Interim President Dennis Voskuil an Experienced Leader

Interim President Rev. Dr. Dennis N. Voskuil brings to his new role extensive leadership and teaching experience at both Hope and Western Theological Seminary.

Voskuil was a member of Hope’s religion faculty from 1977 to 1994, and has been director of the college’s A.C. Van Raalte Institute since 2015. He was president of Western Theological Seminary from 1994 to 2008, and continued to teach as the Marvin and Jerene DeWitt Professor of Church History until 2014, when he became a senior research fellow with the Van Raalte Institute.

He received the Hope Outstanding Professor Educator Award in 1981, and delivered the college’s Baccalaureate sermon in 1980, Commencement address in 1985 and Opening Convocation address in 1993. He and his wife, Betty, jointly delivered the 2008 Baccalaureate sermon, when Hope presented them with honorary degrees in recognition of their service to the Reformed Church in America.

The college’s Board of Trustees approved his appointment on May 31 for up to two years. With Dr. John C. Knapp’s tenure as president concluding at the end of July, Voskuil started on July 1 to help provide a seamless leadership transition. He will serve while Hope conducts a national search for a successor to Knapp.

“Dennis’s love for Hope College is boundless,” said Karl Droppers ’82, chair of Hope’s Board of Trustees. “A servant-leader at heart, Dennis has a history of leading with candor, collaboration and compassion. He is especially enthusiastic about Hope’s commitment to academic excellence, global engagement and ecumenical invitation into the Christian faith. Dennis will be a thoughtful and attentive steward of Hope College.”

Knapp expressed support for the appointment as well, saying, “Dennis has been a great friend to Hope College and the Holland community. With his guidance, the college will continue to thrive and build momentum in every area.”

Learn more about President Voskuil