HOLLAND -- Awards as the outstanding senior athletes among Hope College graduates in the class of 2007 were presented to four students during the college's Honors Convocation on Thursday (April 26).

HOLLAND -- Awards as the outstanding senior athletes among Hope College graduates in the class of 2007 were presented to four students during the college's Honors Convocation on Thursday (April 26).

Both awards have co-recipients.  Lisa Smith of Dearborn (Dearborn HS) and Jennifer VanderMeer of Holland (Holland HS) have been presented the John Schouten award while Ryan Ter Louw of Pella, Iowa (Pella HS) and Michael VanderVelde of Grandville (Grandville HS) received the Otto van der Velde All-Campus Award.  All of the honorees were captains of their respective teams this year.

The van der Velde award is presented to a senior man for outstanding contribution to the college in athletics, scholarship and participation in student activities. The award, presented annually since 1932, is named in memory of Dr. Otto van der Velde, a 1915 HopeCollege graduate who lettered in four sports and was later the college's team physician for more than 40 years.

The Schouten award is given to a senior woman who, in addition to excelling in athletics, possesses other strong character traits and leadership abilities. The award is named in memory of John "Jack" Schouten who was a long-time physical educator and coach at Hope, in addition to serving as the college's first director of athletics.

A psychology major, Smith was a four-year letterwinner in swimming.  She achieved NCAA All-America honors several times during her career.  She is the daughter of David and Janice Smith of Dearborn.  VanderMeer lettered four years in track.  Later this spring she will be bidding for NCAA All-America honors in the pole vault for a fourth consecutive year.  She is the daughter of Jim and Cathy VanderMeer of Holland.

A chemistry major, TerLouw lettered in cross country and track all four years.  He earned all-conference honors in both sports and is a three-time NCAA All-American in the 1,500-meter run.  He is the son of Steve and Kathy Terlouw of Pella, Iowa.  A social studies major, VanderVelde lettered four years in baseball.  He is the son of Mike and Kerry VanderVelde of Grandville.