Hope College News
2026 Jun
De Pree Art Center Hosts Borgeson Artist-in-Residence on June 25
The Borgeson Artist in Residence program is an eight-week summer artist residency which supports the creation of a new body of work, culminating in a month-long exhibition in Hope College’s De Pree Gallery. The 2026 program welcomes Brooklyn, New York-based Maggie K. Barrett as this summer’s artist in residence. On Thursday, June 25 from 4:30-6 p.m., the public is invited to a free open studio event, to meet Barrett and get a behind-the-scenes look at her process.
Homegrown “Inventing America” Trilogy Re-airs on PBS Nationally in Honor of America’s 250th Anniversary
After many national viewings over the last decade, WGVU announced that it’s redistributing the three-part TV program — “Inventing America: Conversations with the Founding Fathers” — from late June through July 4, 2026 — on PBS stations nationwide in recognition of the America250 celebration.
Hope College Retiree Named a “Notable Leader” Among W. Michigan Professionals in Architecture, Engineering and Construction
Kara Slater, who recently retired as director of operations at Hope College, was named among West Michigan’s “Notable Leaders in Architecture, Engineering and Construction,” by Crain’s Grand Rapids Business.
2026 Social Sciences Early Career Investigators Awards Announced
Hope Professor Lauren Slone and 10 research students she mentored were honored with Hope’s 2026 Social Sciences Early Career Investigators Award.
New Federal Grant Helps Hope College Launch GRACE Project
After being awarded a $1.43 million federal grant from the U.S. Department of Education, Hope College announced the launch of its new GRACE initiative to teach and practice the art of civil discourse.
2026 May
NSF Awards Hope Alumni with Graduate Research Fellowship Program Offers
Three Hope College alumni attending graduate school were notified of award offers from the prestigious Graduate Research Fellowship Program of the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) for the 2026-27 academic year. One other Hope alumnus received honorable mention recognition.
Unspoken: Lost Social Connections and How to Re-Engage
Institute for Family StudiesDr. David Myers' latest blog was featured in the Institute for Family Studies. Myers shares the latest research showing how positive connections could help reverse the trend of lost social ties and human engagement.
Remembering Retired Hope Professor & Talented Pianist Joan Conway
The Hope College and music community are invited to a celebration of life service for retired music professor Joan Clare Conway, on May 30 at 10 a.m., at First Reformed Church at 630 State St. in Holland.
Prof. Kelly Ronald Receives Fulbright U.S. Scholar Award in Biology
The U.S. Department of State and the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board awarded Dr. Kelly Ronald — assistant professor of biology at Hope College — the prestigious Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program award for the 2026–2027 academic year.
Hope College 2026 Commencement Address
Peter Stuursma ’93 — associate professor of kinesiology instruction and Hope’s head football coach — addressed Hope’s Class of 2026 on Sunday, May 10, 2026, at the Ray and Sue Smith Stadium in Holland, Michigan. It was the 161st commencement for Hope College, which celebrated 815 graduates — the largest graduating class in Hope’s history.
Professor Rob Pocock Receives H.O.P.E. Award from Class of 2026
The graduating Class of 2026 presented the annual H.O.P.E. award to Rob Pocock ’77, associate professor of communication instruction.
Dennis Feaster Named the 2026 Vanderbush-Weller Award Winner
The 2026 Vanderbush-Weller Award was awarded to Dr. Dennis Feaster, who’s been with Hope College since 2013, teaching in the sociology and social work department.