The 2026 Vanderbush-Weller Award was awarded to Dr. Dennis Feaster, who鈥檚 been with 麻豆传媒官网 since 2013, teaching in the sociology and social work department.
Feaster becomes the 27th 麻豆传媒官网 faculty or staff member who鈥檚 been recognized with this annual award, which celebrates the work of Hope faculty, staff and administrators who make extraordinary contributions to the lives of students, above and beyond what is expected in their regular assignments. The award is coordinated by the Student Formation office based on nominations from the campus community.
Those who nominated Feaster, described his service as 鈥渟omeone who you can just tell was meant to teach, encourage and mentor students.鈥� Other nominations stated that 鈥渉is passion radiates beyond the classroom, and his impact will be felt long after student鈥檚 years at Hope.鈥�
Feaster is currently an associate professor of social work and also the social work program director. He teaches primarily human behavior in the social environment, social policy, social interventions II and social work field placement. His areas of expertise include social work practice among people with disabilities, international social work, community mental health and medical social work.
鈥淚t is a joy to partner with colleagues such as Dennis Feaster in support of students,鈥� said Becky Starkenburg, vice president of student formation and dean of students at Hope. 鈥淗e sees the whole person in the students he educates and seeks to ensure they flourish in and out of the classroom, no matter their circumstances."
The 鈥淰anderbush-Weller Development Fund鈥� was established in honor of longtime Hope professor and football coach Alvin Vanderbush, who retired in 1972 and died in February 2005. First presented during the 1997-98 school year, it was created by Ken and Shirely Weller 鈥�50. Ken Weller 鈥�48, who died in March 2022, was one of Vanderbush鈥檚 former players, a former Hope faculty colleague, and was president emeritus of Central College in Pella, Iowa.