Hope College will celebrate “One Big Weekend: Homecoming and Family Weekend” on Friday-Saturday, Oct. 22-23, with highlights including multiple events open to the public in addition to activities for alumni and the families of current students.
The weekend will include arts events, athletic contests, a 5K run, a family-friendly cookout, recognition of 10 young alumni who are receiving awards from the Hope College Alumni Association, a “Hope on 8th Street” event and reunions for six graduating classes.
The recent alumni receiving “10 Under 10” awards will participate in a panel discussion on Friday, Oct. 22, at 3 p.m. in Winants Auditorium of Graves Hall, during which they will share perspective based on their educational and professional journeys. They will also be featured during a reception on Friday, Oct. 22, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at CityVū Events on the fifth floor of CityFlatsHotel. Admission to both events is free.
A “Hope on 8th Street” event center organized by the college’s Office of Alumni and Family Engagement will be open on Friday, Oct. 22, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Courtyard Marriott downtown. Alumni and their families will receive booklets including a variety of exclusive deals for restaurants and shops in downtown Holland.
The Department of Music will present multiple performing groups during a Homecoming gala concert on Friday, Oct. 22, at 7:30 p.m. in the Concert Hall of the Jack H. Miller Center for Musical Arts. Admission is free.
The college’s club ice hockey team will host Trine University on Friday, Oct. 22, at 7:30 p.m. at Griff’s Ice House West. Tickets cost $5, and will be sold at the door.
The activities on Saturday, Oct. 23, will begin with a 0.5K kids’ fun run at 8:30 a.m. and the Donut Run 5K run starting at 9 a.m., both at Ray and Sue Smith Stadium. All proceeds will benefit the student-organized Hope College Dance Marathon, which raises funds for Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital. Registration through Thursday, Oct. 21, is $35 for the general public, alumni, and faculty and staff, and $25 for Hope students and “miracle families” who receive care through the hospital; the two registration rates increase to $40 and $30 respectively on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 22-23.
A “One Big Weekend Afternoon Bash” will be held on Saturday, Oct. 23, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the green space between the Jim and Martie Bultman Student Center and the DeWitt Student and Cultural Center, with alumni, students and families invited to drop by throughout. The party will include free Hope “swag” and fall snacks, activities for children of all ages like decorating pumpkins, and the opportunity to purchase items such as Hope spirit blankets. For those who also wish to dine during the event, boxed lunches will be available through advance registration for $12 or $13 depending on the selection.
Women’s Soccer will host Kalamazoo College on Saturday, Oct. 23, at noon at Van Andel Soccer Stadium. Tickets are $7 for adult general admission, and $3 for general admission for those under 18.
The Flying Dutchmen will host Adrian College in football at Ray and Sue Smith Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 23, at 2 p.m. Tickets are $7 for adult general admission and $3 for general admission for those under 18.
Men’s Soccer will host Calvin University on Saturday, Oct. 23, at 7 p.m. at Van Andel Soccer Stadium. Tickets are $7 for adult general admission, and $3 for general admission for those under 18.
Faculty member and flutist Dr. Gabe Southard will present a flute recital on Saturday, Oct. 23, at 7:30 p.m. in the Concert Hall of the Jack H. Miller Center for Musical Arts. Admission is free.
The De Pree Art Center and Gallery is featuring the exhibition “Maria Calandra: Pencil in the Studio” through Friday, Nov. 5. The gallery is open Mondays through Fridays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with attendance by appointment, and guests may register on the gallery’s website at hope.edu/depree Admission is free.
The Kruizenga Art Museum is featuring two exhibitions: “Native American Art: Recent Acquisitions from the Kruizenga Museum Collection,” and “Color, Texture, Form: Modern European and American Art from the Brummel Collection.” Both exhibitions are running through Saturday, Dec. 11. The museum is open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free.
The reunion celebrations will be for the classes of 2000, 2001, 2010, 2011, 2020 and 2021.
Advance registration for all events that require it and a full schedule are available at hope.edu/onebigweekend
Due to the ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic, Hope is currently requiring that masks be worn by all individuals while indoors on campus unless in their living space or alone in their work space. Masks are not required for outdoor events.