LONDON MAY TERM
UPDATE
Fall 2013
Dear Alumni of the London May term,
Last year we wrote to you about a number of “firsts” that were experienced during the May term of
2012. Well, this year was no different. Perhaps the most significant “first” was due to the
unprecedented high demand for the program. We had well over thirty applications for a program that
we have strategically set a cap at sixteen students. After much consultation, information gathering,
and prayer, it was decided to offer both a London May term and a London June term. Hindsight
suggests that this was a wise decision. We had two wonderful groups of students that displayed the
character traits of curiosity and humility that we look for in the selection process. The two pictures
below show both groups. The sizes of the two groups also solidified our desire to keep the London
terms set at 12-16 students. We feel that more than sixteen sacrifices the intimacy of the program, but
less than twelve drives the costs exceedingly high.
2013 May group on the grounds of Wimbledon
2013 June group before our final celebration
To continue our “firsts,” we were privileged to have
Professor Peter Boumgarden co-lead the May term this year.
Peter began at Hope in 2010 and has been a very welcome
addition to the department. He brings youthful energy and
plenty of new ideas to the department and to the program that
help to both invigorate and improve. He is also very well
liked by the students and is probably the key reason that
demand for the program was so high this year.
Peter (left) with Jim Fitzpatrick
and Tom in Westminster Hall
We were also able to utilize some contacts that Peter had in
London to secure a visit in the Mayor of London’s office.
We were able to sit in on the monthly Q&A session that the
Mayor holds with the various assembly members that
represent the 32 boroughs of London. We were also treated
to a small group session on the cultural strategies proposed by
the Mayor’s office and some of the results of early
implementations. Perhaps most memorable was a tour of the
iconic City Hall that houses the Mayor’s office and is located
on the south bank of the Thames overlooking the Tower of
London and the Tower Bridge.
Another great privilege was to have Professor
Marty LaBarge co-lead the June term. Marty has
been associated with the department since 2007
and brings a sense of calm and class to
every-thing with which she is associated. She is
also very skilled with numbers and helped
reconcile our budget in a surprisingly efficient
manner.
Marty’s husband John was able to join us for one
week of the program. The LaBarge family are
tennis enthusiasts, so it was very fortunate that
we were able to visit Wimbledon during John’s
stay. Their enthusiasm was contagious as we
were able to visit the grounds a mere two weeks
before the start of the tournament.
2013 June group in front of the Celtic Hotel.
Marty is on the far left in the front row
Three final thoughts to sum up our letter. First, please remember the Heisler-Muiderman London
May Term Scholarship fund. Once again, it provided some much needed funding for three financially
needy students. The three recipients all stated that they would have been unable to attend had it not
been for the scholarship money. We invite you to consider supporting this scholarship fund. Checks
may be made payable to Hope College with “London May Term Scholarship” on the memo line of
the check. We have enclosed a return envelope should you decide to contribute. All gifts of all sizes
will help make this program a reality for deserving students.
Second, Tom Smith will be on sabbatical for the entire 2013-2014 academic year. Much of this time
will be spent with his wife Cheryl serving at a small Christian college in Romania. He will be
teaching various business subjects and trying to better understand the culture of eastern Europe.
Thus, after twelve consecutive years of co-leading, he will not be participating in the London May
term of 2014.
Last, we leave you with some group photos in some of our favorite places. Hopefully, they bring
back some fond memories you have of your London experience. You are always welcome to visit us
in London at any time, but keep in mind May 2023 as it will be our 50th year celebration.
June group trying to stay dry in front of the
Royal Crescent in Bath
Cheers,
Peter Boumgarden, Marty LaBarge &Tom Smith
Co-leaders, London May & June Terms 2013
May group on the top floor deck of City Hall
overlooking the city