Matt Rutter ’12 was transformed by Hope College during his 4 years here. Graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Management and Philosophy, Matt has used his education from Hope College to transform the lives of others all around the world. From Zeeland, Michigan to Chisinau, Moldova, Rutter has been running startups and helping others to build their entrepreneurial skills.
“I am a completely different man as a result of my four years at Hope. I was taught how to pray, how to study Scripture, how to think, how to ask questions, how to write, how to present, how to work hard, how to repent, how to serve, how to laugh, how to endure, how to care, and how to love well.”
After his graduation in 2012, Rutter moved to Moldova to serve in the PeaceCorps. During this time he helped women who were at-risk for human trafficking to build start-ups to support themselves financially. He assisted in teaching them the skills necessary for running a business in order to get out of bad situations. Matt helped start-up companies and young people alike grow in leadership and development skills.
After Matt’s two years in the PeaceCorps, he felt called to stay in Moldova long term. He continued the work he had started in helping people to start their business. Now, nearly seven years later, Matt is a leader in the region. He married his wife Catia (a local Moldovan) , and currently serves as the General Manager and Creative Director at Enspire Creative Agency. Rutter still does independent business coaching on the side.
Rutter has said that Hope College taught with how to be a man of God. While at Hope, he was able to grow in his faith and build a personal relationship with God. Rutter is still best friends with his freshman year roommate and their original Bible study group. They are all still walking together in their faith and hold each other accountable through prayer and regular email check-ins. Being surrounded by godly men had a major impact on his faith. It is because of Hope College that Rutter still feels called to serve in Moldova. Prior to his time at Hope, he had never considered volunteering or working abroad. Seven years after graduating, he is feeling, more than ever, called to serve and love the people God has placed in his life.
“Prior to Hope, I had no frame of reference for what it meant to be a godly man, truly grounded in Scripture and faithful to God’s calling. Being surrounded by godly men, both in my dorm, from professors, and the greater Holland community, I was shown a picture of who God has created me to become.”
Hope College is proud to give Matt Rutter ’12 the 2019 10 Under 10 Award. The “10 Under 10 Awards” honors emerging leaders who are making significant contributions by living out their callings; engaged in the local and global community through professional and/or volunteer involvement; and use their education to think about important issues with wisdom and clarity, communicate effectively to bridge boundaries that divide human communities and act as agents of hope living faithfully into their vocations. Designed for alumni who are within 10 years of graduation, they are presented by the Hope College Alumni Association. Make a nomination today!