From the President: Rev. Dennis N. Voskuil, Ph.D.

Dear Friends,

The cover story for this issue of News From Hope College focuses on sustainability — a fitting theme for a month that includes the celebration of Earth Day. We often think of sustainability in terms of caring for God’s creation, and rightly so, for Psalm 24:1-2 tells us, “The earth is the Lord’s, and all it contains, the world, and those who dwell in it.”

There are so many responsibilities involved in caring for “the earth and all it contains.” Our world extends far beyond our backyard, and our neighbors live in places that are distant and unfamiliar. This reality can make it challenging to live in fellowship with “the world, and those who dwell in it.” To do so, we must consider how our decisions reflect our role as stewards of God’s many gifts. How do we maintain a spirit of fulfillment with what we have, a deep sense of gratitude for what we’ve been given, and a full-hearted commitment to giving back?

Stewardship happens in many ways, and the stories in this issue are a testament to that. Turn the pages, and you’ll read about Creation-Care champions who are leading sustainable practices on Hope’s campus. You’ll also meet three wonderful students and a recent graduate — Ismael, Irene, Nia and Taylor — who are sharing their passions in ways that honor and support others. You’ll learn about our three retiring faculty members who have dedicated their careers to the development of students. And, you’ll be moved by alumnus Latif Jigi, whose life journey led him back to Hope College last year. All are blessings to the Hope community.

With spring upon us, the snow is melting and the sun is beginning to shine (more regularly, anyway!). Let the promise of spring remind us of the splendor around us and inspire us to be stewards, each in our own way.

Spera in Deo,
Rev. Dennis N. Voskuil, Ph.D.
Interim President and Professor