In 1949, Hope College discussed adding a ROTC program to the campus. Hope College housed an Air Force training program and the ASTP, thus the military involvement associated with the ROTC program was not a new concept to the campus. Ballots from the faculty indicate that most faculty members supported the implementation of an ROTC program [1]. Only John Hollenback and Emma Reeverts opposed the ROTC unit. 

Hollenback felt Hope was not ready for the ROTC unit without a comprehensive overview of the curriculum. He asserted that Hope College should only serve its country in this way when there is a state of emergency like in World War II [2]. 

Reeverts wrote to Lubbers on March 24, 1949 expressing her concerns:

“I look at the college campus as a place where young people come to seek truth; where we can study world needs and best ways to meet those needs; where they can learn more about democracy and receive training in democratic procedures. I feel that military units on the college campus and the inclusion of military education in the college curriculum are not in harmony with sound education in a democracy” [3].  

Despite concerns from these individuals, the college decided to move forward with their application for an ROTC unit. Lubbers wrote various letters to legislators, such as Gerald Ford in the House of Representatives and Governor Williams asking them to advocate for Hope College [4]. 

On April 20, 1951, Lubbers received a letter from the Air Force ROTC explaining that Hope College had not been selected to house a unit on campus (5). Further correspondence from Lubbers indicated that most of the institutions selected were not private, Christian colleges with the exception of one Catholic College. Furthermore, ROTC institutions in Michigan were already numerous and may have impacted the decision to award Hope an ROTC unit. Regardless, Hope College did not become affiliated with the Air Force and continued to expand and prepare for the next generations of scholars. 

References: 
[1] Post WWII Proposal for an Air Force ROTC Program at Hope College, Military Training Programs, records, 1949-1951, (H88-0266), Joint Archives of Holland, Hope College, Holland, MI. 
[2] John Hollenbach, February 18, 1949, Military Training Programs, records, 1949-1951, (H88-0266), Joint Archives of Holland, Hope College, Holland, MI. 
[3] Emma Reeverts, March 24, 1949, Military Training Programs, records, 1949-1951, (H88-0266), Joint Archives of Holland, Hope College, Holland, MI. 
[4] Post WWII Proposal for an Air Force ROTC Program at Hope College, Military Training Programs, records, 1949-1951, (H88-0266), Joint Archives of Holland, Hope College, Holland, MI. 
[5] Air Force ROTC, April 20, 1951, Military Training Programs, records, 1949-1951, (H88-0266), Joint Archives of Holland, Hope College, Holland, MI.