Hope College has announced an addition to and several promotions and changes within its advancement staff.
Annie Valkema joined the staff on Monday, June 12, as a regional advancement director. She is responsible for the college's fund-raising efforts in Southern California as well as in portions of West Michigan.
She was most recently a member of the advancement staff at Houghton College in New York, where she was director of the annual fund from 2000 to 2004 and a major gifts officer from 2004 until coming to Hope. Prior to joining the Houghton staff, Valkema had been employed at the University of Michigan. She was senior coordinator of Alumni Clubs from 1997 to 2000; a student services representative in the School of Public Health from 1992 to 1997; and a publication assistant with News and Information Services from 1989 to 1991.
Valkema is a 1990 graduate of Houghton College, where she majored in writing and communications.
Several current staff members have been promoted or are assuming new responsibilities within the division.
Brian Dykstra, who has been directing the college's annual "Hope Fund" since joining the staff in April 2005, is taking on a new role starting July 1 as a regional advancement director. He will be responsible for Hope's fund-raising efforts in the Pacific Northwest as well as portions of West Michigan.
Stephanie Greenwood, director of parent relations since 2003, when the position was established, will become director of the Hope Fund on July 1. The Hope Fund solicits ongoing, unrestricted financial support from alumni, corporations, churches, parents and friends for operations and programs at the college.
Mary Remenschneider, who joined the Hope staff as director of alumni relations in 2003, will take on additional responsibility as director of alumni and parent relations. Her oversight of both programs will include supervision of an assistant director still to be appointed.
Kim Swartout, who has been a member of Hope's advancement services staff since 2000, has been promoted to the new position of stewardship coordinator, overseeing the college's recognition of and communication with donors to the college. The position expands her previous role overseeing the college's endowed scholarship program and special recognition events.
Mary Wilson, who since 1996 has provided secretarial support for the office of the president, has been promoted to administrative assistant to the vice president for college advancement and assistant to the office of the president.