HOLLAND, MI (WHTC-AM/FM, May 9, 2022) – Under almost ideal weather conditions, the 157th Commencement Exercise for Hope College was held yesterday.
A capacity crowd at Ray & Sue Smith Stadium saw over 700 graduating seniors receive their diplomas before school President Matthew Scogin, who warned that the graduates are entering a “broken world” clouded by health concerns and social unrest in recent years. “The normal human response would be to look at all of this brokenness and turn to cynicism and despair, but not you,” he said. “Not you, because you are a people of hope. We pray that, as you leave Hope College, there would be something in you that would never leave you – hope, a relentless, enduring hope. It takes real courage, it takes real guts, to have hope in today’s world.”
Dr. Marcus Fila of the management faculty delivered the commencement address, “Play the Long Game,” and received the Hope Outstanding Professor Educator award from the graduating class. Honorary degress were also conferred to Dr. Robert Donia for his efforts in human rights and international justice, and to dean of students Dr. Richard Frost, who is retiring after 33 years of service.
Earlier in the day, the Rev. Paul Boerma, who is retiring as Senior Chaplain after 28 years at the school, talked about “A Proverb for Life” in the Baccalaureate service at Dimnent Chapel.
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