Awards as the outstanding senior athletes among Hope College graduates in the class of 2001 were presented to two students during the college's Honors Convocation on Thursday (April 26).
Awards as the outstanding senior athletes among Hope College graduates in the class of 2001 were presented to two students during the college's Honors Convocation on Thursday (April 26).
Kimberly (Kim) Grotenhuis of Hamilton was presented the John Schouten Award while Joseph (Joe) Veldman of Sawyer is the recipient of the Otto van der Velde All-Campus Award.
The Schouten award is given to a senior woman who, in addition to excelling in athletics, possesses other strong character traits and leadership abilities. The award is named in memory of John "Jack" Schouten who was a long-time physical educator and coach at Hope, in addition to serving as the college's first director of athletics.
The van der Velde award is presented to a senior man for outstanding contribution to the college in athletics, scholarship and participation in student activities. The award, presented annually since 1932, is named in memory of Dr. Otto van der Velde, a 1915 Hope College graduate who lettered in four sports and was later team physician for more than 40 years.
Both honorees competed in two sports, Grotenhuis in volleyball and softball and Veldman in cross country and track.
A social studies composite major, Grotenhuis gained all-conference (MIAA) recognition in both volleyball and softball. She became the first Hope College student to be named a Verizon/GTE Academic All-American in two sports and was named to Phi Beta Kappa after achieving a perfect 4.0 grade point average. She has also been presented the college's Southland Medal as the outstanding woman in the senior class. A 1997 graduate of Hamilton High School, she is the daughter of Mr. Larry (Bev) Grotenhuis.
A biology major, Veldman achieved all-conference (MIAA) honors in cross country for three years. He qualified for the NCAA Division III championships as a junior and senior, finishing 45th at the national meet last fall. He has also been a member of the track squad for three seasons. He was co-captain of both the cross country and track teams this year. He received scholar-athlete recognition from the National Cross Country Coaches Association four consecutive years. A 1997 graduate of Three Oaks River Valley High School, he is the son of Mr. and Mrs. James (Lorraine) Veldman.