Dr. Lauren Slone and her 10 undergraduate research assistants have been honored with Hope’s 2026 Social Sciences Early Career Investigators Award. Their project, which examines how self-made study schedules impact learning and retention, was selected from nearly 200 presentations at this year's Celebration of Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity (CURCA.) This award recognizes outstanding student-faculty collaboration and provides funding for the team to present their findings at an upcoming professional conference. 🔗 Learn more about their award-winning research: goho.pe/4dXvKSI

Backed by a $1.43 million federal grant from the U.S. Department of Education, Hope College is launching the GRACE (Growing through Respectful and Civil Exchange) initiative to cultivate the art of civil discourse. The four-year grant will fund student leadership cohorts, faculty curriculum support, and public scholarship led by Provost Dr. Gerald Griffin and Professor Dr. Sarah Kornfield. Read more about the project: goho.pe/4ouLksN

Dr. Kelly Ronald, assistant professor of biology, has received a prestigious Fulbright U.S. Scholar award for the 2026–2027 academic year. The grant will fund her upcoming research project in Curitiba, Brazil, where she will study how urban noise and city environments affect how birds hear and adapt to human-dominated landscapes. Her findings will help contribute to global wildlife conservation and sustainable city planning. Dr. Ronald is the third Hope biologist in recent years to receive this international honor. Read more about her upcoming research: goho.pe/49p4REE

President Matt Scogin, along with Hope students and an alumnus, recently testified before the Michigan House Appropriations Subcommittee on Higher Education and Community Colleges. Speaking on behalf of Michigan Independent Colleges and Universities (MICU), the group advocated for the expansion of state financial aid programs and highlighted how Hope’s innovative tuition models are making higher education accessible to all learners. Read more: goho.pe/4wVbybo

A new collaboration between Hope and USTA Coaching will provide students enrolled in Professional Tennis Management and Racquet Sports Management programs with enhanced access to industry resources and professional development tools. The initiative is designed to bridge the gap between academic study and real-world experience in racquet sports leadership. Read more: goho.pe/3S9Hlp3

The Coach. The Alum. The Legend. Peter Stuursma '93 will be bringing the energy to Ray and Sue Smith Stadium as this year's commencement speaker. We can’t wait for him to share his wisdom with the Class of 2026! 🧡💙

Dr. Benjamin Krause, associate professor of music, has been named the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) Thomas Ediger Distinguished Composer of the Year. Recognized at the 2026 MTNA National Conference for his composition, "Spaces Real or Imagined," Dr. Krause utilizes musical ekphrasis to translate the visual language of painter Maria Helena Vieira da Silva into a collection of five pieces. This prestigious honor marks his second time receiving the award, following his first win in 2019. Read more about the achievement and the inspiration behind his award-winning work: goho.pe/4cuijb0

Over 360 Hope students will showcase nearly 200 original research and creative projects at the 25th annual Celebration of Undergraduate Research. 🔬🎨 The event takes place on Friday, April 17, starting at 2:30 p.m. at the DeVos Fieldhouse. Learn more: goho.pe/48x0LJR

He is risen! Happy Easter! 🌼 "I am the resurrection and the life" John 11:25 NIV

Hope College Campus Ministries invites you to a week of intentional reflection on the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus. This year’s devotionals feature insights from our chaplains, soulful music from Cardiphonia, and the moving artwork of Otto Dix. Starting on Palm Sunday, March 29, reflections will be available via daily email, blog posts, or a full PDF download. Sign up and learn more: goho.pe/4rW4Cae

Happy spring! 🌷🐝

Recent graduates have been awarded honors for outstanding academic accomplishment during their four years of study: summa cum laude, magna cum laude and cum laude. 🔗 View the full list of honors graduates: goho.pe/4rviJmY

Dr. Derrick Bines, assistant professor at San Francisco State University, will present the annual Black History Month lecture at Hope College on Tuesday, Feb. 24. 📅 Tuesday, Feb. 24, 3:30 p.m. 📍 Jack H. Miller Center, Recital Hall In his presentation, “We All We Got: Self and Community Care are More Than Buzzwords,” Dr. Bines will examine the strategies communities use to sustain each other and explore how individuals can engage in long-term solidarity efforts. Learn more: goho.pe/400lz7Y

Meet Madeline, a sophomore studying Global Health and Political Science. Through her research with the Global Water Research Institute (GWRI), she’s working to transform community health worldwide. This Day of Giving (Feb. 19–20), gifts to the GWRI power student stipends, supplies, and travel that make this vital research possible. Learn more and explore giving opportunities: hope.edu/give2hope

Why do ancient creeds seem to be resonating with Gen Z? Continuing Hope's celebration of the 1700th anniversary of the Nicene Creed, Dr. Gavin Ortlund will explore the interplay of religious revival and traditional Christian creeds in his lecture, “Creed, Revival and Gen Z.” 📅 Thursday, Feb. 26, 7 p.m. 📍 Dimnent Chapel & Livestream available via Hope College YouTube A pastor and award-winning author, Dr. Ortlund will be joined by President Matt Scogin for a collaborative Q&A panel following the talk. Learn more: goho.pe/4ts9HZV

Hope has been named a "Top Producing Institution" for the Fulbright U.S. Student Program. Since 2004, 47 Hope students have been accepted into the prestigious program to research and teach worldwide. This year alone, four of our students were awarded Fulbright grants.

“Seeking help is fundamentally an expression of hope.” 🌱 In an era of automation, Hope’s Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) is doubling down on human connection. From the first friendly voice you hear on the phone to same-day appointments without a waitlist, Dr. Rekha Varghese shares how CAPS is creating a "virtuous cycle" of care that helps our students flourish. Read more about how we’re planting seeds of hope on campus: goho.pe/4thqE9l

Nine students from the Department of Mathematics & Statistics represented Hope at the Joint Mathematics Meetings in Washington, D.C., the largest gathering of mathematicians on the planet. Of the eight students who stood before global experts to present their research, four earned prestigious Pi Mu Epsilon Outstanding Research Presentation awards: Wyatt Snyder, Mary Moore, Ava Lowe, and Eli Edwards-Parker.

President Matthew Scogin '02 has been named among West Michigan’s “Notable Leaders in Education” by Crain’s Grand Rapids Business. President Scogin is recognized for demonstrating innovative solutions to educational problems and promoting inclusive practices, particularly through his leadership in academic excellence and programs like the Hope Forward tuition model. We also congratulate the three Hope College alums Nick DeKoster ’06, Greg Eding ’93, and J.C. Huizenga ’73 who have also been named to the list. Learn more: goho.pe/4nZIObO

A look inside the new 74,000-square-foot home for Economics & Business! #HopeMeansBusiness #HopeCollege #DareToHope