Dear Hope Alumni,

Hope had a busy spring! We hosted a number of events in the past few months that really brought out the spirit of the Alumni Association and the enthusiasm, character, and commitment people have for Hope. Let me share some highlights with you.

Alumni Weekend, May 6-8. We celebrated 9 class reunions, hosted the Fifty Year Circle, and bestowed Distinguished Alumni Awards to three very accomplished alumni. Hundreds of alumni came back to campus to see it in all its spring beauty for a day of reminiscing, renewal, and celebration. My favorite part of the weekend was, as it always is, the Alumni Banquet on Saturday evening where we recognized the individuals receiving the Distinguished Alumni Award. Three very impressive alumni were honored that night and shared their amazing life stories. There is no better way to build respect and appreciation for your college than to hear from some of the finest graduates it has to offer. If you would like to read their comments, they can be found online on the Alumni Association website (click here).

Commencement, May 8. This year we welcomed over 670 graduates into the Alumni Association. It was a spectacular day, even if a little on the warm side. The sky was as bright as the graduates’ faces as they walked across the stage to accept their diplomas from President Jim Bultman, Provost Jim Boelkins, and other members of the faculty. Rev. Paul Boersma shared the commencement address and challenged the graduates to lead lives of greatness. (read a copy of the address)

The Bob DeYoung Hope Classic Golf Outing, June 27. If you have ever been in a golf outing, you know what kind of fun and lighthearted sportsmanship surrounds the day. Come to the Bob DeYoung outing and you can intensity that feeling tenfold. Over 250 alumni, parents of students, friends from the community, faculty and staff came out for a day of golf and friendly competition. Wrap up the day with a dinner and outstanding door prizes (like custom made clubs and week long vacations) and you have one great event.

The Alumni and Parent Relations Office is in full swing this summer. We’re working with alumni volunteers to host baseball games, outdoor concerts, museum tours, picnics, welcome programs for new students, and many more activities. We’re also looking at new resources we can provide, particularly resources online, in order to serve you better. Keep in touch and see what’s new!

Sincerely, Mary Boelkins ’96 Remenschneider Director of Alumni Relations

<<return to top

The Career Exploration Program
Alumni participating in this program area are “matched” no more than once every three months to a student interested in exploring the career field in which the alumni participant is involved. Depending on the availability and interest of the alumni participant, the information shared with the Hope student to whom one is matched can range from a telephone information interview to job shadowing experiences at a work site. Information shared through the Career Exploration Program often includes:

• what the alumni participant’s work includes;
• what employers are looking for in candidates;
• training and education required or desired;
• job hunting strategies;
• career paths within the field; and
• advice for meeting professionals in the field and gaining exposure to the field.

Internship and Summer Work Program
Alumni participants may elect the Internship and Summer Work Program, offering to post internships for Hope students with their organizations locally during the semester and in various geographic areas through the summer. Staff in the Office of Career Services identify and contact qualified students regarding these opportunities and inform them of the application procedures.

Employer Relations Program
Career Resource Network alumni in the Employer Relations Program volunteer to provide information about employment opportunities and assist in having their organizations recruit on campus.

The Career Resource Network currently involves 634 alumni participants. During the 2004-2005 school year, the Career Resource Network gained 82 new members, the Career Exploration Program resulted in 234 matches, 42 alumni participated in 7 career panel presentations, and three networking events involved over 60 alumni professionals.

Mark Van Genderen, Director of Investor Relations for Harley-Davidson Motor Company, participated in the first annual Homecoming Networking Reception held last fall as one of three successful networking events during the year. Mark enjoyed his experience, stating:

“After attending the career networking reception held during Homecoming last year, I can understand why this is a great event. It gave current students a chance to spend quality time with a number of Hope graduates. These alumni represented a wide range of professional experience. I was also impressed with the Hope students who attended; you could tell they were prepared by the quality and number of the questions they asked. I even received a thank you note from a student after the event!”

The second annual Homecoming Networking Reception will be held the evening of Friday, October 14. Alumni interested in participating may contact the Office of Career Services.

Alumni interested in the Career Resource Network may contact the Office of Career Services any time via an online registration form found at here..

Sara Dalman
Assistant Director
Office of Career Services
careers@hope.edu
616-395-7950

<<return to top

The 6th Annual Bob DeYoung Hope Classic Golf Outing

<<return to top

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

<<return to top

<<return to top

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.

<<return to top

July

July 19 -- Farmington Hills, MI
Summer Send-Off Picnic
Alumni, parents and friends are invited to this unique opportunity to meet incoming Hope students and parents. Take time to share your memories of Hope and help these new members of the Hope family feel right at home.

Heritage Park, North Shelter - 7 to 9pm

July 22 -- Chicago, IL
Abba: The Music - Ravinia Concert 8:00 PM
Join friends from the Hope community at this great outdoor concert. We'll have reserved lawn space, but you need to bring your own chairs or blankets. Want tickets or more information? Click here! (PDF format)

July 26 --- Glen Ellyn, IL
Summer Send-Off Picnic
Alumni, parents and friends are invited to this unique opportunity to meet incoming Hope students and parents. Take time to share your memories of Hope and help these new members of the Hope family feel right at home.

Lake Ellyn Boathouse - 7 to 9pm
645 Lenox Road, Glen Ellyn

July 28 ---Kalamazoo, MI
Summer Send-Off Picnic
Alumni, parents and friends are invited to this unique opportunity to meet incoming Hope students and parents. Take time to share your memories of Hope and help these new members of the Hope family feel right at home.

Milham Park Shelter - 7 to 9pm
400 East Kilgore, Kalamazoo

July 30 -- San Francisco, CA
Oakland A's baseball game and family style tailgate

Alumni, parents and friends - come out to the ballpark to watch the Oakland A's take on the Detroit Tigers! This is a joint event between Hope and Calvin College's Alumni Associations (the real rivalry), so join us for a fun afternoon of good food, good friends, and good ball! To reserve your tickets or to find out more click here! (PDF format)

Tailgate: 11:00 AM
Game: 1:05 PM

<<back to calendar

August

August 2 --- Traverse City, MI
Summer Send-Off Picnic
Alumni, parents and friends are invited to this unique opportunity to meet incoming Hope students and parents. Take time to share your memories of Hope and help these new members of the Hope family feel right at home.

Bowers Harbor Park - 7 to 9pm
2740 Bowers Harbor Road, Traverse City

August 12 -- Milwaukee, WI
Brewers Baseball Game
Join Hope friends from Wisconsin and northern Illinois for a pre-game tailgate and Brewers game. What a better way to spend a Friday evening than with America's favorite pasttime? To reserve your tickets click here (PDF format).

<<back to calendar

September

<<back to calendar

<<return to top