Customized Coffee Blend Supports Hope Forward

Hope Forward is a creative new approach to funding a college education, so what could be more appropriate than finding a creative way of helping make the initiative a reality?

Dan ’09 and Kara Dornbusch ’12 Guy, owners of the Espresso Bay coffee shop in downtown Traverse City, Michigan, have done just that by creating the “Hope Forward Blend.”

“We were in Holland and had the chance to meet with President Scogin in his office,” Dan Guy recalled. “We wanted a way to get involved and help support it. The best way we could do that was to do another type of coffee. All the proceeds from the sales go to the Hope Forward fund.”

“It’s actually my favorite blend of beans, a medium roast,” he said.

An example of the familiar maxim to think globally and act locally, Hope Forward is addressing the national higher education crisis — the problem of ever-increasing tuition that creates barriers to access and forces graduates to chase income to pay off student-loan debt rather than pursue impact — by seeking to fully fund Hope students’ tuition up-front. It’s a generosity-based model that will ask graduates to voluntarily provide financial support to the college to provide for future students the same gift of a transformative education that they received because of others. To get there, Hope is engaged in a major effort to increase the endowment to meet the initial cost, with subsequent support meeting future need.

“Hope’s a really special place for both of us,” Dan said. “We really had a positive experience there. It’s just some little way that we can stay connected and help support the future generations hoping to go and get a good Christian education.”

It was easy for the Guys to choose to become part of the effort. At the most fundamental level, they owe their relationship to Hope: They met in the summer of 2008 during one of the regional picnics organized by the college for incoming students as Kara was about to begin her freshman year. More, though, they appreciate the education that they received and want to provide the same for future generations.

Espresso Bay is a family business. Kara’s parents started it in 2003 and ran it for a number of years before passing the reins to Kara and Dan in 2013. Dan, who was in marketing with another company following graduation, now manages the shop full-time, with Kara additionally continuing in her career as a nurse-practitioner.

“You get to meet a lot of fun people,” Dan said. “We get visitors from all over the world, especially in the summer. It’s fun.”

Kara Dornbusch ’12 Guy (left) and Dan Guy ’09 (right) with President Matthew A. Scogin ’02 at Espresso Bay in Traverse City, Michigan, with the Hope Forward blend.

Becoming among those visitors is one way to experience the “Hope Forward Blend” (Espresso Bay is located at 202 E. Front Street in Traverse City, at the intersection with Cass Street near Clinch Park Beach and the West Arm of Grand Traverse Bay), but it’s not the only way. The shop also includes the blend among the variety of coffees that customers may order through its website at espressobay.com and have shipped to them.

In addition to transforming the future for Hope students through Hope Forward, the college is taking the lead in fostering a larger conversation in higher education about helping students and society by transforming the tuition-driven business model. In the same way, Dan and Kara Guy hope that other alumni and friends of the college might find their own unique ways to support Hope Forward.

“We’re hoping that other alumni might see this article and say, ‘Hey — I can do something little to make a difference’ with the products that they make,” Dan said. “If we all do a little bit to add to the fund, we’ll get to the goal eventually.”

Thank You, Donors!

President Matt Scogin, Douglas Ruch, Shonn Colbrunn and Sarah Kolean from Hope College gathered to celebrate the generous lead gift from Don and Jodi Heeringa, making the Future of Work project possible. This new space will have a transformational impact for all Hope College students and alumni as we renovate the DeWitt Center for the Boerigter Center for Calling and Career, Alumni and Family Engagement, and Center for Leadership teams.

Thank you to Bill and Sue Bundy for supporting Hope College and launching the idea with the Heeringas. Thank you to recent alumni Megan McCarthy, Nathan Willit and Mary Kamara-Hagemeyer for their wonderful testimonials on the impact this gift will have on future students.

Learn more about The Future of Work | Transforming the Old Kletz

The Future of Work | Transforming the Old Kletz

Join Us To Transform The Old Kletz

Remember the Kletz in the lower level of DeWitt? It’s moved to the Bultman Student Center. Now, we have a vision to transform that space and create a place for students to connect with alumni, employers, coaches and mentors as they prepare for The Future of Work. This space will be staffed in collaboration with the Boerigter Center for Calling and Career, the Office of Alumni and Family Engagement, and the Center for Leadership.

We’ve already raised over 80% of the funds needed to make this happen. We need your help crossing the finish line in order to begin construction later this summer!

Specifically, this project will:

  • Create a welcoming home, adjacent to the bookstore, for alumni and families to return for lifelong learning opportunities.
  • Provide a collaborative environment for student projects that tackle real-world challenges with alumni, families and employers.
  • Host interviews with recruiters from top organizations as well as networking events, panels and presentations showcasing alumni career paths.
  • Build spaces that integrate technology and prepare students for The Future of Work…a future of transformation, innovation and creativity!

Recognition Opportunities:

This 9,000 square foot renovation will have a variety of spaces regularly used by Hope students, alumni, and other members of the Hope community. If you or your company are interested in naming opportunities for any of these spaces, please contact Shonn Colbrunn at colbrunn@hope.edu or 616.395.7950.

Allison Utting ’18 Burkhardt Named Michigan’s Recipient of Prestigious James Madison Memorial Fellowship for Secondary Teachers

Allison Utting ’18 Burkhardt, who teaches United States history at West Middle School in the Byron Center Public Schools, has been named the state of Michigan’s recipient of a 2022 James Madison Graduate Fellowship by the James Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation.

Allison Utting ’18 Burkhardt

Recognized as one of America’s most prestigious awards in constitutional history and government for secondary teachers, James Madison Fellowships support the graduate study of American history by aspiring and experienced secondary school teachers of American history, American government and civics. The foundation offers only one fellowship per state per year.

“I became aware of the James Madison Fellowship during my freshman year at Hope,” Burkhardt said. “Being selected as a 2022 fellow is an incredible honor, and I am excited for the opportunity to deepen my own understanding of our nation’s founding and continue to share my passion and knowledge of the U.S. Constitution with my students in the classroom.”

Named in honor of the fourth president of the United States, the fellowships are intended to recognize promising and distinguished teachers, to strengthen their knowledge of the origins and development of American constitutional government, and thus to expose secondary school students to accurate knowledge of the nation’s constitutional heritage.

The fellowships fund up to $24,000 towards a master’s degree to individuals desiring to become outstanding educators of the American Constitution. As part of the program, each fellow also attends a four-week summer institute on the Constitution held in Washington, D.C. Taught by constitutional scholars and running June 11-July 8 this year, the course focuses on the principles, framing, ratification and implementation of constitutional government in the United States.

Burkhardt is pursuing a Master of Arts degree with a specialization in teaching American history and government through Ashland University. She anticipates graduating this coming December.

Burkhardt majored in secondary education with a focus in history at Hope. While at the college, she interned at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum and later co-authored the book Making Music: Hope College’s Department of Music, A History with Dr. Marc Baer, who is retired from Hope as professor emeritus of history, interim dean for arts and humanities, and interim chair of the Department of Music.

Additional information about the James Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation may be found at www.jamesmadison.gov.

Alumni Weekend 2022

Thanks for joining us for Alumni Weekend 2022. It was so great to see you! We had the chance to celebrate reunions and connections for the Fifty Year Circle and the Classes of 1970, 1971, 1972, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1990, 1991 and 1992. Here’s a link for more photos.

  • Distinguished Alumni Award Recipient Tim Brown ’73 with his family.
  • Friends reconnecting
  • Social hour at the Haworth Hotel
  • Celebrating the Fifty Year Circle in Dimnent

The Hope College Alumni Association and President Scogin ’02 presented the Distinguished Alumni Awards to Dr. Elton Bruins ’50, Craig Morford ’81, Dr. Deborah Heydenburg ’87 Fuller, Lara Plewka ’98 MacGregor, Jalaa’ Abdelwahab ’97 and Tim Brown ’73.

The Distinguished Alumni Awards for 2020 and 2021 were presented to Dr. Elton Bruins ’50, Craig Morford ’81, Dr. Deborah Heydenburg ’87 Fuller and Lara Plewka ’98 MacGregor. Jalaa’ Abdelwahab ’97 accepted his award virtually from Geneva, Switzerland.
Dr. James Bultman ’63, Distinguished Alumni Award Recipient Rev. Dr. Tim Brown ’73, President Matthew A. Scogin ’02 and Rev. Dr. Trygve Johnson at the 2022 Annual Alumni Banquet.

Learn more about the Distinguished Alumni Awards and make a nomination at hope.edu/alumni/awards.

Check hope.edu/alumni/events for upcoming events including the Bob DeYoung Hope Classic Golf Outing on June 13, 2022 and One Big Weekend | Homecoming and Family Weekend October 21-22, 2022. We’re already making plans for Alumni Weekend 2023, which will take place April 28-29, 2023. Looking for more ways to get involved and make an impact? Go to hope.edu/impact and we’ll reach out. 

And thank you for your continued support of your alma mater.

Join us for Day of Giving 2022

Join us for Day of Giving 2022, beginning at midnight on Thursday, February 24 and running through noon on Friday, February 25. It’s 36 hours to #Give2Hope.

By giving to what you love on Day of Giving at Hope College, you can support the areas that impacted you the most: the departments, programs and causes you care most about. This is how change happens for Hope students today!

This year, scholarships are still our greatest need, but regardless of where you give or how much you give, your support will all make a difference in the lives of students — ultimately changing everything!

So what are you waiting for? Help change something, today! Go to hope.edu/Give2Hope to learn more and make your gift.

There’s still time to sign up to be an Ambassador for Day of Giving! Learn more.

10 Under 10 Alumni Award Recipient | Emery Max ’12

Emery Max ’12

Emery Max graduated from Hope College in 2012 with a Bachelor of Science in exercise science and psychology. After Hope College he went to Michigan State University. He earned his master’s degree in 2014 and then his doctorate in 2017. During his time at Michigan State University, he worked as a graduate guest researcher and lecturer, presented research findings at multiple international conferences, developed and taught a number of upper-level undergraduate courses, provided technical training for other instructors, and served as a guidance committee member for several graduate students. Max also authored several peer-reviewed publications and textbook chapters on exercise psychology, motivation, and group dynamics. Additionally, he served as project manager in the Exergames Research Laboratory on a grant funded by National Institutes of Health. After graduate school, Max founded Paragon Fitwear, which is an e-commerce brand specializing in fitness apparel designed for women in and out of the gym. This brand is fully owned by Hope graduates and has original apparel design, development, production, marketing and worldwide distribution. They are a carbon-neutral brand and pledge to give 1% of profits to good causes as part of the Better World Pledge. Emery Max is setting the standard for quality, affordable and ethical women’s activewear. We are proud of his efforts and the work he is doing to make changes in the world. 

Hope College is proud to honor Emery Max ’12 with the 2021 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! 

10 Under 10 Alumni Award Recipient | Divya Dhaliwal ’14

Divya Dhaliwal ’14

Divya Dhaliwal graduated from Hope College in 2014 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and management. Dhaliwal started as a digital media analyst for General Motors in 2015 where she trained global teams on dashboard automation and innovative techniques in Global General Motors analytics summit. After various positions at different automotive companies, in 2018 Dhaliwal co-founded The Collective at Mindshare. Here she spearheaded the launch of Mindshare’s first agency-wide intersectionality initiative to address the power of inclusivity and representation through media editorial provocations, industry events and a quarterly speaker series. This led to her being the associate director in marketing sciences (Youtube and Google Portfolio) at PHD Media. She served as the client-facing analytics lead across the YouTube and Google Apps divisions, overseeing campaigns from proposal to final delivery.

In 2014 she founded Beautifully Invincible, a blog that shares content to an audience of over 32,000 people across platforms. Dhaliwal oversees content creation and creative messaging distribution. She led a series of panel talks; educated marketers and brand leaders on the evolution of influencer marketing, personal branding and the power of storytelling in a digital age. She also collaborated with brands including Google and New York Fashion Week. Most recently Dhaliwal has founded another company called Dreamer & Doers. This organization is a highly curated, female-focused, collaboration and co-mentorship community, consisting of an ever-growing powerful network of entrepreneurs, investors, and advisors. Along with Dreamers & Doers, she does freelance consulting on web design, creative consulting, strategy services to brands/influencers and marketing strategies. Divya Dhaliwal has accomplished a lot in seven years since Hope College. We are proud of her innovative and creative mind and how she shares her talents with others.

Hope College is proud to honor Divya Dhaliwal ’14 with the 2021 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!

10 Under 10 Award Recipient | Karly Murphy ’11

Karly Murphy ’11

Karly Murphy graduated from Hope College in 2011 with a Bachelor of Science in psychology. After her graduation from Hope College she worked as a volunteer research assistant at Grand Valley State University. She then moved across the country to the Pacific Northwest to start on her doctorate at Seattle Pacific University. She started as an undergraduate teaching assistant, and then became a clinical research assistant at the Fred Hutchinson Comprehensive Cancer Center. Murphy graduated with her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Seattle Pacific University. In 2017 she began working as a predoctoral intern in clinical psychology on behavioral medicine track at the University of Florida Health Sciences Center. Karly Murphy is now working as an NCI-funded postdoctoral fellow in cancer prevention and control at Wake Forest Baptist Comprehensive Cancer Center. She is passionate about research and finding answers to the world’s questions. We are proud of Karly Murphy and the impact she is making. 

Hope College is proud to honor Karly Murphy ’11 with the 2021 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!

10 Under 10 Award Recipient | Brandon Siakel ’11

Brandon Siakel graduated from Hope College with a Bachelor of Science in exercise science. After his graduation, Siakel went to Michigan State University for two years to work as a graduate assistant in strength and conditioning coach for Olympic Sports. After he earned his master’s in kinesiology and exercise science, he began his fellowship as an assistant strength and conditioning coach for United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee. Siakel worked as an assistant for three years and in 2016 he was promoted to a strength and conditioning coach for winter sports for the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee teams. Brandon Siakel is dedicated to his athletes. He works hard to give them the best care he can and we are proud of his commitment.

Brandon Siakel ’11
  • What was an impactful experience you had as a student at Hope?
    • The Vienna summer school orchestrated by Dr. Hemenway. It was my first time getting out of the United States and being exposed to another culture outside of my norm. It opened my eyes to the world outside of the United States and Michigan.
  • To you, what makes Hope special?
    • The word that comes to my mind when I think of Hope College is CARING. The faculty, student-body, and surrounding community genuinely care about each others’ well-being and will go out of their way to support one another.    
  • What is your current job title? In your own words, describe what you do.
    • My current job title is strength and conditioning coach for the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee. I work with Team USA winter sport athletes to prepare them physically to assist with their competitive goals and the demands of their sport.
  • What do you love about your chosen career?
    • I am fortunate to be able to work with some of the best athletes and coaches in their respective sports, in addition to being integrated within multi-disciplinary performance teams. The relationships and collaborative teamwork that drive high-performance is what I love the most.
  • What was your favorite food at Phelps?
    • I liked to treat myself with the following concoction: soft-served ice cream in a glass + chocolate milk filled + oreo pieces + mix it all together. That was delicious!
  • Which class would you want to retake if you could? Why?
    • Human Anatomy Lab. I would take this again because I utilize anatomy everyday in my profession. Also, seeing and actively doing are forms of learning that resonate with me the most. The lab setting allowed me to do these two things effectively.
  • What is your hope for Hope’s future?
    • My hope is that the Hope Forward tuition model President Scogin is spearheading comes to full fruition. It has the chance to alter the financial landscape of higher education in the United States, which can positively impact the lives of many.

Hope College is proud to honor Brandon Siakel ’11 with the 2021 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!