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.
James Harvey ’52 has just published his 12th book in the Christian Living area. The book is titled Letters from Perverse University – 2nd Edition. The book contains a series of satirical letters from a professor of deception at Perverse University in Hell written to his former students in the U.S.A. working to undermine the … Continue reading "James Harvey ’52"
Richard Hagni ’53 received the Honorary Life Member Award from the International Association on the Genesis of Ore Deposits. The award is in recognition of lifetime achievements in the field of ore geology and services to the association and its commissions in the course of many years. He taught geology at Missouri University of Science … Continue reading "Richard Hagni ’53"
Charles Johnson ’54 published the book Another Watchman with his granddaughter, Kristin Johnson Vincenzes. He and his wife, Donna Huss, have been married for 69 years and he is 91 years old.
Anne Wiegerink ’60 Anderson had her third book published: Cubbie The Therapy Dog. The true story is told by Cubbie and illustrated by Donna Setterlund from California.
The week before his induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame (as featured on page 46), Jim Kaat ’60 was honored by the Minnesota Twins by having his number retired. He is pictured at center with former Hope teammate (and fellow pitcher) Al Kober ’60 and current Hope coach Stu Fritz.
Darrel Staat ’64 had his eighth book published by Rowman and Littlefield: Centers of Excellence: Niche Methods to Improve Higher Education in the 21st Century. Darrel is still working full time as associate professor in the Thayer School of Graduate Studies at Wingate University. He finds working with doctoral students a great pleasure.
Neal Sobania ’68 of Lakewood, Washington, is co-author, with longtime scholarly collaborator Dr. Raymond Silverman, of the book Ethiopian Church Art: Painters, Patrons, Purveyors. The image-rich study chronicles a tradition that has been part of Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity for more than 1,500 years. It is based on research they conducted for 25 years in the … Continue reading "Neal Sobania ’68"
Jon Smoker ’69 of Elkhart, Indiana, set a world bench press record of 216 pounds for 75+, 165 lb. class. It was previously held by a lifter from Azerbaijan.
Victor Folkert ’72 and Nancy Warren ’77 Folkert are actively retired in Conroe, Texas. In August, Wipf and Stock published Vic’s book, God through Cosmic Lenses: Quantum Mystery and Infinite Personality.
Gene Marie Callahan ’73 has been named artistic director of the Battenkill Chorale, Cambridge, New York. Battenkill Chorale is an unauditioned mixed chorus which performs in Washington, Warren, Rensselaer, and Saratoga Counties. In addition to her piano and voice students, she conducts the chorus at Siena College, where she also teaches Basics of Singing and … Continue reading "Gene Marie Callahan ’73"
Terrance Stevens ’73 retired from Pfizer in 2020 after a 44-year career in the pharmaceutical industry. He and his wife, Elizabeth, are enjoying traveling, golf, and grandchildren.
Addy Whitehouse ’75 published her second novel in the Dana Demeter Mystery series under the pen name A. F. Whitehouse. Her book, Signs of the Father, can be found on Amazon.
Pamela Pater-Ennis ’80 received of the Prophetic Ministry Award from New Brunswick Theological Seminary. She was honored for her work in My Sanctuary Healing, which is a ministry to those who have been abused by either clergy, church members or a wider congregation.
Kim Logie ’83 Bates retired after 27 years in education to work for herself and help small businesses move into a more tech-heavy environment. She reports she has been enjoying her house on the lake and being able to control her own schedule.
Todd Holstege ’83 retired in February of 2021 after 37 years of teaching, serving as athletic director and coaching. He keeps himself busy running his interior and exterior painting company and his Patience Properties. He and his wife, Kim, are following their son, Spencer, 6’5” and 320 lbs., starting LG at Purdue University. Spencer was … Continue reading "Todd Holstege ’83"
Linda Miller ’83 and Chuck Bryda were married on June 11, 2022, in Naperville, Illinois. Linda’s daughters, Carissa Speelman and Cailyn TenHoeve ’17, and Chuck’s daughter, Lindsay Bryda, were the attendants. Linda’s granddaughter, Adeline Speelman, was the flower girl and her grandson, Owen Speelman, was the ring bearer.
Tim Vande Bunte ’83 has retired as CEO and chairman of the board of Vande Bunte Eggs after 40 years with the company and is now selling the company. He reports that he looks forward to spending more time with his children, grandchildren and friends, and will continue traveling, including a mission trip with Every … Continue reading "Tim Vande Bunte ’83"
Wendy Vande Vusse ’84 Delhaye retired from Saugatuck Public Schools as director of guidance and counseling in June 2022 after 33 years in public education.
Duane VandenBrink ’84 reports that he is excited to have joined his alma mater as an adjunct professor this fall. He taught an evening chemistry course in the Schaap Science Center, and enjoyed the interaction and enthusiasm of his students.
Johnny Marmelstein ’85 has accepted the Dean of Students position at Pacifica Christian High School in Newport Beach, California. Pacifica Christian teaches students to think and live well by providing a rigorous, collegepreparatory, liberal arts education for students from all backgrounds and neighborhoods. He will also take over the Boys’ Varsity Soccer Program. In his … Continue reading "Johnny Marmelstein ’85"
Marjorie Lindner ’87 Gunnoe is a professor at Calvin University. She recently published The Person in Psychology and Christianity with InterVarsity Press.
Harry Coffill ’89 is continuing his service to Godfrey-Lee Public Schools, serving as K-12 library-media specialist. He reports that this year brings exciting changes, as Lee High- Middle School is building a new library, and Harry is helping in the design and relocation of the space. Additionally, Godfrey-Lee Schools received two library grants this year, … Continue reading "Harry Coffill ’89"
Brian Knight ’91 was named president and CEO of the National Association of State Credit Union Supervisors (NASCUS) in January of this year. Prior to being named CEO, he served as the organization’s general counsel and executive vice president for the previous 15 years. He joined NASCUS in 1998.
Bob Toth ’93 is a PA-C at the Orthopedic Center. He has been part of the Sports Medicine Division for 12 years. He provides humanitarian medical care internationally with Team Rubicon. He is the primary medical provider or the University of Utah baseball team and the Salt Lake City Bees.
Bill Boerman ’94 was presented with a state tribute by State Representative Brad Slagh during a school board meeting at Adams Elementary in Zeeland, Michigan, on Monday, Sept. 19. The tribute was given in recognition of Bill being name “Regional Teacher of the Year” last spring. He is currently teaching fourth grade at Woodbridge Elementary … Continue reading "Bill Boerman ’94"
Mark Whittaker ’94 became president of the Scientific Research Consortium – AminoAcids. com in October 2021. AminoAcids.com is a testing lab that serves the biopharmaceutical and food industries.
Kristin Underhill ’95 is the managing director of the Crystal Theatre Performing Arts Center, a restored 1927 historic theater in Crystal Falls, Michigan. She was previously the office manager for the Department of Art and Art History at Hope for 20 years.
Marianne Swierenga ’99 was granted tenure and promoted to associate professor at Western Michigan University, where she is a cataloging and metadata librarian in the University Libraries.
Kevin Fitton ’00 had his first book of short stories, Auras, published by Fomite Press. He has a Master of Fine Arts degree from Bennington College and is a Ph.D. student at Western Michigan University.
Laura Donnelly ’01 read from her work and spoke at Hope College’s Jack Ridl Visiting Writers Series on Monday, Oct. 3. She is the author of Midwest Gothic, a poetry chapbook selected as the winner of the Richard Snyder Prize.
Deborah Hoffman ’02 Walters was selected as a 2022 Finalist for the FLAG Award for Teaching Excellence. The FLAG Award for Teaching Excellence recognizes and celebrates extraordinary New York City public school teachers who inspire learning through creativity, passion, and commitment. An independent jury selected the finalists from those nominated based on numerous factors, with … Continue reading "Deborah Hoffman ’02 Walters"
Katherine Ramsey ’03 is a registered nurse working as a senior clinical application analyst for Indiana University Health. She has focused the last one-and-a-half years on the COVID vaccine build in their electronic health record and the integration with Indiana’s State Vaccine Registry. In June, she transitioned to a senior data analyst position for IU … Continue reading "Katherine Ramsey ’03"
Karly Murphy ’11 was awarded a K99/R00 Pathway to Independence Award by the National Cancer Institute. This award will provide her with up to $1 million in funds to support her research and career development. Through this award she will design and optimize a digital tool to help adolescent and young-adult cancer survivors manage symptoms … Continue reading "Karly Murphy ’11"
Stephanie Rogers ’14 Olson recently became the chief operating officer for operational excellence at the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. The department provides essential services to improve the health, safety and well-being of all North Carolinians.
John Lithio ’15 plays for Pony (Pride of New York) Club frisbee team, which just won at Worlds. He has 90 goals in two seasons and two title game appearances and one championship. He started the offensive line for the New York Empire on AUDL and won the championship game.
Lauren Rechenbach-Chapman ’16 Stonerock received her Doctor of Pharmacy, Pharm.D., from the University of Michigan, College of Pharmacy in 2021 and is currently in her second year residency at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, specializing in ambulatory care.
Megan Bisson ’17 and Cody Kuster were married on June 17, 2022. They now reside in Spokane, Washington, where Megan is the assistant director of orientation and family programs at Eastern Washington University.
Elizabeth Lewellyn ’17 Ramlow received her doctorate in optometry (summa cum laude) from Indiana University School of Optometry and is now on staff at Baker Eye Care in Iron Mountain, Michigan. She and and her husband, Dustin, reside in Norway, Michigan.
Brenda Colina ’18 and Tyler Horn ’19 were married on July 30, 2022, at the Church of the Gesu in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In May, they graduated together from Marquette University Law School and began their professional careers as associate attorneys at Ratzel & Associates, LLC and Lichtsinn & Haensel, S.C., respectively.
Allison Utting ’19 Burkhardt was awarded a James Madison Fellowship by the James Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation of Alexandria, Virginia. The fellowship supports further study of America’s history by college graduates who aspire to become teachers of American history, American government and civics in the nation’s secondary schools.
