Retiring Hope College professor Nancy Scholten '82 Kamstra has been selected as the fourth recipient of the Bunko Service Award.

The Bunko Service Award is presented to a faculty or staff member who is connected to Hope Athletics and recognized for their contributions that go above and beyond what is expected. Past award recipients are: Scott VanderStoep (2022), Gord VanderYacht (2020), and Hope College bus drivers (2019).

The award honors the memory of Norman "Bunko" Japinga, who served the athletics program at Hope College by infusing extraordinary joy and kindness into sometimes ordinary responsibilities. As an equipment manager, bus driver, scorekeeper, and announcer, Japinga became an encourager, servant, counselor, and friend.

Read more on eight current or former members of Hope College faculty who are retiring

Kamstra has been educating and caring for students for 41 years, including nearly 15 years at Hope College teaching and mentoring education majors who are preparing to teach health and physical education.

At Hope, Kamstra created the health minor in collaboration with Dr. Madeline Kukla and Doug Braschler of Hope's Department of Education. The minor involved the development of seven new courses, all required to meet specific, stringent state standards.

Kamstra spent the first 28 years of her career as a physical education and health educator in Zeeland, Michigan. 

"The wisdom gained through decades of public school instruction have truly been a gift to me and, I believe, a gift to my students," Kamstra said. "The opportunity to teach the next generation of teachers has been the greatest gift of my career. There's something really powerful about walking my students through what worked for me."

Kamstra's commitment that Kamstra's students have appreciated.  Prior to Monday's HOPEYs ceremony, Kamstra received the college's Vanderbush-Weller Award for strong, positive influence on students in 2018, and the Excellence in Advising award in 2020. 

Junior education major and women's lacrosse student-athlete Molly Frederickson said Kamstra is an exceptional person who possesses a remarkable God-given talent to seek out and make people feel loved, 

"She has impacted me and so many of my fellow student-athletes. Nancy provides wisdom, guidance, and encouragement for any student that walks through her door," Frederickson said. "I feel incredibly fortunate to have Nancy Kamstra in my corner for life. We should all strive to emulate her kindness, compassion and unwavering positivity."

Senior education major and men's basketball student-athlete Clayton Dykhouse said Kamstra has served Hope College with unbelievable passion, respect and commitment during her time here.

"Her kind-hearted, but ever-so-fiery, spirit, is something she has shared so willingly with us all," Dykhouse said. "From helping students with their schedules when it seemed like every class was filled (whether she's your advisor or not), to being the first phone call when some wisdom or advice is needed, she is always there in the midst of a crisis. 

"There is not enough time in a day to explain how Professor Kamstra has helped shape young people from this campus to go into the world and become difference makers. She is always willing to meet, whether that was to laugh, cry, celebrate, or offer support. She never gave anyone less than her absolute best, regardless of how she may have been feeling, and she lives a life of service regardless of circumstance."