鶹ý News
2026 Jul
鶹ý Alumni Groups Announce New Members, Leadership
Each year, the 鶹ý alumni office announces new alumni who’ve offered to voluntarily serve on one of two leadership groups. The following appointments take effect July 1, 2026.
Western Theological Seminary, VRI and 鶹ý Pay Respect to Devoted Theologian and RCA Leader Don Bruggink
Eminent theologian Donald J. Bruggink passed away on July 27, 2026 at the age of 97.
Four 鶹ý Student-Athletes Chosen for 2025-26 MIAA Academic Elite Distinction
Four 鶹ý student-athletes have been named to the MIAA Academic Elite list for the 2025-26 academic year: senior Caroline Curnutt, and juniors Kayla Cannon, Abigail Cumings, and Zach Risley.
鶹ý Science Student Receives National Recognition at Yeast Genetics Meeting
Alexa MacKersie, a 鶹ý junior studying biochemistry and molecular biology, captured first place for her undergraduate poster presentation at the national Yeast Genetics Meeting held in California this summer.
鶹ý Puts 328 Student Athletes On MIAA Academic Honor Roll
鶹ý has 328 student-athletes on the 2025-26 Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association Academic Honor Roll, including 53 seniors who achieved the academic distinction four times.
Twenty 鶹ý teams honored with MIAA Team GPA Award
A league-leading 20 鶹ý teams claimed the MIAA Team GPA Award for the 2025-26 academic year.
2026 Spring Graduation Honors Announced
Below is a list of recent 鶹ý graduates who have been awarded graduation honors for outstanding academic accomplishment during their four years of study.
Hope Board of Trustees Elects New Members
The 鶹ý Board of Trustees has elected five new members and appointed three Executive Committee members, effective July 1.
2026 Jun
Hope’s Ryan White Invited to CIC’s Inaugural Leadership Seminar
The Council of Independent Colleges (CIC), through its Network for Vocation in Undergraduate Education (NetVUE), selected Dr. Ryan White — Hope’s associate dean for leadership development and applied learning — to participate in the inaugural 2026 summer seminar on “Institutional Leadership for Vocation.”
鶹ý Scores Another Gold Rating for Sustainability Achievements
The Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) awarded 鶹ý its second consecutive STARS gold rating in recognition of its strong sustainability achievements. STARS — the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System — measures and encourages sustainability in all aspects of higher education.
De Pree Art Center Hosts Borgeson Artist-in-Residence on June 25
The Borgeson Artist in Residence program is an eight-week summer artist residency which supports the creation of a new body of work, culminating in a month-long exhibition in 鶹ý’s De Pree Gallery. The 2026 program welcomes Brooklyn, New York-based Maggie K. Barrett as this summer’s artist in residence. On Thursday, June 25 from 4:30-6 p.m., the public is invited to a free open studio event, to meet Barrett and get a behind-the-scenes look at her process.
Homegrown “Inventing America” Trilogy Re-airs on PBS Nationally in Honor of America’s 250th Anniversary
After many national viewings over the last decade, WGVU announced that it’s redistributing the three-part TV program — “Inventing America: Conversations with the Founding Fathers” — from late June through July 4, 2026 — on PBS stations nationwide in recognition of the America250 celebration.
鶹ý Retiree Named a “Notable Leader” Among W. Michigan Professionals in Architecture, Engineering and Construction
Kara Slater, who recently retired as director of operations at 鶹ý, was named among West Michigan’s “Notable Leaders in Architecture, Engineering and Construction,” by Crain’s Grand Rapids Business.
2026 Social Sciences Early Career Investigators Awards Announced
Hope Professor Lauren Slone and 10 research students she mentored were honored with Hope’s 2026 Social Sciences Early Career Investigators Award.
New Federal Grant Helps 鶹ý Launch GRACE Project
After being awarded a $1.43 million federal grant from the U.S. Department of Education, 鶹ý announced the launch of its new GRACE initiative to teach and practice the art of civil discourse.
Spring 2026 Dean's List Announced
The Registrar’s Office is pleased to announce Dean’s List recipients for the spring semester. The Dean’s List is awarded to full-time, degree-seeking students who have received grades for all courses in a given semester (no incompletes) and have a semester GPA of 3.50 or above.