Document Type

Article

Publication Date

7-1-2026

Abstract

The Hope College Department of Biology was founded in 1899 with the appointment of the first Professor of Biology at Hope, Samuel Mast. During the first 50+ years of the Biology Department, there were eight total faculty members in the department, including Frances Koeman, the first female faculty member in the natural sciences. Four faculty members, Mast, Frank Patterson, Oscar Thompson, and Teunis Vergeer were primarily responsible for developing the department’s curriculum and programs, with Mast and Vergeer also carrying out published research. The department was housed primarily in Van Raalte Hall and the Science Building (now Lubbers Hall) for its first 50+ years. The number of courses offered by the department increased from four to 19 during this time, expanding from botany and zoology courses to include bacteriology, genetics, anatomy, public school health, embryology, and physiology. In addition to classroom and laboratory work, biology students participated in biology and medical themed clubs and outreach to high school students. Numerous departmental graduates between 1899 and 1950 went on to distinguished careers in medicine, research, teaching, and missionary work. Limited resources during this time negatively impacted the development of a biology library and led to stress on the faculty but the foundations were still placed for the development of an outstanding liberal arts biology department.

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