Category: Students

K Science Majors Present at Undergraduate Research Conference

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Six students who presented at the West Michigan Regional Undergraduate Science Research Conference
Scientific presenters at the West Michigan Regional Undergraduate Science Research Conference included (l-r): Carline Dugue, Josh Abbott, Amanda Bolles, Mara Livezey, Kelly Bresnahan, and Chelsea Wallace. Not pictured are Erran Briggs, Michael Hicks, Nicolas Sweda, and Associate Professors of Chemistry Laura Lowe Furge and Regina Stevens-Truss.

Nine Kalamazoo College science majors and two chemistry department faculty members (Regina Stevens-Truss and Laura Lowe Furge) attended the recent West Michigan Regional Undergraduate Science Research Conference in Grand Rapids. The students were Carline Dugue ’12, Chelsea Wallace ’13, Nicholas Sweda ’12, Mara Livezey ’13, Michael Hicks ’12, Kelly Bresnahan ’12, Josh Abbott ’12, Amanda Bolles ’14, and Erran Briggs ’14. Hicks and Wallace are biology majors; the others are majoring in chemistry. They presented results of their summer and academic year research experiences, including Senior Individualized Project work for Dugue, Bresnahan, Sweda, and Abbott. More than 170 posters from colleges across West Michigan were part of the conference’s poster session, and some 400 people participated in the conference. Dugue’s research focused on semiconductor quantum dots and charge transfer; she worked with Western Michigan University professor Sherine Obare. Abbott’s work focused on the role of a specific liver enzyme (CYP2B6) in the way the body processes the cancer drug cyclophosphamide. He did this work in the lab of Professor Paul Hollenberg at the University of Michigan. Bresnahan completed her SIP at the University of Michigan laboratory of Professor James Woods. She worked on animal models for testing of molecules called cholinergic receptor agonists for aid in smoking cessation studies. The other six posters described research done at Kalamazoo College. Sweda presented ongoing studies from Professor Stevens-Truss’s lab on suramin selective inhibition of nitric oxide synthases, part of a chain of events that affects production of nitric oxide in the human body. An excess of nitric oxide is associated with conditions such as Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease. This work is the basis of a manuscript in preparation with Sweda and Alyssa McNamara ’11 as co-authors. Wallace’s research (with Associate Professor of Biology Blaine Moore) showed that BCL-2 is able to rescue neuroblastoma cells from ethanol toxicity. Livezey, Hicks, Bolles, and Briggs each presented individual posters with results of three projects from Professor Furge’s lab on the interactions of inhibitors with human cytochrome P450 enzymes. These enzymes metabolize compounds, including medicines, in the liver, and the inhibition of those enzymes may influence the effectiveness of current and new medicines. The work presented by Bolles and Briggs is currently being prepared in a manuscript for publication with both students as co-authors along with Livezey. The posters presented by Hicks and Livezey are the basis of a current NIH grant renewal to support ongoing opportunities for student research in the Furge lab. In addition to the poster sessions, students attended several lectures and were able to meet with graduate school recruiters.

Celebrations of Light

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“Diwali & Eid Celebrations” was the topic of the Week Nine (Nov. 9) Community Reflection in Stetson Chapel. Sponsored by K Desi and the Chapel Program, this Reflection sought to inform the campus community about the origins and customs of the holidays celebrated by Hindus, Muslims, and Sikhs this time of year.

Seven students celebrate Diwali and Eid
Kalamazoo College students helping the campus community celebrate Diwali and Eid were (top row, l-r) Swapna Gudipati ’13, Utsav Adhikari ’14, Faiza Fayyaz ’13, Karan Kapoor ’14 (bottom row), Kinza Tareen ’13, Jyotika Singh ’13, and Sukhvir Kaur ’13.

Utsav Adhikari ’14 and Karan Kapoor ’14 lit a candle and rang a ceremonial bell while Swapna Gudipati ’13 recited the Lakshmi Puja prayer, which, she said, is typical of Diwali celebrations in Hindu culture. “In India, we celebrate Diwali by lighting candles, or diyas, around the house,” she said. “It is thought that when the light comes from the diyas, that the evil and darkness goes away.”

Kapoor recalled some of his memories of the “festival of lights,” which occurred this year between Nov. 13 and 17. “It’s a lot like Christmas, but we don’t have Santa Claus,” he said. Adhikari recalled celebrations of a similar holiday, Tihar, in his native Nepal. Sukhvir Kaur ’13 and Jyotika Singh ’13 spoke about a religious time for Sikhs called Bandi Chhor Divas that occurs around the same time as Diwali. Kaur said it is less of a holiday, and more of a day of reflection. “Sikhs do not ’celebrate holidays,’” she said, “rather, they pay homage.” Singh translated a Sikh poem about enlightenment.

Faiza Fayyaz ’13 and Kinza Tareen ’13 described Eid al-Adha, the Muslim holiday that occurred on Oct. 26 this year. Tareen spoke about the customs associated with the holiday, like sharing meat from a sacrificial animal, in thirds, between family, friends and neighbors, and the needy “in the spirit of Eid.” After the reflection, students gathered on the chapel steps to light sparklers.

Community Reflection offers a unique forum for discussion, worship, performance, and community expression each Friday at 10:50 AM (refreshments at 10:30) in Stetson Chapel. The entire campus community and general public are invited. The Week 10 (Nov. 16) the last Reflection of the Fall 2012 Quarter will be a “Thanksgiving Sing-a-Long,” in which the Student Chaplains offer a musical reflection on Thanksgiving, and gratitude for our role in preserving and establishing community in our lives.

Battle of the Brains

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Congrats to the Black Hornets (Jiakan Wang ’13, Renjie Song ’13, Tibin John ’15) and the Orange Hornets (Chris Clerville ’13, Will Reichle 14’, Kyle Sunden ’14) on their success at the regional Association for Computing Machinery International Collegiate Programming Contest, or “Battle of the Brains,” this past Saturday. Both Kalamazoo College teams finished in the top half of the teams in their region.

The  Black Hornets solved two out of nine problems, finished in 39th place in the region (out of 131 teams), and earned the Extreme Programmers award for solving problem B in 25 minutes! The Orange Hornets solved one out of nine problems and finished 53rd in the region.

“Our region is one of the most competitive in the country, including multiple teams from such schools as Carnegie Mellon, University of Toronto, University of Waterloo, University of Michigan, and Notre Dame,” said Associate Professor of Computer Science Pam Cutter, Ph.D. “I’m proud of both teams for solving at least one problem. There were 54 teams in our region that did not solve any of the problems!”

According to Cutter, the “Battle of the Brains” consists of a five-hour, real-world, problem-solving challenge that is equivalent to an entire semester’s worth of computer programming. Teams of three from colleges and universities in 90 countries and six continents use skills based upon open technology and advanced computing methods to compete for a coveted spot on the World Finals held in summer 2013 in Saint Petersburg, Russia.

Full standings and results from the recent regional, and problem sets with judges solutions can be found at http://acm.ashland.edu.

Black and Orange! Orange and Black!

Marquise Griffin ’15 Selected to Attend National Student Leadership Forum on Faith and Values

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Marquise Griffin
Marquise Griffin ’15

Marquise Griffin ’15 has been selected to attend the 2012 National Student Leadership Forum on Faith and Values in Washington, D.C., Nov. 2-4. Convened by members of Congress, the Forum brings together college students from the United States and abroad to interact with fellow students, recent graduates, young professionals, and established adults from the political, business, and social service sectors.

Marquise was nominated by Kalamazoo College Chaplain Liz Candido ’00. He’s a student chaplain at K and co-leader of the Christian Student Organization. Marquise is active in the K Black Student Organization, K-Crew, Caribbean Society, and Poetry Collective, and he’s working with other K students to create a student fitness organization on campus.

The St. Louis, Missouri-native also engages in service-learning as a tutor in the Community Advocates for Parents and Students (CAPS) program in Kalamazoo. He intends to declare a major in English during winter quarter 2013. A lifelong martial arts enthusiast, Marquise is on his way to meeting his goal to earn a “black belt” in at least seven martial arts categories. Martial arts allow him “to meld my spirituality, mental/intellectual abilities, and physical fitness into a lifelong journey of self improvement and service to others,” he said. “As a Christian, I view service to be a top priority. Christ taught us to serve others with love, because love is the greatest force.”

Honors Day

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Student receiving award at Honors Day
Sashae Mitchell ’15 receiving the Virginia Hinkelman Memorial Award from Sarah Westfall and Zaide Pixley.

“Honors Day Convocation” was the Week 7 (Oct. 26) Community Reflection in Stetson Chapel. The event is a time to present special awards to Kalamazoo College students for their accomplishments. Most awards are based on outstanding performance in a particular area during the previous academic year.

Chaplain Liz Candido ’00 greeted the audience of more than 200 K professors, staff members, students and their families present for Parents Weekend. Jenna Hunt ’13 sang “Love Went A-Riding” accompanied by piano before Provost Mickey McDonald delivered opening remarks. “These times of celebration are important to any community,” he said. “It is a time to learn more about each other, to recognize the outstanding contributions being made by those in our community, and to honor those making these contributions.”

Accompanied by Vice President for Student Development and Dean of Students Sarah Westfall and Dean of the First Year and Advising Zaide Pixley, McDonald awarded about 60 students with 31 honors across Fine Arts, Foreign Languages, Humanities, Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Social Sciences, and Physical Education. He also announced non-departmental awards and recognized students and athletes who received various honors in scholarship last year, such as the Posse Scholars of 2016 and 122 Hornets who qualified for the MIAA Academic Honor Roll.

View a complete list of those awarded.

To close the ceremony, the audience joined in singing the Kalamazoo Alma Mater.

Community Reflection offers a unique forum for discussion, worship, performance, and community expression each Friday at 10:50 AM in Stetson Chapel. The entire campus community and general public are invited. The Week 8 (Nov 2) Reflection will be “Unmasking the Sting of Micro-aggressions in Everyday Life.” This service, Co-sponsored by the Counseling Center, will reflect on the hurtfulness of micro-aggressions, and encourage audience members to think about the impact of daily interactions that may be perceived negatively. [Story and photo by Elaine Ezekiel ’13]

Honors Day October 2012

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The following students received awards during the Honors Day ceremony on October 26, 2012.

Brian Gougeon Prize in Art
McKenna Kring
Corinne MacInnes
Kira Sandiford

Lillian Pringle Baldauf Prize in Music
Bret Linvill
Hannah Shaughnessy-Mogill

Margaret Upton Prize in Music
Morgan Walker

Cooper Award
Amy Jimenez
Arshia Will

Theatre Arts First-Year Student Award
Katelyn Anderson
Jane Huffman

LeGrand Copley Prize in French
Kelsey Donk
Jessica Jankowsky
Katherine Stott
Jose Zacarias

Hardy Fuchs Award
Brock Crystal

Margo Light Award
David DeSimone

Romance Languages Department Prize in Spanish
Samantha Jolly
Jacob Lenning

Clara H. Buckley Prize for Excellence in Latin
Nick Bolig

Provost’s Prize in Classics
Eeva Stout-Sharp

O. M. Allen Prize in English
Allison Kennedy

John B. Wickstrom Prize in History
Samantha Foran

L. J. and Eva (“Gibbie”) Hemmes Memorial Prize in Philosophy
Andy Haughey
Morgan Jennings
Jenna Sexton

Department of Philosophy Prize
Jenna Neumann

Winifred Peake Jones Prize in Biology
Rachael Dandar
Kaitlyn Greiner
Tibin John

Department of Chemistry Prize
Dylan Shearer

First-Year Chemistry Award
Mojtaba Akhavantafti
Jacob Gallimore

Lemuel F. Smith Award
Rachel Horness

Computer Science Prize
Giancarlo Anemone
Guilherme Guedes

First-Year Mathematics Award
Tibin John
Philip Mulder
Fayang Pan

Thomas O. Walton Prize in Mathematics
Jinyuan Huang
Umang Varma

Cooper Prize in Physics
Rasseil Alzouhayli
Caitlin Braun

Departmental Prize in Anthropology and Sociology
Maya Edery
Thomas Jackson
Hannah Shaughnessy-Mogill

C. Wallace Lawrence Prize in Economics
Dorothy Mugubu
Kari Paine

Irene and S. Kyle Morris Prize
Emerson Talanda-Fisher
Katherine Gatz
Drew Hopper
Bret Linvill
Scott Wharam

William G. Howard Memorial Prize
Alexander Werder

Department of Psychology First-Year Student Prize
Elizabeth Hanley
Mara Richman

Marshall Hallock Brenner Prize
Justin Leatherwood

Division of Physical Education Prize
Alexandra Gothard
Dylan Shearer

Maggie Wardle Prize
Emily Lindsay

Gordon Beaumont Memorial Award
Alicia Schooley

Henry and Inez Brown Prize
Cierra Gillard

Virginia Hinkelman Memorial Award
Sashae Mitchell

F. W. and Elsie L. Heyl Scholarship
Ayaka Abe
Reid Blanchett
Eugina Chiang
Robert Hudson
Kyle Sunden
Riley Lundquist
Paige Maguire
Sarah Manski

Posse Scholar Program
Coral Cervantes
Aarronisha Miller
Penelope Owen
Jung Eun Pyeon
Edwin Salvatierra
Jonathan Tavasti
Luisa Togia
Marcela Zaragoza

National Merit Scholars
Hannah Frame
Lucy Mailing
Jordan Meiller

John T. Williamson Scholars
Nana-Yaw Aikins
Marcela Alfaro
Camila Almanza Neumann
Elizabeth Arellano
Tyler Armor
Spencer Bertram
Nakeya Boyles
Rian Brown
Francisco Cabrera
Willina Cain
Jasmine Charter-Harris
Josefina Cibelli
Justin Danzy
Melany Diaz
Andres ElAmin-Martinez
Michelle Escobar
Joana Garcia
Marlytt Garrido
Delfino Gaspar
Immanuel Greene
Jackson Greenstone
Nya Greenstone
Elijah Hamilton-Wray
Michelle Hernandez
Reynaldo Hernandez
Yessica Hernandez
Lucia Herrera
Zachary Hill
Conrad Hipkins-Jones
David Huerta
Kelsey Kerbawy
Jordan Loredo
Samantha Luna
Guadalupe Marin
Mindze Mbala-Nkanga
Belinda McCauley
Lizbeth Mendoza Pineda
Chanice Moore
Aliera Morasch
Laura Moreno
Chelsea Muller
Fernando Nunez
Victoria Osorio
Dylan Polcyn
Andrea Pruden
Braeden Rodriguez
Wendy Rubio
Octavius Sanders
William Shelton
Cassandra Solis
Maria Talanda-Fisher
Nadia Torres
Norma Torres
Krysta Van Dyke
Julia Villarreal
Jasmine Williams
Stephanie Zuniga

Enlightened Leadership Scholars
Shahir Azhar
Johanna Drentlaw
Yessica Hernandez
Madeline MacWilliams
Ivy McKee
Megan Malish
Brian Raetz
Alexandra Smith
Cassandra Solis
Kelly Treharne

Alpha Lambda Delta
Jasmine An
Giancarlo Anemone
Caroline Barnett
Kate Belew
Caitlin Braun
Lee Broady
Haley Cartwright
Colin Cepuran
Savanna Chambers
Margarette Clevenger
Riley Cook
Rachel Dandar
Callie Daniels-Howell
Kelsey Donk
Samuel Evans-Golden
Rina Fujiwara
Kaitlyn Greiner
Elizabeth Hanley
Mariah Hennen
Jordan Henning
Jenna Holmes
Jane Huffman
Morgan Jennings
Tibin John
Allison Kennedy
Faiz Khaja
Emily Kotz
McKenna Kring
Tessa Lathrop
Jacob Lenning
Samuel Linstrom
Corinne MacInnes
Scott Manski
Alexandra Morris
Philip Mulder
Fayang Pan
Maria Rich
Mara Richman
Andrea Satchwell
Hayley Smith
Shang Sun
Tyler Tabenske
Elizabeth Uribe
Austin Voydanoff
Scott Wharam
Luke Winship

MIAA Academic Honor Roll
Keaton Adams
Maxwell Ammerman
Samuel Amoabeng
Giancarlo Anemone
Ashley Arnoldi
Nicholas Beam
Nicholas Bolig
Amanda Bolles
Olivia Bouchard
Travis Braun
Caitlin Braun
Megan Burns
Erin Campbell
Edward Carey
Reid Carlson
Cody Carr
Brandon Casto
Brock Crystal
Rachel Dandar
Ryan Davis
Mark Denenfeld
Abigail DeOchoa
David DeSimone
Calee Dieleman
Alexander Dombos
Querubin Dubois
Alexander Ducoffe
Nathan Eddy
Taryn Edsall
Mark Fortelka
Angela Frakes
James Frye
Jacob Gallimore
Lindsey Gaston
Mark Ghafari
Alexandra Gothard
Emily Gray
Alexandra Groffsky
Guilherme Guedes
Ellen Hallgren
Jacob Hansen
Kelsey Hassevoort
Kenneth Heidel
Bonita Hazel
Jordan Henning
Andrew Herman
Robert Hilliard
Ryan Hoffmann
Chaz Hyatt
Michael Ignagni
Philip Jackson III
Zachary Janes
Tibin John
Kelsey Johnson
David Kamerman
Caleb Kline
Michael Korn
Rebecca La Croix
Michael Lamrock
Rory Landis
Allison LaRose
Colin Lauderdale
Jacob Lenning
Colleen Leonard
Evan Levine
Christine Lewis
Tobias Lobeda
Kevin Lodewyk
Dane Macdonell
Amanda Mancini
Christopher Manning
Scott Manski
Megan Martinez
Caitlin McCarthy
Dylan McGonnell
Bradley Merritt
Colin Mervak
Matthew Mills
David Morris
Alexandra Morris
Courtney Nartker
Alexander Noble
Agust Olafsson
Michael Page
Adam Peters
Rachel Pitzer
Jonathan Powers
Lindsey Repphun
Maria Rich
Mara Richman
Camryn Romph
Peter Rothstein
Kira Sandiford
Jacob Schell
Julia Schroeder
Colleen Schuldeis
Eric Schuman
Dylan Shearer
Meredith Sherrill
Paula Silverman
Eric Silverstein
Dalton Simancek
Madeline Sinkovich
Alison Smith
Charlotte Steele
Alexandra Stephens
Nicholas Sweda
Emerson Talanda-Fisher
Lilian Taylor
Meghan Turner
Jackson Vaughn
Stephanie Verbeek
Jon Vigi
Samantha Voss
Kaitlyn Welke
Alexander Werder
Riley Wetzel
Scott Wharam
Joseph Widmer
Jonathan Wolbert
Nicholas Yedlin
Marc Zughaib

MIAA Team Awards
Men’s Basketball
Men’s Cross Country
Men’s Soccer
Men’s Tennis
Women’s Golf
Women’s Soccer
Women’s Swimming and Diving
Women’s Tennis
Women’s Volleyball

Confronting Terrible Stories

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“Remembering Maggie Wardle” was the theme of the Week 4 (Oct. 5) Community Reflection in Stetson Chapel. Featuring an annual speech by Ann V. and Donald R. Parfet Distinguished Professor of English Gail Griffin, the reflection remembered those in our community who face daily violence as well as the history of K’s own struggle to become a place free of violence.

Gail Griffin stands next to “Maggie’s Bench” next to Stetson Chapel
Gail Griffin by “Maggie’s Bench” next to Stetson Chapel.

Outside on the quad, purple and white fabric adorned trees on the Quad to commemorate National Intimate Partner Violence Awareness Month. More than 100 students, staff, and faculty with purple ribbons affixed to their lapels read fliers that listed the warning signs of abusive or potentially abusive relationships. The Reflection also served as a remembrance for the campus events of Friday, Oct. 18, 1999 when NeeNef Odah ’01 fatally shot his ex-girlfriend, Maggie Wardle ’02 and then himself. In 2010, Griffin published The Events of October: Murder-Suicide on a Small Campus, a book about the violence and its aftermath.

Andrea Johnson ’15 and Brittany Worthington ’14, co-leaders of POWER, the feminist student group on campus, introduced Griffin who said although this might be the last time she presents this lecture, it’s important to continue to talk about this difficult topic. “So much of education means confronting those terrible stories,” she said. She then recounted details of the circumstances leading to the murder-suicide from both Odah’s and Wardle’s perspectives. She unraveled the assumption that Odah was an imposing misogynist, but rather a mild young man who was “one of us.” She also described Wardle as a fun-loving athlete rather than a weak victim of abuse. “Women don’t get beaten because they are weak or stupid,” she said.

Chaplin Liz Candido ’00 invited the audience to encircle Wardle’s commemorative bench outside the chapel for a moment of silence. Wardle’s mother, step-father, and grandmother were all in attendance, and they encouraged students to remember Maggie by speaking about violence on campus.

Community Reflection is part of the Chapel Program at Kalamazoo College and offers a unique forum for discussion, worship, performance, and community expression each Friday at 10:50 AM in Stetson Chapel. The campus community and general public are invited. Reflection will not be held during Week 5 (Oct. 12) due to Fall Quarter break. But Week 6 (October 19) Reflection will be “Politics and Public Service: K-Plans and Career Paths,” which will feature a panel of K alumni working in the areas of politics or public service reflecting on how their K-Plan continues to inform their lives and careers.

[Story and photo by Elaine Ezekiel ’13]

Temporary Shelter

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Community Reflection participants from Week 3
Participants in Week Three chapel included (l-r): back row, Arik Mendelevitz ’15; Liz Candido ’00 and Joan Hawxhurst; front row, Rachael Vettese ’15; Craig Isser ’13 and Emilie Harris-Makinen ’13.

“Perspectives on Sukkot: Celebrating a Quest for Solace and Community” was the theme of the Week Three (Sept. 28) Community Reflection in Stetson Chapel. Co-sponsored by the Jewish Student Organization, the reflection educated the audience about the Jewish holiday Sukkot and the metaphors it provides in a pilgrimage towards maturity and self-awareness.

JSO President Craig Isser ’13 offered a “crash course” on Sukkot. He said it is a harvest holiday that Jews celebrate by building a sukkah, or temporary hut, which commemorates biblical times when the Hebrew people escaped from Egypt and wandered through the desert for 40 years with no permanent housing. He said Jews decorate the sukkah with corn husks and other fall harvest staples. JSO Co-Vice Presidents Rachael Vettese ’15 and Arik Mendelevitz ’15 spoke about the history and personal importance of the holiday. They announced that JSO planned to continue their annual tradition of building a sukkah during the weekend on the quad.

“Go sit in our sukkah, and let your mind wander,” said Vettese. “Enjoy the breeze, and smell the leaves as they are changing.” Emilie Harris-Makinen ‘13 said she is not Jewish, but she has found a comforting home among her Jewish friends at K. She said the sukkah is an idea to which people of any faith can relate. “Life can be hard at times, and it can be a really big challenge,” she said, “but even the slightest shelter, whether it’s a sukkah, or just the arms of another person can help you through the bad times.”

Director of the Center for Career and Professional Development Joan Hawxhurst said she came to Judaism later in life when she adopted her husband’s faith. She said the holiday reminds her that home is with the people she loves. “Our real shelter, our real security,” she said,” is not a welcome home or a plot of land we own, the permanence that we can’t guarantee. In the end, the real home is not a place.” Chaplain Liz Candido ’00 spoke about her experience transitioning from college to adulthood. She described K as a passing shelter. “You are all living in sukkot—temporary booths,” she said. Each audience member received strips of paper with which those decorating the sukkah would link in decoration of the hut.

Community Reflection offers a unique forum for discussion, worship, performance, and community expression each Friday at 10:50 AM (refreshments at 10:30) in Stetson Chapel. The entire campus community and general public are invited.

[Story by Elaine Ezekiel ’13.]

Having “The Talk” Across Campus

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“Let’s Talk about Sex” was the theme of the Week Two (Sept. 21) Community Reflection in Stetson Chapel. Co-sponsored by the Counseling Center, the reflection aimed to raise awareness about fostering communication, creating healthy relationships, and sexual encounters. Six participants discuss Week 2 Community Reflection

Director of Counseling Pat Ponto spoke first, announcing third and fourth week “Sex Weeks” featuring various forums discussing sexual health and social issues in K dorms. Ponto says working in the counseling center has offered her insight into the student’s perspective concerning sex. She says the two keys to good sexual experiences are intentionality and transparency. Counseling Center Psychologist Deb Rose said she wanted to debunk the myth “There’s no such thing as bad sex.”

Allie VanHeest ’13 introduced the new student group S3A, the Sexual Safety and Support Alliance. The team of six female K students provides a confidential peer-to-peer support network especially meat to help those affected by sexual assault. “I’m excited by the simple fact that this alliance now exists. To be a part of this group of women is even more empowering for me,” she said. Sexual Health Awareness Group’s Co-President Colin Cepuran ’13 delivered a speech about opening up conversational space surrounding sex culture at K. “We need virgins, introverts, party animals, first-years, seniors, and all the rest of you to be able to talk about their sexual needs,” he said. “Acceptance is rooted in understanding.”

Rachael La Barbera ’15, Craig Isser ’13, and Counseling Psychologist and Training Director Danielle Standish spoke about their respective experiences attempting to relate to K’s “hookup culture,” receiving a sexual education, and finding fulfillment within a marital relationship. Finally, Counseling Center Clinical Director Alan Hill informed the audience about an upcoming discussion he will be leading about men and sex. Attendees received copies of the Sexual Health Bill of Rights brochure.

Community Reflection offers a unique forum for discussion, worship, performance, and community expression each Friday at 10:50 AM (refreshments at 10:30) in Stetson Chapel. The entire campus community and general public are invited. The next reflection will be held on Friday of Week Three, (September 28), entitled “Perspectives on Sukkot: Celebrating a Quest for Solace and Community.” Co-sponsored by the K Jewish Student Organization, the event will celebrate Sukkot, a pilgrimage festival. JSO members will reflect on the importance of this festival in the faith and the metaphors it provides for creating a dwelling place in our own pilgrimage towards maturity and self-awareness. [Story and photo by Elaine Ezekiel ’13]

K Recycling Program Puts Others to Shame

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The website thebestcolleges.org has ranked Kalamazoo College #6 on its list of “11 College Recycling Programs That Put All Others To Shame.”

The website cites K for being “a perennial top finisher in Recyclemania,” the national competition for college and university recycling programs, and for a recycling department that “oversees the export of about a ton of food waste a week to a local pig farm, as well as the recycling of calculators, batteries, electric motors, and all other e-waste.”

K’s student run “Bat Cave” also gets a shoutout, as the place where student volunteers answer questions and run the REP Room, or Resource Exchange Program, where they recycle textbooks, mirrors, Christmas lights, pens, lamps, and much more.