Hope College News
2025 May
Hope to Present Distinguished Alumni Awards to D.J. Reyburn ’99 and Dr. James Serum ’65
The Hope College Alumni Association will present Distinguished Alumni Awards to D.J. Reyburn ’99 of Fairview, Tennessee, and Dr. James Serum ’65 of Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, on Saturday, May 17, during the college’s Milestone Weekend for alumni and friends of the college.
Graduates Encouraged to Be “People of Hope”
With the members of Hope College’s graduating Class of 2025 about to leave the familiar routine of the school year on Sunday, May 4, Commencement speaker Dr. Lauren Hearit offered a new way of structuring their lives — one guided by hope, even as their time at Hope was drawing to a close.
Arbor Day Foundation Honors Hope as Tree Campus for Seventh Year
Hope College has received 2024 Tree Campus recognition from the Arbor Day Foundation, the seventh year in a row that the foundation has honored Hope for its dedication for enhancing community well-being through tree education, investment and community engagement.
2025 Apr
Jasmine Lowell of Global Engagement Staff Receives Vanderbush-Weller Award
Jasmine Lowell, who is the international education coordinator with the Fried Center for Global Engagement at Hope College, has been named the 2025 recipient of the college’s annual Vanderbush-Weller Award for having a strong, positive impact on students.
Former Mayor Phil Tanis to Direct the Van Raalte Institute of Hope College
Phil Tanis, former mayor of Holland, Michigan, has been designated as the next director of the Van Raalte Institute (VRI) of Hope College. His term will begin July 1. In the interim, Tanis is serving as a senior research fellow at the institute. Tanis will replace current director Donald A. Luidens who will continue as the editor-in-chief of the Van Raalte Press and as a senior research fellow.
Five Members of Faculty Retiring at Conclusion of School Year
Five long-time members of the Hope College faculty are retiring at the conclusion of the 2024-25 school year.
Hope Student Wins Psychology Research Award
It was Hope College’s sterling reputation for providing students with high-quality opportunities to participate in faculty-mentored research that prompted psychology major Cassie Morse to transfer to the college as a sophomore.
Hope College’s Graduation Activities Will be Sunday, May 4
Baccalaureate and Commencement for Hope College’s Class of 2025 are scheduled for Sunday, May 4. Commencement will take place at 3 p.m. at Ray and Sue Smith Stadium, and Baccalaureate will take place at 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. in Dimnent Memorial Chapel.
Students to Present Creative and Research Projects on April 11
Original research by Hope students on topics ranging from the foraging efficiency of sparrows, to the effect of high-tempo music on sprint swimming, to anti-immigrant violence in the United Kingdom, to Don Quixote and social media will be highlighted during the college’s annual A. Paul and Carol C. Schaap Celebration of Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity on Friday, April 11, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Richard and Helen DeVos Fieldhouse.
Hope to Present Honorary Degree to Professor Emeritus John Yelding
Hope College will present an honorary degree, the Doctorate of Humane Letters (LHD), to retired education professor John Yelding during the Commencement ceremony for the Class of 2025 on Sunday, May 4, at Ray and Sue Smith Stadium.
Two Hope Students Receive Prestigious Goldwater Scholarships
Hope College juniors Taylor Laurin of Portage and Sofia Rosenberger of Naperville, Illinois, have both received highly competitive scholarships from the Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation.
Theologian and Author Kevin DeYoung to Present “The Story of the Nicene Creed” on April 8
Theologian and author Dr. Kevin DeYoung will present “The Story of the Nicene Creed: The Most Important (Extra-biblical) Text Ever Written” on Tuesday, April 8, at 3 p.m. at Hope College in Schaap Auditorium in the Jim and Martie Bultman Student Center.