History of Hope
Although Hope wasn't officially called a college until 1866, it began in the fall of 1851,when it was the Holland Colonies "Pioneer School". This school eventually evolved into "The Holland Academy" and then the college as the cities need for secondary and college level schools increased. Hope was partially founded by the Reformed Church in America because Rev. A.C Van Raalte wanted Holland's children to receive schooling with a Christian base, an option not available with public school. Life in the west Michigan was hard for the settlers, leaving many children parent-less, so Hope built an orphanage on site where the current Western Theological Seminary now stands. In the end, the house was not needed and was the first school building, until it was destroyed by a fire in 1889. None of the original buildings still stand today. The oldest building on campus, Van Vleck Hall, was built in 1957 and served as almost the entire campus. It held dorms, classes, and even the college's first president. The Van Vleck building is quite impressive, even for today's standard, made of brick and stone, and standing three stories tall. Today, it is used to house the women residents. The only other building in Holland that is older is called Pilar Church located just off campus. The solid structure of these two buildings is the reason they survived the great Holland fire of 1871, which destroyed most of the city. During this time, Pilar Church and the Van Vleck Hall was a safe-haven for many Holland residents displaced by the fire. In 1866, Hope admitted it's first group of freshman, 10 students. Then, in 1878, Hope went co-ed and admitted it's first women students. In the 2012 fall school year, Hope enrolled 3,249 students from 43 states and 33 foreign countries.
College Information
Total Enrolled: 3,249 students
Females Enrolled: 2,004 students
Males Enrolled:1,245 students
Total Freshman Enrolled: 847 students
Total Sophomores Enrolled: 756 students
Total Juniors Enrolled: 698 students
Total Seniors Enrolled: 867 students
At Hope College, there are students from 43 states, the most being from Michigan (2,217 students) and students from 33 foreign countries. Foreign countries represented are Afghanistan, Armenia, Australia, Brazil, Burundi, Canada, China, Cuba, El Salvador, Ethiopia, France, Germany, Ghana, Honduras, India, Japan, Kenya, Liberia, Mexico, Myanmar, Nepal, Nigeria, Peru, the Philippines, Sierra Leone, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Sweden, Taiwan, United Kingdom, Venezuela and the West Bank. Hope is a strong Christian based college that is affiliated with the Reformed Church in America. There are 87 majors and minors in liberal arts and pre-professional fields that provide unusual flexibility for students to combine their interests. Known as a powerhouse in the sciences, Hope is also the only private, liberal arts college to have national accreditation in art, dance, music and theater. Hope college is conveniently located in Holland, Michigan, it is a short 17 minute drive to the beach.
Females Enrolled: 2,004 students
Males Enrolled:1,245 students
Total Freshman Enrolled: 847 students
Total Sophomores Enrolled: 756 students
Total Juniors Enrolled: 698 students
Total Seniors Enrolled: 867 students
At Hope College, there are students from 43 states, the most being from Michigan (2,217 students) and students from 33 foreign countries. Foreign countries represented are Afghanistan, Armenia, Australia, Brazil, Burundi, Canada, China, Cuba, El Salvador, Ethiopia, France, Germany, Ghana, Honduras, India, Japan, Kenya, Liberia, Mexico, Myanmar, Nepal, Nigeria, Peru, the Philippines, Sierra Leone, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Sweden, Taiwan, United Kingdom, Venezuela and the West Bank. Hope is a strong Christian based college that is affiliated with the Reformed Church in America. There are 87 majors and minors in liberal arts and pre-professional fields that provide unusual flexibility for students to combine their interests. Known as a powerhouse in the sciences, Hope is also the only private, liberal arts college to have national accreditation in art, dance, music and theater. Hope college is conveniently located in Holland, Michigan, it is a short 17 minute drive to the beach.