Mark DeWitt has joined the Hope College staff as director of corporate and foundation relations.

He began his work at the college in March, and focuses on the college's efforts with corporations and foundations that support higher education.

DeWitt was previously an account representative with Thomson Learning. Since 2002, he has also been an adjunct member of the business faculty at Grand Rapids Community College, teaching marketing, business ethics, selling and retailing courses.

He had also been a field sales representative for Commerce Clearing House Incorporated in Riverwoods, Ill.; an account representative with Database of Chicago Inc. in Bensenville, Ill.; and a marketing manager with Great Lakes Entertainment in Holland. He was also an assistant teacher with the Ottawa Area Intermediate School District for two years, working with severely emotionally impaired high school students.

DeWitt graduated from Hope in 1987 with a sociology major, and completed a Master of Management degree at Aquinas College in 2000.

He and his wife, Dr. Dawn DeWitt, who is a 1992 Hope graduate, are members of Third Reformed Church in Grand Rapids, where he serves as a part-time organist and pianist and is past chairperson of deacons. They have three young children at home.