Awards as the outstanding senior athletes amongHope College graduates in the class of 2003 were presented to twostudents during the college's Honors Convocation on Thursday(April 24).
Awards as the outstanding senior athletes amongHope College graduates in the class of 2003 were presented to twostudents during the college's Honors Convocation on Thursday(April 24).
Amanda Kerkstra of Grandville was presented the JohnSchouten Award while Chad Carlson of Holland is the recipient ofthe Otto van der Velde All-Campus Award.
The Schouten award is given to a senior woman who, inaddition to excelling in athletics, possess other strongcharacter traits and leadership abilities. The award is named inmemory of John "Jack" Schouten who was a long-time physicaleducator and coach at Hope, in addition to serving as thecollege's first director of athletics.
The van der Velde award is presented to a senior man foroutstanding contribution to the college in athletics, scholarshipand participation in student activities. The award, presentedannually since 1932, is named in memory of Dr. Otto van derVelde, a 1915 Hope College graduate who lettered in four sportsand was later the team physician for more than 40 years.
An accounting major, Kerkstra achieved All-Americadistinction as a four-year letterwinner in basketball. This pastseason she was voted the most valuable player in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA). A 1999 graduate ofCalvin Christian High School, she is the daughter of RuthSchimmel.
A social studies composite major, Carlson lettered fouryears in basketball and was captain of the team as both a juniorand senior. He achieved all-conference (MIAA) honors for threeseasons. He is the son on Robert and Susan Carlson. His fatherwas the recipient of the Otto van der Velde Award in 1975. He isa 1999 graduate of Holland High School.