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.

Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) named Dr. Benjamin Krause, associate professor of music at Hope College, as its Thomas Ediger Distinguished Composer of the Year for his composition, Spaces Real or Imagined. Krause was recognized at the 2026 MTNA National Conference in Chicago, held March 21–25, where he performed his piece in concert on piano along with clarinetist Gary June, a West Michigan composer and educator. This was Krause’s second time being honored, receiving the first award in 2019. Krause teaches composition and theory at Hope College.

Original research by Hope students on nearly 200 different topics will be highlighted during the college’s 25th annual A. Paul and Carol C. Schaap Celebration of Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity on Friday, April 17, starting at 2:30 p.m. at the Richard and Helen DeVos Fieldhouse on the Hope College campus in Holland. The public is invited and admission is free.

The Hope College community is deeply mourning the loss of Professor Fred Johnson III, a beloved history department faculty member, who passed away peacefully Feb. 27 after suffering a cardiac arrest last week.