Hope College will honor three Holland residents in recognition of their community service by presenting them Board of Trustees Distinguished Service Awards Saturday (Sept. 13) as part of the 32nd annual Hope-Holland Community Day celebration.
The awards will be presented to Louis Hallacy, president of
the Holland Area Chamber of Commerce; Albert McGeehan, mayor of the city of Holland;
and Henry VanderLinde, longtime music
educator at Holland Christian schools.
Hope College president John Jacobson will present the awards
at halftime of Saturday's Community Day football game at Holland
Municipal Stadium.
This year's Community Day is a major event of Holland's
Sesquicentennial celebration. A heritage parade consisting of
community and college groups will step off from Centennial Park
at 3 p.m. and march through the central business district. The
tradition Community Day pick will be held from 4-6 p.m. at
Windmill Island, followed by the 6 p.m. football game and post-
game fireworks show.
"We are very excited to be able to honor three persons who
have contributed so much to the quality of life we enjoy as a
community and college," said President Jacobson. "It is
especially fitting that we present these awards during this
special Sesquicentennial celebration."
Hallacy has served the community with distinction in many
ways over the years. He was a member of the Holland city council
from 1968-79, including three terms as mayor. He was
particularly instrumental in making Holland Municipal Stadium a
reality. He has been president of the chamber of commerce since
1981 and is also president of the Holland Economic Development
Corporation.
McGeehan has served on the Holland city council since 1977
and is completing his second term as mayor. Under his
leadership, Holland has received national and international
attention, most notably the recent All-American City designation
given Holland in 1996. A 1996 graduate of Hope College, he
taught in the Holland public school for thirty years and was
named the community education teacher of the year in 1976 and
1987.
VanderLinde taught and served as director of bands at
Holland Christian Schools from 1951-86. Under his leadership,
the Holland Christian band program brought significant
recognition to the Holland community. He has been director of
Holland's American Legion Band since 1964. This distinctive band
is prominent in the community, providing concerts in many
settings, including every Hope-Holland Community Day celebration
since 1965. VanderLinde also serves the community as a member of board of education
of the Holland public schools.