Students gathered November 23, 2015, for the third annual lighting of the tree, as well as carols, hot cocoa, boiled peanuts and a commemorative ornament.

  • An illuminated brick house is adorned with holiday decorations, including lit wreaths in the windows and white lights on the bushes and trees. The scene is set at night with a light dusting of snow on the ground.
  • A group of students gathered outdoors at night, standing near a heater, holding candles and cups of hot cocoa. The background features illuminated trees with string lights.
  • A group of students at Hope College gather outdoors at night, smiling and holding cups of hot cocoa during the third annual tree lighting event on November 23, 2015. A brick wall with a wreath and a fire can be seen in the background.
  • Students gathered outdoors at night, holding cups of hot cocoa and smiling, with trees decorated with lights in the background.
  • Students gathered outdoors at night for the third annual lighting of the tree, chatting and holding candles, with trees decorated with lights in the background. They are dressed warmly and appear to be enjoying the festive event.
  • Students gathered on November 23, 2015, for the third annual lighting of the tree. The image shows a festive scene with a decorated vehicle, two people sitting in the front seats, and a group of students in the background enjoying carols, hot cocoa, boiled peanuts, and a commemorative ornament. The area is adorned with Christmas lights and decorations, including illuminated reindeer figures.
  • A large group of students gathered around a brightly lit Christmas tree in front of a brick building at night. The tree is adorned with numerous ornaments and a glowing star on top. Some students are holding cups, likely filled with hot cocoa, and others have commemorative ornaments. Snow lightly covers the ground, and the atmosphere is festive.
  • A large group of students gathered around a brightly lit Christmas tree at night, participating in the third annual tree lighting event at Hope College on November 23, 2015. They are enjoying carols, hot cocoa, boiled peanuts, and holding commemorative ornaments.
  • A close-up of a decorated Christmas tree with white lights and a silver ornament inscribed with "Centennial Cottage" and the year "2014-2015."
  • Four students and a person in a Santa-themed mascot costume stand in front of a brightly lit Christmas tree at night. The students are smiling and holding cups, dressed warmly in coats and scarves.
  • A close-up of a decorated Christmas tree branch with a green ornament featuring handwritten names. There are blurred lights and a red ornament in the background.
  • Two students are standing next to a person in a mascot costume in front of a large, brightly lit Christmas tree. The students are smiling and dressed warmly for the winter weather.
  • Students gathered outside near a decorated and lit Christmas tree, posing with a person in a festive mascot costume, with others standing nearby holding hot drinks.
  • A close-up of a decorated Christmas tree with a red ornament that has "Matt & Brakara 2017" written on it. The tree is illuminated with small white lights.
  • Students gather in front of a brightly lit Christmas tree at night, holding candles and smiling, during the third annual tree lighting event on November 23, 2015, at Hope College.
  • Students gathered outdoors at night, holding candles and cups, smiling and enjoying the third annual tree lighting event at Hope College on November 23, 2015.
  • Students at Hope College gather outdoors at night, smiling and holding lit candles during the third annual tree lighting event. They are dressed warmly in coats and scarves, with a brick building in the background.
  • Two students, bundled in winter clothing, smile and hold lit candles during an outdoor gathering at Hope College for the third annual tree lighting on November 23, 2015.
  • A group of students at Hope College holding candles and smiling in front of a lit Christmas tree during the third annual tree lighting event on November 23, 2015.
  • Two students sit by an outdoor fireplace during a nighttime gathering at Hope College, with one facing the camera and the other with their back turned. A tree adorned with lights is visible in the background.
  • Students gathered at night on November 23, 2015, for the third annual lighting of the tree. They are enjoying carols, hot cocoa, boiled peanuts, and holding a commemorative ornament. The scene is illuminated by Christmas lights and a tall outdoor heater.
  • A warm fire burns brightly in a fireplace, providing a cozy atmosphere.
  • Students playing saxophones outdoors during the third annual tree lighting event at Hope College on November 23, 2015. The event includes carols, hot cocoa, boiled peanuts, and a commemorative ornament.
  • Students gathered outdoors in the evening, some holding hot beverages, with trees decorated with string lights in the background.
  • Two students playing saxophones outdoors at night in front of a lit Christmas tree, wearing winter clothing.
  • Three students play saxophones in front of a lit Christmas tree during the third annual tree lighting event at Hope College on November 23, 2015.
  • Students and a faculty member at Hope College stand outdoors at night during a tree lighting event. They are dressed warmly in winter coats, and one student holds a candle. Holiday lights and decorations are visible in the background.
  • Students taking a selfie in front of holiday lights and decorations during the third annual lighting of the tree event at Hope College on November 23, 2015.
  • Three people are gathered at night with twinkling tree lights in the background, holding cups of hot cocoa and smiling during the third annual tree lighting event on November 23, 2015, at Hope College.
  • A group of people gathered around a fire pit outdoors at night, with festive holiday lights illuminating the trees behind them. Some are holding hot drinks, and one person is wearing a Santa hat. They are dressed warmly in coats and appear to be enjoying the event.
  • Students wearing Santa hats and winter jackets enjoy hot cocoa and treats under festive lights at an outdoor booth during the third annual tree lighting event on November 23, 2015.
  • Students gathered at night under string lights for the third annual tree lighting on November 23, 2015, enjoying carols, hot cocoa, boiled peanuts, and a commemorative ornament. A student in the foreground is giving a thumbs-up and smiling excitedly next to a box of cupcakes, while others in the background wear Santa hats and hold cups of hot cocoa.
  • A close-up of an assortment of cupcakes with white frosting, decorated with various colored sprinkles, arranged in a box.

Related News

President's Christmas Tree Lighting 2015

Students, faculty, staff and community members gathered for the third annual lighting of the tree, as well as carols, hot cocoa, boiled peanuts and a commemorative ornament.

Celebrating Celebrations Past

The college’s anniversary celebrations themselves have a history, with activities through the years including three-hour historical pageants, parades, concerts, lectures and the first-ever Community Day picnic.

Campus Life

Origin of Hope

The Hope College origin story is not quite so simple as the college’s formal chartering by the State of Michigan on May 14, 1866. The events leading to the charter — and they track back another 15 years — have everything to do with why Hope is Hope.