The anchor has been a symbol of Hope since the college's founding.
The anchor has been a symbol of Hope since the college's founding.
A physical anchor has been located in front of Graves Hall since the early 1960s. This week the anchor received a major restoration with the installation of new arms made of white oak.
The project was conducted under the supervision of Hope's master carpenter Henry Bosch who interestingly directed a similar restoration in 1984-85. The anchor will be receiving a fresh coat of paint. The project will be completed in time for the start of the new school year.
WHY AN ANCHOR?
Hope's name and seal both originate from an observation the Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte
made regarding the Pioneer School which ultimately became Hope College: "This is my
anchor of hope for this people in the future." The symbolism follows the Epistle to
the Hebrews 6:19, "We have this hope, a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul... "
READ AN ARTICLE FROM THE STUDENT NEWSPAPER, "THE ANCHOR", ABOUT THE ANCHOR OUTSIDE GRAVES HALL