HOLLAND (WHTC-AM/FM) — Historian Jonathan Hagood, Hope College’s associate dean for teaching and learning, died unexpectedly on Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018. He was 43.
A member of the history faculty since 2008, Mr. Hagood served in a variety of roles at Hope College and was also the Senior Seminar program director, and chair of the Department of Music. He was co-director of the college’s Faith and Scholarship Discussion Series; had led the team that developed an initiative at Hope funded by Lilly Endowment Inc. to help churches develop programs for calling and vocation; and was on the task force that developed the plan for the Boerigter Center for Calling and Career. He was also the faculty liaison for the 2018 Lilly Fellows Program National Conference, which will feature the theme “Robust and Receptive Ecumenism” and will be held at Hope on Oct. 12-14.
Hagood was an active scholar whose areas of expertise included nuclear weapons policy, mid-20th century Argentina, the history of public health and the history of nursing. He had also mentored a number of Hope students conducting collaborative or independent research projects.
“We’re mourning the loss of a treasured and dedicated friend and colleague, and grieve especially for his loved ones,” said the Rev. Dennis Voskuil, Hope College president.
“Jonathan’s service to Hope reflects his many talents and his diverse array of interests,” Voskuil said. “His passion for effective teaching, vocational discernment, and the relationship between faith and scholarship benefited many at the college and beyond, and will continue to do so for years to come.”
Hope presented Mr. Hagood with the Provost’s Award for Service to the Academic Program in 2017. Among other external awards through the years, he had held fellowships with the Eleanor Crowder Bjoring Center for Nursing Historical Inquiry at the University of Virginia, the Eisenberg Institute for Historical Studies at the University of Michigan, the Bentley Historical Library at the University of Michigan and the Lilly Library at Indiana University.
Hagood completed his doctorate in Latin American history at the University of California, Davis in 2008. He graduated with bachelor’s degrees in architecture and Latin American studies from the University of Austin in 1998, and completed a master’s degree in history at the University of California, Davis in 2005.
Survivors include his wife, Amy, and two children at home.
Funeral arrangements will be shared when available
