Io Triumphe! Winter 2026

Io Triumphe!

Features

Building bridges through reading 7

As the endowment of Albion College’s Endowed Richard M. Smith Common Reading Experience celebrates its 25th anniversary, we’re reminded of where the program began—with its namesake himself.

An advocate for our schoolchildren 11

Adelle Settle’s ’02 efforts changed laws in Virginia and ignited a national movement to provide universal meals and end lunch-debt shaming.

A radical change for Susanna

Wesley Hall

In 1971, Albion approved a housing plan which would rename one of its iconic buildings and welcome new residents.

Biology degree leads to a ‘dream’ job 16 When she decided to pursue a career working with horses during her senior year at Albion College, Emily Galka ’17 knew chasing her dreams would require paying her dues.

A stunning directorial debut

Seph Cartier’s ’26 involvement with the Theatre Department went next level during the fall with the department’s production of Annie Baker’s The Aliens.

Io Triumphe!

WINTER 2025 VOLUME XC, NO. 1

EDITOR

Mark Lowery

DESIGNERS/ILLUSTRATORS

Katherine Hibbs

Emily Leach

PHOTOGRAPHER

Will Cammell

CONTRIBUTORS

Melissa Anderson

Nick Briscoe ’28

Michelle Ketlhalefile ’28

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.

Letter from the President

Navigating change at a place like Albion means honoring the traditions that shaped us while embracing the evolving world our students will lead. For generations, Britons have met these moments with purpose, creativity, and an unwavering belief in the power of an Albion education. That same spirit guides us today as we strengthen Albion’s future.

I’ve been energized this academic year by what I’m seeing from our community on campus and across the U.S.—from milestone reunions and cheering on student-athletes at Homecoming to hearing from alumni in New York, San Francisco, Atlanta, Denver, Chicago, and Detroit. Their leadership, values, and generosity—from supporting new spaces like the Kinesiology Lounge and renovated Kresge Gymnasium to sharing how Albion shaped their lives—reflect the college’s lasting influence and reaffirm why our work matters.

Our value message is resonating with prospective students as well, reflected in stronger applications and deeper engagement. The Class of 2029 has hit its stride—contributing in classrooms and labs, on stages and fields, and across student organizations. I’ve experienced their enthusiasm firsthand, whether serving late-night breakfast during finals, cheering from the stands, or joining them in Goodrich Chapel and Herrick Theatre.

Albion has also been a gathering place for important conversations. We hosted Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) leaders for fall athletic meetings and welcomed peer campuses for the Students of Color Leadership Conference. Beyond campus, I joined colleagues at the NCAA National Convention, met with Great Lakes Colleges Association presidents, and traveled to Capitol Hill to advocate for our students.

Our community’s generosity is propelling us forward. During #BritsGive in December, 441 donors contributed $710,125 to support student opportunity and academic excellence. Alumni participation is rising, and new commitments are strengthening scholarships, academic programs, and campus spaces—including a $150,000 Class of 1975 challenge for Wesley Hall.

At the heart of this momentum is our commitment to meaningful, handson learning for every student. With Experiential Learning for All—our new graduation requirement—Albion ensures that internships, mentored research, community engagement, creative work, off-campus study, and other applied experiences are not only encouraged but expected.

This winter issue of Albion’s magazine reflects why staying focused on our Pathway Forward priorities matters. Inside, you’ll find Richard M. Smith ’68 on the legacy of the Common Reading Experience; Adelle LaRue Settle ’02, whose advocacy reshaped school meal policy in Virginia; a look back at Wesley Hall’s transition to co-ed living in 1971; and profiles of Emily Galka ’17, Catherine VanderWeg ’04, and Seph Cartier ’26—demonstrating how experiential learning shapes academic, professional, and personal journeys.

As the year continues, we are looking ahead to Purple & Gold Weekend, April 16–18, beginning with the Elkin R. Isaac Student Research Symposium. I hope to see some of you there!

Go Brits!

Wayne P. Webster President

Blake Miller ’26

Major: Finance

Minor: Sport Communication

Hometown: Frankfort, Michigan

In 2024, Blake Miller (with Assistant Professor of Economics and Management Carrie Adamczyk ’17) restarted the Investment Club.

What’s one important way Albion has changed you?

My problem-solving has evolved – now I’ll run with an idea until somebody tells me ‘You can’t do that,’ and nobody ever says that here!”

A phrase that’s stuck with you?

“My mom always says ‘stuff happens.’ Things may not always go my way, but life is about what you do and how you respond when ‘stuff happens.’”

Biggest reward as the president of the Investment Club?

“During this year’s club trip to Chicago, we talked to alumni working in real estate and private equity, and we even got to be on the options floor while trading was going on. It is amazing to see all these alumni with these amazing careers, but they are so willing to help the club. Also, we had 30 people on the trip, which in the past has usually been around 10!”

Any hidden talents?

“Because I’ve been working in the family pizzeria since I was a kid, I can make a pizza in 40-50 seconds.”

Most important emotion?

“Happiness! As soon as you start your day, you can make the choice to be happy and enjoy it. That decision can be life-changing.”

Story written by Marketing and Communications Intern Nick Briscoe ’28

4 | Albion College Io Triumphe!

Albion 24/7

The Carl A. Gerstacker Institute for Business and Management produces well-rounded graduates who are highly attractive to national and international employers. The Institute achieves this by understanding what employers need and helping students gain these skills through an integration of theory and practice derived from domestic and international internships and programming.

“The mission of this program was to turn out graduates who can not only do something exceptionally well but also know what is most worth doing.” – Carl A. Gerstacker

40-45

The number of students admitted to Gerstacker each year.

100 The percentage of students required to complete an internship for academic credit.

15 majors and minors are represented in Gerstacker.

The percent of seniors (Gerstacker participants) who have job offers at the beginning of their senior year.

2

The number of tracks available for students who wish to earn the Gerstacker Concentration and have it reflected on their transcripts.

Duration of course where Albion students get to work with management students at SUP d Ve in France. The students also travel to Paris during Fall Break to work on the project with their French counterparts and the French students visit Albion in April for the Elkin Isaac Student Research Symposium.

with ELIZABETH RUDOLPH

Elizabeth Rudolph serves as Albion’s director of accessibility services. After graduating from Albion High School, she earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Eastern Michigan University and a master’s degree in counseling psychology at Western Michigan University. Prior to coming to the college (in 2016) as a learning specialist and then assistant director of disability services, Rudolph worked at LifeWays Community Mental Health in Jackson.

Io Triumphe!: What is the most challenging part of your job?

Rudolph: I think probably the most challenging thing is the amount of constant change there can be in disability law, disability language, and culture. You really have to stay on top of it because things change fast, laws change fast, and it’s easy to miss something, and you don’t want to miss something in

processes that support people with disabilities.

What is the most rewarding part of your job?

Rudolph: When I see students graduate, when I see them walk across that stage, I think that’s the most rewarding thing because I know how hard they’ve worked to get there. A lot of students with disabilities have challenges that they are constantly overcoming. It can

be health problems that other students don’t have to deal with. For them to maybe miss classes because they’ve been hospitalized or been ill, and then to have to come back and teach themselves material, meet with their professors outside of class to get the same material. I know how challenging that can be.

You tell students that you’re not a therapist. Why do you make that distinction?

Rudolph: I like to make the distinction because (even though I am a therapist) I really want to be focused on their academic health more than their mental health. For their mental health, we have counseling services, and I want them to use those services that are intended to impact them the most. For me, that’s not my focus in this office, and so while I am happy to catch up with students, I want to direct them to where they’re supposed to go.

If there’s one thing that frustrates you about the job that you could change, what would that be?

Rudolph: Resources, and I think that’s not just for this college, that’s for most colleges. Probably resources because we just do not have enough. I know Albion has made a real concerted effort to try and do the projects that would support students with accessibility, but they also have a budget that they’re trying to maintain and work with. The biggest frustration is just not having the resources to meet the needs of all students, but that’s probably it.

Having grown up in Albion, is that an advantage or a disadvantage for this job?

Rudolph: I think it’s an advantage because I can see how far the college has come. I remember a time when I didn’t necessarily feel welcome here, and I would never in a million years think I would be working here. I can see the progress the college has made to make everyone feel welcome on campus. Even though there may still be work to do, I think the effort is there, and so I feel like that’s an advantage.

For Rick Smith ’68, former editor-inchief of Newsweek, reading has always been more than an academic exercise; it’s a bridge between people, ideas, and generations, reflecting the core of an Albion liberal arts education.

As Albion College’s Endowed Richard M. Smith Common Reading Experience (CRE) celebrates its 25th anniversary, we’re reminded of where the program began—with its namesake himself.

By giving every incoming student a shared text to explore in their FirstYear Seminar, the CRE creates common ground, encouraging students to engage deeply with ideas, consider multiple perspectives, and build connections with their classmates. It’s an invitation into Albion’s academic culture, where curiosity, dialogue, and critical thinking form the foundation of a student’s journey.

“My interest [in endowing the CRE] was being part of a process that says to a young person, ‘You’re not in high school anymore. This is a different kind of setting. You are required to think more for yourself; express yourself more independently; and engage with material more critically,’” Smith said. “You need to be able to discuss with others your interpretation of a book and be aware that others will see different things in those same pages.”

Finding Albion: The start of a lifelong connection

Smith’s own Albion experience—coupled with his lifelong passion for the written word—drove his interest in endowing the CRE. Though nothing like it existed when he was a student, Albion taught him the very lessons the program now imparts.

Smith’s initial knowledge of Albion came through family ties, but ultimately it

knowledge of [Albion] because my older sister and brother-in-law had both gone there,” Smith said. “I was open minded about various places. I was quite sure I wanted a residential liberal arts college. I looked at a number in the Midwest and I chose Albion because I got a very nice scholarship offer—and it was better than Kenyon.”

When Smith arrived on campus—14 years after his older sister did—he had only a vague idea of what he might do in his career (“Something with words, not numbers,” he specified). He didn’t see his path panning out the way it ultimately has.

“I was not one of the kids who started a newspaper on his block when he was eight years old—though I have met quite a few of those in the business,” he joked.

While his career dreams might not have started that young, they certainly took off at Albion. Smith took two journalism classes that proved formative early on. The “quirky” professor who taught those classes and advised The Pleiad was influential in Smith’s interest in journalism–though his gig on The Pleiad wasn’t his first paying journalism job. Prior to joining the college’s student-run publication, Smith had already been writing for the Battle Creek Enquirer

On The Pleiad staff, Smith served first as a feature writer, then sports editor, and eventually wrote his own sports column. As an upper classman, he was offered the position of editor-in-chief but ultimately declined; newly married with a young child, he was balancing work for the Enquirer, his Pleiad duties, his role as sports information director for the college, and membership in Sigma Nu.

Through his many campus roles, Smith learned lessons about integrity, curiosity, and engaging with others who held different viewpoints—skills at the very heart of the CRE today. Albion, he said, was where he found both his professional calling and his intellectual voice, instilling passions that would later inspire the CRE endowment.

Building a career in words: From The Pleiad to Newsweek

After graduating from Albion in the spring of 1966, Smith went on to Columbia University’s journalism program, noting that he felt “very well-prepared” for his graduate degree by Albion’s writingheavy, discussion-based classes.

What came after Columbia, though, proved to be more challenging.

“There wasn’t a lot of time for handholding,” Smith said of his introduction to working for Newsweek. “The audition was not a gentle process.”

The demanding Newsweek “writing tryout” that all young journalists faced when vying for a spot at the magazine was

daunting. Smith recalled it as a defining test in his early career: Writing two or three stories a week with little guidance forced him to learn quickly how to identify what made a story worth telling.

The process, though intense, shaped his editorial instincts and his sense of responsibility for the written word–and it led to a 37-year tenure at Newsweek, culminating in his role as editor-in-chief.

After decades spent telling stories that shaped public understanding, Smith turned to philanthropy—continuing to champion voices, this time through opportunity. Today, Smith serves as chairman and CEO of the Pinkerton Foundation—a role that began almost by accident. A casual comment (“You have the world’s best job”) to the foundation’s former chairman led Smith to his second career championing youth opportunity.

Pinkerton’s mission is to support 5,000 internships per year and science mentoring programs reaching 6,000 students—with a 100 percent college attendance rate among participants. Smith reflected on the deep pride he has for fostering youth opportunity and mentorship, mirroring the lessons he learned at Albion about curiosity, rigor, and challenge.

At its core, Smith’s work at the Pinkerton Foundation isn’t so different from what he’s built through the CRE at Albion: Both aim to further young people’s potential and help them develop the skills to find their path—whatever that may be.

“The thread that connects all of our work,” Smith said, “is the hope that a young person will meet the answer to the question, ‘Who has changed your life?’”

Creating the Common Reading Experience

“I don’t think you can look at the Common Reading Experience without looking at the context of the whole firstyear experience,” Smith said.

Assistant Vice President for Student Development Kelly Finn, who runs Albion’s orientation program for first-year

students, concurred, noting how Albion-O orientation, the First-Year Seminar program, and the CRE work together to lay the foundation for the entire first-year experience.

“If students can walk away from those few days [of orientation] feeling like they’ve built connections with other students, they feel comfortable on campus, and they have a sense of belonging, then we’ve achieved success,” Finn said. “When we set out to plan orientation, that’s really what we have in mind–and that’s directly tied to the vision of the whole first-year experience and the Common Reading Experience too.”

Though the CRE existed before Smith’s endowment, it truly took flight after his involvement, becoming a cornerstone of Albion’s first-year academic experience. For Smith, the decision to endow the program stemmed from his belief in communication, empathy, and the life-changing power of thoughtful dialogue. Twenty-five years later, that legacy endures.

“The hardest thing in academia is to take something away,” Smith joked about the longevity of the program. But the CRE continues for reasons far beyond that—in part because it embodies Albion’s most timeless values. Trends in education may change, but the ability to engage with provocative ideas and communicate clearly will always matter, perhaps even more so in the age of AI.

In today’s divided world—muddied with “information cocoons,” as Smith calls them—it’s easier than ever to avoid opposing views. In that environment, the CRE serves as an antidote: A space to embrace, understand, and respect different perspectives–and to learn how to communicate those perspectives thoughtfully.

Smith said he often finds himself smiling when people suggest that tools like ChatGPT will make writing obsolete.

“There is something fundamental about preparing to write, organizing your thoughts, and then communicating them clearly that will be essential in a

post-AI world—and it may be even more important,” he explained. “There will be a lot of people who will not be prepared to communicate effectively and interact with the written word. I think that kind of preparation is every bit as essential today as it was back then.”

Far from an AI-denier, Smith acknowledges that AI technology will reshape much of how we live and learn. But the habits of mind that the CRE instills—critical thinking, curiosity, and empathy—are what allow us to adapt meaningfully to change. “Clear, wellorganized communication is an essential building block for thinking,” Smith noted. “There’s no better place to hone those skills and develop complex thoughts than in a small college classroom.”

“If you’re letting the algorithm do that for you,” he added, “you’re a lesser human being than you can be.”

An enduring legacy

When he looks back on his Albion experience, it’s the paths of most opposition that Smith is most grateful for—not the things that were easy. He carries deep gratitude for the toughest professors–including his Pleiad advisor–who demanded more, cultivating “you can do better” as a lifelong mantra.

Throughout his life, those who challenged him the most, Smith said, were the people who gave him the intellectual courage and moral curiosity to pursue a life built on words, ideas, and community—the same qualities the CRE now aims to impart onto every first-year student at Albion College.

“Reading introduces us to ideas we may never have encountered and makes possible relationships that might not have existed without it,” Smith said.

After 25 years, the spirit that inspired the program’s endowment remains unchanged. The Richard M. Smith Common Reading Experience continues to carry forward its founder’s belief that reading is more than an academic exercise—it is a catalyst for connection, understanding, and meaningful conversation.

Albion Alum becomes advocate for the nation’s schoolchildren

Adelle LaRue Settle ’02 was angered and disgusted by something she heard on the radio in 2017. Instead of switching the channel or turning off the radio, she decided to take action.

What Settle heard on NPR was the story of a New Mexico child whose parents were behind on their school lunch payments to the school. One day, that child reached the lunch cashier, meal in hand, ready to chow down. The lunch lady promptly took the meal from him, threw it in the trash, and gave him an alternative meal for students with lunch debt–a cold cheese sandwich.

“It sounded horrific to me,” Settle recalled. “The child had no way to pay the bill. You make the child

suffer for something that’s between the school and the parent. That sounded insane to me.”

Settle would later learn that schools throughout the country, including her local district in Prince William County, Virginia, had amassed thousands of dollars in school lunch debt. The Prince William district had more than $200,000 in unpaid lunch debt at that time.

To try to encourage parents to pay up, some districts resorted to withholding lunches, providing alternative ones which amounted to little more than a snack, or prohibiting children from participating in extracurricular activities or even graduation. Other districts shamed students whose parents were behind on their payments by stamping their hands or handing them collection letters to take home.

All of this struck a sour note with Settle, who while growing up in blue-collar Ypsilanti, Michigan, had seen more than her share of poverty and people struggling to make ends meet. “A lot of families were having a hard time,” she said. “A lot of jobs were being eliminated and many folks were barely making it. We [our family] were able to get by, but that included my mother working two jobs.”

Starting in her own backyard

Settle initially focused on raising money to eliminate the school lunch debt at the elementary schools closest to her home.

“I reached out to my friends. I have some wonderful friends,” she said. “We went on Facebook and within three days we raised enough to pay off the debt of three elementary schools. I think it was $1,800 or $2,000.”

Not satisfied with that, Settle then started a GoFundMe campaign which raised $25,000 to eliminate even more school lunch debt. But Settle, an attorney at Gilbert LLP in Washington, D.C., who lives in northern Virginia with her husband and daughter, knew the problem could only be tackled through both local and state efforts.

She eventually reached out to Virginia State Senator Danica Roem. “The biggest thing that she and I agreed that we wanted to focus on was eliminating school meal debt shaming,” Roem told Bristow Beat “Before we can even get to universal free school meals…the first thing we wanted to eliminate was the idea you could single out and stigmatize a child, because that child wanted to eat food at school.”

Since 2017, 14 school meals bills have been passed in Virginia. Roem said Settle’s legal knowledge and advocacy aided

in getting those bills passed. Today, in Virginia, no child can be prevented from participating in extracurricular activities or graduation ceremonies due to school lunch debt. Additionally, there are no more alternative meals and all of the state’s K-12 students can enjoy breakfast and lunch at school.

Settle also launched the nonprofit Settle the Debt in 2019. It raises money to eliminate school lunch debt and advocates for universal free school meals. It has successfully elevated the school lunch debt issue nationally. Many states have passed legislation similar to Virginia’s ensuring all students are provided with meals. Settle even made an appearance on “Good Morning America.”

According to the Education Data Initiative, there was $262 million in unpaid school meal debt in 2023.

“This [issue] resonated with me because I knew that keeping meals from children was wrong. There really was no other way to look at it,” she said. “It felt horrible knowing that meals were being taken away from children who had absolutely nothing to do with their economic situation.”

Settle’s Albion experience and beyond

Settle proudly stated that she arrived at Albion College as a political science major and left with that degree. She said she was immediately attracted to the Gerald R. Ford Institute. One of the influential people she met during her first visit to campus was Kim Tunnicliff, former director of the institute.

“He [Tunnicliff] was so approachable. He was like a dad,” she said. “He would always say, ‘We can do this. We can make a better America.’ I left Albion feeling anything was possible. He instilled that in us.”

Tunnicliff also was instrumental in Settle getting a Capitol Hill internship during her junior year in the office of Congressman Richard Gephardt, the Democrat from Missouri who served as the House Majority Leader from 1989 to 1995.

During her time at Albion, Settle sang in the choir and studied abroad in Venice, Italy. After graduation from Albion, Settle earned a law degree from George Mason University. She followed academia with a job as a state affairs assistant for a Washington trade association, a law clerk, and then as an attorney for the federal government.

The mindset to be part of the solution which Albion, the Ford Institute, and her blue-collar upbringing instilled in Settle reared its head long before she heard that disturbing story about school lunch debt on the radio. As a lawyer for the Social Security Administration, Settle organized its annual food drive for more than a decade. She has also served on the board of the Northern Virginia Food Rescue.

SCAN TO WATCH VIDEO

Remembering When: Wesley Hall went co-ed

The early 1970s were turbulent years.

The U.S. Supreme Court upheld busing as a means of achieving racial desegregation, Marvin Gaye released his socially conscious anthem “What’s Going On?” and an estimated 500,000 anti-Vietnam war protesters marched on Washington, D.C.

Closer to home, on the Albion College campus, tensions were running high for a different reason. There was a housing crunch and students were demanding the college approve a plan to loosen several housing restrictions, including allowing men to reside in Susanna Wesley Hall, which had exclusively housed women for more than four decades.

The proposed housing changes also included using annexes on a lease basis

to seniors, eliminating upperclassmen resident assistants, providing single rooms in residence halls, and giving fraternities more responsibility.

Hoping to pressure the college’s trustees, in April of 1970, male students held a sleep-in at Susanna Wesley Hall. That same evening, 700 students met with trustees, administrators, and faculty in heated discussions in Kresge and Baldwin dining halls.

“The sleep-in was to demonstrate student concern out of a deep frustration because of a lack of a communication or response from going through channels,” Stuart Dykstra ’71, a junior from Grosse Pointe, told the student newspaper.

The proposed housing changes (which had been recommended by a presidential

ad hoc committee) were also endorsed by an overwhelming majority of the college’s resident advisors. “We believe that Albion students are mature enough to accept the responsibilities of living in an open housing situation,” a letter from the resident advisors read.

A celebrated start

Susanna Wesley Hall was completed and dedicated in 1926. The East and West Halls were added in 1954. The project’s price tag (paid for by anonymous donors from the Methodist church) was $200,00 for construction and $25,000 for furnishings. Designed by architect Leon Claucherty, it was the first building on campus specifically dedicated to housing. The total enrollment of the school at the time of construction was 476.

Albion College Io Triumphe!

Named after the mother of John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, it was soon nicknamed “Susie.” Its dedication service attracted students, faculty, and Albion residents, some of whom marveled at its huge wing-backed chairs, oriental rugs, and heavy draperies. The cafeteria resembled a banquet hall, complete with white linen tablecloths, mahogany chairs, and black Belgian marble terrazzo floors.

that Susanna Wesley Hall would include a men’s residence and would be renamed Wesley Hall. Seaton Hall, which had been a freshman men’s residence, would be converted into a living unit for upperclass women.

the way Wesley Complex should be–natural and relaxed. We don’t know how lucky we are.”

Residents were required to learn the dormitory creed: “We believe in the principles of Susanna Wesley; in freedom of opinion, in religious education, and in knowledge of the world about us.”

A decision is made

In May of 1971, Albion approved a new housing program proposed by the Student Senate. The biggest change was

The change cleared the way for some men to move into Wesley Hall that next fall. That included Gary Wright ’75, a freshman from Swartz Creek. “Other than the nickname ’Susie’ and the pink walls and white wicker furniture in the hall lounges, living here in Wesley is great,” Wright said. “It’s fun eating together and just having the girls around.”

Marti Arnold ’75, a freshman from Fraser, added, “I like being all together, having a feeling of belonging,” she said. “That’s

Linda Scalcucci, head resident of East Hall, said most early reports about the new setup were positive. “The students are accepting their responsibilities well and seem to thrive in the casual, morefree living environment,” she said. “Some parents were a bit concerned about the setup of Wesley Complex, but there have been no negative reactions so far.”

Today, Wesley houses all firstyear students of all genders.

“Every time I get to tell people about the plants and animals around us, I hope they are having the same learning experience and amazement of the natural world that I felt at Albion.” —Emily Galka ’17

16 | Albion College Io Triumphe!

Biology studies helped one graduate build her dream position

When she decided to pursue a career working with horses during her senior year at Albion College, Emily Galka ’17 knew chasing her dreams would require paying her dues.

It took seven years, but Galka’s dream job appeared on what was otherwise a particularly rough day. She recalled it was the kind of bad day that ended with mindless scrolling on Facebook.

That’s where Galka saw it–the opportunity to build a trail-ride operation from the ground up, which she saw as doable with the extensive trail-ride and equinemanagement experience she had built since her student days. Because the trail rides would be offered in and around Florida’s Goethe State Forest, the employer also wanted a manager who could educate the staff and visitors about the local flora and fauna.

“They didn’t know it, but they created that job for me,” Galka said. “I couldn’t wait to apply.”

Over the first year or so on the job, Galka became even more enthusiastic about her work as trail ride operations manager with Black Prong Resort in Bronson, Florida. To establish the program, Galka selected the horses, hired the staff, mapped miles

of trails and, drawing on her biology major, developed the guided field tours that have made the program a success. To date, more than 400 people have enjoyed one of Black Prong’s trail rides, none more than Galka herself.

“My job is so cool,” she said. “It really is a perfect representation of liberal arts at work.” For example, Galka points out the work involved in setting up each ride, beginning with matching each visitor to the horse most suited to their needs and ability.

“My guides need to monitor horse interactions and the sights and sounds that might influence horse behavior. They need to help guests steer their horses, all while providing information on their surroundings,” Galka explained. “It’s a demanding job that has to look easy, and having the right horse for each person is so important.”

Galka credits her biology studies with developing the professional skills that help her create an exceptional experience for guests. “I am essentially a horseback nature guide,” she said. “Additionally every month I write a blog for our newsletter, highlighting a plant or animal that is prevalent in the Goethe State Forest at the moment.”

Galka’s new expertise includes research done on venomous snakes, alligators, orb spiders, and raptors, all of which she’s seen on her trails.

“Five years of riding trails on Mackinac and in Albion did not prepare me for the jungles of Florida,” she said. “But I loved the ornithology, botany, and ecology classes I had and the professors who taught them. Every time I get to tell people about the plants and animals around us I hope they are having the same learning experience and amazement of the natural world that I felt at Albion.”

Galka cheerfully noted that the hours coordinating horse care and people management, on top of being guest-facing in the Florida heat are pretty intense if you don’t absolutely love this job. Nonetheless, she added, “My horse Lisa and I are on the billboards and magazines, we are the face of the trail-riding operation and I’m hoping to be here for a long time.”

Experiential learning that prepares students to make

an immediate impact.

Dedication plus hard work leads to opportunity for theatre major

If you’ve been around Albion College for the past four years, you probably have a good idea about Seph Cartier’s ’26 interests.

and his courses. “Opportunity comes about in many ways because of who you talk to and how you show your stuff,” Cartier said. “The department had seen me put in the time and work for years, so as my capstone they felt it appropriate I get to direct, as it was also what I wanted above all else.”

Whether we next see Cartier on Broadway or in a courtroom, Seph said his Albion experience will have been key to his future.

“I have been a part of every Albion College theatre production since I was a freshman, including the fall 2025 production, Our Town,” Cartier said. “I have acted in 11 plays here, done carpentry for six (master carpenter for two), done costume work for four, done some sort of sound design for two, done dramaturgy for one, and directed one. I have had many hats on, most of the time at the same time as other hats, during my time here.”

Seph’s involvement with the Theatre Department went next level during the fall with the department’s production of Annie Baker’s The Aliens.

“I had never directed a play before The Aliens, it was my directorial debut,” Cartier said. “I wanted a challenge with my first show, so I chose something that a lot of people don’t do and that has a writing style that’s particularly difficult to translate onto the stage effectively.”

Seph credits the opportunity to direct a play to the diligent support of the department

“The Aliens acts as a culmination of my undergrad education. It’s my capstone, and a testament to experiential learning,” Cartier said. “This department has had a ‘just go and do it’ attitude about the arts for as long as I’ve been here, and directing lets you bring knowledge and creativity from all of the different parts of theatre together to craft a show alongside some other very talented people.”

“For the future, I hope to do something in theatre. I’ve done so much that I’m going to cast out as many lines as possible and hope one gets a bite,” Cartier said. “ I (hopefully) have a carpentry gig lined up after graduation, but am also applying to graduate schools for acting and playwriting, law schools, and other things.”

Seph Cartier is a senior majoring in theatre with a focus on acting, playwriting and carpentry, with a minor in English to support literary study and playwriting. Cartier comes from Ortonville, Michigan, and graduated from Goodrich High School in Goodrich, Michigan.

SCAN TO WATCH VIDEO

Chasing a cancer cure first step on a career path

Catherine VanderWeg ’26 spent this summer at Wayne State University, just blocks from the Detroit Tigers’ Comerica Park. Of course, she had to see a game, for the cultural experience.

“It surprised me to find out I love baseball,” VanderWeg said. “I ended up going to a bunch of games and buying jerseys and such. I’ve been watching every game online since and really miss being in Detroit to watch them play in person!”

Baseball wasn’t the only exciting discovery of VanderWeg’s summer studying a potential treatment for nonsmall cell lung cancer. “My internship went very well,” she reported. “There’s still a lot more work to do, but we found very promising results.”

Thanks to a competitive Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) fellowship from the National Science Foundation, VanderWeg was able to join a Wayne State research lab exploring numerous biochemical aspects of cancer. For her own research project, VanderWeg focused on the enzyme complex BCKDH and its subunit, BCKDHA.

“We’re pretty sure that branch chain amino acids provide fuel for cancer cell growth, and BCKDHA is involved in that,” VanderWeg explained. “If we can decrease the levels of BCKDHA, it prevents those amino acids from being used as fuel.

It’s common that undergraduate research projects don’t get anywhere near completion. In VanderWeg’s case, preliminary findings showed that “lung cancer cells with a decrease in BCKDHA grew less than lung cancer cells with an increase in BCKDHA, which was what we thought would happen,” VanderWeg said. “Non-small cell lung cancer only has a five-year survival rate of 28%. Lowering BCKDHA might be the key to increasing the survival rate. I hope that this work could help find potential targets for treatment.”

REUs are intended to challenge students, and not simply in areas of technical skillbuilding. “I’m very shy and had to come out of my shell,” VanderWeg said, noting she got a lot more comfortable with asking questions and delivering weekly presentations on her progress.

The self-described perfectionist also got a lot of practice making mistakes. “Learning so many new things, mistakes are bound to happen, and I had to learn not to be upset when they did,” she said. “My lab partner really helped me by telling me I was doing good or making a joke like ‘you should have seen me when I first started, trying to do this.’”

The summer at Wayne State, VanderWeg said, was an extension of the education she looked for and found at Albion.

“When touring as a high school student, I found out that all Albion’s biology

classes have a link back to human health, and a lot of the time, cancer,” she said.

“This definitely influenced my decision when choosing what college to go to. I really admire the cellular and molecular biology courses Albion offers along with the connection all the classes have to human health.”

She continued, “This REU was my first time working full time in a laboratory and I really enjoyed it. I was able to learn and master a lot of new techniques that are going to help me be more competitive as I apply to Ph.D. programs this fall.”

At the end of it all, however, VanderWeg said the biggest lesson she learned might have been more personal than professional.

“When you’re surrounded by people dealing with cancer, it really changes how you view your own problems,” she said. “It’s hard to describe, but it’s like you think things are hard in life, but they really aren’t once you see what others are going through, what you could be going through. I really stopped complaining this summer about the little things.”

Catherine VanderWeg is a senior majoring in biology with a concentration in neuroscience. VanderWeg is the child of Renee and David VanderWeg of Portage and is a graduate of Portage Northern High School.

Class of 1975

Fundraises to spruce up ‘Susie’

The Class of 1975 is marking its 50th Reunion with a class gift to refresh two key student spaces in Wesley Hall—the north patio and the basement gathering area known as Kresge Commons. As the first class to live together in Wesley Hall, this project holds special meaning. Classmates are honoring that legacy by helping renew the spaces that welcomed them as first-year students and continue to serve as central gathering spots for today’s Britons. The class set a goal of $150,000 and has already raised an impressive $124,125, with more commitments expected. Early support includes a $75,000 matching challenge and a $10,000 leadership gift. The Reunion Committee invites classmates to participate at any level—through a one-time gift, pledge, or retirement distribution—to help complete this milestone effort and leave a lasting mark on the heart of Wesley Hall.

2025Milestone Reunions

Class of 2015

(L to R) Paige Gustafson, Andrea Walles, Emily Morlock, Rachel Derocher, Alex High, Warner Ball, Patrick Zimmer, Michael Sears, Johanna Schulte, Shanti Madhavan-Brown, Brittni Bird, Brennan Ackerman, Sara Sample, Kaitlin Soper, Cassie Ward.

Class of 2005

(L to R) Laura Jordan Mebert, Samata Singhi, Jenny McInerny, Erin Visco, Victoria Peebles, Rachel Searls Andrews, Emily Giacona Jackson, Maralyn O’Brien, Karen Cowley Childress, Mandy Wilhelmi, Mike Kopec, Abby Wilhelmi Gates, Marian Novak, Erin Toth Romes, Stephanie Doyle, Brian Scarpelli, Emily Carvill, Chris Trott, Robin Gorsline, Katie Brewer, Alan Cirilli, Lori Karakashian Avdoian, Jen Poole Shaw, Lisa Chappel Moore, Katie Kelly, Troy Rundle.

Class of 2000

Front row: Jim Baker, Becky Wessling Baker, Joslyn Brunelle, Kate Virgo, Rosa Trombley Hough, Jenn Barr DeHaan, Betsy Graham Reichert, Brian Longheier; Second row: Gretchen Gockerman Barnas, Katie Waters, Mike Wagg, Emily Ridings Woodman, Sharon Finnegan Caldwell, Erica Sprague Hakala, Abby Reich Coffman, Betsy Hutula, Jen Miesle Peters, Jenny Barthel Combs, Chris Moore; Back row: Jeremy Peters, Olivia Davila van der Leij, Scott Smith, Andrea Johnson Carr, Kim Parker Schuler, Sara Shunk Mauer, Ryan Mauer, Jeremy Matthei.

Class of 1995

(L to R) Zach Constan, Diane Jackson Constan, Eric Ives, Aaron Miller, Holly Buege Miller, Megan Royle Carrella, Sara Kapp Holser, PJ Holser, Sarah VandenBout Klein, Stacey Cowan, Jon Husby, Scott Tithof, Jennifer Smith, Nicole DuPraw Carter, Julie Samu Shouldice, Kristyn Meech Brenner, Raj Goswami, Josh Cassada, Gregg Colburn, Bridget Force Siedlecki, Melanie Deisler, Mary Greening White, Tammy Brennecke Deloney, Andy Deloney, Helen Quenneville Kiomento, Alan Lynch, Julie Stone Lynch, Tanya Aho, Rachael Hill Morawski, Sheryl Fischer Jacobs, Tom Jacobs, Deena Rank Scheiber.

Class of 1985

(L to R) Caelan Madion Klein, Scott Nelson, Connie Zacks Ahee, Mary Brown Lenardson, Michael Haines, Michelle Kennedy Irpino, Julie Faulkner Lillie, Craig Kirby, Sally Craig Pratt, Michael Jackson.

Class of 1975

Front row: Greg Priestap, Mark Schaefer, Virginia Stevens, Jackie Tasker Riley, Mary Litscher Molhoek, Susan DeWitt Armstrong, Carol Fetzer Kunkel, Nancy Layman, Amy Beechler Wolbert, Libby Emack Bohanon, Chris Ernst Crandall, Nancy Newell, Deb Mason Lindemood, Mark Lindemood; Second row: Paul Coughlin, John Huff, Amy Labarge, Bob MacMillan, Kathy Martien MacMillan, Jackie Wendt Wiggins, Nancy Christensen Couyoumjian, Karl Couyoumjian, Debbie Roe Fagelson, Nancy Peterson Howland, John Howland; Third row: Ava Trombly Olgiati, Jack McClellan, Paul Walker, Kara McClure, Jon Skulstad, Barb Vorech Nigro, Bob Brown, John “Buzz” Schmidt ’76, Joey Edwards Miller, Mike Kota; Fourth row: Sue Leahy Nevill, Ron Ver Planck, Stan Hartshorn, Ava Good, Bob Basselman, George Spencer; Fifth row: Chuck Ytterberg, Nancy Martin Ytterberg, Hugh Beattie, Kim Strable, John Warnock, Jim “Quince” Donahey; Sixth row: Darcy Maunders, Bob Currier, Bob Yudin, Jeff Weedman, Linda Vivian Pulling, John “Willie” Doud.

Golden Brits

Front row: Ken Meinschein ’72, Ralph Liang ’69, Dan Strong ’68, Emmy Brewer Strong ’67, Mary Jane Pond McCrory ’57, Ann Herrold-Peterson ’66, Margie Taber Schleicher ’66, Maryetta Andrews-Sachs ’66; Second row: Sheryl Padgett, Peg Mitchell Turner ’69, Neil Starkey ’73, Georgia Wilson Marsh ’65, Frank Bacholzky ’73, John Bacholzky ’73, Bill Nolting ’72, Donna Parmalee, Mike Turner ’69, Ted Everingham ’61, Mark Goldman ’73, Julie Pond Matthews ’62, Tom Padgett ’65, Dennis Cawthorne ’62, Allie Wiley Moore ’73, David Moore ’68, Bruce Tobin ’70, David Keefer ’63, Marsha Green Whitehouse ’70, Carol Yeomans-Phelan ’65, Jim Whitehouse ’69, Marcia Hepler Starkey ’74, Rob Reed ’60, Peggy Meyer Sindt ’73, Marty Strand ’65.

We’re grateful for the incredible turnout at this year’s reunions! To help us properly recognize everyone pictured, please contact Alumni Engagement with any name updates.

Calling Reunion Volunteers: 2026 Milestone Reunions!

In 2025, more than 300 alumni returned to campus to celebrate their reunions—let’s make 2026 another memorable year at Homecoming, Oct. 2-3, 2026! To begin planning, each class needs at least one reunion volunteer confirmed by April 1. If you enjoy connecting with classmates and helping to create a great experience, we’d love to hear from you. Email alumniengagement@albion.edu or call 517-629-1835.

2025 Hall of Fame Inductees

Eric Scott ’01 - ’98 football team

CJ Carroll ’13 - individual inductee

Craig Rundle ’74 - head coach ’98 football team

DJ Rehberg ’96 - coach ’98 football team

Mike Brocavich ’99 - ’98 football team

Kirk DeFrenn ’01 - ’98 football team

John Stadelman ’99 - ’98 football team

Dick Dunham ’99 - coach ’98 football team

Ricardo Cotto ’99 - ’98 football team

Ronnie Parker - ’98 football team

Mike Boyle ’99 - ’98 football team

Jason Whalen ’00 - individual inductee / ’98 football team

Moose Scheib ’02 - ’98 football team

Dan Horn ’00 - ’98 football team

Jared Owens ’02 - ’98 football team

Mike Williams ’99 - ’98 football team

Eddie Ward II ’99 - ’98 football team

Chad Able ’99 - ’98 football team

Justin Newingham ’01 - ’98 football team

Matt Thomas ’99 - ’98 football team

Adam Rojeski ’00 - individual inductee / ’98 football team

Patty Rewa Prince ’12 - individual inductee

Julie Okorn ’14 - individual inductee

Ryan Giacolone ’00 - ’98 football team

Amanda Weaver Melvin ’13 - individual inductee

Virgil Petty ’99 - ’98 football team

Brett Quayle ’03 - individual inductee

Will Taylor ’89 (Will’s father pictured) - individual inductee

Join the Albion College Alumni Board!

Are you passionate about Albion’s future and eager to help shape meaningful experiences for today’s students and fellow Britons?

The Albion College Alumni Board is seeking engaged, enthusiastic volunteers to join this dynamic group of alumni leaders—and we’d love to hear from you.

Serving on the Alumni Board is a rewarding way to stay connected to campus, strengthen Albion’s alumni network, and support initiatives that make a real difference. Board members collaborate with college leadership, champion programs like Albion Everywhere and Alumni Awards, and help foster the vibrant, lifelong community that defines the Albion experience. You’ll bring your own expertise, ideas, and Briton spirit to a team committed to celebrating traditions, elevating alumni engagement, and advancing Albion’s mission.

“Joining the Alumni Board offers another way of contributing to the college’s work with alumni and students. The Alumni Board is diverse and engaging as we represent decades of graduation years, academic majors and interest areas. There’s no better way to have an impact on our alma mater’s future by being a member of the Alumni Board.”

- Lynne Futter Gilmore ’74, Alumni Board president.

If you’re ready to contribute your energy, creativity, and voice— and connect with fellow alumni who share your pride in Albion— this is your moment to step forward.

Learn more and apply at albion.edu/alumni-board

GET INVOLVED: albion.edu/reunions alumniengagement@albion.edu 517-629-1835

We hope to connect with you during one or more of our Albion Everywhere gatherings in cities across the U.S. in March! Learn more and find a city near you by scanning the QR code.

APRIL 16-18

Purple & Gold Weekend is a time for Britons to gather on campus and celebrate the remarkable accomplishments of our students and alumni, as well as the experiences at Albion College that have shaped our personal and professional growth. Scan the QR code to learn more.

Alumni

Feb 12: Feb 21: March 22-28: March 26: April 16-18: May 9: Aug 7: Oct 2-3:

Detroit Alumni Professional Networking Breakfast

Baseball First Pitch

Albion Everywhere

Albion College Night at the Detroit Pistons

Purple & Gold Weekend Commencement

Briton Classic Golf Outing

Homecoming 2026

Personal experiences inspire professor’s debut novel

Uncertainty is natural and inevitable–but still not always expected. When you’re a new parent, that uncertainty can be frightening.

Danit Brown, an English professor at Albion College, explores difficult feelings like these in her debut novel Television for Women (Melville House, June 2025). Her book follows the perspective of Estie who has just given birth to her first child and isn’t sure she likes being a parent. Instead, Estie feels lonely and bloated and ashamed of these feelings. Her motherhood story doesn’t involve a

Around The Rock

magical connection between her and her baby, and her adjustment to parenthood is difficult and lengthy. Brown said her inspiration for the novel came from her personal experiences.

“I was a new mother and I was amazed at the differences between reality and what’s depicted in the media when it comes to motherhood,” she said. “Going through these drastic changes and still being expected to push through everything that life already throws at you isn’t easy.”

When asked for advice to young writers out there, she said, “Writing is more of a marathon than a sprint. Take your time when it comes to revision. It’s okay to put a project down, then come back to it later.”

Kiley Reid, author of the New York Times bestseller Such a Fun Age called the novel “a post-partum page-turner.” She writes, “Television For Women is an intimate examination of female friendship, motherhood, longing and regret, all told with wonderfully dark humor.

A brutal and delightful read.”

Brown has published more than 20 short stories as well as the linked shortstory collection, Ask for a Convertible, which won a 2009 National Book Award.

Brown was a guest author for the Albion College Reading Series, on Thursday, November 6, in the Bobbitt Visual Arts auditorium. Copies of the book are available via most online booksellers.

Jasmine LaBine’s Mr. Feeny inspiration makes the news

Albion College Visiting Instructor of Communication Studies Jasmine LaBine is passionate about teaching — and she’s not afraid to show it. LaBine, who teaches courses such as Intro to Human Communication, Mass Communication, Sports Leadership, and Women in Media, marked her 10th year in the classroom with a tattoo that reads “Do good,” a nod to the beloved advice of George Feeny, the iconic teacher from the hit 1990s sitcom

She even incorporates episodes of the show into her curriculum, citing the lessons of mentorship, curiosity, and integrity it imparts as timeless tools for building meaningful student relationships.

LaBine and her teaching philosophy were recently featured in a Washington Post article about Daniels, now 98, who made a surprise appearance this fall on “Dancing With the Stars.” The television legend reunited on stage with his former co-star Danielle Fishel, who played Topanga Lawrence, as she competed on the show.

The article explored the lasting cultural impact of Daniels’ portrayal of Mr. Feeny — a fictional teacher whose influence extends far beyond television — and highlighted educators like LaBine who continue to bring his wisdom into real-world classrooms. For LaBine, that influence is more than nostalgic; it’s a daily reminder of the power teachers have to guide, support, and inspire their students to “dream, try, and do good.”

“It was an honor to be mentioned in an article paying tribute to not only the fictional character that helped me to find my life’s purpose, but the man who so carefully and

thoughtfully brought him to life,” LaBine said. “Boy Meets World was a can’t miss show for me growing up, and it stuck with me as a comfort watch through college and adulthood. I grew up watching the characters navigate young love, friendship, education, and more deep, social issues than I think a lot of folks remember being depicted on the show,” she added. “Even at a young age, however, Mr. Feeny’s character was the one who kept me watching year after year. He embodies the teacher that I strive to be: compassionate, but challenging. He celebrates his students’ successes and helps them find growth from their mistakes.”

MCAN awards Albion College $10,000 to aid course redesigns

Albion College is part of the Michigan College Access Network’s (MCAN) Gateway Course Redesign Faculty Academy, an 18-month, faculty-driven initiative designed to support colleges and universities in rethinking and restructuring key gateway courses at scale.

In collaboration with Almy Education and Sova, MCAN said the academy is grounded in national research and best practices and built for faculty, by faculty. Albion was awarded $10,000 to help bring their course redesign efforts to life.

“Michigan’s colleges and universities play a vital role in equipping students with the degrees and credentials that open doors to economic mobility and align with the state’s changing workforce needs,” said Ryan FewinsBliss, MCAN executive director. “When gateway courses — core subjects like English, math, biology, and chemistry — are redesigned to reduce barriers and prioritize student success, they can boost achievement, strengthen retention, and increase completion rates.” Through technical assistance, tailored support, and crossinstitutional collaboration, the Academy equips teams to redesign gateway courses with equity and effectiveness in mind.

In addition to Albion, participating institutions include Baker College, Bay College, Calvin University, Central Michigan University, Grand Valley State University, Kellogg Community College, Lake Superior State University, Montcalm Community College, Oakland Community College, Oakland University, Rochester Christian University, Saginaw Chippewa Tribal College, and Western Michigan University.

Fall Albion Athletics Highlights

VOLLEYBALL: Carly Frank received American Volleyball Coaches Association All-America honors. Frank was chosen as an honorable mention selection on the squad. The junior joins Chloe Webber ’22 and Olivia Alexander ’23 as the only All-American Britons in team history. Webber and Alexander also received honorable mention status. Frank led the MIAA in kills with 429 that also ranked 30th in Division III at the conclusion of the MIAA Tournament, the most in a single season in program history since Morgan Walter’s 442 in 2008.

Additionally, four volleyball players earned All-MIAA status. Albion’s all-conference selections were headlined by first-team honorees Frank and Kayda Herrick. Paige Williamson and Molly Edmunds were named to the All-MIAA Second Team.

MEN’S SOCCER: Esteban Mercado, Ivan Murillo, Gabe Priestley, Tristen Spettel, and Tom Veresh were selected as College Sports Communications (CSC) Academic All-America finalists and will advance to the national ballot to be voted on by CSC members. Spettel also received the achievement last season.

Additionally, the men’s soccer team had seven student-athletes earn All-MIAA honors, including the league’s Freshman of the Year, Robin Ruigendijk. Ruigendijk highlighted Albion’s award winners with a spot on the First Team. Esteban Mercado and Lucas Anderson joined Ruigendijk on the All-MIAA First Team. On the Second Team, Albion was represented by Xavier Yuille, Khalil Camara, Binck-Jan Bakker, and Joshua Jasinkiewicz.

WOMEN’S SOCCER: Mia Czarnowski, Abby O’Connell, Bella Fabrizio, Micaela Hohlbein, Grace Halstead, and Kelsi Green were selected as College Sports Communications Academic All-America finalists and will advance to the national ballot to be voted on by CSC members. Halstead and Hohlbein each also received the achievement last season.

Additionally, freshmen forward Chloe Salo and midfielder Diane Hurtado earned second-team All-MIAA honors for the 2025 season. Both players were instrumental in the Britons’ 10-52 finish and helped them clinch the No. 5 seed in the MIAA Tournament.

FOOTBALL: Three Albion football players were selected to the All-MIAA team. Seniors Jackson Buckler (OL), Adam Mills (LB) and Alex Olenik (OLB) each earned spots on the second team. Buckler was the anchor on the Britons’ offensive line, starting all 10 games at left tackle. He helped pave the way for Alex Trudell, who ranked third in the MIAA in rushing yards with 805 and had five 100-yard rushing performances, and helped the unit give up one or fewer sacks in six games. Mills had a career year at his middle linebacker spot, racking up an MIAA-leading 116 tackles. It was the first 100-tackle season for Albion since Jose Rodriguez recorded 107 in 2017 and the most in a single season since Brett McCarty’s 131 in 2013. For his career, Mills finished with 212 tackles and became the fifth Albion player with 200 or more in a career in the last decade. He also ranked third among career leaders for current MIAA players in the category. Olenik wreaked havoc in opponents’ backfields throughout the entire season, totaling 55 tackles, including 15.0 Tackle for Loss (TFL) and 7.5 sacks, one forced fumble, two pass breakups and two fumble recoveries while starting all 10 games. His TFL total ranked second in the MIAA, and his sack total was third-best in the conference.

Austin Baidas ’92 honored for nonprofit leadership

Albion College Trustee Austin Baidas ’92 will be honored on April 23 by Howard Brown Health—one of Chicago’s largest Federally Qualified Health Centers serving more than 40,000 patients—for his nine years of dedicated service on its board of directors. During his tenure, Austin has held leadership roles including treasurer and executive vice-chair, playing a pivotal role in strengthening the organization’s financial and operational foundation. He helped establish a $65 million endowment, guided major capital expansions including a new $13 million youth center and a $50 million main clinic, and chaired an $18 million capital campaign. He also led the board’s search committee that united the community around the selection of the Health Center’s current president. Last year, Austin was recognized by Crain’s Chicago Business as one of the city’s Notable Nonprofit Board Leaders for 2024.

History professor’s book examines Latin influence in American Catholicism

What’s the history behind the prevalence of Latino

Catholics in the United States and what does their faith tell us about the broader Roman Catholic Church today?

A phenomenal question posed by Deborah Kanter, emerita professor of history at Albion College. Kanter dives into one answer to this question in her new book, Pioneers of Latino Ministry: Claretians and the Evolving World of Catholic America (NYU Press, October 2025).

Kanter traces the history of the 19th century Claretian missionaries (a Catholic order founded in Spain) and their far-reaching influence on Latino Catholics. “Lay people and Claretians worked together to foster strong foundations, identities, and voices for Latino Catholics,” Kanter said in the book’s introduction. “The Claretians’ accompaniment of Hispanic Catholics stands out as a continuity in more than 120 years of work in the United States,” Kanter said.

“Pioneers of Latino Ministry relates the apostolic fervor of Claretian Missionaries, especially among the Latina and Latino faithful they accompanied. With engaged storytelling and critical assessment, Kanter unveils not just the history of one religious order, but the sojourn of Hispanic Catholicism and immigration from the dawn of the Mexican Revolution to the present,” said Timothy Matovina, author of Latino Catholicism:

Transformation in America’s Largest Church.

Kanter’s kaleidoscopic view of the Claretians’ encounters across America is a follow up to her Chicago Católico: Making Catholic Parishes Mexican. Her involvement in Latinx history spans the 29 years of professional scholarship she did while teaching at Albion, and she continues to be involved in the field as an emerita scholar.

History professor wins Hubbell Prize

The Kent State University Press recently named Albion College history

professor Marcy Sacks winner of the 2025 John T. Hubbell Prize for the best article published in Civil War History in the past year.

Sacks, the Julian S. Rammelkamp Professor of History at Albion College, was cited for her article “I Shall Forward to You My Contraband: Tracing Coerced Wartime Black Movement North through an Incomplete Archive,” which appeared in the December 2024 issue. The article examined formerly enslaved people involuntarily relocated to the North during the Civil War. Contest judges called it an important work of archival recovery in revealing this

dark undercurrent that accompanied the Civil War’s new birth of freedom.

“In exploring the ways in which U.S. soldiers sought to extract people from the South and send them to friends and family in non-slaveholding states, Sacks provides a searing demonstration of the allure of mastery for some U.S. soldiers and the steps they would take to secure servants,” contest judges wrote. “She further exposes soldiers’ hypocrisies when they then congratulated themselves as emancipators even as they treated people as possessions.”

Sacks said the article is part of a larger project examining white northerners’ views of race and slavery during the Civil War.

“I am exploring the ways in which white northerners and Black southerners interacted during the war and how those interactions shaped whites’ ideas about race,” she said. “While some of those encounters helped to ameliorate whites’ racist views, more often I have found the opposite.”

Professor Wilch honored by Albion NAACP

At its annual Freedom Fund Banquet, the Albion Branch of the NAACP honored Earth & Environment Professor

Thom Wilch with their 2025 Community Service Award. The honor recognizes Wilch’s leadership as faculty director for the Center for Sustainability and the Environment (CSE), and the role CSE plays in supplying healthy food to the community.

“I was very surprised and humbled to be honored by the NAACP,” Wilch said of the recognition. “I share the award with the dozens of CSE student interns and volunteers who have dedicated many hundreds of hours to the student farm, the Albion Community Garden, and the Community Table of Albion. The students and I have benefited as much from developing relationships in the community as we have from growing and providing food.”

As CSE director, Wilch partners with Americorps to create a unique summer internship program. Each growing season, up to six student interns work both the Student Farm and the Albion Community Gardens. Over the past four years, the Student Farm has provided 6,000 pounds of produce that was given away to residents of the greater Albion area.

Bob Dunklin, past president of Albion NAACP, noted the CSE’s role in the community garden’s success. “We’re proud of the community garden, but Thom and the students provide a lot of help,” Dunklin said. “Thom overwhelmingly deserves this honor. We didn’t want him to think his work had gone unnoticed.

Kinesiology student lounge celebration

Students, staff, faculty, and alumni celebrated the dedication of the Bob and Carol Moss Kinesiology Student Lounge in the Science Complex, made possible through the generous support of Bob and Carol Moss, retired Albion College faculty.

Board extends President Webster’s term as momentum builds

The Board of Trustees has extended President Wayne P. Webster’s contract for five years, with an option for a three-year renewal, securing his leadership through June 30, 2031.

Board Chair Joey Miller ’75 praised Webster’s impact, saying his leadership has driven progress and continued momentum for the college. Since taking office in July 2023, Webster has worked with campus stakeholders to improve transparency, stabilize operations, strengthen academics and student life, and advance strategic priorities.

“Albion has made meaningful strides together — advancing new initiatives and building partnerships with a shared sense of urgency,” Webster said. “Most of all, I’m inspired by our students. Io Triumphe!”

On its 100th birthday, Albion celebrated the newly renovated Kresge Gymnasium—including upgrades to the men’s and women’s basketball locker rooms, lobby and lounge renovations, new bleachers, and signage. Built as one of the first indoor sports facilities in the MIAA, Kresge Gymnasium stands as Michigan’s oldest active intercollegiate athletic venue. Kresge is home to men’s and women’s basketball, women’s volleyball, and men’s and women’s wrestling.

Under the theme “learn, earn, return,” Joe Serra ’82 discussed how an Albion education translates to earning power after graduation and urged alumni to reinvest in future students. Joe and his wife Julie were lead donors for the renovation.

This major renovation was made possible by the support of the following donors: Anonymous, Cedric ’54 and B. June Dempsey ’54, Bruce ’53 and Peggy Sale Kresge ’53, Eric ’82 and Deb Caudel Lipp ’83, Susan Stuewer ’70 and Randolph Piper ’70, David and Nancy Graham Roush ’72, Jeffrey Ott ’86 and Mary Ann Sabo, for the Jeffrey Ott Family Scoreboard, Joe ’82 and Julie Serra, Donald ’82 and Angela Scott Sheets ’82, Mike ’69 and Peg Mitchell Turner ’69, and Jeffrey ’75, Cheryl Lee Weedman ’77, and Carl Lee Weedman ’15 for the Carl E Lee lobby.

Kresge Gymnasium Centennial renovation dedication

Bob and Carol Moss pose with President Wayne Webster next to the plaque in the new Kinesiology Lounge.

Current Albion Kinesiology students pose with Carol and Bob Moss in the new Kinesiology Lounge.

Carl E Lee Lobby : Trustee Mike Williams ’78, Director of Athletics Jen Rushton, Cheri Lee Weedman ’77 and Jeff Weedman ’75, Trustee Mike Frandsen, Trustee Peggy Sindt ’73, and Trustee Tim Wyman ’91.

Downtown mural honors Albion’s French sister cities

When more than 100 people recently showed up for the dedication of Albion’s newest piece of public art, the paint was dry – just.

“There is a signpost on the wall that gives the mileage to Noisy-le-Roi and Bailly from Albion. I finished painting in that text on Friday morning,” said Michael Dixon, Albion College art professor and creator of the Sister City Mural celebrated during the annual Festival of the Forks. “When you have a project as big as this one, sometimes you have to work until the last minute.”

Over the past 25 years, the Albion/Noisy/Bailly sister city relationship has involved thousands of citizens and hundreds of visits (including

well over 100 Albion College students). Dixon joined the exchange several years ago with an exhibition of paintings in Noisy and his appreciation has only grown with subsequent visits.

So, in 2024, when Albion’s Sister City Committee began thinking of a public display of their program, Dixon was the choice.

“I am a big fan and big supporter of this fantastic program,” Dixon said. “I was definitely interested in doing this for the committee.”

Dixon’s design includes architectural features around Noisy and Bailly (including the gates of Versailles, just a few kilometers away), plus imagery reflecting the athletic, artistic, educational, and cultural

your next visit, COME

STAY WITH US.

exchanges that have taken place. The mural is located on the south exterior wall of Albion’s Secretary of State office, 308 South Superior. Dixon often works on large canvases, but the mural–nearly 700 square feet in size–was a learning experience for the art professor. “You have the valleys of the mortar and the hills of the brick. Those were especially challenging with all of the straight lines in the design,” he recalled. “The wall was primed first, but every surface had to be painted two or three times. The paint soaked into the brick more than expected.”

The wall surface wasn’t Dixon’s only physical challenge. “Painting in the sun, heat, and humidity is definitely work,” he said. “This took up my summer into the fall semester.”

“We love it,” said Dianne Guenin-Lelle, Albion College emerita professor of French and co-chair of Albion’s Sister City Committee. GueninLelle noted the mural’s

primary underwriter (Albion Philanthropic Women) especially appreciated the involvement of Albion youth in designing and painting the mural.

“This represents our exchange and the love that’s been developed by it,” Guenin-Lelle said.

Matthieu Cortesse was a member of the Noisy/Bailly delegation attending the event. “It’s just wonderful to have such a good relationship when the distance is so big,” he said. “To see such a great accomplishment, it’s heartwarming.”

Dixon said he is proud of the mural, but also noted it’s far more than a successfully completed project. “I am honored to be a part of celebrating this program. I love the Sister City Committee, the people on the committee, and their mission,” he concluded. “It is a special program to have in a small community.”

Asking and answering

the

‘weird’ questions drop ins

The study of philosophy is at the heart of the liberal arts tradition, and with 19 years at Albion, Professor Jeremy Kirby may be at the heart of the college’s philosophy department. At the end of the fall semester, Kirby was editing proofs for his forthcoming book on Aristotle and the philosophy of biology, a book he asserts is not just for other philosophers to read.

The Greek philosopher predated Darwin and the molecular revolution by well over 2,000 years, but he “had a lot to say about biology that is still philosophically interesting today,” Kirby said.

Asking questions, new and old, are also the heart of philosophy, and one of the driving reasons for Kirby’s entire career. “I was a sophomore and had no idea what to expect when I signed up for Philosophy 101 at Weber State University,” Kirby recalled. “Then I learned you could major in asking questions that people think are weird. I was pretty much in at that point.”

As an instructor, Kirby delights in those weird questions, but is equally focused on teaching students how to craft answers. Some

students believe philosophy means that any view is as good as the next, Kirby said. “Usually, they’re pleasantly surprised that they have to defend their opinion and see that every classmate’s opinion isn’t as good as the next.”

Following Kirby’s teaching philosophy–that any question can be asked, but not every answer can be valid–it’s easy to see why he says philosophy plays a key role on a campus devoted to experiential learning. First, he credits Professor Emerita Bindu Madhok with encouraging her colleagues to include student presentations as a standard class assignment.

“There’s no profession our students will go into that doesn’t involve advancing an idea on the basis of reason,” Kirby said. “Our department is well-positioned to help students develop skills that will help them with success in their profession.”

And when it comes to what you can do with a philosophy major or minor, there’s almost nothing Albion students aren’t doing. In the fall of 2025, Albion’s philosophy majors and minors were studying a whopping 17 additional majors.

“Our majors and minors all have one thing in common and it’s curiosity, where they like to keep asking questions at that sort of abstract level,” Kirby said.

Like most of his Albion colleagues, Kirby finds joy both in his research and teaching, with a special enthusiasm for the type of philosophy student he was at the beginning.

“We’re a department that gets a lot of students with no clue what we’ll be doing, and that’s

exciting as well,” he said. “You see the lightbulb come on, you have students saying ‘I’ve been asking these questions my whole life and I didn’t know there was a discipline to do that. It’s cool to turn someone on to philosophy, like sharing a classic rock album.”

Jeremy Kirby’s forthcoming book is titled Aristotle’s Biosphere (Bloomsbury, 2026). He is also the author of The Gamma Paradoxes: An Analysis of the Fourth Book of Aristotle’s Metaphysics (Bloomsbury, 2018).

In Memoriam

Bob Armstrong, professor emeritus of chemistry, August 28, 2025, age 86. Hired away from the University of Michigan to establish the college’s biochemistry program, Bob made sure generations of future physicians breezed through their graduate biochemistry courses, while also providing a firm foundation for future educators and researchers. Bob devoted decades to numerous community organizations, especially the Albion Ambulance Service (which he also helped found), the Albion College chapter of Habitat for Humanity, and the monthly Red Cross blood drive in Albion, to which he donated more than 25 gallons of blood. In retirement, Bob taught courses for the Albion Academy of Lifelong Learners, tutored high school chemistry students, and volunteered with North Star Reach, a camp founded by his son Doug Armstrong ’88 for children with serious medical needs.

He is survived by Bobbie, his wife of 62 years, son Doug ’88, daughter Robin Armstrong-Arntz ’91 and her husband Stephen Both ’91, and four grandchildren including Zachary Arntz ’16, Emily Arntz ’18, and Megan Arntz ’20.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Dr. Robert Armstrong Biochemistry Endowment by scanning the QR code.

Phil Mason, professor emeritus of music, Oct. 8, 2025, age 92. A native of Battle Creek, Phil’s first two concertmaster appointments were with the Kalamazoo Junior Symphony and Western Michigan University Orchestra while in his teens. During his 32 years at Albion, Phil taught strings and music theory while also conducting the Albion College Symphony Orchestra. An engaged instructor and mentor, Phil was named the Student Senate’s Teacher of the Year in 1993. In 2001, Phil was named concertmaster emeritus of the Jackson Symphony Orchestra after holding that seat for 40 years. In his honor, the Jackson Community Music School has put his portrait on permanent display.

Phil performed at Carnegie Hall and Paris’ Notre Dame Cathedral among many world-class sites. As a founder and board chair for Kalamazoo’s Esther and Julius Stulberg International String Competition, he worked with artists including Yehudi Menuhin, Josef Gingold, and Joshua Bell.

Phil and Coral, his Western Michigan accompanist and classmate, were married for over 70 years. He is survived by Coral, three daughters including Sandy Mason ’85, 12 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

Ruth Schmitter, professor emerita of biology, Dec. 12, 2025, age 83. A cell biologist with a special interest in electron microscopy, Schmitter was trained at Michigan State University, the University of Edinburg, and Harvard University. Over her 35-year tenure, Schmitter developed and taught such courses as biology and film, literature and medicine, electron microscopy, women and ethnic minorities in science, and aquatic botany. One of Albion’s founding First-Year Seminar faculty, Schmitter also taught Honors Program courses and led Albion’s Women’s and Gender Studies Committee for a number of years. She worked with physics and neuroscience faculty, Albion pre-medical and pre-dental programs, and the Gerstacker Institute. Throughout her time at Albion, Schmitter was devoted to serving as a role model, mentor, and advocate for countless female faculty members, students, and alumni. At the time of her 2017 retirement, Schmitter was Albion’s only fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

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 and Laura Merrion Marmorstein, both ’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 viapenguinrandomhouse.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 Ieuter ’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 new 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

Britons — let your story be heard!

From weddings and career milestones to “Albion in the Wild” sightings and cherished memories, Class Notes is where our community celebrates life’s big moments together. Share your news, catch up with classmates, and explore what fellow alumni are up to around the globe.

Visit albion.edu/classnotes to add your update and connect today!

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Inclusive Industry.” Alia is the cofounder and chief operating officer for Revry, a queer-based global streaming television network.

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.

Weddings

Kayleigh Harvey ’15 to Lev Tsidilkovski, Oct. 10, 2025, at Loon Mountain Summit in New Hampshire. Fellow alumna Paige Gustafson ’15 was in attendance.

Carrie Adamczyk ’17 to Jon Wylie ’17, August 2, 2025, in Detroit. Albion alumni in attendance included Ciara Cannoy ’17, McKaila Rose ’17, Zane Brooks ’19, Jon Haadsma ’19, Mitch Clinton ’16, Hannah Catalano Lambert ’16, Elizabeth Witkowski Thibodeau ’17, Kelly Slazinski Cox ’17, Taylor Alpert ’18, Peyton Brooks ’22, Carter Peek ’22, Nick Smith ’18, Kaitlind Hooper ’20, Nick

Leeman ’18, Lauren Kudirka ’17, Andrew Martin ’18, Mike and Kelly Wright Dussel both ’17, Brant and Maisey Peterson McCollum both ’17, Ben and Leah Joynt Kolanowski both ’17, Karen Green ’06, and Jack Wylie ’20. Also attending were Economics and Management Department Chair Vicki Baker and anthropology and sociology and Political Science Departments Secretary Laura Wylie. Carrie is in her fourth year as assistant professor of economics and management at Albion, while Jon is an attorney at Lean & Green Michigan. The couple lives in Detroit.

Obituaries

Madison Kroetsch ’19 to Michael Furlong, Aug. 9, 2025, at Castle Farms in northern Michigan. The bride’s sister and fellow alum Kirsten Kroetsch ’23 was in attendance, alongside Lauren Hall Miller ’19, Camilla Manrique ’19, Leah Zawrucha Montgomery ’19, Megan Moco ’19, Natalie Matthews ’19, and Taylor Antal ’19.

Matthew Stander ’19 to Alicia Prause ’21, July 26, 2025, in Thompsonville. Alumni in the wedding party included Malyn Berger ’20, Michael Bernard ’18, Olivia Conover ’18, Lily Goldberger ’21, Garrett Mason ’18, Josh McGarry ’19, Sam Raseman ’19, Jonathan Stander ’22, and Rachel Stander ’21. Other alumni in attendance included Sarah Brittan ’20, John and Erin Dunlop Calhoun both ’19, Severiano ’20 and Madelin Darby Colangelo ’20, Miro Dunham ’19, Josilyn Eichorn ’19, Aliera Konett ’20, Katherine Maher ’19, Haley McQuown ’22, Nikki Murray ’19, Lesley Ortega ’20, Arshawn Parker ’19, Angel Ramirez ’21, and Agata Riccardi ’19. The couple lives in Brownstown with their dog Sully, where Matt is an internal medicine resident and Alicia is a fourth grade teacher.

Darcy Muns ’20 to Colton Wiskur ’22, Sept. 13, 2025, in

Saline. Guests included Paige Dredge ’21, Carly Schwarz ’21, Ashley Iglesias ’21, Jacob Molitz ’21, Marah Ranger Taylor ’20, Kirk Myers ’22, Zac ’22 and Kim Freitas Besant ’21, Austin Stoll ’24, Tony Hopkins ’22, Drew Fogel ’22, Lauren Miller ’19, Patrick Sheperd ’19, Isabel Stella ’22, Spencer Moeggenberg ’22, and Alex Mileski ’22.

Hannah Gracin ’21 to Josh Haworth, Oct. 18, 2025. In attendance were fellow alumni Kiana Thomas Bis ’19 and Ian Lee ’23.

Sabrina Jolley ’22 to Bear Nelson ’22 on Sept. 20, 2025. Fellow alumni Taylor Nelson ’18 and Eddie Symons ’23 were both included in the wedding party. Other alumni attending were Bo Taylor ’21, Jack Gogonis ’23, Jerry Haadsma ’22, Joey Tatar ’22, Josh Luketic ’21, Noah DaileyChwalibog ’22, Jenna Schienke ’24, and Jake DeCola, men’s lacrosse head coach.

Sondra Sewell ’23 to Daniel Obandos, Jan. 3, 2026, in Santa Marta, Colombia. Albion attendees were Hope Wolthuis ’23, Ian Lee ’23, Tadaro Riley ’23, and Nikki Lee, theatre department secretary . The couple live in Australia.

Baby Britons

Eloise born Jan. 3, 2026 to Eric Fink ’13 and his wife.

Amber Wren born Dec. 31, 2025, to Mark and Erin Sovansky Winter, both ‘13.

Lura Powell Nunn ’40, March 28, 2025. At Albion, Lura studied English, was a member of the competitive swimming, archery, and volleyball teams, and sang in an a cappella choir. During WWII, Lura worked in a factory that made airplane parts. By age 77, Lura had visited all seven continents. She is survived by five children, eight grandchildren including David Walker ’07 and his wife Allie Judson Walker ’08, and eight great-grandchildren.

Patricia Darling Melton ’46, April 28, 2025. While she lived her entire life in the Midwest, Pat’s travel adventures included riding camels in front of the Great Pyramids, parasailing in the Gulf of Mexico, traversing the fjords of Norway, whitewater rafting in her 70s, and visiting every country in Europe. She is survived by three children, seven grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.

Marian Durman Parks ’50, April 13, 2025. An English major, Marian devoted herself to raising five children with classmate Leland “Bud” Parks ’50, to whom she was married for 60 years. Marian enjoyed many artistic hobbies and activities that included tennis, bowling, and western square dancing with Bud. In her 70s, Marian joined her first golf league and became active with a writers group. She enjoyed playing Wordle well into her 90s. Marian is survived by five children, eight grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren.

Caryl Vogel Miller ’52, May 22, 2025. Before spending 16 years out of the workforce, Carol applied her chemistry degree to working as a medical technician and managing a blood bank in Indiana. Carol later became

manager of quality control at SmithKline Beckman in southern California and founder of The Class Factory, a news publication that reached a circulation of over 10,000 in Calgary, Canada. Despite living in multiple U.S. regions and Canada, Carol was a devoted, long-time volunteer with the League of Women Voters, Salvation Army, and Stephen Ministries. She was also an accomplished life-long bridge player, achieving Life Master status with the American Contract Bridge League. Carol and her Albion sweetheart, George ’52, were married for 69 years. She is survived by their three children, two granddaughters, and one great-granddaughter.

Donald Johnson ’53, Jan. 1, 2026. A Detroit native educated exclusively in the Midwest, Don’s career began at the Pennsylvania State University, followed by 23 years on the faculty at New Mexico State University. Don was an internationally respected research mathematician with an equally intense interest in mathematics education. Along with establishing NMSU’s Math Learning Center, Don was a major benefactor to Albion’s Math/Computer Science weekly colloquium. He is survived by Pat, his wife of 50 years, their three children and three grandchildren.

Hannah Provence Donigan ’56, June 21, 2025, in Novi. At Albion, Hannah majored in English with minors in French and Spanish, graduating Phi Beta Kappa. Before and after the years she spent raising four children, Hannah taught for 25 years in the Walled Lake and Waterford schools. She also took a leave of absence from 1987-89 to teach for Department of Defense

Dependent Schools in Norway and England. Hannah completed a two-year certification to become a humanist celebrant, a role in which she performed weddings and funerals and led worship services. She and her late husband, Don, visited 40 countries and once took the entire family in a camper to Mexico City so that Hannah could take an advanced Spanish course. Hannah is survived by four children, including Devany Donigan ’86, and six grandchildren.

Carolyn Carr Christ ’57, May 2, 2025. At Albion, Carolyn was elected to the Mortar Board and was a member of the cheer team and Delta Zeta. Her children remember the thousands of miles she drove in support of their education and extracurricular activities, after which Carolyn earned a master’s degree in counseling and personnel. She became a career counselor, taught at Kellogg Community College, and developed a lay pastor training program for a Massachusetts church. Carolyn served as president of Albion College’s Alumni Board and on a presidential search committee. During her official retirement, Carolyn joined the staff at Battle Creek First Presbyterian as the pastoral care coordinator. She is survived by Pete ’55, her husband of 68 years, children Kevin, David ’85 and Katherine Christ Lucas ’81, David ’84, and Lisa Christ Brown, seven grandchildren including Christian Brown ’14 and his wife Shanti MadhavanBrown ’14 (assistant professor of psychology at Albion), and four great-grandchildren.

Margaret “Mugs” Touborg Klapperich ’57, Sept. 4, 2024. The daughter of Margaret Monroe Touborg ’31, Mugs studied English and psychology at Albion and was a member of Delta Zeta. She is survived by Frank, her husband of 67 years,

four children, 12 grandchildren, and four great grandchildren.

Glenna Van Der Meer Paukstis ’59, May 18, 2025, in Ashburn, Virginia. A native of west Michigan, Glenna began her career as a teacher and special education supervisor with the Kent County Intermediate School District. An active volunteer throughout her life, Glenna worked with the Delta Zeta Hearing Clinics, the Epilepsy Center of Michigan, AAUW branches in Oakland County and Ludington, and Ludington’s historic White Pine Village. She also served for many years on the Albion College Alumni Board. Glenna is survived by Chuck ’57, her husband of more than 60 years, daughter Sarah Paukstis ’92, and a granddaughter.

Bob Bartlett ’60, Oct. 20, 2025. Bob dramatically improved the trajectory of neonatal intensive care when he developed extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, (now a standard treatment for premature infants and known to have saved the lives of more than 100,000 babies). Bob spent more than 30 years as a researcher and professor with the University of Michigan, where his research team has had an unprecedented 54 years of grant funding. Among his many awards and honors, Bob has been awarded an Albion College Distinguished Alumnus Award and inducted into the College’s Athletic Hall of Fame. While a student at Albion College, Bob was also a founding member of the Charlie Brown Band, which performed on campus and throughout Michigan during its four-year existence. Bob even corresponded with Peanuts creator Charles Schulz, who was so delighted with the group that he gave them free original artwork. Bob is survived by Albion sweetheart Wanda Read Bartlett ’60, three children including Karen Bartlett Fischer ’91, and four grandchildren.

Pamela Gee Royle ’60, Feb. 22, 2025, in Kirkwood, Missouri. Pam built a home health care agency from the ground up, expanding it to multiple satellite offices that provided care to thousands of people. An enthusiastic entertainer, Pam was a founding member of the River Bend Repertory Theater, producing hilarious sketch-comedy shows for neighbors and friends. She was also an active member of Sweet Adelines International, founding a regional championship chorus and performing with several internationallycompetitive groups and quartets. She served as the organization’s first webcaster, hosting multiple times for both international and regional competitions. Pam is survived by three children and one grandson, as well as sister-inlaw Tammy Transue Royle ’63.

Richard B. “Rick” Smith ’60, of Tucson, Ariz., died July 16, 2025, after a long illness. Rick earned a bachelor’s degree from Albion College and a master’s degree from Michigan State University, launching a lifetime of service to public lands and people. After teaching and joining the Peace Corps in Paraguay, he devoted more than 30 years to a distinguished career with the National Park Service, serving in leadership roles across the country, including Acting Superintendent of Yellowstone National Park in 1994. A passionate advocate for rangers and conservation, Rick helped found the Association of National Park Rangers, later served as president of both ANPR and the International Ranger Federation, and co-founded the Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks. In retirement, his fluency in Spanish and deep expertise made him a sought-after consultant throughout Latin America on park management and ranger training. His many honors included the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Meritorious Service Award, the

International Ranger Federation’s Gordon Miller Lifetime Achievement Award, and Albion College’s Distinguished Alumni Award. An avid outdoorsman and traveler, Rick is survived by his wife of 45 years, Kathy Smith, and family members who will remember his generosity, leadership, and enduring love for the world’s wild places.

Stanley Warner ’60, Nov. 22, 2025. An economics major at Albion, Stanley eventually earned a doctorate from Harvard University and enjoyed a long career with the School of Critical Social Inquiry at Hampshire College. His research interests included the structure of the American economy, comparative economic systems, the economic and environmental impacts of hydroelectric development in northern Quebec, and the subsequent effects on the displaced Cree in the region. He is survived by his Albion sweetheart Signia Young Warner ’62, their three children, five grandchildren, and brother Nelson Warner ’62.

Frank Gould ’63, July 31, 2025, in Grand Rapids. As the Britons’ starting quarterback, Frank was part of multiple MIAA championship teams; he was named the 1963 Scholar Athlete of the Year by the Detroit Free Press and is a member of Albion’s Athletic Hall of Fame. Frank served three years as a surgeon general in the U.S. Army before embarking on his 27-year career with Urology Associates of Grand Rapids. He is survived by his Albion sweetheart Pamela Nicolls Gould ’64, two children, and six grandchildren.

George Shipman ’63, Feb. 26, 2025, in Bend, Oregon. George’s Albion career was interrupted by a two-year tour of duty with the U.S. Army. After earning his history degree, George’s career in library science included

work with the Inter-American University of Puerto Rico, the Library of Congress, the University of Tennessee, and the University of Oregon, where he taught and played a key role in forming Orbis, a consortium that enhanced library services across universities in Oregon and Washington. George is survived by his wife Krystyna; sons Brian ’91 and Andrew, and five grandchildren.

George Harris ’65, Nov. 5, 2025. After completing his graduate studies in dentistry and orthodontics, George spent two years with the National Public Health Service on the Standing Rock Indian Reservation in McLaughlin, South Dakota, achieving the rank of lieutenant commander while heading the dental services program. George enjoyed more than 40 years in private dental practice in Menominee, while also working as an instructor for the Charles Tweed Orthodontic Course and the Tweed Foundation. George is survived by Albion sweetheart Enid Lowery Harris ’66, two children, and four grandchildren.

Paul Hartman ’66, Oct. 18, 2024, in Okemos. An ordained pastor in the United Methodist Church, Paul served churches in Alden, Lansing, Litchfield, and Kalamazoo. He was also the director of education and youth at Okemos Community Church and worked for decades with Methodist summer youth camps. He is survived by his wife Jeanne Randels, three daughters, and six grandchildren.

Kathryn “Nan” Little Wells ’67, Nov. 30, 2023, in Seattle. Nan helped create the YMCA’s Earth Service Corps, serving as its initial director and once herding a group of students to the Rio Earth Summit. She eventually earned a doctorate in anthropology, with a thesis based in part on her work with the University

of Washington’s Science and Tribes Educational Partnership, an outreach program focused on Native American students. Nan retired from working with UW in 2003. Diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2008, Nan became an avid cyclist in order to stave off disease progression; her hiker highlight was a demonstration climb of Mt. Kilimanjaro in 2011. Her video, Parkinson’s Pedaling with Nan, won an award at the 2016 World Parkinson’s Conference. Nan worked with groups across the U.S. to encourage and support Parkinson’s research and establish cycling programs. Nan is survived by Doug, her husband of 54 years, their two children and four grandchildren, and brothers Thomas ’62 and Robert ’66.

Lynne Dohn Baldwin ’71, Oct. 4, 2025. A long-time teacher and administrator at Starr Commonwealth, Lynne supported Albion’s Festival of the Forks, Chamber of Commerce, and Citizens to Beautify Albion. She taught pilates and was a Silver Sneakers instructor for Albion’s Forks Senior Center, and taught Sunday School at the First United Methodist Church and was devoted to the PEO Sisterhood. Lynne is survived by two children including Andrea Fitzgerald ’96, six grandchildren, and 18 step-grandchildren.

John Orange ’71, Oct. 2, 2025. For over 30 years, John dedicated his life to teaching math and art for Marcellus Schools. In retirement, John enjoyed traveling with Albion sweetheart Tally Cone Orange ’70, to whom he was married for 53 years. He is survived by Talley, daughters Jennifer and Kara Orange Mason ’00, son-in-law Jeffrey Mason ’99, three grandchildren, and brother Richard ’71.

Darrell Kenyon ’72, Sept. 28, 2025, in Cleveland, Ohio. Darrell

enjoyed a 32-year teaching career with Romulus Community Schools, then turned his community service work toward Curtis Township and the village of Glennie. Darrell was also active with the Optimist Club of Ypsilanti, the Gandy Dancer Train Club, and the Glennie United Methodist Church. Married to his Albion sweetheart for 54 years, Darrell is survived by Judy Battjes Kenyon ’71, two children, and five grandchildren.

William Morris ’73, June 6, 2025. At Albion, Bill played basketball, joined Sigma Nu, and was president of the Interfraternity Council. Bill took over the family farm and enjoyed gardening and traveling. A co-chair of the Class of 1973 50-year reunion, Bill gave a lead gift for the Class’s installation of a bench on the Quad. He is survived by his wife Julie, two daughters, sister Margo Morris Swan ’71 and her husband Lynn ’70, niece Jenny Swan Tascarella ’98, and nephew David Swan ’04

Melody Mercer MacMartin ’74, Jan. 22, 2025, on her beloved island of St. Martin. A member of Kappa Alpha Theta at Albion, Mel earned her doctor of osteopathic medicine and owned Livonia Medical Center for 29 years. She practiced family medicine for more than 40 years, with a special focus in women’s medicine, osteoporosis, and bone health. Mel was a thirdgeneration member of the Detroit Athletic Club and member of Orchard Lake Country Club, and

NEWS FOR CLASS NOTES

competed for many years with the Franklin Racquet Club Travel Team. She later took up golf and was the first woman ever elected to the Western Golf and Country Club Board of Directors. She also had a deep love for scuba diving, snow skiing, and water skiing. Mel is survived by her Albion sweetheart Craig “Mac” MacMartin ’71, son Scott and his wife Leah Moeller MacMartin ’02, and two grandchildren.

El’Verson Mitchell ’20, Dec. 29, 2025. El’Verson played football at Albion before earning an MSW and returning to campus as a member of Counseling Services. Since 2023, he worked for the University of Michigan-Dearborn, coordinating a student-athlete academic support program. His efforts earned El’Verson a nomination for the UM-D Chancellor’s 2025 Rising Star Award.

FRIENDS

Ella “Diane” Hines, former secretary for mathematics, Sept. 21, 2025. Diane spent the last 13 years of her professional life at Albion College, capping a career that included work for attorneys in Lansing and Hillsdale and with her husband Edward Hines CPA. A 1948 alumna of Hillsdale High School and a graduate of Lansing Business University, Diane retired from Albion in 1997. She is survived by four children, seven grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.

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.

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 to share their fondest memories of Wesley Hall

GETTING TO KNOW MY FUTURE SPOUSE

“The place that remains strong in my memory is the Smoker! I did not smoke and hated to be there. But I promised a new friend that I would smoke a cigarette on her birthday. I don’t know why, but I did and on her birthday she came to drag me there for the big event. The event lasted about two puffs and I was so woozy from it! When my date came to pick me up for a study night at the library, I came down from my room to the lobby but I felt drunk and was unable to go! This was early in our dating relationship and he was most understanding and sat with me until I regained my equilibrium. Following my graduation from Albion, we married! We celebrated our 58th wedding anniversary in 2023 before he succumbed to ALS.”

—Judy Christl Pruim ’65

EXCITING NEW DANCE PARTNERS

“The year I spent at Wesley Hall was my favorite of the four years I spent at Albion College. I made wonderful friends that year, and for me, the building itself was filled with character, charm and romance. Since it was 1977, disco was big, and I remember dancing to Brick House by the Commodores at a freshman dance in the basement of Wesley. The boys at my small high school were disappointing in the dance category, but those Albion guys from Motown knew how to move!”

—Amy Garver Kilbridge ’81

THE START OF A LONG-LASTING FRIENDSHIP

“My 18th birthday. My new college friends and dormmates got dressed up with me to walk downtown for a celebration. Stopping at the end of the hall, the little lobby once called ’the smoker,’ we found another group of students, with one saying, ’It’s my 18th birthday!’ I said, ’Oh yeah, well I bet you weren’t born right here in Albion like I was.’ She responded, ’Actually, I was!’ Her name: Betty (Elizabeth) Chlystek. Betty and I both became theater majors and active in the Albion College Players the next four years.”

—Cathy Closson Vance ’76

NATURAL AIR CONDITIONING

“In 1965, the heating system of ‘Susie’ (as we called Wesley Hall) was very primitive and there was no air conditioning. We opened our window the day we moved in and didn’t close it until the day we moved out, the following spring. Dorms hadn’t yet become co-ed. When a young woman living in Susie was ‘pinned’ by her fraternity beau, his fraternity would come and serenade her from the rear court of the building. Occasionally, they were rewarded with a shower of girl’s panties. Weren’t we risqué and daring?”

—Dianne Murray Pratt ’68

THE PIT BY ANY OTHER NAME

“The administration tried its hardest to call Pit East ‘Ground East.’ We refused and it will always be The Pit to us.”

—Joel Fitzgerald ’08

A SMOKING PLACE

“Oh how I remember the ‘smoker.’ No smoking allowed anywhere else and as a non smoker, I hated smelling like smoke after walking through. I so wonder how today’s students would cope with the telephone system!!! It was a warm and friendly place to live!”

—Virginia Kent Graybill ’65

ALBION

Gridiron motivation and teamwork propelled a career

Ron Vanderlinden ’78 credits two legendary coaches with putting him on the career track in college football.

“I had a very positive experience playing high school football at Dearborn Divine Child for coach Bill McCartney, winning three league titles and being rated twice as state champions,” he said. “When I entered Albion College, my initial career goal was to earn a degree in education, preparing for a career as a teacher and coach.”

However, Vanderlinden’s career goals and path changed during his years at Albion College under coach Frank Joranko’s leadership. Albion won two consecutive MIAA Championships in 1976-77, propelling Briton Defensive Coordinator Steve Beckholt to be hired at Bowling Green State University (BGSU). That led Vanderlinden, after graduation, to move on to BGSU as a graduate assistant football coach.

After Former Divine Child coach Bill McCartney was hired by legendary Michigan

Coach Bo Schembechler, Ron was hired as graduate assistant coach at The University of Michigan.

During his 42-year career in college football, Vanderlinden worked with some of the nation’s top coaches and football programs. His career included the University of Michigan, the University of Colorado, Northwestern University, the University

of Maryland (his one head coach position), Penn State University, and the United States Air Force Academy.

Vanderlinden’s career accomplishments included a national championship, nine conference championships, and two Commander-In-Chief Championships. Most notably, he helped the Colorado Buffaloes emerge from the

Big 8 basement to a national championship and three conference championships.

He followed that achievement by helping Northwestern reverse a 23-year string of losing seasons into two consecutive Big 10 titles. During his career, he worked with players who earned a multitude of honors and went on to careers in the NFL. In 2008 Vanderlinden also authored a book, Football’s Eagle & Stack Defenses.

“I was very fortunate to have played with and learned from many talented, hardworking, team-first players at both Divine Child High School and Albion College,” Vanderlinden said. “As I look back at my coaching career, I have been blessed to have been mentored by and coached alongside outstanding college coaches, three of which are in the College Football Hall of Fame.”

Albion College’s great first impression

Vanderlinden’s high school coach (McCartney) spent his first decade of coaching

in southeastern Michigan. McCartney was very familiar with Joranko (Albion’s football coach) in addition to Albion’s strong academic reputation. McCartney encouraged Vanderlinden to visit Albion during his senior year.

“The campus was beautiful, even on a winter day,” Vanderlinden recalled. “During our visit to campus the Albion coaching staff walked myself and other recruits around campus and introduced us to faculty members and several students that we encountered. Everyone we met was friendly and very genuine. A key part of the visit was the opportunity to talk with current members of the football team.”

“They were very optimistic about the coaching staff and

the future of the program going forward,” he continued. “Albion College, like my high school, was smaller in stature, which was appealing. After my visit, I could see myself fitting in at Albion College.”

What followed was a collegiate career that included seven varsity letters in baseball and football. Playing center for the “Wrecking Crew,” Vanderlinden was part of two teams that were undefeated in league play, including the MIAA’s first football team to reach the NCAA Division III championship playoffs. Vanderlinden himself was named an All-Conference athlete twice, and is a member of Albion’s Hall of Fame.

A physical education major, Vanderlinden recalls

influential professors from across campus, including Nancy Held, (education professor emerita), Eugene Miller (English professor emeritus), and Barbara Keyes (psychology professor emerita), along with physical education professors Ike Isaac ’48, Frank Joranko ’51, Dave Egnatuk ’71, Mike Turner ’69, and Tim Williams.

Joranko’s influence, however, stands out. “He had a spirit that was demanding, exacting, yet also gentlemanly and calming,” Vanderlinden said. “Most often we knew coach Joranko was right when he corrected us on the field. As a team, we all respected coach Joranko and his staff, and wanted to not let the coaches, or the team down. My Albion College football

experiences had a lot to do with my desire to become a coach, and it helped develop my coaching philosophy.”

Vanderlinden retired from The Air Force Academy in 2020. He was honored with the 2024 Outstanding Achievement Award from the American Football Coaches Association.

There were an estimated 81,000 collegiate football players in 2023. Vanderlinden thinks he knows why.

“Football is the ultimate team sport. Beyond the skills of throwing, catching, blocking, tackling, and strategy, football teaches players that they need each other,” he said. “It takes all 11 players on any given play to be successful, if the team is going to be successful.”

611 East Porter Street Albion, MI 49224

The most-prized music instrument on campus

In 1877, Albion’s senior class received a horn as a gift and decided it was to “remain in possession of the class that could best rally to its rumbling blare.” The seven-foot horn was passed along to the class of 1878 with a warning to never allow underclassmen to touch the horn.

Over the years, the horn became a somewhat coveted item and became the source of many pranks/raids on campus—with one class successfully hiding the horn for more than a year. The senior horn also was used at commencement ceremonies as well as lectures and sporting events.

In 1896, the horn got a new use. The senior class gave it to the Oratorical Association, and the horn became the prize winning trophy for the yearly class oratory contest. The winners of the contest have their names on a plaque attached to the horn.

In 2000, the horn was refurbished. In 2003, the senior class gift was a display case in the Kellogg Center for the horn. Ever since 2003, a senior has played the horn at graduation. Every year, there is a competition to see who gets to play the horn during the Day of Woden.

Photos from the Albion College archives