Hope College President John C. Knapp will leave his position at the college this summer to lead Washington & Jefferson College in Washington, Pennsylvania. Washington & Jefferson College announced Knapp’s appointment on Friday, April 21. Invited by Washington & Jefferson College to be considered for the presidency, he will assume his new role in August. The search committee chair shared that Knapp emerged as the strongest, most qualified finalist among 150 individuals in a "very distinguished pool of candidates." His last day at Hope will be July 31.Knapp has served as Hope’s 12th president since July 1, 2013, and also holds appointments as a professor of religion and professor of management.Succession planning is underway and Hope’s Board of Trustees will make decisions in the coming weeks regarding interim leadership and the timeframe for a national search for the college’s next president.