HOLLAND, MI (WHTC) – It had the look of 150 such ceremonies in the past.
Hope College graduated what school officials called the largest class in its history on Sunday, as about 790 graduates participated in a ceremony at Ray and Sue Smith Stadium. It was around 36 more than last year’s record number, consisting of students from the US and at least 15 foreign countries. Dr. Wayne Brouwer, associate professor of religion, delivered the featured address entitled “Remember Who You Are,” telling the graduates to stay grounded in their history, values and faith while enjoying the presdent and looking ahead to the future. Dr. Brouwer was also named “Hope Outstanding Professor Educator,” as selected by the departing graduating class.
The ceremony was held amidst speculation about a reported leadership crisis at Hope. The school’s board of trustees, after a two-day regular meeting last week, sent a campus-wide email stating that they and President Dr. John Knapp “are strongly united” and will “continue collaborating for Hope’s best future.”
Dr. Knapp had reportedly been under fire about his leadership direction after last month’s announced departure of Provost Richard Ray, sparking an outcry on and off campus that included silent student demonstrations of support for the third-year president, a faculty petition, a pro-Knapp website and what was described as a “deluge” of social media messaging prasing Dr. Knapp. Board president Mary Bauman stepped down from her position in the wake of the situation.
No mention was officially made of this matter on Sunday, and according to WHTC reporter Caitlyn Burry, who covered the graduation ceremony, “It seemed like no one really wanted to talk about the Knapp controversy” as she chatted with some of the graduates afterwards.
Audio from the ceremony can be heard here.
