Class Year: 1980

Wendy Vanderhart ’85

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. Continue Reading →

Scott Watson ’86

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 →

Faith VerLee ’81 Shives

Faith Joanne VerLee Shives passed from this life to her heavenly home on May 30, 2020 at home. She was born to Dr. James and Mary VerLee on January 8th, 1957 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She grew up in Niger Republic, West Africa where her parents were missionaries with SIM (then Sudan Interior Mission) and… Continue Reading →

James Vande Guchte ’83

James Vande Guchte, 59, of Hamilton, died Sunday, February 16, 2020. Jim was a loving father and grandfather, and an avid sports fan. He was born October 4, 1960, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, to Rev. Howard and Virginia Vande Guchte. Jim grew up in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, and graduated from Hope College. He… Continue Reading →

Scott Amrhein ’84

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Scott Amrhein on March 30, 2020.Scott was the most doting and adored husband for 35 years to Karen Amrhein, a loving father to Lauren and Justin Amrhein and four-legged Pinky, beloved brother to Sheryl Kiscadden and cherished son of Carolyn Smith and the late… Continue Reading →

Lois Van Harn ’87 Groteler

Lois Jean Groteler, 74, passed away Friday, April 17, 2020, following a long and courageous battle with Breast Cancer. She was born on April 15, 1946, to The Rev. John and Jeanette VanHarn. She was a graduate of Holland Christian High School and Hope College. She attended Fellowship Reformed Church and was a member of… Continue Reading →

Mark Plosila ’81

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 →

Mary De Vries ’84 Harrington

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 →

Rob Berstrom ’86

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. Continue Reading →

Deborah Heydenburg ’87 Fuller

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 →

Larry Wagenaar ’87

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 →

Dan Boerigter ’88

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 →

Harry Coffill ’89

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. Continue Reading →

Joseph Welch ’80

Joseph Francis Welch September 13, 1957 September 18, 2020 Traverse City, Michigan.  Joseph Francis Welch passed away peacefully on September 18, 2020 in Traverse City, Michigan, surrounded by his loving family. “Today is full of memories of a brother laid to rest. And every single one of them is filled with happiness.” Joe Welch was… Continue Reading →

Jay Lindell ’81

Jay Roger Lindell graduated into glory on July 8, 2020, following a 19- month journey with brain cancer. Jay was born in Naperville, IL to Donna and Gerald Lindell. Jay graduated from Naperville Central in 1977, and went on to attend Hope College, graduating in 1981. He later went to Western Theological Seminary, graduating with… Continue Reading →

Craig Morford ’81

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 →

Ellen Brandle ’86

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 →

Deborah Heydenburg ’87 Fuller

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 →

Connie Isley ’80

Connie Jo Isley, age 63, of Comstock Park and formerly of Shelby, passed away Friday, November 20, 2020 in Shelby following a very brief illness. Connie was born July 3, 1957 in Shelby, the daughter of Robert L. Isley and Betty L. (Leutzinger) Isley. She graduated from Shelby High School in 1975. Connie received a bachelor’s degree from Hope College. She was employed at Shaw-Walker… Continue Reading →