Hope Forward

Sowing Seeds of Hope

By Madison Steinman, Hope Forward Class of 2028

Madi and her cohort mate, Leah, developed the vision that is shared below for the 2025 Positive Impact Banquet.

Photo of Madi (author) and her guest, Mary Vandehoef, at the Hope Forward Positive Impact Banquet. — Hope College — Hope College Forward Positive Impact Banquet.

Freshman year of college is truly one of the most difficult, exciting, daunting, confusing, exploratory and developmental times in one’s life — a time of multiple “firsts,” questions and emotions. Nearing the end of every spring semester, the Hope Forward freshman cohort thoroughly plans and hosts a Positive Impact Banquet. This banquet is designed for students to shower those who have impacted them with celebration, gratitude and love. Whether it’s a professor, dining services member, friend or mentor, each cohort member extends an invitation to an individual they feel positively impacted them during their first year at Hope College. From the vision and theme of the night, to the program and decorations, the banquet is customized by the cohort to honor their invited guests and others such as the cohort’s selection committee, the Hope Forward leadership team, prominent donors and more.

Inspired by the message of The Parable of the Sower, this year’s banquet was an opportunity to recognize the power of intentionality, connection and growth when considering: What does it mean to have a positive impact? More importantly, it prompts us to consider how individuals can prepare their hearts and minds to establish flourishing roots of generosity, gratitude and hope for a fruitful future of impact. This parable reminds us that the seeds of impact that one sows have the potential to grow into something extraordinary, depending on where one plants them and how one nurtures them. Similarly, as the sower casts seeds onto different types of soil, one is able to determine how one will receive, or not receive, the impact of others. One’s soil, or response, determines one’s ability to lead a fruitful life of impact.

Photo of attendees seated at the Hope Forward Positive Impact Banquet. — Hope College — Hope College Forward Positive Impact Banquet.

Reflecting on the story within the book of Mark, the concept of positive impact can be applied to Jesus’ insightful and wise parable:

The Seed on the Road: This seed symbolizes the missed opportunities when one fails to acknowledge the positive influence around them. During the busy moments of life, it can be easy to focus internally. Individuals become distracted and blinded from seeing the positive impact of others whom they encounter daily. It’s a reminder to be present, aware and open to intentionally recognizing the impact individuals have on one another.
The Seed Choked by Thorns: In a world often driven by fear, judgment and conformity, it’s easy to let the fear of being vulnerable or different hold one back from truly embracing and acting on the positive influence one receives. This seed represents how societal pressures can limit one’s growth if one allows them to suffocate the potential of positive change.
The Seed in Good Soil: The final seed symbolizes how individuals can live lives of impact when they prepare their soil with humility, openness, gratitude and love in order to receive the kindness of others. Just as good soil allows a seed to grow and bear fruit, an open mind and heart allow us to take in lessons, grow from them, and pay it forward. Not only does one grow individually in one’s character by establishing resilient roots, but one’s growth results in a fruitful tree that sows new saplings of impact in the hearts of others. This is the place where one, as an individual and as a collective community, cultivates hope and impact.

The Positive Impact Banquet not only celebrated the seeds planted within the hearts of each student, but it honored the students’ abilities to recognize, reflect, show gratitude and act on the seed itself. It showcases the beauty to come from sown seeds — a fruitful, impactful harvest of hope.

Watching Them Grow: A Hope Forward & International Senior Spotlight

By Hajar Ahmadi, Hope Forward Class of 2028

In just a few days, some of the most inspiring students I’ve had the privilege to know will be graduating—and honestly, it’s hard to put into words how proud I am of them.

These are not just any students. They are international and Hope Forward seniors, and they’ve carried so much on their shoulders these past four years. Many of them were part of the very first Hope Forward cohort, meaning they helped shape what this program would become. They were the first to say yes to a new vision—one built on trust, generosity, and the belief that education can be reimagined.

But most of all, they were friends, mentors, and role models to those of us who came after them.

We saw them in classrooms, at events, in club meetings, and in those spontaneous moments that make college life so full—laughing, organizing, speaking up, and standing tall in quiet resilience.

They arrived at Hope carrying dreams, questions, and a brave willingness to step into something new. Over the years, we witnessed a transformation—not just in their academics, but in their confidence, their voice, and the way they embraced community.

Their journey wasn’t always easy, but it was powerful. And their growth was never invisible.

Their professors noticed it.
Their mentors guided it.
Their peers were inspired by it.

They came as students—curious, hopeful, full of potential.
They are leaving as leaders—grounded, generous, and ready to give back.

One senior who touched many hearts is Anna Leah Lacoss, who shared this with us:

“I’m so grateful for my Hope Forward cohort! I’ve made some of my closest friends in this group. It was not always easy to be the first—we were learning about Hope Forward at the same time as the rest of campus. But we made it. And I’m so proud of all of us for reaching this moment.”

She also gave beautiful advice:

“Take risks. The best experiences I had in college were the ones I freaked out about beforehand. Speaking in public, studying off campus—those things changed me. I would never have grown if I didn’t say yes to fear.”

And when asked how she’ll carry Hope Forward:

“Generosity is in everything—giving a compliment, sharing a meal, or encouraging someone. I want to live like that forever.”

Another incredible senior from Honduras shared:

“I loved getting to know other cultures through Images and showing my own culture. I am proud of who I am.”

Her advice?

“Give yourself grace. Let yourself learn from others. Be thankful.”

And when it comes to the future:

“Hope Forward is with me. I will be teaching, and that’s my way of giving back the gift I’ve received.”

As someone who’s still in the middle of their Hope journey, I can honestly say—watching these seniors grow has helped me grow. They were never just trying to survive college. They were building community, creating new paths, and pouring back into the very place that gave them a chance.

From late-night study sessions to cultural nights, from chapel moments to international potlucks—we shared something powerful. Their presence on campus made it feel like home.

So to all the graduating Hope Forward and international students:
We’ve seen you.
We’ve cheered for you.
And now, we celebrate you.

You are the reason Hope is such a special place. And even though you’re leaving, the roots you planted here will keep growing in all of us.

Hands, Feet and Eyes: Hope Students Serve and See in Alaska

When Hope Forward students Kesnel Alexandre ’27 and Thelma Reyes ’28 signed up for a spring break immersion trip to Alaska through Campus Ministries, they knew it would be a meaningful experience. But neither of them expected just how deeply it would shift their perspectives on service, community and faith. I had the chance to meet with both students over lunch to learn more about their experiences on the trip, which was led by Hope College junior Sui Par and Hope Forward senior YJ Lee, as well as Phelps Scholars Program Coordinator Stanley Duncan and CDI Program Coordinator Polly Khor

For Kesnel, the reason he was drawn to the trip was twofold: the opportunity to travel with a group of fellow first-generation students who shared his background, and the curiosity to see Alaska — not just as a faraway place, but as a real, complex community beyond the postcard images. “I wanted to see what it was actually like,” he shared. “And to see what God is doing there.”

Thelma’s reason for joining the trip was also grounded in openness. Encouraged by a mentor, she signed up, trusting that the timing was right. “God opened the door for me to go,” she said, “and I walked through it.” What she found on the other side was a new understanding of purpose and presence. “A relationship with God is not just about me,” she reflected after the trip. “It’s about following how Jesus loved others.”

Both students spoke about the heaviness of Alaska’s history, especially in its Native communities, where generational trauma from colonization and broken church relationships still linger. But they also saw resilience, hope and healing. “Christians need to show that what was done wasn’t reflective of Jesus,” Thelma said. “It was about being ‘right,’ not about being loved.”

And that love was put into action. Each day of the trip began with prayer, followed quickly by service. From ripping up carpets and painting walls, to preparing and serving food at homeless shelters, the team jumped into hands-on, nonprofit work alongside locals. The afternoons were then spent taking in the breathtaking landscapes of Alaska. When reflecting on both components of the trip, Kesnel said, “We got to be God’s hands and feet, but also His eyes — to look around and see, ‘This is what the Lord has made.’”

As the members of the group partnered with local organizations, they met people along the way whose lives radiated humility and generosity. Through nonprofits and a coffee shop that empowers survivors of trafficking, the Alaskan people in this community modeled the kind of selfless leadership that quietly reshapes neighborhoods. Kristen and Doug Bierma, for example, have dedicated their lives to community-centered service — not for recognition, but to be good stewards of what they’ve been given. Kristen is the executive director of Beacon Hill, a local nonprofit in Anchorage dedicated to supporting, serving and encouraging vulnerable children within their community. “I’m not the giver,” she told the group. “I’m just one pathway.”

Thelma shared that love reflected not only in the warmth of those they served with and the families who welcomed the students into their homes, but also in her team. “Every single person was so empathetic and loving,” she said. “We all wanted to be there. That made the teamwork flow.” Both Kesnel and Thelma noted the beautiful group dynamic. From conversations about mental health and food insecurity, to laughter-filled moments like yelling “moose!” just to make people look around, the group experienced a full spectrum of connection. And that’s what Kesnel keeps coming back to: the deep sense of community. “You rip up carpet with someone and suddenly you know them a little better,” he said. “People gained access to my life, and I gained access to theirs.”

For Thelma, the experience inspired self-reflection and a deepened sense of calling. “If I have the opportunity to go to college, to serve, to experience God’s love — how can I use what I’ve learned to serve my home country, Honduras?” she asked. “It’s not just about giving. It’s about empowering others to go, too. It’s a domino effect.”

The Alaska trip reminded both Thelma and Kesnel that service is an honor, not an obligation; that community creates community; and that generosity, rooted in humility, has the power to heal even the hardest histories. In the Hope Forward program, there is a message often reinforced with students, that they are “here on purpose, for a purpose.” And for one week in Alaska, that purpose was lived out in prayers, in paint, in testimonies and in community.

A Little Goes A Long Way

Hope College athletes know how to compete. They’ve harnessed their competitive spirit by working together to defeat childhood hunger in the Holland community.

“We had a blast packing backpacks for kids who face weekend hunger,” said Grace Wesley, a senior on the swim team who organized the event. “It always ends up in a big competition to see who can pack the most bags the fastest.”

Hope athletes from many different teams joined together to raise money for Hand2Hand, a nonprofit organization that provides food to the nearly 65,000 children in West Michigan who have little to no food to eat during the weekend.

They raised more than $4,000 by gathering donations, mostly during athletic events. Alumni and Hope fans responded generously to jumbotron video messages students put together to inform them about food insecurity in the community.

“It gave me a lot more perspective on what is going around me. I’ve never had to worry about having enough to eat,” the kinesiology major said. “It’s something a lot of Hope students have never experienced. We are very fortunate. It opened our eyes to the needs around us.”

Athletes Coming Together/Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (ACT-SAAC) led the effort under the leadership of Wesley. She said the money they raised provided enough food to fill 1,200 backpacks.

“We learned that giving even a small amount goes a long way,” Wesley explained. “You can feed a child for the weekend for $4.25.”

The athletes’ service is a strong example of Hope Forward’s three pillars of access, community and generosity.

“Community is a huge aspect of the program. It brings athletes from all the sports together to support our community and West Michigan,” Wesley said.

Plus, student athletes’ efforts helped to unite alumni, sports fans, parents and other students, giving them an opportunity to learn about food insecurity in the community and inspiring them to do something about it.

“Everyone had such a sense of joy to support these families and children,” Wesley added.

While access, community and generosity have been associated with Hope Forward, the three pillars have always been deeply rooted in the DNA of Hope College, according to Nicole Dunteman, Hope Forward program director. Hope Forward “dives deeper into who we already are” as a campus community, Dunteman explained. Student athletes’ efforts for Hand2Hand are one of many examples of Hope students joining together to generously serve others.

“The entire campus community is growing in character and virtue together,” Dunteman said. “We’re creating a cycle of generosity that is bringing Hope to the world.”

It’s bringing hope to children and families right in our own community, too.

Learning, Sharing and Growing Together

Over the past two semesters, I have had the absolute pleasure of being a Character Forward intern for the Hope Forward program. As a sophomore here at Hope, I began looking for opportunities to become more involved on campus because that is something I had truly missed out on in high school and my freshman year here. I didn’t quite expect to get the position as a student who was not affiliated with the program, so I was surprised to get an in-person interview. Next thing I know, I was hired along with an amazing team of Hope Forward interns!

Never would I have expected that this internship would impact me the way it has so far. New doors opened, new opportunities were given, and new people were met. Despite not being a student not in the program, the students and staff of Hope Forward opened their arms to me and treated me like they would any other student. This gave me the chance to really see what went on within the program and to learn what being a Hope Forward student was truly about. I was able to learn about their three program pillars of community, access and generosity. I also learned more about the vision of Hope Forward and, most importantly, saw the impact on students’ lives. As a newfound ambassador of the program, I slowly began to realize how I could incorporate each pillar into my daily life.

Community has always been something that I value deeply in my life. Coming from a tight-knit high school, I wanted that same feeling of connection with my classmates as a college student. This led me to Hope College, a smaller school where I could see my friends every day even if it was just when I was walking to class. Through the Hope Forward program, I met so many new people that I could connect with. This led me to realize that community was abundant on campus, especially within Hope Forward. These students are extremely motivated to share all they can with their cohort members and the campus. Their different cultures, backgrounds and ethnicities help create a diverse community within Hope Forward that provides invaluable learning opportunities for other students. I can connect this back to my high school experience because my high school was extremely diverse with a large majority of students being Hispanic, which is why I chose to major in Spanish here at Hope. I can see the impact of this shared ethos on the students in Hope Forward as students learn, share and grow together. It truly has been a great experience being able to see this for myself as someone who is not in the program.

Access is another pillar of the program. The opportunity for students to graduate with little to no debt is an enormous benefit to students who otherwise would struggle to pay for college. In a world where prices and tuition seem to only go up, it is a nice refresher to see a program that really cares not only about character development, but also doesn’t ignore the cost incurred by students in higher education.

Finally, I want to speak about generosity. All I have seen as I’ve worked for Hope Forward has been one generous act after another, after another. Nicole Dunteman and Erin Courey, program leaders, truly live each one of these pillars out every day in their work. The generosity I personally have received while working for them has truly been a gift, whether it comes in the form of projects given to me, needed time off, or opportunities I would not have been given in other on-campus jobs. Nicole and Erin always are generous with their time and energy even if students are exhausted from the craziness of being college students.

I am truly blessed to have been given this opportunity, and I can’t wait to see what else I can learn about myself and others through this one-in-a-million program!

International Food Fair: Access, Generosity and Community

Three students from Peru share food at the Hope College International Food Festival

Being part of Hope Forward has taught me the importance of its three pillars: access, generosity and community. This year, I had the opportunity to put them into practice through the International Food Fair, an event that brought different cultures together through food. Sharing this experience with Hope College’s international students was truly special — not only for us, but also for the wider campus and Holland community.

Access played a key role in making this event possible. Through the support of the Fried Center for Global Engagement, Hope College Dining Services and the International Relations Club, we were able to plan and host a meaningful gathering that celebrated cultural diversity through food.

This year, we wanted to highlight the deeper purpose behind the event: cooking for a cause. The funds raised from ticket sales were donated to Lighthouse Immigrant Advocates, an organization that provides critical legal services to immigrants. We had the privilege of welcoming representatives from Lighthouse to share about their mission, making our event not just about food, but also about raising awareness and supporting those in need.

Seeing their willingness to contribute reminded me of the power of community — and how food can connect us across cultures and bring hope to those who need it most.

Through this experience, I witnessed the generosity of international students who dedicated their time to cooking warm meals, offering not just flavors from their home countries, but also a sense of belonging and care. Seeing their willingness to contribute reminded me of the power of community — and how food can connect us across cultures and bring hope to those who need it most.

Growing in Generosity

Before our freshman retreat, my Hope Forward cohort felt like a collection of distant acquaintances I wasn’t able to get to know due to the chaos during my first semester of college. I knew that they were all good people, but time just didn’t align enough for a relationship to form. Thankfully, because of the retreat, I was given two whole days to get to know students in my cohort and form those relationships.

Immediately upon entering the space where we all gathered, I saw smiles and heard laughter and knew that the next few days were going to be amazing. Everyone jumped in with no hesitation when we were challenged to introduce ourselves in funny ways. Each person’s personality broke through and all allowed themselves to be seen. Finding things we have in common was especially beneficial during a time designated to get to know everyone at our tables. That exercise revealed a lot of interesting commonalities I share with students in my cohort that I hadn’t known previously.

We closed out the first day by having a discussion with the whole group about what Hope Forward stands for. And we were given the priceless opportunity to ask questions about why and how we are so blessed to be a part of it. It was reassuring to see that many of my peers had similar questions I did regarding how the program plans on expanding. Erin and Nicole’s responses helped to clarify, and I walked away not only with a greater understanding of the program, but also a greater hope in its success.

Starting off the second day, we were given the rare opportunity to pause the rush of life to reflect on the past. Using our application materials — both our essay and interview video — we were challenged to consider the state of our younger selves, back when we first applied to Hope Forward. One thing I noticed while reading my essay and watching my video was how much my faith was visible. Every word that I spoke seemed to leave room for God’s direction. Of course, I wanted to be a part of Hope Forward, but I wasn’t making my acceptance the test of whether or not I was headed in the right direction. That reminder from my younger self came at a much needed time, as it seems that I am being routinely asked what my future is going to look like and I cannot come up with an answer that feels right. It is important to remember that I can trust that it will all work out.

After our time for reflection, we discussed how things such as humility, transparency, generosity and cooperation can lead to a positive shift in our cohort and in the campus as a whole. We compiled a list of the ideals and values that we feel we need to live by in order to become the symbols of hope that we seek to exemplify. We used these principles to create our personal cohort agreement.

In order to “seal” our agreement, the final activity was an art project where we created a print of a flower that represents our unique identities. I chose a delphinium. The delphinium is a collection of flowers, essentially nature’s bouquet, that symbolizes generosity and big-heartedness. I had never connected the two terms, but as I was making my print, I understood why they are linked. Generosity comes out of a place of abundance. This is typically understood monetarily, but rarely is it applied to the heart. I have come to understand that embodying generosity is about much more than financial donations, it is a posture born out of the understanding that God gave us all much too big a heart to keep to ourselves.

Making a Shift From Debt to a Life of Generosity

Jesus’ miracle of feeding a crowd of 5,000 with only five loaves of bread and two fish is exactly what comes to mind when a Hope College staff member thinks about Day of Giving, our biggest giving event of the year.

The person, who wishes to remain anonymous, said they were inspired to sponsor a match on Day of Giving because of the multiplication effect. The match/challenge sponsor’s original gift is multiplied when it motivates others to give and those who give have their own gift multiplied.

Here’s how matches and challenges work. For a match, a donor agrees to multiply donations made to a fund of their choosing. If you make a $50 gift, for example, it would be doubled to $100 with a dollar-for-dollar match. Sometimes, donors will even double, triple or quadruple a gift with their match.

In the case of a challenge, the donor would pledge to give a predetermined amount of money to a fund of their choice after a certain number of donors had also given to the fund.

“We are the hands and feet of Christ,” the match sponsor said. “Miracles are done through ordinary people, which is you and me.”

While still working out all the details, the donor has pledged to match gifts made to Hope Forward up to a specified amount, which will cover daily program expenses.

“There are some donors who can cover the full cost of tuition for a student on their own,” the donor said. “I’m not in that position. But with others, collectively, we can. Together, we can carry one another.”

This donor made their first gift after graduating from college and landing their first job, following in the footsteps of their grandparents. While one set of grandparents gave from a position of wealth, the others gave out of lesser means. “To see generosity from that side was equally if not more impactful,” the donor explained.

Generosity is a primary motivation for this donor’s decision to sponsor a match for Hope Forward, which provides fully funded tuition for a limited number of students. The ultimate goal is to raise enough funds so that every student will receive fully funded tuition and agree to give back to Hope at any amount they choose after graduation so others will have the same opportunity.

As a faculty and staff member, the anonymous donor has seen the burden that student loan debt places on students and their families. “Over the years, I have seen this in scholarship applications,” they said.“It is humbling to see the burden that some young people are carrying on their own.”

“There’s such a potential for students to make a shift from debt to a life of generosity,” added the donor. “It’s huge. That’s what Hope Forward is all about — students going from lives shackled with debt to lives of generosity.”

Mark your calendar for Hope’s biggest giving event of the year! Day of Giving starts at midnight on Thursday, February 20 and continues until noon on Friday, February 21. Check our website at hope.edu/give2hope to track the progress of all the matches and challenges. You can explore hundreds of funds and make a gift at the website, too.

An Attitude of Gratitude

Let’s face it. For many of us, 2024 has been a hard year, especially given an acrimonious election, high inflation and distressing conflicts on the world stage. We could lose heart. But at Hope College, we don’t.

The reason we can maintain an optimistic attitude can be summed up in one word: gratitude.

Gratitude is a quality that we have been cultivating across our campus community. We are all learning that looking for things we can be thankful for can turn our eyes from the negative to the Giver of every good and perfect gift, which comes from above. (James 1:17)

One reason this thankful attitude has been more ingrained in our response to life at Hope is Hope Forward. Generosity, and its twin virtue of gratitude, is one of the pillars of Hope Forward — an innovative financial model where students receive a fully funded tuition and give back generously after they graduate so others can have the same opportunity.

Hope Forward has sparked an attitude of gratitude that has been sweeping across campus, spreading outward to our alumni, families and friends of Hope. If you really look, you can find many things to be thankful for. Just ask those who stopped by our Gratitude Table during One Big Weekend (Homecoming + Family Weekend) last month to tell us what makes them thankful.

The Hope College community — I have met the best friends.
The Boerigter Center — It has been a huge help as someone who doesn’t have an exact career plan.
Dr. (Meagan) Elinski – She sparked my love for chemistry research! I wouldn’t be as involved with chemistry and pursuing my biochemistry degree without her.
The kind and caring professors — They get to know their students and are willing to invest extra time helping with academics and taking an interest in the personal aspects of students’ lives.
St. Benedict Institute and Hope Chapel services — They keep our students closer to God.
The girls I met in Dykstra Hall 24 years ago — They are amazing people and lifelong friends.
The cross country team — It’s given me the best friends and the opportunity to do what I love.
Jennifer Ryden (chaplain of discipleship) — We had a difficult but honest conversation, and she listened to me as well as responded with thoughtful and intellectual answers.
A safe campus with excellent faculty — It is providing a great experience for my daughter.
My roommate — She is amazing and always there for me.
The beautiful color of the trees all around — It makes me happy to see the colors of God’s creation every morning when I wake up.
Sophia and Gabe — They are our amazing Hope students.
My best friend and old roommate Michelle — She is the best family I got to choose and has my back in life.
The English department including Jack Ridl (poet and retired Hope professor) and Dr. (Stephen) Hemenway — for the fantastic learning experience.
The leadership and vision of Hope College — They have a spiritual and educational impact on each other and the student body.
My housemates — We have a great time together. I’m so thankful Hope brought us together.
Chapel — It strengthens my faith and brings me closer to God! Such a light! It helps me focus my day and week on Jesus.
The music faculty and Prof. (Samuel) Pang — Music is my favorite thing and these people bring me joy. They support all the students so much and really care about our musical and personal growth!
Our freshman daughter at Hope — I am thankful because she can learn in a place where people love each other and love God.
The Kletz Market — I’ve worked there since I was a freshman, and it’s also been my favorite place to get snacks and food. Whenever I don’t know what to do, I’ve had the Kletz, I’ve even studied there.
Theatre Faculty — They’re all so fun and supportive to be around. They really want what’s best for all their students.
Dawn Rentfrow in Financial Aid — Whenever we have questions or issues, she’s always there to help. If she doesn’t have an answer, she works very hard to find one.
A great family and great place for my son to grow and find himself — A whole lot of people do not have a place like Hope to learn and grow.
The opportunity to spend quality time with my family this weekend — Hope creates events where the whole family can be involved together.
The Pine Grove — It is the center of Hope’s campus and helped me decide to come to Hope.
My family — I love and receive love.
Phelps Scholars Program — It builds community.
Incredible professors and friends who remain in my life and heart 20 years later — They have been a constant in my life for 24 years, and we continue to support each other.
Hope College’s education for my son — Hope has been an amazing place for my son these last four years with his engineering, music and math majors. We’re thankful for the amazing praise team he has been a part of.
Nykerk — It let me be a part of something bigger than myself and meet amazing people.
Hope College — It is my happy place!

We couldn’t agree more. What are you thankful for? Visit link.hope.edu/grateful to share.

The Muscle of Generosity: Words of Wisdom from a Hope Forward Senior

At the start of the year, the 2028 freshman Hope Forward cohort gathered for a meaningful introductory ceremony. They were introduced to one another, signed the Hope Forward covenant with President Scogin, and received a pin from Provost Gerald Griffin that they will wear again on their graduation day. This year, with all four Hope Forward cohorts present for the first time, we invited a senior from the inaugural Hope Forward cohort to share words of wisdom and encouragement. Here is what senior Jimmy Hwang shared with the group:

My name is Jimmy Hwang, I am from South Korea. I also lived in China and the U.S. before I came to Hope College. I am part of the first Hope Forward cohort. I feel old to see you guys. But, this is good because it means Hope Forward is growing!

Since sophomore year of high school, I wanted to become a physical therapist. So, college was just a stepping stone in order for me to study physical therapy at grad school. Among the schools that I was accepted to, Hope College was the most favorable. It was small, located in a suburban area, Christian and it offered a good education. However, when I started to settle in at Hope, it has become a place that I do not want to leave instead of being a mere stepping stone. As someone who had never been to Michigan and to be an Asian in a very white community, it was scary at first. Yet, this was not a problem because people here were genuinely some of the nicest people I have ever met. For instance, Nicole Dunteman, Hope Forward program director, gave me a ride to the airport. Erin Courey, Hope Forward program coordinator, gave me some really important relationship advice, which was VERY helpful. Not only that, other faculty and staff members have even invited me to dinners during Thanksgiving and Christmas. Hope is a place where I can confidently say: I belong here. On top of that, it is a place where I experienced the impact of access, generosity and community — the pillars of Hope Forward.

When I applied for Hope Forward, receiving the tuition assistance was on the top of my mind. I thought the idea of funding students via generosity was cool, but I had doubts on whether it would actually succeed. It started to change when I got to hear from President Scogin. He explained the incredible story of him being drawn to Hope — how the idea of Hope Forward came from Jesus’ generosity in order to fix the expensive college tuition problem that is happening today. After hearing his speech, I thought: If people from outside of Hope Forward knew that I (a member of the cohort) did not have full faith in this idea, this project would be very difficult to succeed. So I realized that having full faith in Hope Forward is an important first step that I should take. President Scogin was not the only one who had given me faith in Hope Forward. Through the years, I saw the love and passion that both Nicole and Erin put into the cohorts and this project. They always made time for us, always asked us to participate in building the Hope Forward experience as they continuously emphasized that this is about us, the cohorts. Having a good time at Hope was also a huge part of me realizing how great this project is. I talked about faculty and staff, but I also got to make good friends at Hope. We would constantly hang out, support each other and also grow spiritually.

So I believed in God for some time but I was not actively part of the church. I volunteered to be in charge of the powerpoint, but really I didn’t have to put much work into it or be involved. But, Hope Forward has pushed me to provide the generosity that I have been blessed with to others. I was going to this Korean Church in Grand Rapids, and they were looking for worship team members. I was part of a choir in high school, so I was like, why not? I decided to sign up. So I signed up to be a singer when they asked if I could also play the bass. Not even being able to read musical notes, I obviously had no idea how to play bass. But since this was a very small church, they needed someone to step up. So, I took the role. I got the music in advance and asked a friend to play it and I would memorize it and perform it on Sunday. When I performed on stage, I witnessed the impact that Hope Forward brought to the church and how this fulfilled me.

I was doubtful of Hope Forward at first; but after fully experiencing the impact of its generosity, I genuinely believe in the success of Hope Forward. I not only practiced generosity by volunteering, but I also wanted to practice providing financial generosity because ultimately, that would link to the success of Hope Forward. Donating my money was a lot tougher than serving. So, I started off small. On Hope’s Day of Giving, I donated $5 to Hope Forward. Then, I decided to step up and donate 10% of my Resident Assistant income. This was challenging as the amount had increased a lot. But this taught me that providing generosity isn’t something that you can magically do one day. It is like a muscle that you have to train and use.

I want you to know that not everybody is going to or should have the same reaction or thought process as I did. But, I do want you guys to enjoy your time at Hope as much as possible and realize this was provided by someone’s effort to give you access, generosity and community.