Archives: Hosts

Rick, a 1993 graduate of Calvin University, has spent his professional life in public service, community engagement, and entertainment. For ten years, he served at Calvin in the Advancement Division as Director of the Annual Fund and Alumni Director. Beyond his professional achievements, Rick also played a pivotal role in launching River City Improv where he continues to be an active performer with the group as they create clean, clever comedy. In his downtime, you’ll find Rick spending time with family and friends. As a life-long learner, he’s often exploring new destinations on his travels, trying to capture the perfect photo with his camera or log more miles on the road with his mediocre running abilities.

Having grown up in the Detroit area and settling in Grand Rapids 40 years ago, Ginger retired from Grand Valley State University to make time for globetrotting. When she’s not on the road, Ginger is absorbed by her piano, ballroom dancing, and way too much pickleball. With 20 countries, Alaska, and
Hawaii checked off her list, this tour will be her second Parisian encounter. She is eager to explore more of France with you through her first riverboat experience!

A recent transplant to the Grand Rapids area from Brighton, Debra retired from healthcare and is now enjoying more time to pursue her real passions – travel and photography. She has traveled extensively throughout the United States, seven Canadian provinces and South Korea. Last year she added Greece to her European travels, which was her first experience with a tour company. She is
looking forward to adding France to her travels and is especially excited about her first riverboat experience.

Ian is the director of the Hope Academy of Senior Professionals (HASP) at Hope
College. He is a lifelong learner, an avid birdwatcher, and a huge movie fan. His
college thesis was written on the use of popular music soundtracks in Vietnam
War films, and he cannot wait to bird internationally for the first time. Ian is
thrilled to meet you, humbled to experience the rich and difficult history of Vietnam with you, and ready to make this a trip you will never forget!

Dr. Fred Johnson III, Guy Vander Jagt ‘53 Professor of History, has taught history at Hope College since 2000. His primary field is 19th century U.S. history, specifically the Civil War. His other areas of study include the U.S. in the 20th century, the U.S. military, foreign policy and African history. He is an award-winning public speaker, a member of Toastmasters International and the National Speakers Association. Along with teaching in the classroom, Fred has led many May Terms to Vietnam. He is looking forward to experiencing this country and this culture with you.

Tom was a professor of business at Hope College from 1993-2020. Cheryl served as an RN in the Hope College health clinic from 1994-2020. The two of them led three-week student study abroad programs to London for fifteen years. They are avid travelers to Europe and lived for a year in Romania. With Tom’s love of history and geography and Cheryl’s gift of hospitality, this trip promises to provide unique insights about the English culture within an environment of genuine fellowship. Tom and Cheryl met at the University of Michigan and have been married since 1979. They have two lovely daughters and four remarkable grandchildren.

Mark Vermaire has been a pastor for 40 years and served most recently as Senior Pastor of The American Protestant Church of The Hague in The Netherlands. But Mark’s avocation has been to explore the wonders of people, cultures, sights, and history that spark our imaginations and challenge our routines. He and his wife Lori have traveled widely, and while in Europe,
love to explore yearly Christmas Markets, the rich history and geography of the continent, and the life-affecting story of Dietrich Bonhoeffer. When not traveling, they live in Carlsbad, California.