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.
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.
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"
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"
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
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"
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"
Jeff DeYoung ’11 has accepted a position with West Michigan Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. Jeff completed his surgical residency program at Denver Health in June. He reports that he is excited to return to Michigan and begin his surgical career working in one of the four offices of this Holland-based practice.
Byron Patton ’11 and Megan Spitler ’11 Patton announce the birth of Lucas David Patton on Feb. 27, 2022.
Clayton Sommers ’11 and Katlyn Prince ’11 Sommers→
Clayton Sommers ’11 and Katlyn Prince ’11 Sommers announce the birth of Ada June on Feb. 23, 2022. She joins two big brothers, Braxton and William, and a big sister, Mayzie
Erik Durham ’13 was recently promoted to director of creative and brand development at B2 Outlet Stores, an off-price retail chain with more than 20 locations in Michigan.
Elisabeth Brewington ’14 has completed her master’s in healthcare management and public health from the University of Maine. She works at the Maine CDC in infectious disease epidemiology
Jessica Culbertson ’14 Reed received a Master of Public Health degree from Northern Illinois University. She recently started a new position as a training and technical assistance specialist at Prevention First in the Chicago area. She and her husband welcomed their first child, Andrew Edward, on Oct. 13, 2020.
Emilie O’Connor ’15 was recently published as a contributor in Heaven and Nature Sing, a 365- day devotional edited by Sharon Brodin. This devotional is a Christian daily devotional with nature and outdoor adventure themes. Heaven and Nature Sing is a collaboration with writers and artists from all over the U.S. and around the world … Continue reading "Emilie O’Connor ’15"
Abigayle Schnell ’15 received her Ph.D. in pharmacology and physiology from Saint Louis University and is currently a postdoctoral research scholar at the University of Iowa Research Foundation.
David Heinze ’17 won first place in The National Competition in Organ Accompaniment sponsored by Schoenstein & Co. Organ Builders and the American Guild of Organists, Washington, D.C., Chapter. The competition was held at the historic St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, in D.C. David, along with three other finalists, was chosen from a recorded round to … Continue reading "David Heinze ’17"
Emily Kain ’18 graduated from Indiana University School of Medicine on May 13 with an MD degree and joined the pediatric residency program at Case Western University at Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital in Cleveland, Ohio, in June.
Allison Utting ’18 Burkhardt of Hudsonville, Michigan, who teaches United States history at West Middle School in the Byron Center Public Schools, was the state of Michigan’s recipient of a 2022 James Madison Graduate Fellowship, awarded by the James Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation. Recognized as one of America’s most prestigious awards in constitutional history and … Continue reading "Allison Utting ’18 Burkhardt"
NSF RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM HONORS GRADS A graduating senior and two recent graduates have received recognition through the prestigious Graduate Research Fellowship Program of the National Science Foundation this year. Josephine Surel ’22 and Ethan Heyboer ’20 have received fellowships. Eleda Plouch ’20 has received honorable mention. Surel majored in engineering with a concentration in … Continue reading "Ethan Heyboer ’20"
Jasmine Love ’20 graduated from the University of Michigan School of Social Work in December of 2021 with her Master of Social Work (MSW) degree. She graduated with a 4.0 GPA and is now a Limited Licensed Master Social Worker (LLMSW) as a therapist at the Children’s Advocacy Center of Kalamazoo County. Jasmine did a … Continue reading "Jasmine Love ’20"
NSF RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM HONORS GRADS A graduating senior and two recent graduates have received recognition through the prestigious Graduate Research Fellowship Program of the National Science Foundation this year. Josephine Surel ’22 and Ethan Heyboer ’20 have received fellowships. Eleda Plouch ’20 has received honorable mention. Surel majored in engineering with a concentration in … Continue reading "Eleda Plouch ’20"
Anna Kate Peterson ’21 is working as the development events assistant at the American Enterprise Institute after completing the Fourth Fellows program in Bethesda, Maryland.
Janelle Baar ’22 is a registered nurse on the cardiology floor at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo, Michigan. She and Connor Seifert were married in August.
GRADUATING SENIORS RECEIVE FULBRIGHTS Three graduating seniors have received awards to go abroad to pursue graduate study, teach or conduct research through the Fulbright U.S. Student Program sponsored by the U.S. Department of State. Vicente Bickel ’22 will pursue graduate studies in Spain through a Fulbright Fellowship; Anne Bruebach ’22 will teach in Bulgaria through … Continue reading "Vicente Bickel ’22"
GRADUATING SENIORS RECEIVE FULBRIGHTS Three graduating seniors have received awards to go abroad to pursue graduate study, teach or conduct research through the Fulbright U.S. Student Program sponsored by the U.S. Department of State. Vicente Bickel ’22 will pursue graduate studies in Spain through a Fulbright Fellowship; Anne Bruebach ’22 will teach in Bulgaria through … Continue reading "Anne Bruebach ’22"
Mikenna Davidson ’22 is pursuing a master’s in counseling psychology degree with a child and adolescent concentration at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology.
GRADUATING SENIORS RECEIVE FULBRIGHTS Three graduating seniors have received awards to go abroad to pursue graduate study, teach or conduct research through the Fulbright U.S. Student Program sponsored by the U.S. Department of State. Vicente Bickel ’22 will pursue graduate studies in Spain through a Fulbright Fellowship; Anne Bruebach ’22 will teach in Bulgaria through … Continue reading "Rachael Grochowski ’22"
Sydney Jackson ’22 will pursue a master’s in bioengineering – medical product engineering and will be a bioelectrical engineering intern at Diekema Hamonn Architecture and Engineering.
Claire Lelkert ’22 is pursuing a JD degree from the Indiana University School of Law. She and Chapin Thiel ’21 were married on Saturday, July 16, 2022.
Abigail Lockie ’22 is pursuing a Master of Social Work degree with a concentration in children, youth and family, and a play therapist certification at the University of South Carolina in Columbia.
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 "Grace Purdue ’22"
Cassidy Schumacher ’22 is the director of volleyball operations at Montana State University and will be pursuing a master’s in sport and coaching sciences
NSF RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM HONORS GRADS A graduating senior and two recent graduates have received recognition through the prestigious Graduate Research Fellowship Program of the National Science Foundation this year. Josephine Surel ’22 and Ethan Heyboer ’20 have received fellowships. Eleda Plouch ’20 has received honorable mention. Surel majored in engineering with a concentration in … Continue reading "Josephine Surel ’22"
