Dr. Stephen I. Hemenway, professor of English at Hope College, has received the college's first "Vanderbush-Weller Development Fund" award.
Dr. Stephen I. Hemenway, professor of English at Hope College, has received the college's first "Vanderbush-Weller Development Fund" award.
The award, to be presented annually, recognizes
and supports the efforts of Hope faculty and staff who make
extraordinary contributions to the lives of students above
and beyond what could be expected in their regular
assignments. Hemenway was recognized during a dinner held
on Thursday, Jan. 27, in conjunction with the January
meeting of the college's Board of Trustees.
"Steve Hemenway's contributions with students both
inside and outside the classroom are legendary," said Dr.
Richard Frost, who is vice president for student development
and dean of students, and chairs the student, faculty and
staff committee that reviews nominees for the award. "He
gives selflessly of his time and hospitality with affection
and respect. He sets a standard which we should all seek to
emulate."
A member of the Hope faculty since 1972, Hemenway
has received a variety of honors in recognition of his
teaching. In 1999, he was one of 64 educators from around
the world to receive an award for "Innovative Excellence in
Teaching, Learning, and Technology" during the "Tenth
International Conference on College Teaching and Learning."
In 1992, he was named Michigan's "Professor of the Year" by
the Council for Advancement and Support of Education. In
1990, he received a "Sears-Roebuck Foundation Teaching
Excellence and Campus Leadership" award. In 1977, he
received the "Hope Outstanding Professor Educator" award
from the graduating class.
He has led the college's Vienna Summer School
since 1976. On behalf of his work with the program, he
received the Knight's Cross First Class, Order of Merit of
the Republic of Austria in 1991.
His activities also include founding, and serving
as faculty advisor for, the college's Environmental Issues
Group.
Hemenway holds his bachelor's degree from College
of the Holy Cross, a master's from Boston College and a
doctorate from the University of Illinois.
The "Vanderbush-Weller Development Fund" was
established in honor of long-time Hope professor and
football coach Alvin Vanderbush of Bloomington, Minn., who
retired in 1972. It was created by Ken and Shirely Weller
of Knoxville, Iowa. Ken Weller is one of Vanderbush's
former players and also a former Hope faculty colleague.
Vanderbush, who is a 1929 Hope graduate, was a
member of the Hope faculty from 1946 until retiring. He
taught in both history and political science, and chaired
the department of political science. He was also football
coach from 1946 to 1954, and director of athletics from 1954
to 1960.
Recognized for his excellence as a professor, he
received the college's first Hope Outstanding Professor
Educator (H.O.P.E.) Award, elected by the graduating senior
class, in 1965. Hope presented him with a Distinguished
Alumni Award in 1974.
Ken Weller is a 1948 Hope graduate who returned to
the college in 1949 as a member of the economics faculty and
football coaching staff. He chaired the department of
economics and business administration, and also served as an
assistant to Hope President Irwin Lubbers and coordinated
Management Institute programs at the college.
He remained at Hope until 1969, when he was named
president of Central College, and retired from Central's
presidency in 1990. Hope presented him with a Distinguished
Alumni Award in 1971, and with an honorary degree in 1983.