With much appreciation, Hope College celebrates the following esteemed faculty members retiring at the close of the Spring 2026 semester. They are an exceptional group of educators, scholars and mentors representing a collective 350 years of dedicated service to the college community — across many disciplines, from the sciences and social sciences to the humanities and arts. Their commitment has shaped the lives of countless students, contributed significantly to their respective fields and helped define the academic excellence of Hope College for decades. Each will be recognized during the May 10, 2026, commencement ceremony at the Ray and Sue Smith Stadium.
Professor of Geology and Environmental Science, Department Chair * 30 years
Dr. Bodenbender is noted as a dedicated educator, scholar and mentor in geology and environmental science. Trained as a paleontologist, his foundational research focused on the evolutionary information gleaned from crystal orientations in echinoderm skeletons, though his interests expanded to include dinosaur paleontology. A Global Water Research Institute (GWRI) Fellow, Dr. Bodenbender's more recent research explored landscape changes in Lake Michigan dunes using innovative methods like gigapixel photography and drone imaging, alongside environmental studies on plastic litter and microplastics in the Lake Michigan basin. He secured funding from prestigious sources, including the National Science Foundation, the Michigan Space Grant Consortium, the Great Lakes Colleges Association and the Petroleum Research Fund. Dr. Bodenbender is known for engaging students in hands-on field courses in geology, biology and sustainability during unforgettable expeditions to Eleuthera and San Salvador Islands in the Bahamas.
Irwin B. and Margie E. Floyd Associate Professor of Education, Department Chair * 13 years
Dr. Brondyk’s expertise and knowledge greatly impacted curriculum, classroom management, and, most notably, how new teachers are mentored — a passion honed through her previous role as associate director of launch into teaching at Michigan State University. Dr. Brondyk was instrumental in a significant redesign of Hope's student teaching program and regularly co-led professional development for mentor teachers. A testament to her dedication in developing students, she engaged students in research on effective teaching and co-led the "Hope Comes to Watts" May Term that offered invaluable urban teaching experience, and advised Hope's student chapter of Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development — the first such chapter to be recognized nationally. Service to Hope was also a large part of her work. She was the education department chairperson for 4.5 years, and provided leadership for three of the major administrative groups: as Administrative Affairs Board secretary, Professional Interests Committee chair and Academic Affairs Board co-chair.
Dr. Annie Dandavati
Professor of Political Science * 34 years
Beyond her decades as a professor, Dr. Dandavati served in many leadership roles across her three-plus decades at Hope. She was the political science department chair from 2012-2016 and during that same time was the elected faculty representative on Hope’s Board of Trustees. In 2016, she went on to serve as director of The Philadelphia Center, Hope College’s East Coast off-campus study program, and a couple of years later, served in a similar director role of the Washington Honors Semester. Speaking five languages came in handy when Dr. Dandavati led and co-led study-abroad programs to nations including Mexico, Chile and Rwanda, and when she held multiple international visiting professorships, in Egypt in 2012 and as the college’s exchange professor to Meiji Gakuin University in Japan in the fall of 2009. Her areas of interest in both research and teaching included comparative politics, Latin American politics, gender and development, and human rights.
Professor of Physics * 41 years
Dr. DeYoung is recognized for his extraordinary commitment to integrating undergraduate research with world-class nuclear physics. Throughout his tenure, NSF grants supported the work in Hope’s Nuclear Group, one of the longest running and continuously funded research programs at Hope. He involved countless students in two major internationally recognized collaborations at the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams: the Modular Neutron Array Collaboration and the Summing NaI group. In the classroom and teaching labs, he implemented current high-speed computerized data acquisition systems, developed realistic simulations for asynchronous physics labs, pioneered the popular distance-learning summer introductory physics course, and for two decades captured all his classroom lectures for student review. His dedication extended to the on-campus Hope Ion Beam Analysis Laboratory, allowing students to engage in interdisciplinary studies ranging from PFAS analysis to materials science. A Fellow of the American Physical Society and recipient of the APS Prize for Research in an Undergraduate Institution, Dr. DeYoung’s legacy is defined by his profound impact as a mentor, bringing cutting-edge research opportunities directly to the liberal arts college setting, one of the many reasons he’s held the endowed chair position since 2005.
Professor of Computer Science * 39 Years
Dr. Jipping's time at Hope reflects his commitment to undergraduate education in a rapidly evolving field. He played a significant role in developing and growing Hope's Department of Computer Science and creating the Hope Software Institute. His areas of expertise include assistive technology, software development for smart phones and watches, and networking protocols, all of which informed his teaching. Beyond the classroom, he mentored many students in research, work that frequently led to presentations at national conferences. He also served as department chairperson and participated in college-wide committees, contributing his perspective to institutional decisions. His time at Hope College is characterized by the students he worked with and the foundation he helped build for the computer science program.
Professor of Biology * 31 years
Dr. McDonough-Stukey was able to do two things she loved — teach and do research — at a place that valued both. At Hope, she leaves a legacy of research and mentorship centered on molecular biology, genetics and cell biology. She became a distinguished scholar in lipid metabolism, primarily using Saccharomyces cerevisiae (baker's yeast) as a model to investigate how cells sense and regulate dietary lipids. Her work — consistently supported by prestigious grants such as the National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health and private foundations — led to significant publications in leading scientific journals. A dedicated educator, Dr. McDonough-Stukey is known for her challenging courses and her commitment to involving countless students in hands-on research, giving them invaluable experience in molecular biology and setting them up for success in their scientific careers. Her contributions as faculty member and as department chair for five years was instrumental in defining the excellence of Hope's Department of Biology.
Associate Professor of Dance Instruction * 14 years
An expert in classical ballet technique, Powell brought a contemporary approach to Hope’s dance studio, integrating traditional methods with current dance science and injury-prevention studies to foster both technical strength and artistic freedom in her students. Beyond teaching courses such as Introduction to Dance Movement, Ballet II, III and Pointe, she was a committed mentor to her students. She also advised the celebrated Ballet Club. Professor Powell’s influence extended beyond campus through her leadership roles, including serving as dance director for Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp and artistic director for its summer dance ensemble for nearly a decade. She previously contributed to the Grand Rapids Ballet Company, where she taught and directed its satellite school. Her commitment to arts education and innovative initiatives are further evidenced by her past work as an artist-in-residency and her continued guest teaching and choreography throughout Michigan.
Professor of Chemistry * 32 years
Dr. Sanford focused her teaching in the organic chemistry program and took pride in all student achievement. She introduced polymer chemistry and enzymatic synthesis to the organic lab program and emphasized the importance of writing in science. Her Senior and First Year Seminar courses taught students the power of storytelling. Over the course of her career, Dr. Sanford mentored 101 undergraduates in her research, exploring the formation of highly strained organic compounds, the synthesis and electropolymerization of novel thiophene compounds, and the chemical defenses of pioneer plants. She complemented her research by troubleshooting production issues with several local industries, forming lasting community ties in the process. Her leadership in the National Science Foundation Research Experiences for Undergraduates programs helped two-year college students successfully transition to four-year programs. As chair of the Department of Chemistry, Dr. Sanford improved communication, structural effectiveness and alumni engagement.
Robert W. Haack Endowed Chair of Economics * 10 years
Joining Hope in 2016, Dr. Smith has been an invaluable educator in courses such as Economic Growth and Development, International Economics, Econometrics and introductory courses in Microeconomics. His research and writing focused on trade, global economic development, and the ethical intersection of economics and Christian theology. Dr. Smith is celebrated for his commitment to high-level undergraduate research, involving students in empirical analysis and professional presentations to prepare them for advanced careers. He served for four years as the section head for economics and also directed the Global Studies major. Drawing inspiration from his upbringing in Hong Kong, he co-led May Term courses exploring the economies of China, Japan, Vietnam and Hong Kong. Dr. Smith was president from 2021 to 2024 of the Association of Christian Economists, and earlier served for 19 years as co-editor of its journal, Faith & Economics. His scholarship was recognized with grants from the Acton Institute and the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities, and numerous publications in leading journals, defining a legacy of rigorous analysis and thoughtful ethical reflection.
Elmer E. Hartgerink Professor of Chemistry * 38 years
Dr. Stewart leaves her mark as a national leader in inorganic chemistry education and faculty development. Her deep commitment to student learning was evident in the challenging courses she taught, from inorganic chemistry to innovative general education courses on climate change and the concept of time. Dr. Stewart's highly successful research group focused on the scholarship of teaching and learning in chemistry, mentoring over 70 student researchers and securing more than $4 million in grants from agencies including the National Science Foundation. Since 2007, she led the NSF-supported Interactive Online Network of Inorganic Chemists (IONiC), and she worked to connect over 20 such chemistry communities in order to increase their national impact as teaching and research change agents. Beyond the lab and classroom, her institutional service included chairing the Hope chemistry department, directing Hope’s Howard Hughes Medical Institute program, and serving as a faculty representative on Hope’s Board of Trustees, consistently shaping the future of science and the college community. Dr. Stewart has been instrumental in establishing Hope’s next-generation faculty development hub — the Center for Teaching and Learning — and served as its first director.
Assistant Professor of Biology Instruction * 17 years
Dr. Stukey served Hope College since 2003, and full-time since 2009, impacting the Department of Biology with his teaching and research mentorship. Broadly trained in molecular biology, genetics, microbiology, biochemistry and bioinformatics, Dr. Stukey’s expertise lies in bacteriophage biology and genomics, and yeast lipid metabolism. His research focused specifically on viruses that infect bacteria (phages). This work, which addressed fundamental questions about phage biology and genetic diversity, involved many students in hands-on scientific inquiry, resulting in co-authorship on publications and participation at scientific meetings across the U.S. Beyond his specialized research, his dedicated instruction was evident across core disciplines, preparing students for advanced scientific careers. Dr. Stukey's work has been instrumental in strengthening both the curriculum and the undergraduate research experience within the biology department.
Professor of Psychology * 27 years
Beyond his dedication to teaching developmental psychology, psychology and religion, and cognitive psychology, Dr. VanderStoep has served the college in numerous key administrative and leadership roles, including: director of the Frost Center, director of assessment, the college’s accreditation liaison officer, chairperson of the department of psychology, and dean for social sciences. He’s also taught First Year Seminar and Senior Seminar. A respected scholar, he is also the author of two editions of Learning to Learn: The Skill and Will of College Success and Research Methods for Everyday Life, and editor of Science and the Soul: Christian Faith and Psychological Research. His commitment to scholarship and teaching has been recognized with honors such as the Hope College Reed Faculty Achievement Award and significant grants from the Great Lakes Colleges Association.