Hope College isn’t just a place; it’s a community. A regular feature within “Stories of Hope,” People of Hope explores what that means by highlighting some of the students, faculty and staff who help make the campus family what it is.
Dr. Kirk Brumels
Professor of Kinesiology
As a student, Kirk Brumels valued his time at Hope. The engaged professors, staff, and administrators made his time more than just an opportunity to receive an education because they cared. “I loved that then and I love that now,” Brumels reflects as a professor of kinesiology.
From a family of educators, Brumels initially studied physical education and biology with plans to follow in his family’s teaching footsteps. But when he met Hope’s athletic trainer, a new path presented itself. “I met Dr. Richard Ray and we talked about careers. Based on my interests, he recommended becoming an athletic trainer and I took coursework that allowed me to sit for the national certification exam for athletic training,” Brumels said. “I loved the work and was fortunate to receive an internship to work with the New England Patriots for a season following graduation.”
Brumels would go on to serve as the assistant athletic trainer for the New England Patriots for 11 years. Having gotten married and with two children, Brumels then decided to find a new rhythm, and with teaching having returned as a calling he found that at Hope College in sports medicine. As time went on, Brumels obtained his doctorate and served as both program director for the athletic training education program and department chair of kinesiology.
“At its core, the mission of the liberal arts education is to help us better understand our world, our fellow human beings, and ourselves,” Brumels said. “Having that type of education centered around the teachings of Jesus Christ and the historic Christian faith creates a unique opportunity for students and faculty in today’s landscape of higher education. I believe it is something that we should be very proud of.”
The unique opportunities for students also extend to collaborative research in kinesiology, which, Brumels said, “is another example of high-impact learning practices and experiences offered at Hope that allow Hope College students to have a greater understanding of how the world works. Hope sets itself apart from other undergraduate programs in this way.”
“At its core, the mission of the liberal arts education is to help us better understand our world, our fellow human beings, and ourselves. Having that type of education centered around the teachings of Jesus Christ and the historic Christian faith creates a unique opportunity for students and faculty to teach and learn in today’s landscape of higher education.”
Students connect to Brumels’ teaching and perspective. The Class of 2023 awarded Brumels the H.O.P.E. award, which he was very honored to receive. The H.O.P.E. award, first given in 1965, is presented by the graduating class to the professor who they feel epitomizes the best qualities of the Hope College educator. Brumels received the recognition during the college’s Commencement ceremony this past spring.
As he pursues each year of teaching, Brumels has clear hopes for his students: “Each year is filled with aha moments for students, where their desire to learn comes alive and propels them forward in the pursuit of God’s plans for their lives.” His vision is a credit to the spiritual and moral formation that Brumels first experienced as a student and continues to both experience and give to current students. The advice he leaves students with is smart and simple: “Engage your educational process. Get involved in what is happening… Don’t let college and all that it entails happen to you, but instead seek new information, challenge yourself, learn how to problem solve and think critically about life’s big questions.”