Hope College’s 153rd Commencement, celebrating the graduating Class of 2018, was held on Sunday, May 6, at Ray and Sue Smith Stadium.

Read coverage of the event and full text of the Commencement address and Baccalaureate sermon  

  • A faculty member at Hope College speaks at a podium while delivering a speech during the Commencement ceremony. He is wearing academic regalia, including a doctoral hood.
  • Graduates in navy blue caps and gowns gather inside a building with stained glass windows, preparing for the commencement ceremony at Hope College.
  • A group of students singing during the Hope College Commencement ceremony, dressed in brightly colored choir robes. The focus is on a young woman with braided hair wearing a yellow robe.
  • Students in choir robes sing during Hope College’s Commencement ceremony.
  • A man in academic regalia, wearing a vibrant pink gown and a gold medallion, delivers a speech from a wooden podium during Hope College’s Commencement ceremony. The emblem of Hope College is visible on the podium.
  • Two graduating students are in the foreground, both wearing blue caps and gowns. The student on the left is adjusting their cap and wearing sunglasses, while the student on the right is holding a smartphone and assisting with the cap. Several faculty members in academic regalia are visible in the background, smiling and observing.
  • A group of Hope College graduates in navy blue caps and gowns gather outside, smiling for a photo taken by someone with a smartphone. Other graduates and faculty members are visible in the background.
  • Two graduates in navy blue caps and gowns take a selfie with a woman outside a stone building during Hope College's Commencement ceremony. Other graduates and attendees can be seen in the background.
  • A group of Hope College graduates in navy blue caps and gowns share smiles and laughter during the Commencement ceremony. They are gathered outdoors on a sunny day with trees and a building in the background.
  • Four Hope College graduates in blue caps and gowns stand together, smiling and conversing during the Commencement ceremony. Two of them are wearing colorful stoles that read "Class of 2018." One graduate is looking down, while the others engage in conversation, holding papers in their hands.
  • Graduates from Hope College's Class of 2018 celebrate during their Commencement ceremony, with one graduate hugging a faculty member and others smiling and holding their diplomas.
  • Graduates wearing navy blue caps and gowns stand in lines outside a building, holding documents and conversing as they prepare to enter the Commencement ceremony at Hope College.
  • Graduates in navy blue caps and gowns walk in a procession during the Hope College Commencement ceremony, as faculty members in academic regalia applaud them from the sidelines. The atmosphere is celebratory, with smiling students and supportive faculty.
  • A group of Hope College graduates in blue caps and gowns smile and stand together during the Commencement ceremony for the Class of 2018.
  • Dr. Temple Smith, dressed in academic regalia, delivers the Commencement address at Hope College's graduation ceremony. She stands holding a folder, with a thoughtful expression on her face. Other faculty members in regalia are visible in the background.
  • A close-up of a smiling graduate wearing a navy blue cap and gown at Hope College's Commencement ceremony.
  • Four female graduates wearing navy blue caps and gowns stand together smiling on a sidewalk outside a stone building, with other people and greenery visible in the background.
  • A group of six Hope College graduates from the Class of 2018, dressed in navy blue graduation gowns and caps, pose together for a photo outdoors. Two of the graduates wear stoles with colorful patterns and "Class of 2018" written on them. Another person stands in front of them, taking the photo with a smartphone. Trees and buildings are visible in the background.
  • A profile of a smiling graduate in a navy blue cap and gown during Hope College's Commencement ceremony.
  • A smiling graduate in a navy blue cap and gown stands with hands clasped, engaging in conversation with another graduate and a woman, during Hope College’s Commencement ceremony.
  • A Hope College graduate wearing a navy blue cap and gown poses for a photo with two older adults, likely family members, on a grassy area during the Commencement ceremony. People in suits and jackets are seen in the background.
  • A close-up of a smiling graduate wearing a blue graduation cap with the year "18" on it, surrounded by other graduates.
  • Close-up of Hope College graduates in navy blue caps and gowns, looking attentive and smiling during the Commencement ceremony.
  • Graduates in blue caps and gowns attentively listen during the Hope College Commencement ceremony.
  • Two Hope College faculty members, dressed in academic regalia, smile while standing together at the 2018 Commencement ceremony. Graduates in blue gowns and caps are visible in the background.
  • A large group of Hope College graduates dressed in navy blue caps and gowns walk in procession outdoors on a sunny day, surrounded by green lawns and trees.
  • Graduates in navy blue caps and gowns stand and converse with family and friends on a grassy area during the Hope College Commencement ceremony.
  • Two Hope College graduates in navy blue caps and gowns embrace each other joyfully outside a building during the college's Commencement ceremony. Other graduates and faculty members are seen in the background, with some holding programs.
  • A large group of Hope College graduates in navy blue caps and gowns walking in a procession outdoors, led by two faculty members dressed in academic regalia.
  • A graduate in cap and gown stands smiling between two older individuals, one in a black outfit and the other in a bright pink academic gown, posing for a photo outside a stone building with arched windows. Other graduates and attendees are visible in the background on a grassy area.
  • A person stands at a podium delivering a speech during the Hope College Commencement ceremony. The background features an ornate stained glass window, and the audience, including faculty members and students in academic regalia, is seated in the foreground.
  • Graduates in blue caps and gowns gather and adjust their caps at Hope College’s Commencement ceremony.
  • Close-up of Hope College graduating students wearing navy blue caps and gowns, attentively listening during the Commencement ceremony.
  • A group of students dressed in blue graduation gowns and caps, seen from behind, attending Hope College's Commencement ceremony.
  • A group of faculty in academic regalia marches in a graduation procession. The leading individual is wearing a bright pink gown and a gold medallion, followed by others in black gowns and mortarboards.
  • A student wearing sunglasses and a navy blue cap and gown sings during the Hope College Commencement ceremony. Other graduates in caps and gowns are visible in the background.
  • A graduating student at Hope College's Class of 2018 Commencement ceremony, wearing a blue cap and gown, adjusts his cap while wearing sunglasses.
  • A group of Hope College graduates in navy blue caps and gowns smile as they walk during the Commencement ceremony.
  • A group of graduates in blue caps and gowns walk in a procession, with several faculty members in academic regalia standing to the side applauding them.
  • Two graduates in navy blue caps and gowns share a joyful hug during Hope College's Commencement ceremony. The happy atmosphere is evident as more graduates can be seen smiling and celebrating in the background.
  • Four graduating students wearing navy blue caps and gowns stand together, smiling, with a stone building and people walking in the background.
  • A commencement ceremony at Hope College with a speaker at a podium adorned with the college seal, featuring an anchor and a Latin motto. The audience includes graduates in caps and gowns, faculty in academic regalia, and a choir in the background.
  • Students in blue graduation gowns and caps gather on a green field during Hope College's Commencement ceremony. One student has her hand on her cap, and another looks to the side. In the background, more graduates and a person in a green gown are visible.
  • A student in a blue graduation gown and cap speaks into a microphone at a podium during the Hope College Commencement ceremony.
  • A man in a bright pink academic gown delivers a speech from a podium adorned with the Hope College seal during the college's Commencement ceremony.
  • Dr. Temple Smith stands at a podium, wearing academic regalia, delivering the Commencement address to Hope College’s graduating Class of 2018.
  • A group of Hope College graduates in navy blue caps and gowns sit attentively during the Commencement ceremony, with one graduate in the foreground resting her chin on her hand, deep in thought.
  • A graduating student in blue cap and gown shakes hands with a faculty member dressed in academic regalia during the Hope College Commencement ceremony. The student is smiling and wearing glasses and an orange shirt with a bow tie.
  • A graduating student in a navy blue cap and gown is shaking hands with a faculty member dressed in a pink academic regalia during Hope College’s Commencement ceremony. The student is smiling broadly, and the background is filled with blurred spectators.
  • A group of Hope College graduates wearing blue caps and gowns, with a blonde woman in the center smiling brightly during the Commencement ceremony.
  • A smiling elderly man in academic regalia stands among seated graduates wearing caps and gowns during the Hope College Commencement ceremony. The background shows a large audience seated in an outdoor stadium.
  • A man in academic regalia speaks at a podium during Hope College's Commencement ceremony, with a graduating student in a cap and gown standing beside him. The background shows an American flag and a blurred outdoor setting.
  • A smiling graduate in a blue cap and gown waves while holding a bottle of water and a diploma folder with other graduates in the background.
  • A smiling graduate in a blue cap and gown shakes hands during the Hope College Commencement ceremony, surrounded by fellow graduates in the background.
  • Two faculty members in academic regalia and sunglasses clap and smile at a graduating student in a blue cap and gown during Hope College’s Commencement ceremony on May 6, 2018.
  • A smiling graduate with long, wavy red hair sits among other graduates, all wearing navy blue caps and gowns, during Hope College's Commencement ceremony.
  • A graduate in a blue cap and gown raises their arms in celebration while holding a diploma during the Hope College Commencement ceremony. Other graduates are visible in the background, along with a crowd of spectators.
  • A graduate in a navy blue cap and gown smiles and holds up her diploma as she walks across the stage during Hope College's Commencement ceremony. In the background, other graduates and faculty members are visible, along with a crowd of attendees seated on the grass.
  • A smiling graduate in a blue cap and gown is shaking hands with an older man in academic regalia, including a black cap and a pink robe, during the Commencement ceremony at Hope College.
  • A smiling graduate in a blue cap and gown shakes hands with a faculty member dressed in a magenta robe during Hope College's Commencement ceremony. Other graduates in blue caps and gowns are visible in the background.
  • A graduate in a navy blue cap and gown smiles as she shakes hands with a faculty member in a magenta robe at Hope College's Commencement ceremony.
  • Graduates in blue robes stand in line on a stage, with one graduate shaking hands and receiving a diploma from a faculty member in a pink and black academic gown during Hope College's Commencement ceremony. Other faculty members in academic regalia stand nearby, and a photographer captures the moment.
  • A female graduate in a blue cap and gown smiles and shakes hands with a faculty member during Hope College’s Commencement ceremony. Another graduate is visible in the background.
  • A smiling female graduate in a blue cap and gown receives a congratulatory gesture from an older man in academic regalia during Hope College's Commencement ceremony. The background shows a blurred crowd, indicating the event's outdoor setting.
  • A graduate in a blue cap and gown smiles while holding a diploma during Hope College’s Commencement ceremony. In the background, other graduates in caps and gowns are seated, and a photographer is capturing the moment.
  • A crowd of people at Hope College’s 2018 Commencement ceremony cheer and hold up large cutouts of a graduate's face. The graduates, wearing blue caps and gowns, are seated in the foreground, while the cheering crowd is in the background.
  • A graduate in a navy blue cap and gown smiles while holding her diploma at the Hope College Commencement ceremony. Faculty members, also in academic regalia, are present on the stage, with one shaking hands with another graduate. The event takes place outdoors with colorful flags in the background.
  • A group of Hope College graduates in navy blue caps and gowns stand in a row, holding and reading their diplomas during the Commencement ceremony at Ray and Sue Smith Stadium. The audience is visible in the background under a sunny sky.
  • Two graduates in navy caps and gowns share a joyful embrace during Hope College’s Commencement ceremony, with one holding a water bottle and the other clutching a diploma and keys. The background shows other graduates and attendees.
  • Two Hope College graduates in navy blue caps and gowns stand amidst a crowd of fellow graduates. One holds a diploma folder, and both appear to be looking off into the distance. The background shows more graduates and some greenery.
  • Graduates in blue caps and gowns celebrate at Hope College's Commencement ceremony. One graduate, wearing sunglasses and holding a water bottle, laughs while talking with others.
  • Graduates in blue caps and gowns walk in a procession during Hope College's Commencement ceremony, holding their diplomas. Some are looking at their phones, while others are adjusting their caps or looking around. Trees and seated spectators are visible in the background.
  • A bouquet of pink and yellow flowers, green leaves, and a blue graduation tassel with a "2018" charm resting on a folding chair.
  • Graduates dressed in navy blue caps and gowns sit and interact during Hope College’s Commencement ceremony, with one smiling graduate reaching out to shake hands.
  • A woman holding a baby who is wearing a graduation cap. The baby is dressed in a pink outfit and the woman is wearing a black dress with a floral pattern. They are outdoors, and another person is taking a photo of them with a smartphone.
  • A graduate in a navy blue cap and gown shakes hands with a faculty member in a magenta gown while receiving a diploma during the Hope College Commencement ceremony. An American flag is visible in the background, and other faculty members are seated on the stage.
  • Graduates in blue caps and gowns celebrate during the Hope College Commencement ceremony, with one graduate raising his diploma in the air and smiling. The event took place outdoors at Ray and Sue Smith Stadium.
  • Graduates and faculty in academic regalia walk in a procession during Hope College’s Commencement ceremony. The faculty members leading the procession are wearing black and pink gowns, while the graduates wear navy blue caps and gowns. The event is held outdoors on a sunny day.
  • A group of Hope College graduates in navy blue caps and gowns sit together during the Commencement ceremony. One graduate in the center raises her diploma with a joyful and excited expression, while others are looking at their programs. The background shows a large crowd of attendees.
  • A group of Hope College graduates in blue caps and gowns gather in a circle with a man in sunglasses, while others celebrate in the background on a sunny day.
  • Graduates in navy blue caps and gowns walk in a procession at Hope College's Commencement ceremony, led by faculty members in academic regalia. The faculty and attendees on either side applaud as the graduates pass by on a sunny day at Ray and Sue Smith Stadium.

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Prepared remarks by Rev. Dr. Dennis N. Voskuil, excerpted from the President’s Address, Pre-College Conference, August 23, 2018.