Hope College Economics & Business Department

05/15/2026

Thank you to our spring semester marketing project clients!

Over the last few months, we have been thrilled to partner with Chick-fil-A Restaurants, Zeeland Christian School and Evergreen Commons.

📈 For our clients, these presentations bring data-driven insights, fresh ideas and a full team of student innovators ready to spur continued growth and opportunity.

💼 Our students gain valuable hands-on experience as well as exposure to employers and industries.

It's a process that wouldn't be possible without our clients -- thank you for your partnership!

Our faculty mentors, Professor Mark Rebhan and Professor Lauren Hearit, bring a wealth of expertise and industry knowledge to the process as well, fostering a learning opportunity that strengthens both student and client.

05/11/2026

The perfect day for celebrating our Class of 2026 graduates! Congratulations! ✨⚓️

04/21/2026

Last week, eight of our students took part in the Economic Scholars Program hosted by the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland. As part of the experience, students were able to take in undergraduate research presentations, a career panel focused on job opportunities in economics and addresses by senior fed officials.

One of our own students, Senior Cole Butterfield, served as a discussant for three papers and prepared short presentations responding to the presented research. Great work, Cole!

It's just one of the ways our students are building meaningful community and experiences every day!

03/23/2026

Meet our 2026 ACG Cup teams! 🏆

Competing against 30 teams from 13 colleges and universities nationwide, each team worked diligently to analyze a complex finance case and pitch recommendations to professionals in the field. The competition, which is hosted each year by the West Michigan Chapter of the Association for Corporate Growth, is one of the premier competitive experiences for students interested in pursuing careers in the finance industry.

Of the four teams representing Hope College Economics & Business, two teams advanced to the final round with one securing an impressive first-place finish.

For all students who participated, the experience is a key way to elevate finance knowledge, sharpen presentation skills and network with professionals.

Congrats to ALL of our student competitors on your remarkable work!

03/09/2026

Last week, we welcomed over 80 companies and 150 professionals to campus for our Employer Partnership Dinner.

What an incredible evening celebrating the impact of working together with employers to shape the next generation of business leaders.

Thank you for joining us in the process! Seeing a room full of West Michigan business leaders and innovators is nothing short of inspiring as together we come alongside students and build for the future.

A special thank you to David Van Andel, Randy Thelen and J.C. Huizenga for sharing insights related to partnership, growth and West Michigan talent. Also, thank you to Carol Van Andel, Stacy Jackson and Michael Stechschulte for your reflections on our growing program and the students who are called to make a difference in our companies and communities.

03/06/2026

Congratulations to all of our students who recently participated in the ACG Cup competition. Special congrats to Keegan McNamara, Michael Stechschulte and Thea Niedritis-Newkirk for your first-place finish! ⚓

Representing Hope Economics & Business, four student teams competed at the 2026 ACG Cup, with two reaching the finals.

Keegan McNamara ’26, Michael Stechschulte ’26, and Thea Niedritis-Newkirk ’26 led the way, securing a first-place finish.

The ACG Cup is an intercollegiate case competition for future finance professionals. At this event, student teams analyze a complex business case and pitch strategic recommendations to a panel of industry experts.

02/19/2026

It's Day of Giving and this year couldn't be a more exciting time to give to Economics & Business students at Hope!

With your gift, you can help move our 500+ students into a single innovative hub in Downtown Holland through support of the Hope College Means Business campaign.

Come alongside students by helping to provide the facilities, programs and experiences that engage the business world, guide vocational discernment and impact the world through faith AND excellence. Join us as we take this bold step!

https://www.givecampus.com/schools/HopeCollege/day-of-giving-2026/pages/business

01/08/2026

In 2026, Economics & Business is celebrating its 95th year as a department at Hope College. In the most recent issue of News from Hope College, you can learn more about how Edward Dimnent, the fifth president of Hope College, lived into a bold vision of faith and excellence through the founding of the department. It's a vision that we are grateful to bring to life yet today.

Read more here:

How a Bold Dr. Dimnent Forged Hope’s Economics and Business Legacy

12/23/2025

Did you know that Michigan is home to more than 500 Christmas tree farms and grows more tree varieties than any other state? Just ask our very own Professor Kevin Chastagner who serves as a consultant and researcher for the Michigan Christmas Tree Association.

Joining Kevin in his work is Professor Lauren Hearit - as well as Elsie Craig and Peter Standaert who served as research assistants on the project. Together, they are not only providing valuable insights for growers and industry leaders, but their work is among a rare few agriculturally based business research projects being conducted at liberal arts institutions.

Read more here: https://magazine.hope.edu/winter-2025/the-modern-business-of-an-age-old-product/

Hope business students and faculty researchers teamed up to uncover the “why” behind how we shop for Christmas trees.

From focus groups to market trends, their research is helping Michigan’s $40M industry stay rooted in the modern market.

11/20/2025

As part of our immersion experiences for freshmen and sophomores, 35 students from the Business Club recently traveled to Nashville for a first-hand look at a variety of companies and organizations.

Visits included Civitas Growth Partners, Upperline Health, Speire Healthcare Strategies and Siloam Health. Students also connected with Nashville-based alumni including Maggie Hoerner at Whirlpool Corporation, Delaney MacIsaac at Gary Sinise Foundation and Mitch Baron. Students even enjoyed an evening at the Grand Ole Opry!

For students, connecting with businesses and professionals gives invaluable perspective as they discern their own journey and consider the breadth of functions, roles and firms across the business landscape. Often, hearing others' stories of professional growth and calling provides a new way of thinking about their own path.

Economics & Business student Grace D'Angelo ('28) shared: "This trip to Nashville was such an amazing opportunity and gave me a new and unique perspective on the business world and its different opportunities. My biggest takeaway was being your true authentic self and never letting that go."

11/06/2025

On Saturday, October 25, Hope College sent three teams to the 10th Annual Commercial Lending Competition sponsored by the West Michigan Chapter of the Risk Management Association.

As part of the challenge, students worked on teams to present recommendations related to a real-world lending scenario, and then pitch those recommendations to a panel of judges (all banking professionals). Each team made a total of two presentations – one simulating recommendations for the ‘client’ and another addressing the ‘loan committee.’

The challenge takes weeks of hard work and dedication as the teams prepare to put their knowledge and skills to the test against other colleges and universities. This year, a record-breaking 17 student teams representing 9 institutions participated in the event.

Despite the largest pool of competitors to date, we are thrilled to share the Hope College finished as the ONLY school with TWO teams in the top five! 🏆👏

Case competitions such as this one are a unique opportunity for students to gain hands-on experience, strengthen their resume, polish presentation skills and build valuable networking connections with experts in the field.

Congratulations to each of our student competitors - and many thanks to the faculty and professionals who supported them along the way! Well done!