Special Programs and Opportunities

Vita Scholars Program

The Vita Scholars Program is an accelerated 5-year pastoral degree program at Hope College and Western Theological Seminary. Program participants will acquire a B.A. in religion at Hope College, taking introductory and upper-level courses in biblical studies, church history and theology. And they will receive their M.Div. from Western Theological Seminary, taking courses in biblical studies, church history, theology and ministry.

Learn more about the Vita Scholars Program 

Danforth Lecture Series

The Danforth Lectureship is a prestigious program in which Hope College brings to campus the very best scholars in the field of religion to engage the campus community in discussion of important issues. This annual lecture program was established by the Danforth Foundation, St. Louis, Missouri, “to deepen and enlarge the religious dimension of the campus family through speakers who can reflect on the broad, interdenominational and yet positive sense of the Judeo-Christian perspectives of life and existence.”

Previous Danforth Speakers

• Robin Jensen, University of Notre Dame, Theology (2024)
• Larry Rasmussen, Union Theological Seminary, Environmental Ethics (2023)
• Frank Clooney, Harvard University, Comparative Theology (2022)
• Sarah Coakley, Cambridge University, Systematic Theology (2021)
• Dale Allison, Princeton Theological Seminary, New Testament (2019)
• Ellen Davis, Duke Divinity School, Old Testament (2018)
• Timothy George, Beeson Divinity School, Church History (2017)
• John Sutton Hawley, Columbia University, World Religions (2016)
• Oliver O’Donovan, University of Edinburgh, Christian Ethics (2015)
• Luke Timothy Johnson, Emory University, New Testament (2014)
• James VanderKam, University of Notre Dame, Old Testament (2013)
• David Nirenberg, University of Chicago, Church History (2012)
• John Esposito, Georgetown University, Islam (2011)
• John Webster, Aberdeen University, Theology (2010)
• Allen Verhey, Duke University, Ethics (2009)
• John Dominic Crossan, DePaul Universitiy, New Testament (2008)
• Randall Balmer, Columbia University, American Religion (2007)
• Daniel Maguire, Marquette University, Ethics (2006)
• Jon Levenson, Yale University, Old Testament (2005)
• Diana Eck, Harvard University, World Religions (2004)
• Gabriele Boccacini, University of Michigan, New Testament (2003)
• Stanley Hauerwas, Duke University, Christian Ethics (2002)
• Fernando Segovia, Vanderbilt University, Liberation Theology (2001)
• Wendy Doniger, University of Chicago, World Religions (2000)
• Alan Segal, Columbia University, Judaism (1999)
• Heiko Oberman, University of Arizona, Church History (1998)
• Jose Miquez-Bonino, Institute for Theological Studies, (Argentina), Liberation Theology (1997) 
• Nicholas Wolterstorff, Yale Divinity School, Theology (1996)
• Margaret A. Farley, Yale University, Christian Ethics (1995)
• Wayne A. Meeks, Yale University, New Testament (1994)
• Wilfred Cantwell Smith, Harvard University, World Religions (1992)
• Phyllis Trible, Wake Forest University, Old Testament (1991)
• James H. Cone, Union Theological Seminary, Theology (1990)
• James A. Kugel, Harvard University, Old Testament (1989)
• Martin E. Marty, University of Chicago, Church History (1988)
• Lewis B. Smedes, Fuller Theological Seminar, Christian Ethics (1987)
• David C. Steinmetz, Duke University, Church History (1986)
• Kosuke Koyama, Union Theological Seminary, World Religions/Theology (1985) 
• Krister Stendahl, Harvard University, New Testament/World Religions (1984) 
• Virginia Mollenkott, William Paterson University, Theology/Literature (1983)

Independent Study

• Our students have the opportunity to pursue a project of their own interest beyond the course catalog offerings.
• This intense study can be based upon readings, creative research and/or field projects, depending on your career interests and vocational calling.

Awards

• Peter Smith Religion Award
  2023 recipient: Logan Pitsenberger
• Peter Smith Religion Scholarship
  2023 recipient: Karlie Platz
• John Vanderwilt Award
  2023 recipients: Kathryn Kathloff and Grace Portenga
• Verhey Award for Excellence in Scholarship
  2023 recipients:  Logan Pitsenberger

Saint Benedict Institute

• The Saint Benedict Institute was founded by Catholic scholars at Hope College to engage the academy from an explicitly Catholic perspective and offer spiritual and intellectual formation to Catholic students.
• Through a variety of initiatives and with the cooperation of Hope College’s Campus Ministries, the Hope Catholics student group and the Diocese of Grand Rapids, the Saint Benedict Institute provides an integral Catholic witness and seeks to strengthen Catholic identity among Catholic students as well as encourage all Christians in their faith on the Hope College campus.

Off-Campus Study

We encourage students to study off campus! A number of opportunities are available for religion majors and minors.

Learn more about off-campus study opportunities