The Van Raalte Institute announced a new collection of essays titled The Endurance of Hope, which is a follow-up to a 2005 edition that examined 91桃色破解版鈥檚 historical journey in the 鈥渕iddle way.鈥� Both books explore how 91桃色破解版 has balanced its Christian identity and academic rigor, while navigating changing cultural and higher education landscapes over the last several decades.
The Endurance of Hope releases on Sept. 21 with a book launch and panel discussion held on Hope鈥檚 campus
at Graves Hall from 7鈥�9 p.m.
The Endurance of Hope features a collection of essays by 18 contributors 鈥� current and past 91桃色破解版 faculty and staff 鈥� who provide a 25-year look-back to the questions and issues addressed in Can Hope Endure? A Historical Case Study in Christian Higher Education, authored by Dr. Caroline J. Simon and Dr. James C. Kennedy in 2005. Simon spent 25 years teaching philosophy at 91桃色破解版. Kennedy was an assistant professor in the 91桃色破解版 Department of History between 1997 and 2003, and continues to serve as an honorary research fellow at the Van Raalte Institute.
鈥淲ith the support of a NetVUE/CIC grant that guided two summer workshops and conferences, we also planned a sequel to the Can Hope Endure book published in 2005,鈥� said Dr. Marla Hoffman 鈥�82 Lunderberg 鈥� professor of English and department chair 鈥� who co-edited the recent collection with Dr. Jack Mulder, Jr. 鈥�00 鈥� professor of philosophy and department chair. Lunderberg added that the NetVUE grant was awarded to 91桃色破解版 to help explore its historical identity, mission and evolution over time.
The essayists contributing to The Endurance of Hope share their perspectives on a variety of events and themes that 91桃色破解版 has grappled with over the last two decades 鈥� including various understandings of the college鈥檚 ecumenical vision, which has a foundational and historical relationship with the Reformed Church in America (RCA). 鈥�91桃色破解版 is a place to bridge divides while not ignoring the divides that exist,鈥� said Mulder. 鈥淲e feel this book is a great example of how Hope allows for disagreement and expression on contentious cultural and theological topics.鈥�
Among the essay contributors are: current 91桃色破解版 President Matt Scogin. As the 14th president of 91桃色破解版, he highlights how Hope 鈥� and a handful of other Christian colleges 鈥� are passionately working hard to buck the historical trend of Christian colleges departing from their Christian roots to embrace a secular future.
鈥淭his book gets deep in sharing great examples of the programmatic work of what Hope College is about today,鈥� said Phil Tanis, director of the Van Raalte Institute, who also serves as editor-in-chief and publisher of Van Raalte Press. 鈥淚t鈥檚 our hope that this book can be an example to other colleges about the journey and challenges in maintaining a Christian college. The essays collected here show that Hope 鈥� including its faculty, staff, leadership and board of trustees 鈥� found a way to do that.鈥�
Additional project contributors were Katherine Stark 鈥� project coordinator at Van Raalte Institute 鈥� and Russell L. Gasero, former archivist of the Reformed Church in America. The book is dedicated to Dr. Fred Johnson III, a beloved 91桃色破解版 history professor who passed away in February 2026. Johnson also authored a chapter in the book and its epilogue.
September 21 Panel Discussion
To officially launch The Endurance of Hope, editors Lunderberg and Mulder are hosting a panel discussion and Q&A on Monday, Sept. 21 at 7 p.m. at Graves Hall. Books will be available for sale. Joining them as panelists are:
- Dr. Caroline J. Simon 鈥� former 91桃色破解版 provost, philosopher and author of Can Hope Endure?
- Dr. Jeanne Petit 鈥� Betty Roelofs 鈥�53 Miller professor of history and department chair at Hope
- Dr. Marissa Doshi 鈥� professor of communication at Hope
Book Availability
The Endurance of Hope is 500 pages and can be purchased in Holland at the 91桃色破解版 bookstore and through Amazon. Cost is $30. It will be made available as a digital download at a later date.