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Senior Awards Ceremony Salutes Excellence

Posted on June 18, 2024June 18, 2024

Congratulations to the following Kalamazoo College students who received awards during the 2024 Senior Awards Ceremony on Saturday, June 15, at Stetson Chapel. The awards include all academic divisions, prestigious scholarships and special non-departmental awards.

Attendee takes picture of mother and son at Senior Awards ceremony

One student walks toward the stage at the Senior Awards Ceremony

Three students honored at the Senior Awards Ceremony

Fine Arts Division

Art and Art History
Lilia Chen Award in Art

Julia Holt
Carolyn Ingram
Kieya Kubert-Davis
Brett Austin Manski
Lillian Mattern
Brooklyn Mohr
Ileana Oeschger
Suha Qashou
Hannah W. Schurman
Gabriel Sharp
Maria Tripodis

Michael Waskowsky Prize

Ana Garcia

Music
Lillian Pringle Baldauf Prize in Music

Drake Butcher
Molly Kohl

Music Department Certificate of Distinction

Lindsey Baker
Jonah Beurkens
Julia Holt
Sharon Huang
Melody Kondoff
Jacob Macks
Abigail Nelson
Grace Ryan
Keegan Sweeney

Fan E. Sherwood Memorial Prize

Molly Kohl

Theatre Arts
Ruth Scott Chenery Award

Brooklyn Moore

Two celebrate honors at the Senior Awards ceremony

Professor congratulates student at Senior Awards ceremony

Six attendees at the Senior Awards ceremony

Modern and Classical Languages Division

Chinese
Chinese Outstanding Achievement Award

Lindsey Baker
Indigo Corvidae
Julia Holt
Elizabeth Nestle

Classical Studies
Clara H. Buckley Prize for Excellence in Latin

Nick Wilson

Departmental Prize in Greek

Nick Wilson

Provost’s Prize in Classics

Georgios Gkolois
Julia Holt

French and Francophone Studies
Alliance Francaise Prize in French

Liz Ballinger

German Studies
Joe Fugate Senior German Award

Kelley Akerley

Japanese
Japanese National Honor Society College Chapter

Shannon Courtney Abbott
Griffin Gheen
Donovan Greene
Victor Guerra Lopez
Kieya Kubert-Davis
Richard Sakurai-Kearns
D.J. Schneider
Christopher Van Alstine
Olivia Wolfe

Spanish Language and Literatures
The Senior Spanish Award

Osman Amaya
Gabriel Coleman
Katie Garcia
Michael Abraham Hume
Jayden Thurmond-Oliver

A man congratulates a student on receiving an award

A person with a cell phone takes a picture of a student with her family

A student attending the Senior Awards ceremony with three members of her family

Humanities Division

American Studies
David Strauss Prize in American Studies

Clare Wren Catallo-Werner
Alejandra Lemus

Critical Ethnic Studies
Cassandra Solis ’16 Prize in Critical Ethnic Studies

Hillary Husson Bawab Yousif

English
Gail Griffin Prize

Jessalyn Vrieland

Bruce E. Mills Award

Sofia Rowland

Elwood H. and Elizabeth H. Schneider Prize in English

Char Nieberding

Mary Clifford Stetson Prize

Elliot Mrak

Dwight (1929) and Leola Stocker Prize

Curtis Bell, Jr.
Olivia Grace Tessin
Madison Elisabeth Walther

Charles Lewis Williams Jr. Award

Ava Fischer

History
James Bird Balch Prize in American History

Eleanor Harris

History Department Award

Alejandra Lemus

Philosophy
Hodge Prize in Philosophy

Anna Budnick
Nikolas Krupka

Department of Philosophy Prize

Anna Budnick
Nikolas Krupka
Lina Moghrabi

Religion
Marion H. Dunsmore (1920) Memorial Prize in Religion

Iris Chalk

A professor congratulates a student at the Senior Awards ceremony

Six students hold prizes at Senior Awards ceremony

Natural Sciences and Mathematics Division

Biology
H. Lewis Batts Prize

Quinn X. Collins
Allison M. Sokacz

The Biology in Liberal Arts Prize

Hannah W. Schurman

Frances Diebold Scholar Award

Mahum Khan
Anna Dolores Murphy
Hannah W. Schurman
Allison M. Sokacz

William E. Praeger (1922) Prize in Biology

Anna Dolores Murphy

Chemistry
American Chemical Society Certified Degree in Chemistry

Jordyn Alise Andrews-Wilson
Lindsey Baker
Anthony Berkimer
Sam Ewald
Ella Kelly
Blake Kelsey
Arman Khan
William Patrick Linehan
Roman Ramos
Mirella Villani

American Chemical Society Undergraduate Student

Holly Bowling

Annual Undergraduate Award in Analytical Chemistry

Ella Kelly

Annual Undergraduate Award in Inorganic Chemistry

Sam Ewald

Annual Undergraduate Award in Organic Chemistry

Jordyn Alise Andrews-Wilson
Lindsey Baker

Annual Undergraduate Award in Physical Chemistry

Anthony Berkimer

Outstanding Chemistry Student from Kalamazoo College

Jordyn Alise Andrews-Wilson

Kurt Kaufman Fellows

Jordyn Alise Andrews-Wilson
Madeleine Coffman
Sam Ewald

Lemuel F. Smith Award

Roman Ramos

Computer Science
Provost’s Prize in Computer Science

Sara Elfring

Mathematics
Clarke Benedict Williams Prize

Matthew Nelson
Xavier Silva

Physics
John Wesley Hornbeck Prize

Jonah Beurkens
Sam Ewald
Matthew Nelson

Three students receive honors at the Senior Awards ceremony

Physical Education Division

George Acker Award

Steven Shelton

Mary Long Burch ’61 Award

Madelaine Hurley

C.W. “Opie” Davis (1928) Award

Gabriel Vidinas

Hornet Athletic Association Award

Harrison Poeszat

Knoechel Family Award

Timothy Karubas

Tish Loveless Award

Hannah Heeren

Lauren Rosenthal ’13 Memorial Prize

Savera Rajendra-Nicolucci

Catherine A. Smith ’82 Prize in Women’s Athletics

Madison Nichole Barch

A student with six family members at Stetson Chapel

Student walks toward the stage at Stetson Chapel

Social Sciences Division

Economics and Business
William G. Howard (1867) Memorial Prize

Andreas Nile Fathalla
Lukas Hultberg
Blagoja Naskovski
Sydney Pickell

Provost’s Prize in Economics

Emma Hahn
Blagoja Naskovski

Robert and Karen Rhoa Prize in Business

Andreas Nile Fathalla
Steven Kloosterman
Christian Paul Kraft

Robert and Karen Rhoa Prize for Outstanding SIP

Christian Paul Kraft

Political Science
E. Bruce Baxter ’64 Memorial Award

Claire F. McCall
Mason Purdy

William G. Howard (1867) Memorial Prize

Maeve Crothers

Eugene P. Stermer ’50 Award in Public Administration

Camran Stack

Psychology
Marshall Hallock Brenner ’55 Prize

Taina Perez

Xarifa Greenquist Memorial Psychology Department Award

Emily Braunohler
Madison Hope Pisano

Richard D. Klein ’53 Senior Award in Psychology

Marquisha James
Ana Abigail Ramirez
Leah Ramirez
Rojina Timsina

Richard D. Klein ’53 Senior Impact Award in Psychology

Emma Quail
Megan Walczak

Donald W. VanLiere Prize in Psychology Coursework

Morgan Fischer
Madison Grace Talarico

Donald W. VanLiere Prize in Psychology Research

Anna Budnick
Rojina Timsina

Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies
Catherine A. Smith ’82 Prize in Human Rights

Ryan Gabrielle Drew

Lucinda Hinsdale Stone Prize in Women’s Studies

Margaret Perry

College Awards

Alpha Lambda Delta Maria Leonard Senior Book Award

Julia Holt

Gordon Beaumont Memorial Award

Jordyn Alise Andrews-Wilson
Anum Khan
Rojina Timsina

Henry ’36 and Inez Brown Award

Madison Nichole Barch
Brynna Garden
Rylie Kipfmueller
Brett Austin Manski

Virginia Hinkelman Memorial Award

Ana Abigail Ramirez

Babette Trader Campus Citizenship and Leadership Award

Brynna Garden

Maynard Owen Williams (1910) Memorial Award

Olivia Depauli
Victor Guerra Lopez
Isabelle Hawkes
Luisa Fernanda Ruiz
Megan Walczak
Andre Walker, Jr.

Student walks toward the stage at Senior Awards ceremony

Fellowships and Scholars

Caroline Ham ’48 Scholars

Vanessa Cardenas
Nikolas Krupka
César Anthony Soria

F. W. and Elsie L. Heyl Scholars

Jordyn Alise Andrews-Wilson
Lukas Bolton
Madeleine Coffman
Emily Hazel Haigh
Bijou Hoehle
Xavier Silva

Marilyn LaPlante Civic Engagement Scholars

Rylie Kipfmueller
Rhys Koellmann
Sydney M. Lenzini
Angeles Munoz Horta
Ana Abigail Ramirez

Senior Leadership Recognition Award

Shannon Courtney Abbott
Shahriar Akhavan Tafti
Darsalam Amir
Jordyn Alise Andrews-Wilson
Lindsey Baker
Liz Ballinger
Madison Nichole Barch
Isabel Chiang
Quinn X. Collins
Michael Abraham Hume’
Madelaine Hurley
Ann Marie Johnston
Ella Kelly
Blagoja Naskovski
Alexandra Noel
Jeremiah Ohren-Hoeft
Margaret Perry
Ana Abigail Ramirez
Ali Randel
César Anthony Soria
Ella Kay Szczublewski
Gabriel Vidinas
Emmeline Grace Fucao Wendel
Olivia Wolfe

Jerry Sherbin Fellowship

Sydney Salgado

Stephanie Vibbert ’03 Civic Engagement Scholar

Rojina Timsina

French Government Teaching Assistantship

Maxine Koos
Megan Walczak

Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship

Julia Holt
Teresa Lucas
Alexandra Noel
Danielle Treyger

Spanish Government Teaching Assistantship

Ali Randel
Andre Walker, Jr.

A family attends the Senior Awards ceremony

One student approaches the stage during the Senior Awards ceremony

Honors in the Major Department

Anthropology and Sociology

Sydney M. Lenzini

Art and Art History

Ana Garcia
Julia Holt
Carolyn Ingram
Kieya Kubert-Davis
Ileana Oeschger
Maria Tripodis

Biochemistry

Jordyn Alise Andrews-Wilson
Madeleine Coffman
Madelaine Hurley

Biology

Katherine Loretta Black
Samantha Major
Eva Metro-Roland
Anna Dolores Murphy
Oliver Rubin
Hannah W. Schurman
Allison M. Sokacz
Hannah Marie Willit

Business

Holly Bowling
Andreas Nile Fathalla
Farah Ghazal
Steven Kloosterman
Christian Paul Kraft
Sydney Pickell

Chemistry

Lindsey Baker
Sam Ewald

Computer Science

Rowan Cook
Sara Elfring

Economics

Emma Hahn
Lukas Hultberg
Blagoja Naskovski

English

Sofia Rowland
Jessalyn Vrieland
Ariana Zito

History

Eleanor Harris
Rylie Kipfmueller
Alejandra Lemus

Mathematics

Matthew Nelson
Xavier Silva

Music

Molly Kohl

Philosophy

Anna Budnick
Nikolas Krupka

Physics

Jonah Beurkens
Sam Ewald
Matthew Nelson

Religion

Iris Chalk
Mason Purdy
Sydney Salgado

Spanish Language and Literatures

Olivia Depauli
Molly Kohl
Megan Ploucha
Danielle Treyger
Madison Elisabeth Walther

Members of Phi Beta Kappa

Kelley Akerley
Shahriar Akhavan Tafti
Jordyn Alise Andrews-Wilson
Liz Ballinger
Jenna Beach
Katherine Loretta Black
Jonah Beurkens
Madeleine Coffman
Ryan Drew
Andreas Nile Fathalla
Morgan Fischer
Nikhil Gandikota
Aliza Garcia
Sophia Haas
Emma Hahn
Emily Hazel Haigh
Lukas Hultberg
Madelaine Hurley
Ella Kelly
Mahum Khan
Rhys Koellmann
Teresa Lucas
Lina Moghrabi
Anna Dolores Murphy
Blagoja Naskovski
Matthew Nelson
Elizabeth Nestle
Sydney Pickell
Megan Ploucha
Roman Ramos
Hannah W. Schurman
Steven Shelton
Xavier Silva
Allison M. Sokacz
Camran Stack
Danielle Treyger
Maria Tripodis
Ifeoma Princess Uwaje

‘Spelling Bee’ Musical Spells Opportunity with a K

Posted on June 12, 2024September 17, 2024

Starting Wednesday, opportunity will be spelled with a K for a local theatre company and several students at Kalamazoo College. That’s because K’s Festival Playhouse and Farmers Alley Theatre are joining forces for nine performances of The 25^th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee at the Nelda K. Balch Playhouse, 129 Thompson St.

The partnership is uniting K students with professional Actors’ Equity Association performers and stage workers who will present what Megan J. Herbst ’25 describes as a laugh-out-loud, super witty and heart-touching comedy about six socially outcast tweens.

“The characters are trying to figure out their own personalities, they’re all competitive and they all love to spell,” said Herbst, who is working in a paid position as an associate assistant stage manager for the show. “There are a few additional supporting characters, but it’s a story of kids coming together and creating bonds between them. It’s easy to connect with so many elements of each character’s story. Even though they’re weird, you will find a soft spot for every one of them. We’ve had test audiences and every person who’s come to see it so far has loved it.”

Herbst is a theatre and psychology double major and religion minor, who pursued acting from sixth grade through high school. When she arrived at K, she wanted to try something new within the theatre world. Since then, Herbst has served as a stage manager, assistant stage manager, scenic designer, fight captain, assistant costumer designer, performer and more for 11 shows with Festival Playhouse. Some of her favorites include Othello; Next to Normal; On the Exhale, a senior integrated project by Brooklyn Moore ‘24; and Be More Chill.

Herbst said her work—and that of several other K students—with Spelling Bee started nearly immediately after Be More Chill, the last Festival Playhouse production of the 2023–24 academic season, ended. That meant a rigorous schedule that included end-of-term academic work and preparing for finals in addition to the challenges of working on a musical, but every experience in working alongside Farmers Alley representatives has been valuable.

“So many college students have summer jobs and I’m grateful that mine is something I’m passionate about,” Herbst said. “It’s a privilege to get to work on my craft because sometimes these opportunities can be far and few in between. I get to do what I love every day, so I’m fortunate that this is not only a paid opportunity, but an opportunity that exists at all.

Six cast members from The 25th annual Putnam County Spelling Bee dressed as tweens for the show — “The characters are trying to figure out their own personalities, they’re all competitive and they all love to spell,” said Megan J. Herbst ’25, who is one of the students working on “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.” Photo by Klose2UPhotography.

Actress rehearses for "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee." — “Spelling Bee” is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 12–Saturday, June 15; 2 p.m. Sunday, June 16; 7:30 p.m. Thursday, June 20–Saturday, June 22; and 2 p.m. Sunday, June 23. Tickets are available online. Photo by Klose2UPhotography.

Actors rehearse at the Festival Playhouse — The partnership between the Festival Playhouse and Farmers Alley Theatre is uniting K students with professional Actors’ Equity Association performers and stage workers who will present what Herbst describes as a laugh-out-loud, super witty and heart-touching comedy. Photo by Klose2uPhotography.

Cast members rehearse at the Festival Playhouse — With “Spelling Bee,” Farmers Alley Theatre Executive Director Robert Weiner is directing a company production for the first time since “Avenue Q” in 2019. Photo by Klose2UPhotography.

Actors rehearse for "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee." — Weiner says an equity theatre experience is valuable for students to learn from as it follows a set of guidelines from the union that students need to be aware of if they ever work for a professional theatre. Photo by Klose2UPhotography.

“What people don’t understand about stage management is that there is somebody verbally making everything happen,” she added. “There’s somebody saying, ‘Lights down, go. Fog machine, go.’ Everything is controlled by multiple people. But what’s important about our job is that people don’t notice us. Stage management and all of the backstage crew are responsible for making things run as smoothly as possible, so the audience has a truly immersive and magical experience. If you see a truly great show and don’t catch any issues, then it’s either because we did our job well or caught any mistakes before you could. There’s as much talent offstage of any show as there is on stage.”

Robert Weiner, a founder and executive director of Farmers Alley, says an equity theatre experience is valuable for students to learn from as it follows a set of guidelines from the union that students need to be aware of if they ever work for a professional theatre.

“We hire talented artists from all over the country, even directors and actors who have worked on Broadway,” Weiner said. “To have the ability to watch and learn from these established veterans of the theatre scene is invaluable, not to mention the talented artists we hire locally.”

With Spelling Bee, Weiner is directing a company production for the first time since Avenue Q in 2019.

“Because of audience participation—we invite four members of the audience for each show to ‘compete’ alongside our spellers in the bee—every show has a new feeling where anything could happen,” he said. “We’ve been fortunate during the rehearsal process to have some K students volunteer their time to be guest spellers and they’ve had fun participating. Also, this is the best sounding group of singers I’ve ever heard in a production of Spelling Bee. There are a couple of numbers like Pandemonium or The I Love You Song that are very challenging, and these performers absolutely crush it every single time. The show is like a warm hug that will have you leaving the theatre in a good mood. I really hope K students take advantage of our student and rush tickets. It’s a guaranteed fun evening!”

Weiner previously directed Farmers Alley productions such as [title of show], The Toxic Avenger, Fully Committed, All in the Timing and A Grand Night for Singing. However, he is eager for the experience of bringing productions like Spelling Bee—and School of Rock later this summer—to a larger venue.

“We are so grateful to be performing at the Festival Playhouse all summer with Spelling Bee and School of Rock,” Weiner said. “The main draw was the added stage space and audience capacity. School of Rock features 30 performers, including 15 students aged 11–16, and our small, intimate space downtown just wouldn’t be viable for a show of that magnitude. There are lots of challenges producing a show not in our space, including set building and load-in off site and all the intricacies of this unique space to adjust to. Thankfully, Professor of Theatre Lanny Potts and the entire K staff have been so welcoming and the whole process has been a win-win.

“One thing I’ve noticed about K students is how kind and accepting they are,” he added. “Theatre attracts individuals of all kinds. We want to make Farmers Alley Theatre a space for all, and from my purview, it looks like K does the same. They’re smart, hard-working and willing to adapt and problem solve while keeping a positive attitude.”

If Herbst and Weiner have piqued your interest, performances of Spelling Bee are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 12–Saturday, June 15; 2 p.m. Sunday, June 16; 7:30 p.m. Thursday, June 20–Saturday, June 22; and 2 p.m. Sunday, June 23. The performance Sunday, June 16, includes American Sign Language interpretation. Tickets are available online.

“Why should you see it? This show is flat-out fun,” Weiner said. “There are catchy songs with clever lyrics, quirky characters, lots of laughs and a fair amount of heart. Plus, it’s only 90 minutes long. It really is a perfect little evening of summer entertainment.”

Students Earn Best Amateur Picture Honors at Kazoo 48

Posted on May 30, 2024September 17, 2024

Kalamazoo College students celebrate winning amateur honors in Kazoo 48 film festival — Kazoo 48, a film festival that challenges entrants to make a film with several prompts in 48 hours, awarded 15 Kalamazoo College students with Best Amateur Picture in April.

K students film "Motherboard Loves You" for Kazoo 48 — “*Motherboard Loves You*” follows Ether and Nettie as they try to escape an underground dystopia ruled by the mysterious Motherboard.

Screening of "Motherboard Loves You" at Kazoo 48 — Several screenings will allow audiences to see the award-winning “Motherboard Loves You.”

A group of 16 Kalamazoo College students earned the Best Amateur Picture award last month in the Kazoo 48, a film festival that challenges entrants to take an assigned genre, prop, character quirk, location and line of dialogue, and create a short film in just 48 hours.

Motherboard Loves You follows Ether and Nettie as they try to escape an underground dystopia ruled by the mysterious Motherboard. Student members of the film team included Noah Webster ‘26, Ava Fischer ’24, Celia Hannan ’26, Davis Henderson ’25, Carolyn Ingram ’24, Maddie Lawson ’25, Adèle Loubières ’24, Lorelei Moxon ’26, Theo Niemann ’26, Eli Shavit ’24, Jadon Weber ’25, Andrés Marquez-Collins ’26, Josetta Checkett ’25, Lee Zwart ’27, Maria Tripodis ’24 and Rex Jasper ’27.

“I’m incredibly proud of what our team was able to accomplish in just 48 hours,” said Henderson, a co-director. “We have created something truly special, and I look forward to what we make in the future. I hope everyone on the team can view this win as inspiration to create even bigger and cooler projects.”

The Motherboard Loves You team was one of two student groups to earn accolades at the Kazoo 48. A second team that included Grace Cancro ’25, Ian Burr ’24, Ryan Muschler ’25, Audrey Schulz ’25, James Hauke ’26, Aidan Baas ’23, Michael Robertson ’25, Abby Nelson ’24, Jakob Hubert ’25 and Mabel Bowdle ’25 competed in the professional category against film-production companies. Their film, about a man—played by Robertson—who got high and thought he was on a fantasy quest to build a stop sign, earned Best Use of Character for Hubert’s role as a character who gave advice in rhyme.

Motherboard Loves You will be screened Thursday, May 30, at the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts during an event that will feature all of the Kazoo 48 award winners. It will also be screened at the Sunflower Film and Music Festival in Paw Paw from Friday, June 14 –Sunday, June 16, and can be viewed anytime on YouTube.

Fellow co-director Moxon and Henderson both noted the film only was possible thanks to their team. They also wanted to extend special thanks to contacts and K connections Christopher North, Sophie Decker ’25, Daniel Flores ’24, Helen Stoy ’26, Siona Wilson ’25, Max Wright ’26, Sedona Coleman ’23, Visiting Instructor of Art Daniel Kim, Media Producer and Studio Instructor Jaakan Page-Wood and Professor of Theatre Arts Lanny Potts for their contributions.

“I would like to say that the Kazoo 48-Hour Film Festival is a fantastic opportunity to get out there and make something,” Henderson said. “Consider registering for next year on its website, kazoo48.com. There is a huge amount of talent on this campus and I hope that our passion and efforts can allow the film and media studies department to grow and offer new classes, and maybe even become a major or minor.”

Watch “Motherboard Loves You” on YouTube

Students collect a kazoo at the Kazoo 48 — Co-directors Davis Henderson ’25 and Lorelei Moxon ’26 expressed great pride in the making of the film.

Students gather to make "Motherboard Loves You" for the Kazoo 48 — Co-directors Davis and Moxon credited their team of students for the film’s ultimate success.

Students film "Motherboard Loves You" for Kazoo 48 — “We have created something truly special, and I look forward to what we make in the future,” Davis said of his team’s film.

Students make "Motherboard Loves You" — Kazoo 48 entrants to take an assigned genre, prop, character quirk, location and line of dialogue, and create a short film in just 48 hours.

Students make "Motherboard Loves You" for Kazoo 48 — The Sunflower Film and Music Festival in Paw Paw from Friday, June 14 –Sunday, June 16,

Students film "Motherboard Loves You" — Student members of the film team included Noah Webster ’26, Ava Fischer ’24, Celia Hannan ’26, Davis Henderson ’25, Carolyn Ingram ’24, Maddie Lawson ’25, Adèle Loubières ’24, Lorelei Moxon ’26, Theo Niemann ’26, Eli Shavit ’24, Jadon Weber ’25, Andrés Marquez-Collins ’26, Josetta Checkett ’25, Lee Zwart ’27, Maria Tripodis ’24 and Rex Jasper ’27.

Students edit "Motherboard Loves You" for Kazoo 48 — “I’m incredibly proud of what our team was able to accomplish in just 48 hours,” said Henderson, a co-director.

Silent Film Festival Spotlights K Student’s Creativity

Posted on May 22, 2024July 29, 2024

Ryan Muschler '25 (from left), Audrey Schulz '25 and Josie Checkett '25 act in a scene from "A Deadly Affair." — Ryan Muschler ’25 (from left), Audrey Schulz ’25 and Josie Checkett ’25 act in a scene from “A Deadly Affair,” an award-winning film by Grace Cancro ’25. Watch the film.

The title screen for "A Deadly Affair" — Cancro’s film “A Deadly Affair” was screened at the Redford Theatre in Suburban Detroit during the International Youth Silent Film Festival.

Fade in. Night. New York City. A handsome man bearing a striking resemblance to Humphrey Bogart wears a fedora and trench coat. He wanders through a foggy Central Park, pondering the recent film successes of Kalamazoo College student Grace Cancro ’25. He realizes that she won her age group at the International Youth Silent Film Festival’s Detroit regional and received an honorable mention in the Kazoo 48 competition. He also recognizes her potential as a screenwriter, playwriter, producer and director, which could make hers a household name.

He smiles and says, “Here’s looking at you, kid.”

OK, so that script was never written, and the line belongs to a movie made more than 80 years ago. But Cancro has had an interest in classic movies—starring actors like Bogart—her entire life and her recent competitive success, starting with a family influence, is undeniable.

“I spent a lot of time at my grandparents’ respective houses and watched Turner Classic Movies for hours with my grandpa,” Cancro said. “I’ve also done theatre my whole life.”

With her love for the theatrical, the Redford Theatre—an art deco-decorated site in suburban Detroit that shows classic movies and plays, commonly featuring an organ that rises from the floor—is a significant place for her. Cancro notes that it’s where she saw Singin’ in the Rain for the first time. Plus, she and Audrey Schulz ’25 tried out there to be extras—by cheering during a boxing match—for a film that ultimately was shelved.

Now the Redford marks the spot where her own film, A Deadly Affair, was chosen as one of 20 finalists at the Detroit regional competition for the International Youth Silent Film Festival. It ultimately won the category for 19- to 22-year-old entrants, beating out filmmakers from most of the eastern half of the country. Cancro earned a cash prize, a plaque, a certificate, and a chance to compete June 9 in Portland, Oregon, at the festival’s next level.

“My mom and I are going to fly out to Portland together. There will be a parade and a dinner, and the contest is a really big thing for me,” Cancro said.

International Youth Silent Film Festival organizers provided entrants with three minutes of organ music across a variety of genres. Cancro—a theatre arts and English double major with a film and media studies concentration—chose film noir for her silent film. She then assembled some excited friends and shot A Deadly Affair near her residence, in downtown Kalamazoo near the walking mall, and in Bronson Park. Ian Burr ’24 served as the director of photography, also called a cinematographer. Schulz portrayed a wife betrayed by her on-screen husband, Ryan Muschler ’25. Schulz’s character meets up with her husband’s mistress, played by Josie Checkett ’25. Together, they decide to kill the husband.

After the screening, Cancro awaited word of her placement.

“They had the awards at the end and I was super nervous,” Cancro said. “I held my friends’ hands and I apologized if I squeezed so hard that I crushed a bone. Then, they called my name. It was the coolest experience, because six years after we tried out as extras, we were seeing Audrey’s name and mine while watching her face on the screen.”

Since the Detroit competition, she also has participated in the Kazoo 48, a film festival that challenges entrants to take an assigned genre, prop, character quirk, location and line of dialogue, and create a short film in just 48 hours. Her film-making team included Burr, Muschler, Schulz, James Hauke ’26, Aidan Baas ’23, Michael Robertson ’25, Abby Nelson ’24, Jakob Hubert ’25 and Mabel Bowdle ’25.

“Our genre was fantasy, so Michael Robertson’s character got super high and thought he was in a fantasy quest to build a stop sign,” Cancro said. “It was shot at Ian’s house, on the street and at Lowe’s. Michael went to Lowe’s to buy a shovel to put his stop sign in the ground. We had to go to Lowe’s with everyone in full fantasy gear. We wrote it on Friday night, shot it Saturday, edited it Saturday night and Sunday, and turned it in around 5:55 on Sunday when it was due at 6.”

The team was forced to enter the professional category because a couple of its members had earned money for film productions in the past, so in the end they couldn’t beat out film-production companies to win the contest. However, they were awarded with Best Use of Character for Hubert’s role as a character who gave advice in rhyme.

Cancro appreciates the opportunities she’s had at K that have developed her passion and skill at filmmaking. Her sophomore year, she participated in the New York Arts study away program, and she studied abroad in London her junior year. A playwriting class led by Assistant Professor of Theatre Quincy Thomas performed part of her self-written play—Sincerely, Scott—two years ago, leading her to create a 10-minute play festival for students, featuring the full play. Based partly on Cancro’s own life, the piece pondered what a man recovering from alcoholism might say in a letter to a daughter he’s never known before the two agree to meet. That festival will continue in its second year on June 1 with additional plays, comedy sketches and puppetry.

Now, armed with all these experiences, Cancro wants to return to New York, a place where she feels at home with many professional contacts, to film a mental-health themed Senior Integrated Project this summer. She plans to move there after graduation, hoping to mix in grad school while working in the film industry, perhaps with the nonprofit Women Make Movies (WMM), which distributes artistically significant films to audiences with a focus on uplifting the voices of the underrepresented.

Cancro has already worked with Women Make Movies in two internships with the first arranged through the New York Arts Program thanks in part to her software design experience in work study through K’s theater department. She then lived in a K graduate’s apartment last summer to work in a second internship with WMM. But whether it be through individual projects or a permanent job, Cancro recognizes the power of film, her talents and interests, and how they might combine to benefit society.

“Theater and film have the power to make people feel things and feel seen and that’s what it’s done for me,” Cancro said. “There’s merit in the adventure films that have CGI and explosions and all that. But I like to focus on the stuff that’s closer to the human experience, whether that be just my experience that I’m putting into a character on the screen or someone else’s experience. I want to put that into my art and have people watch it, think about it for long after, and feel it.”

Grace Cancro receives a plaque at the International Youth Silent Film Festival in Detroit — Cancro received a plaque for winning the Detroit regional of the International Youth Silent Film Festival in her age group.

Filmmaker Grace Cancro '25 works with Josie Checkett '25 — Filmmaker Grace Cancro ’25 works with Audrey Schulz ’25 for Cancro’s award-winning film, “A Deadly Affair.”

Writing Center Provides the Right Stuff for Writing Stuff

Posted on May 17, 2024May 17, 2024

Isabela Agosa ’17 knows where Kalamazoo College students can find the right stuff when they need to write stuff.

Agosa, once a student employee at K’s Writing Center, now is its director, supervising the current student employees, with poets, Fulbright scholars, editors and more among them. She admits that she struggled in her early years as a K student, but that makes her better at her job now as she once needed to find her academic footing.

“I’m really appreciative of the struggles I had here because they have allowed me to have a different mindset that I can provide to my students,” Agosa said. “I’m sort of like the gardener who helps the students run the center. My students are gentle, welcoming people who can open up a writing bud and allow it to blossom.”

Her own a-ha moment as a student came when she found poetry at K. In fact, she teaches a Poetic of Love senior seminar each winter term, and Poetry Magazine—the oldest monthly publication to verse in the English-speaking world—will print two of Agosa’s poems in its June 1 edition.

Four students and a faculty member huddle for a photo at Stetson Chapel — Isabela Agosa ’17 (middle), the director of K’s Writing Center, joined her students May 10 for a Community Reflection titled “Destigmatizing Help: Collaboration in the Writing Center.”

Two students at the Writing Center — Writing Consultants Anum Khan ’24 and Sofia Rowland ’24 discuss their work at the Writing Center.

Three student consultants sitting at a round table — Writing Consultants Unayza Anika ’26 (from left), Noah Chun ’26 and Daniel Flores ’24 discuss their work at Kalamazoo College’s Writing Center. Schedule an appointment online.

Two students smiling on a couch at the Writing Center — Ellie Pollard ’25 and Sophia Louise ’26 are two of the writing consultants students will meet at the Writing Center.

“When I came to K, I wanted to read fiction or maybe write for TV shows,” Agosa said. “And of course, I still have so much passion for that in my heart, but this is where I fell in love with poetry. I truly had never imagined in a million years that I would be a poet.”

Now, she would like to debunk some of the myths she hears about the Writing Center and empower more students to visit and improve their own writing.

Myth No. 1: Writing collaboration is a form of cheating

“We tend to have a deficiency mindset and think that support is only for people who are doing poorly, or we can be individualistic and think collaboration on writing is plagiarism or cheating,” Agosa said. “I think the Writing Center shows collaboration is an intellectual goal on campus. Why else would we all be together if we weren’t a community of scholars? Yes, we can write by ourselves, but we can do it so much faster when we have someone who can talk us through it.”

Myth No. 2: The Writing Center only helps students with classwork

“In the spring, this is our ‘job time’ when people are coming in with cover letters for jobs, grad school or internships,” Agosa said. “One of my pitches to students would be to remember that the Writing Center isn’t just for classwork. We get to explore all types of writing, so you can expect to have someone who’s invested in hearing about you and your work.”

Myth No. 3: I can get better information during my professor’s office hours

“Office hours are a useful dynamic, but they provide something different from the Writing Center,” Agosa said. “Professors can guide you on a certain path or help you understand the class material better, whereas our writing consultants help you understand yourself better as a writer.”

Myth No. 4: Writing Center employees will judge me and my writing

“Many people have baggage with writing because we feel that writing is a reflection of our soul,” Agosa said. “When they come to us with a fragment of their soul, they can feel guarded and nervous. But students can expect that they will be greeted by someone who cares because my staff loves their work. It’s a job and I hope that I model good ways to practice that job. They’re the types who like people and want to talk about writing. You can expect a lot of passion, a lot of enthusiasm and a judgment-free zone.”

Myth No. 5: I should wait to go to the Writing Center until I need help

“I think students feel that they’re not allowed to need help unless the house is on fire,” Agosa said. “Some people view it as a punishment or think it’s remedial. But you can come to the Writing Center just to talk to someone about your work. It’s good at breaking down tasks, especially for anyone who struggles with activation. I think the joy of talking with someone about your writing is universal and useful at any stage.

“I’m always telling prospective students that this is a place run by your peers who have gone through all the things you have. I would really love for them to see the Writing Center not just in a project- or product-driven environment. I want them to get involved in a supporting, nourishing community of scholarship.”

Find the writing help you need

If this isn’t enough to convince you of what the Writing Center accomplishes, you can also hear from Agosa and her team in this recent community reflection titled “Destigmatizing Help: Collaboration in the Writing Center.” Then, schedule an appointment online.

“The Writing Center is the place where I came to maturity and adulthood because our work is so much about learning, reflection and how to ask questions,” Agosa said. “I honestly learned more about syntax and grammar structure through poetry writing, but Writing Center work is about self-understanding and understanding the right questions to ask while communicating your needs. When students struggle with writer’s block, they might not even know what to name it. We look at roadblocks and ask, ‘what is it and how can we approach it?’ You will always feel connected to this place because we form such a strong community, where we learn how to dialogue with people. We make authentic person-to-person connections here because we can’t work on someone’s writing without them.”

Alum’s Musical ‘Be More Chill’ Opens Thursday at Festival Playhouse

Posted on May 15, 2024May 15, 2024

A Broadway musical written by a Kalamazoo College alumnus who is influencing the entertainment industry will run Thursday, May 16–Sunday, May 19, at K’s Festival Playhouse.

Be More Chill, which features music and lyrics by Joe Iconis and a book by Joe Tracz ’04, will spotlight Max Wright ’26 as Jeremy Heere. Jeremy is an average teenager until he discovers the Squip, a supercomputer that promises to bring him everything he desires including a date with Christine Canigula, played by Brooklyn Moore ’24, along with an invitation to the party of the year and a chance to enjoy life in his suburban New Jersey high school.

The musical concludes the academic year for the Playhouse’s 60^th season, which has been themed “Systems as Old as Time.” It also has featured plays such as Playhouse Creatures and The Dutchman, which explore the harmful systems that hold back the oppressed while highlighting the ways that joy, laughter and solidarity can exist and thrive despite those systems.

Caleb Allen ’25 is serving Be More Chill as its dramaturg by assisting Director Quincy Thomas, a K assistant professor of theatre arts, in teaching the actors about the play’s characters and settings. Allen said the musical references some pop culture from the 1980s—including retro drinks such as Ecto Cooler, games such as Pac-Man and actors such as Robert DeNiro and Joe Pesci—but it has themes that are relatable for all audiences.

“It’s very much a play about finding yourself in high school,” he said. “There’s obviously a lot of fun with it, but there’s also a deep, sad story that probably resonates with a lot of people. Even the characters who are portrayed as cool in the play definitely have their own issues and everyone deals with negative self-talk.”

Another K alumnus, Grinnell College Professor of Theatre and Design Justin Thomas ’01, will serve as a Be More Chill scenic designer.

Tracz is well known for being a writer and co-executive producer on the Disney+ series adaptation of Percy Jackson and the Olympians. He previously created the Netflix series Dash & Lily and served as its showrunner. He also worked on the Netflix version of A Series of Unfortunate Events as a writer and producer, and next will work as a co-showrunner for Season 2 of the live action version of One Piece on Netflix. His other theatre credits include The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical, for which he was a Drama Desk award nominee for outstanding book.

Tracz “feels almost like a mythological figure to me,” Allen said. “Just being from the same school is exciting. I definitely have friends from outside of K, who are surprised to know that he went here, and he’s worked on a lot since then. It’s inspiring to see he came from roots like this to go into what he’s doing now.”

Be More Chill is presented through an arrangement with Concord Theatricals. Shows will begin at 7:30 p.m. Thursday–Saturday and at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Nelda K. Balch Playhouse, 129 Thompson St. Tickets are available online or by calling the Festival Playhouse at 269.337.7333. K students, faculty and staff are admitted free with a College ID. Adult tickets are $25, seniors are $20 and children younger than 12 are $5. Thursday’s performance will include a sign language interpreter. Please note that the play contains language and situations that may be triggering, including adult themes and the use of haze, flashing images and strobe lights.

Be More Chill photo shows Max Wright as Jeremy Heere and Zachary Ufkes '24 as the mask-wearing supercomputer, the Squip. — Max Wright ’26 portrays Jeremy Heere and Zachary Ufkes ’24 is a supercomputer called the Squip in “Be More Chill,” running Thursday-Sunday at Kalamazoo College’s Festival Playhouse. Photos by Andy Krieger of Inspired Media.

Be More Chill actors — Tickets to “Be More Chill” are available online or by calling the Festival Playhouse at 269.337.7333. Photos by by Andy Krieger of Inspired Media.

Meet President’s Student Ambassador Blake Filkins ’26

Posted on May 14, 2024May 14, 2024

Kalamazoo College is spotlighting its President’s Student Ambassadors to let you know who they are and the roles they serve for K. As student leaders, ambassadors serve as an extension of the president’s hospitality at events and gatherings, welcoming alumni and guests of the College. About 18 students serve as ambassadors each academic year. The students selected show strong communication skills and demonstrate leadership through academic life, student life or community service.

Meet Blake Filkins ’26, a psychology major and Spanish minor from Plainwell, Michigan, through a Q-and-A conducted with Social Media Ambassador Blagoja Naskovski ’24. Blake is a student government executive leader, resident assistant, and student assistant at the Office of Student Development. He also is engaged in several college committees such as community council, Advancement, the Black and Orange Awards committee and the Day of Gracious Living committee.

What’s your favorite part of being a student at K?

What I cherish most about being a student at K is the close-knit relationships that flourish here. Whether it’s the bonds with professors, staff or fellow students, K fosters a sense of personal connection. Here, you’re valued as an individual rather than just a number, and being recognized and appreciated is truly enriching throughout your college journey. My growth wouldn’t be the same without the unique experience offered by the K-Plan.

Portrait of President's Student Ambassador Blake Filkins — Blake Filkins ’26 serves as a President’s Student Ambassador at Kalamazoo College.

President's Student Ambassador Blake Filkins with others who participate in student government — Filkins (front row, center) is a student government executive leader, resident assistant, and student assistant at the Office of Student Development.

Blake Filkins at Hodge House with other President's Student Ambassadors — Filkins (back right) says he highly encourages students interested in joining the President’s Student Ambassador Program to connect with him.

A group gathered at the Hicks Student Center — Blake Filkins (right at lectern) introduces President Jorge G. Gonzalez during an event at the Hicks Student Center.

Why did you decide to serve as a President’s Student Ambassador?

I decided to become a President’s Student Ambassador out of gratitude for my enriching experience at K. My desire to share my journey and successes with alumni and prospective students led me to this role. The program comprises driven individuals with remarkable aspirations. The opportunity to collaborate with them and engage with alumni is such a wonderful opportunity.

What’s your favorite part of being a President’s Student Ambassador?

I love the opportunity to connect with the President’s staff, alumni and the broader college community. It’s incredibly fulfilling to exchange and hear the remarkable stories that stem from K. At every event, I encounter individuals with unique K experiences who deepen my appreciation for the College and reinforce my gratitude for being part of this community.

What advice do you have for students who may want to join President’s Student Ambassadors some day?

I highly encourage any student interested in joining the President’s Student Ambassador Program to reach out to PSAs, including myself, to learn about our experiences and the connections we’ve made. I also recommend attending college events to gain insight into interacting with alumni and prospective students. A single conversation can lead to a wonderful opportunity.

Model United Nations Team Earns Honors at Conferences

Posted on May 8, 2024July 29, 2024

The Model United Nations team from Kalamazoo College earned an Honorable Mention Delegation award at the National Model United Nations (NMUN) in New York in April, and several awards at the Midwest Model UN (MMUN) conference in St. Louis, Missouri, in February.

The NMUN honor places the 15 K students who participated—half of whom were rookies—in the top 20% of the largest, most established intercollegiate Model UN conference in the world.

“I was very proud of that, especially with a good half of our students coming into New York completely new to conferences,” said Mason Purdy ’24, president of Model UN at K. “We did as much teaching and training as we could, but they had to learn as they went.”

The K team represented the Kingdom of Morocco at NMUN, with students assigned in pairs to various committees. For example, Purdy and Hannah Willit ’24, vice president of Model UN at K, served on the human rights council. Each council considers two topics. For Purdy and Willit, the topics were human rights and the use of private military and security companies as well as human rights of indigenous peoples. Before the conference, teams research existing laws and standards, their country’s history, and other areas that provide context for the topics.

“For example, Morocco has been embroiled in a controversy for years about territory in the Western Sahara,” Purdy said. “One side says this was always Moroccan land and was taken for colonization; the other side says the people who live there don’t really want to be Moroccan; the first side says they are Moroccan, they just don’t realize it. The issue of indigenous sovereignty is a politically tricky one for Morocco, and sometimes you have to represent views at Model UN that maybe you wouldn’t love as an individual.”

Students from K pictured in the UN General Assembly Hall during the Model UN Conference — The National Model United Nations team from Kalamazoo College attends the conference’s closing ceremony in the UN General Assembly Hall.

Three students in front of National Model United Nations Conference banners — The Model UN team from K received Honorable Mention Delegation at the national conference in New York in April.

Three students hold a sign that says Morocco at the Model United Nations Conference — Fifteen students from K participated in the National Model United Nations in New York in April.

Four students with a sign that says Morocco at the Model UN Conference — K’s Model UN team represented the Kingdom of Morocco at a national conference in New York in April.

Maddie Hanulcik ’26 served on the commission on the status of women, which considered the empowerment of rural women and girls along with healthcare accessibility for women.

“It was largely an all-women committee, which made it a safe space for women to talk,” Hanulcik said. “We were all dedicated to the same ideas of furthering women’s rights. All of our committee papers passed. I had never been to a conference where every paper passed. It was cool to see us all working together and how everyone felt empowered to share and speak without fear.”

At each Model UN conference, committees employ both formal (speeches) and informal (networking and developing de facto working groups) sessions to work toward a resolution addressing each topic. Over hours and days, a few resolutions will emerge that the dais (a moderating team of staff members) evaluates as acceptable, the committee will vote, and amendments will be made. The goal is that the committee will eventually adopt one resolution unanimously.

“Generally, the aim on a Model UN committee is to try to get as much unanimity in agreement as you can on an issue, because in the real international community, that’s how you get change to actually happen,” Purdy said. “Model UN tries to replicate that, and in the process, it teaches conflict resolution, negotiating, compromise, and social and political skills.”

A highlight of the New York conference for Hanulcik came when the resolution she had primarily worked on was one of just a couple chosen to be sent to the actual United Nations.

“It felt incredible that so many people from so many places had come together, even though we had very different backgrounds, to find resolution on this issue and make such a powerful, moving paper that our dais submitted it to the actual United Nations,” Hanulcik said. “It was wonderful to feel like we have power in the future as the next generation.”

For Hanulcik, a political science major with concentrations in community and global health and in women, gender and sexuality, Model UN offers the feel of real-world experience and develops public speaking abilities, teamwork and collaboration, friendships and optimism.

“Even though it’s not the real world—it’s a model—it gives the sense of what you can do outside of school with the classes you’re taking and see how they can be applied,” Hanulcik said. “For example, in my women, gender and sexuality classes, we learn theories about how women can be fully liberated. Then I go to Model UN and see how those policies can be put in place to make a difference in women’s lives. There is such optimism, and that goes for the real UN as well. It’s easy to know that our world is a hard place to live in and can be terrible for so many people. But the UN has this optimism about it. We’re going to keep trying. We’re going to pass these resolutions. We’re going to encourage people to implement them. It’s a place to gather and try to make things a little bit better with the power of collaboration.”

Prior to New York, a smaller group of K students attended the Midwest Model United Nations conference, where the team received several awards. There, the more experienced students represented Azerbaijan while the newer participants represented Lebanon.

“During the St. Louis conference, there was a big plenary where everyone comes together in one room and votes up or down the resolutions that each committee has done,” Purdy said. “There’s debates and amendments, so on and so forth. Representing Azerbaijan, I went to our delegates representing Lebanon—our learners—with a resolution. I said, ‘We would really like your support for this; we would like you to sign on to it.’ They read through it, and they were like, ‘No. Lebanon cannot support this.’ And I was so glad that they didn’t just say yes to me because I was their friend and their teacher. I was like, ‘Yes, you guys are getting it.’ That might have made me more proud than some of the awards we won.”

Those awards included Distinguished Delegation as Azerbaijan, placing the team in the top 10 of all countries represented. Team members also won three individual awards, with Nathan Bouvard winning an award for his position paper in General Assembly 2 as Azerbaijan, Martina Marín winning a position paper award in the World Health Organization as Azerbaijan, and Purdy winning the top honors of Outstanding Delegation as Azerbaijan in the UN Environmental Assembly.

A double major in religion and political science with a Jewish studies concentration, Purdy is grateful that the Office of Student Activities and the Department of Political Science fund Model UN at K.

“Model UN has made a world of difference to me, developing my skills, developing as a person, developing as a leader, being in charge of this club,” Purdy said. “I’m a first-generation student, I come from a very working-class background; If I’d had to pay to participate, I would have had to say no. I’m so glad the K Model UN program is free to students. And we get to do that because the school is very generous, and its donors are very generous. I’m very proud that our program is free because in some places, this is an elite activity. It’s cordoned off for people with wealth, with financial privilege, and I’m glad that’s not the case at this school. Here, Model UN is about your willingness, your talent, your commitment, and that makes a world of difference with our team.

“I’m happy to say Model UN has made the recovery post-COVID, and we are larger and more competitive than I ever saw us. I’m very proud of this program and I hope that the people I hand it off to will bring it to new heights.”

Model United Nations Conference at the UN General Assembly — Before going to New York, a smaller group of students attended the Midwest Model United Nations conference, where the team received several awards. The more experienced students represented Azerbaijan while newer ones represented Lebanon.

Two students attending the National Model United Nations Conference — K’s team that represented Azerbaijan in the Midwest competition placed in the top 10 of all countries represented.

Midwest Model United Nations Participants

Nathan Bouvard
Laura Goia
Martina Marin
Nailia Narynbek Kyzy
John O’Neill
Mason Purdy
Hannah Willit
Wendy Yan (Yan Yazhuo)

National Model UN Participants

Belen Cañizares Acuña
Nathan Bouvard
Maansi Deswal
Laura Goia
Kenia Gonzalez
Teresa Gonzalez Redondo
Paola Guzman Jimenez 
Maddie Hanulcik
Rob Kloosterman
Nailia Narynbek Kyzy
Andrea Ladera
Martina Marin
John O’Neill
Mason Purdy
Hannah Willit

K Honors 24 Students with Senior Leadership Awards

Posted on May 7, 2024May 7, 2024

A total of 24 students known for their invaluable contributions to the Kalamazoo College community were honored Friday, May 3, at the annual Senior Leadership Awards.

The seniors represent talented athletes, outstanding academic performers, members of the President’s Student Ambassadors and student-organization standouts. Here are the honorees:

Shannon Abbott, nominated by Hillary Berry, Library
Shahriar Ahmad Akhavan Tafti, nominated by Kathryn Sederberg, German; and Danette Ifert Johnson, Provost
Darsalam Amir, nominated by Angela Betts, Information Services
Lindsey Baker, nominated by Daniela Arias-Rotondo, Chemistry and Biochemistry; and Leihua Weng, Chinese
Elizabeth Ballinger, nominated by Liz Candido, Religious and Spiritual Life
Madison Barch, nominated by Laurel Palmer, Kalamazoo College Fund
Isabel Chiang, nominated by Hunter Magrum, Residential Life
Quinn Collins, nominated by Sara Stockwood, Environmental Stewardship; and Binney Girdler, Biology
Michael Hume, nominated by Diomedes Rabago, Spanish
Madelaine Hurley, nominated by Mark Murphy, Women’s Tennis
Ann Marie Johnston, nominated by Daniela Arias-Rotondo, Chemistry and Biochemistry
Ella Kelly, nominated by Rachel Love, Library Learning Centers; and Daniela Arias-Rotondo, Chemistry and Biochemistry
Blagoja Naskovski nominated by Andy Brown, College Communications; Laurel Palmer, Kalamazoo College Fund; and Danette Ifert Johnson, Provost
Alexandra Noel, nominated by Isabela Agosa, Writing Center; and Rick Barth, Assistant Provost
Jeremiah Ohren-Hoeft, nominated by Vince Redko, Men’s Lacrosse
Margaret Perry, nominated by Marin Heinritz, English
Ana Ramirez, nominated by Allie VanHeest, Center for Civic Engagement
Ali Randel, nominated by Jeffrey Haus, History and Religion; and Liz Candido, Religious and Spiritual Life
Cesar Soria nominated by Francisco Villegas, Anthropology and Sociology
Ella Szczublewski nominated by Regina Stevens-Truss and Blakely Tresca, Chemistry and Biochemistry
Gabriel Vidinas nominated by Mark Riley, Men’s Tennis
Emmeline Wendel nominated by Laurel Palmer, Kalamazoo College Fund
Jordyn Wilson, nominated by Regina Stevens-Truss and Blakely Tresca, Chemistry and Biochemistry
Olivia Wolfe, nominated by Mark Murphy, Women’s Tennis

The 2024 Senior Leadership Awards recipients — A total of 24 Kalamazoo College seniors were honored Friday, May 3, with Senior Leadership Awards. They included Quinn Collins (front row from left), Ana Ramirez, Lindsey Baker, Ella Kelly, Shannon Abbott, Jordyn Wilson and Olivia Wolfe; Darsalam Amir (second row, from left), Ella Szczublewski, Madelaine Hurley and Margaret Perry; Alexandra Noel (third row, from left), Ali Randel, Emmeline Wendel, and Jeremiah Ohren-Hoeft; Michael Hume (fourth row, from left), Blagoja Naskovski, Madison Barch and Isabel Chiang; and Elizabeth Ballinger (top row, left) and Shahriar Ahmad Akhavan Tafti. Not pictured: Ann Marie Johnston, Cesar Soria and Gabriel Vidinas.

Meet President’s Student Ambassador Madison Barch ’24

Posted on May 1, 2024May 1, 2024

Kalamazoo College is spotlighting its President’s Student Ambassadors to let you know who they are and the roles they serve for K. As student leaders, ambassadors serve as an extension of the president’s hospitality at events and gatherings, welcoming alumni and guests of the College.

About 18 students serve as ambassadors each academic year. The students selected show strong communication skills and demonstrate leadership through academic life, student life or community service. Meet Madison Barch ’24, a biochemistry major from Shelby Township, Michigan, through a Q-and-A conducted with Social Media Ambassador Blagoja Naskovski ’24.

In what on- and off-campus activities do you participate?

On campus, I am a four-year kicker and punter on the football team, a senior intern at Admission, a laboratory teaching assistant in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, I’m involved in a couple of Bible study groups, and of course, I’m a President’s Student Ambassador.

What’s your favorite part of being a student at K? Of what moments are you the proudest?

One of my favorite parts of being a student at K is all the relationships I have built with other students, faculty and especially my professors. The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry truly feels like a family, and I love every minute of it! I am not one to take too much pride in myself, by one of the moments that my mom is most proud of was my two-point conversion catch at Trine this past fall. It was an amazing moment that I was fortunate to spend with my family, teammates and coaches.

Portrait of Madison Barch — Madison Barch ’24 is a biochemistry major from Shelby Township, Michigan. She serves as a President’s Student Ambassador and has been a kicker and punter on K’s football team.

Madison Barch with family at athletics complex — Barch recognizes the support she receives from family when she discusses her football achievements.

Kicker Madison Barch celebrates catching a two-point conversion — Barch caught a two-point conversion on November 11, representing what are believed to be the first non-kicking points by a woman at any level. Photo by Laura Moat.

Madison Barch kicking — Barch completes a kick in a Kalamazoo College football game. Photo by Kimberley Moss.

Why did you accept the invitation to serve as a President’s Student Ambassador?

I decided to serve as a President’s Student Ambassador for the opportunity to network with alumni, parents and friends of K. It felt like a great way to better serve K. I have made many connections and have met some really great people who have wonderful stories!