John Donkersloot Receives Two National Academic Awards

Recent Hope College graduate John Donkersloot of Zeeland (Zeeland East HS) has been awarded the highest honors that can be presented to a scholar-athlete.

The three-time All-American high jumper has been awarded an NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship and for the second consecutive year named a Capital One first team Academic All-American.

The Phi Beta Kappa biochemistry/molecular biology major maintained a 3.90 grade point average. He also carried a philosophy minor and is an accomplished pianist. He was named the outstanding senior student-athlete in the Hope Class of 2011. He finished third in the high jump at the NCAA Division III championships as a sophomore and junior and was fourth this past spring.

"John is a very personable individual with exceptional talent and
leadership qualities, and a commitment to contribute in a positive way
to his campus and community," said Dr. Lynne Hendrix, Hope NCAA
faculty athletic representative.

"John is a very unique individual who is able to excel at the highest
levels in a variety of areas through his dedication, hard work and
innate abilities and gifts," said his coach, Kevin Cole.

Donkersloot is the 18th Hope scholar-athlete to receive the $7,500
NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship and the 11th among 40 honorees to be
named an Academic All-American twice.

Donkersloot will be attending the University of Michigan Medical
School in the fall. He is the son of James and Sara Donkersloot of
Zeeland.