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.
A traffic signal about 1,300 miles from Hope led to a new friendship for Russ Kraay ’49 and Lynne Kurzenberger ’76 Wissink-Tressler. Lynne was waiting at a red light in Fort Myers, Florida, when she noticed a Hope license plate frame on the vehicle ahead of her. The other driver went straight and she turned … Continue reading "Russ Kraay ’49"
As surprise presents go, a college degree has to rank near the top. Although he attended Hope for three years as a member of the Class of ’61, Landis Zylman of Holland, Michigan, missed becoming a graduate because, as a pre-dentistry student, he was invited by the University of Michigan to enroll directly into dental … Continue reading "Landis Zylman ’61"
Paul Hesselink ’62 has concluded 14 years as chair and manager of the organ recital series for the Southern Nevada Chapter of the American Guild of Organists. At the final program of the season, the board of the organization surprised him with a special tribute for his service. During his tenure, he organized and produced … Continue reading "Paul Hesselink ’62"
Charles Postma ’67 and his wife, Patsy, have retired to Holland, Michigan. Pat sold her real estate business and they have settled into their new home at Macatawa Legends Golf Club.
Robert Eckrich ’71 has been accepted into the docent training program at the SmithsonianInstitution’s National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C.
Mark DeRoo ’73 of Holland, Michigan, summited Mt. Kilimanjaro on June 20 with three friends. True to his alma mater, he’s holding a Hope pennant. Mark and the team dedicated the climb to his wife, Roxanne, who passed in 2018 from early-onset Alzheimer’s. The team raised over $70,000 to aid in research for this … Continue reading "Mark DeRoo ’73"
Rich Williams ’75 of Albuquerque, New Mexico, received the 2019 award in Distinguished Community Leadership during the annual meeting of the New Mexico chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects. He retired in May after 16 years as the director of New Mexico MainStreet in the state’s Economic Development Department. He now is principal … Continue reading "Rich Williams ’75"
James Cannon ’76 has recently been appointed assistant wrestling coach at RochesterInstitute of Technology (RIT) in Rochester, New York. He reports that he is very excited to be working in a college setting.
Dennis Miller ’76 received his Plant-BasedProfessional Culinary Certificate from RouxbeOnline Culinary School on Sunday, Aug. 4. As a new member of the American College Lifestyle Medicine, he is enrolling in eCornell’s(T. Colin Campbell’s) Plant-Based NutritionCertification from the Center for Nutrition Studies. He will be retiring from his family dental practice after 40-plus years this month … Continue reading "Dennis Miller ’76"
A traffic signal about 1,300 miles from Hope led to a new friendship for Russ Kraay ’49 and Lynne Kurzenberger ’76 Wissink-Tressler. Lynne was waiting at a red light in Fort Myers, Florida, when she noticed a Hope license plate frame on the vehicle ahead of her. The other driver went straight and she turned … Continue reading "Lynne Kurzenberger ’76 Wissink-Tressler"
Elizabeth Elliott ’77 McBride has published a book of poetry and prose about Glen Arbor and the Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore, Most Beautiful, released on Tuesday, Nov. 5. As a poetic tour of the area, the fully illustrated book (artwork by Connie Cronenwett), both introduces and commemorates the unique beauty and grandeur of the region.
Conley Zomermaand ’77 is in his 39th year of ordained ministry in the RCA and the PCUSA, having held four installed and 11 interim positions along the way. He is currently serving as interim pastor at Riverside Presbyterian Church, Jacksonville, Florida, and continues to be pleasantly surprised at the number of Hope College and western … Continue reading "Conley Zomermaand ’77"
Eric Lunde ’83 retired from Peper Jaffray in April after 28 years in public finance, specializing in senior-living communities nationwide. Eric and his wife, Barbara, have two adult children and reside in Minnetonka, Minnesota
Wendy Vander Hart ’85 was elected a town-meeting member for a three-year term in Arlington, Massachusetts, serving in the representational government of the town in which she resides
Lisa Gierlach ’86 received a MTS from Calvin Theological Seminary and resides in Barrington, Illinois, where she is a controller for a nonprofit organization, Shelter Inc. in Arlington Heights, Illinois
Mark Rector ’87 and Cyndi Jager ’87 Gibson were married on Dec. 7, 2018, in GrandRapids, Michigan, after being introduced by a mutual friend at a Griffins hockey game. The couple now resides in Rockford, Michigan. Even though both graduated from Hope in1987, Cyndi lived in Gilmore Hall and was an education major while Mark … Continue reading "Mark Rector ’87 and Cyndi Jager ’87 Gibson"
Ann Boggess ’89 Bridgman is celebrating her 17th year as a residential interior designer for her firm, Just the Thing Decorating in Southlake, Texas. Celebrated by HOUZZ.com with multiple “best of HOUZZ” Design and Customer Service awards, she reports that she feels blessed to have found a career she loves that uses both her Hope … Continue reading "Ann Boggess ’89 Bridgman"
Brenda Hoffman ’89 Dieffenbach retired from teaching after 30 consecutive years. She recently began a new career as a development officer for Western Theological Seminary in Holland, Michigan
Jen Baker ’91 reports that she moved to Bath, England, last year and is thoroughly enjoying life in the iconic, beautiful spa town filled with Georgian architecture. She is working full time running Jen Baker Ministries and has written eight books to date, with her latest book launched on Friday, Oct. 4. It is titled … Continue reading "Jen Baker ’91"
Rhonda Berg ’91 is a new member of the Detroit Tap Repertory dance company. In addition, she will be performing in the Tap24.7 production of Murder at The TAP’OchoinDecember.
Tim Johnston ’93 reports that his latest novel in his Civil War historical fiction series has been published. Lockett’s Crucible is available in paperback or Amazon Kindle.
Heather Ozinga ’97 Roozeboom is the alumni relations and online marketing coordinator for Chicago Christian High School. She spent the last five years at home with her son.
Benjamin Lappenga ’99 has published The Faithfulness of the Risen Christ: Pistis and the Exalted Lord in the Pauline Letters through Baylor University Press.
Paul VanderLaan ’00 is an associate professor of pathology at Harvard Medical School and is the medical director of cytopathology and thoracic pathology at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, Massachusetts.
Amy Avery ’02 Weese relocated her private practice, Amy Avery Counseling Solutions, in September 2019 and also began pursuing doctoral work in July 2019, studying trauma, resilience and the church at the Methodist Theological School in Ohio.
Curt Copeland ’03 received a Sports 40 Under 40 Award from the National High School Athletic Coaches Association. He is the athletic director for South Christian High School in Byron Center, Michigan
Sarah McDonald ’06 Gebben and David Gebben announce the birth of Acacia Hope Ball on March 15, 2019. She joins two big sisters, Shiloh (5) and Jude (2).
Christian Piers ’07 developed and guest-edited a special issue of the Journal of the California Dental Association titled “Millennial Dentists: How they work, how they learn, and what it means for the practice of the future” that has been awarded the Golden Pen Award for importance to the dental profession from the International College of … Continue reading "Christian Piers ’07"
Kristin Olson ’07 Brace has received the2018 Wheelbarrow Books Poetry Prize for her first full-length poetry collection, Toward the Wild Abundance, which was published in July by Michigan State University Press. Her second poetry chapbook from Finishing Line Press, Each Darkness Inside, was published earlier this summer. Both books, along with her first chapbook, Fence, … Continue reading "Kristin Olson ’07 Brace"
Alexa Jansma ’08 Powers and Adam Powers announce the birth of Lydia Nancy on May 14, 2019. She joins big brother Calvin.
Jonathan Koopmans ’09 and Catherine Hoitenga ’10 Koopmans→
Jonathan Koopmans ’09 and Catherine Hoitenga ’10 Koopmans announce the birth of Ingrid Joy on Dec. 14, 2018. Jon has opened an accounting practice, Koopmans Accounting, specializing in bookkeeping, payroll and taxes
Andrew Foster ’10 and Rebecca Reagan ’10 Foster announce the birth of Collin Samuel on Sept. 1, 2019. He joins a big brother, Caleb Luke, born on Feb. 28, 2016.
Patrick McElgunn ’10 and Shannon Dudley ’10 McElgunn→
Patrick McElgunn ’10 and Shannon Dudley ’10 McElgunn co-founded Grove Tea Lounge in their hometown of Midland, Michigan, with friends in February 2019. Grove has been featured in multiple local and regional publications in addition to receiving national attention in Fresh Cup Magazine. Additionally, Grove Tea Lounge was just named #3 Coffee Shop and #3 … Continue reading "Patrick McElgunn ’10 and Shannon Dudley ’10 McElgunn"
Lauren Clack ’11 received a doctorate in health psychology from the University of Zurich in spring 2018 and is now leading the behavioral science and infection prevention research and innovation activities at the University Hospital Zurich, Switzerland.
Meghan Vanderlee ’11 is the pastor of children’s ministries at First Reformed Church in Holland, Michigan.
Mark Waterstone ’11 and Samantha Sadogierski ’10 Waterstone→
Mark Waterstone ’11 and Samantha Sadogierski ’10 Waterstone moved back to Holland, Michigan, where Mark is the lead pastor at Rose Park Reformed Church.
Colin Zoellner ’11 and Claire Bailey ’12 Zoellner→
Colin Zoellner ’11 and Claire Bailey ’12 Zoellner announce the birth of Lillian Hope on Feb. 25, 2019
Eden Collins ’12 was awarded the Berlin Residency at Künstlerhaus Bethanien through the Blue Star Contemporary Art Museum in San Antonio, Texas, and was hired by Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas, as a visiting assistant professor of sculpture.
Andrea Converse ’12 Haggerty and Andrew Haggerty ’12→
Andrea Converse ’12 Haggerty and Andrew Haggerty ’12 announce the birth of Alina Frances on Aug. 28, 2019.
Lisa Mosher ’12 and Dylan Hale were married on Pilot Mountain in North Carolina on May 25, 2019. Lisa is an exercise physiologist soon to be starting the DOT program with Campbell University.
Kyle Gibson ’12 received a Ph.D. in chemistry from the University of Chicago in December 2018. He is now working as a postdoctoral fellow at Northwestern University in the laboratory of Dr. Chad Mirkin.
Leigh Clouse ’13 is pursuing a Master of Science in Information degree at the University of Michigan with a focus on library science and digital archives.
Annalise Klein ’14 of Santa Clara, California, had an opportunity this fall to both share and learn in Uganda as one of only 13 U.S. citizens nationwide to receive a Fulbright Distinguished Award in Teaching Short Term Program grant in the latter half of this year. She teaches chemistry and AP chemistry at KIPP San … Continue reading "Annalise Klein ’14"
Krystle Vliem ’14 reports that Hope College’s positive reputation has led to great opportunities, advantageous networking, closed deals and fun conversations. “I have had more success in the last five years than I expected, and my college experiences are a big part of how I have grown into the sales professional that I am today.”
Lauren Johnson ’15 received an Ed.S. degree in school psychology from Valparaiso University in May 2019. She and Nathaniel Altheide were married in July 2019.
Alexis Gernaat ’15 and Nicholas Glowacki ’16 were married on June 14, 2019, in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Alexis received her Master of Science degree in educational leadership in June 2019 from Western Governor’s University.
Stephanie Stover ’15 completed her Master of Public Health degree in health services – maternal and child health at the University of Washington in Seattle, Washington, in June 2015. She is now living in Portland, Oregon, and is employed as the program manager for the Oregon Pediatric Improvement Partnership housed in the Department of Pediatrics … Continue reading "Stephanie Stover ’15"
David Heinze ’17 received a Master of Music degree with a concentration in choral studies and sacred music from Selwyn College, University of Cambridge. He has become associate director of music and church administration at Grace Episcopal Church in Providence, Rhode Island, where he assists the director of music in all aspects of the music … Continue reading "David Heinze ’17"
Eric Timmer ’17 is a human resource director at Shoemaker Inc. in Holland, Michigan.
Jessica Vlisides-Henry ’17 and Robert Vlisides-Henry ’17→
Jessica Vlisides-Henry ’17 and Robert Vlisides-Henry ’17 were married in January 2018. Robert began his doctoral program in clinical psychology at the University of Utah in fall 2017, and Jessica began her graduate program in athletic training at Weber State University in fall 2017 as well. Jessica graduated with her M.S.A.T. in May 2019, while … Continue reading "Jessica Vlisides-Henry ’17 and Robert Vlisides-Henry ’17"
Jonathan Bading ’18 and Madison Buckner ’18 Bading→
Jonathan Bading ’18 and Madison Buckner ’18 Bading announce the birth of Margaret Marie on April 18, 2019.
Jorge Benitez ’18 and Evangeline Anderle ’19 were married on Aug. 3, 2019. Jorge is an electrical engineer at GMB Architecture + Engineering in Holland, Michigan. Evangeline is the resident director of Phelps Hall at Hope.
Rebecca Palomino ’18 completed her Master of Letters programme in ethnology and folklore at the University of Aberdeen in Scotland, where she has also started a Master of Letters programme in museum studies.
Alexandra Vroom ’19 has joined the more than 198 Hope alumni who have served abroad in the Peace Corps since 1961, including six others currently. Having graduated earlier this year with a nursing major, she is spending the next two years in Zambia, where she is a maternal and child health promoter volunteer. “While reading … Continue reading "Alexandra Vroom ’19"
