Hope College - Guide to Planned Giving

Donald Cordes

A Strong Desire for Quality at Hope

Donald Cordes '40 of West Des Moines, Iowa, believes his upbringing in the Reformed Church in America is what instilled in him a strong emphasis and desire to be of service to others. Donald, who grew up in the era of the Great Depression, always believed that giving back was something that he should do, regardless of the situation. Because of his strong belief, Donald has made the decision to include Hope in his estate plans.

"I have a very strong feeling that Hope made me what I am," Donald says. "Next to the influence of my parents, my Hope education is what has impacted my life the most." Hope's chapel services drew Donald to Hope because they were strongly moving to him. He also cherished his education at Hope, and he recalls being in awe when he first experienced the teaching of former professor and Hope's fifth president Dr. Edward D. Dimnent.

Donald fondly remembers the transformation he endured during his time as a student at Hope. "It took me a while to get over my small town vision of the world, but Hope helped broaden my horizons," he says. He credits Hope College for equipping him with the skills he needed to eventually become president of the Iowa Methodist Medical Center, a position from which he has since retired. "Hope gave me a much broader view of what the world is like, and it exposed me to ways of thinking that I wouldn't have received otherwise. I am helping to ensure that Hope keeps up the quality and excellence of its faculty, which I once benefited from."