Scott Plaster of the college’s physical plant staff has been named recipient of the college’s 13th annual “Vanderbush-Weller Award” for strong, positive impact on students.

The award recognizes and supports the efforts of Hope faculty and staff who make extraordinary contributions to the lives of students.  Plaster, who is employed in custodial services in the Lubbers Hall academic building, was honored during a luncheon on Thursday, May 3.

Those nominating Plaster for the award praised him for epitomizing inspirational dedication to the well-being of students.  One statement noted, “His hard-charging, can-do spirit is infectious, and he takes the mission of Hope College and the care of his facilities as personal missions to be fulfilled with the highest expectations of excellence.  Scott’s consistently upbeat attitude is communicated to professors, staff, and students alike.”

Plaster joined the Hope staff in 1998, and worked in the Durfee Hall men’s residence hall for his first few years on staff before moving one building east to Lubbers.

“My job is so much more than keeping the building clean,” he said.  “It is also about taking the opportunity to inspire a young mind or simply sharing a smile to brighten their day.  Those truly are the times I treasure the most.  After all, they are MY customers.”

Plaster lives in Zeeland with his wife of 17-and-a-half years, Holly, and their three children, Kyle, Adam and Kelli.  As a family they enjoy going on bike rides, spending time at the beach, hanging out in the backyard pool or just watching a movie.  The family also enjoys music--he and Kelli will be taking bass guitar lessons together this summer, and he and Adam play drums together.  They are members of Community Reformed Church.

He also enjoys golf, also an activity that involves the family, and he will be a volunteer with the Senior PGA tour in Benton Harbor in May.  “I am super excited about this opportunity because I will be walking with the NBC camera and audio techs calling the shot plays inside the ropes with the players,” he noted.

Plaster’s hobby activities also include working on the family home.  In addition, professionally he is a certified Journeyman Textile Cleaner in multiple specialties through the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration (IICRC), engaging in continuing education to maintain and enhance his certification mentored by Paul Lucas, a leader in the industry.

The “Vanderbush-Weller Development Fund” was established in honor of longtime Hope professor and football coach Alvin Vanderbush, who retired in 1972 and died on Feb. 20, 2005. It was created by Ken and Shirely Weller of Pella, Iowa. Ken Weller is one of Vanderbush’s former players and also a former Hope faculty colleague.