THE MAGAZINE OF ALMA COLLEGE FALL 2024 ISSUE
The Tartan
EDITOR
Tim Rath
DESIGNER
Cody Marecek
PHOTOGRAPHERS
Dan Gaken
Steve Jessmore
CONTRIBUTORS
Jeff Abernathy
Erika Powers Appelt ’91
Bob Murray ’88
PRINTER
McKay Press
The Tartan is published two times yearly by: Alma College Communication and Marketing Office 317 Grant Ave. Alma, Mich. 48801-1599 alma.edu plaid@alma.edu
ALMA COLLEGE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
OFFICERS 2024-25
Darryl G. Schimeck ’82, Chairman
Erika K. Powers Appelt ’91, Vice Chair
David A. Devine ’90, Secretary
ALMA COLLEGE ALUMNI BOARD
OFFICERS 2024-25
Mark Kraft-Strong ’08, President
Amy Pratt ’04, Vice President
Kristin Swihart ’96, Secretary
Blake Padget ’15, Membership Chair
CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE alma.edu/tartan
OUR MISSION
Alma College’s mission is to prepare graduates who think critically, serve generously, lead purposefully and live responsibly as stewards of the world they bequeath to future generations.
ON THE COVER
Pictured from left are Alma College student-athletes Bree McCluskey, Madelyn Walmsley, Jerome Roberson Jr., Dalron Gray, Tyler Mukudu and Andrea Taghon.
From left, students Rachel Kostrzewa ’24 and Alexa DeKorte ’24 build sets as part of the f Alma College Theatre Department’s spring show, “Exit, Pursued by a Bear.”
Features
A Whole New Ballgame
Alma College athletics is thriving, with an impact felt both on and off the field of play. Here’s how the Scots are strengthening our roots in the mission of Alma College.
Feeling at Home in ‘Scotland, USA’
Belonging initiatives are central to the college’s retention strategy — designed to keep students who come to Alma stay until they graduate — and they are paying off.
Growing Global
Alma College’s reputation as an excellent liberal arts institution is well known — not only in the United States but, increasingly, abroad as well.
A First-Class Credential
In just a few short years, graduate studies at Alma College have grown from merely an idea to a series of popular programs that are creating a whole new generation of Scots.
Honoring a Legend
Dorothy “Dottie” Johnson was announced as the first winner of the Alma College Lynne Sherwood Women’s Leadership Award at a reception before family, friends and the campus community in March.
Gifts Based in Love
The late Gunda Kaiser is beloved and remembered as an innovative teacher, a passionate advocate for the liberal arts and someone who generously provided for Alma College through her estate plans. 6 12 14 18 24 25
Navigating the headwinds
In the past I’ve used these pages to discuss some of the headwinds higher education is facing. Indeed, not just at Alma College, but across the country, institutions of higher learning are facing myriad challenges that can pose a threat to their future growth — and in some extreme cases, their survival.
This issue of The Tartan is dedicated to some of the creative and innovative ways our campus community is working to navigate those headwinds. For example, I’m so proud of the work of our athletics department, led by Vice President and Director of Athletics Sarah Dehring. As you’ll read about, athletics provides our students — an incredible number of them, now, with more than 70 percent of our first-year students participating — with so much that they are able to use and become successful Scots.
I’m also excited for you to see the advancements that have been made in our work as it relates to international enrollment, graduate education and student retention. Such efforts are key to ensuring the long-term viability of Alma College now and into the future, so that generations of Scots can have the same opportunities for deep and impactful relationships to form, for years to come.
We also use this edition of The Tartan to pay tribute to some very special people. We were so pleased earlier this year to honor Dorothy “Dottie” Johnson as the inaugural winner of the Alma College Lynne Sherwood Women’s Leadership Award. Dottie has mentored women leaders throughout her career and been a great friend to Alma College through the years.
Lynne Sherwood, as many of you know, served on the Alma College Board of Trustees for more than a decade, from 2002-16. She was one of the most incredible people I’ve ever met: One of only eight of the first women admitted to the Master of Business Administration program at Harvard Business School in 1963, she went on to have a distinguished career at Goldman Sachs for 35 years, at a time when few women worked in those roles. Sadly, she passed away in 2016, but made an incredible mark on the world. It was an absolute gift to honor her in this way.
Serving as Alma’s president has been a great privilege. I’m so proud of this community and all we have accomplished together. In April, I announced my intent to step down as president in June 2025. Fifteen years is a very long presidency these days, and I believe the time is right for a new leader for the college. I have always planned to end my career as I began it, in the role of English professor, and I look forward to teaching at Alma in the years ahead.
Erika Powers Appelt, a member of the Class of 1991 and vice chair of the Board of Trustees, has taken the lead in finding Alma’s 14th president. On the opposite page, Erika discusses the processes that are going into that search, and why they are important. She will continue to communicate directly with the campus community as Alma’s 14th president is named.
— Jeff abernathyj@alma.edu alma.edu/offices/president (989) 463-7146
almapresident @jeffabernathy
Searching for our next president
Alma College has begun the search for its next president, who will assume the role following Jeff Abernathy’s departure in June 2025. A search committee composed of representatives from the Board of Trustees, faculty, staff, alumni and students will provide guidance and structure for the search, interview and selection process.
Erika Powers Appelt leads the search committee as its chair. Currently the vice chair of the Alma College Board of Trustees, Erika has served on the board since 2013. She sat down with The Tartan recently to answer some of the most frequently asked questions about the search process.
What does the campus community tell you they are looking for in the next president of Alma College?
One of the most interesting aspects of serving on the Board of Trustees is hearing from the Alma College community — alumni, faculty, staff, students, friends and so many more stakeholders, both near and far — who are united by their love of this institution.
Despite the differences in where they have come from, I’ve found feedback regarding this search process to be fairly consistent. As you know, the last time Alma College searched for a president was 15 years ago, and much has changed in the world of higher education since that time. The qualities we are searching for in our next president reflect the urgency of meeting the steep challenges faced by colleges and universities today. We are seeking a leader who displays innovation to deliver our unique brand of Alma College education to a broader range of prospective students, as the statewide — and national — pool of traditional collegebound high school graduates shrinks. This person will have knowledge, experience and skill in several key areas:
•Financial stability
•Academic quality
•Institutional culture
•Student success
•Development of new undergraduate and graduate programs
•Diversity, equity and inclusion
— Erika Powers Appelt ’91 is the vice chair of the Alma College Board of Trustees. While at Alma, she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in business administration and was a member of the choir. She is a partner at Barnes & Thornburg LLP, a business law firm, where she specializes in nationwide water quality issues.
SEARCH COMMITTEE MEMBERS
•Erika K. Powers Appelt ’91
•Eric P. Blackhurst ’83
•Kevin F. Blatchford ’83
•Greg Hatcher ’83
•Rachelle Jacques ’93
•Derron Sanders
•James E. Wheeler II
•Laura von Wallmenich
•Andy Singer
•Toby Layson
•Sarah Dehring
•Jason Couch ’95
•Stephen F. Meyer ’80
•Darryl G. Schimeck ’82
•David A. Devine ’90
•Kelly Masley
Where should the next president focus their vision and planning efforts?
The Vision 20/20 and Evergreen strategic plans initiated by President Abernathy were invaluable as Alma navigated the headwinds of the post-pandemic environment for higher education. We are looking for a leader equipped to build on those forward-thinking visions, to ensure Alma College’s viability for the next generation. There is now, and always will be, a place in the world for the college’s mission and core values. Our next president will be focused on aligning those qualities with the needs of the world in 2025 and beyond.
What is the timeline for the search?
This summer, we hired a national search firm to help advertise and identify top candidates for the role of Alma’s president. The position is being posted widely and the firm is proactively reaching out to leaders whose experience and skillsets align with our needs as an institution. We hope to begin interviews by late fall and identify a final candidate or candidates in early 2025. President Abernathy will work closely with his successor throughout the spring and summer to ensure a smooth transition.
Pictured from left are women’s wrestling head coach Katlyn Pizzo, Assistant Vice President of Athletics Kiana VerdugoMaday, Vice President and Director of Athletics Sarah Dehring, competitive dance team head coach Tracy Burton and cheer/STUNT head coach Michelle Sabourin.
Alma College athletics is thriving, with an impact felt both on and off the field of play. Read on to learn more about how the Scots are strengthening our roots in the mission of Alma College.
Exemplifying strong female leadership
In what is historically a male-dominated area of college campuses, Alma College stands out for a group of women who are leading its athletics department to new heights.
“I’m extremely proud of how far we have come since I started at Alma College,” said Sarah Dehring, who has served as director of athletics since 2019 after joining the college as head volleyball coach in 2011. “More than 70 percent of incoming first-year students participate in a sport of some kind and half of our sports are for women. That’s an incredible figure.
“I think it’s a testament to the conviction of our administration, who believe this is the right path to forge, as well as the coaches and athletic administrators who do great work with our student-athletes every day.”
Alma College currently offers students the opportunity to play 30 sports, including 15 for women. Some of the most prominent recent offerings — indeed, some of the fastestgrowing sports in the United States — have been women’s sports, including competitive dance and cheer, STUNT and women’s wrestling.
On the field of play, these new Scots have made the most of their opportunities. The dance, cheer and STUNT teams, led by longtime head coaches Tracy Burton and Michelle Sabourin, respectively, are already multi-time national champions. Their rosters are some of the largest of any sport at Alma College. They also have their own dedicated spaces to practice and compete.
“We don’t necessarily focus on wins and losses,” said Burton, who has coached the Scots’ dance team for eight years. “We’re focused on trying to build what we didn’t have growing up. We’re creating a pathway for young women to come to Alma College, compete in a sport they love and earn a college degree. If the wins come, we consider that a byproduct.”
True inclusivity is an ongoing process and there remains work to be done in order to ensure that opportunities for men and women in athletics are equal. But for now, it’s apparent that powerful work is taking place in the athletics department at Alma College.
“Something we’ve been able to demonstrate time and again at Alma athletics is that not only do we elevate women to leadership positions, but that we uplift each other,” Sabourin said. “We’re smashing a glass ceiling and we’re not creating another one.”
Scan this QR code for a webexclusive video of Assistant Vice President of Athletics Kiana Verdugo-Maday discussing female leadership at Alma College.
Involving academics with athletics
Alma College’s support for athletics extends into the classroom, too. Assistant Professor of Education Brian Hancock ’05 and Associate Professor of Chemistry Nancy Dopke are two examples of faculty members who work hand-in-hand with athletics administrators to keep student-athletes engaged with academics in various ways.
Dopke, for many years, served as a faculty athletics representative, or a “FAR,” a role currently served by Assistant Professor of Business Administration Andrew Sellers. Hancock, along with Associate Professor of Education Peggy Yates ’92 and other faculty members, is a “FAM,” or a faculty athletics mentor.
Dopke explained that as a FAR — a role she served in for more than a decade — she worked as a liaison, in order to ensure excellent communication between other faculty members and athletic coaches. When everyone is on the same page regarding a student-athlete’s commitments, she said, it works out better for everyone who is involved.
“Student-athletes often have a different relationship with their coaches than they do their course instructors. If I’m able to tell a student, ‘Hey, I know your coach, and this is what they would want you to do in the classroom,’ they listen to me differently,” Dopke said. “We’re fortunate at Alma to have coaches who are real advocates of our students in the classroom.”
In Hancock’s role as an FAM, he is assigned a specific team to work with — in his case, men’s lacrosse — in order to build an even tighter bond with those student-athletes. Hancock, a former student-athlete himself, said those bonds have helped inform his work as a faculty member, giving him a better understanding of the students in his classrooms.
“Our job as educators is to work with people who come to Alma, and if a big part of the reason they came to Alma is to participate in athletics, it behooves us to understand the thought process behind that,” Hancock said. “If we understand that thought process, we can more fully help them stay the full four years, explore interests outside of athletics, receive their degrees and move on in life.”
Offering opportunities to give back
Carter St. John and Sophia Cooney are two examples of Alma College student-athletes who seek to improve the communities around them through service.
St. John, a junior quarterback on the Scots’ football team, started his own nonprofit organization this year called Quarterbacks vs. Cancer. Through the nonprofit, St. John contacted every single starting quarterback in Division III and asked them to provide paid training sessions to local high
school football players. The funds from those sessions are being paid to a cancer charity of the quarterback’s choice.
St. John said that he came up with the idea following the “Alma CARES Cancer Awareness Game” in 2023, in which the Scots raised money to benefit the American Cancer Society.
“We currently have about 30 quarterbacks from across the country taking part in this initiative,” St. John said. “We’ve raised thousands of dollars so far and we’re going to raise more. Division III sports are unlike any other college sports in America — it’s a close, tight-knit community.”
Cooney, a senior soccer player, started a program to benefit the local Police Athletic League. She worked with league administrators to bring young soccer players to Alma’s home games and participate in them — walking out with the starting lineup, playing a game on the field at halftime and going home with plenty of Alma prizes.
Cooney said that a big part of her motivation for doing this was to get young people involved in college activities, so that when they are old enough to consider their next steps in life, college campuses will not be unfamiliar places to them.
“If I’m able to contribute to a cause like that, then I think I’ve done well,” Cooney said. “One of the things that make Alma College special is our relationship with the local community.”
Pictured from left on opposite page are faculty athletics representatives and faculty athletic mentors Brian Hancock ’05, Peggy Yates ’92, Nancy Dopke and Andrew Sellers. Pictured on bottom of this page, from left, are coaches Jason Couch ’95, Ashley Johnson and Matt Chovanec ’91.
Providing mentors for life
When a student-athlete comes to Alma College, they’re not just getting an opportunity to play a sport and earn a college degree. They’re getting mentors for life — in the form of coaches who work hard to ensure their success in the classroom, on the field of play and in life.
“The best part of my day is when a student-athlete comes to my office, either to talk about something on the field or something off of it,” said Ashley Johnson, who has coached nine years for the women’s lacrosse team. “When they take the initiative, you feel like you’re getting through to them. The relationship is more important than what they can do on the field, because oftentimes, it’s those relationships that keep students engaged and help them to earn their degrees.”
Cross Country and Track and Field Head Coach Matt Chovanec ’91 and Head Football Coach Jason Couch ’95 recalled being led by Scots Hall of Fame coaches Charlie Gray (basketball, track and field and cross country) and Jim Cole (track and field and football). Those relationships, Chovanec and Couch agreed, continue to this day.
“Honestly, coming to college as a first-generation student, it was more about athletics than it was for education,” Chovanec said. “Coach Cole and Coach Gray helped me to see the bigger picture. Even today, they’re helping me with that type of stuff. If it weren’t for them, I don’t think I would have such a fulfilling career and life.”
In that way, the coaches agreed, they are simply paying forward the mentorship they have received from previous generations of coaches. Among the highlights are seeing their student-athletes progress through life: Johnson has seen one of her proteges go on to become a successful high school lacrosse coach. Chovanec has officiated the wedding of two Alma alumni.
“Essentially, we come here for the life and we stay here for the people,” Couch said. “That’s one of those indelible qualities about Alma that has persisted through the years. It’s about way more than what you see on the field.”
Honoring excellence
One coach at Alma received special attention this past winter for coaching in a milestone game.
Denny Griffin, who for 35 years has led the Alma College softball team as its head coach, reached his 1,000th career win in February with a 1-0 win over Eastern University.
Griffin, who has coached at Alma for the entirety of his career, is just the 50th softball coach in NCAA history to reach the milestone mark. His 1,000 wins put him third among active NCAA Division III softball coaches and 22nd among all NCAA softball coaches. Griffin is just the seventh coach in DIII history to reach 1,000 wins.
“It’s a great milestone. Not a lot of coaches get to win 1,000 games in their career,” Griffin said following the game. “It really is the result of 35 years of young women coming to Alma College with the dream of playing college softball. They put their heart and soul into Alma College.
“You look at people like (assistant coach) Phil Hansen, who’s been here for 30 years, and the amazing coaches that I’ve been lucky to have on my staff over the years. It’s the dedication of those around me who enable me to achieve milestones like this one. At the end of the day, I am so blessed to have had the opportunity to change so many lives.”
Griffin’s journey began in 1989, when he took the reins of the Alma softball program. Since then, Griffin has won 14 MIAA championships. He has coached 10 MIAA softball MVPs, four MIAA Most Valuable Pitchers and 204 All-MIAA selections.
With his 1,000th victory, Griffin now lays claim to over 90 percent of Alma College softball’s all-time wins, and will look to collect more victories in the future.
The Alma College Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2024 has been announced.
1983 women’s field hockey team
Alma’s 1983 women’s field hockey team won the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA) championship outright for the first time in program history. The Scots finished MIAA play with a record of 9-2-1, finishing a half-game ahead of Hope, to claim the crown.
Mary Douglas Burns ’85
Mary Douglas Burns ’85 was a four-year letterwinner in field hockey. A two-time team MVP, Douglas was named First Team All-MIAA twice in her career. During her senior year she scored the most points in a career (44), recorded the most assists (10) and was second in goals scored (17).
Justin Scott Harris ’01
Justin Scott Harris ’01 was most known for playing on Alma’s football defensive line. In 1999, Harris was named All-MIAA and won the Dan Nichelson Most Valuable Defensive Lineman Award. He was also a D3football.com First Team All-American and a Hewlett-Packard Second Team All-American.
Jim Parker ’74
Jim Parker ’74 was a dual-sport athlete during his time at Alma, playing baseball and basketball. A four-year starter in both sports, Parker picked up four All-MIAA accolades. He holds several places in the Alma baseball record book, namely in the categories of batting average, home runs and slugging.
2003 women’s volleyball
The Scots fielded a volleyball national contender in 2003. Alma posted a 31-6 record overall, winning the MIAA outright for the second straight season. Alma earned the automatic bid to the NCAA tournament, but was eventually felled in the regional semifinals.
Lindsey Baker Evans ’05
Lindsey Baker Evans ’05 was a force in the MIAA throughout her volleyball career at Alma. Baker was named MIAA MVP in back-toback seasons (2003-04) and was a three-time First Team All-MIAA selection. Her career total of 5,106 assists remains untouched, with the closest mark nearly 1,200 assists away.
Clare Kreger ’73
In MIAA cross country competition, Kreger was dominant, running to All-MIAA honors in 1970-72. He reached the top of the podium in 1972, finishing in first place. He also scored a pair of top-5 finishes at the NAIA District level. On the national stage, Kreger made the NCAA meet in all four years and placed as high as 55th in the country. In track and field, he registered four top-5 finishes at the MIAA league meet.
Leigh Ann LaFave Sayers ’05
Leigh Ann LaFave Sayers ’05 sits in the Alma record books as one of the most dominant pitchers in the history of the softball program. A four-time First Team All-MIAA selection, LaFave was lights out in league play every season. The hurler amassed an 18-4 record in MIAA play, with a 60-15 record overall.
The Class of 2024 will be inducted into the Hall of Fame Sept. 27. For more information, visit almascots.com
- Samantha (Coykendall) Garvie ’15
That concept of “belonging” is central to the college’s retention strategy — designed to keep students who come to Alma stay until they graduate. The strategy is working: 94.2 percent of Alma first-year students retained from fall to winter in the 2023-24 academic year, an increase of 0.8 percent from the previous year and 3.9 percent from 2021-22.
For the past few years, first-year students at Alma College are greeted at orientation by a group of current students who are cheering for them as they enter the college, while wearing t-shirts emblazoned with the slogan, “You belong here.”
“It used to be the case that colleges would tell students, ‘Come to this office and get what you need,’ or ‘Come find your way here.’ Today’s student asks us to provide that sense of community to them — don’t make them find it on their own,” said Damon Brown, vice president for student
Feeling at home in ‘Scotland, USA’
Belonging initiatives help students stay at Alma until graduation
, U l u at h ves
affairs and chief diversity officer. “With that mindset, we’ve been able to shift our approach in how we connect with students. It’s been a lot of hard work, but it’s wonderful to see it pay off.”
Brown explained that Alma utilizes a three-pronged approach to belonging, one that ties in academic, social and community aspects of campus life. It’s an approach that doesn’t end in the area of student affairs, he said — rather, every office on campus has united around the goal of improving the rate of retention.
That approach starts early in a student’s academic career, even before they set foot in a classroom. Becoming a Scot Day and Tartan 101 are a set of orientation programs that take place in the summer and aim to provide welcoming introductions to Alma College. There, new students can acclimate to their surroundings, build relationships with their peers and become familiar with the resources available to them.
“By offering a diverse range of activities and programs that cater to various interests and preferences, these activities demonstrate the college’s commitment to supporting students’ holistic development and well-being,” said Alice Kramer, assistant vice president for student affairs. “This holistic approach not only enhances each student’s overall college experience, but contributes to their likelihood of persisting and thriving at Alma College.”
Another way the college has sought to improve students’ sense of belonging, and improve retention, is through the creation of livinglearning communities (LLCs). LLCs allow for students with common academic, cultural, or social interests to live together in on-campus housing and receive various supports guided by their goals.
The college’s first LLC, designed for students of color, was introduced in 2021. Named after Julius Chatman, the first student of
color in the college’s history, the Julius Chatman Living Learning Community (JCLLC) saw its first class of students graduate in 2024: Morgan Leake, a nursing major from Southfield, Mich., and DeQuan Powell, a business administration major from Detroit, Mich.
Even more proof of the success of the JCLLC is in the students’ grade-point averages: in the 2023-24 academic year, they reached a collective 3.2 GPA, the highest mark in the program’s history.
“Something really special about the JCLLC was that feeling of community. I live right next to people that I know and can talk to any time. Those are the same people that I eat lunch with or sit in class with. We’re all going through the same things, so if one of us is struggling, we’re able to help because we see it, too,” Powell said. “To be the first graduate of this program, along with Morgan, is a huge honor. It feels like we’re starting a legacy.”
Raising the retention rate
Staff and faculty at Alma College have worked diligently to improve the college’s rate of retention — defined as the process of keeping students actively enrolled in their degree program from their first year until they graduate. Those efforts are paying off, as shown in this graph, that shows an improvement in fall-to-winter retention among first-year students since 2018.
Alma College’s international programming continues to expand learning opportunities — and borders — for students.
Alma College’s reputation as an excellent liberal arts institution is well known — not only in the United States, but increasingly, abroad as well.
A growing number of international students have come to Alma College in recent years, driven not only by the promise of receiving an outstanding education, but by the college’s efforts to recruit them. In 2023, Alma welcomed 45 international students from countries as far-ranging as the United Kingdom, South Korea and Qatar — a dramatic increase from a decade ago, when the college had just seven international students on campus.
The college expects to add more international students, in pursuit of both graduate and undergraduate degrees, thanks to collaborative agreements that were signed with admissions consulting firms in India in January. These agreements may eventually go beyond simply enrolling students and extend into faculty exchange programs, as well.
“These agreements provide a much more robust, systemic approach to bringing international students to the campus of Alma College than what we’ve had previously,” said Victor Finch, associate vice president of graduate and professional enrollment. “What we find wherever we go is that international students relish the opportunity to study at a prestigious liberal arts institution like Alma College, for the interdisciplinary education that it provides and the training to become an adaptable leader in any industry in which they may enter.”
As more and more international students come to Alma, it’s imperative for the college to meet them where they’re at, in order to ensure they have positive experiences despite being far away from home.
The International Club is one example of ways in which the college fosters a sense of belonging for students from outside the United States. While being open to students, faculty and staff from any country, “I-Club” regularly hosts meetings for those involved to share stories and resources, as well as culturally appropriate events throughout the year.
Chih-Ping Chen, associate professor of English, is a faculty advisor to I-Club. She says the perspective that international students bring to the college is invaluable for the campus community on a whole.
“You don’t necessarily need to travel in order to see the world. At Alma College, students see the world come to them, because we invite international students to campus,” Chen said. “What we try to do in I-Club is to foster friendships within the international student community, so that these students are comfortable with branching out and making friends in other social circles.”
At top, Mariem Hamdi ’24, of Tunis, Tunisia, and at bottom is George Amoako ’24, of Accra, Ghana.
Growing Global
George Amoako is one of those international students. A member of the Class of 2024, Amoako came to Alma from Accra, Ghana. While he said that his early days in Alma were a little rough — he had never seen snow before arriving in Michigan — the campus community eventually made him feel welcome.
Amoako later became president of I-Club, on top of a number of other involvements on campus. He graduated summa cum laude and was a finalist for the Barlow Trophy, Alma’s most prestigious prize for a graduating senior.
“Alma is a great, great school,” said Amoako, who majored in biochemistry. “All of my friends from back home tell me they are jealous of the education I’ve received here. What I-Club tries to do is make everything that happens outside of the classroom just as fun as the things that happen in it.”
Mariem Hamdi is another example of an international student who took what Alma College had to offer and made it hers. Also a member of the Class of 2024, during her time at Alma, Hamdi revived the Muslim Student Organization, in order to share information about Muslim culture and faith throughout the world.
“This is a great school because of the attitudes of people who go here,” said Hamdi, a native of Tunis, Tunisia. “I’m thousands of miles away from my real home, but I feel like I am at home anyway. People want to learn from you here, and teach you what they know.”
In recent years, recruitment of international students has become a central part of the overall enrollment strategy at Alma College. This graph shows the growing number of students who have come to Alma from outside the United States over the past seven years.
Alma College officials are pictured with administrators from the Vidyalankar School of Information Technology in January. Pictured from left are Vidyalankar Chief Executive Officer Shweta Apte, Alma College Associate Vice President of Graduate and Professional Enrollment Victor Finch, Chief Operating Officer and Dean of Graduate Programs Tim Pinnow, Vidyalankar Principal Rohini Kelkar and Vice Principal Asif Rampurawala.
The Alma College Library, inside the Greg
is seen in this Fall 2023
Hatcher Learning Commons,
photo.
A first-class credential
Graduate programs are giving a whole new generation of Scots the qualifications they need to improve their communities.
In just a few short years, graduate studies at Alma College have grown from merely an idea to a series of popular programs that are creating a whole new generation of Scots.
The highlights are apparent to any observer of the college’s social media channels or website.
The Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Creative Writing program this past winter took part in its first overseas residency, in Venice, Italy. The Master of Science in Communication and Information Technology (CIT) is set to celebrate its first class of graduates in 2025.
The newer graduate programs have reason to celebrate, too. The Master of Arts in Special Education program recently honored its first class of graduates. A Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) degree was introduced this past fall.
Pictured on opposite page is the Alma College Master of Fine Arts program in Venice, Italy. Pictured at top right are Peggy Yates, director of the Master of Arts in Special Education program, and 2024 graduate Tracy Haroff. At bottom right is Julie Robinson, director of the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program.
“What I believe we’re seeing is the vision of the ‘Evergreen’ dynamic plan, which sought to offer new avenues for learning, and serve new markets, come to life,” said Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Sean Burke. “For many years, Alma College has done an excellent job of serving undergraduate populations. What we’ve done recently is rise to the challenge of meeting the market’s demands for students with master’s degrees.”
When Alma’s MFA program was designed, organizers wanted to emphasize the concept of “place” within the minds of students — essentially, the idea that respect and love for a writer’s surroundings can influence their work in prominent and beneficial ways. Early residencies brought students to northern Michigan, where they went on hikes and fly-fished in one of the most beautiful regions of the United States.
It was only a matter of time, according to MFA founding director Sophfronia Scott, that residencies would take students abroad. The residency in Venice attracted students to take part in the program and once there, inspired their writing to new heights.
“One student noted, ‘Venice should only exist within a fantasy book ... but it’s real!’ His thoughts on world-building had shifted, helping him see that he didn’t necessarily have to create a fantastic location from scratch — the foundation of wonder already exists in places like Venice,” Scott said.
“For many years, Alma College has done an excellent job of serving undergraduate populations. What we’ve done recently is rise to the challenge of meeting the market’s demands for students with master’s degrees.”
— Sean Burke, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
The Master of Arts in Special Education program, launched in 2023, graduated 19 students in July. The fully-online, grant-funded program will help fill an important need for Michigan by helping train teachers in needed roles, said Peggy Yates, associate professor and director of the program.
“There is a major shortage of teachers in Michigan who have the credentials that we are offering to provide them. I think Alma College is doing its job to alleviate this shortage, which is, quite frankly, a humanitarian cause,” Yates said.
Alma launched its fourth graduate program, the CMHC degree, in May. The limited-residency program is led by Julie Robinson, a licensed clinical professional counselor who has served as an administrator in accredited programs for more than 25 years.
“Similar to special education teachers, there is a severe need for professionals in Michigan who have this type of credential,” Robinson said. “Our students are learning about topics including trauma, marriage and family therapy, substance abuse, grief and bereavement, behavior modification, crisis intervention and more, which benefit our communities as well as provide them with outstanding jobs for many years in the future.”
Learn more about Alma College’s graduate programs at alma.edu/graduate-programs.
Neeb receives Barlow Trophy
Taylor Neeb ’24 is the 2024 recipient of the Barlow Trophy, Alma College’s most prestigious award for a graduating senior. Established in 1949 by Dr. Joel Barlow, a 1929 honors graduate of Alma College, the award recognizes academic achievement for students in the top 10 percent of their class as well as contributions to campus and community.
Dickson illustrates two published books
Associate Professor of Art and Design Jillian Dickson has illustrated two books which were published in 2023. Sweet Sand Traditions is a children’s story where extended family come together for a beach vacation. Doodled Definitions is a collection of odd and obscure words, along with their definitions and illustrations from Dickson that further define the word with visuals.
New members inducted into Phi Beta Kappa for 2023-24
Seven Alma College students have been selected for membership in Phi Beta Kappa, America’s most prestigious scholastic honorary society: George Amoako ’24, Brenden Coulter ’24, and juniors Ava Gilbert, Samuel Sircely, Sophia Cooney, Ryan Gray and Kylie Lewis. This year marks the 45th anniversary of Alma College’s chapter, which was founded in 1979.
Pine River Anthology recognized for excellence
Pine River Anthology, a juried annual magazine consisting of art, poems, and other short prose written by Alma College students, has been recognized for excellence in the 2023 Recognizing Excellence in Art and Literary Magazines program, following publication of its 2022-23 edition, “Dichotomy.”
Federal funding secured for development of small business hub
Alma College and the city of Alma, along with several regional partners, will benefit from a $2-million earmark in the federal government funding bill signed in March, which is going toward development of a state-of-theart, regionally-focused small business hub, called the Center for Small Business Innovation, Incubation and Development (BIID) for Mid-Michigan.
BPA wins first-place award at national conference
The Business Professionals of America team competed at the 2024 National Leadership Conference in May in Chicago, Ill., and won one first-place award, along with eight top-10 finishes. Victoria Posey, of Elwell, Mich., won a first-place award in the Legal Office Procedures category.
New program works to benefit pre-law and business students
Alma College has started a new alumni mentoring program, Plaid Returns, with the intention of fostering meaningful relationships between mentors and undergraduate students who assist students in identifying professional goals and navigating their career paths. As part of the program, each student is paired with an alumni mentor based on similar interests with whom they meet monthly throughout the duration of the program.
Students win Kapp Prizes at Honors Day
Over 145 Alma College students participated in 84 different presentations in Alma College’s 28th annual Kapp Honors Day program April 4. Kapp Prizes winners included Syd Lopez ’24, in the arts and humanities category, George Amoako ’24, in the natural sciences category, and Noah Festerling ’24, in the social sciences category.
Model UN wins big at national competition
Faculty Andison
and Barlow award winners announced
Professor of History Patrick Furlong is the 2024 recipient of the Andison Award for Excellence in Teaching, while Paul Cameron Russell Professor of Music Dave Zerbe and Gunda S. Kaiser Professor of Spanish Deb Dougherty received this year’s Barlow Awards for Faculty Excellence.
The Model United Nations team competed at the 2024 National Model UN Conference in April in New York City and received three “outstanding delegation” awards for its representations of Bangladesh, Zimbabwe and Senegal, along with numerous individual accolades. The national conference is considered the world’s largest and most prestigious collegiate Model UN competition.
Vostrizansky becomes Alma’s 30th Fulbright scholar
Maria Vostrizansky ’24 has been selected as Alma’s 30th Fulbright Scholar since 2003. Vostrizansky, a double-major in political science and history, will use the award to teach English at schools in the Czech Republic. Following her 10-month experience in the Czech Republic, she will enter The Fletcher School at Tufts University to pursue a master’s degree.
Students collaborate with city leaders on prize-winning project
A team of three students at Alma College, led by faculty advisor Alex Montoye ’10, in May won a first-place prize in the Michigan Campus Community Challenge, through the Michigan Colleges Alliance. The students’ project was called “Exercise for Health and Safety” and involved a collaboration with the City of Alma police and fire departments.
COMMENCEMENT 2024
“In becoming the truest version of myself — recognizing my innermost passions, identities, and values throughout my time at Alma College — I then have the opportunity to create the most meaningful change.”
Taylor Neeb, Class of 2024
Honoring a legend
Dorothy “Dottie” Johnson was announced as the first winner of the Alma College Lynne Sherwood Women’s Leadership Award at a reception before family, friends and the Alma College community in March.
“I am deeply honored to be recognized by Alma College in Lynne’s name. Lynne was a role model for us all,” Johnson said. Johnson, of Grand Haven, Mich., is a graduate of the University of California, Berkeley and the Harvard-Radcliffe Program in Business Administration. She served as the founding president and CEO of the Council of Michigan Foundations, the largest regional association of grant-makers in the country.
Before taking the role within the Council of Michigan Foundation, Johnson was highly involved in Grand Haven city government and was the first female planning commissioner in Grand Haven. She has served in many nonprofit and philanthropic roles, including as trustee of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation for 32 years, founding commissioner of the Michigan Community Service Commission and the board of the Kellogg Company.
“Dottie Johnson has been a leader for all Michigan, as president of the Council of Michigan Foundations for 25 years, chair of the Board of Trustees of Grand Valley State University, and in countless other roles. She has mentored women leaders throughout her career. She has also been a great friend to Alma College through the years. I am delighted that she is the first recipient of the Alma College Lynne Sherwood Women’s Leadership Award,” Alma College President Jeff Abernathy said.
The Alma College Lynne Sherwood Women’s Leadership Award was created this year to honor women in the state of
Dorothy Johnson receives inaugural Lynne Sherwood Women’s Leadership Award
Michigan from a variety of fields who have made an impact in leadership roles. The award will be given on an annual basis, with its winners being decided by a committee of leaders on the campus of Alma College.
Among the guests at the event were Saundra Tracy, Alma College’s 12th president, and the first female president in the now-138-year history of Alma College. Tracy spoke of her personal relationships with both Sherwood and Johnson prior to the award being given.
Sherwood, a native of Grand Haven, Mich., was one of only eight of the first women admitted to the Master of Business Administration program at Harvard Business School in 1963. She graduated from Harvard the following year and moved on to what was then known as Goldman, Sachs & Co., where she was the first female MBA to be hired by the firm.
Sherwood had a distinguished career with Goldman Sachs, serving for 35 years as securities analyst, vice president and associate director of special projects, before returning to Grand Haven. She took on various roles with the JSJ Corporation, including chairman, while becoming deeply engaged in philanthropic efforts locally and around the state of Michigan. Sherwood passed away in 2016.
“It is a privilege to honor the life and legacy of Lynne Sherwood with the naming of this award,” Abernathy said.
“Lynne Sherwood was a trailblazer for women everywhere and she never forgot her roots here in the state of Michigan. She served on the Alma College Board of Trustees for more than a decade, from 2002-16. We are tremendously grateful for her service to our institution, as well as everywhere else she served.”
Dorothy “Dottie” Johnson accepts the first Alma College Lynne Sherwood Women’s Leadership Award. Inset is Lynne Sherwood.
Scholarships
for Spanish majors, international students and music students
Spanish professorship
International student travel
Music department
Faculty summer research grants t
Gifts based in love
The name of the late Gunda Kaiser has become synonymous with Alma College for different reasons over the course of 60-plus years.
For many, Kaiser is remembered as an innovative teacher, a generous colleague and a passionate advocate for liberal education. She was a member of the college’s faculty for three decades, from 1958 until her retirement in 1988. She served on every major campus committee and as an associate trustee, and she chaired the Foreign Language and Spanish departments, as well as the Humanities Division. Her contributions include development of international study programs in Spain and Mexico.
$3.5 million planned gift
Gunda Kaiser’s estate gift will help Alma College students well into the future.
Kaiser passed away in 2015 at the age of 92.
To a more recent generation, Kaiser is best known for her generosity. She provided for Alma College through her estate plan, making a lasting impact on Alma College students well into the future.
“The people who had Gunda has a professor knew that she loved them,” said Vice President for Advancement Bob Murray.
“She was a ‘tough’ professor, but she was absolutely committed. Her giving was so intentional, which aligns perfectly with her character. She lived in the liberal arts space for her entire life and loved it. That’s why she gave to the college in this way.”
Your planned gift to Alma College can create a lasting legacy that reflects your commitment to Alma College. Learn more by scanning this QR code or visiting plannedgiving.alma.edu.
Coming) Home
There was once a guy who wrote a book that became most famous for its title: “You Can’t Go Home Again.” I guess I’m living proof that the opposite is, in fact, true. My name is Bob Murray, and I’m a proud member of the Class of 1988 at Alma College.
I returned to Alma College as the vice president for advancement in October 2023. If my name sounds familiar, it might be because I previously served in the college’s advancement office for 22 years. I was the director of planned giving for most of that time and later added the role of campaign executive director. Coming back to Alma was incredibly exciting for me, and I’m grateful to have received the call from President Jeff Abernathy, asking me to return.
In 2017, I left to join the advancement staff at Ferris State University to build a skillset I didn’t have at the time. Having had those experiences, I’m thrilled to bring them back to Alma — a place that I consider home.
It’s an incredibly exciting time to be at Alma College. Our students do amazing work — in the classroom, laboratory, stage, community, chapel, on the field of play, and on so many other fronts. They surpass anything I did when I was in school, I can assure you. Our staff, faculty, and administrators are a high-caliber group, deeply motivated and devoted to student success. Our mission and values have never been more clearly expressed on this campus, or, frankly, needed in our world.
But that is not exactly why I answered President Abernathy’s call, not the real reason I came back to Alma College. When I considered whether to return, I thought of my first year at the college. I did not know what I wanted to do, except to focus on all things non-academic and have fun doing it. While I had an exciting time, I wasn’t living up to my potential.
Several professors were looking out for me, but Dr. Ronald Kapp, a longtime biology professor and provost, was my “North Star.” Kapp Honors Day and the Ronald O. Kapp Science Laboratory Center are named after him.
For some reason, Dr. Kapp saw fit to write me into his busy schedule. After my first year, he told me he wanted to see me once a week, every week; this continued until I graduated. So that’s what I did, every Thursday at 11 a.m.: go see Dr. Kapp at Swanson Academic Center and tell him how I was doing in class and in life. Thanks to Dr. Kapp’s guidance, along with my other inspirational faculty mentors, I graduated, moved on, and have had a very gratifying career.
He wanted to make sure I was going to be okay. Unfortunately, Dr. Kapp passed away in 1990, not long after I graduated. However, my family and I were pleased to continue a vibrant friendship with his wife, Phyllis, and stayed close with her until her own death just a few years ago. I will never forget Dr. Kapp’s kind gesture as this has shaped my work and view of the world.
That’s the real reason I came back to Alma College, I think: the people who are here. Not just the people who “were” here, but the people who are here now. They are the next generation of campus leaders, like Dr. Kapp and so many other extraordinary faculty, who are helping guide our students onto wonderful life journeys. I am here to help them.
I hope you will join me. Advancement work is an adventure, and it’s more fun the more people who get involved. We have some very exciting projects in the works, including our new athletics fieldhouse, science facility, and building our endowment. You will hear more about those projects in the future.
For now, I have a simple favor to ask: wear your Alma College gear and wear it with pride. I recall Dr. Kapp telling me why he wore an Alma baseball cap whenever he traveled. Wherever you go, he said, it will make you feel like you are back at home.
Go Scots!
Robert W. Murray
Vice President for Advancement murrayrw@alma.edu (989) 463-7614
Ask an alum
We talked to five young alumni and asked: Why did you choose to come to Alma College? Here is what they told us.
Antuan Featherstone ’09 | Hometown: Detroit, Mich.
Current occupation: Program manager at the University of Michigan School of Social Work
When I was a high school student, a counselor told me, “You are very active and involved in things here. When you go to college, you don’t want to get lost at a large institution. Sometimes, it’s good to be a big fish in a small pond.” The rest is history!
I think that what stuck with me from my time at Alma College are the opportunities to build relationships by working with various student populations and the college’s faculty and staff in different capacities. The interdisciplinary education you receive at Alma prepares you to be an analytical and critical thinker, which is great for any field you enter.
Calli Ackels ’20 | Hometown: Alma, Mich.
Current occupation: Associate director of Title IX at Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania
Alma offered me the ability to stay close to home while providing opportunities to see the world, which no other school could provide.
Beyond the coursework, the faculty at Alma were incredibly kind to me. The kindness they showed prepared me to treat the people I work with now — people who have experienced trauma in the form of sexual harassment and misconduct — with kindness. I really appreciate that.
Sasha Laykova ’17 | Hometown: Grand Rapids, Mich.
Current occupation: Resident in general surgery at Corewell Health
I’ve played volleyball for most of my life, and when I was deciding where to go to college, athletics was a big part of that decision. Alma gave me an opportunity to play and I had a great time — I played all four years that I was a student. Through athletics, we also had lots of opportunities to interact with the community. I became involved with the local Big Brothers Big Sisters of America organization and that was a rewarding experience. I also got to go to Cabo San Lucas, in Mexico, for Spring Term, where I studied the physics behind surfing. It was so interesting.
Neil Youngdahl ’15 | Hometown: Jackson, Mich.
Current occupation: Litigation attorney at Varnum LLP
I think a lot about 1-on-1 relationships with faculty mentors. At a small school like Alma, we spend a lot of time together, and the history department faculty — Liping Bu, Patrick Furlong, and especially Kristin Olbertson — along with Bob Cunningham in the business department, were very happy to share everything they could in order to help me succeed.
One of my big highlights from Alma was working with Dr. Olbertson on a research project that I ended up presenting at a Phi Alpha Theta regional conference. I ended up winning an award for legal history research, which helped me realize I was doing the right things with my career goals.
Abigail Scharboneau ’18 | Hometown: Dundee, Mich.
Current occupation: Veterinarian at State Road Animal Hospital in Alma
The academics at Alma are not easy, which is a really good thing. The work that I put into getting my degrees at Alma prepared me for the rigors of going into a graduate-level program — I was ready to put in the work, and that is half of the challenge. I also found that what I studied in undergrad was very relevant to what I studied in graduate school. Beyond that, I had a lot of interesting experiences. I went to Costa Rica for Spring Term with Dr. Sarah Neumann to study poison dart frogs, and I ended up being asked about it during the graduate school interview process. It’s really beneficial for undergraduates to have something like that on their applications.
Honoring our departed Scots
Alma College mourns the loss of alumni, friends, faculty, staff and students who have passed away. This page specifically honors the lives of the college community members whose passing we have become aware of since the last issue of The Tartan. To continue paying meaningful tribute to those we have lost, we have created a webpage where you can view full obituaries for each person. Visit alma.edu/in-memoriam to learn more.
1940s
Jean Sadler Bronson ’47
Nancy Harden Baxter ’48
1950s
William G. Pope ’50
June Richards Etzel ’51
Eugene Vance Reed ’51
Marjorie McConnell Richards ’51
Shirley Campbell Robinson ’51
Ruth Rose Colsell ’52
Carl J. Smith ’52
Clifford N. Cummings Jr. ’53
Robert W. King ’53
James W. Johnson ’54
John C. Acton ’56
James E. Ford ’57
Joe A. Lindsey ’58
William E. Woodland ’58
Doris Turnbull Aslyn ’59
David K. Hogberg ’59
Frances Erickson Leonard ’59
Frances Wight Meyer ’59
1960s
Kay Patton Dahlgren ’60
Willard S. Wallgren ’60
Richard Colbry ’61
Robert N. Sawyer Jr. ’61
Robert T. Scott ’61
Susan Beatty McCollister ’62
Bruce B. Brintnall ’63
Harry Nicholie ’63
Raymond E. Moore ’64
John W. Peace Sr. ’64
J. Stephen Colladay ’65
James W. Martz ’65
Beverly Jo Brown Schultz ’66
Jane Butterfield Battles ’67
Anne E. Rowell ’68
Carol Melvin Wallace ’68
Susan Hamel ’69
1970s
Susan Muir ’72
David Merle Scarlett ’72
Karen Ricketts Gauthier ’74
Mary Parkhurst Reindel ’75
Alison Scott Ricker ’75
Carter L. Lahring ’76
Susan Winchester Rhoades ’79
1980s
James A. Shaw ’80 2000s
Kristin Parshay ’02
2010s
Christopher M. Waters ’10
Former Faculty and Staff
Peter A. Dollard
Henry E. Klugh III
Robert L. Rozier
Robert W. Smith
Paul Splitstone
Mary van den Bergh
Friends of the College
Sue Arntson
Ramon V. Battles
Martha Beld
Jerry L. Collier
Larry J. Cross
Rita J. Curtis
Mildred A. Dibble
Bonnie Edgar
Dominick V. Gagliardi
Donna Howe
Helen J. McLaughlin
Larry G. Ott
Stanley E. Preshaw
Dorothy I. Schoeffler
James H. Seals Sr.
Mathias J. Skowronski
Barbara Snyder
Marilyn “Jean” Vest
Margaret Wagner
Kevork “George” Gazmararian passed away
on Nov. 30, 2023
Gazmararian, lovingly referred to as “Gaz,” taught at Alma College for 30 years before retiring in 1996. He was chair of the business administration department and director of the international business administration program. He also developed and led study abroad programs in Europe and Australia. Upon retirement, former students established an endowed chair in his honor.
“Gaz” is remembered as a kind soul and generous heart for everyone he met. He loved animals and nature, with a particular affection for penguins, and enjoyed watching the deer and ducks at his home in East Lansing. For a 20-year period, he published an annual “Christmas list” (“Gaz’s list”) of securities of future growth companies that he shared with his students, family and friends. He was proud of the 19.8-percent average return of his list and considered it a gift he could share with others.
David
K. Chapoton passed away on Jan. 10, 2024
Chapoton served on the Alma College Board of Trustees beginning in 1998, and was a Trustee Emeritus since 2020. He served as chair of the board for three years. In 2006, Chapoton was awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws degree. He was a Class of 1957 non-degree alumnus. He credited his Alma education for providing him a “lifelong value, and it’s one of the liberal arts and the opportunities it gave me to have a broad base of understanding in so many things in life.”
After college, Chapoton entered the business world. After working for many years at a family business, he bought an A&W hot dog stand, which led to many franchise businesses throughout his life, the last of which was Tastee-Freez International, Inc. He eventually retired as the CEO of that company.
ALUMNInotes
Tell us what’s new!
Craig Wesley ’72 is volunteering as an interpretive guide for Rails and Trails, a collaborative effort between the National Park Service and Amtrak. He represented the National Park Service throughout the summer on trains running between Seattle and Portland.
Jay R. Drick ’73 has been elected chairman of the Livingston County (Mich.) Board of Commissioners for the 2024-25 year.
The first book by Michael Altman ’80, “Referrals: Go Big or Go Home,” was published in 2023 and ranked No. 1 on an Amazon bestseller list. Altman’s next work, “Docs on the Run,” will be a book and screenplay based on the real-life stories of the Flying Doctors of America.
Dave Kakenmaster ’80 has lived in Colorado for 35 years with wife Trish. They have two children, including a daughter who lives in Maryland with her spouse and two lovely daughters, and a son who lives in South Bend, Ind., and is finishing up a Ph.D. at the University of Notre Dame.
Rebecca (Banks) Moulton ’82 has been a Spanish teacher at Northwest High School in Jackson, Mich., for 28 years. She presents sessions related to language teaching and also serves as a teacher coach at summer language conferences. She and Dede (Frey) Rush ’01 enjoy being colleagues and recommending Alma to their students.
The International Housewares Association has named Bill McHenry ’83 to its board of directors. He will serve on the board for two 3-year terms. McHenry is the founder and CEO of Widgeteer, Inc.
The Tartan and your friends want to know what you are doing these days. Submit your news online at alma.edu/alumni-notes.
Paul Ganus ’83 was featured in the Netflix film “Atlas,” which premiered in May. In “Atlas,” Ganus stars alongside superstar singer/actress Jennifer Lopez as a counterterrorism analyst, working to capture a rogue robot as it spirals out of control.
On Nov. 15, 2023, the Michigan Supreme Court appointed Deborah L. (Myers) McNabb ’84 as 17th Circuit Court (Kent County) chief judge. The other 13 judges of the 17th Circuit unanimously recommended her for the position. Her term as chief judge began on Jan. 1, 2024. McNabb was first elected in 2016.
Andrea Short ’84 was promoted to president of 1st Source Bank in May. Prior to this promotion, she served as executive vice president of the corporation and will continue to serve as president and CEO of 1st Source Bank. She also remains a member of the Board of Directors of both 1st Source Corporation and 1st Source Bank.
The Rev. Nick Berlanga ’85 was named pastor of the Goodrich (Mich.) United Methodist Church in October.
Theresa Dean-Rumsey ’86 has been honored with an Excellence In Education award, designed to recognize outstanding publicschool educators from around the state, from the Michigan Lottery. Dean-Rumsey is an English teacher at Hesperia (Mich.) High School.
Jill (Charron) Lewis ’87 has been the executive director of the nonprofit Southeast Michigan Land Conservancy (SMLC) for more than 16 years. In February, the SMLC was awarded national accreditation — a distinction that fewer than half of land trusts in the United States have achieved.
Kerry W. Meyer ’87 was elected to serve a two-year term as chief judge of Minnesota’s 4th Judicial District. Meyer has served the 4th District since her appointment in August 2006. She has presided over all levels of criminal cases and served as the criminal presiding judge from 2017-20. She has also spent multiple years in the juvenile and civil divisions, and more than three years in treatment courts.
BA Short ’90 completed directing and editing the film “We are the Most Beautiful People: Adults with Disabilities” in 2023. The film is currently shown in film festivals around the globe. BA also co-founded Crow & Moon Productions, a small, social-justice minded production company providing marginalized folks the opportunity to amplify their stories and experiences.
In March, Jennifer Smith Deegan ’94 was appointed by Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to the 31st Circuit Probate Court for St. Clair County. Smith Deegan is the senior assistant prosecuting attorney in the St. Clair County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.
Andrea (Campbell) Tuttle ’95 in December was named superintendent of the Grosse Pointe (Mich.) Public School System. She had served as superintendent and human resources director for Owosso (Mich.) Public Schools since 2010.
Erin Emery-Tiburcio ’95 was awarded a Fulbright Scholar award to culturally tailor and provide a training program for mental health providers about working with older adults in Australia in 2025.
Loren Baidas ’97 has been named chief executive officer at General RV, a recreation vehicle dealership in Birch Run, Mich. Baidas had previously served as company president for nearly 20 years.
Scott Hill ’00 was re-elected to serve as the executive partner of Varnum LLP, where he has practiced law for 20 years. Renee (DeGraaf) ’98 and he are sending their oldest child off to college this fall while their other three boys remain active in school, swimming, baseball and soccer.
Carrie Rau ’00 recently accepted a new position as an Environmental Quality Analyst with the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE). She is assigned to the Drinking Water and Environmental Health Division, working on investigating and pursuing enforcement actions for violations of the Safe Drinking Water Act.
The Rev. Melissa (Van Wert) Allison ’01 was elected to serve as the stated clerk for the Presbytery of Detroit for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in September 2023. Previously, she has served as pastor of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Ann Arbor, Mich.
Becky Durling ’02, who teaches Young Fives at Discovery Elementary in Williamston, Mich., has been selected as a Michigan Finalist for the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST).
Nikole L. Canute ’02 was recently selected for inclusion in Crain’s 2024 edition of “Notable Women in the Law.” She was selected as a notable attorney for her impact in the types of cases and clients assisted, serving as a role model and mentor to other attorneys and assuming leadership roles in professional organizations and community service initiatives.
Jennifer Towns ’04 earned her Ph.D. in 2018. She is the current program director for Adrian College’s Bachelor of Social Work program, and a lecturer at the University of Michigan’s Master of Social Work program. She recently published a book, “Our Deepest Roots: Navigating Past Trauma to Build Healthier Queer Relationships.”
Michael Zywicki ’05 has been promoted to the position of vice president of programs and engagement at Oregon-based Anthem Memory Care. He will oversee Anthem Memory Care’s culture.
Raymond Ribitch ’06 in January was honored with accreditation by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, in recognition of his dedication to continuing education and responsible patient care. Ribitch owns and operates a private practice in Mount Pleasant, Mich.
Laura (Matelski) ’06 and Matt Wierenga ’07 welcomed their daughter, Gwendolyn Alice Wierenga, on Feb. 7, 2024. The family lives in Lowell, Mich.
Margo Strebig ’06 married Shane Celeste on Sept. 23, 2023, in a beautiful celebration surrounded by many friends from Alma College, including college roommates Scottie Barton ’06, Loren Eisenlohr ’06 and Tessia Pash ’06. The couple reside in both Chicago — Margo is employed at the University of Chicago — and southwest Michigan, where they own a food cart and catering business.
Marcus Hong ’07 has been appointed the director of lifelong learning and associate professor of practical theology at Louisville (Ky.) Presbyterian Theological Seminary.
Tyler Wellman ’08 is now the coach of the Midland (Mich.) High School football team. Wellman last served as head coach of the Flint Powers Catholic High School football team.
Lisa (Hanson) Molina ’09 welcomed a second child, Inara Molina, into the world on Nov. 22, 2023, with husband Stoney.
Audrey (Gebbie) Hobe ’12 and her husband Matt welcomed their first son, Finnian Alexander, on July 8, 2023. He made his Alma Homecoming debut at only three months old.
Hailey Nova Quinn ’14 earned a master’s degree from Central Michigan University in 2017. They currently run a queer publishing company, Nova and Mali, with their wife, creating LGBTQ- and POC-inclusive books with artists from around the world. In their spare time, the couple fosters cats and kittens — 92 and counting!
Alora Adams ’15 and her partner Zac Frappier welcomed their first child, Lachlan Willow Frappier, on Dec. 19, 2023. He already loves listening to the sounds of “Loch Lomond.”
Neil Youngdahl ’15 has been named chair of the Young Lawyers Division of the Federal Bar Association for the Western District of Michigan. Youngdahl works as a litigation attorney for Varnum, in Grand Rapids, Mich.
Addie Loftus-Olgac ’16 obtained her Doctor of Medicine degree and is currently in a residency program at Munson Medical Center in Traverse City, Mich., specializing in geriatric medicine.
Greg Goffee ’17 was hired as the new recreation director of Fowlerville (Mich.) Community Schools in April. As part of his new responsibilities, he’ll focus on supporting the district’s middle and elementary school sports programs.
Emily Jodway ’19 married her longtime partner, Noah Patyna, May 18 in Bath, Mich. Haley Valente ’18, Maddie Pail ’19 and Rachel Blome ’21 all served as bridesmaids. Jodway works in the communications department of the College of Social Science at Michigan State University, and is a youth softball coach. Patyna is a product owner for Roosevelt Innovations at Delta Dental. The couple reside in East Lansing.
Corbin Thompson ’20 and Chelsea (Faber) ’20 were married at the Andison Chapel May 18.
Connor Hart ’21 accepted the position of database specialist with the Missouri Department of Conservation Science Technical Support Unit. Hart will be based out of the MDC Central Regional Office in Columbia, Mo.
Ryan De Guia-Claypool ’23 was hired by the Michigan Republican Party as a political coordinator.
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The Tartan is published for alumni, students,
of Alma College.
Yuhao Guo ’24, a member of the Alma College eSports team, competes at Blockhouse in this spring 2024 photo.