campus

Posse at K Turns Four; Nationally, 25

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Kalamazoo College graduated its first group of Posse students in June 2013, its four-year orange-and-black anniversary in a national program that, in November, celebrates its silver anniversary.

K was the first Michigan school to partner with the Posse Foundation (with the organization’s Los Angeles chapter). The program finds students with academic and leadership potential who might otherwise be overlooked by traditional admissions metrics, gives them several months of training, and sends them off to elite undergraduate institutions in groups of 10 to 12 other students from the same city. The program also provides support for the students once they are on campus. Seeing K’s first 10 Posse graduates and their parents—and their tears—at K’s 2013 commencement, says Jon Stryker ’82, was very moving. “It’s not often you can give a gift that changes a life.” Stryker made a gift to K to support the first five years of the program. Posse at K will persist beyond those five years, and support for the program is a focus of K’s fundraising effort, “The Campaign for Kalamazoo College.”

In late October, the Chronicle of Higher Education published an article about the Posse Program’s 25th anniversary (“A Quarter-Century of ’’Posses’’ Underscores the Power of the Cohort,” by Libby Sander). The article quotes Kalamazoo College President Eileen B. Wilson-Oyelaran.

Sesquicentennial Stand

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Kalamazoo College pioneer Lucinda Hinsdale Stone
Lucinda Hinsdale Stone

A 150th anniversary in the College’s history approaches–one, perhaps, lesser-known, but nevertheless vital to the spirit of the place.

On November 5, 1863, James and Lucinda Stone had led Kalamazoo College for twenty remarkable years, from its infancy to its state charter and a stellar reputation. They embraced evolutionary theory, espoused abolitionism and women’s rights, introduced coeducation, taught modern language and literature alongside the classical curriculum, and brought to the classroom a vibrancy and intensity that powerfully shaped their students’ minds. But these policies and practices, though fully in keeping with 19th-century progressive tendencies, were not uncontroversial. In the late 1850’s, the leadership of the local American Baptist Church, which retained control of the college, shifted sharply in a conservative direction. A rigid, parochial spirit took hold—anathema to the Stones’ goal of creating, in Mrs. Stone’s words, “an educational institution, not merely a Baptist College.” She herself was particularly suspect as an example of that dangerous creature, the educated woman. She later described her situation: “Harassed and hindered and trammeled in my work, the time finally came when I felt that I could never, there, realize my ideal of what teaching should be—more—I could not retain my own self-respect and my position at the College.”

Kalamazoo College pioneer James Andrus Blinn Stone
James Andrus Blinn Stone

Growing financial troubles made matters worse and were blamed on Dr. Stone’s management. The Civil War drew off a large proportion of the male students, deepening the crisis. Finally, the trustees met on November 4, 1863, and heard a call for new leadership. The next morning, Dr. and Mrs. Stone submitted letters of resignation.

More than anything else, the student response testifies to the Stones’ influence: some 60 to 75 percent withdrew from school. Although many returned the following term, the College entered a period of decline in quality and reputation. It recovered only in the next century, reviving the Stones’ values and sustaining much of their vision into the 21st century. (Text by Gail Griffin; photos courtesy of Kalamazoo College Archives)

Annual Lecture Focuses on Deportation Law

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Jacqueline Stevens, professor of political science and legal studies advisory board member at Northwestern University, will deliver the 2013 William Weber Lecture in Government and Society. Her talk is titled “Government Illegals: Deportation and the Rule of Law.” The event takes place on Monday, October 28, at 8 PM in the Mandelle Hall Olmsted Room at Kalamazoo College. It is free and open to the public. Stevens is director of the Deportation Research Clinic, Buffett Center on International and Comparative Studies. She conducts research on political theories and practices of membership, and her current work in deportation law enforcement, past and present, uncovers contemporary illegalities, including practices resulting in the unlawful deportation of United States citizens from the U.S. Her work has appeared in Political Theory, the American Political Science Review, the Journal of Political Philosophy, Social Text, Third World Quarterly, The Nation, and the New York Times. Her latest book is titled States Without Nations: Citizenship for Mortals. The William Weber Lectures in Government and Society were funded by the late Bill Weber, who graduated from Kalamazoo College in 1939 with a degree in physics. He also funded the William Weber Chair in Political Science, which is held by Professor Amy Elman. Past lecturers include, among others: David Broder, E.J. Dionne, Frances Fox Piven, Jeane Bethke Elshtain, William Greider, Tamara Draut, and Mickey Edwards.

Legendary Pianist To Perform at K

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Pianist Frank Glazer
Frank Glazer

Pianist Frank Glazer will present a solo recital of works by Haydn, Beethoven, Barber, and Liszt on Wednesday, November 6, at 7:30 PM in the Dalton Theatre of the Light Fine Arts Building on Kalamazoo College’s campus. General admission is $5 for adults and $3 for students. Kalamazoo College community members are free. The event is sponsored by the Kalamazoo College music department.

Glazer’s artistry and longevity make him a singular figure in the music world. The 98-year-old musician was born in Chester, Wisconsin, in 1915. In 1932 he traveled to Europe to study with Artur Schnabel and with Arnold Schoenberg. He made his debut at Town Hall in New York City in 1936 with a program of Bach, Brahms, Schubert, and Chopin. He played this program again in 2006, to celebrate his seventieth anniversary of public performance.

In 1939 Glazer performed with the Boston Symphony Orchestra under Sergei Koussevitzky. During World War II he served in the US Army as an interpreter in Germany and France. In the early 1950s, Glazer had his own television show called “Playhouse 15” in Milwaukee. In 1965 he joined the Artist faculty of the Eastman School of Music. He left that position in 1980 to become artist-in-residence and lecturer in music at Bates College (Lewiston, Maine).

Frank Glazer’s recital program on November 6 will include the Sonata in E minor (Hob. XVI/34) of Haydn, the Phantasie and Op. 109 Sonata of Beethoven, Excursions by Samuel Barber, and three pieces by Liszt, including his Rigoletto paraphrase.

For more information, contact Susan Lawrence (269 337 7070).

Countless Malalas

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President and Chief Executive Officer of Pathfinder International Purnima Mane
Dr. Purnima Mane, President and Chief Executive Officer of Pathfinder International

“Empowering girls with information and giving them a voice enables them to say ’no’ to early marriage, ’no’ to dropping out of school, and ’no’ to an early pregnancy or unsafe sex that might cost them their future.” So wrote Dr. Purnima Mane, President and Chief Executive Officer of Pathfinder International.

Next week Mane will visit the Kalamazoo College campus to give a talk titled “Catalysts for Change: Empowering Youth through Sexual and Reproductive Rights.” The event will occur on Tuesday, October 22, at 7 p.m. in the Mandelle Hall Olmsted Room. It is free and open to the public.

Pathfinder International believes that people everywhere have the right to live a healthy sexual and reproductive life. For more than 55 years, The organization has worked to expand access to quality sexual and reproductive health care to enable and empower individuals to make choices about their body and their future. “When people take charge of their life choices–such as if or when and how often to have children–they gain confidence and strength,” said Mane. “They can better pursue their education, contribute to the local economy, and engage in their communities.”

Mane is a distinguished diplomat, leader, manager, academician, and social activist, as well as an internationally recognized expert on HIV, maternal health, behavior change, gender, and population. Pathfinder International has more than 1,000 staff around the world, an annual budget exceeding $100 million, and sexual and reproductive health programs in more than 20 developing countries.

Mane’s visit to Kalamazoo College is co-sponsored by the Center for Civic Engagement and the Office of Student Development.

Dream Approaches

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Alexander Ross and Emma Franzel rehearse for "A Dream Play"
Alexander Ross ’17 plays the Officer and Emma Franzel ’17 the Daughter in the Festival Playhouse production of August Strindberg’s A DREAM PLAY

Festival Playhouse of Kalamazoo College performs August Strindberg’s A Dream Play in the Nelda K. Balch Playhouse in November. The show opens on Thursday, November 7, at 7.30 PM (“pay-what-you-like-night”). A brief talk-back will follow Thursday’s performance. Additional evening performances are on Friday and Saturday, November 8 and 9, at 8 PM; a matinee concludes the run on Sunday, November 10 at 2 PM. Tickets are $5 for students with an ID, $10 for seniors, $15 for other adults.  A Dream Play is part of the Festival Playhouse’s Golden Anniversary season.

The play explores fundamental questions: Why do we exist, and why is life so difficult? The plot surrounds the daughter of the Hindu god, Indra, who leaves heaven to visit humans on earth. In living with humans as a human herself, her mission is to determine why humans suffer. Director Ed Menta says the production will attempt to create a theatre poem by interweaving Strindberg’s text with Festival Playhouse’s staging, performance, and design.

Senior David M. Landskroener, who serves as composer and music producer for the production, says that “creating live sound effects is such an interesting experience because I’m making sound to accompany a dream. Many times while tinkering around with effects I reject my initial thoughts about a certain sound in a scene and try out multiple options that may not at first sound completely congruent with the action onstage, but reflect the idea of associative links found in a dream.”

Before 1901, plays may have contained a dream sequence, but Strindberg created a new genre with a play that is entirely a dream. In the play’s foreword Strindberg wrote: “Everything can happen, everything is possible and probable. Time and place do not exist; on an insignificant basis of reality, the imagination spins, weaving new patterns; a mixture of memories, experiences, free fancies, incongruities and improvisations.”

Given such source materials, one can understand why “It has been a challenge to make all of the 30+ characters come to life,” according to K senior Michael Wecht, assistant director for A Dream Play. “It is my goal, through movement coaching and exercises emphasizing physicality, to help the cast discover each of their roles. This is especially pertinent because most of the actors are playing multiple roles.”

For reservations or more information about Festival Playhouse’s Golden Anniversary season (stay tuned for The Firebugs and Peer Gynt) call 269.337.7333.

Campaign For Kalamazoo College Launches Public Phase

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Kalamazoo College officials today announced that they have raised more than $84 million in gifts and pledges in The Campaign for Kalamazoo College, a $125 million effort intended to help K “elevate excellence” and “expand its impact” on and off campus.

The College launched the campaign in March 2010. The anticipated end date is June 30, 2015. With today’s announcement, the College moves into a more public phase in which all alumni and other friends of the College will be asked to make a contribution to one of four campaign priorities: student opportunity and access, faculty excellence, K-Plan enrichment, and capital projects.

“The $84 million committed by donors thus far is an amazing statement about how much they value K and the exceptional education we offer students,” said K Board of Trustees Chair Charlotte Hall ’66. “This is a very exciting time at Kalamazoo College,” she added. “This campaign supports a strategic plan that builds on the College’s mission and its historic strengths. It will elevate excellence across campus–excellence among our faculty, excellence within the student body, and excellence across our campus facilities.”

According to Kalamazoo College President Eileen B. Wilson-Oyelaran, the impact of the campaign is already being felt. “More than $7.5 million in new student scholarships enables us to enroll highly talented students regardless of their economic backgrounds,” she said. “Six newly endowed faculty positions help assure that these students are educated by stellar teachers and scholars.

“We have begun to strengthen the experiential programs that power the K-Plan,” she added, “including international engagement, career internships, leadership development, and student research.

“Because of donor generosity, we have also invested in a number of building projects—-such as the Hicks Student Center, K athletics fields and the Arcus Center for Social Justice Leadership—-that enrich the student experience and foster an even closer campus community.”

Nearly half of the estimated $20 million needed to replace the College’s aging natatorium and build a new fitness and wellness center has been pledged by donors.

“These and future gifts will have a profound impact on our students and ultimately the communities in which they will live and work,” said Wilson-Oyelaran. “This campaign will help K expand its impact on and off campus and help our students do more in four years so they can do more in a lifetime.”

Trustee Emeritus Phil Carra, Louise Fugate, Professor Emeritus of German Studies Joe Fugate and Chair of the Board of Trustees Charlotte Hall
Among the many who gathered for the public launch of the campaign for Kalamazoo College were (l-r): Trustee Emeritus Phil Carra ’69, Louise Fugate, Professor Emeritus of German Studies Joe Fugate, and Chair of the Board of Trustees Charlotte Hall ’66.

Homecoming and Reunion Weekend

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Buzz the Hornet with a family of three at HomecomingWelcome back, Orange and Black, on October 18-20. Homecoming registration is open NOW! Please check out the schedule of events to view all of the opportunities to connect. Highlights from the weekend will include: reunion activities for the classes of 1963, 1968, 1973, 1978, 1983, 1988, 1993, 1998, 2003, 2008 (as well as special gatherings for the Class of 2013 and emeriti alumni); a student film festival featuring works created in K’s introductory and advanced documentary film production classes; family friendly activities on the Quad, featuring the Fresh Food Fairy, Cirque Du K, and the College’s three a cappella groups; the Hornet football game vs. the Albion Britons at the new Kalamazoo College Athletic Field Complex; and an opportunity to tell your K story or record a favorite memory at the Story Zoo booth in the library. There is so much to share, and alumni relations staff members are looking forward to seeing you and your family. Kalamazoo area hotels are filling up fast so please do not forget to book your hotel and mention “Kalamazoo College Homecoming” to receive a special rate. If you would like a registration form mailed to you or need assistance with online registration, please contact the Office of Alumni Relations at 269-337-7300 or aluminfo@kzoo.edu. All alumni, faculty, staff, students and K friends are invited.

Opening Convocation 2013

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Kalamazoo College marks the beginning of the 2013-14 academic year with its annual Convocation on the campus Quad, Wednesday, Sept. 11, at 3:00 p.m. Free and open to the public, this colorful ceremony serves as a formal induction into the K community for the incoming Class of 2017 and includes a musical fanfare, faculty processional, welcoming remarks, and an international flag ceremony.

Under sunny skies (or in Anderson Athletic Facility in the event of rain), 457 first-year students, 27 visiting international students, and 22 transfer students from other institutions will recite the “Ritual of Recognition for New Students” and receive their charge from President Eileen B. Wilson-Oyelaran.

Jody Clark ’80, vice president at Hannon Armstrong Sustainable Infrastructure Capital, will deliver the keynote address, which will be live-streamed for the first time. Visit www.kzoo.edu/convocation for live-stream details. A reception for attendees follows on the Upper Quad, behind Stetson Chapel.

New students will receive an extensive orientation through the College’s nationally recognized First-Year Experience, including a reading and talk by Vaddey Ratner, author of In the Shadow of the Banyan, the Summer Common Reading book new students.

The incoming Class of 2017 is one of the largest since the College was established 180 years ago (1833). Fifty-three percent are female, 47 percent male. Approximately 62 percent (284) come from Michigan, 31 percent (141) come from other U.S. states and territories, and seven percent (32) come from 13 other countries (Cambodia, Canada, China, South Korea, Colombia, France, Ghana, India, Jamaica, Myanmar, Nepal, Vietnam, and Zimbabwe).

Also, 187 K students are participating in study abroad this fall at 28 programs throughout Africa (20 students), Austral-Asia (45), Central and South America (26), and Europe (96).

The College’s overall enrollment for the academic year will be approximately 1,440.

Fall quarter classes at K begin Monday Sept. 16. The fall quarter ends Wed. Nov. 27.

Conference Call

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The Arcus Center for Social Justice Leadership at Kalamazoo College will hold its first conference to question–and complicate–the notion of borders. Called WITH/OUT – ¿BORDERS?, the gathering will use a “(un)conference” structure, says Lisa Brock, academic director of ACSJL. “We welcome proposals for papers, roundtables,think tanks, and workshops.” The deadline for proposals is January 15, 2014. “We are interested in creating conversations on emerging epistemologies, radical geographies, critical solidarities, and transgressive practices that transcend and theorize across disciplinary and academic /activist borders,” says Brock. Topics include (but are not limited to) the following:

The seemingly fixed and immutable character of national-state borders (often writ in blood based on conquest and war) that, in truth, are actually unsettled and contestable. How might we map this?

Globalization’s increasing commodification of ever more forms of human and natural activity and the concomitant rise of “new” borders (fences, checkpoints, restrictions, gates, walls, prisons, and policies and laws that put greed before need). Where are the critical solidarities being developed?

The challenges to gender borders and the re-inscription of race and class divides. Where are the radical transgressions today?

The effect two changes–old borders under review and new borders in flux–on pedagogy, disciplines, nationalist paradigms, and social justice in education. What are the emergent 21st century epistemologies?

The conference will take place September 25 through September 28, 2014, at the ACSJL on the K campus. Proposals should be sent (by January 15) to Karla.Aguilar@kzoo.edu. Address queries to Arcus.Center@kzoo.edu.