Hope College Student-Alumni Leadership Council

Commencement Ticket Incentive!

And now, the announcement you’ve all been waiting for.

The lucky winners of the Commencement Ticket Packages are…

Melody Hughes and Jacob Osburn!

Congratulations! If you have not yet made your donation to the Class of 2013 Senior Gift campaign, there is still time? Do you have $1? Because that is all it takes to be counted towards the class participation goal of 25%. If 46 more members of the Class of 2013 donated $1, this goal would be met and you would beat the Class of 2012!

Make your donation today by following this link.

Countdown to Commencement!

Now that spring break has come and gone, the countdown to commencement is officially on.  With only 37 days until commencement, your mind is filled with thoughts of exams and job/grad school interviews. You might also be stressing about commencement weekend details, especially getting your tickets.

In the next two weeks, you will receive an email with instructions about how to reserve your tickets for baccalaureate, as well as the rain-location commencement ceremony. As you would expect, there is a limit to the number of tickets each student can have. However…we’ve got a great giveaway to reward two donors to the Senior Class Gift campaign!

Everyone that donates to the Class Gift before April 12 will be entered to win one of two “Commencement Incentive Packages” that include:

1. Two extra tickets to the baccalaureate service of your choice
   
2. Five tickets to the Commencement Brunch served in Cook
3. A reserved parking spot at the stadium for the Commencement Ceremony
   

You can’t put a value on this amazing package…and all it takes to get entered is a gift of ANY SIZE to the 2013 Senior Class Gift. Just $5 will secure your spot in the contest…and we’ll send you a “Class of 2013” window cling.

Make your contribution online today!  (click here)

It’s a big week for the Class of 2013!

The “Senior Days” event is happening this week, on Wednesday and Thursday from 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM. This is THE event to attend, as you can accomplish many things at one time:

• Get fitted for and pick up your cap and gown (no pre-order required, and no cost)

• Order your graduation announcements

• Make your donation to the Senior Class Gift campaign

• Grab a snack

• See your friends

• Get some alumni swag

• And more!

So be sure to stop by the DeWitt Lobby on February 27^th or 28^th to take care of business. Everyone that makes a donation to the Senior Class Gift campaign this week will be entered into a drawing to win lunch with President Bultman!

Also…this just in…The Director of the Hope Fund believes in the Class of 2013 SO MUCH that she has decided to personally MATCH all of your donations to move you towards your goal.

So…President Bultman believes in the Class Gift campaign, and has offered to have lunch with a donor (chosen at random).

The Hope Fund Director believes in you, so she will MATCH your donation.

That means if you donate $13…your gift will count for $26, AND you get a Class of 2013 window cling, Hope bumper sticker, Hope Fund post-it notes AND the Tribute letter sent on your behalf. Plus, you’ll be entered for a chance to win lunch with President Bultman. What are you waiting for? Make your contribution today!

And the winner is…

Kaely Garred! After making her donation to the Senior Class Gift campaign (from New York City nonetheless!) Kaely was chosen at random as the winner of the first giving incentive. She is now the proud new owner of a Hope College diploma frame. Congratulations Kaely!

Make your gift today. If you donate $13 or more you’ll be the proud new owner of a “Class of 2013” window cling, Hope Fund post-it notes, and you can participate in the Tribute program.

Keep checking the blog for updates as will be having more give-a-ways as the semester continues! And don’t forget that Senior Days are just around the corner on February 27 and 28 - another perfect opportunity to make your donation!

The 2013 Senior Class Gift campaign kicks-off in 5…4…3…2…

Be a part of this longstanding senior class tradition! Like signing up to walk in May, and picking up your cap and gown later this month, the Senior Class Gift campaign is an important step in your transition to  Hope College Alumni. It is the alumni relationship that continually sustains the vibrant community of Hope’s students, faculty and staff.  So skip a trip to Lemonjello’s and set that money aside for future generations of Hope students like you!

Donating is simple! Make your gift now by visiting the online giving form.

Donate in Honor of Someone!
Sending a Tribute letter is an incredible way to show your gratitude for your incredible Hope Experience.  For students who donate a minimum of $10, the Alumni Office will send a formal letter to whomever you choose - a parent, friend, professor etc.  with a short personalized message from you!

New this year for your senior class gift - what matters most? The Hope Fund supports so many things on campus. These Hope Fund gifts provide excellent academics and quality activities that tuition and fees don’t cover.  With your gift, the Hope Fund can continue to make a difference in the lives of every student. You have the opportunity to support something that was especially meaningful to you. How would you choose to help your soon-to-be Alma Mater? Direct your gift to the Hope Fund to one of the following areas:

1)  Essential Hope

Love everything about Hope equally?  Don’t want to play favorites? Then direct your gift to Essential Hope and help support every aspect of every day at Hope…from scholarships to faculty salaries, classroom technology, light bulbs, and new books.

2)  Spiritual Hope 

Were you Groovin’ in the Grove?  Never miss The Gathering? Enjoy discussions of faith in the classroom, from FYS to Senior Sem? If so, give to Spiritual Hope and help support Campus Ministries and the variety of campus-wide activities that provide opportunities to explore and develop your faith.

3)  Social Hope

Were you an OA…or maybe you just liked that they moved all your stuff into your dorm Freshman year? Do you dominate at intramurals? Even Year? Odd Year? Flying Dutch? Flying Dutchman? If your Hope experience was as much about what happened outside the classroom as what happened in it, choose Social Hope to help keep these traditions alive.

4) Academic Hope

Still have coffee with your FYS professor?  Did your Health Dy class prompt you to major in Kinesiology? Honor a favorite professor or an entire academic department with a gift to Academic Hope. These gifts help with technology upgrades, funds for travel to academic conferences, and everything else needed to create a top-notch educational experience. 

If you have questions about the Senior Class Gift, or need more information please email alumni@hope.edu, or contact any member of the Student-Alumni Leadership Council.

“Why I Give” - Ryan McCall

“I was an avid member of the Campus Ministries worship team as a drummer, a resident assistant for Residential Life, and a semi-athletic member of multiple intramural teams, including basketball, soccer, and softball.   I want Hope students in the future to have these same great experiences, so my involvement in all of these activities definitely influenced why I gave back to Hope College.

My time at Hope College has formed me into a well-rounded and holistic person who is better prepared to relate to people in a personal and professional way.  The people and resources at Hope College have helped me develop into a better Christ-follower and develop me into a mature worker ready for a professional career.

I think that I have had a wonderful experience at Hope College, and someone who was a student before me gave back to Hope College so that I could have a life-changing experience.  I want to do that same thing for a future Hope College student (or my brother who is a potential Hope student).”

Don’t forget to donate and share “Why You Give”!  Thanks Ryan!

Student-Alumni Leadership Council!

Have you been looking for more ways to be involved?

Have you been looking for leadership opportunities?

Submit your application for the Student-Alumni Leadership Council before midnight on April 11 by clicking here!

The Student-Alumni Leadership Council could be exactly what you’re looking for! SALC is an organization comprised of students under direction of both the Alumni Association and Student Development. The main goals of SALC are to strengthen relationships between alumni and students and help create a smoother transition from student to alumni. This is done by organizing several events and hosting various activities for both alumni and students to be involved with. Students benefit from valuable leadership experience, unique networking opportunities and professional development training.

Events and programming that SALC is responsible for include: Homecoming, Family Weekend, Senior Class Gift, Alumni Weekend, and Senior Weekend. Not only is it an incredible experience, but it is also a ton of fun getting to know the other people on the council and alumni.

To submit your application to be considered for membership, click here. Feel free to contact Katie Garrett (katherine.garrett@hope.edu) or Andrew Haggerty (andrew.haggerty@hope.edu) for more information. Applications are due by April 10. If you have questions or interest, plan to attend the recruitment event on Tuesday, April 3^rd at 6pm in the Herrick Room. Current advisors and committee members will be there to answer questions about SALC.

“Why I Give” - Lily Poon

Lily Poon gives back because her Hope story isn’t over when she graduates. Many of her friends will still be students and she wants to make sure their experiences are as equally great as hers. Lily plans to keep in touch with many friends and stay up to date with what they’re doing. Lily is a leader of HAPA and wants to see her legacy continued. The Hope Fund helps support that so thanks for giving Lily!

And the winners are…

Thanks so much to everyone that made a donation to the Senior Class Gift during senior days! To date, there have been 129 donations made totaling $1,250! That’s almost 19% of the class. We’re off to a great start. Congratulations to the following winners:

Hope Sweatshirt Blankets
Paige Holthof
Ashley Drew
Kurt Burmeister
Erica Long
Erin McIntrye
Jacqueline Canonaco

Alumni License Plate Covers
Bonnie Greenberg Jansma
Evan Beals
Ryan Tussey
Edith Leon

Alumni Mugs
Christina Vincent
Stephanie Skaff
Everetta Cole
Anne Jamieson

It’s Senior Days!

Which means it’s time for you to pick up your cap & gown, your graduation announcements, give to the Senior Class Gift, and so much more. On February 29th  and March 1st from 10 am - 5 pm, there will be tables set up in the lobby of Dewitt for Seniors to come and explore some of the information necessary for graduation.

If you donate to the Senior Class Gift during Senior Days, you will be entered to win one of MANY great prizes, including sweatshirt blankets, Hope gear, and so much more. You will want to be there, don’t miss it!