Student Profile: Aimée Barigian ’11

For Aimée Barigian, involvement at Hope was key for her successful college career. From her beginnings as a Phelps Scholar to joining the Kappa Beta Phi sorority, as well as her recent role as The Anchor newspaper’s national news editor, Aimée has certainly enjoyed the numerous types of experiences that Hope has to offer.

“Coming from California was a hard transition, but getting involved helped me stay here at Hope. The Phelps Scholars Program helped me transition and then I joined the Dorian sorority,” she says.

Some of Aimée’s most treasured memories at Hope have occurred with her sorority sisters. “Dorian is my family,” she says. “Dorian has impacted my life for the better. It is nice to know that I will always have a great group of friends.”

In addition to her times with the Dorians, Aimée has also volunteered on spring break mission trips and as a middle-school tutor through Volunteer Services. However, her involvement with one of Hope’s oldest traditions, Nykerk, an annual inter-class competition featuring song, plays and oration, is an experience that Aimée will never forget.

“Being a part of a tradition at Hope is unbelievable. I learned how to be a better team player and to enjoy others. The girls and guys involved were so fun and we had so many great experiences,” she says. “ Next year, I am the junior publicity chair so I will be able to hang out with both years and get to know everyone involved in Nykerk.”

While Aimée has been involved in many activities at Hope, she is also passionate about her studies as a communication major who hopes to add minors in English and theatre. Aimée’s time with professors has helped her begin to determine what she will do after Hope.

“The communication department has been very friendly and helpful. All of the teachers that I have had want you to succeed,” she says. “As of now, I think that I want to become a publicist of Christian or mainstream rock bands or actors or actresses. I love music and movies and I really want to work with those things.”

Aimée has appreciated the opportunities that she has found at Hope, and encourages students on the eve of their own college experience to make the most of years ahead of them. “I want people to know that you can make or break your time in college. Getting involved was the best decision that I ever made,” she says. “I love it here and I am truly thankful for the friendships that I have gained.”

This profile was written by Christopher M. Lewis, a 2009 Hope College graduate from Troy, Mich., for the 2009-2010 Hope College Catalog.

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