Hope College continues to be an outstanding academic institution, strong in its academic quality and deep in its spiritual commitment. Hope maintains that status through dedicated faculty and staff, talented students, and alumni who are involved in the life and future of the college. Hope is an important place for all of us: as a student and even now; however long ago it was that we graduated, and it is important to understand how you can show your appreciation anyway you can. Here are some ways you can stay connected to Hope, and increase the value of a Hope education.

1. Donate annually to the Hope Fund
2. Refer potential students
3. Speak highly of your Hope experience
4. Stay current on what is happening at Hope by reading the news from Hope College, Presidential Updates, and visiting the website
5. Attend your class reunions and alumni events in or near your communities
6. Nominate individuals for the Distinguished Alumni Award, Meritorious Service Award and the Hope for Humanity Award
7. Keep the Alumni Office up to date with your contact information and your personal and professional news
8. Join the Admissions Office "Alumni Calling Program" to help recruit students
9. Join the Career Services online Career Resource Network to help students and other alumni with career advice and job and internship placement
10. Utilize the education and experience you gained at Hope to the best of your ability!

Hope is very fortunate to have such dedicated alumni. I recognize that there are many demands on your time and resources, and I appreciate all the ways you support the college. Life takes us in many directions; personally, professionally and geographically. It can be easy to put Hope on a back burner when the craziness of day-to-day life overwhelms us. Thank you for all the times you bring Hope forward in your thoughts and your actions. We are a better place for it!

Sincerely, Mary Boelkins ’96 Remenschneider Director of Alumni Relations

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Sara Steele
Class of 2003

How she got to where she is today

Interning in Washington D.C. was one of the best moves Sara Steele could have made in her career. During her junior year of college, Sara participated in the Washington Honors Semester and worked as an intern in the White House Office of Media Affairs. After the semester was complete, Sara searched for another internship in D.C. and was hired at Fleishman-Hillard, Inc.

After spending half a year away from Hope, Sara found her way back on campus and graduated in the spring of 2003 with degrees in Communication and Political Science. Sara had already made plans to move back to Washington D.C. when she was offered a position as Special Assistant to the Director in the White House Office of Media Affairs. From there Sara was promoted to Web Site Coordinator, the position she currently holds.

Career

Working as Web Site Coordinator has brought Sara many valuable work experiences. “It is an honor working for this President and I thoroughly enjoy having co-workers who share the same passion.” Sara has been blessed with many diverse opportunities at the White House, including her extensive work this past December on the fourth installment of “Barney Cam,” a White House web site production highlighting the President’s Scottish Terrier, Barney, and his antics throughout the White House during the Holiday season. She has also been fortunate to have helped coordinate and participate in many time-honored White House events, including the Easter Egg Roll, Tee Ball on the South Lawn, and various Holiday events.

College Background

While at Hope, Sara took advantage of many extracurricular activities. She was involved with the Admissions Office, the Office of Corporate and Foundation Relations, Dance Marathon, and the Delta Phi Sorority. But her favorite memory of Hope was when she attended the Vienna Summer School. “The six weeks I spent in Vienna were amazing. Professor Hemenway made the experience one I will never forget.” The professors at Hope also played a huge role in Steele’s successful college career. “My professors were always approachable, and they taught me never to hold back in fear of failure, but rather, to strive for anything in sight.”

How she stays connected to Hope

Whether she is reading the college newspaper “news from Hope College,” surfing the many web pages of Hope, or attending local alumni events, Sara tries her best to stay connected to Hope. She also stays connected to Hope through fellow alum and friend, Beth Snyder ’94, President of the Alumni Association Board of Directors.

“I met Sara though the Washington Semester Program. Sara has taken her strong work ethic, commitment to excellence and her leadership experiences from the Hope classroom to the White House. As a fellow Hope alum, I take sincere pleasure in watching Sara learn and grow both personally and professionally.” Beth Snyder

Alumni Profile is a special feature that focuses on one specific alumna/us who has consistently supported and been involved with Hope College, who was actively involved in extracurricular activities while a student, and who has an impressive or interesting story after graduation. If you would like to recommend someone for the next Alumni Profile, let us know! E-mail us at alumnienews@hope.edu attention Alumni Profile.

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Alumni Weekend 2005 will be held May 6-8 for every fifth class from 1940-1980. The Hope College Alumni Association is excited to welcome everyone back to campus, and has a variety of events planned for you to enjoy. Please visit the Alumni Weekend 2005 website for more information.

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After being out shot by rival Calvin during a semi-final game of the MIAA tournament, the Men's Basketball team ended their season with a 15-12 record, which included one loss and one win against Calvin during the 155th and 156th renewal of basketball's greatest small college rivalry.

The 2004-2005 season for the Women's Basketball team came to an end after Calvin knocked the Flying Dutch out of the conference tournament 74-68, after losing to Hope twice during regular season. Hope took home a conference co-championship and ended their season with a 23-4 record.

For the ninth time in school history, the Men's Swimming team took home the MIAA Championship. The Flying Dutchmen finished 13th in a field of 57 teams at the NCAA Division III swimming and diving championships hosted by Hope at the Holland Community Aquatics Center.

The Women's Swimming team finished runner up at the MIAA championships. The Flying Dutch finished 12th in the NCAA championships and had five All-America Performances. The Division III swimming and diving championships were also hosted by Hope at the Holland Community Aquatics Center.

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Congratulations to the Class of 2005! On May 8, graduating seniors will be released into the real world. Here’s a sampling of what some Hope students have planned for their future, and how they have reached this point in their lives.

Zach Garrett Spring Lake, MI Philosophy & Political Science major Zach had the chance of a lifetime to work for the Bush-Cheney Campaign while in D.C. as part of the 2004 Washington, D.C. Honors Semester Program.

Zach worked 10-11 hours a day for the campaign for the entire semester and performed a variety of functions including: (1) writing speeches for President Bush’s Senior Campaign Strategist, Matthew Dowd; (2) conducting polling research; (3) developing budgetary proposals that were implemented in all 50 states relating to campaign functions; (4) analyzing Democratic challenger speeches and policies (i.e., John Kerry); and (5) drafting press releases for CNN, FoxNews, and MSNBC on behalf of the campaign. Zach plans to attend the University of Michigan Law School beginning this summer where he will study corporate law in conjunction with political/election law.

Michelle Button Haslett, MI Language Arts Composite major; Mathematics Elem-Ed minor Preparing for a career in elementary education, Michelle is currently student teaching in a 2nd/3rd grade multiage classroom in South Haven.

Michelle has had a variety of experience working with children including teaching a first grade Sunday school class, assisting in a third grade summer school class, and working at a childcare program for the past three summers in Haslett, MI. Michelle does not yet have a job lined up after she graduates, but she plans to attend many teacher job fairs with hopes of finding a position in the near future.

Andy joined the Mercantile staff in January 2005 and works part-time as a commercial credit analyst where it is his job to analyze financial statement information and industry reports for use in making credit and lending decisions. Andy's prior experience includes interning at Union Bank in Lake Odessa, MI. and Innotec Group in Zeeland, MI. After graduation, Andy will work full-time at Mercantile Bank and plans to attend Grand Valley State University in the fall to begin a master's degree program in finance.

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We invite you to take some time to explore Hope's website and see what information awaits you there!

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Current Subscribers - Have you recently changed your email address? If so, please send the new information to alumnienews@hope.edu.

If you no longer wish to receive the Alumni E-News Link, please email alumnienews@hope.edu and provide your name and email address.

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April

April 21 --- Reception and Dinner, 7 p.m. Special evening at Drs Thomas '59 and Eva Nowotny, Austrian Ambassador to the United States in Washington DC. Special guests include the Ambassador, President and Mrs. Bultman, and Dr. Stephen Hemenway, Vienna Summer School Director. For more information click here.
(requires Adobe Acrobat Reader - download it here free of charge)

April 23 --- Dinner and Program, 6:30 p.m. Special Guests: Dr. and Mrs. Bultman Olde Mill Inn, Basking Ridge,NJ Watch for additional details soon!

April 24 --- Lunch and Program, 1 p.m. Special Guests: Dr. and Mrs. Bultman Sheraton Crossroads Hotel,Mahwah, NJ Watch for additional details soon!

April 25 --- After hours reception, 6-8 p.m. Special Guests: Dr. and Mrs. Bultman New York Athletic Club, New York City Watch for additional details soon!

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May

May 6-8 --- Alumni Weekend! Class reunions for the every fifth class from 1940 to 1980, as well as additional activities for all alumni, including the annual alumni banquet. Alumni Weekend link.

May 22 --- Art exhibit, UCLA Fowler Museum. Reception and tour of the exhibit "Ethiopia: The Life and Work of Qes Adamu Tesfaw" by curator and Hope Professor Neal Sobania in Los Angeles. Additional details will be posted soon!

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June

June 27 --- Bob DeYoung - 6th Annual Hope Classic Golf Outing
Holland Country Club. Hold a place on your calendars & practice your swing! This outing will, once again, be a time for fun, sportsmanship, & friendly competition. Additional details will be posted soon

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