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.
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.
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.
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"
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"
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.
SUMMER HOPE FRIENDS REUNION Thirteen Hope families and 20 alumni traveled from across the state and country to vacation together in Boyne, Michigan, for one fun-filled family weekend. All the women were Sibylline sisters from the ’04 pledge class and were celebrating 20 years of friendship.
2010s
Christine Buhrmaster-Reniff ’10 and Ryan Reniff ’10→
Christine Buhrmaster-Reniff ’10 and Ryan Reniff ’10 announce the birth of Henry William on March 14, 2023.
Jonathan Tromp ’10 earned his Juris Doctor degree from Michigan State University College of Law, where he was invited into the Michigan Leadership Initiative and received the Rodney M. Lockwood Memorial Award. While at MSU Law, he clerked for the Honorable. G. Patrick Hillary and served as the business editor for the Animal & Natural … Continue reading "Jonathan Tromp ’10"
Ben Mahaffie ’11 has been named the 2022 Dr. Carl A. Gerstacker Trooper of the Year by the Michigan State Police. The award recognizes the MSP trooper or sergeant who symbolizes outstanding professional ethics, dedication to duty and a concern for giving back to the community. Now a detective sergeant with the Fifth District’s Benton … Continue reading "Ben Mahaffie ’11"
Hope College and the Alumni Board of Directors are proud to announce the recipients of the fourth 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. hope.edu/10under10
Hope College and the Alumni Board of Directors are proud to announce the recipients of the fourth 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. hope.edu/10under10
Hope College and the Alumni Board of Directors are proud to announce the recipients of the fourth 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. hope.edu/10under10
Hope College and the Alumni Board of Directors are proud to announce the recipients of the fourth 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. hope.edu/10under10
Hope College and the Alumni Board of Directors are proud to announce the recipients of the fourth 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. hope.edu/10under10
Courtney Mulder ’14 received her Master of Science degree from The Ohio State University. She is currently a DNP candidate at The Ohio State University and has presented and published internationally about leadership in nursing.
Christina Heberer ’14 Stafford and Josh Stafford ’14→
Christina Heberer ’14 Stafford and Josh Stafford ’14 announce the birth of John “Bennett” on Sept. 3, 2022. He joins big sister Emmy.
Charlyn Pelter ’15 De Witt and Michael De Witt ’15→
Charlyn Pelter ’15 De Witt and Michael De Witt ’15 announce the birth of Allison Pace on July 30, 2022.
Hope College and the Alumni Board of Directors are proud to announce the recipients of the fourth 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. hope.edu/10under10
Hope College and the Alumni Board of Directors are proud to announce the recipients of the fourth 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. hope.edu/10under10
Hope College and the Alumni Board of Directors are proud to announce the recipients of the fourth 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. hope.edu/10under10
Nicole Sparbanie ’15 and Jack Furness were married in Chicago, Illinois, on Dec. 30, 2022. They live in New York City with their dog, Mary Tyler Moore.
Hope College and the Alumni Board of Directors are proud to announce the recipients of the fourth 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. hope.edu/10under10
Abby Veldink ’18 Sievers completed her Master of Special Education degree with an endorsement in austism spectrum disorder. She is currently a special education teacher at Saline High School.
Multiple graduating seniors and recent graduates have again received recognition through the National Science Foundation’s Graduate Research Fellowship Program and the Fulbright U.S. Student Program sponsored by the U.S. Department of State. Jessica Korte ’19 also received an NSF fellowship, supporting her doctoral studies in biomedical engineering at the University of California, Davis.
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 … Continue reading "Marissa Solorzano ’19"
Multiple graduating seniors and recent graduates have again received recognition through the National Science Foundation’s Graduate Research Fellowship Program and the Fulbright U.S. Student Program sponsored by the U.S. Department of State. Also in this year’s Fulbright U.S. Student Program, Justine Watson ’22 was named an alternate for a master’s degree program in business in … Continue reading "Justine Watson ’22"
Multiple graduating seniors and recent graduates have again received recognition through the National Science Foundation’s Graduate Research Fellowship Program and the Fulbright U.S. Student Program sponsored by the U.S. Department of State. The NSF program presented honorable mention recognition Erik Schoonover ’21; who is pursuing a Ph.D. in petrology at Pennsylvania State University, University Park. … Continue reading "Erik Schoonover ’21"
Multiple graduating seniors and recent graduates have again received recognition through the National Science Foundation’s Graduate Research Fellowship Program and the Fulbright U.S. Student Program sponsored by the U.S. Department of State. The NSF program presented honorable mention recognition Jacob VanderRoest ’21, who is pursuing a Ph.D. in chemistry, focused on ecological sustainability, at Colorado … Continue reading "Jacob VanderRoest ’21"
Multiple graduating seniors and recent graduates have again received recognition through the National Science Foundation’s Graduate Research Fellowship Program and the Fulbright U.S. Student Program sponsored by the U.S. Department of State. Molly Douma ’22 was recognized as a semi-finalist for a research grant in interdisciplinary studies in Peru hope.edu/fulbrightawards
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 "Grace Purdue ’22"
Chloe Bares ’23 is pursuing a Master of Science degree in disability and human development at the University of Illinois Chicago. She was awarded a partial teaching assistantship and will be working on campus.
Claire Benedict ’23 will pursue a Ph.D. in organic chemistry at the University of Chicago beginning in the fall of 2024. Prior to that she is on a Fulbright year-long research term in Switzerland at the University of Bern. Multiple graduating seniors and recent graduates have again received recognition through the National Science Foundation’s Graduate … Continue reading "Claire Benedict ’23"
Yoseline Chavez ’23 traveled to South Korea in June and then returned to Holland, Michigan, working for Girls Who Code as a computer science advisor for the rest of the summer.
Rita Cheney ’23 is pursuing a Master of Science degree in genetic counseling in the school of medicine at Indiana University’s Genetic Counseling Graduate Program.
Arianna Cinque ’23 moved to Portland, Oregon, in July to participate in Marriott International’s Voyage Program in the event-planning discipline at the Ritz Carlton Residences.
Jesse Cooke ’23 will be returning to Hope to use his fifth year of eligibility for football. He will be attending graduate school in the fall of 2024 to study sport psychology.
Annika Dekker ’23 is pursuing a Master of Science in Information degree with a concentration in library science at the University of Michigan School of Information. She also accepted the Joyce Bonk Assistantship at the University of Michigan, which is a program combining education and work experience for students within the MSI.
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 "Naod Estifanos ’23"
Multiple graduating seniors and recent graduates have again received recognition through the National Science Foundation’s Graduate Research Fellowship Program and the Fulbright U.S. Student Program sponsored by the U.S. Department of State. The NSF program presented honorable mention recognition to Sarah Grimes ’23, who will pursue a Ph.D. in forestry and natural resources at Purdue … Continue reading "Sarah Grimes ’23"
Cole Harger ’23 will be returning to Hope to use his fifth year of eligibility for football. He is working at Prein&Newhof in Holland and will be a municipal civil engineer full time beginning in January 2024.
Ruth Holloway ’21 received her M.A. degree in political science from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. She will resume her doctoral studies at the University of Rochester this fall.
Multiple graduating seniors and recent graduates have again received recognition through the National Science Foundation’s Graduate Research Fellowship Program and the Fulbright U.S. Student Program sponsored by the U.S. Department of State. Also in this year’s Fulbright U.S. Student Program, Gabrielle Kosiba ’23 was recognized as a semi-finalist for an English teaching assistantship to South … Continue reading "Gabrielle Kosiba ’23"
Kworweinski Lafontant ’21 received a master’s degree in exercise science from the University of South Florida in May. He is pursuing a Ph.D. in kinesiology at the University of Central Florida.
Eliza Lewis ’23 is a patient care assistant in the Holland Hospital emergency department. She will be applying to physician assistant programs to begin in the summer of 2024.
Molly Leyden ’23 will move to Northern Ireland in September for a year-long volunteer experience at Corrymeela, a center with a commitment to reconciliation and growth that was pivotal in peacework during the Troubles of Northern Ireland.
Hannah McGrew ’23 is working for the Joffrey Ballet School’s summer intensive starting in Los Angeles and finishing up her contract in New York City. She reports that she hopes to remain in NYC to continue dancing, choreographing and teaching dance this fall.
Bryce Robinson ’23 took an assistant producer broadcasting position with the South Bend Cubs MiLB team and participated in a living history event with the Gettysburg National Park for the 160th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg in July.
Sophia Rosiek ’23 is pursuing a master’s degree in exercise science at Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan. She received a graduate assistantship at OU providing her with a full-ride scholarship.
Isabel Santos ’23 is pursuing a Masters and Education Specialist degree (MEd/EdS) in a school psychology program. She is currently working as a neuropsychology technician at Thomason Memory and Attention, a private practice.
