Anchors of Hope

At Hope College, we draw inspiration from our mission statement, which breathes life into all we do:

The mission of Hope College is to educate students for lives of leadership and service in a global society through academic and co-curricular programs of recognized excellence in the liberal arts and in the context of the historic Christian faith.

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Our Values

We are energized by our values. At the heart of our campus life is an active commitment to the things we value most:

Rigorous Academic Programs: Designed to challenge the mind and engage the intellect, our academic programs prompt students to think about issues through a unique lens.
Contributions to Bodies of Knowledge: Together with their professors, Hope students expand the body of knowledge in their academic disciplines, bearing fruit in wisdom.
Vibrant Christian Faith: Ecumenical in character and rooted in the Reformed tradition, we invite students into diverse opportunities to explore the Christian faith.
Caring Community: As a campus community that welcomes and values all individuals, we seek to form meaningful partnerships with our local, national and global communities.
Development of the Whole Person: Supported by faculty and staff, our students develop their many God-given gifts through intellectual, spiritual, physical and social pursuits.
Stewardship of Resources: We are committed to being wise stewards of all human, physical and financial resources, in support of outstanding programs for students.

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Our Christian Aspirations

We are a Christian community, unified by our faith and bound together by the following aspirations:

To be faithful. Together, we are committed to the historic Christian faith. The many expressions of the Christian faith we hold in common contribute to the vitality of Hope College.
To be welcoming. Hospitality is a hallmark of the Christian faith. We affirm the dignity of all persons as bearers of God’s image, and we come together to offer our gifts of understanding to one another.
To be transformational. We are committed to freedom of inquiry in the pursuit of truth and knowledge in every field of study, confident that all truth is God’s truth.

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Our Experiences

We are distinguished by our experiences. The student experience at Hope is like no other. Our students are:

STRENGTHENING THE MIND AND SPIRIT: A Hope College education is distinguished by the rare combination of academic excellence and vibrant Christian faith.
LEARNING FROM TEACHER-SCHOLARS: Our professors are inspiring teachers, dedicated mentors, accomplished researchers and published scholars.
LEADING THE WAY: Hope is recognized by U.S. News & World Report for providing students with outstanding undergraduate research and creative project opportunities.
THRIVING IN THE ARTS: Hope was the first private, four-year, undergraduate liberal arts college in the country to achieve national accreditation in all four of the arts — dance, music, theatre and visual art.
GROWING IN FAITH: Dimnent Memorial Chapel (which regularly fills to capacity for worship), immersion trips, discussion groups and other opportunities invite students to share their faith.
ENJOYING A NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED LIBRARY: The Van Wylen Library offers access to countless print and digital materials as well as innovative technologies and services.
PURSUING PASSIONS: There is something for everyone on campus, with hundreds of organizations, groups and events to plug into, serve with, play in, root for and grow with.
MAKING THE MOST OF OUR LAKESHORE TOWN: Hope’s campus is one block from Holland’s friendly and picturesque downtown, and a short drive to the sandy beaches of Lake Michigan.

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Our Dialogue

We are strengthened by our dialogue. Setting the standard for intellectual integrity, our Virtues of Public Discourse provide a framework for courageous conversations.

Humility to listen. Humility opens up communication, encouraging a willingness to consider carefully others’ opinions and perspectives.
Hospitality to welcome. Hospitality creates a welcoming atmosphere for conversation about divergent commitments and convictions.
Patience to understand. Patience is the fortitude to stay engaged, knowing that waiting is often a persistent determination that reveals the ability to understand.
Courage to challenge. Courage is the boldness to accept risks associated with honest advocacy of one’s position as well as the ability to listen openly to other beliefs.
Honesty to speak the truth in love. Honesty is an unwillingness to mislead, fostering an open environment that encourages growth and leads to real progress.

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We are uplifted by our graduates. Hope graduates are educated to think about life’s most important issues with clarity, wisdom and a deep understanding of the foundational commitments of the historic Christian faith. They are prepared to communicate effectively, bridging boundaries that divide human communities. They are agents of hope who live faithfully into their vocations. Hope graduates make a difference in the world.

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