40 Notable alumni of
Hope College
Updated:
Hope College is 1532nd in the world, 529th in North America, and 497th in the United States by aggregated alumni prominence. Below is the list of 40 notable alumni from Hope College sorted by their wiki pages popularity. The directory includes famous graduates and former students along with research and academic staff.
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Sufjan Stevens
- Enrolled in Hope College
- 1993-1998 graduated with bachelor's degree in English literature
- Occupations
- composersinger-songwriterpianistsaxophonistguitarist
- Biography
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Sufjan Stevens is an American singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist. He has released ten solo studio albums and multiple collaborative albums with other artists. Stevens has received Grammy and Academy Award nominations.
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Kim Zimmer
- Occupations
- stage actortelevision actor
- Biography
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Kimberly Jo Zimmer is an American actress, best known for her role as Reva Shayne on the CBS soap opera Guiding Light. For this portrayal, she has won four Daytime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series.
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Robert H. Schuller
- Enrolled in Hope College
- Graduated with bachelor's degree
- Occupations
- non-fiction writerpastor
- Biography
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Robert Harold Schuller was an American Christian televangelist, pastor, motivational speaker, and author. Over five decades, Schuller pastored his church in Garden Grove, California starting in 1955. The weekly broadcast of Hour of Power television program followed, which he hosted as a taped version of his weekly Sunday service, began in 1970, and he led until his retirement in 2006. His grandson, Bobby Schuller, carries on the Hour of Power, which has aired for over fifty years. During his time as a minister, Schuller oversaw the construction of two churches in Garden Grove, California. The first church built under his tenure was the Garden Grove Community Church chapel which seated 500, and the second was the much larger Crystal Cathedral, which has a capacity of 2,200.
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Dave Brat
- Enrolled in Hope College
- In 1986 graduated with Bachelor of Arts
- Occupations
- business consultanteconomistuniversity teacherpolitician
- Biography
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David Alan Brat is an American politician and academic who served as the U.S. representative for Virginia's 7th congressional district from 2014 to 2019. A member of the Republican Party, he was first elected in 2014 after successfully primarying House majority leader Eric Cantor despite being significantly outspent. Brat served two terms before he narrowly lost re-election in 2018 to Democrat Abigail Spanberger.
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Jim Kaat
- Occupations
- baseball player
- Biography
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James Lee Kaat, nicknamed "Kitty", is an American former professional baseball player and television sports commentator. A left-handed pitcher, he played Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Washington Senators / Minnesota Twins (1959–1973), Chicago White Sox (1973–1975), Philadelphia Phillies (1976–1979), New York Yankees (1979–1980), and St. Louis Cardinals (1980–1983) for a then-record 25 years.
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Pete Hoekstra
- Enrolled in Hope College
- In 1975 graduated with Bachelor of Arts
- Occupations
- diplomatbusiness executivepolitician
- Biography
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Cornelis Piet Hoekstra is an American politician and diplomat serving since 2025 as the 33rd United States ambassador to Canada. A member of the Republican Party, he previously served as the United States ambassador to the Netherlands from 2018 to 2021, and was the U.S. representative for Michigan's 2nd congressional district from 1993 to 2011.
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Richard Smalley
- Occupations
- chemistscientistprofessor
- Biography
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Richard Errett Smalley was an American chemist who was the Gene and Norman Hackerman Professor of Chemistry, Physics, and Astronomy at Rice University. In 1996, along with Robert Curl, also a professor of chemistry at Rice, and Harold Kroto, a professor at the University of Sussex, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for the discovery of a new form of carbon, buckminsterfullerene, also known as buckyballs. He was an advocate of nanotechnology and its applications.
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Kevin DeYoung
- Occupations
- priesttheologian
- Biography
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Kevin Lee DeYoung is an American Reformed theologian, historian, and pastor. He is currently the senior pastor at Christ Covenant Church in Matthews, North Carolina. The church he previously pastored, University Reformed Church (East Lansing, Michigan), moved to the Presbyterian Church in America in March 2015 after having been a member of the Reformed Church in America.
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John Moolenaar
- Enrolled in Hope College
- In 1983 graduated with Bachelor of Science
- Occupations
- chemistbusinesspersonpolitician
- Biography
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John Robert Moolenaar is an American politician serving as a U.S. representative from Michigan since 2015, representing the 4th district from 2015 to 2023 and the 2nd congressional district since 2023. A member of the Republican Party, he served in the Michigan House of Representatives from 2003 to 2008 and the Michigan Senate from 2011 to 2014.
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A. J. Muste
- Occupations
- pastorteachertheologiantrade unionist
- Biography
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Abraham Johannes Muste was a Dutch-born American clergyman and political activist. He is best remembered for his work in the labor movement, the pacifist movement, the anti-war movement, and the civil rights movement in the United States.
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Annette Ziegler
- Occupations
- lawyerjudge
- Biography
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Annette Kingsland Ziegler is an American jurist serving since 2007 as a justice of the Wisconsin Supreme Court. She is generally regarded as part of its conservative wing. Ziegler served as the chief justice from 2021 to 2025. From 1997 to 2007, she served as a Wisconsin circuit court judge in Washington County.
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Samuel Marinus Zwemer
- Enrolled in Hope College
- Graduated with Bachelor of Arts
- Graduated with Doctor of Divinity
- Occupations
- orientalistuniversity teacherProtestant theologiantravelermissionary
- Biography
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Samuel Marinus Zwemer, nicknamed The Apostle to Islam, was an American missionary, traveler, and scholar. He was born at Vriesland, Michigan. In 1887 he received an A.B. from Hope College in Holland, Michigan, and in 1890, he received an M.A. from New Brunswick Theological Seminary in New Brunswick, New Jersey His other degrees include a D.D. from Hope College in 1904, a L.L.D. from Muskingum College in 1918, and a D.D. from Rutgers College in 1919.
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Terri Lynn Land
- Occupations
- politician
- Biography
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Terri Lynn Land is an American politician who served as the 41st Michigan Secretary of State from 2003 to 2011. A member of the Republican Party, Land was elected to the Republican National Committee in 2012. She was the Republican nominee for the 2014 United States Senate race in Michigan, losing in the general election to Democrat Gary Peters. Land currently serves on the Board of Governors of Wayne State University.
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Guy Vander Jagt
- Enrolled in Hope College
- Graduated with Bachelor of Arts
- Occupations
- lawyerpolitician
- Biography
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Guy Adrian Vander Jagt was a Republican politician from Michigan. He was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives and Chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee.
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M. R. DeHaan
- Occupations
- pastorbiblical scholarteachertheologian
- Biography
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Martin Ralph DeHaan was an American Bible teacher, the founder of Radio Bible Class, and the co-editor of the monthly devotional guide Our Daily Bread.
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Rob Malda
- Occupations
- businessperson
- Biography
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Rob Malda, also known as CmdrTaco, is an American Internet content author, and former editor-in-chief of the website Slashdot.
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Rachel Reenstra
- Enrolled in Hope College
- Graduated with Bachelor of Arts in theatre art
- Occupations
- film actoractortelevision actor
- Biography
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Rachel Reenstra is an American comedian, actress, and wildlife conservationist from Saugatuck, Michigan.
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Larry Siedentop
- Enrolled in Hope College
- Graduated with bachelor's degree
- Occupations
- writerphilosopherpolitical scientistuniversity teacher
- Biography
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Sir Larry Alan Siedentop CBE was an American-born British political philosopher with a special interest in 19th-century French liberalism. He was the author of Democracy in Europe (2000) and Inventing the Individual (2014) and an occasional contributor to several major British daily newspapers, including the Financial Times and The Times.
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Joey Muthengi
- Occupations
- actor
- Biography
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Joey Muthengi is a media personality and actress. Her entry into the Kenyan media industry came through being a radio personality on 98.4 Capital FM from 2009 to 2013 where she hosted and produced the wildly popular youth show, Hits Not Homework. From 2016 to 2018, Joey Muthengi co-hosted the Power Breakfast show on Citizen TV with Fred Indimuli and Willis Raburu. She also co-hosted an entertainment show, 10 Over 10 on Citizen TV with Willis Raburu. Joey later on in 2018 quit her job at Citizen TV.
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Clark V. Poling
- Occupations
- protestant military chaplain
- Biography
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Clark Vandersall Poling was a minister in the Reformed Church in America and a lieutenant in the United States Army. He was one of the Four Chaplains who gave their lives to save other soldiers during the sinking of the troop transport Dorchester during World War II.
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D.J. Reyburn
- Enrolled in Hope College
- Graduated with bachelor's degree in sociology
- Occupations
- baseball umpire
- Biography
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Daniel James Reyburn is an American Major League Baseball umpire. He wore uniform number 70 when he first came up to MLB, then changed to number 17 starting with the 2018 season, two years after the retirement of John Hirschbeck, who previously wore #17.
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Jeff Bates
- Years
- 1976-.. (age 50)
- Occupations
- businessperson
- Biography
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Jeff Bates, also known as hemos, is the co-founder of Slashdot along with Rob Malda.
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Nancy Torresen
- Occupations
- lawyerjudge
- Biography
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Nancy Torresen is a senior United States district judge of the United States District Court for the District of Maine. She is the first female judge to serve in the District of Maine.
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Craig S. Morford
- Years
- 1959-.. (age 67)
- Occupations
- lawyer
- Biography
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Craig S. Morford is an American attorney and former acting United States Deputy Attorney General.
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Eugene Sutton
- Enrolled in Hope College
- Graduated with bachelor's degree
- Occupations
- Anglican priest
- Biography
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Eugene Taylor Sutton is an American Episcopal clergyman who served as the 14th Episcopal Bishop of Maryland.
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Arend Lubbers
- Biography
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Arend Donselaar "Don" Lubbers was president of Grand Valley State University (and predecessor Grand Valley State College) from 1969 to 2001. He was the second president of Grand Valley, serving after James Zumberge and before Mark Murray. He currently holds the title of President Emeritus. Most of the university's growth came during his tenure.
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Derek Brown
- Years
- 1983-.. (age 43)
- Occupations
- saxophonist
- Biography
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Derek Brown is an American saxophonist based out of Chicago, IL. Brown is best known for his particular style of playing, dubbed "BEATBoX SAX," which combines various extended techniques, percussive effects (e.g. stomping and beating his saxophone), and at times vocal elements. He is currently performing a tour involving visiting every US state within 12 months.
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Gregg A. Mast
- Years
- 1952-.. (age 74)
- Occupations
- civil servant
- Biography
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Gregg Alan Mast was a Reformed clergyman, scholar, and seminary president. Mast was the author of six books on Christian practice and theology, and the editor of a collection of sermons by Reformed minister and theologian Howard G. Hageman
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Carol van Voorst
- Enrolled in Hope College
- Graduated with Bachelor of Arts
- Occupations
- diplomat
- Biography
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Carol Lee van Voorst is an American diplomat who served as the former United States Ambassador to Iceland. She was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on November 18, 2005, after being nominated by President George W. Bush on October 28, 2005. Her mission was terminated on January 20, 2009.
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George F. Veenker
- Occupations
- athletics competitorbaseball playerbasketball coach
- Biography
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George Frederick Veenker was an American football and basketball coach. He was the head basketball coach at the University of Michigan from 1928 to 1931 and also served as an assistant football coach at Michigan from 1926 to 1929. From 1931 to 1936, he was the head football coach at Iowa State College (now known as Iowa State University). He was also the athletic director at Iowa State from 1933 to 1945.
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George Vande Woude
- Occupations
- chemist
- Biography
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George F. Vande Woude Jr. was an American cancer researcher, who, from 1999 to 2009, served as the founding director of research at the Van Andel Institute (VAI). He is credited with the 1984 discovery of MET, an oncogene.
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Andy Ponstein
- Enrolled in Hope College
- Graduated with bachelor's degree
- Occupations
- racing driver
- Biography
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Andrew Ponstein is an American professional stock car racing driver. He is a former competitor in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, and ARCA Re/Max Series.
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Robert Danhof
- Years
- 1925-2013 (aged 88)
- Occupations
- lawyerjudgepolitician
- Biography
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Robert J. Danhof was an American jurist.
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Donald E. Kroodsma
- Years
- 1946-.. (age 80)
- Occupations
- ornithologist
- Biography
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Donald Eugene Kroodsma is an American author and ornithologist, one of the world's leading experts on the science of birdsong.
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David E. White
- Enrolled in Hope College
- Graduated with Bachelor of Arts
- Occupations
- military personnel
- Biography
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David Edward White is a retired rear admiral in the United States Navy. He was Chief of Chaplains of the United States Navy from August 1991 to August 1994. He earned an A.B. degree from Hope College in 1960 and an M.Div. degree from the New Brunswick Theological Seminary in 1963. White was commissioned as an ensign on March 5, 1962, and promoted to lieutenant (junior grade) after completing his training as a Reformed Church in America minister. He later received an M.S. degree from the Naval Postgraduate School in 1973.
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Marianne Walck
- Occupations
- scientist
- Biography
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Marianne C. Walck is Director of the National Energy Technology Laboratory. She previously served as Vice President of the Sandia National Laboratories, where she led nuclear weapons stewardship, and as the Chief Research Officer at the Idaho National Laboratory.
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Thomas J. Plewes
- Enrolled in Hope College
- Graduated with Bachelor of Arts in economics
- Occupations
- economist
- Biography
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Thomas Jeffrey Plewes is a retired lieutenant general in the United States Army. He is a former chief of the United States Army Reserve, a position he held from 25 May 1998 to 24 May 2002.
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John R. Dethmers
- Occupations
- lawyerjudgepolitician
- Biography
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John R. Dethmers was a politician from the U.S. state of Michigan.
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John E. Visser
- Biography
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John Evert Visser was an American education administrator, mostly known for serving as the twelfth president of Emporia State University in Emporia, Kansas. Before serving as president of Emporia State, Visser was an assistant to the president at Ball State University, and held several administrative jobs in higher education. After serving as president of Emporia State, Visser served as several interim titles across the United States.
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Edward Wichers
- Enrolled in Hope College
- Graduated with bachelor's degree in chemistry
- Occupations
- chemist
- Biography
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Edward Wichers was an American chemist and Associate Director of the National Bureau of Standards from 1958-62. He is notable for his work on atomic weights of the elements.
