Io Triumphe! Summer 2025

Io Triumphe!

Build Albion Fellows: Strengthening 7 communities one student at a time

Since its inaugural class, the Build Albion Fellows program has provided opportunities for students from the Albion community to attend college and give back to their hometown.

Fairy-tale ending for horse and rider 10

Hannah DesRochers ’23 took more away from Albion College than a degree, great networking opportunities, and lasting memories.

Small school, big networking connections 14 Several companies have become home to networks of Albion alumni that grow every year, including Ernst & Young and the Grand Teton Lodge.

Rebooting the college’s relationship 16 with Albion

International student Larissa Botega ’27 learned quite a few valuable lessons as part of her Foundation for Undergraduate Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity project. Commencement 2025

This year’s Commencement was a time to celebrate accomplishments as well as cherish connections and community. We revisit some of the messages imparted and share where some of Albion’s newest graduates are headed.

On the Cover: Hannah DesRochers ’23 with her former competition companion Chaucer. Photo credit: William

Io Triumphe!

EDITOR

Mark Lowery

DESIGNER/ILLUSTRATOR

Katherine Hibbs

PHOTOGRAPHER

William Leung

CONTRIBUTORS

Melissa Anderson

Makeba Bantu ’25

Ty’Nayia George ’26

Victoria Herbert ’26

Carolyn Killewald ’04

Elizabeth Palmer ’10

Jordan Revenaugh ’21

Jake Weber

ADDRESS UPDATES

Office of Institutional Advancement 611 E Porter St. Albion, MI 49224 albion.edu/alumni

Please send class notes and other personal updates to classnotes@albion.edu

CONTACT THE EDITOR communications@albion.edu

Io Triumphe! is published in the winter and summer by Albion College. Opinions expressed in the publication may not reflect those of the College or Alumni Association. Photo and text copyright Albion College, all rights reserved.

ALBION COLLEGE MISSION

Albion College prepares students for lives of purpose characterized by meaningful careers and responsible leadership, with local and global impact. We are committed to sustaining a diverse, equitable, inclusive, and learner-centered environment where all students feel that they belong. We cultivate critical thinking, creativity, and a love of learning rooted in the liberal arts tradition and academic excellence. albion.edu/mission

Leung

Letter from the President

As I reflect on the 2024-2025 academic year, I am filled with gratitude for the passion and commitment demonstrated by the Albion College community. This year, we faced challenges that continue to shape the landscape of higher education, but thanks to your unwavering support, we’ve remained steadfast on our pathway forward and in our mission to prepare students to make an immediate impact upon graduation.

Our graduates embody this mission. On May 3, we celebrated the Class of 2025 as they crossed the stage to receive their diplomas. We welcomed 328 new members into the Albion College Alumni Association, and their achievements are a testament to the vibrant, supportive community we cultivate. It is impossible to accurately describe the incredibly positive impact they had on our campus and on me personally. As we say farewell to this outstanding group, we look forward to welcoming the Class of 2029, which is shaping up to be one of our largest and most-talented incoming classes in recent years.

In reflecting on the 2024-25 academic year, it’s also important to recognize the progress we’ve made on our Pathway Forward strategic plan and the ongoing impact of programs like Build

Albion Fellows, which continues to shape the futures of talented students like Tailynn White ’25. Tailynn, a member of the Wilson Institute for Medicine, will begin an accelerated BSN program at the University of Michigan Flint this fall, driven by her passion for patient care and leadership skills honed through volunteer posts with the YMCA and AmeriCorps.

Guided by our commitment to academic excellence, student success, and financial sustainability, we have made strides in several key areas. We’ve increased student retention rates, enhanced our campus spaces, and voted to make experiential learning a guaranteed hallmark of the Albion experience. These initiatives, combined with new gifts and commitments that have doubled from last year, are helping us build a sustainable future and continue on our journey of constant progress.

This issue of the alumni magazine highlights some of the stories that exemplify the strength and spirit of our community. You’ll read about Kevie Lamour ’25, whose leadership on campus has made a lasting impact; a heartwarming story about the rehoming of a beloved equestrian program horse, Chaucer, and his reunion with an Albion alum; and briefs on three of our distinguished faculty members who recently retired and were honored by faculty colleagues with emeritus status. Additionally, you’ll learn about Larissa Botega ’27 and

her efforts to bridge the gap between the college and the Albion community through experiential learning projects.

In the spirit of celebrating community connections, we also share stories of alumni paying it forward. You’ll read about alumni like Mike Juchno ’93, who continues to open doors for fellow Britons at Ernst & Young, and Grace Szmania ’23, who has cultivated an Albion network at the Grand Teton Lodge. These stories are reminders that the Briton spirit extends far beyond campus, creating lifelong bonds and opportunities.

Your continued support is essential to sustaining our mission and our momentum. Whether through mentorship, advocacy, or philanthropy, every effort you make strengthens our community. As we move forward, let us remain committed to fostering the next generation of Britons, ensuring that they too can thrive and make a difference in the world.

Thank you for your steadfast support of Albion College. Together, we are building a stronger future, grounded in the enduring values that make our community unique.

Io Triumphe!

What has been your favorite accomplishment?

“I think it was starting the African and Caribbean Student Union on campus.”

Kevie Lamour ’25

Hometown: Cap-Haitian, Haiti

Major: Political Science, Economics

Memberships: Gerald R. Ford Institute for Leadership in Public Policy and Service, James L. Curtis Institute for Social Change, Prentiss M. Brown Honors Program, co-founder and vice-president of the African and Caribbean Student Union.

Kevie describes her biggest culture shock as adjusting to the weather in Michigan. Still, she found a home in Albion’s close-knit community.

What are your plans after commencement?

“I plan to go to law school in August and become an international lawyer.”

What’s something most people don’t know about you?

“I’ve only been speaking English for three years. French and Creole are my first languages.”

What will you miss most about Albion?

“The people, friends, and community I built in Albion. I’m going to miss being five minutes away from my friends.”

What is your favorite space on campus?

“Umbrella House, just because most of the organizations I am a part of meet there, and it became the safe space for most minority groups and it became a safe space for me.”

What is your favorite movie, play, or TV show?

“I’ve been really hooked on cooking shows. They really have helped me mentally through college…Top Chef, Hell’s Kitchen.”

Story written by Marketing and Communications Intern

Ty’Nayia George ’25

Albion 24/7

The Prentiss M. Brown Honors Program is designed for students interested in challenges and opportunities that go beyond those offered by traditional lecture and laboratory courses. It features small, distinctive, interdisciplinary classes that emphasize discussion, writing, and encourage independent thinking. Every major, center, and institute on campus is represented in the program.

The following data points emphasize the uniqueness of the program and how it benefits students.

Administrative Excellence 1st-year Retreat

In addition to the retreat, students experience field trips to popular cultural events, guest lecturers, and many student-initiated social events.

The honors program at Albion was founded in America’s Bicentennial Year and, in August of 2004, was renamed The Prentiss M. Brown Honors Program. It is located in the historic Observatory building and contains a seminar room for honors classes, the honors associate director’s office, as well as meeting, lounge/ library, computing, and study areas for honors students and their guests.

Renée Kreger, staff associate director for Albion’s Prentiss M. Brown Honors Program, received the 2024 Award for Administrative Excellence from the National Collegiate Honors Council. “A national award is a wonderful reflection of our Prentiss M. Brown Honors Program and its mission, as well as a reflection of Renée’s work ethic, character, and commitment to this College,” Honors Program Director Lia Jensen-Abbott said. “Renée is a passionate student advocate and works above and beyond to provide an inclusive, safe, and community-based atmosphere for our students every single day.”

Percent of honors students who go on to graduate or professional schools after graduation.

24-HOUR ACCESS

to the Observatory building is just one of the many perks students enjoy.

Glasgow, Scotland

The honors program offers a unique study abroad opportunity in conjunction with the University of Glasgow, which was founded in 1451 and is an internationally recognized institution with prestigious programs in the sciences and humanities. The university also has created an honors class especially for American students.

My A Place

with Evan Stehlik

Stehlik serves as Albion College’s costume shop supervisor. He is a graduate of Central Michigan University where he received a degree in technical theatre with a focus in costuming. He has presented several costume, makeup, and hair designs at KCACTF District 3 conferences. Evan has also constructed wigs for Midland Center for the Arts and has worked with Peach State Summer Theater in Georgia as part of its wardrobe, stitcher, and hair and makeup crews.

Io Triumphe!: How would you describe your design aesthetic?

Stehlik: Whatever I’m doing, I always have a through line. I love to add little details that the audience might not notice right away but will give deeper meaning to a character. I also love playing with contrast, whether it’s colors, fabrics, or

textures, while still making sure everything looks harmonious.

What is the best part of being a costume designer?

I love when the actors try on their costumes for the first time, seeing them light up and say, “Oh, this changes the way I move!” It’s amazing because that’s what costumes are for–to help bring characters to life in

a whole new way. This spring, Hedda Gabler was the first show I fully designed at Albion, and getting to see it start-tofinish was really rewarding.

What’s one important lesson you want your student designers to learn? They need to have a solid schedule. It’s so easy to have big creative ideas, but if you don’t plan everything out from the start, you’ll run out of time. Right from the first production meeting, you need to know how many weeks you have, what pieces you’re building, what you’re pulling from stock, and what you might need to rent. Laying out a plan makes everything smoother and way less overwhelming.

Have you ever had a costume or wig disaster right before a show? The worst one I remember was during Spamalot. We had a 30-second costume change in the dark, and the actor’s zipper completely broke. I only had one pin on me, so he had to go out with his back completely open and just make sure not to turn around.

To make it even worse, the costume was on backwards! Nothing fazes me any more.

Is there something you love to hate?

Sequins break needles, destroy machines, and make a mess everywhere. I love how they look on stage, but they are such a nightmare to work with, and they stick to everything for weeks.

What’s one behind-thescenes aspect of costuming that audiences don’t usually appreciate, but should?

Audiences don’t realize how much work goes into maintaining those costumes every night. Even for the everyday-looking costumes in Hedda Gabler, the wardrobe crew does laundry, checks every piece, and fixes any rips, broken zippers, or falling-apart shoes so that the show looks the same every single night. Without them, the costumes would be a disaster by the second performance.

Story written by Marketing and Communications Intern Makeba Bantu ’25

BUILD ALBION FELLOWS:

Strengthening communities one student at a time

If you’re a small liberal arts college looking to increase its impact, a good place to start is by diversifying your reach–the exact move Albion College took more than a decade ago with increased recruitment internationally and to networks in California, Texas, Georgia, and other states.

But unlike a lot of other schools, Albion didn’t stop there. It tapped into an oftenoverlooked resource: The students in its own backyard. In the fall of 2015, Albion welcomed seven first-year students who grew up in the 49224 ZIP code and attended a local school. Since this inaugural class, the Build Albion Fellows (BAF) program has provided four years of tuition, room, and board support to seven alumni classes, and will have 28 BAF participants on campus this fall as part of the first through senior classes.

It’s an incredible deal for the fellows and for the college and community. The fellows support numerous community projects with volunteering, internships, and their BAF senior capstone, which must be community-focused.

“Over the last decade, Albion College has attempted to dismantle the historic notion of a ‘town-gown divide,’” said Ari McCaskill, executive director of BAF and the James L. Curtis Institute for Social Change. “BAF has become a beacon of opportunity signaling that liberal arts education can be a catalyst for our local students to live full, purpose-driven lives and contribute to the community in meaningful ways.”

The 38 BAF alumni are involved in health care, education, entrepreneurship, social work, and more. These alumni would have been successful anywhere – but thanks to BAF, Albion gets to call them its own. Some of these outstanding BAF alumni include Markeese Boyd ’19, Cassidy Porter ’23, and Tailynn White ’25.

Markeese Boyd ’19 Homeless and Special Populations Coordinator for Jackson County Independent School District and Head Boys Track Coach, Concord High School

“I had already made a deposit to a public university when my mom heard about Build Albion Fellows and that’s what ultimately led me to Albion. When I started college, I imagined a future in neurosurgery. But over time, I discovered my passion lay elsewhere, and I went on to earn degrees in economics and management, communication studies, and a master’s in educational leadership.

The greatest impact of BAF was simply the opportunity to attend Albion. I met [Former Assistant Basketball Coach] Marcus Gill ’04, a mentor whose guidance played a key role in shaping my career. Marcus encouraged me to apply for the position I hold today, which has become the most- fulfilling role of my professional journey.

Having grown up in circumstances similar to those faced by the families I now serve, I’m able to relate to their experiences and guide them toward the educational

resources they need for success. That ability to make a real difference is something I’m grateful for every single day.

I value staying connected to the Albion community and supporting the next generation of students. I’ve learned that Albion connections extend far beyond campus—and that network continues to grow and uplift others.”

Cassidy Porter ’23

Community & Brand Ambassador, Albion Community Foundation Store Manager, Pure Albion

“My office is at the Albion Community Foundation, but my role is a partnership between the City of Albion, the Downtown Development Authority, the Chamber of Commerce, and Caster Cares to promote and market Albion. My work

SCAN TO WATCH VIDEO

is to improve the perception of Albion through social media, newsletters, podcasts, and print pieces. I’m also the store manager for Pure Albion, where I’ve worked since I was in high school. I’m in charge of staffing, merchandising, marketing, and also do in-house designing and silkscreening.

BAF gave me stepping stones into my current position as community and brand ambassador. The program allowed me to build relationships and gain new responsibilities to help impact my community and college life. From my experiences with BAF, I have continued to build Albion through established relationships with the same nonprofits I reached out to as a student.

Growing up, going to college, and now working here, I haven’t experienced living outside the community much. I think about leaving Albion so I can continue to grow, but this is home. Part of the draw to be the community and brand ambassador was feeling like I wasn’t done giving back to my community.”

Cassidy’s sister, Katie Hill ’20, brother-inlaw, Eron Hill ’20, and partner, D’Mitrius Robinson ’22, are also BAF alumni.

Tailynn

White ’25

Entering University of Michigan Flint in 2025

“This fall, I’ll be part of the accelerated BSN program at the University of Michigan Flint. In two years, I’ll get my BSN and hopefully my RN certification, so I can work in a hospital, do travel nursing, and eventually become a nurse anesthetist or perfusionist. I’ll be in the OR, even if I’m not the surgeon.

Being a part of BAF gave me a real lesson on leadership. I’m not the one who jumps to take control in a group, but I definitely can step up to that plate. For my BAF volunteer requirements, I coached youth soccer and helped direct a YMCA camp, and with Americorps, I was a founding member of Tech Savvy Seniors. In my current job, I help the nurses by knowing how to take control of all the things that have to be done when we’re sometimes caring for 35 or more patients at once.

My association with the Wilson Institute for Medicine led to an internship with a hospice center, and this is what shifted my focus from pre-med to nursing. Even though I applied to Albion mostly because of the Build Albion Fellows program, there has been so much here that has made my future so exciting for me.”

(BAF has enjoyed support from donors such as Barbara Weiskittel ’83, an Albion native who has made gifts for years to ensure the program thrives.)

Fairy-tale ending for horse and rider

This fall will mark 21 years since the opening of the Nancy G. Held Equestrian Center at Albion College. In those two decades, the varsity equestrian teams have become consistent players on the national level and earned a respected name for Albion College within collegiate circles.

The backbone of the Held Center’s hunt seat and western teams are the school horses. Affectionately referred to as “the professors” or “schoolies,” the horses teach some of the most-impactful lessons at the barn, and riders will attest that every lesson learned at the barn translates to many facets in life.

Horses that work best in a collegiate setting seem to enjoy their jobs, remain physically sound enough to do what is asked, and will patiently teach a multitude of riders in the unique draw-based system of collegiate riding. There is a level of unspoken trust and understanding that needs to be achieved for riders to have success with a horse, and most riders have a favorite horse with which they really connect.

Albion’s horses are acquired by donation with the exception of a few that are borrowed on a temporary-free lease. When it’s time for a horse to retire from the program, the

donor is notified first. Some wish to take the horse back, but not every donor can. In those cases, the next best situation is for someone known and trusted to step forward, and it’s even better if it’s an alum who already knows and loves the horse.

A friendship cultivated at the barn

In 2015, Albion College accepted a horse gifted by the Oliva family of Illinois. Let’s Go had been a competitive show jumper with their daughter, Jackie, at renowned events such as the Washington International Horse Show and the Pennsylvania National Horse Show, as well as top A-rated shows in Illinois and Florida. At that time, Albion’s school horses were named after scholars, poets, and artists (befitting for a college), and Let’s Go was promptly renamed Chaucer, after the great Geoffrey Chaucer, author of the Canterbury Tales.

Enter Hannah DesRochers ’23, who was a recruit for the hunt seat team during the fall of 2018. During her first semester she recalls being particularly challenged by Chaucer.

“Funny enough, my freshman year I couldn’t ride him well,” DesRochers recalled.

But Ashley Butler ’18, who was helping coach the team that semester, encouraged and pushed DesRochers.

“I spent a month straight only riding Chaucer in my flat lessons,” DesRochers said.

“My second semester of my freshman year, I had finally figured him out, and he was quickly my favorite!

“My experience at Albion was so positive due to these horses that were patient with us learning how to ride them,” she said. “Having a horse that so confidently knows and does his job is always so great when learning different rides.”

The coach at that time, Randi Gardner, also knew that DesRochers had a special place in her heart for Chaucer.

“Chaucer specifically was always my ‘safe’ ride, and Coach knew that,” DesRochers said. “He would always be the horse I rode in practice when we had a horse show the next day. I always had a nice confident ride on him, and it would help me feel good going into the horse show.”

Recalling memories of Chaucer during her college years, DesRochers remembered the thrilling opportunity she had to travel to the World Equestrian Center in Ohio to compete with Chaucer in the jumper ring for the first time.

Equally impactful though are her memories of simply hanging out in Chaucer’s stall. “He let me love on him a lot when I was stressed from school, probably more than he

really wanted to, but I was never met with an angry face,” she said.

DesRochers experienced her fair share of success while riding in college including qualifying to compete at the IHSA Zone Finals in 2022 and winning “Volunteer of the Show” at IHSA Nationals. Ultimately, she returned for a fifth year (thanks to Covid) as team captain and rode with current Director and Coach Chris Mitchell. That year, she qualified for the IHSA Regional Championships and was also awarded Albion’s “Lora Carrington Coaches Award” for her deep commitment to her team and her support of the Held Center horses.

“I did not go into school planning to be a professional in the (equestrian) industry,” she said. “I originally came to Albion as a pre-vet student, but after spending so much time around the barn learning from the coaches, I realized working with horses was something I could see myself doing. Originally, I didn’t think I was good enough to be a professional, but I worked hard to learn everything I could and get to where I am now.”

These days, DesRochers is the assistant trainer at

Vantage Point Equestrian at Hoffman Farms in Highland, Michigan. She stayed connected to Albion Equestrian postgraduation by working at the Held Center for a summer, schooling horses before home IHSA shows, and even judging some jumper-schooling shows at the Held Center. She gained more experience working with a wellknown hunter-jumper barn in Tennessee and assisted them during a show season in Florida.

Reuniting graduate and her trusted companion

Before graduating in May 2023, DesRochers made sure that her name was in Chaucer’s file to be notified when it was his turn to retire. That time came in January 2025 after ten years of school-horse life. Though he maintained his health and willingness to participate, he had turned 23 years old and had more than earned an enjoyable retirement, a decreased workload and, of course, more bananas–one of his favorite treats! DesRochers was ready to accept him with open arms.

Another first is now checked off DesRochers’ list, owning her first horse, and how fitting for it to be Chaucer. It was an

easy call for Held Center staff to let DesRochers adopt him. Her years of cheerful dedication to the Held Center had already demonstrated her commitment to quality horse care, and her bond with Chaucer was undeniable.

“Chaucer definitely taught me that kindness can get you far, and hard work is very rewarding. The goal is to work with the horse and not against them, so treating them with kindness and respect will get you further in your rides,” DesRochers said. “As for the hard work, you won’t get anywhere by skating by and hoping it will work out. Same goes with the horses. If you don’t push yourself to work harder, then you will not get better.”

Many people make lifelong friends during college. Equestrians like DesRochers are lucky to make four-legged friends like Chaucer that can impact their life trajectory in ways they never expected.

The author, Carolyn (Wilson) Killewald ’04, is associate director and business manager of the Held Equestrian Center, where she has worked since 2008.

Other Albion horserider reunions

Briana Flanagan ’19

Figaro (Albion schoolie 2016-2021)

Figaro is 25 years old and living in New Hampshire where Flanagan competes with him in the 1.0 meter jumpers. “I had so many wonderful opportunities and memories from Albion, but Fig was by far the best!”

Ashley Butler ’18

Dundee (Albion schoolie 2008-2019) Dundee is 24 years old and is a school horse at Cedar Lodge in Lawrence, Michigan, where Butler helps run a summer camp program and Interscholastic Equestrian Association team. “Albion allowed Dundee to gain the show and lesson-program experience that is necessary for your best type of school horse. Because of this, he was able to pop right into our IEA program without a problem, and he loves it.”

Sadie Wayman ’19

Rockefeller (Albion schoolie 2015-2021)

Rockefeller is 28 years old and is being used as a beginner lesson horse at the Parma, Michigan, barn where Wayman boards and rides him. “Rock’s been amazing! He’s loving being a beginner lesson horse, although I’m pretty sure he’s just in it for the treats!”

Lacey (Porter) White ’22

Giselle (Albion schoolie 2020-2022)

Giselle is 16 years old and enjoys trail rides and pasture life. “She is enjoying pasture life and hopefully in the future, she will be able to make a ring appearance again in the showpen in western or even saddle seat. Giselle was even a part of my wedding.”

By the time Albion College students cross the graduation stage and walk into the alumni association, they enter a network of individuals eager to help them take the next steps in their career.

Several companies have become home to networks of Albion alumni that grow every year, including Ernst & Young (EY) and the Grand Teton Lodge. Albion College talent pipelines exist across the country at companies like Caster Concepts, Enterprise, Corewell Health, and Plante Moran.

ERNST & YOUNG

The connection between Albion and EY has been around for decades, according to Mike Juchno ’93, a consulting partner at the firm. Grassroots campusrecruitment strategies in the late 1980s and early 1990s developed into a talent pipeline to help interested students get their foot in the door for a first interview.

“It started before I even came to Albion,” Juchno explained. “Obviously, when it comes to the interview, you have to sell

yourself, but there were already many Albion alumni at EY who helped connect Albion students into opportunities in EY’s audit practice.”

Juchno, though, wasn’t sure that audit was something he wanted to do. After graduating he was in the process of evaluating what he wanted his career to look like long term. Having played football for Albion, the Troy, Michigan, native never studied abroad in his college years. So, shortly after graduation, he decided to study abroad while backpacking around Europe for the summer. When he returned, he started his career working at a smaller, IT-consulting firm for five years before deciding he was ready to take on his next challenge. When the time came, the Albion alumni network was ready for him.

“It was an Albion friend of mine and ATO fraternity suitemate who was working at EY,” Juchno said. “He connected me to EY and introduced me to consulting leaders to learn more about a consulting career. He helped me prepare for the interviews, and after multiple rounds of interviews, I got the job. That was back in 1999, and I’ve been here ever since.”

And ever since, Juchno has been paying it forward, helping countless students and alumni find their way to EY.

“To this day, there’s a very strong Albion connection to EY audit. I was one of the first ones on the consulting side. What’s really exciting is that in the past couple years, it’s really expanded even beyond some of the traditional areas of consulting.” Juchno said. “For example, there was a student with a psychology major and a marketing minor, and when he heard that we do change management consulting, he was

like, ‘Wow tell me more about that.’ We got him connected to the right people to learn more, connected him to our recruiting team where they took him through various interviews, and now he’s been with EY for three years and doing amazing things.”

Juchno mentioned several other stories of students finding unique paths within EY, including one student interested in environmental matters who is now working in EY’s climate change and sustainability practice. As for why Britons tend to be a great fit for multiple areas within EY, Juchno has no doubts.

“Consulting is about solving problems, right?” Juchno said. “Consulting is about finding the answer, but to get there, it’s all about asking the right questions.”

And an Albion education, Juchno said, sets students up to know how to figure out what the right questions are.

“It’s as I tell the Albion students I work with,” he continued. “Don’t worry about the fact that you’re learning something that you may forget in, say, three months. You’re learning how to learn. You’re learning how to think. It’s less about memorization. It’s more about Albion training you how to think and how to learn and how to apply what you learned.”

Each year, Albion students and alumni continue to prove that what they’ve learned in the classroom, as part of experiential learning, and the Albion community make them a great fit for the company.

“In the past, Albion has had about 50 alumni working at EY,” Juchno said. “That number can be higher or lower depending on the year.”

As for how many students Juchno has individually worked with the number is much higher.

“I was thinking to myself, is it over 100 students?” he said. “I’ve been a mentor to students even if they haven’t come to EY, so I think it’s easily over 100.”

Briton culture is such a unique and incredible one. It is a benefit to any company who can have these students.” — Grace Szmania ’23

GRAND TETON LODGE

A pipeline that has been developing in more recent years is from Albion to the Grand Teton Lodge. The connection began with Grace Szmania ’23, a corral foreman at the company.

Szmania, a former member of the Albion College Equestrian team, saw videos of other corral foremans at the Tetons on TikTok before applying to the job herself. She was looking for a gig to keep her busy between her junior and senior years at Albion, but once she stepped foot on the job site, she knew she’d found a new place to call home.

“I went there and had the absolute best time of my life,” Szmania said of her first summer working at the Tetons. “Of course, I was posting all over social media, and all my friends and teammates were like, ‘Oh my gosh that looks like an incredible place to live and work.’” Loving life in the Tetons herself, Szmania–like Juchno–wanted to pay it forward and share her experiences with

other Britons. The best way to do that, she figured, was to simply get them there.

After her first summer working at the Tetons, Szmania was promoted to manager, which gave her additional say in who was hired.

“My first year, two teammates came and worked for me, and then this last year, we had another three,” Szmania said. “I have two more coming on board this year. It’s nice, just bringing my friends and acquaintances and people that I know would like it here, giving them references, and kind of starting to bring a piece of Michigan to Wyoming.”

Similar to Juchno, Szmania noted that the culture of the Tetons mirrors that of Albion, allowing her to know that the people she’s bringing in are well-suited for the environment.

It’s the Albion experiences they share that allows Szmania to vouch for Albion alums applying to work at the Tetons.

“Briton culture is such a unique-andincredible one.” Szmania said. “It is a benefit to any company who can have these students. Albion does a great job

of preparing the students both in the classroom and outside of the classroom, so they’re just very well-rounded people.”

The Briton microculture that Szmania is working to create at the Tetons is one that is not only beneficial to graduates who might be interested in working there, but to the company itself as well.

“This is such a fantastic place to work and such an incredible stepping stone for young grads coming out of college,” Szmania added. “And then, of course, the amazing Albion students are great candidates for jobs here, so it’s kind of a win-win. We’re getting great candidates to work great jobs at a great place.”

Alumni like Juchno and Szmania want to ensure that students and recent graduates are privy to the same opportunities they had during their time at Albion–and that starts with helping students find their way within their careers.

“When people have a positive experience they want to continue that for others,” Juchno said. “It’s an ability to truly make an impact on another person’s life.”

REBOOTING THE COLLEGE’S RELATIONSHIP WITH ALBION

As a tour guide for Albion College’s Admissions Office, Larissa Botega ’27 is quite at home leading conversations. Recently, Botega spent several weeks fine tuning her listening skills.

As part of her Foundation for Undergraduate Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity (FURSCA) project, Botega (an international student from Brazil) interviewed members of the Albion community as well as college faculty members. Her goal was to enhance communication between the college and the Albion community to create more experiential learning opportunities.

“My main goal is to make [experiential learning] accessible to every student on campus,” she said.

What she found is that although there are numerous opportunities for Albion students to engage with the community, along with no shortage of ideas

from the college, there are significant hurdles in place–communication at the top of that list.

“As Albion College advances our strategic priorities around innovating the curriculum and experiential learning for all, Larissa’s FURSCA project really delved deeply into how more strategic and intentional communication between the college and community could advance these aims,” Professor of Economics and Business Vicki Baker said. “As part of her research, she attended community meetings and other Albion College Community Collaborative (AC3) presentations open to the public. She was able to hear and learn more about the needs of community organizations and ways partnerships with programs like AC3 could advance those needs.

“Through these meetings, and one-on-one meetings with key stakeholders in the community and on campus, Larissa was also able to learn more about past institutional

practices that were effective as well as research best practices in the field to help craft recommendations the college could advance,” Baker said.

Building trust and listening skills

According to Botega, one of the biggest obstacles to more experiential learning opportunities in Albion is fractured trust between the community and college stemming from past issues, which is compounded by the polarized atmosphere within the community.

“These factors contribute to a reluctance or unpreparedness among community members to embrace some of the experiential learning initiatives proposed by the college,” she said.

Botega’s interviews with faculty members revealed there are an abundant number of innovative ideas for experiential learning, yet building and sustaining productive relationships with community partners has proven challenging. Issues preventing this include disparate operational schedules of local businesses, management styles, or sometimes a lack of mutual interest.

“Moreover, both the college and the community face economic hardships, compounding the challenges,” Botega said. “While the college possesses abundant human

capital and enthusiastic stakeholders willing to contribute their expertise, the community’s primary need often revolves around financial resources, which the college cannot readily provide.”

Moving forward together

So how does a college hoping to provide meaningful experiential learning opportunities and a community with great needs move forward? Botega suggests letting the community take the lead.

“The most prudent strategy moving forward appears to be patiently waiting for the community to express its needs and desires for collaboration rather than imposing initiatives prematurely,” she said. “Building a strategic framework that facilitates open communication and solicits community input will be crucial.”

Botega suggests establishing quarterly meetings with community stakeholders, revitalizing a college newspaper with wider community distribution, or implementing an accessible email or form for community members to submit requests. She believes by nurturing these channels of communication and engagement, the college can cultivate a receptive

environment where collaborative projects can organically emerge based on genuine community interests and needs.

“We need to shift from ‘doing for’ the community to ‘doing with’ the community,” Botega said.

Baker said Botega’s FURSCA project has had an immediate impact and has informed discussions at the academiccabinet level. “I am really proud of the work she has done, and will continue to do, as part of her summer 2025 FURSCA project,” Baker said.

Larissa Botega is a junior pursuing a double major in economics and computer science, with a minor in data analytics and a concentration in the Carl A. Gerstacker Institute for Business and Management. She is also a member of the Prentiss M. Brown Honors Program. Larissa actively contributes to campus life in various roles, including serving as a tour guide, global ambassador for the Admissions Office, student manager for the Office of Campus Life, and an intern with the Albion College Community Collaborative. Larissa also serves as the president of the International Student Union and has been recognized on the Albion College Dean’s List since 2023.

COMMENCEMENT 2025

A celebration of accomplishment, connections, and community

Under a perfect May sky, more than 4,000 guests gathered on the Albion College Quad to honor the Class of 2025 during spring Commencement. The ceremony was as much a reflection of Albion’s community spirit as it was a celebration of academic achievements.

President Wayne Webster set the tone with his opening remarks, recognizing the inspiration, innovation, care, and perseverance of this year’s graduates, and the principles of civil dialogue they’ve demonstrated and modeled that we hope to see in the world. “Today, we honor not just your academic achievements, but the tenacity, passion, and sense of purpose you’ve demonstrated throughout your time at Albion,” Webster said. “You’ve formed friendships and found mentors who will stay with you long after you leave this campus. The faculty and staff who walked alongside you will not forget you—and I hope you won’t forget us. We are mission-driven educators and professionals. And you are our mission.”

Former Senator Debbie Stabenow, who retired earlier this year after serving 24 years in the U.S. Senate, provided the Commencement address and was awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws degree.

Sen. Stabenow drew on her decades of public service to deliver a message centered on Albion’s historic role in

building and sustaining communities and the opportunities that await the graduates. “Albion College is a place where the classroom extends into the world,” she said, highlighting initiatives like the student farm at the Whitehouse Nature Center, the Albion Community Gardens, which provide fresh produce to local families, and Albion Americorps’ Tech Savvy Seniors program recently featured in AARP magazine, in which students teach older adults how to navigate technology. “From the student farm to projects that connect generations, you are making a difference — right here, right now.”

Sen. Stabenow urged the graduates to stay grounded amid the noise of the modern world. “Our world today is overbooked, overstressed, over angry, and under connected in the ways that truly matter,” she said. “But you, Albion College graduates, have the opportunity to change that. Stay connected to the people and the passions that truly matter — and don’t let the noise of the world drown out your sense of purpose.”

“As you leave here today, know this: You are not finished. In fact, you are just getting started,” she continued. “The world is waiting for your ideas, your voices, your courage. I know I speak for everybody here when I say I can’t wait to see what’s next for you. We believe in you. Go forward with purpose, with passion,

and a belief that your best work and your greatest impact is still to come.”

Three senior class speakers brought their own perspectives on the power of community.

Kara Anderson, a political science and English double major from Lansing, Michigan, reflected on the relationships she forged as a student leader. “Albion College has been a place where I found both comfort and challenge, where I learned that true strength comes from lifting others up,” said Anderson, who will head to the University of Michigan Law School in the fall.

For Makeba Bantu, a psychology and communication studies double major from Nairobi, Kenya, and Webster, Massachusetts, Albion became a place of belonging and growth. “Every success was the result of collective effort, not just my own,” she noted. Bantu, who plans to pursue a career in applied behavior analysis therapy, said her Albion experience taught her to see both her potential and her responsibility to give back.

Environmental studies major Kelvin Crone-Willis, from Ferguson, Missouri, took a moment to recognize not just the Albion campus, but the city itself. “Albion isn’t just a place where I went to college — it’s a community that embraced me, challenged me, and helped me find

my voice,” he said. Crone-Willis, who is exploring opportunities in GIS and environmental outreach, credited Albion with fostering a spirit of curiosity and connection that he plans to carry forward.

Among the Class of 2025, 156 students graduated with honors, including cum laude, magna cum laude, and summa cum laude distinctions. Additionally, 13 graduates were recognized for maintaining a perfect 4.0 GPA, including Kara Anderson, Tess Anthony, Olivia Colletti, Fox Dionysus, Katherine Faglie, Kevie Lamour, Kearney Miller, Dana Parker, Bailey Stormzand, Maya Vonderau, Rachel Warner, Hope Wasoski, and Jay Weekley.

With students hailing from more than 15 countries, the Class of 2025 reflects the rich diversity and global perspective that Albion College continues to cultivate.

Top majors included psychology, kinesiology-exercise science, biology, communication studies, and business. Additionally, more than 150 graduates

participated in one of Albion’s centers and institutes, including the Ford Institute for Leadership in Public Policy and Service, the Gerstacker Institute for Business and Management, the James L. Curtis Institute for Social Change, the Lisa and James Wilson Institute for Medicine, and the Center for Sustainability and the Environment.

The ceremony concluded with a faculty farewell on the classical conception of happiness from Jeremy Kirby, professor of philosophy. “Aristotle believes that it is through challenging ourselves, pushing our cognitive limits, that humans ultimately flourish,” Kirby said. “And I think there’s something to that idea because as I look out upon you I see that you have preserved, you have flourished in your intellectual pursuits. And I submit whether you know it or not you are happy. At least that’s in accordance with the classical conception.”

Joey Miller ’75, who celebrates her 50th class reunion this fall, had the honor

of welcoming the Class of 2025 into the Albion Alumni Association. “What I’ve realized time and time again is this: You’re still going to have deadlines, you’re still going to have last-minute changes, and you’re going to have frantic times when you’re typing or organizing to create the best possible outcome. But now, you know you can do this,” Miller said. “Look around at your fellow graduates. Think of all the people Albion has introduced to you. These networks will remain and they will grow. In your career, in your personal life, time and time again you will find a thread of purple and gold, when you least expect it. This is going to open up doors to opportunities and to friendships.”

As the ceremony ended, graduates and their families spilled out onto the Quad, sharing hugs, tears, and words of encouragement. It was the final chapter for the Class of 2025 — but as many speakers reminded them throughout the day, Albion’s community will always be a part of their story and “once a Brit, always a Brit!”

Senator Stabenow’s speech aired on C-SPAN on Wednesday, May 28, 2025.

First Destinations for Some Newly Minted Alumni

Albion College graduates from the Class of 2025 are proving why we’re ranked the #1 Liberal Arts College in Michigan and first among all private and public institutions in the state for graduate outcomes, or social mobility by the Wall Street Journal/ College Pulse 2025 Best Colleges in the U.S. ranking. From consulting at Ernst & Young to managing social media for General Motors and pursuing a doctorate in biophysics at University of WisconsinMadison, these recent alumni are making their mark in top industries and graduate programs. Here’s a look at where some of our newest Briton grads are headed next.

Jakhia Alfred Political Science (Environmental Biology) Pursuing a juris doctorate from Seattle University School of Law.

Kara Anderson English, Political Science, Ford Institute for Leadership in Public Policy and Service, With Albion College Honors Pursuing a juris doctorate from the University of Michigan.

Joy Babatunde

Kinesiology-Exercise Science (Health Communication), Wilson Medical Institute and Curtis Institute for Social Change

Working as a registered behavior technician at Positive Behavior Support Corporation.

Dion Barnes Biology (Psychological science) Working as interoperative neural monitor at Synapsis.

Egshiglen Batjargal Economics, International Studies, Ford Institute for Leadership in Public Policy and Service, With Albion College Honors

Pursuing a masters in public policy and management from Carnegie Mellon University.

Zosia Bolde Chemistry (Cell and Molecular Biology), Wilson Medical Institute, Center for Sustainability and the Environment

Pursuing a doctorate in computational chemistry from the University of Notre Dame.

Minor indicated by parenthesis.

Hallie Charlefour Theatre (Computer Science) Working as an assistant stage manager at Playhouse on the Square.

Naomi Cloostermans Environmental Science (Communication Studies), Departmental Honors in Earth and Environment, Center for Sustainability and the Environment

Pursuing a masters in urban planning and public policy from New York University.

Kelvin Crone-Willis Environmental Studies (Environmental Biology and Geographic Information Systems), Center for Sustainability and the Environment, With Albion College Honors Working as a development intern at NASA Develop.

Ava Emary Biology (Psychological Science) Wilson Medical Institute Working in human resources at Synapse IOM.

Hannah Fathman

Political Science (Spanish, Theatre) Working as a education access ambassador at Access USA.

Hannah Fife Kinesiology-Exercise Science (Psychological Science), Wilson Medical Institute Working as a lead tech, trainer, and behavior therapist at Illuminate Therapy.

Ayrinn Greene

Ethnic Studies, Wilson Medical Institute, Center for Sustainability and the Environment, and Curtis Institute for Social Change

Working as a zoo intern for the African exibit at Lowry Park Tampa Zoo.

Isaac Hautala Geological Sciences, Anthropology (Geographic Information Systems), Center for Sustainability and the Environment, With Albion College Honors Pursuing a doctorate of geology at the University of Alabama.

Brenden Hawkins Communication Studies, Wilson Medical Institute Working as an entry-level account representative at Askia Inc.

Alexandra Hays Biology, Wilson Medical Institute

Working as a companion animal research technician at Zoetis-Priority One Services.

Phoebe Holm

Psychological Science, Human Services Concentration, Center for Sustainability and the Environment

Working as a case manager and behavior technician at LifeWays Behavioral Health.

Avery Kasanic

Biochemistry (Psychological Science), Wilson Medical Institute. Working as an endodontist assistant at Endodontics PC.

Louis Kramer Music: K-12 Education (Applied MusicSecondary Education), PK/K-12 Education and Secondary Education Concentrations

Working as an elementary music director at Pewamo-Westphelia Elementary School.

Riley Kunkel

Environmental Studies, Political Science, Ford Institute for Leadership in Public Policy and Service, Center for Sustainability and the Environment, With Albion College Honors Pursuing a masters of peace and development from Linnaeus University.

Jack Lasceski Business and Communication Studies. Working on the private client team at Burns & Wilcox.

Harper Lienerth Mathematics, Computer Science, Center for Sustainability and the Environment Pursuing engineering education at Purdue UniversityWest Lafayette.

Tre’Sure Lott

English-Creative Writing, Communication Studies (Sociology), Curtis Institute for Social Change

Working as a social media manager at General Motors.

Owen McDaniel Business (KinesiologyExercise Science)

Working as an assistant wrestling coach at Albion College.

Nicholas Miller

Mathematics, Biochemistry, With Albion College Honors Pursuing a doctorate in biophysics at University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Temuujin

Nomynbayasgalan

Computer Science, Mathematics

Pursuing a masters of computational and applied finance at the University of Montreal.

Andrew Renner

Economics and Management, Communication Studies

Working as an area manager at Amazon.

Ikatari Swope Biology, Wilson Medical Institute, With Albion College Honors

Pursuing a masters of public health at Boston University School of Public Health.

Mauricio Tavera Business (Communication Studies)

Working as a sales account manager at Automated Logistics Systems.

Maiwand Zahin

Finance (Data Analytics)

Working as a financial technology consultant at Ernst & Young.

Scan to watch the archived livestream of the 2025 Commencement Ceremonies, to view a photo gallery, and more.

Around The Rock

Alumni-award winners announced

This year’s Albion College Alumni Award recipients included a college administrator, a college professor, a supermarket CEO, two physicians, a labor union attorney, and a publishing publicist. All were recognized during an award ceremony April 11th on campus.

Recipients were chosen based on their demonstrated excellence in career achievements and contributions to community and humanity. The Distinguished Alumni Award winners are:

Marita Abram ’08 is a professor of biology and director of the Center for Teaching and Learning at Sinclair Community College in Dayton, Ohio. Throughout her career, she has consistently devoted herself to developing the talent and potential of

others while maintaining an unyielding commitment to making a positive difference in her community. Abram began her career in postsecondary education at Sinclair College in 2011 as a biology instructor.

She was appointed assistant professor in 2015, granted tenure in 2016, achieved the rank of associate professor in 2019, and was promoted to professor in 2024. Abram earned a bachelor of arts in biology from Albion College, a master of science in biology from Wright State University, and a doctorate in community college leadership from Ferris State University.

Thomas Cochrane ’89 is senior labor counsel of Air Line Pilots Association, International, AFL-CIO, in Westerville, Ohio. Previously, he was director of labor relations for the Ohio Nurses Association and associate general counsel for the Ohio Civil Service Employees Association,

AFSCME Local 11, where he successfully advocated for Ohio to end sexual orientation discrimination in civil service. In addition, he helped draft Westerville, Ohio’s anti-LGBTQ discrimination ordinance.

As a student at Albion College, Cochrane helped lead the student movement urging divestment from companies operating in South Africa. After graduating summa cum laude in 1989 with a degree in history and public service, he worked for the Methodist Church of Southern Africa in its struggle against apartheid. Upon his return, Cochrane continued his studies at the University of Michigan Law School, where he earned his law degree in 1996.

Matthew Jonna ’94 is CEO and co-founder of Plum Market in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. After leaving the Whole Foods National Operations Team, Jonna and his brother, Marc, opened the first Plum Market in 2007 with a focus on natural, organic, and locally sourced groceries, alongside exceptional service across the food and beverage, travel, and food service industries.

Plum Market operates nationwide, with more than 35 locations across Michigan, Ohio, Texas, Florida, Virginia,

California, and Nebraska. Jonna has been recognized for his leadership and success with many awards, such as Best Grocery Store (Miami New Times), Top 10 Super Markets (Food & Wine Magazine), Best Specialty Market (Detroit Metro Times). He has also been named one of Detroit’s 500 Most Powerful Business Leaders. He graduated from Albion in 1994 with a degree in economics and management. While at Albion, he was a member of Delta Tau Delta Fraternity.

Jennifer KaiserBlase ’99 is an OB/GYN at Women First OB/ GYN Center in Royal Oak, Michigan, the largest allfemale OB/GYN practice in Metro Detroit, where she also is a partner. She earned her medical degree from Wayne State University and completed her obstetrics and gynecology residency at William Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak (now Corewell Health East). After graduation, Kaiser-Blase joined the practice and helped it grow from a four- to an 11-physician group.

Kaiser-Blase earned the medical student teaching award and was appointed as the medical student coordinator for the program. Since then, she has been named a “Top Doc” by Hour Detroit magazine two years in

a row. Before graduating from Albion College in 1999 with a degree in biology, KaiserBlase was a SOAR leader and president of Kappa Delta Sorority. She was also a member of the Women’s Choir and Panhellenic Council. She has served as a Girl Scout leader and mentors girls who want to pursue fields within STEM.

The James L. Curtis ’44 Alumni Leadership Award, recognizing accomplished Black alumni who have made significant contributions of time and effort to Albion College and its students, went to:

Bobbie Denise Cole ’07 is assistant vice president of student life at William Peace University in Raleigh, North Carolina. Since earning her master’s degree from Grand Valley State University in 2009, Cole has been a dedicated educator, shaping transformative student experiences across a diverse range of institutions in various roles. She has also served as the residence education director on the Association of College and University Housing OfficersInternational Executive Board, helping to shape best practices for student housing professionals nationwide. Cole also is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha

Sorority, Inc., having joined the sisterhood in 2006 while at Albion College.

She now supports the Omega Lambda Omega chapter in North Carolina. As part of the Pearls in Partnership Foundation, she works with the chapter to uplift and empower communities through education, service, and philanthropy. Outside of her work in higher education, Cole turned her passion for journalism and storytelling into a successful career as a content creator. Her ability to translate complex ideas into engaging narratives has positioned her as a trusted voice in lifestyle, beauty, and travel content.

The Young Alumni Award was presented to:

Katie Boni ’18

Boni is a senior publicist at Simon & Schuster in Kalamazoo, Michigan. She previously worked with HarperCollins and Hachette Book Group. Boni has led successful publicity campaigns for a wide range of New York Times bestselling authors, spanning from picture books to young adult titles. Notable authors she has worked with include James Patterson, Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Becky Albertalli, Ava Reid, Lev Grossman, Craig Melvin, Gordon Korman, Marc Brown, and many more.

Before graduating from Albion College in 2018, Boni double-majored in English Literature and communication studies. She completed five publishing internships, including two during her time with the New York Arts Program. Her extracurriculars included working on The Albion Review, The Pleiad, and performing in the British Eighth Marching Band. She was also a member of Kappa Alpha Theta and served as a PathFinder Ambassador for the Career and Internship Center.

Alena Farooq ’18 was a program officer at Enterprise Community Partners in Detroit. She supported the Detroit Home Repair Fund at Enterprise Community Partners, a $20-million initiative that provides critical home repairs to address health and safety hazards for incomequalified homeowners. She also serves on the board of Higher Ground Abodes, which focuses on developing cooperative housing for extremely low-income individuals.

During her time at Albion College, Farooq designed an individualized, tridepartmental major called social entrepreneurship. She also supports Albion students by serving on the Alumni Advisory Board for the Ford

Institute. In May 2025, she began pursuing a master’s degree at the University of Southern California.

Adam Kudirka ’15 is a physician at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit. He is in the midst of completing a fellowship in pulmonary disease and critical care medicine at Henry Ford, where he previously completed an internal medicine residency in 2022. He has received several awards for teaching and patient care; and he worked in a clinic for underserved communities while mentoring both medical students and residents. Kudirka also has presented at national conferences as well as published several articles in medical journals.

He credits his personal experience being a young cancer survivor and the support he received from the Albion community with how he approaches his work today. Kudirka graduated magna cum laude from Albion College in 2015 with a degree in biology. While at Albion, he was a member of Global Brigades, performed research in the lab of Brad Rabquer, and was a member of Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity. Subsequently, he attended Michigan State’s College of Human Medicine, where he obtained his doctorate in 2019.

Faculty honored during Honors Convocation

Albion College faculty were among those recognized for outstanding achievements in teaching, learning, leadership, and service during the college’s 2025 Honors Convocation on April 10th.

The following awards were presented to Albion College faculty:

The James & Dorothy Blanchard Faculty Fellowship supports faculty early in their professional career by providing the opportunity to keep abreast of knowledge, improve upon pedagogical techniques, or to complete a piece of research, publication, or artistic preparation.

Eliska Schnabel, assistant professor political science

The Joyce G. Ferguson 50th Anniversary Faculty Development Fund for Enhancement of Excellence in Teaching recognizes outstanding members in the arts and humanities and provides stipends for faculty development in teaching.

Ashley Feagin, associate professor and department chair art and art history

The Arthur Anderson Teaching Awards recognize scholars who are fine teachers and teachers who are fine scholars.

New Teacher of the Year: Emmeline Solomon associate professor, art and art history and Stephen Young assistant professor of management

Distinguished Teaching by a Tenured Member of the Faculty: Elizabeth Barrios, associate professor of Spanish

The Phi Beta Kappa Scholar of the Year Award is awarded to a faculty member for outstanding scholarship or creative achievement.

Lucia Soriano, assistant professor of ethnic studies and women’s, gender, and sexuality studies, Ethnic Studies Department

The E. Maynard Aris Professorship in Economics & Management

Vicki Baker, E. Maynard Aris Endowed Professor in Economics and Management, Professor and Department Chair

Students participate in Albion’s first Texas Hold ’Em tournament

Albion College’s Math and Computer Science Department in April hosted its first-ever Texas Hold ’Em Poker Tournament, drawing over 16 student participants— all majoring or minoring in mathematics, computer science, or data science. Three faculty and staff members, including Professors Mark Bollman, Darren Mason, and staff member Karla McCavit, also joined the table for the friendly competition.

Using authentic playing cards once featured in the World Series of Poker, the event gave each player 50 chips to test their skills in a highenergy game of Texas Hold ’Em. But the real payoff came at the end: A lively auction where students could bid their chips on an impressive array of prizes. Up for grabs were math books donated by faculty, a French press, gift cards to local favorites like Biggby Coffee, the Albion College Bookstore, and Malleable Brewing, and even a personalized, autographed copy of one of Prof. Bollman’s books on poker.

Beyond the chips and cards, the event served a deeper purpose. “Our students work incredibly hard in challenging disciplines,” Mason said. “These monthly social events—made possible by generous alumni support— help build community and a sense of belonging in the department.”

The tournament also offered a sneak peek into applied mathematics and gaming theory. The next offering will be in spring 2026.

The Albion College Board of Trustees welcomed five new members in July.

The Albion College Board of Trustees will welcome five new members starting in July.

Trustees establish the goals of the college, determine its major features and policies, approve their implementation, and provide for the effective support, administration, and advancement of the college. Its membership includes up to six trustees representing the United Methodist Church, which has been historically related to the college since its founding in 1835, as well as two recent graduates elected to serve staggered, two-year terms. Term limits for trustees will normally be four terms of three years each (a total of 12 years), subject to positive evaluations. The new members are:

Gregg Colburn ’95 is the Marsha and Jay Glazer Endowed University Professor and associate professor in the Runstad Department of Real Estate in the College of Built Environments at the University of Washington. He publishes research on topics related to housing and homelessness and is co-author of the book, Homelessness is a Housing Problem: How Structural Factors Explain U.S. Patterns. Gregg is also co-author of the recently released book, Affordable Housing in the United States. His research has been featured in leading media outlets, including The Atlantic, The New York Times, The Economist, Bloomberg, and National Public Radio.

Gregg is the founder and academic director of the Housing Futures Center at the University of Washington, serves as a member of the Bellwether Housing Board of Directors, is co-chair of the University of Washington’s Homelessness Research Initiative, and is a member of the National Alliance to End Homelessness Research Council.

He holds a bachelor’s degree from Albion College, an MBA from Northwestern University, and a MSW and Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota. Prior to academia, he worked as an investment

banker and private equity professional with Goldman, Sachs & Co. and Citadel Investment Group.

Kearney Miller ’25 - Recent Graduate Trustee is development coordinator at Detroit Riverfront Conservancy. At Albion, she was a captain of the varsity softball team, a member of the Ford Institute for Public Policy and Service, a sister of Delta Gamma, and served on the executive board of the Panhellenic Council.

She was also an active member of the Student Volunteer Bureau and worked on campus as a first-year experience mentor and a political science research assistant. She was also a winner of the Lux Fiat Award.

A political science and history major at Albion, she has used the study of these areas to fuel her passion for non-profit work. At the conservancy, she supports the mission of the riverfront through fundraising efforts.

The conservancy has revitalized the riverwalk in the heart of the city, allowing for greater equity and access to the riverfront and associated spaces for all residents.

Mike Frandsen was unanimously elected the 15th president of Wittenberg University. His tenure officially began July 1,

Spring Albion Athletics HIGHLIGHTS

MEN’S LACROSSE: The men’s lacrosse team secured the MIAA Tournament Championship, leading them to the NCAA tournament for the sixth time in program history. Jake DeCola, head men’s lacrosse coach, has been chosen by the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association to coach in this year’s prestigious North-South All-Star Game.

BASEBALL: Albion has officially named Matt Rix as head baseball coach. Two members of the Albion College Baseball team were named to All-MIAA teams. Juniors Cole Giesige and Evan Schuster were honored by the league, with Giesige claiming FirstTeam honors and Schuster Second-Team accolades.

SWIMMING: Hannah Fathman was named an Academic All-American, making her the first two-time Academic All-American in Albion swimming history.

EQUESTRIAN: The Western Equestrian Team, with five individual riders from both disciplines (western and hunt seat), advanced to the IHSA Nationals.

TRACK AND FIELD: Four members from the Albion College outdoor track and field teams finished with All-MIAA honors. DB Edwards, Tess Anthony, and James Grey earned First-Team honors. Eddie Hines claimed Second-Team honors.

HALL OF FAME: This year’s Albion Athletics Hall of Fame includes eight players and one team. The inductees are: CJ Carroll ’13, football; Amanda (Weaver) Melvin ’13; cross country, track and field; Julie Okorn ’14, swimming; Brett Quayle ’03, basketball; Patty Rewa ’12, basketball; Adam Rojeski ’00, football; Will Taylor ’89, track and field, basketball, football; Jason Whalen ’00, football, track and field. Also inducted is the 1998 football team.

2017, and was scheduled to conclude on June 30, 2025.

Mike went to Wittenberg from Oberlin College where he served as vice president for finance and administration. In addition to overseeing finance and accounting, facilities, human resources, information technology, and investments at Oberlin, Mike served on the strategic planning steering committee and the enrollment management team. During his tenure, Oberlin undertook several major construction projects, including the Peter B. Lewis Gateway Center, a mixed-use facility that received LEED Platinum certification.

Prior to joining Oberlin in 2014, Mike spent 10 years at Albion College, where he held four different roles. Initially a faculty member in economics and management, he went on to serve as director of the Gerstacker Institute for Business and Management, an honors business program. In 2009, he joined the senior leadership team as vice president for finance and administration. For his final year at Albion, 2013-14, he was interim president.

Before his years in higher education, Mike worked in corporate finance for global companies in the telecommunication, chemical, and electronics industries. Although his posts were always domestic, he worked for companies based

in Canada, Germany, and France, as well as the United States, in his more than 10 years in the corporate world.

Frandsen earned his Ph.D. in management from the University of Texas at Austin. He also holds an MBA and bachelor’s degree in finance from The Pennsylvania State University.

Margaret E. (Meg) Goebel ’79 was born and raised in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Her professional career was with the Paul Goebel Group, an independent insurance agency from 1982-2023. She served as its president/CEO from 1994 to her retirement in December 2023 and owner from 19942015, when the agency was sold to Acrisure LLC.

Meg remains involved in many community organizations on a volunteer basis, often in leadership positions. Among them are the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce (chair 2011), Economic Club of Grand Rapids, Broadway Grand Rapids, University of Michigan Health-West Foundation, Grand Rapids Art Museum, Alvin M. Bentley Foundation, and the YWCA.

She received the “Women of Achievement & Courage” award from the Michigan Women Forward (formerly Michigan Women’s Foundation) in 2019; the ATHENA Leadership Award in

2022 from the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce; and the Grand Rapids Art Museum’s “Live Artfully” award in 2024. The Grand Rapids Business Journal named Meg one of “The 50 Most Influential Women in West Michigan” in 2018, 2016, 2014, 2012, 2010, 2008, 2006, 2003 and the “Top WomenOwned Businesses” in 2015, 2013, 2011, 2009, 2007, and 2005.

Margaret (Peggy) M. Sindt ’73 graduated from Albion with a bachelor’s degree in English and marketing and earned her MBA in management from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor in management. She retired in 2016 as the president and CEO of Albion Economic Development Corporation (EDC). She was with the EDC for more than 20 years.

Peggy is a Homestead Savings Bank (Albion) emeritus board

member and immediate past chair. Peggy’s husband, Conrad ’69 passed away in February 2020, was the circuit judge for Calhoun County and retired in 2015.

Conrad and Peggy have given to the Albion College Fund, the equestrian team, and many other departments and institutes. They are the founders of the Conrad J. and Margaret Meyer Sindt Experiential Learning Endowment.

Peggy has also generously supported the Faculty Development Fund, the Albion College Fund, the Art and Art History Department Fund, Chemistry Summer Researchers Fund, the President’s Discretionary Fund and the Richard and Barbara Meyer Student Research Endowment, a fund named in honor of her parents (both deceased and members of the class of 1950).

Pleiad named top

online newspaper

The Albion Pleiad, Albion College’s student-run newspaper, was named the top online newspaper in Division 2 at the 2024 Michigan Press Association Better College Newspaper Contest, held on May 8, 2025. The Pleiad earned nine awards overall in the contest.

The annual contest, judged by members of the Wisconsin Press Association, honors excellence in student journalism across three divisions: Division 1 for newspapers publishing

more than weekly, Division 2 for weekly publications, and Division 3 for two-year colleges or less-than-weekly publications. This year, 17 college newspapers submitted 536 entries.

The Pleiad took first place in the highly competitive Online Newspaper Category in Division 2, an impressive accomplishment for the publication, which was up against entries from institutions across the state, including the University of Michigan and Grand Rapids Community College. This is the second year The Pleiad has entered the Online Newspaper Category, moving up from its third-place finish last year.

Albion earns distinctive Carnegie classification

Albion College was recently designated as an “Opportunity College and University – Higher Access, Higher Earnings” (OCU) school in the newly introduced Student Access and Earnings Classification by Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. This classification recognizes institutions that provide broad access to students—particularly those from underrepresented and low-income backgrounds— and whose graduates achieve higher-than-average earnings.

Specifically, OCU institutions have an average of 47% Pell

Grant recipients and 56% underrepresented minority students, with graduates earning a median of $52,903 eight years after enrollment. Albion College stands out as the only liberal arts and sciences college in Michigan to receive this distinction and is among only 10 such colleges nationwide.

Other notable institutions sharing this designation include Agnes Scott College, Morehouse College, Spelman College, Oglethorpe University, and more. A total of 479 schools received the designation.

Retired American Airline CEO Parker headliner at Dallas event

Retired American Airline CEO Doug Parker ’84 was the featured alumni speaker at the Dallas Albion Everywhere in March.

In his address “Albion to the Airlines,” the 2013 Distinguished Alumni Award recipient discussed his personal and professional

pathway. Parker was joined by Albion College President Wayne Webster and alumni host Jim Anderson ’83.

Parker retired as CEO of American Airlines in March 2022 and as chairman of American’s board in April 2023 after more than 35 years in the airline industry, including 20 years as CEO. He was named CEO of American following the merger of American and US Airways in 2013.

He earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from Albion College in 1984 and an MBA from Vanderbilt University in 1986.

The Dallas event was one of over 20 events during March for Albion Everywhere, our annual celebration of Albion College’s Founders’ Day, which also included featured events in New York and the District of Columbia, a virtual student panel, and Albion College Night at the Detroit Pistons.

Conferences, presentations, recognitions

Mark Bollman (mathematics and computer science) was a featured panelist at Starring Math, a monthly program of the National Museum of Mathematics that discusses movies with mathematical content.

Abigail Cahill (biology) gave an invited talk at Michigan State University’s Kellogg Biological Station: “Braiding Indigenous ecological knowledge and western research methods in the study of Mnomen (wild rice) ecosystems in Michigan’s rivers.”

Lia JensenAbbott (music) traveled to Minneapolis to present a lecture recital at the Music Teachers National Association National Conference. Her session entitled, “Do You Hear What I Hear?” explored Lia’s experience with tinnitus and how it affects performance technique.

Marcy Sacks (history) received a grant from the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution. This award will support classroom teaching and activities related to the Revolutionary War era.

Greg Saltzman (economics and management, emeritus) was scheduled to chair a session at the annual national meeting of the Labor and Employment Relations Association in Seattle in June 2025.

Creating an environment for like-minded friends drop ins

It’s not an official indicator, but the best professors tend to be those who inspire repeat business, especially when the professors are junior faculty members teaching a lot of introductory courses.

“I frequently have introcourse students in my elective classes,” said Lucia Soriano, who has been part of the Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality and Ethnic Studies Departments since 2021. Even at a campus celebration of her first book this past spring, Soriano noted: “I was moved to see students who had been in my class two years earlier.

Being able to reconnect with former students affirms my role as an educator and as an author. It affirms how lasting those classroom moments can be. One student told me that they felt seen by what I wrote about in my book.”

Like many of the students in her department and courses, Soriano found her academic passion in college. The California native attended community college and then became a women’s studies and ethnic studies major at California Polytechnic University, Pomona. “I never had any interaction

with STEM at Cal Poly, although I guess there were a lot of engineers in some classes,” Soriano admitted with a laugh. Nonetheless, she found a community of like-minded friends and caring faculty, an environment she has definitely recreated at Albion.

“I deeply appreciate the opportunity to teach electives like feminist theory and bodies in American culture,” she said. “In these small classes I can create a space for real connection, where we can dive into complex, often uncomfortable conversations with depth, honesty, and care.”

Soriano is also pleased to note a racial, ethnic, and gender diversity among her students, greater than her previous teaching experiences at Washington State University Pullman and in Germany. “Ethnic studies and women’s studies really started with students who wanted a curriculum that reflected diversity, and I am curious as to how I can continue on that legacy,” she said. “Even in my introductory courses, the smaller classes allow for more student interaction, and I’ve really come to appreciate that here.”

Despite being a scholar who examines the intersection

of beauty ideals, pop culture, and social media, Soriano is a big fan of paper-based student projects. “I am very proud of the wall of protest signs that take up the majority of my office space,” she said. “These were part of a course assignment, and the students really surprised me with their creativity, especially when a lot of them began by claiming they are not creative. I find this wall keeps me energized.

She continued, “Even if students take only one of my courses to fill a requirement, I want them to develop the knowledge, perspectives, and critical thinking skills that come with studying these subjects. This is invaluable in enriching their daily lives, shaping their personal and professional futures, and driving meaningful social change in the world.”

Soriano was named Albion’s 2025 Phi Beta Kappa Scholar of the Year, in recognition of the publication of her first book, Embodying Normalcy: Women’s Work in Neoliberal

Retiring Faculty

Jon Hooks, economics and management professor. From introductory economics to banking, markets, and portfolio theory, Hooks has literally taught the value of money to generations of Albion students. Along with teaching for the past 36 years, Hooks spent decades providing out-of-classroom experiences. He founded Albion’s Investment Club, advising their management of a five-figure portfolio, and leading the annual Chicago trip for 25 years.

He also founded Albion’s Federal Reserve Challenge Team, which won the State of Michigan competition in 2007. Hooks served as a long-time adviser of Albion’s Omicron Delta Epsilon economics honorary, was on the board of trustees of the Albion Community Foundation, and represented the faculty on two Albion College Trustee committees related to finance.

Perry Myers, German professor. Myers walked away from investment banking at JP Morgan in Europe to join academia – and has spent the past 21 years enthusiastically teaching German- and Germany-focused courses for Albion College’s Modern Languages and Cultures Department, the Honors Program, and First-Year Seminars.

His eclectic background and scholarship (three books, an edited volume, and numerous articles) led him to develop courses that examined the historical intersection of science

In Memoriam

The Albion College community and college athletics last spring mourned the loss of Cedric “Ced” Dempsey, who after playing, coaching, and administrating athletics at Albion transformed the University of Arizona into a national powerhouse and then led the NCAA into the mega operation it is today. He died April 5, 2025, in San Diego at age 92.

Dempsey ’54 and his wife, June ’54, have been loyal and generous supporters of Albion College for more than three decades.

and religion, South Asian history, and German literature and film. Perry helped develop MLAC’s language and culture for the professions concentration, enhancing the ability of Albion graduates to join international business and government organizations, and advised all 10 of the Albion students who received Fulbright teaching fellowships during his tenure.

Emmanuel Yewah, French professor. Yewah retires as Albion College’s most senior faculty member, having opened French language, African culture, and the literature of both world regions to the unique benefit of Albion students. From political cartoons to Caribbean literature and examinations of immigration and immigrants, Yewah taught a broad range of courses for both modern languages and cultures and the Honors Program. Through his first-year seminar “Africa: Myth and Reality” Yewah led 10 groups of students on trips through Cameroon, arranging for visits in private homes, with business and government leaders, to national cultural sites, and even his home village.

The experience led trip alumni to create Albion’s Nwagni Project, which raised funds to rebuild and financially support an elementary school in Batchingou. Yewah has been the recipient of Albion’s Putnam Faculty Mentoring Award, the Students’ Choice Award, and the Phi Beta Kappa Scholar of the Year Award and his scholarship has been supported by HewettMellon, the Great Lakes Colleges Association, the French government’s Center for International Business Development, and Albion’s Howard L. McGregor Endowed Professorship.

Raised in Illinois, Dempsey played football, basketball, and baseball at Albion. He served as the college’s men’s basketball and cross country coach from 1959-62. Three years later, in 1965, he became Albion’s associate athletic director.

He later served as athletic director at Pacific in California, before stints at San Diego State, Houston, and Arizona. In 1994, Dempsey became the executive director/president of the NCAA. During his tenure at the NCAA, Dempsey helped that organization strike lucrative television deals with ESPN and CBS that brought in $6.2 billion over an 11-year span.

“Ced was instrumental in shaping the NCAA as it moved into the new century, overseeing a restructuring of the organization, and strengthening the foundation of college sports for years that followed his tenure,” NCAA President Charlie Baker stated.

Dempsey was awarded Albion’s Distinguished Alumni Award in 1993. Two years later, he was awarded an honorary degree, doctor of laws, from Albion. A member of multiple Halls of Fame, Dempsey was survived by his wife and two children.

Class News

1955

Tom ’55 and Elsie Hansen Misner ’56 celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary on Jan. 30, 2025. The Albion sweethearts were married in Adrian in 1955 at the First Methodist Church.

1956

David Sennema ’56 remains active on committees at his place of residence, Still Hopes Episcopal Retirement Community in West Columbia, South Carolina. He sings in the choir there, as he did under the leadership of Choral Director David Strickler during his years at Albion College.

1960

Richard B. Smith ’60 received the 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award from the International Ranger Federation (IRF), which is composed of 160 world-wide member organizations. He is a retired national park ranger who also served as president of the IRF and the U.S Association of National Park Rangers. A fluent Spanish speaker from his Peace Corps days in Paraguay, he has visited and consulted on ranger issues in all but one Central and South American country.

1964

Bettyjean Abbott Schweitzer ’64 is an author of three books, the most recent of which, Miss T. Teaches The Bible: Psalm 23, was published in Nov. 2024. All of Bettyjean’s books are available for purchase on Amazon under the name Beje Schweitzer.

1967

Daniel Shungu ’67 was honored in the 2025 Marquis Who’s Who for career achievements in international disease control and pharmaceutical research. In 2004, Daniel left his position as director of clinical microbiology services with Merck & Co. to found the United Front Against River Blindness (UFAR).

Working with the World Health Organization and the Democratic Republic of Congo Health Ministry, UFAR conducted largescale, community-based drug distributions that interrupted transmission of several parasitic diseases in the region. Daniel continues to serve as a volunteer lecturer with Rider University and the College of New Jersey.

1969

Carolyn Engel Lowstuter ’69 was recently named to the 2025 “Top 50 Women Leaders in Illinois” list by womenweadmire.com. Co-founder and former president/ CEO of Robertson Lowstuter, Caroline is a senior consultant for her international executive development firm, working with Fortune 50 companies and specializing in health care-related organizations.

1970

Terry Karpowicz ’70 designed a unique-and-colorful sculpture for Governors State University, titled Stargazing with Contrails. Karpowicz lives and works in Chicago, but his art has been featured worldwide, including exhibitions throughout the United States, Mexico, Europe, and the former Soviet Union.

1972

Clinton Richardson ’72 licensed his latest business book, Venture Smarts, to Georgia Tech’s Advanced Technology Development Institute for use by their high technology incubator companies. The book is the latest iteration of a resource first published in 1987. A retired business attorney, Clinton lives in Atlanta with his wife of 50 years and publishes a weekly photo blog, Picture This, on Substack.

1973

James Pastor ’73 retired in 2020 after 42 years of general dentistry and endodontic specialty practice. A member of Sigma Chi, Jim spent the majority of his professional career with the U.S. Navy, retiring at the rank of captain before moving into private practice. He and his wife, Debra, live in northern California, enjoying outdoor sports and his motorcar hobby.

1977

John Mann ’77 recently retired as chairman of the board of directors of Chelsea State Bank. He previously served as the bank’s president/CEO during his 37-year tenure.

1978

Matt Roush ’78, retired after a 45-year career in communications. He produced award-winning journalism for newspapers in Three Rivers, Leelanau County, Traverse City, and Kalamazoo, and spent 11 years as a reporter for Crain’s Detroit Business. He also spent

13 years at WWJ Newsradio, where he created the Great Lakes IT Report, a daily email newsletter covering tech from a Michigan perspective. Matt worked the past 10 years in nonprofit media relations for The Engineering Society of Detroit and Lawrence Technological University. He will continue to freelance as a writer, editor, photographer, and voice talent. Matt lives in Dearborn with his wife of 40 years, Sue.

1982

Mike ’82 and Laura (Merrion) Marmorstein ’82 showed their lime 1932 Ford five-window coupe at the 72nd Detroit Autorama in February. During their 41 years of marriage, Mike and Laura have shared a passion for cars. Among the favorites they’ve owned are a ’68 Chevelle, a ’65 Barracuda, a ’66 Charger, a ’49 Chevy delivery truck, a ’69 Cadillac Fleetwood, and a ’52 International Harvester pickup truck.

1983

Barry Lonik ’83, a local land conservation leader and music promoter in Dexter, Michigan, recently completed his 100th land preservation project, surpassing 10,000 acres conserved during his career

1988

Kalon Baughan ’88 recently exhibited his latest photography project at the Holter Museum in Helena, Montana. “Icons of the West” features images of rareand-endangered carnivores in the Northern Rockies. A professional

photographer for nearly 40 years, Kalon works with the U.S. Forest Service and several nonprofit organizations in support of conservation efforts.

1989

Jennifer Pope ’89 was named to Forbes “Top Women Wealth Advisors Best-in-State” list for Arizona. She has been a UBS financial adviser for more than 20 years. This honor marks the fifth time Jennifer has been included in a Forbes “Best in Arizona” list.

1992

Elyse Semerdjian ’92 was recently named Robert Aram and Marianne Kaloosdian and Stephen and Marian Mugar Chair of Armenian Genocide Studies at the Strassler Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies at Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts. She teaches Armenian history, comparative genocide studies, gender studies, and Middle East history. Her recent book, Remnants: Embodied Archives of the Armenian Genocide (Stanford University Press, 2023), was awarded a 2024 Best Book prize by the Association for Middle East Women’s Studies. Elyse adds a special thanks “to the women of Dean Hall for making me into the unwavering feminist that I am today.”

1993

Sonia Vora ’93 was named to PR Newswire’s “Top 50 Women Leaders in Seattle” list for 2024. She serves as chief human resources officer of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

1995

Colleen Tarantola Sullivan ’95, deputy executive director of the Michigan Workforce Development Institute, was appointed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to the Michigan Developmental Disabilities Council for a four-year term that began in February.

1996

Wes Brown ’96 recently completed a multi-state tour for his thriller “They All Fall the Same,” published by an imprint of Penguin Random House. The book is available via penguinrandomhouse.com, amazon.com, and at Barnes & Noble.

1997

Robert Hemphill ’97 recently had his practice, West Hill Family Dental, recognized as a 2025 Top Patient-Rated Rocky Hill Dentist by Find Local Doctors, an online directory that helps patients find dentists in their area.

Glenn Kushiner ’97 has been appointed to serve as chief restructuring officer of Hyzon Motors Inc. Glenn has served as a partner at Riveron Management Services since 2001.

1998

Janine Jacob ’98 has been appointed co-commissioner of accounts overseeing estates and trusts for Patrick County, Virginia. She has been in private law practice since 2001, opening her own office in 2017. Janine also serves as a substitute judge in the general district court and juvenile

and domestic relations district court. She resides in Martinsville, Virginia, with her husband, Robert, and their two sons.

1999

Jan Knorr Murtha ’99 was appointed as deputy of nondepositories at the North Dakota Department of Financial Institutions. Before stepping into this role, Jan served in various leadership roles across the financial sector. She has a background in regulatory compliance, risk management, and financial oversight.

2001

Angela Bacarella-Wood ’01 joined the Detroit office of Cohen & Company, Ltd. as an assurance partner, bringing 25 years of experience to her new role.

Abbe Lindemood Ernstes ’01 returned to Albion in December as assistant vice president of institutional advancement. Abbe has spent the last 20 years in fundraising at Cathedral High School in Indianapolis and with Hanover College. She and her husband live in Marshall with their golden retriever, Lou.

2003

Eric Leuter ’03 has been appointed head football coach for the University of Olivet. Prior to this appointment, Eric served as head football coach at Muskingum University from 2018 to 2024. He also coached for Adams State, Grand Valley State, Michigan Tech, and the Florida Gators.

2005

Katherine Vojtko ’05 recently accepted a position as director of neuropsychology at Penn Medicine Rehabilitation Hospital.

2006

Eric Drogosch ’06 was recently welcomed as vice president, commercial loan officer at Horizon Bank in Indiana. In this new role, Eric focuses on business development and growing the bank’s commercial portfolio.

2007

Alia Daniels ’07 was a speaker at the 2024 Banff World Media Festival. The topic of her talk was “Creating a Healthier and More Inclusive Industry.” Alia is the co-founder and chief operating officer for Revry, a queer-based global streaming television network.

NEWS FOR CLASS NOTES

Please send us your news about promotions, honors, appointments, marriages, births/ adoptions, travels, and hobbies. Notes will be accepted through September 30, 2025, for the next issue. Send to: Editor, Io Triumphe!, Office of Marketing and Communications, Albion College, 611 E. Porter St., Albion, MI 49224; send via e-mail to classnotes@albion.edu; or use the convenient online form at albion. edu/classnotes. Be sure to include your full name, class year, address (postal and e-mail), and telephone number along with your message.

Andrew Hasley ’07 and his guide dog Harvey were recently featured on the website guidingeyes.org. In November 2024, Harvey became Andrew’s third guide dog, thanks to Guiding Eyes for the Blind. Fletcher, Andrew’s first guide dog, received an honorary degree during Albion’s 2007 Commencement. Drew continues to work as a data resource analyst with Covalent Solutions and lives in Bemidji, Minnesota.

Peter Maxwell ’07 was recently inducted into the Beaverton High School Athletic Hall of Fame. Peter is a 2003 Beaverton High School graduate and was a member of both the track and basketball teams. Peter competed in shot put while at Albion, finishing seventh at the NCAA Division III Championships.

2008

Nick Shelton ’08 recently joined Abonmarche as their business development and government strategy director. The company develops engineering, architecture, and surveying plans for communities in Michigan and Indiana.

2011

Andrew Kercher ’11 was a speaker at a talk about the Wild West in January 2025 at the Brandon Township Public Library. Andrew’s discussion centered around the myths and legends of the Wild West in the context of shootouts and duels.

2012

Tyler Yake ’12 recently joined OceanSound as vice president of

financial planning and analysis. OceanSound is a private equity firm that invests in technology and serves government and highend markets.

2014

Jennifer Polinski ’14, a senior research associate at the Gloucester Marine Genomics Institute (GMGI), led a talk at Abbot Public Library in Marblehead, Massachusetts, on how environmental DNA can reveal biodiversity within an ecosystem. In this talk, she shared how scientists at GMGI are using cutting-edge tools to examine biodiversity in marine wildlife, allowing them to measure the impact of certain protections on marine ecosystems.

2018

Jim Chapman ’18 was recently named one of 25 Top Retirement Plan Advisors by industry publication Plan Advisors, which further noted the significance of Jim earning this award while under the age of 40. Jim works for LoVasco Consulting Group, and as a volunteer with Investment Professionals Charity, providing financial wellness education to Detroit-area high school students, and as a member of Catholic Foundation of Michigan’s investment committee.

2019

Miro Dunham ’19 is the new assistive technology specialist at WellWise Services in Brooklyn. The nonprofit assists senior and disabled residents of southern Michigan in obtaining

and using devices to support independence in their personal and professional lives.

Griselda Iniguez ’19 is working as a program specialist with Lansing Community College’s Cesar Chavez Multicultural Center. Griselda has also served as a teaching assistant in Spring 2024 and Spring 2025 for sociology professor Scott Melzer’s Inside Out program, which meets in the state prison facility in Jackson..

Tessa Triest-Weimer ’19 published a poetry book,Water Rising, on April 7, 2025. The collection of poems is housed under Bookleaf Publishing and can be purchased on Amazon.

2023

Nick Christian ’23 was recently named head coach of Adrian College’s newly formed National Club Baseball Association (NCBA) Division III team. Adrian will also continue to field a Division I team, which it has done since winning the 2018 NCBA DIII World Series. Nick also currently serves as an assistant coach for the Adrian Lookouts, working with pitchers on 16 youth baseball and softball teams.

Brendan Ritchie ’23 recently received the Detroit Pistons Game Changer award. It provided $500 for his school’s food pantry, $1,000 for classroom supplies, and box seats to a Pistons game. Brendan teaches algebra and geometry at Clarenceville High school in Livonia, where his colleagues nominated him for this award.

Build a legacy. Refer a student to Albion.

Did you know that children, grandchildren, and siblings of Albion College graduates can earn an additional $3,000 per year in scholarship money for being referred by you? Learn more at albion.edu/scholarships

OCTOBER 17 Athletic Hall of Fame

OCTOBER 17-18 Homecoming & Reunions

For more details: albion.edu/homecoming SAVE THE DATE

For a full list of upcoming events go to albion.edu/alumni

Weddings

Brittany Booth ’13 to Zachary Vasseur on Nov. 10, 2024, in Indianapolis. Alumni in attendance included Babette King Burleigh ’83, Pat ’12 and Samantha Stanek Underwood ’13, Dan ’10 and Kristin Nelson Coleman ’13, and Dan Durance ’13. The Vasseurs live with their dog Mitch in Indianapolis, where Brittany works as the collegiate growth director at Kappa Alpha Theta Fraternity.

Chris Blaker ’14 to Jessica Hunt, April 5, 2025, in Alexandria, Virginia. Albion alumni in attendance included bridesmaid Amanda Blaker ’12, groomsman Brad Collins ’14, Carlos Matti ’14, Brad Melpolder ’14, Jared Minor ’14, and Zach Francis ’15. The couple lives in Alexandria, where Chris works in publishing for the U.S. Navy.

Lauren Perugi ’15 to Ned Borninski on May 16, 2025, in Plymouth. Alumni in attendance included Karen (Borninski) Revenaugh ’87 and her daughter Jordan ’21. The wedding ceremony featured a storybook theme as Lauren and Ned began their next chapter together.

Kristine Mussell ’17 to Jack Brownlow ’17 on Oct. 25, 2024, in Holland, Michigan. The wedding party included Maggie Gaca Stiner ’17, Ami Milligan Bowen ’17, Grant Brownlow ’19, Ethan Sutton ’17, Trent Mikek ’15, Mitch Clinton ’16, Ryan Denha ’16, and Austin Denha ’17. Other alumni in attendance

were John ’86 and Deana Black Brownlow ’85, William Black ’82, Elisa Black Macejak ’07, Mackie Black ’19, Kara Bowers Sutton ’15, Taylor Sandberg ’18, Katie Zinkel ’17, Elliot ’18 and Jordan McGinn Brinker ’17, Brandon and Rachel Barry Wade both ’18, Connor Maddalena ’17, Emilee Weiblen ’19, Severiano ’21 and Madelin Darby Colangelo ’20, Christian Schubert ’15, Kyle Bourlier ’18, Connor Moss ’19, John Hutchinson ’17, and Ray Massa ’22. Jack and Kristine live in Lowell with their dog, Winne.

Marjorie Boldt ’18 to Spencer Shaheen ’19 on June 22, 2024, in Metamora. Alumni in attendance included Tim ’87 and Kelli Spangler Shaheen ’89, and Berkeley Shaheen ’13.

Rebecca Crane ’20 to Nathan Loussia ’20 on Sept. 28, 2024, in Livonia. Alumni in attendance included Paige Mellema ’20, Stephen Hegenauer ’20, Lucas Scott ’18, Will Yuhas ’20, Ashley Audisho ’19, Jayla McFall ’20, and Lewis and Lauren Kelsey Parris both ’18.

Hannah Headapohl ’22 to Koal Roach on April 4, 2025, in Grand Rapids. Lexie De La Cruz ’22 was in the bridal party. Other alumni in attendance included Nate ’20 and Karen (Carroll) Frieswyk ’20, Jordan Revenaugh ’21, and Anikka Thorson ’23.

Baby Britons

Sloane James Potocny Loux on April 22, 2024, to Will Loux ’10 and Stephanie Potocny ’11. Will works as a portfolio manager while Stephanie is a market researcher. The family lives in Chicago.

Carter Michael on March 3, 2025, to Jessica DeWaters Funk ’13 and her husband Austin. Proud relatives include grandmother Prudie DeWaters, Albion College’s budget and procurement manager, and aunt Mallory DeWaters ’17. The family lives in Jackson, where Jessica is the account administrator at Dillon and Associates.

Louisa Cameron Garcia on September 25, 2024, to Thomas ’16 and Bekah Snyder Cox ’14. Proud grandparents are Vicky Garcia Snyder ’89 and her husband, Kenneth, long-time director of campus safety. Louisa joins big sister Frankie, 2. The family lives in Lansing, where Bekah works as a division chief for the Michigan Department of Attorney General and Thomas is a product manager for Consumers Energy.

Aidan Harvey on Oct. 10, 2024, to Claire Van Raaphorst ’14 and husband John Shabino. A former member of Albion’s Alumni Engagement Team, Claire is a marketing extraordinaire at Plante Moran. The family lives in Pleasant Ridge.

Theodore Bowers on April 9, 2025, to Ethan ’17 and Kara Bowers Sutton ’15. Proud alumni relatives include Mackie Black ’19, Grant Brownlow ’19, Jack and Kristine Mussell Brownlow both ’17, Elisa Black Macejak ’07, John ’86 and Deana Black Brownlow ’85, and William Black ’82. Kara is an architectural designer at Bowers and Associates and Ethan is a supply chain consultant at Black and Rossi. The family lives in Pinckney.

Hazen Erving Nelson on Oct. 27, 2024, to Danielle Nelson Beard ’17 and her husband Jonathon. Hazen joins his brother, Esch, 3. Danielle works as a program manager at the Michigan Municipal League. The family lives in East Lansing.

Obituaries

Helen Wolf Allen ’49, Nov. 14, 2024. A Delta Zeta who graduated Phi Beta Kappa, Helen became a special education teacher in the early 1960s. Helen worked for the Rochester School District in New York until her retirement. She and her Albion classmate Henry ’49 were married for more than 50 years. The Allens are survived by four children, seven grandchildren, and 14 great-grandchildren.

Ann Gehman Taber ’53, Nov. 1, 2024, in Ann Arbor. After graduating from Albion she married Morris Taber ’55 and worked for 29 years as an elementary school librarian, media specialist, and reading teacher at Willow Run Schools in Ypsilanti. She earned graduate degrees in library science and reading education. Ann and Morris spent a semester setting up a primary school library in Zimbabwe, work that inspired them to provide thousands of books and other support to children and libraries in Zimbabwe. The Tabers are survived by their children, including Mark and Colleen Davis Taber, both ’79, and several grandchildren and greatgrandchildren.

Donald Roe ’54, Nov. 24, 2024, in Angola, Indiana. A Sigma Chi, Donald ran track and played basketball, holding Albion’s single-season scoring record for several years. Donald cofounded and ran Croxton and Roe Insurance for more than a half century. Along with serving on the boards of his local bank, school district, and Chamber of Commerce, Donald was active with local Masonic groups.

He and Diana Beatty Roe ’56 were married for 67 years and enjoyed sailing the Caribbean and the Great Lakes. The Roes are survived by their son Philip ’87, four grandchildren including Karragen Roe ’23, and two greatgrandchildren.

Vivian Johnson Bull ’56, Aug. 12, 2022. An economics major at Albion, Vivian earned a postgraduate Fulbright scholarship to the London School of Economics. Her time spent in London set the foundation for her eventual doctoral thesis on the West Bank, which was used as a resource by the U.S. State Department for many years. With her husband Robert, a professor of archaeology at Drew University, Vivian also spent 30 summers in Israel, managing various operations for Robert’s fieldwork. In 1992, after serving for many years as a faculty member and dean at Drew, Vivian was named president of Linfield College (now University). She negotiated the acquisition of an adjacent 105-acre campus from HewlettPackard, supported by a recordbreaking capital campaign. After retiring from Linfield, Vivian eventually became president of Drew University. While serving as finance committee chair for the United Methodist Church Board of Global Ministry, Vivian played a role in the establishment of Africa College in Zimbabwe. She is survived by two sons and six grandchildren.

Mary Lou Kaechele Willison ’56, Nov. 4, 2024, in Bonita Springs, Florida. Mary Lou majored in English, was editor of The Pleiad, and joined Delta Zeta at

Albion. She earned a master’s degree at the University of Iowa before moving to Germany with classmate and Delta Sigma Phi brother Floyd Willison ’56. The Willisons traveled and lived in several states, as Mary Lou wrote for local papers. She is survived by Floyd, her husband of 66 years, their three children including Wendy Willison McCartney ’89, seven grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

Jack Eugene Giguere ’59, Feb. 3, 2025. His career included service at five churches, two of which built new sanctuaries with his leadership. Jack spent many summers teaching adult Sunday School in Bay View, and in retirement, moved to Easton, Maryland, as a teaching pastor at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church. He also spent five years as protestant chaplain on Holland America Line’s fourmonth Grand World Cruise. His artwork was commissioned for the Easton Festival of Trees and annually featured on the cover of The Tidewater Times in Maryland. More of his work has been included in gallery shows in northern Michigan and still hangs in many Bay View public buildings. Jack was the recipient of an honorary doctorate from Albion and a scholarship was established in his name by Wesley Theological Seminary. He is survived by his wife, Joyce, son Joel ’86, and daughter Noelle ’92.

Henry Snyder ’59, Dec. 31, 2024, in Grand Junction, Colorado. Henry’s career in education began in a junior high math classroom, and eventually included school administration

and college faculty and academic leadership. His community service interests ranged from the public library to Catholic Outreach and the League of Women Voters. He and his late wife, Kay, spent 72 years together. Henry is survived by three children, six grandchildren, brother Donald ’60, and nephew Bob Eckerman ’83.

H. Herbert Edwards ’60, Jan. 13, 2025, in Macomb, Illinois. A botanist, “Erb” spent 42 years on the faculty of Western Illinois University. During and beyond his professional career, Erb directed the Prairieland Barbershop Chorus, was a founder of the annual LaMoine River Sweep, and was a member of the Macomb Area Alliance for Peace and Justice. He is survived by three children and five grandchildren.

Jane Severs Andrews ’61, Feb. 8, 2025. A Michigan native, Jane and her Albion sweetheart Curry ’59 spent their 64-year marriage in Colorado and Tennessee. Along with Curry, Jane is survived by two children, daughter-in-law Trish Joss Andrews ’87, five grandchildren, and brother-in-law William Andrews ’72.

Gary Ragle ’63, Sept. 16, 2024. After graduating from Albion with a degree in political science, Gary pursued a career in banking, working as a trust officer for institutions in Chicago, San Francisco, and Indianapolis. The eldest of 10 siblings, Gary did volunteer tutoring and, in retirement, worked as a tax preparer.

Edward McClew ’66, Nov. 5, 2024. An education major and

Sigma Nu at Albion, Ted had a long career in the classroom at West Bloomfield High School. He participated in numerous mission trips and supported philanthropic work through Birmingham First United Methodist Church, and enjoyed hobbies that involved sailing, antique timepieces, and classic cars. Ted is survived by sister and brother-in-law Steve and Martha McClew Sloan, both ’70, and his fiancée, Mary.

Lydia Goss Zimmer ’66, Dec. 28, 2024, in Lexington, Massachusetts. After Albion, Lydia went to Paris where she met her husband Tom and worked as a secretary at the Hotel Ritz. Lydia eventually joined Tom in Heidelberg Germany where he was a captain in the U.S. Army. Lydia later worked at the U.S. Embassy and an international environmental organization in Bonn. After his Army days, they lived in Washington, D.C., where Lydia worked at the Belgian Embassy. Lydia retired after 20 years working for Tom’s law firm. She is survived by him, two children, and two grandchildren.

Douglas Tobin ’67, Sept. 27, 2024, in New Bloomfield, Pennsylvania. After graduating with a biology major, he received his master’s in labor and industrial relations from Michigan State University. He worked for over 30 years for the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, serving as the director of the Bureau of Motor Vehicles and the Bureau of Driver Licensing. Doug continued the family tradition with Albion as the son of the late R. Keith ’39 and Jeannetta Campbell Tobin ’37.

He is survived by his wife, Sandy, two daughters, two brothers, including Bruce ’70, and cousin Dann Tobin ’72.

José Anadón ’68, Feb. 28, 2024, in Ann Arbor. Born and educated in Chile, Jose emigrated to the U.S. with a scholarship to study at Albion. He spent 38 years on the faculty of Notre Dame University. Along with teaching, Jose gained international respect for his scholarship in Latin American literature. He is survived by Silvia, his wife of 60 years, three children, and five grandchildren.

Michael Sheetz ’68, Jan. 30, 2025. A remarkable scientist who combined chemistry, engineering, and biology, Mike’s career highlights included service as chair of cell biology at Duke University and chair of biological sciences at Columbia University. He also served as founding director of the Mechanobiology Institute of the National University of Singapore. An internationally respected scientist, Mike was best known for discovering kinesin, an accomplishment that won him Lasker, Wiley, and Massry Prizes. He recently received a $6 million grant from the State of Texas Cancer Prevention and Research Foundation to study how the loss of rigidity sensors he discovered enabled cancer cell growth. Ongoing research and clinical trials Mike was involved with focused on osteoarthritis, Alzheimer’s and (with his wife, Linda Kenney) Parkinson’s disease. He is survived by Linda, three children, seven grandchildren, brother Matthew ’82 and John ’81, and Martha Sheetz Keep ’84.

Jeffrey Butts ’69, Feb. 19, 2025. Jeff enjoyed a 32-year career teaching biology at Appalachian State University (ASU). Throughout his career, Jeff also worked actively with the American Association of University Professors, serving as president of the ASU chapter and North Carolina conference and also as the national organization’s secretary-treasurer and first vice president. ASU’s Biology department continues to confer its Jeff Butts Award on the graduating senior each spring with the highest GPA. Jeff had a rich bass voice and participated in Appalachian Chorale and two local church choirs. Jeff is survived by Diane, his wife of 55 years, three children, and four grandchildren.

Elyn “Sue” Vannatter Knappen ‘72, March 9, 2025, in Battle Creek. Sue credited Albion with fostering lifelong friendships and her enduring passion for bridge, although she went on to earn degrees in education and nursing at two other universities. In the Kalamazoo area, Sue worked in both those fields and as a leader with the Junior League, spent years fundraising to help hundreds of children attend summer camps. In her 60s, Sue moved to California but returned to Michigan after losing her home in a wildfire. Along with being a competitivelyranked bridge player, Sue did artisan needlework and was proud of completing the entire Legends of Zelda game. She is survived by two daughters, five grandchildren, one greatgrandchild, four siblings including Marta Vannatter Buttorf ’75, and seven nieces and nephews including Kate Buttorf ’08.

Patricia Angle Parliament ’83, Jan. 31, 2025. While studying physical education, Patty was a member of Albion’s volleyball, basketball, and track teams, and was a member of Alpha Xi Delta. She worked as an exercise physiologist before motherhood and physical challenges turned her career to volunteering with youth sports, the parent-teacher organization, and her local hospital. She received a new heart in 2022. Patty is survived by Bard, her husband of 36 years, two daughters, and three grandsons.

Greg Lemanski ’84, March 20, 2025. At Albion, Greg played football and lacrosse, worked for athletics washing uniforms, and volunteered with Starr Commonwealth, then a residential program for troubled boys. Greg served as president of Sigma Nu, inspiring a fraternity which saw nearly 40 alumni at his recent memorial gathering. Beginning as the youngest State Farm agent in Michigan, Greg had a 40-year career with the company. Greg is survived by his wife, Brenda, three sons including Grant ’20, three siblings including Jeff ’83 and Lori Lemanski Casper ’88, and nieces and nephews that include Ashley Collins Ketchum ’11 and Ryan Lemanski ’21.

FRIENDS

Judith Laikin Elkin, former faculty member and administrator, Jan. 14, 2024. One of few women commissioned as foreign service officers in the 1950s, Judith wrote two memoirs detailing her foreign service experiences in Asia and Europe. Moving to Albion with her husband, Education Department Chair Sol Elkin, Judith taught political science and history for Albion College and held administrative positions on campus and with the Great Lakes Colleges Association and Albion’s Union Steel. She later taught at Wayne State University, the Ohio State University, and the University of Michigan, where she was also an associate of the Frankel Center for Judaic Studies. Judith founded the Latin American

Jewish Studies Association and wrote some of the seminal texts in that field while serving as the association’s president for 18 years. She is survived by one child and five grandchildren.

Harper Mathis, honorary member of the Class of 2025 and men’s lacrosse team, May 12, 2025. In 2021, Coach Jake DeCola and his men’s lacrosse team met Harper, who was 11 years old and undergoing treatment for brain cancer. The relationship encompassed virtual meetings, pizza parties at the Mathis home, Harper attending occasional games, and the entire 2024 team wearing the number 9 (Harper’s soccer jersey) on media day. The team also supported her Harper Strong Foundation. Despite spending much of the past five years undergoing

active cancer treatment in three states, Harper used her foundation to provide toys and financial support to two Michigan hospitals, Candlelighters NYC, and the Ronald McDonald House affiliated with Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital in New York. Harper and her foundation also befriended and encouraged other pediatric cancer patients, their families, and the medical professionals working with them. Harper is survived by her parents Justin and Shellie and her sister Payton. She was publicly recognized during Albion’s Commencement as an honorary member of the graduating class. More information about Harper and her foundation are available at harperstrong.org.

James Nash, Albion’s first director of computing, April 11,

2025. A member of Albion’s Class of 1961, Jim left campus and served in the U.S. Army as a surgical technician before finishing his degree at Western Michigan University. Along with shepherding the development of Albion’s technology and computing infrastructure, Jim did similar work with Calhoun and Washtenaw-area school districts and for the Calhoun County Republicans, whom he also served as chair for many years. Jim and his late wife, Wanda, were married for more than 40 years and he is survived by Candace Boehlke Nash, whom he married in 2009. Jim is also survived by three children including Aaron Nash ’95, daughter-in-law and Albion College gardener Mary Nash, and several grandchildren including Nora Nash ’27.

Albion College’s 2024-2025 year was full of memorable events and people. A few of those magical moments are captured in the photo collage below.

HABEN SWABEN

Io Triumphe! Io Triumphe! Haben swaben rebecca le animor…

Taking its name from the second line of Albion’s beloved “Io Triumphe!” cheer, Haben Swaben seeks to brighten the focus on alumni and students through sharing diverse memories of common bonds. In this issue, we ask alumni and former campers to reflect on their fondest memories of Albion Summer Adventure Camp.

FOUNDATION FOR THE FUTURE

“I started going to ASA when I was eight years old and the familiarity we campers developed with the faculty and students at Albion allowed for a seamless transition to college when the time came! Some of my closest lifelong friends attended ASA and we still share stories today.”

—Sam Shaheen ’88

OUTDOOR COOKING LESSONS

“We cooked ‘cowboy breakfasts’ behind Wesley Hall on half-barrel grills with charcoal fire. If you didn’t get the temperature correct the pancakes absolutely burned. It was a fun outdoor way to get the day started.”

—Mark Lindemood ’75

LOVE CONNECTION

“Mark and I met through ASA and we worked there for many summers. We had academics in the morning, activity in the afternoon, social events at night. The connections with the kids, the director, the staff, they just seemed to blend. We just loved it.”

—Mark ’74 and JoEllen Cross Gilbert

‘HIGHLIGHT’ OF MY SUMMERS

“Oh my gosh, where do I start? Albion Summer Adventure was the highlight of my summer for several years. The counselors were wonderful and the program was too. I remember my Hawaiian class, reading class, ceramics classes, and German language class. Then tennis, trampoline, field hockey, canoeing, and swimming in the afternoon. So many wonderful memories.”

—Sharon Gutherie Galliker ’83

LASTING FRIENDSHIPS

CHERISHED MEMORIES

“The town sure has changed but the college seems the same. The bookstore that was across from Seaton Hall is now Campus Safety. Many cherished memories on those steps. Always grateful for the time spent at ASA.”

—Lee Siegel, former camper

IKE ISAAC’S LEGACY

“From Ike, I learned tolerance and acceptance and the ability to teach through example, which he did every day of his life. I was in charge of ASA’s art world, mostly clay, and had the best time teaching kids that you can do anything as long as you learn something from doing it. Ike had a true vision for kids and he made it come true through ASA.”

—Terry Karpowicz ’70

“What a wonderful time we had! [Fellow camper] June Scott and I had the chance to see each other recently. We figured it had been around 40 years! We started ASA together when we were 8 years old in Lower Village. My heart melted when I hugged June. I can’t stop smiling.”

Sarah Hogberg Navarro ’88

Gaining global recognition for sustainability efforts ALBION

Sustainability is a common thread in Lisa Anderson’s ’09 career. As the stewardship and sustainability leader at DuPont Liveo Healthcare Solutions, it’s at the core of what she does every day.

The Cadillac, Michigan, native has been nationally recognized for her sustainability efforts, but among her awards is one that hits a little closer to home: In 2017, Anderson became a recipient of the Young Alumni Award at Albion College.

Choosing the right path

When Anderson was deciding her next steps after high school back in 2005, Albion College originally didn’t make the cut.

“I was accepted into Michigan State’s natural science program,” Anderson explained. “Softball recruiting came along in the spring after I’d already accepted Michigan State. I told everyone at my open house after graduation that I was going to Michigan State,” she recalled with a laugh. “Then that summer, I actually flipped my decision.”

For Anderson, it was the promise of more at Albion College that drew her away from the larger crowds at Michigan State University and toward small town life in Albion. She realized that she could be an athlete and a scientist rather than being boxed into one category.

Majoring in a STEM discipline was a no-brainer for Anderson, regardless of where she went

to college. But it was the connections she made at Albion that helped her refine her path and her passion.

“My sophomore year, I did a research internship with Cliff Harris,” she said. “He was such a great mentor for me. He’s really what got me into research, because I was leaning toward pre-med when I first started; both of my parents were in medical professions, so I was leaning toward what I knew.”

With the encouragement of Harris, professor of organic chemistry, Anderson applied for a couple of summer internships doing lab work and research, excited about the possibilities that lay ahead. When she didn’t hear back from the hiring staff at first, it was Harris who stepped in to help.

“I wasn’t hearing back, and [Professor] Cliff was like, ’Let me get on the phone.’ He called the program director for one of them and said, ’Okay, I have this really great student. I think she should

work for you this summer.’ And they said, ’Let’s make this work,’” Anderson said. “So, I was able to go to New Mexico for the summer, and that got me into the lab full-time. It also resulted in a research publication–which as an undergrad is not very easy. I think that set me up well for grad school.”

Finding her next steps

For Anderson, the process for determining where she would go for graduate school differed immensely from choosing her undergrad. Whereas she picked an undergraduate school based on how much she was able to do, she picked her grad school based on its specialization.

“There was this hot new hot research area in biofuels, and I was like, ‘Wow that sounds so cool. You can use algae to grow to make biofuels.’ So, I was specifically looking for programs that would allow me to do that,” Anderson said.

Despite her conviction in what she wanted to study,

she went out on a limb when she visited University of California, Davis–again at the encouragement of Harris. A California native, Harris recommended that Anderson visit schools on the West Coast. She didn’t see much about biofuel research when looking into programs out in California but decided to take the next step in the process, anyway: She applied to UC Davis and planned a visit.

“They were going to offer me a fellowship, and I remember visiting and seeing things about biofuel research on a door when I was walking around,” she recalled. “I was like, ‘They have this going on here?’ And then I fell in love with Davis and the campus.”

The love continued–in more ways than one–when Anderson officially started her program. While she was pursuing the next steps in her career, Anderson also met her husband, John Oliver, also a doctoral student at UC Davis at the time. The two completed their PhDs together and married in 2017.

While at UC Davis, Anderson received the Greenovation Champion Award from Kimberly-Clark in 2014 for implementing a laboratoryglove recycling program, reducing waste by about two tons annually. After

graduating, Anderson went on to be a postdoctoral scholar in metabolic engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). During her time at MIT, Anderson served in leadership on committees supporting environmental initiatives and received the New England BioLabs Passion in Science Award for Environmental Stewardship in 2016. She then spent time as a bioanalytical scientist at Amyris in Emeryville, California, before accepting a position with Dupont in 2021 and moving back to Michigan–where her story began.

Coming full circle

Years after she decided to pursue Albion and the promise of more, Anderson continues to prove that she is more than just one thing. She is globally recognized in her field, and she is a mother. She is an award-winning scientist, and she enjoys running races and competing in triathlons. She is an innovator, and above all else, she is humble. At the core of her work, she is looking to make a difference and improve the lives of those around her.

In her free time, Anderson enjoys spending time in nature, whether that means running, yoga, or tending to her garden. She and her husband John reside in Midland, Michigan, with their two sons.

611 East Porter Street Albion, MI 49224

Celebrating a half century of productions at Herrick Theatre

With the arrival of the 2025 fall semester, Albion College will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Herrick Theatre.

The Herrick Center was established by Ray and Hazel Herrick, philanthropists and founders of the Tecumseh Products Company. In 1973, the college received a $500,000 gift from the Herrick Foundation to build the theatre. It was the first stand-alone facility meant for the Theatre Department built on Albion’s campus.

The first play produced at the Herrick Center was Private Lives by Noel Coward, directed by Helen H. Manning. It opened Oct. 3, 1975, and was performed alongside the dedication of the new theatre.

from the Albion College archives.

Photos