Lasting Loyalty
Don Nadler '73 first danced with Kathy at a fraternity rush party. Months later, and one minute before curfew, he proposed to her on the steps of Durfee Hall. She did not have time to respond. After chapel the next morning, Don got his answer! They were married while Don was still a student.
Unlike most college students who work on campus or in a local shop, Don and Kathy bought a gas station in Holland while they were still students. They ran the business for several years and then sold it to move back to Don's hometown. Once there, Don followed a career path working for the state corrections department, eventually becoming a magistrate. Kathy held several positions as an executive assistant and still knows shorthand.
Kathy came to Hope from Chicago because of her connection to the Reformed Church in America. Don came from upstate New York due to the same connection. They remain involved in the RCA in Johnstown, N.Y., and have held local and classis leadership positions.
Don and Kathy's recent trips to the Hope campus have included attending a chapel service and enjoying a home volleyball match, with Hope coming out on top. Their reaction: "What's not to like?"
Giving back to Hope has been a longtime habit for the Nadlers. They began early, and their support has been strong and consistent. In addition to their annual support of the Hope Fund, Don and Kathy have been intentional in their planning. Their long-term giving strategy includes both life insurance and bequest provisions. "Considering an estate gift to Hope was only natural," Don says.
Hope College is grateful to the Nadlers for their vision in supporting future generations of students.