Demand available through March 2021.
Tim Johnston ’93 has published the latest novel in his Civil War historical fiction series, Locett’s Betrayal, which is available under the pen name of T.J. Johnston.
Jeff Baxter ’94 published Exploring Israel: Helpful Insights for Studying the Land of the Bible. The nearly 300-page book explores 30 places in Israel with maps and pictures to help people understand the Bible better and grow their faith.
Evan Llewellyn ’97 has been named a principal with Edward Jones holding company. He was one of 161 individuals chosen this year from more than 50,000 associates.
Tracy Bednarick ’98 and Chris Humes were married on Dec. 19, 2020, in St. Louis, Missouri. She received a master’s in gifted education from Lindenwood University and is the executive vice president of the Gifted Association of Missouri.
Matthew Kuiper ’98 and Laurie Byington ’96 Kuiper→
Matthew Kuiper ’98 who is an assistant professor of religious studies at Missouri State University, has published his second book, Da’wa: A Global History of Islamic Missionary Thought and Practice, which was published by Edinburgh University Press in late January 2021. He is married to Laurie Byington ’96 Kuiper, and he spent nearly three years … Continue reading "Matthew Kuiper ’98 and Laurie Byington ’96 Kuiper"
The Hope College Alumni Association is honoring four alumni with Distinguished Alumni Awards this year. The association plans to celebrate both the 2020 and 2021 honorees virtually at a date to be determined. The awards are normally presented at the annual Alumni Banquet during Alumni Weekend each April, but this year’s and last year’s events … Continue reading "Lara Plewka ’98 MacGregor"
Rebecca de Velder ’99 Fein and colleague Dr. Leila Kalankesh won the Coronovation 2020 Golden Award granted by the World Business Institute at the United States. Their winning project is called “COVID-19 Voices,” and is an app that allows patients with COVID-19 to track their experiences and provide the real-time data to researchers.
Megan Masta ’99 Stiverson was elected judge of the 2B District Court in Hillsdale County, Michigan, and took office on Friday, Jan. 1, 2021.
Christopher Carpenter ’90 and Panechanh Choummanivong ’93 Carpenter→
Christopher Carpenter ’90 and Panechanh Choummanivong ’93 Carpenter report that they enjoyed watching their daughter Kayla Carpenter ’24 compete on Hope’s undefeated JV women’s basketball team this season despite COVID-19 chaos. He was also happy to serve as a consultant for Hope College’s COVID-19 planning team based on his work describing the diagnostic approach to … Continue reading "Christopher Carpenter ’90 and Panechanh Choummanivong ’93 Carpenter"
Jason Elmore ’93 was elected to the bench for the 28th Circuit Court for Wexford and Missaukee Counties, Michigan. He is a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army Reserves JAG Corps. He recently published his first novel, The Field.
Bill Boerman ’94 of Zeeland, Michigan, was named National Amazing Teacher of the Month by Gannett Publications. He is a STEM teacher at Holland Middle School. One project that his students work on is a greenhouse that provides free, fresh produce for district families and community members.
Hillary Heinze ’97 is chairing the new department of behavioral sciences at UM-Flint. The new department combines four units: psychology, sociology, anthropology and criminal justice. She has served as chair of the psychology department for the past year.
Greg Vlietstra ’97 is the campaign treasurer for Michigan Governor candidate Garrett Soldano.
Matthew Kuiper ’98 and Laurie Byington ‘96 Kuiper→
Matthew Kuiper ’98 is an assistant professor of religious studies at Missouri State University and has published his second book, Da’wa: A Global History of Islamic Missionary Thought and Practice, which was published by Edinburgh University Press in late January 2021. Matthew, who is married to Laurie Byington ‘96 Kuiper, spent nearly three years researching … Continue reading "Matthew Kuiper ’98 and Laurie Byington ‘96 Kuiper"
Glyn Williams ’98 acquired Mahlmann Media, and is serving as CEO. Mahlmann Media is an out-of-home advertising media owner, operator, and representative that has been in business for over 30 years, previously owned by Richard and Susan Mahlmann. After nearly 20 years at outdoor advertising agencies, he started at Mahlmann Media in 2019 as chief … Continue reading "Glyn Williams ’98"
Kirsten Allen ’90 Bartels and her husband Bart have returned to Holland, Michigan, and are now living in the historical district mere blocks from campus. She is the chief academic officer for Akad/Asia.
Jason Elmore ’93 is the 28th circuit court judge for Wexford and Missaukee counties. He also published his first book, The Field. He and his wife, Alicia Mendenhall ’94 Elmore, celebrated their 28th anniversary on May 22.
Kuria Van Wieren ’98 is living in Bonita Springs, Florida, and is working as a travel nurse healthcare recruiter. She is a registered nurse and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing.
Rebecca de Velder ’99 Fein created a television show for Amazon Fire, Roku and Apple TV called Everyday Science. The show communicates science to the curious and encourages everyone to embrace the scientist within. The show covers topics related to the pandemic, but also science topics in general.
Darrin Duistermars ’90 has received the 2021 Michigan Recreation & Parks Association Fellowship Award, which is presented to a member who consistently demonstrates significant investment, support and guidance to fellow professionals. Honorees exemplify the highest level of professionalism in all aspects of the profession, in their own organization and within the membership. Nominees must … Continue reading "Darrin Duistermars ’90"
Mark Van Genderen ’90 is the president of the commercial snow and ice division at Douglas Dynamics in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He and his wife, Laura, and their four children (ages 7-16) continue to reside in Cedarburg, Wisconsin.
Team “12 Cents,” consisting of 12 alumni of the Centurian Fraternity, won the Masters division of Ragnar Michigan on September 25. Ragnar Michigan is a 200-mile running relay race from Muskegon to Traverse City. Each of the 12 team members runs three legs varying from three to nine miles each. The team members were: Jeff … Continue reading "Jeff Brown ’96"
Cindy Canavera ’96 Crannell has been teaching STREAM (Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Art and Mathematics) in River Forest (Illinois) School District 90 the last three years. Recently she was awarded The Jacobs Educator Award from Indiana University for her ability to teach lessons that teach students computational thinking.
Team “12 Cents,” consisting of 12 alumni of the Centurian Fraternity, won the Masters division of Ragnar Michigan on September 25. Ragnar Michigan is a 200-mile running relay race from Muskegon to Traverse City. Each of the 12 team members runs three legs varying from three to nine miles each. The team members were: Jeff … Continue reading "Erik Eldred ’96"
Team “12 Cents,” consisting of 12 alumni of the Centurian Fraternity, won the Masters division of Ragnar Michigan on September 25. Ragnar Michigan is a 200-mile running relay race from Muskegon to Traverse City. Each of the 12 team members runs three legs varying from three to nine miles each. The team members were: Jeff … Continue reading "Jeremy Van Ek ’96"
Team “12 Cents,” consisting of 12 alumni of the Centurian Fraternity, won the Masters division of Ragnar Michigan on September 25. Ragnar Michigan is a 200-mile running relay race from Muskegon to Traverse City. Each of the 12 team members runs three legs varying from three to nine miles each. The team members were: Jeff … Continue reading "Marcus Wasilevich ’96"
The Hope College Alumni Association will present Distinguished Alumni Awards to Jalaa’ Abdelwahab ’97 and the Rev. Dr. Tim Brown ’73 during the first in-person Alumni Weekend celebration since 2019. Abdelwahab recently became Director of Vaccine Programmes in the Country Programme of the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI) in Geneva, Switzerland, following 10 … Continue reading "Jalaa’ Abdelwahab ’97"
Lisa Bos ’97 was promoted to senior director of government relations at World Vision US, a Christian humanitarian organization addressing the root causes of poverty in nearly 100 countries.
Sarah Dingerson ’97 Geukes is a principal at Hastings Middle School. She previously served as principal at Central Elementary in Hastings and Sandyview Elementary in Hamilton. She was recognized as the MEMSPA (Michigan Elementary and Middle School Principal Association) 2021 Principal of the Year for Region 9. She and her family live in Middleville, Michigan.
Team “12 Cents,” consisting of 12 alumni of the Centurian Fraternity, won the Masters division of Ragnar Michigan on September 25. Ragnar Michigan is a 200-mile running relay race from Muskegon to Traverse City. Each of the 12 team members runs three legs varying from three to nine miles each. The team members were: Jeff … Continue reading "John Delcalzo ’98"
Team “12 Cents,” consisting of 12 alumni of the Centurian Fraternity, won the Masters division of Ragnar Michigan on September 25. Ragnar Michigan is a 200-mile running relay race from Muskegon to Traverse City. Each of the 12 team members runs three legs varying from three to nine miles each. The team members were: Jeff … Continue reading "Lloyd Dunlap ’98"
Team “12 Cents,” consisting of 12 alumni of the Centurian Fraternity, won the Masters division of Ragnar Michigan on September 25. Ragnar Michigan is a 200-mile running relay race from Muskegon to Traverse City. Each of the 12 team members runs three legs varying from three to nine miles each. The team members were: Jeff … Continue reading "Brian Dykhuis ’98"
Team “12 Cents,” consisting of 12 alumni of the Centurian Fraternity, won the Masters division of Ragnar Michigan on September 25. Ragnar Michigan is a 200-mile running relay race from Muskegon to Traverse City. Each of the 12 team members runs three legs varying from three to nine miles each. The team members were: Jeff … Continue reading "Greg Folkert ’98"
Team “12 Cents,” consisting of 12 alumni of the Centurian Fraternity, won the Masters division of Ragnar Michigan on September 25. Ragnar Michigan is a 200-mile running relay race from Muskegon to Traverse City. Each of the 12 team members runs three legs varying from three to nine miles each. The team members were: Jeff … Continue reading "Peter Martin ’98"
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 "Lara Plewka ’98 MacGregor"
Team “12 Cents,” consisting of 12 alumni of the Centurian Fraternity, won the Masters division of Ragnar Michigan on September 25. Ragnar Michigan is a 200-mile running relay race from Muskegon to Traverse City. Each of the 12 team members runs three legs varying from three to nine miles each. The team members were: Jeff … Continue reading "Seth Bruggers ’99"
Team “12 Cents,” consisting of 12 alumni of the Centurian Fraternity, won the Masters division of Ragnar Michigan on September 25. Ragnar Michigan is a 200-mile running relay race from Muskegon to Traverse City. Each of the 12 team members runs three legs varying from three to nine miles each. The team members were: … Continue reading "Mark Tenhor ’99"
Kristy Balogh ’90 Sidlar celebrated her oneyear heart transplant anniversary by publishing her first book: Change of Heart: My Journey of Transplantation, Revelation, and Transformation
Karen Kooyman ’91 Abraham retired in June after 31 years in public education. She taught elementary school for 17 years and spent the last 14 years as an elementary school principal. She plans to continue working part-time in schools along with traveling.
Jamie Jeluso ’92 Sitarz of Littleton, Colorado, published her research titled “Chemotherapy Induced Alopecia: Examing Patient Perceptions and Adherence to Home Haircare Recommendations” in the April 2022 edition of The Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing. She also presented her abstract as a a poster presentation at the Oncology Nursing Society’s National Conference in Anaheim, California. … Continue reading "Jamie Jeluso ’92 Sitarz"
Ryan McFall ’93 who is a faculty member in the computer science department at Hope College, received the college’s Janet L. Andersen Award for Teaching Excellence in January 2022. This award recognizes specific activities or aspects of teaching, rather than generic “effective teaching,” but the emphasis is still on recognizable excellence, and is named after … Continue reading "Ryan McFall ’93"
Jennifer Salls ’97 Bailey won a state teaching award and one of eight national teaching awards from the National Agriculture in the Classroom Organization. She is a second grade teacher at Argyle Central School in Argyle, New York, and inspires creativity, curiosity and science exploration in her students using vermicomposting in the classroom, identifying maple … Continue reading "Jennifer Salls ’97 Bailey"
William Kintz ’97 was promoted to the rank of captain in the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve in a ceremony at USCG Headquarters in Washington, D.C. Currently serving as the first-ever senior reserve officer at CG Cyber Command, he is the architect of the service’s Reserve Cyber Program which engages reserve members from across the country … Continue reading "William Kintz ’97"
NEW ALUMNI BOARD MEMBERS AND OFFICERS The Hope College Alumni Association Board of Directors appointed five new members and elected three new officers during its April meeting. The board’s new members are: Tonzia Buor ’05 of Denver, Colorado; junior Alyson Davis ’24 of Palatine, Illinois; Jonathan Hatfield ’09 of Grand Rapids, Michigan; Dr. Ken Janda … Continue reading "Dr. Kiersten Krause ’97"
Timothy Su ’97 is the chief information officer at Partnership to End Addiction in midtown Manhattan. This January marked his 15th year working at the organization. He and his family continue to reside in New York City and actively serves in their local church.
Amy Strassburger ’98 VanStee has taken on a new role as vice president of content and community at Expressable, which provides online speech therapy to children and adults around the country. She’s responsible for the creation of digital content that educates, supports, and inspires people wherever they are in their communication journey
Dana Marolt ’99 has graduated from Tulane University summa cum laude with her master’s degree in social work. She started her career as a child and adolescent therapist specialist at PRA Perakis, Resis, Woods, and Associates back in her home town of Crystal Lake, Illinois, this summer, relocating from Madison, Wisconsin, after spending the last … Continue reading "Dana Marolt ’99"
Brian Knight ’91 was named president and CEO of the National Association of State Credit Union Supervisors (NASCUS) in January of this year. Prior to being named CEO, he served as the organization’s general counsel and executive vice president for the previous 15 years. He joined NASCUS in 1998.
Bob Toth ’93 is a PA-C at the Orthopedic Center. He has been part of the Sports Medicine Division for 12 years. He provides humanitarian medical care internationally with Team Rubicon. He is the primary medical provider or the University of Utah baseball team and the Salt Lake City Bees.
Bill Boerman ’94 was presented with a state tribute by State Representative Brad Slagh during a school board meeting at Adams Elementary in Zeeland, Michigan, on Monday, Sept. 19. The tribute was given in recognition of Bill being name “Regional Teacher of the Year” last spring. He is currently teaching fourth grade at Woodbridge Elementary … Continue reading "Bill Boerman ’94"
Mark Whittaker ’94 became president of the Scientific Research Consortium – AminoAcids. com in October 2021. AminoAcids.com is a testing lab that serves the biopharmaceutical and food industries.
Kristin Underhill ’95 is the managing director of the Crystal Theatre Performing Arts Center, a restored 1927 historic theater in Crystal Falls, Michigan. She was previously the office manager for the Department of Art and Art History at Hope for 20 years.
Marianne Swierenga ’99 was granted tenure and promoted to associate professor at Western Michigan University, where she is a cataloging and metadata librarian in the University Libraries.
William Lowry ’91 and Shalom Sonneveldt ’93 are engaged, an engagement 33 years in the making. They will be making their home in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Shalom is the administrative coordinator and pastoral care assistant at River Terrace church in East Lansing, Michigan.
Jennifer Brady-Johnson ’92 received a post-professional doctoral degree in occupational therapy from St. Catherine University in May 2022. Her doctoral project was on evidence-based practices in mental health that contribute to regulation.
Brett VanderKamp ’94 was named to the Grand Rapids 200 List. This list recognized the most powerful business leaders in West Michigan. He is the CEO of New Holland Brewing Co.
Elizabeth Anker ’96 has written and published On Paradox: The Claims of Theory. She is a professor of law and associate professor in the Department of English at Cornell University, coeditor of Critique and Postcritique, and author of Fictions of Dignity: Embodying Human Rights in World Literature. Her new book contends that the faith in … Continue reading "Elizabeth Anker ’96"
Tracy Bednarick-Humes ’98 was recognized by the National Association for Gifted Children as a Gifted Coordinator of the Year. She is with Lindbergh Schools, St. Louis, Missouri.
Tim Ritsema ’90 won the West Michigan Officials Association Athletic Director of the Year Award. He is an athletic director at Jenison High School and is also vice president of the Michigan Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. He is in his 30th year of education.
Jason Gillard ’92 has been working as a therapist for more than 20 years. He was awarded a rare DBT certification (there are fewer than 400 in the United States). He is a DBT-Linehan Board of Certification – certified clinician. He works at Kaiser Permanente and in private practice, and is available to provide consultation … Continue reading "Jason Gillard ’92"
Jamie Jeluso ’92 Sitarz co-authored “Nurses’ Rationale For Underreporting of Patient and Visitor Perpetrated Workplace Violence: A Systematic Review,” published in BMC Nursing in April.
Daniel Combs ’93 is a category manager with Gordon Food Service for the Denver metro area. He is also an accomplished nature and landscape photographer represented by LaFontsee Gallery in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Julie Phillipps ’94 published her fourth graphic novel in her Pacey Packer Unicorn Tracker series, Dragon Rider, with Random House Graphic in March 2023.
Mark Whittaker ’94 is president of the Scientific Research Consortium Inc. and AminoAcids.com, a research and testing laboratory in Roseville, Minnesota. He is also the co-founder of Blue Water Farm Feeds LLC, a startup focused on production of insect-derived protein for animal feeds.
Robert Wiesenthal ’95 has been involved with the Democratic Party campaigns of Cory Booker, Kenneth E. Nwadike Jr., Edward Markey, Frank Wallbrown, Don L. Rivers, Gene Hart and Lori Lightfoot, in addition to others, by volunteering and contributing.
Shelli Rottschafer ’96 was a professor of Spanish from 2006 to 2023 at Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She taught Spanish language classes as well as Latinx literature, film and cultural studies. Additionally, she taught in the inquiry expression program for the first-year students’ research writing skills courses. From 2014 to 2023 she was … Continue reading "Shelli Rottschafer ’96"
The Hope College Alumni Association Board of Directors has appointed four new members. The board’s new members are: Craig DeSousa ’72 of Garden City, New York; Liam Naumann ’25 of Wyckoff, New Jersey; Marissa Solorzano ’19 of Grand Rapids, Michigan; and Gaye van den Hombergh ’81 of Lincolnshire, Illinois. (Pictured clockwise starting from the top … Continue reading "Thomas Doran ’97"
The Hope College Alumni Association Board of Directors has appointed four new members. The board’s new members are: Craig DeSousa ’72 of Garden City, New York; Liam Naumann ’25 of Wyckoff, New Jersey; Marissa Solorzano ’19 of Grand Rapids, Michigan; and Gaye van den Hombergh ’81 of Lincolnshire, Illinois. (Pictured clockwise starting from the top … Continue reading "Kiersten Krause ’97"
Kate Davelaar ’00 and Tom Guthrie announce the birth of Abraham Thomas on Jan. 13, 2016. Kate and family live in Greensboro, North Carolina, where she is serving as the interim director of Ukirk Greensboro (campus ministries of the PC (UCA)).
Laura Parsons ’00 Yanez graduated May 2016 from Baylor University’s executive MBA program with healthcare administration specialization and was inducted into the honors society for business, Beta Gamma Sigma.
Matthew Goupell ’01 was promoted to associate professor with tenure in the Department of Hearing and Speech Sciences at the University of Maryland – College Park. He also started a new five-year grant from the National Institutes of Health investigating how to improve hearing with cochlear implants.
Daniel Lannin ’01 of Mount Prospect, Illinois, accepted a position at Illinois State University in Bloomington/Normal, Illinois, as assistant professor of clinical and counseling psychology. Dan obtained his Ph.D. in clinical counseling psychology in May 2016 from Iowa State University.
Elizabeth Lomasney ’02 McDermott of New Lenox, Illinois, is an assistant professor of English at the University of St. Francis and an associate editor at RHINO magazine. Her chapbook, How to Leave a Farmhouse, was published last year.
Susan DeKam ’02 of Dallas, Texas, presented an organ concert as the inaugural performance in the Distinguished Alumni Recital series at Hope on Thursday, Sept. 22, in the Concert Hall of the Jack H. Miller Center for Musical Arts. She serves as an organist at Northaven United Methodist Church, as an adjunct piano and organ … Continue reading "Susan DeKam ’02"
Matthew Doerr Parker ’02 and Krista Parker announce the birth of Isla Ave Ann on Aug. 26, 2016. Matthew is a program manager for Applied Minds, LLC in Burbank, California, a think-tank consulting organization that helps client companies develop new products and systems.
Rachael Pridgeon ’02 Peckham of Huntington, West Virginia, was tenured at Marshall University, where she teaches creative writing. This fall she was on sabbatical.
Andrew Imdieke ’03 received his Ph.D. in accounting from Michigan State University. He is an assistant professor of accountancy at the University of Notre Dame.
David Rye ’03 recently opened the Vermont 100 Store in Waterbury Center, Vermont. The Vermont 100 Store stocks a wide assortment of made-in-Vermont crafts, toys, gifts, art, games and other Vermont necessities, as well as its Vermont 100 house brand of apparel and merchandise.
Noel Snyder ’03 received a Ph.D. in theology from Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California, with a concentration in preaching and the arts. He continues to serve as chaplain and director of spiritual life at Alma College.
Kerilyn Harkaway-Krieger ’04 graduated with a Ph.D. in English and religious studies in December 2014. In the fall of 2015, she started serving as an assistant professor of English at Gordon College in Wenham, Massachusetts.
Jessica Robinson ’05 of Grand Haven, Michigan, is entering her second year at Western Theological Seminary. She is an official aspirant for the priesthood in the Episcopal Church and is currently serving as parish intern at St. John’s Episcopal in Grand Haven. She also has founded The Lakeshore LGBTQ Faith Initiative.
Ray Jones ’06 of Hudsonville, Michigan, was appointed the director of nursing at Spring Arbor University in November 2015. He is currently working on his doctoral degree in nursing.
Zephyr Miller ’06 works at Warner Bros supporting the company’s EVP of worldwide digital marketing for all theatrical releases. She reports that she is celebrating 10 years of living in sunny Los Angeles, California.
Anna Van Wyck ’06 of Mears, Michigan is a licensed professional counselor and infant family specialist, and has an M.A. in clinical mental health counseling, specializing in play therapy and children.
Rebecca Bombard ’07 and Bruno Piro announce the birth of daughter Bella Dea Jayne on July 15, 2016. Rebecca has been the owner and artistic director of R&B Dance Center, Wilmette, Illinois, for the past three years.
Aaron Garoutte ’07 and Jennifer Gable ’06 Garoutte→
Aaron Garoutte ’07 and Jennifer Gable ’06 Garoutte announce the birth of Claire Carolyn born on Feb. 28, 2016. She joins their son, Charlie. Aaron also earned his Ph.D. in microbiology and molecular genetics at Michigan State University.
Mandy Novak ’08 Goetz received her Master of Business Administration degree from Ferris State University in August 2016. Her graduate paper, “The Bleak Reality of a World Without Standards,” was nationally recognized by the American National Standards Institute and is being published in Standards Engineering the journal of the Society for Standards Professionals. She and … Continue reading "Mandy Novak ’08 Goetz and Matthew Goetz ’06"
Michael Kaffka ’08 reports that he has led an exciting career in sales for the past eight years and has lived in four different states. He reports that he feels like Hope’s communication classes, specifically taught by Prof. James Herrick, were what made him understand argumentation and communication rhetoric the most. It has helped in … Continue reading "Michael Kaffka ’08"
David Nyitray ’08 and Elizabeth Richert ’08 Nyitray→
David Nyitray ’08 and Elizabeth Richert ’08 Nyitray announce the birth of Noah John on June 9, 2016.
Tim Van Noord ’09 has joined Colliers International West Michigan as a sales associate. He specializes in industrial investment sale and lease transactions, and is based in the firm’s downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan, office. He was previously the regional director of research and analytics at Newmark Grubb Knight Frank for four years, serving in Los … Continue reading "Tim Van Noord ’09"
Hillary Delhagen ’09 of Brooklyn, New York, is a creative arts therapist at Rikers Island Correctional Facility. She had been working with adults with severe mental illnesses at Brooklyn Community Services as the senior art therapist for the past three years.
Jason De Jong ’09 and Julie Kofron ’10 were married on April 30, 2016, at the Morton Arboretum in Lisle, Illinois. In July they moved back to Holland, Michigan, from Denver, Colorado, to be closer to family.
Kathryn Mulder ’00 and Daniel DeJonge were married on Nov. 5, 2016, and reside in Holland, Michigan, where Kate is a practicing optometrist and owns West Coast Eyecare in Holland.
Jeffrey Howard ’01 moved to London, United Kingdom, to earn a Master of Science degree in transport planning and management from the University of Westminster.
Christina Stavros ’01 and Anthony Kidonakis were married on Sept. 4, 2016, at All Saints Greek Orthodox Church in Joliet, Illinois. Their wedding was attended by Christine’s dear classmates and friends, Ghadeer Yaser ’01 Hijazeen, Erin Tuttle ’02 Lockridge, Rebecca Jackson ’01 Williams and Mery Kendall ’01, as well as dear Hope professors and friends … Continue reading "Christina Stavros ’01"
Kara Benson ’02 Haug of Sacramento, California, received a certificate from the University of Michigan in sexual health education and counseling in 2014. With her theology degree, her plan is to bring healthy conversation around sexuality into churches and other non-profits.
Patrick Kinne ’02 has received the Distinguished Alumni Award from Roman Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Syracuse, New York, for his work in the diocese especially at Bishop Grimes Jr./Sr. High School, where he has been teaching since 2004 and serving in an administrative capacity since 2014. He received the award at the Diocese’s … Continue reading "Patrick Kinne ’02"
Misha Neil ’02 accepted the position of director of university events at Central Michigan University in Mount Pleasant, and thus said goodbye to her near decade as the director of performing arts programing and student affairs at Elmira College, where she received her master’s in management.
Greg Town ’02 of Tarrytown, New York, now serves as minister of revitalization and renewal for the Regional Synod of New York (RCA), based in Tarrytown, where he helps to support and equip congregations and church leaders for new vision and mission in their contexts. Rebecca LaRoy ’01 Town continues to pastor the Reformed Church … Continue reading "Greg Town ’02 and Rebecca LaRoy ’01 Town"
Lora Van Uffelen ’02 is an assistant professor in the Department of Ocean Engineering and in the Graduate School of Oceanography at the University of Rhode Island.
Kyle Delhagen ’04 and Elena Delhagen announce the birth of Atticus James on July 27, 2016. Kyle is the pastor of Western Presbyterian Church in Palmyra, New York.
Paul Simon ’04 has been appointed president of the Dallas Association of Young Lawyers and will serve from January to December 2017. DAYL has more than 3,000 members.
Elizabeth Foster ’04 Steenwyk and David Steenwyk announce the birth of Hannah Kathryn and William Henry on Nov. 11, 2016. They join big brother Patrick (3). Pictured Above: These three sets of twins were born less than three months apart, and there’s no pressure, but the bibs reflect the hope that maybe, just maybe, college choice … Continue reading "Elizabeth Foster ’04 Steenwyk"
Tyler Thompson ’04 of Reed City, Michigan, was appointed by Michigan Governor Rick Snyder as probate judge of Mecosta and Osceola counties. Governor Snyder wrote, “through his work as the Osceola prosecuting attorney and in private practice, Thompson has gained extensive knowledge and experience in every kind of matter that comes before the Probate Court. … Continue reading "Tyler Thompson ’04"
Steven Van Beek ’04 was named to Michigan Lawyers Weekly’s “Up & Coming Lawyers Class of 2016.” His concentration is in the area of financial regulations for Howard & Howard.
Jeffrey Martindale ’05 has been elected a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology and was recently named director of the Heart Failure Program at MidMichigan Health in Midland, Michigan.
Eric Post ’05 of Holland, Michigan, was voted into the partnership of Varnum Attorneys at Law. He is a corporate attorney advising startups, private and family-owned businesses, and multinational companies.
Meredith Carlson ’06 Bailey and Scott Bailey announce the birth of Luke August on Aug. 29, 2016. He joins big sister Nora, born in February 2015. Meredith graduated with a master’s degree in special education, focusing on behavior management, from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania in December 2016.
Jamie Thompson ’06 Ward acquired her Montessori AMI elementary diploma and her master’s in education. She now lives in Dallas, Texas, and leads a lower elementary (grades one-three) Montessori classroom.
Stacy Nienhuis ’07 Duimstra and Justin Duimstra announce the birth of Maverick James Wilder on July 26, 2016. He joins big sisters Brielle (seven) and Genevieve (four).
Carrie Thomason ’07 Johnson and Eric Johnson ’07 announce the birth of Connor born on July 20, 2016.
Adam Ringnalda ’07 and Megan Werley ’07 Ringnalda→
Adam Ringnalda ’07 and Megan Werley ’07 Ringnalda announce the birth of Louie Scott on June 29, 2016. Adam is the part owner of Ringnalda & TenHaken Insurance Group.
Kristi Szczepanek ’07 has joined Brown Paper Box Theatre Company in Chicago, Illinois, as an artistic associate. She serves as company administrator and as company liaison for the league of Chicago Theatres.
Jordan Hoyer ’08 joined the Grand Rapids, Michigan, office of Kotz Sangster. She is focusing her practice on commercial litigation and financial services litigation.
Ashley DeVecht ’09 graduated from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management with a Master of Business Administration degree in June 2016. Her focuses were on marketing, social enterprise, entrepreneurship and innovation, and management and organization. She received the Dean’s Distinguished Service Award for her “significant and lasting contribution” to the campus community life and earned … Continue reading "Ashley DeVecht ’09"
The three sets of twins were born less than three months apart, and there’s no pressure, but the bibs reflect the hope that maybe, just maybe, college choice will follow chronology. Pictured from left to right as potential members of the Class of 2039 are Hannah Kathryn Steenwyk and William Henry Steenwyk, born on Nov. … Continue reading "Kristi Dannenberg ’09 DeVries"
Jonathan Hatfield ’09 is the vice president at J.P. Morgan’s Private Bank in Chicago, Illinois. He works with high-net worth families and non-profit organizations to deliver investment and wealth planning advice. His wife LJ teaches fourth-grade girls at Sacred Heart Academy and they live in Chicago’s Buena Park neighborhood.
Samuel Ogles ’09 was promoted to associate editor and special project manager at Christianity Today. He will be leading a two-year, grant-funded project to create an online compensation tool available to church staff nationwide for determining fair, objective pay and benefits.
These three sets of twins were born less than three months apart, and there’s no pressure, but the bibs reflect the hope that maybe, just maybe, college choice will follow chronology. Pictured from left to right as potential members of the Class of 2039 are Hannah Kathryn Steenwyk and William Henry Steenwyk, born on Nov. … Continue reading "Kate Bultema ’09 Ralston and James Ralston ’09"
Garrett Russ ’09 and Tiffany Day ’09 Russ announce the birth of Ava Joy on Sept. 20, 2016. She joins big brother Gabriel. Garrett and his brother Bryant Russ ’11 have published a book, The Dangeruss Parables.
Brandon Smith ’09 and Stephanie Smith announce the birth of Lillian Clare on Oct. 24, 2016. Brandon and Stephanie are the co-pastors of Heartland Community Church in Lafayette, Indiana.
Allison Hawkins ’09 VanDenend became the director of Black C Art Gallery in Gainesville, Florida, in September. She has also been working as an independent arts consultant for other artists and organizations in the Southeast.
Erin Wysocki ’02 Kostun and Michael Kostun announce the birth of Andrew Michael on March 2, 2017. He joins big sister Claire, who they report is over-the-moon in love.
Bryant Loomis ’03 received the 2016 NASA Robert H. Goddard Exceptional Achievement for Science Award for innovative improvements, advancements and science applications of time-variable gravity mascon solutions from Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) data.
Jim Boerkoel ’05, assistant professor of computer science at Harvey Mudd College, was awarded a Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) grant by The National Science Foundation (NSF) for his project “CAREER: Robust and Reliable Multiagent Scheduling Under Uncertainty.” The CAREER grant will fund five years of new research that builds on previous work. He specializes … Continue reading "Jim Boerkoel ’05"
Brett Schlender ’06 has joined Foster Swift Collins & Smith PC Attorneys litigation group in the Holland, Michigan office. He also serves on the board of directors for Lakeshore Habitat for Humanity and AT53, Inc.
Jordan Hoyer ’08 joined the Grand Rapids, Michigan, office of Kotz Sangster. She is focusing her practice on commercial litigation and financial services litigation.
Christopher Sikkema ’09 is the coordinator for digital evangelism for The Episcopal Church. His efforts mainly focus on sharing faith and stories digitally among young adults and providing theological resources for parishes and individuals.
Nine alumni who have pursued careers in opera or have experience as opera accompanists returned to campus on Tuesday, Oct. 24, to share their experience and talent during a panel discussion and a gala concert named for an acclaimed predecessor that brought them together for the first time. They gathered from as far away as … Continue reading "Meredith Arwady ’00"
Nine alumni who have pursued careers in opera or have experience as opera accompanists returned to campus on Tuesday, Oct. 24, to share their experience and talent during a panel discussion and a gala concert named for an acclaimed predecessor that brought them together for the first time. They gathered from as far away as … Continue reading "Greg Frens ’01"
Trevor Weston ’02 of West Bloomfield, Michigan, joined the law firm of Foster Swift Collins and Smith PC in Southfield, Michigan. His practice focuses on estate planning and probate and trust administration.
Amanda Howe ’04 Blackburn of Ann Arbor, Michigan, graduated with a Juris Doctorate, with honors, from the University of Toledo Law School in a commencement ceremony held on Saturday, May 6.
Scott Blackburn ’04 of Ann Arbor, Michigan, graduated with a Pharm.D. degree from Wayne State University in a commencement ceremony held on Tuesday, May 9.
Courtney Brewster ’04 of Memphis, Tennessee, accepted the position of associate director of the College Prep Program at Washington University in St. Louis.
Julie Brownell ’04 completed a fellowship in Urologic Oncology at Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo, New York. She has started working at Bronson Urology & Continence Specialists in Kalamazoo, Michigan, as a urological surgeon
Sarah Gonzales ’04 Triplett is the chair of the State Arts Action Network, which is a council of Americans for the Arts, the national arts and arts education advocacy organization. AFTA’s SAAN includes 53 members from 42 states, including the District of Columbia. Members independently lead their state’s arts policy initiatives and gather together to … Continue reading "Sarah Gonzales ’04 Triplett"
Victoria Orefice ’06 Cooley and Matt Cooley announce the birth of Willem Charles on May 24, 2017. Victoria also completed her Master of Education degree in literacy studies with an emphasis on Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) from Grand Valley State University in August 2016.
Ashley Bainbridge ’07 Foster and Brett Foster announce the birth of Grace Annilee on Jan. 19, 2017. She joins big brother Lane (age 3) and furry brother Scout.
Kali Hess ’07 Haynes and Addison Haynes ’08 announce the birth of Cohen William on May 9, 2017. He joins Briella Hope, who was born on Feb. 2, 2015. Kali is the head coach of the Brebeuf Jesuit Dance Team, and Addison is a physician at IU Health.
Schuchen Deborah Li ’07 has assumed the regional role of communications manager for Getz Healthcare, managing the marketing and communications needs for the entire company with presence in more than nine countries in Asia.
Tarin Coulas ’08 completed her pediatric residency at Northwestern University/Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago in June 2017. She is now a pediatrician at Spectrum Health Medical Group – Pediatrics in Grand Haven, Michigan
Nine alumni who have pursued careers in opera or have experience as opera accompanists returned to campus on Tuesday, Oct. 24, to share their experience and talent during a panel discussion and a gala concert named for an acclaimed predecessor that brought them together for the first time. They gathered from as far away as … Continue reading "Isaac Droscha ’08"
Sarah Watkins ’08 Fabian of Chicago, Illinois, is in her second year of teaching in the Department of Communication, Media, and Theatre at Northeastern Illinois University (NEIU) as a tenure-track assistant professor of theatre. In July she was named the new managing artistic director of NEIU’s Stage Center Theatre, and she reported looking forward to … Continue reading "Sarah Watkins ’08 Fabian"
Yvette Wissner ’08 Scharf received a Master of Science in nursing – family nurse practitioner degree from Olivet Nazarene University on Tuesday, Aug. 15. She is working as a nurse practitioner with Covenant Healthcare in Saginaw, Michigan
Lauren Stacks ’08 Yamaoka is now working as a major gifts officer for Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. She and her husband, Tom Yamaoka ’08, are recent transplants to the DFW area and would love to connect with other Hope College alumni in the area.
Timothy Carter ’09 reports that after spending the past six years in sub-Saharan Africa, most recently as the deputy country director for Samaritan’s Purse in South Sudan, he returned to Michigan to pursue an MBA from the University of Michigan this fall.
Elise LaRoche ’09 has joined the Franciscan Physician Network and is now practicing family medicine in Indianapolis, Indiana. She and Daniel Hekman were married on July 29, 2017.
Erika English ’09 Mayer of New Berlin, Wisconsin, was awarded the 2017 Herb Kohl Teaching Fellowship, a prestigious honor that recognizes the top teachers in the state of Wisconsin. She succeeded through rigorous rounds of the process at the local and regional level before making it to state, and received the award in late spring.
Becky Renner ’00 Anderson of Grand Rapids, Michigan, attended the annual Barron’s Top Financial Advisors Summit in Palm Beach, Florida, on Nov. 29, 2017.
The Hope College Alumni Association will honor two alumnae during the annual Alumni Banquet on Saturday, April 28. The association will present Distinguished Alumni Awards to Meredith Arwady ’00 Kahrl an acclaimed contralto based in Kalamazoo, Michigan, who has performed with opera companies and symphonies around the world. Arwady has performed with opera companies and symphonies including the Metropolitan Opera, … Continue reading "Meredith Arwady ’00 Kahrl"
Rebecca LaRoy ’01 Town reports that after 11 years of ministry in Prattsville, New York, she and her husband, Greg Town ’02, recently moved to New Paltz, New York, with their three children. Becky will serve as one of the pastors at the Reformed Church of New Paltz. The move also gets them a little … Continue reading "Rebecca LaRoy ’01 Town and Greg Town ’02"
Laurie Karsten ’02 and Andy Pryor were married on Oct. 14, 2017, in Rochester Hills, Michigan.
Kristen DeYoung ’01 Van Noord and Jared Van Noord ’02→
Kristen DeYoung ’01 Van Noord and Jared Van Noord ’02 announce the birth of triplets, their eighth, ninth and 10th children: Titus Owen, Naomi Karolyn and Simeon Whitefield, born on June 6, 2017.
Chris Working ’02 of Holland, Michigan, was named Teacher of the Year by the Michigan Council of Teachers of English. He is a literacy coach for the Grand Haven Areas Public Schools
Jill Van De Water ’04 Isola was installed as the pastor of Northminster Presbyterian Church in Hickory, North Carolina, on Nov. 19, 2017, in the Presbytery of Western North Carolina. Northminster Presbyterian Church is a More Light Congregation and a part of the Presbyterian Church (USA).
Jessica Nelson ’05 Maynard and Lewis Maynard, along with their three children (Caeleb, Micah and Joseph), moved to Bucharest, Romania, in November 2017 to serve as full-time missionaries. Both Jessica and Lewis are serving at Bucharest Christian Academy. Their sending agency is ReachGlobal. More about their mission is available on their website, maynardsinmissions.com, or on … Continue reading "Jessica Nelson ’05 Maynard"
Nathan Clinton-Barnett ’06 graduated with honors with a Doctorate in Occupational Therapy from Chatham University on Dec. 14, 2017. A few days later, on Dec. 20, Nathan and Lindsay Meek ’07 Clinton-Barnett welcomed the birth of Wells Phillip, who joins brothers Avery Reid and Brady Scott. Nathan is a partner at Safe Balance, a fall-prevention … Continue reading "Nathan Clinton-Barnett ’06"
Jessica Bodtke ’06 Hammer and Peter Hammer ’06 moved to France in November 2017 after being awarded the French Passport Talent visa (renewable for up to four years) to choreograph for and dance with the tap dance company Tapage in Toulouse, France. Peter will also be teaching classes and workshops in the Jump Rhythm Jazz … Continue reading "Jessica Bodtke ’06 Hammer and Peter Hammer ’06"
Kurt DeHorn ’07 of Hamilton, Michigan, joined Macatawa Bank mortgage sales team as vice president, mortgage loan originator in the Grand Rapids, Michigan, market.
Lindsey Hall ’07 is an education volunteer in Uganda with the Peace Corps. In announcing that Hope is on this year’s listing of the 2018 Top Volunteer-Producing Colleges and Universities, the Peace Corps included a profile of Lindsey that reflects on her work and how her time at Hope helped shape her interest in service. … Continue reading "Lindsey Hall ’07"
Sarah Herington ’08 Charles and Lee Charles announce the birth of Gavriela Merida on Dec. 1, 2017. Sarah also received her CPHQ (Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality) designation. They live in the Lansing, Michigan, area.
Kayla Katterheinrich ’08 Germann and Philip Germann announce the birth of Elliott Fernandez in November 2017. He joins big brothers, Marshall (age 4) and Barrett (age 2). Kayla is a home health physical therapist and Philip is a prosecutor for the city of Lima in Ohio.
Nicole Schrier ’08 of Lake Mills, Wisconsin, was promoted to partner at Neuberger, Griggs, Sweet & Smith LLP. Her legal practice concentrates in the areas of estate planning, probate and trust administration, real estate and municipal law.
Jeffrey Howard ’01 earned a Master of Science degree with distinction in transport planning and management in November 2017 at the University of Westminster in London, England. His dissertation, titled Zoned Out: Implementing a Flat Fare Structure on the London Underground, was awarded the dissertation prize by the Chartered Institute of Highways & Transport Foundation. … Continue reading ""
Josiah Dykstra ’02 is the senior warden, senior lay leader at St. Anne’s Episcopal Church in Annapolis, Maryland. He reports that St. Anne’s has Hope graduates at three levels of leadership, with Timothy Mulder ’76 becoming the interim rector at the church on Feb. 14, and Eugene Sutton ’76 serving as the Episcopal Bishop of … Continue reading "Josiah Dykstra ’02"
Katie Budris ’04 is a full-time lecturer in the department of writing arts at Rowan University in Glassboro, New Jersey. She teaches courses in first-year writing as well as creative writing for undergraduate and graduate students. She also serves as editor-in-chief of Glassworks, the literary magazine housed in Rowan’s Master of Arts in Writing program.
Sarah Gonzales ’04 Triplett of East Lansing, Michigan, received the 2018 Alene Valkanas State Arts Advocacy Award from Americans for the Arts on June 16 during the organization’s convention in Denver, Colorado. The award honors an individual at the state level whose arts advocacy efforts have dramatically affected the political landscape. Sarah is the director of public policy … Continue reading "Sarah Gonzales ’04 Triplett"
Lindsay David ’05 Zuska and Matthew Zuska ’05 announce the birth of Elizabeth Hope on Jan. 25, 2018. She joins Luke (6), Andrew (4) and Madelyn (3). They reside in Rochester Hills, Minnesota.
Shirley Smith ’06 Lopez has published many books and is now retired and opened a bookstore, Shirley’s Bookshelf, in Lansing, Michigan. She also teaches others how to become writers, helping young authors get published, students to earn income while in college, stay-at-home moms and retirees like herself. She notes that she is hoping to repay … Continue reading "Shirley Smith ’06 Lopez"
Jess Schmidt ’06 in November became the custom content manager at Great America Publishing, which publishes 12 trade publications in horticulture, agriculture, retail and sports. She is a project manager and writes content for all 12.
Tyler Boonstra ’07 received his Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the University of Detroit Mercy in August 2017. As part of his degree he finished a year-long APA-accredited internship at the Hampton VA Medical Center in Virginia, and he is currently a post-doctoral fellow at the Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center.
Kristin Olson ’07 Brace had her first book, a chapbook of poetry called Fence, Patio Blessed Virgin, published on July 13. The chapbook weaves together memories of Brace’s grandmother with narrative from the last two years of her life. Her second chapbook, Each Darkness Inside, will be published later in 2018.
Luke Wendt ’07 received his Ph.D. in electrical and computer engineering control theory and robotics from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. As a member of the Language Acquisition and Robotics Group/ Beckman Institute/ECE, he researched embodied cognition on the iCub, a humanoid robotics platform from the Italian Institute of Technology/Genoa. He is employed at … Continue reading "Luke Wendt ’07"
Matthew Baker ’08 of New York City has had three short stories optioned for film: “The Transition” (Amazon), “The Appearance” (Makeready) and “Life Sentence” (Netflix). February saw the publication of his debut collection, Hybrid Creatures (LSU Press), a unique book composed of four stories that are each narrated partly in an artificial language: HTML, music … Continue reading "Matthew Baker ’08"
Tyler Racey ’08 returned to the Ludington, Michigan, office of Western Land Services Inc. in December 2017. He runs and also performs in-office review on abstracts of title for clients’ projects and has worked closely with his supervisors in training new hires.
Sarah Lokers ’08 Wixson is a corporate and real estate attorney with a background in civil litigation with Varnum’s Litigation Practice Team in Ann Arbor, Michigan
Mike Brusko ’09 of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is part of a unique team. He and Austin Nelson (whose wife is Emily Weber ’13) have partnered with Trey Burton, Jordan Hicks and Chris Maragos of the Superbowl-champion Philadelphia Eagles in forming TopTier Wealth Management, based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The roster isn’t coincidental: NFL players are a particular focus. “They … Continue reading "Mike Brusko ’09"
Jonathan Hatfield ’09 and LJ Hatfield announce the birth of Eleanor Bliss on Oct. 8, 2017. They relocated back to Grand Rapids, Michigan, from Chicago, Illinois, in February 2018 and are excited to be closer to family and Hope. Jonathan continues his role as a vice president at J.P. Morgan’s Private Bank.
Amy Otteson ’00 Speakman is the treatment services director at Pendleton Cottage, a secure residential treatment facility serving the forensic mental health population in Oregon.
James Palmer ’01 is the assistant pastor at Bayview Wesleyan Church in Traverse City, Michigan. He is also a realtor with Real Estate One, manages the family business called Pristine Floor Care and is a volunteer police officer with the Traverse City Police Department. He reports that most importantly he is Gretchen’s husband and father … Continue reading "James Palmer ’01"
Scott Rumpsa ’01 is the executive director at the Community Action House in Holland, Michigan. CAH fights food insecurity and hunger by providing 800-plus meals per day, through daily hot meals at the Community Kitchen, a food pantry, and monthly food distribution. Homeless Street Outreach builds relationships with the most vulnerable residents to connect them … Continue reading "Scott Rumpsa ’01"
Craig Phillips ’97 and Kristin Schneider ’02 Phillips announce the birth of Anneke Joy on July 17, 2018. She joins older siblings Elizabeth, Charlotte and Benjamin.
Sarah Sanderson ’03 has accepted an invitation to join the U.S. Foreign Service as a consular affairs officer for the October A-100 training class. Her husband, Sean Doyle, will join her in Washington, D.C., after he completes an Austral summer support staff position at McMurdo Station in Antarctica.
Eric Crew ’04 and Nicole Herbst ’05 Crew announce the birth of Felicity Nicole on July 18, 2018. She joins Lain (6) and Noelle (3). They reside in Cedarburg, Wisconsin.
Anna Sutton ’04 DenBoer and Lane DenBoer announce the birth of twins, Tessa Joy and Sutton Charles born on July 23, 2018. They reside on Gun Lake, Michigan.
William Guy ’06 married Sonia Deif on June 22, 2018, in Bay Harbor, Michigan. They currently live in San Antonio, Texas, where William is a staff psychologist for Clarity Child Guidance Center and an adjunct faculty member at UT Health San Antonio
Vicki Blanton ’07 received her Master of Social Work degree from the University of Southern California in December 2017. She works as a therapeutic foster care case manager at Northern Virginia Family Service and is pursuing her L.C.S.W.
Kristin Olson ’07 Brace had her first full-length poetry collection, Toward the Wild Abundance, selected for the 2018 Wheelbarrow Books Poetry Prize (Emerging). It will be published by Michigan State University Press in late 2019. Her first book, a chapbook of poetry called Fence, Patio, Blessed Virgin, was released in August from Finishing Line Press. … Continue reading "Kristin Olson ’07 Brace"
Amy Norris ’07 and Jeff LaLonde were married on July 14, 2018, in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Amy leads the intern program and campus recruiting at Steelcase in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Ryan Davis ’09 and Sara Toledo ’10 Davis announce the birth of Ellery Ann on Aug. 4, 2018. Ryan received his Ph.D. in molecular and cellular biology from the University of Washington and is a scientist at Universal Cells in Seattle, Washington.
Nicholas Duthler ’09 and Claire DePree ’10 Duthler→
Nicholas Duthler ’09 and Claire DePree ’10 Duthler announce the birth of Cole Kristopher on May 6, 2018.
Tiffany Fifer ’09 and Pavol Fabian were married on June 16, 2018, in Niles, Michigan. Tiffany is an estate planning attorney with her own law firm, Foresight Law Firm and a member of the National Network of Estate Planning Attorneys; her husband is a criminal defense attorney with Zamzow Fabian, PLLC both located in Grand … Continue reading "Tiffany Fifer ’09"
Susan Hinman ’00 left the United States Naval Hospital in Naples, Italy, and reported to James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center. Susan is the endodontics division officer for USS Osborne at the Naval Recruiting Training Command in Great Lakes, Illinois.
Andrew Ohm ’00 of Seattle, Washington, has been appointed as the newest member of the Hope College Alumni Association Board of Directors. He works in global whitespace innovation for Starbucks Coffee Company, where he leads design strategy for new cold coffee concepts and applied futures thinking. He is also responsible for scaling human-centered design within his organization. He … Continue reading "Andrew Ohm ’00"
Benjamin Wing ’01 and Heather Dustin ’02 Wing announce the adoption of Edison Mikhie Lewis on Nov. 21, 2018. He was born on Nov. 12, 2017, and joins siblings Eleanor and Evan.
David Cochrane ’02 is the vice president for information technology at Member First Mortgage in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Bettye Ann Daniels ’02 Kittle and Kevin Kittle ’03→
Bettye Ann Daniels ’02 Kittle and Kevin Kittle ’03 announce the birth of Isla Jane on Feb. 16, 2018. She joins big sisters Evelyn (8) and Marielle (4). They reside in Rochester, Michigan.
Jeff Nelson ’02 and his wife, Abbie, are missionaries to Guatemala. He is a clinical psychologist and will be caring for pastors and ministry leaders in Guatemala City while his wife is a family nurse practitioner and will be opening a much-needed medical clinic in Zona 3 (a red zone and the city dump of … Continue reading "Jeff Nelson ’02"
Anne Stevens ’04 is a sourcing manager, corporate services at Mondelez International. She is also pursuing an evening MBA program at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Business with an anticipated graduation date of fall 2020.
Dawn Flandermeyer ’05 Kopp and John Kopp announce the birth of Jasper Riese on Dec. 31, 2018. He joins big sister Juniper (2).
Matt Waterstone ’05 and Sarah Diekevers ’05 Waterstone→
Matt Waterstone ’05 and Sarah Diekevers ’05 Waterstone, along with their sons, Willem and Bram, have relocated to Bronxville, New York. Matt is the senior pastor at the Reformed Church of Bronxville.
Jessica Bodtke ’06 Hammer announces the creation of Taste of Toulouse, the first company in Toulouse, France, that offers English-speaking food tours and other delicious experiences that help visitors and expats connect with French culture, explore the cuisine of southwest France and support talented local artisans and small businesses.
Gabriel Kalmbacher ’06 and Anna Marshall ’07 Kalmbacher→
Gabriel Kalmbacher ’06 and Anna Marshall ’07 Kalmbacher announce the birth of Peter Gabriel on Nov. 26, 2018. He joins siblings Micah, Judah, Julia, Caleb, Eden and Lydia.
Emily Timmons ’07 Elliott and Mark Elliott announce the birth of triplets Caroline, Jack and Micah in May 2018. They join siblings Grace and Jacob. Emily was recently upgraded in her position at the University of Alabama from a postdoctoral researcher to a research-scientist position in the Department of Geography and currently teaches as an … Continue reading "Emily Timmons ’07 Elliott"
Kyle Waterstone ’07 and Ashley Waterstone announce the birth of Hazel Eden on Oct. 10, 2018. Kyle is with the University of Southern California as the director of athletic compliance. They reside in Redondo Beach, California.
Christopher Sikkema ’09 serves the Episcopal Church as manager for special projects, overseeing communication strategy and implementation for several church-wide initiatives.
Paul VanderLaan ’00 is an associate professor of pathology at Harvard Medical School and is the medical director of cytopathology and thoracic pathology at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, Massachusetts.
John Williams ’00 is the associate director of Dartmouth for Life in the alumni relations department at Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire. He is developing programming to engage and help the alumni community thrive in their careers, family life and wellness.
Alexander Awuviri ’01 completed a Master of Science degree in electrical and computer engineering at Marquette University in August 2002 and completed a Master of Business Administration degree in finance at the University of Ghana Business School in June 2015. He was elevated to senior member, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers in February 2012 … Continue reading "Alexander Awuviri ’01"
Erin Hughes ’02 Cobb and Jeff Cobb announce the birth of Finley Meredith on Dec. 30, 2018. She was welcomed by her two big brothers, Kaelan and Brennan.
Raj Malviya ’02 is a partner in the private-client practice group of Miller Johnson and a Fellow in the America College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC). He was on a committee with eight other national trust and estate experts that drafted and filed an amicus brief with the United States Supreme Court on a trust … Continue reading "Raj Malviya ’02"
Alison Molter ’02 and Kevin Norton were married on June 24, 2016, and announce the birth of Alexis Roselle on Oct. 18, 2019. She joins big sister Hailey Marie.
Shea Tuttle ’06 co-edited Can I Get a Witness? Thirteen Peacemakers, Community Builders and Agitators for Faith and Justice, which was published in February. In October, her first authored book, Exactly as You Are: the Life and Faith of Mister Rogers will be published.
Megan Purtee ’07 Langille and Scott Langille ’07 announce the birth of Tyler Edward on Aug. 15, 2018. He joins big brother Evan. They reside in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Sara Baffoe ’08 was chosen as the employee of the month for January from the Telluride Education Association. She is a sixth- and eighth-grade counselor.
Justin Barry ’08 is an associate with Cantor Colburn, one of the largest intellectual- property law firms in the country. He works in the firm’s Detroit office in Troy, Michigan.
Heidi Weir ’08 Franklin and Darrin Franklin announce the birth of Blaney on March 28, 2019. Heidi is the ATEQ’s North American marketing manager for industrial and aviation test equipment.
Angela Stoyanovitch ’08 reports that she is going entrepreneurial with her new business, Legal Drugs Agency LLC. After a dozen years of working in the drug development or biomedical research industry helping to create new pharmaceutical drugs, she is ready to help educate the public on this complex and complicated journey. You can listen in … Continue reading "Angela Stoyanovitch ’08"
Jessica Ruggio ’09 Anderson received a Juris Doctor degree on May 5, 2019, from Florida State University College of Law. She graduated magna cum laude and completed the business law certificate program. She will be serving as a federal judicial clerk for two years.
Hope College and the Alumni Board of Directors is proud to announce the recipients of the second annual 10 Under 10 Awards. The awards are designed to honor alumni within 10 years of graduation making significant contributions in the local and global community by living out their calling. All are welcome to join the recipients … Continue reading "Hillary Delhagen ’09"
Hope College and the Alumni Board of Directors is proud to announce the recipients of the second annual 10 Under 10 Awards. The awards are designed to honor alumni within 10 years of graduation making significant contributions in the local and global community by living out their calling. All are welcome to join the recipients … Continue reading "Kristin Dittenhafer-Reed ’09"
Lindsey Ferguson ’09 was a featured principal dancer in the fourth episode of the first season of Amazon’s award-winning show The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. The series has won three Golden Globe Awards and five Emmy Awards. She made her debut in May as The White Queen in the award-winning immersive dance theatre show Then She … Continue reading "Lindsey Ferguson ’09"
Nathan Johnson ’09 received a Ph.D. in biblical studies from Princeton Theological Seminary in May 2019. He and Caitlin Schrock ’09 Johnson moved to Indianapolis, Indiana, where Nathan is an assistant professor of New Testament in the department of philosophy and religion at the University of Indianapolis.
Hope College and the Alumni Board of Directors is proud to announce the recipients of the second annual 10 Under 10 Awards. The awards are designed to honor alumni within 10 years of graduation making significant contributions in the local and global community by living out their calling. All are welcome to join the recipients … Continue reading "Christine Washington ’09 Michel"
Samuel Ogles ’09 is the director of marketing and communications for the Transforming Center, an ecumenical nonprofit in Wheaton, Illinois. Founded and led by Ruth Haley Barton, the Transforming Center creates space for the transformation of Christian leaders and communities.
Hope College and the Alumni Board of Directors is proud to announce the recipients of the second annual 10 Under 10 Awards. The awards are designed to honor alumni within 10 years of graduation making significant contributions in the local and global community by living out their calling. All are welcome to join the recipients … Continue reading "Rachel Bakken ’09 Romero"
Hope College and the Alumni Board of Directors is proud to announce the recipients of the second annual 10 Under 10 Awards. The awards are designed to honor alumni within 10 years of graduation making significant contributions in the local and global community by living out their calling. All are welcome to join the recipients … Continue reading "Diego Romero ’09"
Brandon Smith ’09 and Stephanie Smith announce the birth of Bella Joy on April 2, 2019. They live in Lafayette, Indiana, where Brandon and Stephanie serve as the co-pastors of Heartland Community Church.
Paul VanderLaan ’00 is an associate professor of pathology at Harvard Medical School and is the medical director of cytopathology and thoracic pathology at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, Massachusetts.
Amy Avery ’02 Weese relocated her private practice, Amy Avery Counseling Solutions, in September 2019 and also began pursuing doctoral work in July 2019, studying trauma, resilience and the church at the Methodist Theological School in Ohio.
Curt Copeland ’03 received a Sports 40 Under 40 Award from the National High School Athletic Coaches Association. He is the athletic director for South Christian High School in Byron Center, Michigan
Sarah McDonald ’06 Gebben and David Gebben announce the birth of Acacia Hope Ball on March 15, 2019. She joins two big sisters, Shiloh (5) and Jude (2).
Christian Piers ’07 developed and guest-edited a special issue of the Journal of the California Dental Association titled “Millennial Dentists: How they work, how they learn, and what it means for the practice of the future” that has been awarded the Golden Pen Award for importance to the dental profession from the International College of … Continue reading "Christian Piers ’07"
Kristin Olson ’07 Brace has received the2018 Wheelbarrow Books Poetry Prize for her first full-length poetry collection, Toward the Wild Abundance, which was published in July by Michigan State University Press. Her second poetry chapbook from Finishing Line Press, Each Darkness Inside, was published earlier this summer. Both books, along with her first chapbook, Fence, … Continue reading "Kristin Olson ’07 Brace"
Alexa Jansma ’08 Powers and Adam Powers announce the birth of Lydia Nancy on May 14, 2019. She joins big brother Calvin.
Jonathan Koopmans ’09 and Catherine Hoitenga ’10 Koopmans→
Jonathan Koopmans ’09 and Catherine Hoitenga ’10 Koopmans announce the birth of Ingrid Joy on Dec. 14, 2018. Jon has opened an accounting practice, Koopmans Accounting, specializing in bookkeeping, payroll and taxes
Jennifer Smith ’00 Lane published Transformed: Eating and Body Image Renewal God’s Way, a Bible study to help women find lasting freedom from eating and body image struggles of any kind through scripture study and spiritual disciplines.
Jessica Loomis ’00 DeBoer completed a program through the State of Wisconsin’s Department of Public Instruction and has earned her teaching certification in instrumental music. This is her third year teaching elementary orchestra for the Kenosha Unified School District in Kenosha, Wisconsin, where her husband, Todd DeBoer ’00, is also an orchestra teacher. Jessica continues … Continue reading "Jessica Loomis ’00 DeBoer"
Kayrl Stead ’00 Reynoso spent 15 years as a school social worker, and in 2017 started working as a special education and behavior consultant for the Wayne County Regional Educational Service Agency (Wayne RESA) serving public schools throughout Wayne County, Michigan. She works alongside her colleagues training and supporting schools in Detroit as well as … Continue reading "Kayrl Stead ’00 Reynoso"
Erin Wysocki ’02 Kostun and Michael Kostun announce the birth of Charles Thomas on July 15, 2019. He joins big siblings Claire (8) and Andrew (2). She reports that after suffering from postpartum preeclampsia, she and her husband made the decision for Erin to become a full-time mom instead of returning to work as a … Continue reading "Erin Wysocki ’02 Kostun"
Bethany Buege ’02 Thompson and her husband and their six children have partnered with the organization Foundation For His Ministry and will be moving to Mexico this next summer to become long-term missionaries at an orphanage. They spent the 2018-19 school year there and are excited to go back long term.
Courtney Brewster ’04 was promoted to director of the College Prep Program at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. The College Prep Program works with St. Louis-area high school students who will be the first in their families to attend college, who come from backgrounds of limited financial resources and who are high-achieving students.
Billy Norden ’04 is the retirement and financial education coordinator for the Reformed Church in America’s Board of Benefits Services. He serves in the role part-time along with continuing as a minister at The Community Church in Ada, Michigan.
Dr. Samara Webb ’05 Gibson of Orchard Lake, Michigan, and Dr. Matthew Wixson ’08 of Ann Arbor, Michigan, both received Kujichagulia Alumni awards (named for the second principle of Kwanzaa, meaning self-determination). Gibson is a specialist in obstetrics and gynecology with the DMC Medical Group, and Wixson, who was recognized in absentia, is an anesthesiologist … Continue reading "Samara Webb ’05 Gibson"
Amy McEwan ’06 Flavin received the Presidential STAR Award at Concordia University Wisconsin. This award is bestowed by the staff, recognizing one of its own as the outstanding staff member of the year for making outstanding contributions and bringing honor to the university through service, teamwork, action and results. The award recipient is a model … Continue reading "Amy McEwan ’06 Flavin"
Bethany Klunder ’06 Nyboer and Granger Nyboer ’07→
Bethany Klunder ’06 Nyboer and Granger Nyboer ’07 announced the birth of Willamina Joy on Aug. 23, 2019. She joins big brothers, Holland (7) and Issac (5).
Angela Stoyanovitch ’08 became an entrepreneur and founded Legal Drugs Agency, a media and consultancy firm in January 2019. She launched Legal Drugs Podcast in July 2019 and has received more than 1,000 unique downloads in 23 countries around the world with just 12 episodes.
Dr. Samara Webb ’05 Gibson of Orchard Lake, Michigan, and Dr. Matthew Wixson ’08 of Ann Arbor, Michigan, both received Kujichagulia Alumni awards (named for the second principle of Kwanzaa, meaning self-determination). Gibson is a specialist in obstetrics and gynecology with the DMC Medical Group, and Wixson, who was recognized in absentia, is an anesthesiologist … Continue reading "Matthew Wixson ’08"
Ali Thompson ’09 Harrell received her MBA from the University of St. Thomas in Minnesota in 2017. She and her husband, Pete Harrell, welcomed Tyler Caldwell on Jan. 17, 2018, and Ryan Maxwell on March 29, 2019. She works at Target Corporation, managing the front-of-the-store guest experience and merchandise programming.
Andrea Douglass ’01 Shaeffer received her Master of Business Administration degree with high honors from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business with concentrations in analytic finance econometrics and statistics, and economics.
Andy Imdieke ’03 was voted by the senior class to receive the 2019-20 James Dincolo Outstanding Undergraduate Professor Award from the department of accountancy in the Mendoza College of Business at the University of Notre Dame.
Eric Jones ’03 won an “Action Teaching” award from the Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues (SPSSI) for a project that his research methods students completed to benefit Kids’ Food Basket (KFB), a nonprofit that attacks childhood hunger. To date, this project has involved more than 1,300 people, resulting in more than 13,000 … Continue reading "Eric Jones ’03"
Jeff Weber ’06 received his medical degree from Des Moines University in 2014 and completed his residency in Detroit, Michigan, at the Detroit Medical Center in 2016. After receiving a one-year fellowship in a practice in Westerfield, Ohio, he joined a practice in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. In the summer of 2019, with strong roots in Michigan, … Continue reading "Jeff Weber ’06"
Katherine Cornell ’08 had her book, Live Like Legends, published in June.
Aaron McBride ’08 and Rachel Van Hamersveld ’08 McBride→
Aaron McBride ’08 and Rachel Van Hamersveld ’08 McBride announce the birth of Blair Lynn on Feb. 28, 2020. Aaron has been a realtor for Century 21 since 2017 in Traverse City, Michigan.
Tim Carter ’09 received a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Michigan in May 2019 and joined McKinsey & Company in August 2019.
Erin Fortner ’09 completed a post-baccalaureate premed program at American University in Washington, D.C., and in July started medical school at A.T. Still University KCOM in Kirksville, Missouri.
Hope Appoints New Alumni Board Members and Officers During its May meeting, the Hope College Alumni Association Board of Directors appointed four new members and elected two new officers. The board’s new members are: Toni Gordon ’09 of Perrysburg, Ohio; Mary Lammers ’60 Kempker of Zeeland, Michigan; Dr. Kiersten Krause ’97 of Holland, Michigan; and … Continue reading "Toni Gordon ’09"
Elizabeth Stancik ’01 Barksdale is the director of regulatory affairs and scientific policy at LUNGevity Foundation, the nation’s premier lung cancer-focused non profit organization. She most recently served as the assistant director for regulatory science and policy at the American Association for Cancer Research.
Taylor Werkman ’01 Halliday earned a master’s degree in integrated curriculum from the American College of Education. She also earned the gifted education endorsement on her Ohio teaching license in the summer of 2020.
Michelle Smith ’04 Sandeen and her husband, Andrew, have adopted Devin Nehemiah, who is 3 years old and had been living with them as a foster son for more than two years. He joins older siblings Zarya and Jarod, who are glad that Devin is finally an official part of the family. Michelle is still … Continue reading "Michelle Smith ’04 Sandeen"
Helen Fylstra ’05 left the field of education in December 2019 and became a licensed social worker in February. She is working as a clinical therapist at Olimene Counseling Services in Bolingbrook, Illinois.
Laura Dow ’07 of Stonington, Connecticut, was one of six educators and parents from around the country who participated in an online expert panel on rollingstone.com hosted by Rolling Stone and SheKnows in August. The panel discussed anxieties, hopes and coping skills for the return to school in the fall in light of the COVID-19 … Continue reading "Laura Dow ’07"
Kirsten Gruenberg ’07 Hughey graduated from Western Michigan University in August 2020 with a Master of Arts degree in teaching children with visual impairment.
Matthew Baker ’08 of New York City had a new story collection, Why Visit America, published in August by Henry Holt. Named one of Esquire’s “20 Must-Read Books of Summer 2020,” the book received a starred review from Booklist, which wrote: “Bold, captivating, and deeply relevant, Baker’s imaginative stories offer approachable, optimistic perspectives on morally … Continue reading "Matthew Baker ’08"
Addison Haynes ’08 received a Master of Business Administration degree from Indiana University’s Kelly School of Business. He reports that he continues to be a change driver with his hospital organization and is looking to improve the quality of health care across the country.
Christopher Erickson ’09 has been a practicing attorney in Indiana since 2012 and was admitted to the Michigan Bar where he is representing Allstate and its insureds in West Michigan. He and his wife, Kathleen, have two children, Logan (4) and Chelsea (1).
Krista Homakie ’09 Francis and her filmmaker husband, Chris, decided to document their journey after they were diagnosed with COVID-19 in March. What they didn’t expect was that four months and more than 20 tests and research studies later, they’d be releasing the first COVID documentary of its kind. The documentary, Making Lemonade: Our COVID-19 … Continue reading "Krista Homakie ’09 Francis"
Jacob Wingate ’09 and Mary Cantor ’11 were married on Aug. 2, 2020, officiated by Dr. Ellen Tanis ’90 Awad, Hope College’s associate dean for student life.
CAPTAIN SUSAN E. HINMAN, DENTAL CORPS, U.S. NAVY Captain Hinman graduated from Hope College, Holland, MI in 2000 with a Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry. In 2004 she graduated from The University of Michigan School of Dentistry receiving a Doctorate of Dental Surgery and was commissioned a Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy. Upon graduation from … Continue reading "Susan Hinman ’00"
Laura Donnelly ’01, an associate professor of English and creative writing at SUNY Oswego, returned to Hope electronically on Nov. 10, when she paid a virtual visit to the poetry class taught by Pablo Peschiera ’93. This fall also saw the publication of her new poetry book Midwest Gothic, which explores themes of place, religion, … Continue reading "Laura Donnelly ’01"
Tim Tam ’69 and his son, Isaac Tam ’01 were given the Recognition of Community Service Award on Monday, Nov. 30, by the British Columbia Dental Association for their extraordinary efforts to provide emergency dental care during British Columbia’s Stage 1 COVID-19 pandemic response.
Rebecca LaRoy ’01 Town is serving as copastor, alongside her husband, Greg Town ’02, of the Knox and Thompson’s Lake Reformed Church in Knox, New York.
Laura Donnelly ’01, an associate professor of English and creative writing at SUNY Oswego, returned to Hope electronically on Nov. 10, when she paid a virtual visit to the poetry class taught by Pablo Peschiera ’93. This fall also saw the publication of her new poetry book Midwest Gothic, which explores themes of place, religion, … Continue reading "Katherine Bode-Lang ’02"
Treasure Givan ’02 Samuel is a librarian and middle school electives teacher at The Franklin Academy, a STEM-based independent school in Bellingham, Washington
Vince Scheffler ’03 and the other Parker University Board of Trustees members were honored by the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges with the 2019-20 John W. Nason Award for Board Leadership. The university experienced severe damage following a tornado that hit Dallas, Texas, in October 2019. The board immediately deployed resources to … Continue reading "Vince Scheffler ’03"
Kimberly Lauver ’04 Fletcher has become the data library manager for HR Consulting Group, Sapient Insights. She is also enjoying being a coach with CYO in volleyball and basketball for middle school girls.
The Black Excellence Dinner and awards ceremony hosted by the college’s Black Student Union has become a beloved tradition, and so even though the ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic precluded gathering in person the celebration continued. Given the format, the fifth annual event didn’t include a banquet, but the online ceremony featured student performances and recitations, … Continue reading "Kristina Kyles-Smith ’04"
Jason Burns ’06 and Nathan Brunner announce the birth of Elizabeth Addison Brunner-Burns on July 31, 2020. They expect the finalization of their adoption to take place in early 2021.
Stephanie Koenke ’06 Kostsuca has received the outstanding clinician award from the American Physical Therapy Association of Michigan. This award is presented to one physical therapist in the state of Michigan each year who has exemplified excellence in clinical care as well as influence and mentorship to students and fellow therapists.
The Black Excellence Dinner and awards ceremony hosted by the college’s Black Student Union has become a beloved tradition, and so even though the ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic precluded gathering in person the celebration continued. Given the format, the fifth annual event didn’t include a banquet, but the online ceremony featured student performances and recitations, … Continue reading "Jessica Rankins Parker ’07"
Mercedes Cowper ’08 has become the marketplace manager with the real estate development company CANA Development, managing a high-end food hall in the Foggy Bottom area of Washington, D.C. Previously, she was the wine director at Plume restaurant in downtown D.C. In the interim, after the closing of the restaurant in March 2020, she started … Continue reading "Mercedes Cowper ’08"
Erika English ’09 Mayer and Nate Mayer announce the birth of Leonys (Leo) on April 12, 2019. They report that he was born with complications but under God’s grace has since flourished and excelled.
Justine Post ’09 and her husband, Andrew Hammond, announce the birth of Edith Jane on April 20, 2020. She joins a big sister, Dorothy Ann. They live in North Carolina
Tiffany Day ’09 Russ and Garrett Russ ’09 announce the birth of Addilyn Mae on Dec. 1, 2020. She joins older siblings, Gabriel (6), Ava (4) and Mia (2).
Amy Shineman ’00 Carter graduated with a Master of Science in Nursing, family nurse practitioner degree from South University in December 2019 and accepted a position with a hematology/oncology practice in Savannah, Georgia, in March 2020.
Heidi Huebner ’00 Wheeler earned her Doctorate of Nursing Practice degree from the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee. Her doctoral project was “Addressing Racism and Promoting Equity in a College of Nursing through Cognitive and Emotional Perspective Interventions.” She is an assistant professor of nursing at Milwaukee School of Engineering.
Eric Schrotenboer ’01 and Meredith Ter Haar ’03 Schrotenboer→
Eric Schrotenboer ’01 and Meredith Ter Haar ’03 Schrotenboer have created a Christmas family activity set, The Wandering Wise Men, that includes a picture book, a 37-day family devotional and three plush toy wise men for parents to hide around the house. Joel Schoon-Tanis ’89 painted the illustrations for this product. It is currently running … Continue reading "Eric Schrotenboer ’01 and Meredith Ter Haar ’03 Schrotenboer"
The Hope College Alumni Association Board of Directors appointed four new members and elected three new officers during its April meeting. The board’s new members are: Naod Estifanos, a junior from Silver Spring, Maryland; Tracey Forbes ’03 Hoesch of Ann Arbor, Michigan; Michael Magan ’88 of London, England; and Jacob Sitati ’01 of Vernon Hills, … Continue reading "Jacob Sitati ’01"
Mary Disbrow ’02 Kroeger received a master’s degree from The Citadel in Charleston, South Carolina, for teaching and was inducted into Phi Kappa Phi and Kappa Delta Phi.
The Hope College Alumni Association Board of Directors appointed four new members and elected three new officers during its April meeting. The board’s new members are: Naod Estifanos, a junior from Silver Spring, Maryland; Tracey Forbes ’03 Hoesch of Ann Arbor, Michigan; Michael Magan ’88 of London, England; and Jacob Sitati ’01 of Vernon Hills, … Continue reading "Tracey Forbes ’03 Hoesch"
Katie Budris ’04 of Woodbury, New Jersey, has had her second chapbook of poetry published. Mid-Bloom, released this month by Finishing Line Press, explores her experience with breast cancer just two short years ago, including the connection the experience gave her with her late mother, who passed away from cancer in 1998. Katie notes that … Continue reading "Katie Budris ’04"
The Grand Rapids (Michigan) Triathlon on Saturday, June 19, served as a mini-reunion for six alumni of the Cosmopolitan fraternity who were Hope contemporaries. Pictured from left to right after completing the contest are Andy Ruemenapp ’06, Todd Neckers ’04, Devin McNeil ’06, Nick DeKoster ’06, Mike DeYoung ’06 and Lance Postma ’07.
Katherine Van Oss ’05 and Brad Malat announce the birth of Leon Robertson at the end of November 2020. He is named after Brad’s grandfather, who was a Holocaust survivor, and his middle name is Kate’s grandmother’s maiden name and Scottish clan.
Megan Chambers ’06 and Eric Simonson were married on March 12, 2021, in Tucson, Arizona. She is a middle school language arts teacher in Vail, Arizona.
The Grand Rapids (Michigan) Triathlon on Saturday, June 19, served as a mini-reunion for six alumni of the Cosmopolitan fraternity who were Hope contemporaries. Pictured from left to right after completing the contest are Andy Ruemenapp ’06, Todd Neckers ’04, Devin McNeil ’06, Nick DeKoster ’06, Mike DeYoung ’06 and Lance Postma ’07.
The Grand Rapids (Michigan) Triathlon on Saturday, June 19, served as a mini-reunion for six alumni of the Cosmopolitan fraternity who were Hope contemporaries. Pictured from left to right after completing the contest are Andy Ruemenapp ’06, Todd Neckers ’04, Devin McNeil ’06, Nick DeKoster ’06, Mike DeYoung ’06 and Lance Postma ’07.
The Grand Rapids (Michigan) Triathlon on Saturday, June 19, served as a mini-reunion for six alumni of the Cosmopolitan fraternity who were Hope contemporaries. Pictured from left to right after completing the contest are Andy Ruemenapp ’06, Todd Neckers ’04, Devin McNeil ’06, Nick DeKoster ’06, Mike DeYoung ’06 and Lance Postma ’07
The Grand Rapids (Michigan) Triathlon on Saturday, June 19, served as a mini-reunion for six alumni of the Cosmopolitan fraternity who were Hope contemporaries. Pictured from left to right after completing the contest are Andy Ruemenapp ’06, Todd Neckers ’04, Devin McNeil ’06, Nick DeKoster ’06, Mike DeYoung ’06 and Lance Postma ’07.
The Grand Rapids (Michigan) Triathlon on Saturday, June 19, served as a mini-reunion for six alumni of the Cosmopolitan fraternity who were Hope contemporaries. Pictured from left to right after completing the contest are Andy Ruemenapp ’06, Todd Neckers ’04, Devin McNeil ’06, Nick DeKoster ’06, Mike DeYoung ’06 and Lance Postma ’07.
Joseph Seymour ’08 and Sarah Burrichter ’10 Seymour→
Joseph Seymour ’08 and Sarah Burrichter ’10 Seymour announce the birth of June Honora on April 17, 2021.
Melissa Roop ’02 Cordes is a counselor at New Futures High School in Albuquerque, New Mexico. New Futures is a school for pregnant and parenting students.
Jennifer Folkert ’02 Yoder received a master’s degree in nursing education in August 2021 and started a new position as the professional development educator for the school nursing department of Holland Hospital.
Lisa Cortez ’03 Hendricks is pursuing a Ph.D. in language and literacy through the curriculum instruction teacher education program at Michigan State University
Katie Budris ’04 was promoted to the rank of senior lecturer in writing arts at Rowan University in South Jersey. She teaches both undergraduate and graduate level creative writing courses and serves as editor in chief of the MA literary magazine, Glassworks.
Rebekah Stewart ’05 and Patrick Lennon announce the birth of Lewis Teddy on June 13, 2021. Rebekah lives in Atlanta, Georgia, and is a nurse practitioner and epidemiologist at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Eight friends from Hope College, many of whom lived together in Denver, Colorado, reunited to run the 2021 Ragnar Trail Relay near Grayling, Michigan. Alex Behm ’08, David Boersma ’06, Paul Carollo ’08, Tommy Gordon ’08, Joel Evenhouse ’08, Andrew Hickock ’08, Matt McCabe ’08 and Christian Piers ’07 finished the course with a time … Continue reading "David Boersma ’06"
Shea Tuttle ’06 of Henrico, Virginia, and Kristin Olson ’07 Brace of Ada, Michigan, were the authors featured on the annual Tom Andrews ’84 Memorial Reading of the Jack Ridl Visiting Writers Series at Hope on Tuesday, Sept. 28. Shea is the author of Exactly Who You Are: The Life and Faith of Mister Rogers … Continue reading "Shea Tuttle ’06"
Shea Tuttle ’06 of Henrico, Virginia, and Kristin Olson ’07 Brace of Ada, Michigan, were the authors featured on the annual Tom Andrews ’84 Memorial Reading of the Jack Ridl Visiting Writers Series at Hope on Tuesday, Sept. 28. Shea is the author of Exactly Who You Are: The Life and Faith of Mister Rogers … Continue reading "Kristin Olson ’07 Brace"
Shuchen Deborah Li ’07 is the internal communications manager, emerging markets at Xylem. She is building strong culture and internal cross-communications for colleagues across 37 countries.
Richard Newman ’07 is the director of music ministries at St. James Episcopal Church in Birmingham, Michigan. He is responsible for all instrumental and choral programing and serves as church organist. He was the director of music and organist at Grace Episcopal Church in Alexandria, Virginia, for the past seven years.
Christian Piers ’07 has become a partner in his orthodontic practice, Small and Piers Orthodontics, with locations in Hickory and Morganton, North Carolina. He lives with his wife, Rachael Sauerman ’07 Piers, and children, Kai and Koa, in Asheville. Eight friends from Hope College, many of whom lived together in Denver, Colorado, reunited to run … Continue reading "Christian Piers ’07"
Eight friends from Hope College, many of whom lived together in Denver, Colorado, reunited to run the 2021 Ragnar Trail Relay near Grayling, Michigan. Alex Behm ’08, David Boersma ’06, Paul Carollo ’08, Tommy Gordon ’08, Joel Evenhouse ’08, Andrew Hickock ’08, Matt McCabe ’08 and Christian Piers ’07 finished the course with a time … Continue reading "Alex Behm ’08"
Eight friends from Hope College, many of whom lived together in Denver, Colorado, reunited to run the 2021 Ragnar Trail Relay near Grayling, Michigan. Alex Behm ’08, David Boersma ’06, Paul Carollo ’08, Tommy Gordon ’08, Joel Evenhouse ’08, Andrew Hickock ’08, Matt McCabe ’08 and Christian Piers ’07 finished the course with a time … Continue reading "Paul Carollo ’08"
Eight friends from Hope College, many of whom lived together in Denver, Colorado, reunited to run the 2021 Ragnar Trail Relay near Grayling, Michigan. Alex Behm ’08, David Boersma ’06, Paul Carollo ’08, Tommy Gordon ’08, Joel Evenhouse ’08, Andrew Hickock ’08, Matt McCabe ’08 and Christian Piers ’07 finished the course with a time … Continue reading "Tommy Gordon ’08"
Eight friends from Hope College, many of whom lived together in Denver, Colorado, reunited to run the 2021 Ragnar Trail Relay near Grayling, Michigan. Alex Behm ’08, David Boersma ’06, Paul Carollo ’08, Tommy Gordon ’08, Joel Evenhouse ’08, Andrew Hickock ’08, Matt McCabe ’08 and Christian Piers ’07 finished the course with a time … Continue reading "Joel Evenhouse ’08"
Eight friends from Hope College, many of whom lived together in Denver, Colorado, reunited to run the 2021 Ragnar Trail Relay near Grayling, Michigan. Alex Behm ’08, David Boersma ’06, Paul Carollo ’08, Tommy Gordon ’08, Joel Evenhouse ’08, Andrew Hickock ’08, Matt McCabe ’08 and Christian Piers ’07 finished the course with a time … Continue reading "Andrew Hickock ’08"
Eight friends from Hope College, many of whom lived together in Denver, Colorado, reunited to run the 2021 Ragnar Trail Relay near Grayling, Michigan. Alex Behm ’08, David Boersma ’06, Paul Carollo ’08, Tommy Gordon ’08, Joel Evenhouse ’08, Andrew Hickock ’08, Matt McCabe ’08 and Christian Piers ’07 finished the course with a time … Continue reading "Matt McCabe ’08"
Ryan Johnson ’09 was promoted to associate professor of mathematics as well as the director of general education at Grace College in Winona Lake, Indiana. He reports that he more fully appreciates the essay he had to write about the Christian liberal arts when he was a freshman at Hope.
Team “12 Cents,” consisting of 12 alumni of the Centurian Fraternity, won the Masters division of Ragnar Michigan on September 25. Ragnar Michigan is a 200-mile running relay race from Muskegon to Traverse City. Each of the 12 team members runs three legs varying from three to nine miles each. The team members were: Jeff … Continue reading "Eric Zondervan ’00"
Sara Sanderson ’03 and Sean Doyle announce the birth of Jack Murphy on Nov. 10, 2021. They will travel to Stockholm in August for their second tour in the United States Foreign Service.
Eric Schrotenboer ’01 and Meredith Ter Haar ’03 Schrotenboer→
Eric Schrotenboer ’01 and Meredith Ter Haar ’03 Schrotenboer published a flip board book for small children. It is an adaptation of the Shema (Deuteronomy 6:4-9).
McKenna Reitz ’04 received the Toledo 2021 “20 under 40 Leadership Recognition Award” on Thursday, Oct. 29, at the 26th annual 20 under 40 ceremony. She was among the 20 selected from a field of 209 nominated candidates. She is a teacher of AP psychology and a varsity volleyball coach at Springfield High School. She … Continue reading "McKenna Reitz ’04"
Sarah Wilkinson ’04 Mathews was appointed the next Cass County Circuit/Probate/Family Court administrator and Friend of the Court director on Dec. 9, 2021, by Chief Judge Susan L. Dobrich. As the Circuit/Probate/Family Court Administrator, she will work closely with the Chief Judge on policy issues, budgets, and administrative issues for all three courts. As the … Continue reading "Sarah Wilkinson ’04 Mathews"
Eric De Boer ’05 and his school robotics team from Saint Bridge Middle School, Richmond, Virginia, won first place at the Virginia State Robotics Championship in just the school’s third year of having a robotics team. Close to 70 schools participated. They will head to the World Robotics Competition in Houston in April where corporations … Continue reading "Eric De Boer ’05"
Krista Hughes ’05 completed a 1,160 mile hike around the shoreline/perimeter of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula on Oct. 23, 2021. Beginning in the summer of 2015, Krista hiked 100-200 miles per year over seven summers. Along her route, she hiked the sandy/rocky beaches of three Great Lakes, hiked through and camped in many state parks, visited … Continue reading "Krista Hughes ’05"
Laura Rippberger ’06 Westover was among this year’s Incisal Edge magazine “40 under 40” honorees, who include 46 women and 40 men from 30 states. She works for Polar Pediatric Dental Care in Mentor, Ohio.
Jason Cash ’07 of Hudsonville, Michigan, has been appointed director of public affairs and marketing at Hope College, succeeding Eva Dean Folkert ’83, who retired in February. He was formerly the director of web communications at the college. He has been a member of the Hope staff since 2007, serving initially as a campaign associate … Continue reading "Jason Cash ’07"
Nathaniel DeYoung ’07 has accepted the position of chief of mental health for VA Northern Indiana Healthcare System. He oversees the delivery of mental health services across five medical facilities in Northern Indiana to ensure that veterans have access to high-quality mental health treatment.
Becky Renner ’00 Anderson of Grand Rapids, Michigan, has been honored as one of America’s Top Women Wealth Advisors for 2022 by Forbes and SHOOK Research. A financial advisor with Edward Jones, she ranked seventh among Top Women Wealth Advisors Best in State in Michigan. To compile the national 2022 list of 1,377 women, SHOOK … Continue reading "Becky Renner ’00 Anderson"
Joel Murr ’01 is the director of community health advancement for Bronson Healthcare, the largest employer and leading healthcare system in Southwest Michigan.
Benjamin Tennant ’01 and Simone Schartow ’01 Tennant→
Benjamin Tennant ’01 and Simone Schartow ’01 Tennant announce the birth of Beatrice Joy on Aug. 24, 2021. Also in 2021, Simone completed training as a yoga instructor with Yoga Abbey, and Benjamin finished a two-year program of training as a spiritual director.
NEW ALUMNI BOARD MEMBERS AND OFFICERS The Hope College Alumni Association Board of Directors appointed five new members and elected three new officers during its April meeting. The board’s new members are: Tonzia Buor ’05 of Denver, Colorado; junior Alyson Davis ’24 of Palatine, Illinois; Jonathan Hatfield ’09 of Grand Rapids, Michigan; Dr. Ken Janda … Continue reading "Tracey Forbes ’03 Hoesch"
The Hope College Alumni Association Board of Directors appointed five new members and elected three new officers during its April meeting. The board’s new members are: Tonzia Buor ’05 of Denver, Colorado; junior Alyson Davis ’24 of Palatine, Illinois; Jonathan Hatfield ’09 of Grand Rapids, Michigan; Dr. Ken Janda ’73 of San Diego, California; and … Continue reading "Tonzia Buor ’05"
Ann Druham ’06 is joining the American School of Dubai as a high school special education teacher. She has previously taught in international schools in Qatar, Indonesia, and most recently in Shenzhen, China.
Johanna Swanson ’06 and Jeffrey Stearns announce the birth of Adam Joseph on Dec. 8, 2020. Johanna is a program coordinator for the college access program office at Calvin University
Nicole Prince ’07 is the editorial director at a women’s retailer and recently started a passion project called “double dutch.” This subscription-based newsletter features personal essays (infertility/loss which Nicole is journeying through, her experience as an adoptee, etc.), recipes her friends beg for, and perfect product recommendations.
NEW ALUMNI BOARD MEMBERS AND OFFICERS The Hope College Alumni Association Board of Directors appointed five new members and elected three new officers during its April meeting. The board’s new members are: Tonzia Buor ’05 of Denver, Colorado; junior Alyson Davis ’24 of Palatine, Illinois; Jonathan Hatfield ’09 of Grand Rapids, Michigan; Dr. Ken Janda … Continue reading "Leah Wicander ’07"
John Dulmes ’08 was recently appointed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer to the Michigan Citizen-Community EmergencyResponse Coordinating Council (MCCERCC). The council assists the state in developing, maintaining, implementing, supporting, and promoting emergency response principles, strategies, and practices. He is the executive director of the Michigan Chemistry Council.
NEW ALUMNI BOARD MEMBERS AND OFFICERS The Hope College Alumni Association Board of Directors appointed five new members and elected three new officers during its April meeting. The board’s new members are: Tonzia Buor ’05 of Denver, Colorado; junior Alyson Davis ’24 of Palatine, Illinois; Jonathan Hatfield ’09 of Grand Rapids, Michigan; Dr. Ken Janda … Continue reading "Tonisha Gordon ’09"
NEW ALUMNI BOARD MEMBERS AND OFFICERS The Hope College Alumni Association Board of Directors appointed five new members and elected three new officers during its April meeting. The board’s new members are: Tonzia Buor ’05 of Denver, Colorado; junior Alyson Davis ’24 of Palatine, Illinois; Jonathan Hatfield ’09 of Grand Rapids, Michigan; Dr. Ken … Continue reading "Jonathan Hatfield ’09"
Kevin Fitton ’00 had his first book of short stories, Auras, published by Fomite Press. He has a Master of Fine Arts degree from Bennington College and is a Ph.D. student at Western Michigan University.
Laura Donnelly ’01 read from her work and spoke at Hope College’s Jack Ridl Visiting Writers Series on Monday, Oct. 3. She is the author of Midwest Gothic, a poetry chapbook selected as the winner of the Richard Snyder Prize.
Deborah Hoffman ’02 Walters was selected as a 2022 Finalist for the FLAG Award for Teaching Excellence. The FLAG Award for Teaching Excellence recognizes and celebrates extraordinary New York City public school teachers who inspire learning through creativity, passion, and commitment. An independent jury selected the finalists from those nominated based on numerous factors, with … Continue reading "Deborah Hoffman ’02 Walters"
Katherine Ramsey ’03 is a registered nurse working as a senior clinical application analyst for Indiana University Health. She has focused the last one-and-a-half years on the COVID vaccine build in their electronic health record and the integration with Indiana’s State Vaccine Registry. In June, she transitioned to a senior data analyst position for IU … Continue reading "Katherine Ramsey ’03"
Dana Lamers ’01 VanderLugt reports that Enemies in the Orchard: A World War 2 Novel in Verse will be published by ZonderKidz in September of 2023. The seeds of the novel, which is written for a middle grade audience, were planted in her creative writing classes at Hope two decades ago, when her research revealed … Continue reading "Dana Lamers ’01 VanderLugt"
Ben Fedak ’03, Hartwell Gary ’00, Jamie Pierce ’03 and Jeff Templeton ’03→
Ben Fedak ’03, Hartwell Gary ’00, Jamie Pierce ’03 and Jeff Templeton ’03 will host Lyle!stock this summer. Lyle! and many special guests will crank it up to loud (and fun) at Holland’s Park Theatre on Saturday, Aug. 5, for an all-day, all-ages rock and roll celebration. Full details at lylerocks.bandcamp.com
The Hope College Alumni Association will present Distinguished Alumni Awards to Dr. Michael Dickinson ’87 and Sarah Sanderson ’03 on Saturday, April 29, during the banquet held as part of Alumni Weekend. Dickinson is a specialist in cardiovascular diseases and advanced heart failure and transplant with Corewell Health (formerly Spectrum Health Medical Group) in Grand … Continue reading "Sarah Sanderson ’03"
Valerie Patrick ’04 Smith completed her Master of Science degree in historic preservation at Columbia University’s School of Architecture, Planning, and Preservation. Prior to this degree, she completed an advanced certificate with Columbia, allowing her to study architecture in Paris. Her thesis, “The Small House Movement of the 1920s: Preserving Small ‘Better Houses,’” has been … Continue reading "Valerie Patrick ’04 Smith"
Matt Schwabauer ’06 moved at the beginning of October to Naples, Florida, where he works as a carpenter at Gulfshore Playhouse, a premier, professional regional theatre in Southwest Florida. He was also recently cast as Captain Von Trapp in The Naples Players’ production of The Sound of Music, which ran March 1 – April 2.
Sarah Herington ’08 Charles and Lee Charles announce the birth of Anita Genavieve on Oct. 17, 2022. She joins her older sisters, Gavi and Jessa. They live in Waukee, Iowa, and Sarah volunteers as a clinic manager at Waukee Area Christian Services Free Primary Care Clinic.
Paul Lillie ’00 joined The Clear Sailing Wealth Group at RBC Wealth Management as a financial advisor. He is working out of the Chicago, Illinois, and Minneapolis, Minnesota, offices.
Katie Wright ’06 DeKoster and Kate Bultema ’09 Ralston have been named to new leadership roles in alumni and family engagement at Hope. DeKoster has been appointed director of family engagement after previously serving as assistant director of student life. Ralston has been named director of alumni engagement after previously serving as associate director of … Continue reading "Beth Timmer ’00 Szczerowski"
Maggie Schakel ’01 Hirt, her husband Nick and their four children have spent the last six years exploring the world on a sailboat. They have spent time in the Caribbean, Ireland, Scotland and Spain, just to name a few, and are now currently in New Zealand. Nick is able to work remotely from their locations … Continue reading "Maggie Schakel ’01 Hirt"
Josiah Dykstra ’02 has co-authored his second book, Cybersecurity Myths and Misconceptions: Avoiding the Hazards and Pitfalls that Derail Us. He also wrote Essential Cybersecurity Science.
Heather Bachelor ’02 Karlson works as a birth doula in the Chicago suburbs, entering her 13th year educating and supporting families prenatally, at labor and birth, and postpartum. She received her master’s degree from National- Louis University in curriculum and instruction and has homeschooled her five children while doing birth work.
Chad Carlson ’03 who has been a member of the Hope College kinesiology faculty since 2014, has become the third generation in his family to achieve the rank of full professor at Hope. His grandfather Dr. Lamont Dirkse ’50, who taught at Hope from 1964 until retiring in 1992, was promoted to professor of education … Continue reading "Chad Carlson ’03"
The Hope College Alumni Association Board of Directors has appointed four new members. The board’s new members are: Craig DeSousa ’72 of Garden City, New York; Liam Naumann ’25 of Wyckoff, New Jersey; Marissa Solorzano ’19 of Grand Rapids, Michigan; and Gaye van den Hombergh ’81 of Lincolnshire, Illinois. (Pictured clockwise starting from the top … Continue reading "Tracey Forbes ’03 Hoesch"
Katie Wright ’06 DeKoster and Kate Bultema ’09 Ralston have been named to new leadership roles in alumni and family engagement at Hope. DeKoster has been appointed director of family engagement after previously serving as assistant director of student life. Ralston has been named director of alumni engagement after previously serving as associate director of … Continue reading "Katie Wright ’06 DeKoster"
Katie Wright ’06 DeKoster and Kate Bultema ’09 Ralston have been named to new leadership roles in alumni and family engagement at Hope. DeKoster has been appointed director of family engagement after previously serving as assistant director of student life. Ralston has been named director of alumni engagement after previously serving as associate director of … Continue reading "Scott Travis ’06"
The Hope College Alumni Association Board of Directors has appointed four new members. The board’s new members are: Craig DeSousa ’72 of Garden City, New York; Liam Naumann ’25 of Wyckoff, New Jersey; Marissa Solorzano ’19 of Grand Rapids, Michigan; and Gaye van den Hombergh ’81 of Lincolnshire, Illinois. (Pictured clockwise starting from the top … Continue reading "Tonisha Gordon ’09"
Katie Wright ’06 DeKoster and Kate Bultema ’09 Ralston have been named to new leadership roles in alumni and family engagement at Hope. DeKoster has beenappointed director of family engagement after previously serving as assistant director of student life. Ralston has been named director of alumni engagement after previously serving as associate director of alumni … Continue reading "Kate Bultema ’09 Ralston"
Johnny Rodriguez ’09 was appointed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s office to serve a three-and-a-half-year term on the Hispanic Latino Commission of Michigan.
Jason De Jong ’09 and Julie Kofron ’10 were married on April 30, 2016, at the Morton Arboretum in Lisle, Illinois. In July they moved back to Holland, Michigan, from Denver, Colorado, to be closer to family.
Michelle Geerlings ’10 and Ty Tanis ’11 were married on June 17, 2016. Michelle works at the Mental Health Foundation of West Michigan, and Ty works for Boys and Girls Club of Greater Holland.
Corinne Schild ’10 received her Doctorate of Psychology degree in clinical psychology from Adler University in August 2016. She will remain at Louisiana State University in mental health services for a post-doctoral fellowship.
Carolyn Powers ’10 Wiersma and Nathan Wiersma ’11→
Carolyn Powers ’10 Wiersma and Nathan Wiersma ’11 announce the birth of Lucy Noelle on July 18, 2016.
Carl Dunker ’11 of Holland, Michigan, left his job as a copywriter and information architect at deZignwright in St. Joseph, Michigan, and began working as a writer and editor at Herman Miller in May 2016. He continues to accept the occasional independent design and writing projects.
Rebecca Coe ’12 and Dennis Walker were married on Sept. 3, 2016, in San Diego, California. After two trips around the world with her husband, she has started as a post-production coordinator/editor at Loma Media in San Diego.
Chris Cox ’12 of New York City had an exhibition of photography featured in the De Pree Art Center and Gallery this fall as the college’s first Borgeson Artist-in-Residence. The exhibition, “Infinite Replica,” opened during Homecoming Weekend on Friday, Oct. 21, with an artist’s talk and reception and continued through Friday, Nov. 18. The 12-week summer … Continue reading "Chris Cox ’12"
Emily Henry ’12 of Bellevue, Kentucky, was featured through the Jack Ridl Visiting Writers Series at Hope on Tuesday, Sept. 20, both reading from her work and participating in a question-and-answer session. Her publications include the young-adult novel The Love That Split the World.
Anna Leach ’12 of Washington, D.C., is a special assistant in the Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships at the U.S. Department of Education, where she provides leadership to the President’s Interfaith and Community Service Campus Challenge, a national initiative from President Obama challenging college campuses to participate in community service with elements of interfaith … Continue reading "Anna Leach ’12"
Ann Rodwell-Lawton ’12 is the director of education, training and outreach for The Women’s Center of Greater Danbury. She also serves as the center’s legislative liaison and oversees the center’s advocacy efforts on state-level policy issues.
Peter Smith ’12 graduated from Western Theological Seminary with a Master of Arts degree in May and has begun working as the youth director at Silver Creek Reformed Church in German Valley, Illinois.
Kayla Howard ’13 received her master’s degree in physician assistant studies from Central Michigan University. She and Eric Vredeveld were married on Sept. 24, 2016.
Luke VanderZouwen ’13 and Morgan Appell ’14 were married on Aug. 29, 2015, in Midland Michigan. Luke is employed as a doctor of physical therapy at Full Potential Physical Therapy and Morgan is a K-2 resource teacher at Jefferson School in Holland, Michigan.
William DeBoer ’14 moved to Salisbury, Maryland, and is a lead radio broadcaster for University of Maryland Eastern Shore men’s and women’s Division I basketball. In the spring he will take over as the lead voice of the Delmarva Shorebirds, a minor league baseball team affiliated with the Baltimore Orioles.
Colin Drinkard ’14 received a Master of Science degree in athletic training from the University of Kentucky’s College of Health Sciences in May 2016. He was hired by Spectrum Health to serve as the head athletic trainer at Union High School in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Ellen Milroy ’14 received a Master of Education degree in higher education administration from North Carolina State University in May 2016 and is the assistant director of global programs in the Poole College of Management, North Carolina State University.
Samantha Rushton ’14 and Matt Sheehan were married on July 16, 2016, in Clawson, Michigan. Samantha is the communications and marketing director at Bishop Foley Catholic High School.
Aaron Mick ’15 and Lauren Duncan were married on July 30, 2016. Aaron is pursuing a master’s degree in mechanical engineering at the University of Connecticut.
Tim Bloemendaal ’16 of Holland, Michigan, hiked the entire 2, 189-mile Appalachian Trail in 136 days from February 20 to July 4, 2015. This journey took him from Springer Mountain, Georgia, to Mount Katahdin, Maine.
Jay Williams ’16 reports that his time at Hope was extremely fulfilling and he found himself and his purpose. Since graduation he has hit the ground running, starting three companies. He wants to help anyone turn a great idea into a tangible business.
Peter Paulsen ’64 and Lydia Thornburg ’13 both serve on the board of the Atlanta branch of a ministry that helps people “…see the face of God in the city.” The ministry is Discovering Opportunities for Outreach and Reflections (DOOR). Pete reports that in quiet moments at board meetings and while working on projects they … Continue reading "Lydia Thornburg ’13"
Yulia Ganenko Rae ’09 was named the 2016 Fashion Photographer of the Year during the Northwest Fashion Awards in Seattle, Washington on Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2016. She is the owner of Zipperture Photography.
Amy Clinton ’10 graduated with a Master of Science degree in business analytics from the University of Notre Dame in December 2016. She and Chandler Collins were married on Feb. 4, 2017.
Joel McVeigh ’10 and William Wood were married on Oct. 1, 2016 at Henderson Castle in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The are now living outside of Nashville, Tennessee.
Andreas VanDenend ’10 is the director of two programs at the University of Florida’s office of distance and continuing education: UF flexible learning and UF online dual enrollment.
Evan Dekker ’11 and Karen Patterson ’11 were married on Oct. 30, 2016 in Littleton, Colorado. They report that every person (officiant, scripture reader, wedding party, etc) involved in the wedding is a graduate of Hope. They note that they didn’t necessarily do that on purpose, but believe that it speaks to the power of … Continue reading "Evan Dekker ’11 and Karen Patterson ’11"
Sara DeWeerdt ’11 and Jake Mulder were married on June 24, 2016. Sara is a physical education teacher in Zeeland Public Schools and is the head varsity volleyball coach at Zeeland East.
Casey Sullens ’11 is currently the employer relations manager of Graduate Career Services at the Ford School of Public Policy at the University of Michigan.
Trevan Thompson ’11 and Stefani Pentiuk ’13 Thompson→
Trevan Thompson ’11 and Stefani Pentiuk ’13 Thompson were married on Sept. 10, 2016 in Leland, Michigan.
Brittany Tuinier ’11 VanDyke and Corey VanDyke ’08→
Brittany Tuinier ’11 VanDyke and Corey VanDyke ’08 announce the birth of Chandler Lee on May 12, 2015.
Heather Stiff ’12 graduated summa cum laude from Ohio State University Medical School in 2016 and is now pursuing an ophthalmology residency at the University of Iowa.
Rebecca Hobson ’13 moved to Guadalajara, Mexico, for a year of full-time mission work with TEAM missions. She reports that her hope this year is to learn how God wants to use her in the mission field long-term and to use her gifts to spread the Gospel, build up the body of Christ and encourage … Continue reading "Rebecca Hobson ’13"
Daniel Owens ’13 and Jacqueline Canonaco ’12 were married on July 9, 2016 in St. Joseph, Michigan. Daniel is pursuing a master’s in philosophy in internal peace studies at Trinity College Dublin.
Elisabeth Brewington ’14 and Keenan Erickson ’14 taught English at Bunyawhat Witthayalai School in Lampang, Thailand, after graduation. They returned to Maine and were married in May 2016. They now live in Portland, Maine.
Lauren Ezzo ’14 works for Brillance Audio in Grand Haven, Michigan. Her audio book recording of The Light Fantastic won the Young Adult category for the one of the best recordings of 2016.
Larissa Fall ’14 graduated with a master’s degree in arts administration from the University of Kentucky. She is working as the production assistant at the Grand Rapids Symphony, teaching private and group violin lessons in Holland/Grand Rapids, performing with The Holland Symphony, managing and performing at weddings with the Charmante String Quartet, and doing other … Continue reading "Larissa Fall ’14"
Matthew Ringel ’14 received a Master of Public Health degree in epidemiology from Emory University in 2016 and is now working as the vital records epidemiologist for the State of Montana.
Elyse Thompson ’14 received a Master of Public Health degree from Boston University School of Public Health in January 2017. She has moved to Christchurch, New Zeeland, with her fiancé, Mark Hayes.
Eric Vachon ’14 is in his second year of his Ph.D. program in nursing and was selected for Sigma Theta Tau. He will be attending the organization’s international conference in Dublin, Ireland, in July in conjunction with the honor.
Victoria Henry ’15 and Nathan Longfield ’16 were married on July 16, 2016, in Holland, Michigan. Victoria is the digital liberal arts librarian and an assistant professor at Van Wylen Library at Hope College.
Christopher Waechter ’15 moved to South Lake Tahoe, Nevada, and is pursuing a position as a civil engineer in watershed restoration for the Nevada Tahoe Conversation District.
Alexis-Simone Rivers ’16 moved from Indianapolis, Indiana, to Chicago, Illinois, to work for the Chicago Semester Program as the operations coordinator and registrar. She shares an office with fellow Hope alum Skyler Adams ’13.
Briana Armand ’17 is a campus recruiter for Northwestern Mutual – Chicago, a leading financial planning firm. She works on Chicago-area campuses to build relationships with the college community.
Gustavo Moura ’17 is an on-site engineer for Worksighted, one of the fastest growing IT services companies in West Michigan. He will work with clients to help solve problems and assist in long-term technology strategy at their facility.
Stephanie Dykema ’10 received her Ph.D. in counseling psychology from the University of Akron this month. Following graduation she is beginning a postdoctoral fellowship at the School of The Art Institute of Chicago, Counseling Services Center and moving to Chicago, Illinois, with her fiancé.
Jeff DeYoung ’11 graduated in the top fifth percentile of his class from Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry in May 2017. He was presented with the 2017 American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons Dental Student award for outstanding performance in undergraduate oral and mazillofacial surgery. He has accepted an oral surgery fellowship at the … Continue reading "Jeff DeYoung ’11"
Andrew Schofield ’11 of Ann Arbor, Michigan, is an oncology representative selling IV chemotherapy products indicated for metastatic breast cancer throughout the Midwest. He reports that a key aspect of his job is the ability to build relationships and understanding his customers, and much of the success that he has had is a direct result … Continue reading "Andrew Schofield ’11"
Rebecca Danforth ’12 received her Ph.D. in chemistry on the ultrafast photochemistry of aqueous iron (III) complexes from Montana State University in May 2017.
Michael Dirksen ’12 received a Master of Arts degree in international peace and conflict resolution from American University in Washington, D.C. He also received a Master of Arts degree in political science from the University of Illinois at Chicago and is a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Illinois at Chicago, studying political parties and … Continue reading "Michael Dirksen ’12"
Dean Hazle ’12 of Brookline, Massachusetts, is the permitting compliance officer for Keolis Commuter Services, the operator of the commuter railroad in Boston.
Sarah Nammack ’14 graduated from Duke University’s School of Nursing with a degree as an adult-gerontology nurse practitioner with cardiology specialty in May 2017.
Amber Prins ’15 and John Dood ’17 were married on July 29, 2017 in Holland, Michigan. They are moving to Tampa, where Amber will be attending graduate school.
Rachel Lundstrom ’15 received her master’s degree in educational policy, organization and leadership from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in May 2017. Rachel continues to teach at Zeeland East High School in the special education department
Lisa McLellan ’15, Julia Slopsema ’15, Monica Ohnsorg ’16 and David Lunderberg ’17→
Hope graduates have once again fared well in the prestigious Graduate Research Fellowship Program of the National Science Foundation (NSF), with four receiving awards this year. Lisa McLellan ’15, Julia Slopsema ’15, Monica Ohnsorg ’16 and David Lunderberg ’17, all received fellowships this year. McLellan had received honorable mention in both 2015 and 2016, and Ohnsorg had … Continue reading "Lisa McLellan ’15, Julia Slopsema ’15, Monica Ohnsorg ’16 and David Lunderberg ’17"
Dani Nowicki ’16 moved to Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands, and is pursuing a K-8 physical education and health teaching position at Saipan Community School.
Drew Bennett ’17 is pursuing a Master of Science degree in public health in global disease epidemiology and control from The Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health.
Owen Bogolin ’17 is in a teaching residency program with Project Inspire in Chattanooga, Tennessee. He will gain a certification to teach sixth-12th grade chemistry and will pursue a Master’s of Education degree from Lee University.
Christopher Bosscher ’17 is a purchasing and sales trainee with Universal Forest Products and will split his time between Atlanta, Georgia, and Colorado.
Claire Bouwkamp ’17 has been a scenic designer and scenic artist for the Bayview Music Festival this summer and next will pursue work in Chicago or New York as a theatre scenic artist.
Rebecca Brumels ’17 will pursue a master’s degree at the University of Massachusetts-Lowell in educational administration with the higher education and student affairs track. She will also have a graduate assistantship in student conduct this fall.
Bridgitt Buikema ’17 will be pursuing a Master of Social Work degree at Erikson Institute in downtown Chicago, taking the clinical route in mental health focusing on adolescence.
Caitlyn Campbell ’17 will pursue a Master of Public Health degree in nutritional sciences with a concentration in dietetics at the University of Michigan.
David Heinze ’17 will pursue a Master of Music degree at University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom. He will be a graduate organ scholar at Selwyn College.
Michelle Jager ’17 will be starting in September on the assurance staff at Ernst & Young in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She and Duncan Bocks ’17 were married on Aug. 11, 2017, in Holland, Michigan.
Kathryn Krieger ’17 is the contemporary worship director at Hinsdale Covenant Church in Hinsdale, Illinois, and married Larry Spencer on July 1, 2017, in Princeton, Illinois.
Brooke Ledsworth ’17 is a developmental care specialist at Wedgwood Christian Services in Grand Rapids, Michigan, working in the department for kids with autism and developmental disabilities.
Kate Mader ’17 is taking a gap year this year while working at the Holland Free Health Clinic as an administrative assistant while applying to dental schools.
Tyler Melby ’17 is working for Monroe, Sweeris & Tromp, a CPA firm in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He and Maressa Toomire were married on July 21, 2017, in St. Charles, Illinois.
Taylor Mills ’17 is a digital fellow in the Mellon Scholars Program at Hope, in which she will design and co-teach the Mellon Seminar. She is also interning at Lighthouse Immigration Advocates law firm in Holland, Michigan.
Camryn Peterson ’17 is working for AmeriCorps as a volunteer through City Year, working in a Chicago Public School for a year helping students stay and succeed in school.
Garrett Sims ’17 will pursue a Master of Education degree in higher education administration and student affairs and is a resident director at North Carolina State University.
Tyra Smith ’17 will pursue a degree in speech and language pathology from Grand Valley State University and will be working at Pine Rest Christian Homes throughout the summer and the school year.
Sydney Van Hulle ’17 is the event manager at Eminence Management in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and a graphics design intern for Ring Cam in Holland, Michigan.
Cole Watson ’17 and Sierra Schultz were married on July 15, 2017, in Holland, Michigan. Cole is working for SolidCircle, a software company, in Holland.
Abbie Zuiderveen ’17 will pursue a master’s degree in athletic training at Western Michigan University. She also has a graduate assistant position working in WMU’s sports medicine clinic.
Nine alumni who have pursued careers in opera or have experience as opera accompanists returned to campus on Tuesday, Oct. 24, to share their experience and talent during a panel discussion and a gala concert named for an acclaimed predecessor that brought them together for the first time. They gathered from as far away as … Continue reading "Briana Sosenheimer ’10"
Nine alumni who have pursued careers in opera or have experience as opera accompanists returned to campus on Tuesday, Oct. 24, to share their experience and talent during a panel discussion and a gala concert named for an acclaimed predecessor that brought them together for the first time. They gathered from as far away as … Continue reading "Sally VanderPloeg ’10"
Nine alumni who have pursued careers in opera or have experience as opera accompanists returned to campus on Tuesday, Oct. 24, to share their experience and talent during a panel discussion and a gala concert named for an acclaimed predecessor that brought them together for the first time. They gathered from as far away as … Continue reading "Sarah Ashcroft ’11 VandenBrink"
Nine alumni who have pursued careers in opera or have experience as opera accompanists returned to campus on Tuesday, Oct. 24, to share their experience and talent during a panel discussion and a gala concert named for an acclaimed predecessor that brought them together for the first time. They gathered from as far away as … Continue reading "Jenna Buck ’12"
Allyson Dreger ’12 graduated with a Doctorate in Physical Therapy degree from Central Michigan University. She and Jonathon Lowis were married on Sept. 8, 2017.
Nine alumni who have pursued careers in opera or have experience as opera accompanists returned to campus on Tuesday, Oct. 24, to share their experience and talent during a panel discussion and a gala concert named for an acclaimed predecessor that brought them together for the first time. They gathered from as far away as … Continue reading "Brent Smith ’12"
Emily Stolz ’12 received a Master of Education degree in languages with a concentration in English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) at the College of Charleston in May.
Zachary Beswick ’13 received a medical degree from Wayne State University School of Medicine and began his diagnostic radiology residency at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit.
Philip Ploski ’13 and Kelly Ploski were married on June 14, 2014. Their first daughter arrived on May 26, 2015, and their second daughter arrived on Dec. 29, 2016. They have moved to Dallas, Texas, where he is pursuing a linguistics master’s with the Graduate Institute of Applied Linguistics. He reports that his life goal … Continue reading "Philip Ploski ’13"
Kelsey Janssen ’14 graduated from Michigan State University College of Law in May and is an associate at Warner Norcross and Judd in the Grand Rapids, Michigan, office. She and Frankie Dame were married on September 30
Kate Pitchford ’14 is working for the communications team on the Africa Mercy, a non-governmental hospital ship, and will be in Douala, Cameroon, until July 2018. Mercy Ships is an international organization that operates around the world, currently focusing on West Africa. The communications team includes photographers, videographers and writers, and Kate is one of … Continue reading "Kate Pitchford ’14"
Angelica Rodriguez ’15 Day received a Master of Arts degree in international affairs with a focus on international security from The George Washington University in Washington, D.C., in May 2017
Kaysee Stevenson ’15 received a Master of Arts degree in educational leadership in the higher education and student affairs program from Western Michigan University. She and Tyler Dunifin ’17 were married on June 30, 2017, in Holland, Michigan
Kierstynn Foster ’16 and Daniel Rozema ’16 celebrated their wedding day with family, friends and the doctors who saved Kierstynn’s life when she was diagnosed with leukemia at age 16. They visited Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital in Grand Rapids Michigan, where Kierstynn was treated. The pictures and story went viral appearing on ABC News, Yahoo … Continue reading "Kierstynn Foster ’16 and Daniel Rozema ’16"
Rachel Dober ’17 is working for AmeriCorps VISTA, serving in Helena, Montana, and focusing on education and healthy futures. She will be serving with two nonprofit organizations, the YMCA and Youth Connections Coalition, where she will be doing program and curriculum development along with fundraising and grant writing. She plans on attending graduate school next … Continue reading "Rachel Dober ’17"
Kaysee Stevenson ’15 received a Master of Arts degree in educational leadership in the higher education and student affairs program from Western Michigan University. She and Tyler Dunifin ’17 were married on June 30, 2017, in Holland, Michigan
Julian Morrison ’17 is a gap-year intern for OneWay Ministries in Aurora, Illinois, doing videography and audio production work. He plans to pursue a Master of Fine Arts degree after his internship is finished
Amanda French ’12 and Paul Jacobs were married on July 28, 2017, in Holland, Michigan. She is an eighth-grade resource room teacher at East Middle School in Farmington Hills, Michigan.
Carter Piers ’12 of Honolulu, Hawaii, graduated with a Master of Social Work from the University of Hawaii at Manoa in December. He is employed by Hina Mauka Teen CARE, where he serves as a certified prevention specialist.
Emilie DeFrain ’15 joined the Grand Rapids Downtown Market as the market events coordinator in 2017. She and Adam Gleason were married on June 3, 2017, in Oxford, Michigan.
Samuel Horsch ’15 is pursuing a M.Div. degree at Boston University School of Theology. He is the supervisor at the School of Theology Library and operations manager for the Boston University Marsh Chapel. The choir with which Sam performs recently released a new album Kallembach: Most Sacred Body.
Courtney Kayne ’15 reports that after job searching for quite some time as a long-term substitute last spring, and leaving East Aurora School District 131, she started this school year as an eighth-grade Spanish teacher in Huntley School District 158. She is very happy as a colleague of two other middle school Spanish teachers, in … Continue reading "Courtney Kayne ’15"
Holly Thompson ’15 was selected for the 2017-18 Douglass Fellowship Inaugural Class by Human Trafficking Institute. She is supporting the institute’s efforts and will coordinate an event at Vanderbilt Law School.
Robert Henry ’17 and Jessica Vlisides ’17 were married and are living in Salt Lake City, Utah. Robert is attending the University of Utah as a Ph.D. student in clinical psychology and Jessica is pursuing a Master of Science in athletic training at Weber State University
Dan Claus ’10 and Grace Olson ’10 Claus announce the birth of Greta Marie on March 11, 2018. Dan accepted a call as pastor of Shoreline Christian Reformed Church in Shoreline, Washington and Grace works remotely as managing editor of RCA Today.
Jessica Clouse ’10 Myers and James Myers announce the birth of Daniel Joseph on April 4, 2018. He joins big brother James Michael, born on Dec. 21, 2014.
During its May meeting, the Hope College Alumni Association Board of Directors appointed four new members and elected two new officers. The board’s new members are: Chandler Alberda, a junior from Austin, Texas; Lindsay Allward-Theimer ’11 of Atlanta, Georgia; Suzanne Marceny ’82 Caltrider of Mason, Michigan; and Phillip Torrence ’96 of Portage, Michigan. Newly elected as vice president … Continue reading "Lindsay Allward-Theimer ’11"
Amanda Goodyke ’11 Damon has started as a pediatric nurse practitioner at Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago. She is working in the hematology and oncology department focusing on pediatric anticoagulation. She spent four years working as a nurse practitioner in primary care at Streeterville Pediatrics in Chicago, Illinois, before making the … Continue reading "Amanda Goodyke ’11 Damon"
Karly Murphy ’11 received her Ph.D. in clinical psychology from Seattle Pacific University in June. She is completing her predoctoral clinical internship at the University of Florida and will soon begin a postdoctoral fellowship funded by a National Research Service Award at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine, focusing research on technologybased biopsychosocial interventions in … Continue reading "Karly Murphy ’11"
Katlyn Prince ’11 Sommers and Clayton Sommers ’11→
Katlyn Prince ’11 Sommers and Clayton Sommers ’11 announce the birth of their second son, William Ford, on April 16, 2018.
Jay Everett Vanden Brink ’11 of Grand Rapids, Michigan, received a master’s degree in project management from the University of Barcelona in June 2017. He is a program manager of Latin America for Aqua Clara International of Holland, Michigan
Nickolas Davros II ’12 is pursing his Ph.D. degree with his thesis project on the effect of habitat modification on species richness of birds and dragonflies on a high school campus. He is an AP biology teacher at South Mecklenburg High School.
Scott DeClaire Jr. ’12 and Kathryn DeClaire announce the birth of their third child and their first girl. They had a home birth and the midwife didn’t arrive in time, so Scott delivered his very first baby. Annalynn Faith was born on April 26, 2018. Her big brothers Trey and Malakai love her very much.
Alex Yared ’12 presented at the FBI’s 2018 Great Lakes InfraGard Conference in Kalamazoo, Michigan, where he spoke about emergency management in the private sector. He is currently a corporate security specialist and emergency management coordinator for the Perrigo Company. He was also recently appointed to the board for the Perrigo Professional Network, which is … Continue reading "Alex Yared ’12"
Courtney Kust ’13 of Holland, Michigan, who is an assistant coach for the Hope College women’s basketball team, was named a member of the 2018 Women’s Basketball Coaches Association “Thirty Under 30” Class in March. Sponsored by Marriott Rewards® program, the initiative recognizes 30 up-and-coming women’s basketball coaches age 30 and under at all levels … Continue reading "Courtney Kust ’13"
Meredith Rice ’13 received a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Lincoln Memorial University-College of Veterinary Medicine in May. She has accepted an internship position at BluePearl Veterinary partners in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Kelsi Briegel ’14 and Jonathan Stricker were married on Feb. 17, 2018. Kelsi is a hospice social worker and Jonathan is a software developer. They reside in Chicago, Illinois.
Meredith Busman ’14 graduated from Wayne State University School of Medicine on June 5 and has matched into the emergency medicine residency program at Spectrum Health Hospital in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where she will be continuing her training for the next three years.
Marie Schrampfer ’15 completed her Master of Arts degree in theological studies at Saint Louis University and beginning this fall will be pursuing a Ph.D. in systematic theology at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas.
Five graduates received recognition through the Fulbright U.S. Student Program sponsored by the U.S. Department of State. Joshua Briggs ’17 of Holland, was an alternate for a research fellowship to study biology/ecology in Trinidad and Tobago.
Harrison Blackledge ’17 received an NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship. The NCAA awards up to 174 of the scholarships annually to student-athletes who are in their final year of intercollegiate athletics competition or graduates, recognizing academic and athletic excellence. A standout basketball player while at Hope, he is graduating from Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee, this month … Continue reading "Harrison Blackledge ’17"
Elizabeth “Gracie” Lewellyn ’17 is pursuing her Doctor of Optometry degree at Indiana University School of Optometry. She and Dustin Ramlow were married on July 14, 2018, in Iron Mountain, Michigan.
Jonathan Bading ’18 and Madison Buckner ’18 were married on July 28, 2018. He will be serving as director of sacred music at Sacred Heart Catholic Parish in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Joseph Bustamante ’18 is a software developer for Atomic Object, a software consultancy based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He is also a member of their accelerator program.
Five graduates received recognition through the Fulbright U.S. Student Program sponsored by the U.S. Department of State. Alexandra DeJongh ’18 of Holland, Michigan, received an English teaching assistantship. She will serve at a high school in Brussels, Belgium, for 10 months beginning in September.
Kylie DeKryger ’18 and Quinten Bader were married on June 9, 2018. Kylie is pursuing a Master of Social Work degree in the advanced standing program at Western Michigan University
is interning with Eighth Day Farm in Holland, Michigan, for the summer and then will be in Tajikistan as an agriculture intern with One Collective, a missionary organization, for two years.
Samuel Eshuis ’18 and Sarah Krisch ’18 were married on July 20, 2018. He will be pursing a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree at Grand Valley State University.
Connor Gentry ’18 of Bloomington, Illinois, received a 2018 Miracle Network Dance Marathon Distinguished Leadership Award. He was active in Hope’s Dance Marathon throughout his time at the college, including as a member of the “Dream Team” for three years and as one of four executive directors this past year.
Bryanna Howard ’18 is pursuing a Master of Science degree in sports medicine at the University of Utah. She will also be working as a graduate assistant athletic trainer for Utah Utes Athletics.
Five graduates received recognition through the Fulbright U.S. Student Program sponsored by the U.S. Department of State. Joshua Chun Wah Kam ’18 of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, received a research fellowship. He will be in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, at Gadjah Mada University for 10 months beginning in September, researching the ways that Javanese communities have imagined and revered Ratu Kidul, a … Continue reading "Joshua Chun Wah Kam ’18"
Victoria Lindemulder ’18 is pursuing a Master of Social Work degree at Grand Valley State University. She is also working at The Day Center of Evergreen as a program assistant.
Morgan Locker ’18 accepted a graduate-nurse position at Bronson Hospital in Kalamazoo, Michigan. She will be transitioning into a registered nurse when she passes the boards.
Haley Muller ’18 is a marketing and communications specialist at USA Financial in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She will also pursue a visual communications degree at Liberty University.
Joshua Nkonge ’18 of St. Louis, Missouri, was awarded a highly competitive Graduate Research Fellowship from the National Science Foundation. He will pursue a doctorate in mechanical engineering at the University of Michigan and a career conducting research that will help advance medical devices for underrepresented populations
Blake Parmer ’18 is the VP, COO and CDO of the consulting company Safe Response, LLC. Over the past three years, he has had the opportunity and privilege to manage, operate and develop a safety consulting company which specializes in providing online awareness level training and certification for both private and public-sector emergency first responders. … Continue reading "Blake Parmer ’18"
Kyle Reason ’18 is pursing a master’s degree in clinical exercise physiology at Eastern Illinois University. He will also be working as a graduate assistant
Tom Ritzman ’18 is an adventure counselor for Timber-Lee Youth Camp this summer and a mechanical/controls engineer for Koops Inc. in Holland, Michigan.
Five graduates received recognition through the Fulbright U.S. Student Program sponsored by the U.S. Department of State. Anna Van Deelan ’18 of Duluth, Minnesota, was a semifinalist for a research fellowship to study public health in Germany.
Gabrielle Werner ’18 is pursing a Master of Social Work degree in community development, social policy and evaluation at the University of Michigan. She will be participating in the Global Activities Scholars Program at the University of Michigan. She and Collin Wassilak were married on July 14, 2018.
Joseph Williams ’18 is enrolling in IDRÆTSHØJSKOLEN ÅRHUS Handball Academy in Arhus, Denmark. He plans to use the experience to help him take a step toward competing in the Olympics for Team USA Handball.
Leigh Wynveen ’18 is pursuing a Master of Arts degree in international affairs at the George Washington University’s Elliott School of International Affairs.
Gretchen Baldwin ’12 received a master’s degree in international security policy, specializing in gender and public policy, from Columbia University in May. In September, she joined the International Peace Institute in New York City as assistant editor.
Anna Leach ’12 is a career counselor at The George Washington University in the disability support services office. She has also been appointed to the American Board of Audiology as the public member for a three-year term, advising the board on the perspective of the consumer of audiology services.
Christopher Mattson ’12 graduated from Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine in May 2018. He is now a resident physician in emergency medicine at Mercy Health in Muskegon, Michigan.
Melinda Carlson ’13 is the special education department head at Watson Jr. High in Colorado Springs, Colorado, for the 2018-19 school year. She completed her master’s degree in academic coaching and leadership from the University of Northern Colorado in June 2018.
Eric Cox ’13 graduated from Michigan State University’s College of Osteopathic Medicine on May 3, 2018. His residency is in otolaryngology and hand and neck surgery at Beaumont Hospital in Farmington Hills, Michigan. He and Kelsey Gragg were married on Saturday, Sept. 29, 2018.
Adam Maley ’13 received a Ph.D. in chemistry from the University of California, Irvine. He is currently a postdoctoral research fellow at Brigham & Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School in Boston, Massachusetts.
Catherine Gammon ’14 received a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine in May. She is an associate veterinarian at Southkent Veterinary Hospital in Caledonia, Michigan.
Korinne Kincaid ’14 is pursuing a Master of Science in Nursing degree, pediatric primary care nurse practitioner with University of Alabama at Birmingham.
Michael Schofield ’14 is a health system business specialist for Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals. His role is all about bringing life-changing medicines to patients who need it most, helping the health system and medical staff to whom he is assigned with reducing hospitalizations and admissions of their patient populations (treat the patient appropriately, in an appropriate … Continue reading "Michael Schofield ’14"
Eric Vachon ’14 received a Ph.D. in nursing from Michigan State University in May 2018. His field of study was oncology and he is continuing his research with a two-year postdoctorate position at Indiana University in Indianapolis.
Andrew Zahrt ’14 and Raquel Mendizabal Martell ’15→
Andrew Zahrt ’14 and Raquel Mendizabal Martell ’15 were married on Aug. 1, 2018, in Dimnent Memorial Chapel.
Rachel Lundstrom ’15 and William Coussens were married on June 30, 2018, in Arlington Heights, Illinois. They are currently living in Holland, Michigan.
Dani Nowicki ’16 is the physical education teacher and elementary librarian at Saipan Community School in the Mariana Islands. Saipan, which is a U.S. commonwealth and was struck by Typhoon Yutu on Oct. 25. Although Dani’s home sustained minimal damage, the Category-Five storm left an estimated 10,000 homeless out of the total population of about … Continue reading "Dani Nowicki ’16"
Graham Hoppstock ’17 and Brooke Mattson ’18 were married on July 13, 2018, at Camp Blodgett in Grand Haven, Michigan. Shortly after the wedding they moved to Wilmore, Kentucky, for Graham to continue his second year in Asbury Seminary’s Master of Divinity program. Brooke is currently working for the State of Kentucky as a geologist … Continue reading "Graham Hoppstock ’17 and Brooke Mattson ’18"
Having attended the same alma mater and accomplished careers in medicine aren’t the only connections shared by Dr. Dara Spearman-Wardlow ’99 (left) and Dr. David Paul ’10 (right), who each received awards during the Black Excellence Dinner hosted by Hope’s Black Student Union during Homecoming Weekend. (They are pictured with fellow honoree Dr. Vicki-Lynn Holmes, associate professor of mathematics … Continue reading "David Paul ’10"
Sarah VanderMeer ’10 graduated from Western Michigan University in April 2018 with a Ph.D. in geosciences. Her research involved mapping the surficial geology of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and then interpreting the former glacial history of the region. Her map won the “Best Student Geologic Map Competition” at the 2017 Geological … Continue reading "Sarah VanderMeer ’10"
James Colten ’11 and Jennifer Walton were married on Nov. 10, 2018, in Washington, D.C. (Their officiant was Caleb Schut ’11). James was also promoted to associate director, fellow recruitment and admissions, at Management Leadership for Tomorrow (MLT).
Peter Luzzi ’11 graduated from Midwestern University’s Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine in May 2018. He is a first-year resident physician in internal medicine at Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge, Illinois.
Eden Collins ’12 received her M.F.A. degree in studio art from the University of Texas at San Antonio in December 2018. Following graduation, she is teaching undergraduate courses at the University of Texas at San Antonio.
Carter Piers ’12 of Honolulu, Hawaii, is a certified substance-abuse preventionist and was recently hired by the Hawaii Department of Education to serve as a behavior health specialist at President William McKinley High School of Honolulu. He was also recognized by the International Certification & Reciprocity Consortium as the 2018 International Prevention Professional of the … Continue reading "Carter Piers ’12"
Kalli Shades ’12 continues to work at the University of Minnesota as a physician assistant in orthopedics. Her husband, Jeffrey Corajod ’12, is in his final year of emergency medicine residency at Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis. They just celebrated their daughter Vivian’s first birthday on Tuesday, Nov. 6.
Brent Smith ’12 made his debut with Opera Philadelphia in February as Peter Quince in Benjamin Britten’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, based on the Shakespeare play. In March, he sang Don Alfonso in the Academy of Vocal Arts’ production of Così fan tutte by Mozart. He recently won the Sachi Liebergesell Award from the Opera … Continue reading "Brent Smith ’12"
Kathryn Ristau ’13 Stocker and Ben Stocker were married on Nov. 3, 2018, in Barrington, Illinois. They reside in Oak Park, Illinois. Kathryn is a sales project manager for the Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA).
Miranda Orlando ’14 Ulaszek graduated with a Master of Medical Science degree in physician-assistant studies from Midwestern University in Downers Grove, Illinois. She will be starting her career as an urgent-care physician assistant with Physicians Immediate Care in the western suburbs of Chicago.
Gavin Donley ’16 is currently in the third year of the Ph.D program in chemical and biomolecular engineering (ChBE) at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He recently passed the preliminary exam to advance to Ph.D candidate in ChBE.
Victoria Gonda ’17 spoke during a computer science seminar at Hope on Thursday, Oct. 18, on “Exploring Functional Programming.” She works remotely as an Android developer at Buffer. She is also an author for RayWenderlich. com, and is active in the Android community as a conference speaker.
Nathan Vance ’17 spoke at a computer science seminar at Hope on Thursday, Oct. 4, 2018, on “Life As A Graduate Student in Computer Science at Notre Dame.”
David Inman ’18 is working as an onboarding engineer at Aquasight, an artificial-intelligence company specializing in water/wastewater management and optimization in Troy, Michigan.
Gabriel Courey ’10 spoke at Hope on Monday, March 4, on “Gender & Racial Wage Differentials in Nonprofit Hospitals” through the Department of Economics and Business.
Hope College and the Alumni Board of Directors is proud to announce the recipients of the second annual 10 Under 10 Awards. The awards are designed to honor alumni within 10 years of graduation making significant contributions in the local and global community by living out their calling. All are welcome to join the recipients … Continue reading "Alison Garza ’10 Wicker"
Kimberly Slotman ’11 Lee and Matthew Lee ’11 announce the birth of Oliver Philip on March 19, 2019. Matthew received a Master of Divinity degree from Western Theological Seminary.
Anna Leach ’12 and Paul Hartge were married on Feb. 9, 2019. Paul is a graduate of Calvin College (now University), and they met through the Hope-Calvin Rivalry games. They live in Washington, D.C.
Hope College and the Alumni Board of Directors is proud to announce the recipients of the second annual 10 Under 10 Awards. The awards are designed to honor alumni within 10 years of graduation making significant contributions in the local and global community by living out their calling. All are welcome to join the recipients … Continue reading "Matt Rutter ’12"
Philip Zuska ’12 graduated from American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine. His residency is in family medicine at Aurora Health Care in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Michelle VandenBerg ’13 Koster received a Doctorate of Psychology degree from Wheaton College in May. She has accepted a commission with the United States Navy as a psychologist and began her tour of duty in Portsmouth, Virginia.
Hope College and the Alumni Board of Directors is proud to announce the recipients of the second annual 10 Under 10 Awards. The awards are designed to honor alumni within 10 years of graduation making significant contributions in the local and global community by living out their calling. All are welcome to join the recipients … Continue reading "Adam Maley ’13"
Multiple recent graduates — a total of 15 from 2015 through 2019 — have received recognition through either the Fulbright U.S. Student Program sponsored by the U.S. Department of State or the Graduate Research Fellowship Program of the National Science Foundation. Fulbright: English teaching assistantships for 2019-20: Allyson Hoffman ’15, to Norway
Mariza Mandujano-Ortiz ’15 is pursing a master’s degree in theology at the University of Notre Dame through the Echo Graduate Service Program, a formation program designed to integrate work, study and a life of faith to serve the church.
Isabel Morris ’15 spoke at Hope on Friday, April 5, on “Beyond Feature Detection: Nondestructive Material Characterization Using Ground Penetrating Radar and Attribute Analysis” for the Department of Engineering’s weekly seminar.
Steve Stinson ’15 spoke at Hope on Friday, March 1, during an engineering seminar on “Making Food: Fast-Paced Collaborative Engineering.” He is a mechanical engineer in Burns and McDonnell’s foods and manufacturing group.
Multiple recent graduates — a total of 15 from 2015 through 2019 — have received recognition through either the Fulbright U.S. Student Program sponsored by the U.S. Department of State or the Graduate Research Fellowship Program of the National Science Foundation. National Science Foundation Honorable mention was awarded to Meghanne Tighe ’15, who is pursuing … Continue reading "Meghanne Tighe ’15"
Gavin Donley ’16 spoke at Hope on Friday, March 29, during an engineering seminar on “The Yielding Transition in Soft Materials.” He is a Ph.D. candidate in the department of chemical and biomolecular engineering at the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign.
Jeff Holmes ’16 spoke at Hope on Friday, Feb. 15, during an engineering seminar on “The Role of Controls Engineering in Industrial Automation.” He is a control engineer at Apex Controls in Hudsonville, Michigan.
Stephen Wittenbach ’16 is an account manager at Competitive Edge and will serve the target market expansion by developing new business in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and surrounding areas.
David Heinze ’17 has been appointed associate director of music and church administration at Grace Episcopal Church in Providence, Rhode Island, beginning in July 2019. He will work closely with the rector and director of music in furthering the church’s mission to the city through music and liturgy presented at regular services. He will also work … Continue reading "David Heinze ’17"
Multiple recent graduates — a total of 15 from 2015 through 2019 — have received recognition through either the Fulbright U.S. Student Program sponsored by the U.S. Department of State or the Graduate Research Fellowship Program of the National Science Foundation. National Science Foundation Sarah Petersen ’17, who is pursuing gr aduate study in the … Continue reading "Sarah Petersen ’17"
Multiple recent graduates — a total of 15 from 2015 through 2019 — have received recognition through either the Fulbright U.S. Student Program sponsored by the U.S. Department of State or the Graduate Research Fellowship Program of the National Science Foundation. Fulbright: Named an alternate was Taylor Bailey ’18, for a teaching assistantship to Thailand.
