Site Navigation

Distinguished Alumni Award

The Hope College Distinguished Alumni Award recognizes the accomplishments of alumni who have demonstrated exceptional achievement in their chosen profession, have made a positive impact on their community and are involved with the college.

Lynn Davis ’71 Austin

Lynn Austin is the author of numerous inspirational Christian fiction novels, including Chronicles of the King, The Restoration Chronicles and Waves of Mercy. Her novel Hidden Places was made into a movie for the Hallmark Channel. Eight of her novels have received the Christy Awards for excellence in Christian fiction, and she was inducted into the Christy Award Hall of Fame in 2013.

MEREDITH ARWADY ’00 KAHRL

Meredith Arwady graduated with a B.A. in English literature and a B.M. in vocal performance. She went on to earn her M.M. in opera from The Curtis Institute. She enjoys concert work and has won several competitions and awards, including the Metropolitan Opera National Councils and a Grammy Award for her work in Doctor Atomic. She has performed with opera companies and symphonies including the Metropolitan Opera, the San Francisco Opera, the Lyric Opera of Chicago, the Houston Grand Opera, the Opera Company of Philadelphia, English National Opera, Oper Frankfurt, the New York Philharmonic, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Pittsburgh Symphony and the Toronto Symphony.

The Alumni Association select recipients for this award from nominations that meet the following criteria:

Contributions to society through volunteerism
Achievements within a profession
Active involvement with the college
Have earned at least 45 credit hours at Hope College
Nominees for this award are eligible to be nominated for other awards
Current members of the Alumni Board and the Hope College Board of Trustees are not eligible for this award