The Verbrugge-Hoogwerf Family

Nellie Verbrugge ‘42 (1919-2005) and Henry Hoogwerf ‘33 (1911-1949) were both children of immigrant parents who came to the United States in the early 1900s. Nellie and two of her ten siblings (Frank ‘34 and John ‘31) attended Calvin College. Henry had five siblings, but he was the only one who attended college. While Henry was at Calvin College he met Frank Verbrugge who introduced his sister Nellie to Henry. Nellie and Henry were married and both became teachers in Christian schools in Minnesota. The extended progeny of these two immigrant families have become educators across the spectrum of training including pre-school/grade/middle/high school teachers, college and university professors. Many also became post-graduate, seminary, nursing and medical school faculty members. The Verbrugge-Hoogwerf Family Scholarship was established by the progeny of these two original immigrant families. This scholarship is intended to support a Calvin College sophomore, junior or senior whose career goals are to teach at the primary or secondary level.