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 painting commissioned by Hope’s Department of Chemistry honors retired professors Dr. Eugene Jekel ’52 of Holland, Michigan, and the late Dr. Elaine Jekel for their impact on chemistry education — and tens of thousands of students — across the country and around the world through a long-running program at Hope for high school teachers. … Continue reading "Eugene Jekel ’52"
Barbara Walvoord ’63 has published, Women’s Right in Dutch America, 1857-1979: A History and Memoir. One section of the book discusses women’s roles at Hope, comparing her experiences as a Hope student (1959-63) with her mother’s (1930-34).
David Stegink ’64 reports that having spent 10 winters in Tucson, Arizona, with his partner, Linda Griffin, he is moving permanently back to Muskegon, Michigan. After 30 years as a social work supervisor for the State of Michigan he got back into teaching retirees in the Tucson area. Since he has just turned 80 he … Continue reading "David Stegink ’64"
Charles Van Engen ’70 was awarded the lifetime achievement award by the American Society of Missiology at its annual meeting, held in June at St. Mary’s University in South Bend, Indiana. He received the award for his lifetime of forming church and mission leaders for greater service through Bible preaching, teaching and writing so that … Continue reading "Charles Van Engen ’70"
Donald Steele ’72 had his monologue piece, Jacoe and Me presented by Artistic New Directions in New York as part of its Go Solo presentation. It was performed in October and is also available on YouTube.
Christian Fenton ’73 was appointed interim superintendent of the Grosse Pointe Public School system while the board searches for a permanent superintendent. He retired from Grosse Pointe after more than 37 years, with the performing arts center at GP North High School named after him.
Russell Gasero ’73 received the Sister M. Claude Lane, O.P., Memorial Award given by the Society of American Archivists in conjunction with the Society of Southwest Archivists. The award honors an archivist who has made a significant contribution to the field of religious archives. He has been an archivist for the Reformed Church in America … Continue reading "Russell Gasero ’73"
Richard “Blue” Williams ’75 is in final editing of his dad’s letters (more than 300), postcards and photos sent to his family during World War II, when he served with the 234th Engineer Combat Battalion. The letters, woven with the narrative written after the war about the battlion, covers his training in the U.S. and … Continue reading "Richard “Blue” Williams ’75"
Gordon J. Alderink ’76 co-authored a text book, Clinical Kinesiology and Biomechanics, A Problem-Based Learning Approach. He is a retired associate professor from the department of physical therapy and athletic training at Grand Valley State University.
Jon Post ’77 reports that since marrying his wife, Diane, on a church-planting team in Alaska in 1985, they have served as missionaries in Russia (1992-96), Kyrgyzstan (2001-09), Nepal (2014-21) and Romania (2021-present) with ggvo.org.
Scott Dwyer ’78 was included in the 2023 edition of the Michigan Super Lawyers Magazine. He is an attorney at Mika Meyers, PLC, helping people with employment and labor issues.
Sheryl Busman ’80 VanderWagen recently retired from the Lakeland Library Cooperative, where she served as integrated library system manager for 21 years. She was also elected president of the North American Board of Antiochian Women, an organization of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America. She will serve a two-year term.
Peter Dykema ’84, who is a professor of history at Arkansas Tech University, is also the co-director of Arkansas Governor’s School, a month-long academic summer camp for rising high-school seniors funded by the Arkansas Department of Education. Each summer, 380 students attend AGS and focus on one of nine academic disciplines, along with sessions on … Continue reading "Peter Dykema ’84"
Christopher Carpenter ’90 became vice chair of implementation and innovation at Mayo Clinic-Rochester in June. He continues to lead the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine’s Guidelines for Reasonable and Appropriate Care in the emergency department effort, the first clinical practice guidelines for emergency medicine. He is also on the leadership core for clinician-scientists transdisciplinary research, … Continue reading "Christopher Carpenter ’90"
Thomas TerMaat ’90 was selected by his peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America 2024 edition. He works for Foster Swift dealing with Insurance Law.
Heidi Sunderhaft ’90 has moved to Las Vegas, Nevada, where she is a certified Global Gallup’s Strengths coach and teaches Pilates after a career in the K-12 education world.
Brett Geier ’94 is a professor in the department of educational leadership, research and technology at Western Michigan University. He is currently publishing two books: Palgrave’s Handbook of Educational Thinkers and The Roberts Court and K-12 Public Education.
Heather Bair ’97 Brake received the HHS Secretary’s Commendation Award on Tuesday, Aug. 22. The award was given to several representatives across the federal government who served as leaders in the COVID-19 response. Heather is a commissioned officer in the U.S. Public Health Service and currently serves as the communications director for environmental health at … Continue reading "Heather Bair ’97 Brake"
Anne Houseworth ’01 Gray was named 2023 Cook County Co-Regional Teacher of the Year and finalist for State Teacher of the Year by the Illinois State Board of Education. She was also selected to be a Chicago change agent teacher leader by Teach Plus for the 2023-24 school year. She has been teaching music in … Continue reading "Anne Houseworth ’01 Gray"
Anthony Grech ’02 is the athletic director for Saugatuck Public Schools in Saugatuck, Michigan. He continues to be the running backs and defense backs coach for the Saugatuck varsity football team and is in his 20th year of teaching at Saugatuck Public Schools.
Emily Siwek ’02 wrote and illustrated her second children’s picture book, Skip, the Stone, with a local publisher in Ann Arbor. The book is told from the perspective of a Petoskey stone.
Vince Scheffler ’03 was recently honored at Parker Seminars in Las Vegas, Nevada, by the chiropractic profession for his service to Parker University. He served 12 years on the board of trustees at Parker, and was a vital contributor to the school’s conversion from a college to a university. Under the board’s guidance, Parker University … Continue reading "Vince Scheffler ’03"
Veronica Farley-Seybert ’04 joined the City of Detroit’s law department as senior assistant corporation council within the transaction and economic development division.
Scott Travis ’06 now serves as director of strategy and planning at Hope College. After leading alumni and family engagement since 2009, he now provides leadership in implementing strategic projects, lifelong learning and the next institutional strategic plan.
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.
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.
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
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Whitney Thomas ’08 Eads is the director of theatre arts at Columbus Academy in Gahanna, Ohio. This is her eighth year with the school, where she continues to direct, choreograph and teach theatre to students in sixth-12th grades.
Matt Rugenstein ’08 and Jill Behm ’11 Rugenstein started Bluebird Roofing Co. this past spring, offering residential and commercial roof repair and replacement services in West Michigan.
Sally VanderPloeg ’10 Naredla completed her master’s degree in nursing from Husson University and is now working as a family nurse practitioner at South Berwick Family Practice, part of the Mass General Brigham organization. She and her husband also welcomed the birth of their son, Karunakar, on Dec. 16, 2022.
Sarah Warner ’10 and Zach Weinberg announce the birth of Sabin James on May 19, 2023. He joins big sister, Emily. Sarah is pursuing an MBA/Master of Sustainability dual degree at Chatham University.
Jeanine De Jong ’11 Mozie received a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and is chief of staff to the president at Trinity Christian College.
Briana Beyer ’13 is an associate broker and realtor for the Briana Beyer Team at Coldwell Banker. She was ranked a top-1%-producing team in West Michigan, with properties selling twice as fast as typical local agents. She and her husband, Caleb Driesenga, cover the commercial side of real estate, working with buyers, sellers, landlords and … Continue reading "Briana Beyer ’13"
Blake Soulet ’13 and his wife, Nikki, celebrated their three-year wedding anniversary in August, and announce the birth of Aycyn Hendrix Siah on July 29. He joins big brothers Kairos (4/28/21) and Rhyker (7/1/22). Blake is pursuing a Master of Science degree in clinical mental health counseling at Walden University. He is currently completing his … Continue reading "Blake Soulet ’13"
Kellie Kirbitz ’14 Joyce graduated from Rush University’s pediatric clinical nurse specialist doctor of nursing practice program. She is a clinical nurse specialist in pediatric hematology/oncology at Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Karsten Hall ’15 Dommermuth and William Dommermuth ’16→
Karsten Hall ’15 Dommermuth and William Dommermuth ’16 announce the birth of Riley Jane in July.
Lize Loubser ’15 has completed her residence training at the University of Kansas School of Medicine – Wichita Family Medicine Residency Program at Ascension Via Christi. She is practicing with South Shore Family Practice in Marquette, Michigan.
Briana Armand ’16 received a Juris Doctor degree and a certificate in alternative dispute resolution from the University of Southern California Gould School of Law. She is an associate at the law firm of Ropes & Gray.
Robert Henry ’17 received his Ph.D. degree in psychology from the University of Utah in 2023. In September 2022 he moved back to West Michigan, where he is an advanced analyst with Meijer.
Julia Keisling ’20 received a Master of Science degree in microbiology and molecular genetics from Rutgers University. She is a pediatric genetic counselor at the UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh.
Barry Bait ’21 received his master’s degree in prosthetics and orthotics in March 2023. He is pursing a certificate in prosthetics and orthotics through a residency in East Hartford, Connecticut.
Mical Knafer ’21 is pursuing a Doctorate of Physical Therapy degree from the University of Miami. She has accepted an internship with the University of Miami’s Olympic sports as a strength and conditioning assistant.
Avery Massie ’21 was nominated by community members and staff for the Curo Award. She was the only first-year teacher recipient of the award for the 2022-23 school year. The Curo Award recognizes exceptional devotion to a student with a disability, to make the student’s life better.
