civic engagement Archives - Page 4 of 5

2018 Senior Awards Ceremony Honors Students

Posted on June 18, 2018April 4, 2022

Congratulations to the following Kalamazoo College students who received awards during the 2018 Senior Awards Ceremony on June 16 at Stetson Chapel. The awards include all academic divisions, prestigious scholarships and special non-departmental awards. Again, congratulations to all graduates and members of the class of 2018.

George Acker Award, awarded annually to a male athlete who in his participation gave all, never quit, with good spirit supported others unselfishly, and whose example was inspirational.

Jonathan Nord

Alpha Lambda Delta Dr. Helen Clark Graduate Fellowship, given to the Alpha Lambda Delta member graduating with the highest GPA.

Guillermo Dominguez Garcia

American Chemical Society Certified Degree in Chemistry

Maria Elva Fujii
Sarah Marie Harnish
Phuong Nguyet Ha Le
Omar León Ruiz
Madeleine Grace Roberts
Caleb Sherwood
Kathryn Doral Thamann

James Bird Balch Prize in American History, for showing academic excellence in American history.

Angel Caranna

Lillian Pringle Baldauf Prize in Music, awarded to an outstanding music student

Lauren Landman

Lewis Batts Prize, awarded to seniors who have done the most to support the activities of the Biology Department and to further the spirit of collegiality among students and faculty.

Manbir Singh
Erika Kelly Waalkes

Bruce Baxter Memorial Award, awarded to a senior showing outstanding development in the field of political science.

Anselm Scheck

Gordon Beaumont Memorial Award, awarded to students who display qualities of selflessness, humanitarian concern and willingness to help others as exemplified in the life of Gordon Beaumont.

Rumsha Sajid
Cindy Xiao

Beeler Senior Projects Abroad Fellows

Lotte Louise Dunnell
Oluchi Amarachi Ebere
Alicia Gaitan
Jasmine Khin
Connor Webb

Larry Bell Scholar

Lee Ray Carter

Biology in Liberal Arts Prize

Rosemarie Nocita
Kathleen Elizabeth Brannan Russell

Marshall Hallock Brenner Prize, awarded to an outstanding student for excellence in the field of psychology.

Justin Thad Roop

Henry and Inez Brown Award, awarded in recognition of outstanding participation in the College community.

Alexandrea Esther Ambs
Emily Good
David Vanderkloot

Clara H. Buckley Prize for Excellence in Latin, awarded to an outstanding student of the language of the Romans.

Clayton James Meldrum

Mary Long Burch Award, for a senior woman who has manifested interest in sports activities and excelled in scholarship.

Christina Dandar

Robert Bzdyl Prize in Marine Biology, awarded to one or more students with demonstrated interest and ability in marine biology or related fields.

Claire Eleanor Howland

Annual Undergraduate Award in Analytical Chemistry, sponsored by the American Chemical Society Division of Analytical Chemistry, to an undergraduate student planning on pursuing graduate studies in chemistry.

Clay Wilkey

Annual Undergraduate Award in Inorganic Chemistry, sponsored by the American Chemical Society Division of Inorganic Chemistry, to an undergraduate student planning on pursuing graduate studies in chemistry.

Madeleine Grace Roberts

Annual Undergraduate Award in Physical Chemistry, sponsored by the American Chemical Society and subcommittee for the Division of Physical Chemistry, to an undergraduate student who displays significant aptitude for a career in organic chemistry.

Joyce Nguyen

Outstanding Chemistry Student from Kalamazoo College, sponsored by the Kalamazoo Section of the American Chemical Society and is given to the graduating senior who has demonstrated leadership in the chemistry department and plans to pursue graduate studies in chemistry.

Madeleine Grace Roberts

Lilia Chen Award in Art, awarded to students in their junior or senior year who distinguish themselves through their work in ceramics, sculpture, or painting, and who exhibit strong progress in their understanding of art.

Carlos Enrique Arellano
Dorothy Carpenter
Alicia Gaitan
Kelly Marie Haugland
Julia Madeline Koreman
Erin Sidney Reilly
Amber Sims

Ruth Scott Chenery Award, given to graduating seniors who have excelled academically in theatre and who plan to continue the study of theatre arts following graduation.

Johanna Keller Flores
Samuel Meyers

Chinese Outstanding Achievement Award, which recognizes seniors who have excelled in the study of the Chinese language and China-related subjects on campus and abroad in China.

AJ Convertino
Sharon Situ
Lia Williams

Provost Prize in Classics

Leah Elizabeth Finelli
Clayton James Meldrum

Provost Prize in Computer Science

Skyler Norgaard
Sivhaun Sera

H.P. and Genevieve Connable Scholarship

Hayley Beltz

C.W. “Opie” Davis Award, awarded to the outstanding senior male athlete

Ryan Orr

Diebold Scholar Award, given to one or more seniors in recognition of excellence in the oral or poster presentation of the SIP at the Diebold Symposium.

Megan Elisabeth Hoinville
Emma Kristal
Matera Stuart

Marion H. Dunsmore Memorial Prize in Religion, awarded to graduating seniors for excellence in the major.

Hannah Bernice Berger
Emily Good
David Vanderkloot

Provost Prize in Economics

Thao Duong
Maria Franco
Logan Nicole Smith

George Eaton Errington Prize, awarded to outstanding senior art majors.

Charlotte Mary Gavin
Tulani Pryor

Alliance Francaise Prize in French, awarded for excellence in French by advanced students.

Laetitia Marie Ndiaye
Anselm Scheck

French Government Teaching Assistantships

Molly Elise Merkel
Zoe Johannsen

Joe Fugate Senior German Award, awarded to a senior for excellence in German.

Shelby Marie Hopper

Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship

Katherine Elizabeth Johnson

Departmental Prize in Greek

Samuel Meyers

Xarifa Greenquist Memorial Psychology Department Award, given in recognition of distinctive service to students and faculty in psychology by a student assistant.

Ethel Mogilevsky
Lorenzo Redmond
Gabrielle Alexis Shimko

Fred and Sarah Greer Endowed Scholarship/Lorinda Kay Sanford Memorial

Darryl Keyshaun Lewis
Sep’Tisha Starnika Riley
Austin Vance
Kierra Verdun

Griffin Prize, awarded to the senior English major who, like Professor Gail Griffin, demonstrates an exceptional ability to bridge his or her analytical and creative work in the English department.

Rumsha Sajid

Charles C. Hall Scholarship

Maria Elva Fujii

Ham Civic Engagement Scholar

Sep’Tisha Starnika Riley

W. and Elsie L. Heyl Scholars

Brice Calco
Rachel Sujin Chang
Emily Catherine Fletcher
Abhay Goel
Jacob Naranjo
Alexandria Kathleen Oswalt
Peter Rossi
Amber Salome
Anna Michele Roodbergen

The Raymond L. Hightower Award, given to a graduating senior for excellence in and commitment to the disciplines of sociology and anthropology and leadership in the Department of Anthropology and Sociology.

Monet Foster
Alejandro Antonio Jaramillo
Savannah Julia Kinchen
Kiavanne Abelardo Javier Williams

Virginia Hinkelman Memorial Award, awarded to a deserving student who displays a deep concern for the well-being of children, as demonstrated through career goals in the field of child welfare.

Sarafina Jeanette Milianti
Sep’Tisha Starnika Riley

History Department Award, given for outstanding work in the major

Franklin Meyer

Hodge Prize in Philosophy, awarded to members of the graduating class who have the highest standing in the field.

Guillermo Dominguez Garcia
Jasmine Khin
Federico Spalletti

John Wesley Hornbeck Prize, awarded to seniors with the highest achievement for the year’s work in advanced physics toward a major.

Hayley Beltz
Megan Elisabeth Hoinville

Hornet Athletic Association Award, for a graduating senior who has most successfully combined high scholarship with athletic prowess.

David Vanderkloot

William G. Howard Memorial Prize, awarded to a senior for excellence in academic work in an economics or business major.

Guillermo Dominguez Garcia

William G. Howard Memorial Prize in Political Science

Alex Sitner

Japanese National Honor Society, College Chapter, awarded in recognition of student achievement in their study of the Japanese language and their overall academic excellence.

Miles McDowall
Laetitia Marie Ndiaye
Yilan Qiu

Kurt Kaufman Fellows, given annually to seniors who receive Honors in the Senior Individualized Project (SIP) conducted with faculty in the Chemistry Department.

Maria Elva Fujii
Sarah Marie Harnish
Christina Keramidas
Madeleine Grace Roberts

Knoechel Family Award, awarded to a member of the swimming team in recognition of demonstrated excellence in both intercollegiate swimming and academic performance.

Alexandrea Esther Ambs

Irmgard Kowatzki Theatre Award, awarded to the senior who has excelled both in academic areas and in theatrical productions during the four years at the College.

Lauren Landman

LaPlante Civic Engagement Student Scholars, for outstanding dedication to civic engagement while designing and leading community programs that promote a more just, equitable and sustainable world.

Alexandrea Esther Ambs
Delaney Fordell
Sarafina Jeanette Milianti
Khusbu Patel
David Vanderkloot

Tish Loveless Award, given by the Department of Physical Education to the outstanding senior female athlete.

Katherine Elizabeth Johnson
Madeline Woods

Music Department Certificate of Distinction

Georgetta Booker
Elan Dantus
Kelly Marie Haugland
Christian Kelley
Kelsey Amanda Matthews
Matthew Peters
Sydney Troost

National Science Foundation Graduate Fellowship

Megan Elisabeth Hoinville

Department of Philosophy Prize, awarded for excellence in any year’s work in philosophy.

Lee Ray Carter
Emiline Noel Chipman
Federico Spalletti

William E. Praeger Prize in Biology, established by the faculty in the Biology Department and awarded to the most outstanding senior majors in biology, based on academic achievement in the discipline.

Megan Elisabeth Hoinville
Khusbu Patel

Robert and Karen Rhoa Prize in Business

Thomas Bryant
Phuong Nguyen
Jake Wasko

Robert and Karen Rhoa Prize for Outstanding SIP

Tuan Do
Monica Gorgas
Katherine Elizabeth Johnson

Elwood H. and Elizabeth H. Schneider Prize in English, awarded for outstanding and creative work in English done by a student who is not an English major.

Rosemarie Nocita
Tulani Pryor

Senior Leadership Recognition Award, awarded to students who have provided key elements of leadership in their organizations, athletic teams, academic departments, employment, and the wider Kalamazoo community. Students were nominated by faculty and staff members in January. Seniors eligible for this award also had to meet a minimum cumulative Grade Point Average requirement and be in good academic and social standing at the College.

Alexandrea Esther Ambs
Hannah Bernice Berger
Mary Elizabeth Burnett
Erin Elizabeth Butler
Elan Dantus
Leah Elizabeth Finelli
Emily Good
Andre Grayson
Griffin D. Hamel
Emily Marlies Kozal
Laetitia Marie Ndiaye
Alexandria Kathleen Oswalt
Khusbu Patel
Sean Peterkin
Sep’Tisha Starnika Riley
Benjamin Rivera
Rumsha Sajid
Sivhaun Sera
Elyse Tuennerman
David Vanderkloot
Kiavanne Abelardo Javier Williams
Lia Williams
Cindy Xiao

Fan E. Sherwood Memorial Prize

Jacqueline Mills

Sherwood Prize in Fine Arts, awarded for outstanding progress and ability on the violin, viola, cello or bass.

Cody Colvin

Catherine A. Smith Prize in Human Rights, awarded to a senior who has been active on campus in promoting human rights, furthering progressive social and cultural change, and combating violence, repression and bigotry.

Emiline Noel Chipman

Catherine A. Smith Prize in Women’s Athletics, awarded to a woman athlete who in her participation gave all, never quit, with good spirit supported others unselfishly, and whose example was inspirational.

Danielle Louise Simon

Lemuel F. Smith Award, given to a student majoring in chemistry pursuing the American Chemical Society approved curriculum and having at the end of the junior year the highest average standing in courses taken in chemistry, physics and mathematics.

Maria Elva Fujii

Senior Spanish Award, given by the Department of Romance Languages for outstanding achievement in Spanish.

Emily Marlies Kozal
Claire Schertzing

Mary Clifford Stetson Prize, awarded for excellence in English essay writing by a senior.

David Vanderkloot

Dwight and Leola Stocker Prize, awarded for excellence in English writing, prose or poetry.

Margaret Doele
Elise Renée Houcek
Kate Liska
Ian Zigterman

Lucinda Hinsdale Stone Prize in Women’s Studies

Angel Caranna

Stowe Scholarship

Clay Wilkey

David Strauss Prize in American Studies, awarded for the best paper written by a graduating senior in his or her junior or senior year in any field of American Studies.

Guillermo Dominguez Garcia

TowerPinkster Sustainability Scholarship

Emiline Noel Chipman

Babette Trader Campus Citizenship and Leadership Award, awarded to members of the graduating class, who have most successfully combined campus citizenship and leadership with scholarship.

Emiline Noel Chipman
Maria Elva Fujii
Alexandria Kathleen Oswalt

Charles Tully Design Award, given annually to a senior who has achieved excellence in some aspect of theatre design.

Carlos Enrique Arellano
Stina Taylor

Donald W. VanLiere Prize Psychology in Coursework

Christina Dandar
Lia Williams
Cindy Xiao

Donald W. VanLiere Prize Psychology in Research

Christina Dandar
Ethel Mogilevsky
Gabrielle Alexis Shimko
Mariam Souweidane

Vibbert Civic Engagement Scholar, students who honor and exemplify the life and spirit of Stephanie Vibbert – scholar, activist, poet, feminist and artist – by leading programs that promote equity and justice through the arts and feminist organizing.

Rumsha Sajid

Voynovich Competitive Scholarship

Elise Renée Houcek

Michael Waskowsky Prize, awarded to outstanding junior or senior art majors.

Zoe Johannsen
Miranda Petersen

Charles Lewis Williams Jr. Award, awarded for oratory at the English SIP Symposium

Aunye Scott-Anderson

Clarke Benedict Williams Prize, awarded to that member of the graduating class who has the best record in mathematics and the allied sciences.

Hayley Beltz
Abhay Goel
Jacob Naranjo
Skyler Norgaard

Maynard Owen Williams Memorial Award, for the best student entry in the form of an essay, poetry, paintings, sketches, photographs or films derived from study abroad.

Alejandro Alaniz
Shelby Marie Hopper
Omar León Ruiz
Franklin Meyer
Michelle Orta
Aunye Scott-Anderson
Haley Elizabeth Wentz

Honors in the Major Department

Anthropology and Sociology

Logan Nicole Smith
Elyse Tuennerman

Art – Studio Art

Julia Madeline Koreman

Biology

Camille Kay Giacobone
Megan Elisabeth Hoinville
Claire Eleanor Howland
Khusbu Patel
Amber Salome
Connor Webb

Business

Ryan Andrusz
Thomas Bryant
Jonathan Nord
Jake Wasko

Chemistry

Maria Elva Fujii
Alexandria Kathleen Oswalt
Gabriel Page Rice
Madeleine Grace Roberts

Classics

Julia K. Bartlett
Clayton James Meldrum

Computer Science

Emily Catherine Fletcher
Miles McDowall
Daniel Clayton Michelin
Skyler Norgaard
Sivhaun Sera
Preston Wang-Stosur-Bassett

Economics

Guillermo Dominguez Garcia
Thao Duong
Logan Nicole Smith

English

Margaret Doele
Elise Renée Houcek
Jasmine Khin
Rumsha Sajid
David Vanderkloot

French and Francophone Studies

Molly Elise Merkel
Laetitia Marie Ndiaye

German Studies

Shelby Marie Hopper

History

Franklin Meyer

International and Area Studies

Yilan Qiu

Mathematics

Hayley Beltz
Abhay Goel
Jacob Naranjo

Music

Matthew Peters

Philosophy

Guillermo Dominguez Garcia
Jasmine Khin
Federico Spalletti

Physics

Hayley Beltz
Abhay Goel
Megan Elisabeth Hoinville
Christian Kelley

Political Science

Anselm Scheck

Psychology

Christina Dandar
Cindy Xiao

Religion

Kalyn Marie Campbell
Elise Renée Houcek
Alicia Lauren Madgwick
David Vanderkloot

Theatre Arts

Johanna Keller Flores
Lauren Landman
Samuel Meyers
Stina Taylor

Members of Phi Beta Kappa

Ryan Andrusz
Hayley Beltz
Thomas Bryant
Brice Calco
Emiline Noel Chipman
Christina Dandar
Emily Catherine Fletcher
Maria Elva Fujii
Camille Kay Giacobone
Abhay Goel
Kelly Marie Haugland
Megan Elisabeth Hoinville
Claire Eleanor Howland
Emily Marlies Kozal
Miles McDowall
Samuel Meyers
Laetitia Marie Ndiaye
Rosemarie Nocita
Skyler Norgaard
Alexandria Kathleen Oswalt
Ty Robert Owens
Khusbu Patel
Emma Peters
Yilan Qiu
Anna Michele Roodbergen
Elinor Ruth Rubin-McGregor
Amber Salome
Logan Nicole Smith
David Vanderkloot
Connor Webb
Lia Williams
Madeline Woods

Environmental Education Seeded with Grant Support

Posted on June 13, 2018September 17, 2024

Environmental education and sustainability have deep roots at Kalamazoo College. Now, they’re set for an era of new growth.

The Center for Environmental Stewardship, which got its start during the 2010-2015 Campaign for Kalamazoo College, will take a giant leap forward with a newly announced $250,000 grant from the Arthur Vining Davis Foundations.

Environmental education student examining plants — Examining a patch of Oriental bittersweet, an invasive plant, Mathew Holmes-Hackerd ’20 makes use of Kalamazoo College’s Lillian Anderson Arboretum as part of a research project. A $250,000 grant from the Arthur Vining Davis Foundations will help the College spread environmental education and sustainability throughout its curriculum and make wider use of the Arboretum via the Center for Environmental Stewardship.

The center’s goals are to:

Increase sustainability and environmental stewardship across the curriculum.
Enable more students to incorporate sustainability and environmental education into their work.
Build on existing assets to expand the College’s capacity for responsible resource management and sustainable development.
Increase the effectiveness of College’s Lillian Anderson Arboretum as a learning lab for the campus and community.

The Arthur Vining Davis Foundations are a major supporter of private colleges and universities like K, based on their conviction that “an educated society strengthens democracy through principled, thoughtful and compassionate leadership.” The Center for Environmental Stewardship is consistent with Kalamazoo College’s strategic vision of integrating academic rigor with life-changing experiential education in a values-driven community.

Biology Department Chair Binney Girdler says the grant will allow the hiring of a dedicated director for the Center for Environmental Stewardship, a key element of launching a program with the breadth and depth envisioned.

Girdler, whose duties include serving as faculty director of the arboretum, says environmental studies are nothing new at K — the subject has been an interdisciplinary minor for about 30 years, and both biology and chemistry classes make heavy use of the arboretum for those and other courses. She also says the College has a record of sustainability initiatives dating back at least to the launching of a recycling effort in the 1990s.

In addition, the College is a signatory to the American College & University Presidents’ Climate Commitment. And in 2016, thanks to a grant from the Irving S. Gilmore Foundation, it opened the solar-powered Dr. H. Lewis Batts Jr. and Jean M. Batts Pavilion to help host programming at the arboretum.

“So we’ve had these bubbles of passion around the campus, but no one person to get their arms around the whole thing and to really center it, and enrich it, and expand it,” Girdler says.

The director, whose position will be half-time, “will be able to really do some connecting the dots and cultivating collaborations among” faculty in their classes, the College’s facilities staff, student organizations, the Arcus Center for Social Justice Leadership and the Mary Jane Underwood Stryker Center for Civic Engagement, she says.

“It will be more than the sum of the parts,” she adds.

Working with the director, she says, will be a student Environmental Leadership Corps, with paid positions dedicated to sustainability initiatives both on campus and involving the wider Kalamazoo community. She says those students will engage Kalamazoo-area residents “from pre-K to gray” through activities such as leading interpretive hikes at the arboretum, a 140-acre expanse of woods, meadows and marshes six miles from the College in Oshtemo Township.

“We’ll be cultivating a corps of students who themselves have gained from their connections with the natural world and their understanding of sustainability, and having them lead others to the understanding that we’re all in this together,” Girdler says.

Ultimately she expects efforts to acquaint students with environmental education and sustainability issues, and the related use of the arboretum, to spread far beyond science courses like the ones she teaches. She cites a music class that held a session at the arboretum, where it coaxed sound and rhythms from sticks, stones and other natural materials, and a philosophy class that used the forest to explore environmental themes.

“Our poets should go out, our musicians should go out, to experience the complexity of nature,” she says. “You have to see all those interactions, you have to feel it, you have to smell it. There’s no substitute for being outdoors.”

Grants will be available to faculty members across the College to help them design instructional modules that make use of the arboretum.

Mathew Holmes-Hackerd ’20, a biology major, shares Girdler’s enthusiasm for the arboretum’s possibilities. He will be conducting a survey there this fall of the invasive species colonizing the former farmland, a 1982 gift to the College by the late Lillian Anderson ’26.

“We’re really fortunate to have this,” he says as he searches along the Arboretum’s Meadow Run Trail for patches of Oriental bittersweet, an invasive vine that can overwhelm and damage native trees. “It’s going to be really amazing.”

Hoop House Construction Will Grow Gardening at K

Posted on May 29, 2018April 5, 2023

Hoop house sounds like a nickname for a basketball arena.

In the field of agriculture, however, it’s a term for a kind of light yet sturdy, metal-framed greenhouse with a clear polyvinyl cover that can be erected anywhere it’s needed. A hoop house provides a year-round environment for growing vegetables, flowers and other cold-sensitive plants.

Hoop house students gathered around plants — Kalamazoo College’s Just Food Collective collaborated on a proposal for a “hoop house” greenhouse that, with contributions from alumni and friends of the College, will greatly expand the year-round gardening space at the College. Gathering in the College greenhouse the group currently uses are some of the Just Food Collective members involved in the proposal (from left): Maya Gurfinkel ’20, Aiden Voss ’20, Natalie Thompson ’19, Elliott Boinais ’21 and Lee Carter ’18.

This fall, thanks to a well-crafted proposal by the student members of Kalamazoo College’s Just Food Collective, a program of the Mary Jane Underwood Stryker Center for Civic Engagement (CCE), and the generosity of donors, an 1,800-square-foot hoop house will rise in a corner of the intramural field north of the Fitness and Wellness Center parking lot.

It will be several times the size of the College’s existing greenhouse behind Hoben Hall. And unlike that structure, where potted plants are grown on tables, the crops in the hoop house will be planted in ground-level boxes, making them easier to tend, sustain and harvest.

Ultimately, say student organizers such as Lee Carter ’18, a CCE Civic Engagement Scholar, the food produced in the hoop house could become part of the supply chain for the College’s Dining Services and perhaps for other food programs in the Kalamazoo community. It’s part of a wider goal of the Just Food Collective to increase the use of locally sourced food, easing nutritional inequities, bringing more transparency to the food supply system and reducing the College’s carbon footprint.

The idea has been around for over a decade. CCE Director Alison Geist says it got its start with a group called Farms to K, a program that grew from the service-learning first-year seminars Cultivating Community, first taught in 2008 by English professor Amelia Katanski ’92, and Roots in the Earth, led by College Writing Center Director Amy Newday, that focus on food justice and sustainable agriculture. Katanski and Newday serve as advisors to the group and Larry Bell ’80, founder of Bell’s Brewery, has provided support.

Artist rendition of Hoop House — An artist’s depiction of the College’s new 1,800-square-foot hoop house, which will be erected in a corner of the intramurals field north of the Fitness and Wellness Center.

The CCE, students and faculty revived and expanded the mission of Farms to K in spring 2016 as the Just Food Collective, whose mission includes policy work on food insecurity. The students involved included Carter, who says he grew up in a “back to the land, homesteader” household in rural New Hampshire that always had a vegetable garden. With Newday, an owner of Shelbyville, Michigan’s, Harvest of Joy Farm, as mentor, they drew up a simple proposal for a hoop house, and Anika Sproull ’17, wrote a senior individualized project (SIP) advocating that K invest in sustainable agriculture.

Over the next two years, more than a dozen students devised a detailed, illustrated proposal and prepared a presentation that, Geist says, “just bowled over” President’s Staff. The proposal lays out the plan and explains how it would provide learning opportunities for existing classes and connect to campus programs such as a composting initiative. It also details the involvement of paid and volunteer student workers, tells how it would fulfill existing College policies concerning environmental justice and sustainability, looks at what other colleges and universities are doing and even includes the results of an informal survey demonstrating K student support for the idea.

Alumni and other supporters of the College, impressed by the plan, contributed the $26,200 needed to fund it.

“I was personally blown away by how quickly [the College] raised the money,” says Just Food Collective Civic Engagement Scholar Natalie Thompson ’19, who participated in the presentation.

Geist says she believes the donors were enthusiastic because they saw it as “a really K kind of thing,” where students used the freedom inherent in the K-Plan to take the lead and work outside of traditional structures. It’s the sort of student-led initiative, with one foot in the classroom and the other in contemporary social issues, that will spread throughout K’s curriculum under the new strategic plan. The plan calls for the College to “become the definitive leader in integrating academic rigor with life-changing experiential education in a values-driven community.”

“This is a really good example” of what the plan envisions, Geist says. “We’re not educating leaders of tomorrow, we’re educating leaders of today.”

As a 2018-19 Civic Engagement Scholar, Just Food Collective member Elliott Boinais ’21 will be in charge of the project, advised by Newday.

Geist cites it as a “fellowship in learning” — a principle that has illuminated the College’s approach to education for almost a century and which defines the CCE’s mission.

“It provides a prototype for what this kind of collaborative learning community can look like and achieve in the future,” she says.

“I hope it’s going to outlast our time here,” says Just Food Civic Engagement Scholar Aiden Voss ’20.

The graduating Carter regrets he won’t be around for the completion of the hoop house, which the philosophy major says he has dreamed about since he was a sophomore in a nearby Living-Learning Housing Unit, gazing at the intramural field as he drank his morning coffee while sitting on a sofa he dragged onto the porch.

Still, his K-Plan has revolved around food, with a SIP on food and philosophy and his experience helping lead a sustainable agriculture initiative. And his next step demonstrates the value of the education he received when, he says, he chose K over culinary school: This fall, he will begin work as a line chef at Canlis, the James Beard Award-winning restaurant widely acclaimed as Seattle’s finest.

“It’s really worked out,” he says.

Student Named a YWCA Young Achiever

Posted on May 15, 2018March 22, 2022

Kalamazoo College Civic Engagement Scholars (CES) are continuing to rack up honors as Alexandrea “Lexi” Ambs ’18 receives one of the Kalamazoo YWCA’s Young Women of Achievement Awards.

Portrait of Lexi Ambs — Alexandrea “Lexi” Ambs has been honored as one of the Kalamazoo YWCA’s Young Women of Achievement.

In her CES role, Ambs, a member of the Kalamazoo College women’s swimming and diving team, has been a leader in a partnership between the College’s Mary Jane Underwood Stryker Center for Civic Engagement and the City of Kalamazoo Department of Parks and Recreation, which provides tutoring and low-cost swimming lessons for youth in Kalamazoo.

She is responsible for recruiting, training and supervising 20 of her fellow K students who are coaches and tutors in the program.

The Young Women of Achievement Award citation noted that while maintaining a challenging schedule as a collegiate athlete and in her community service role, Ambs, a biology major with a psychology minor, twice has been named to the MIAA academic honor roll. She also serves on K’s Athletic Leadership Council.

Participants in the CES program recruit, train, orient, supervise and evaluate their peers, coordinating complex service-learning programming with local agencies, public schools, health clinics and initiatives. Recently, seven other Civic Engagement Scholars received Champs awards from Communities in Schools Kalamazoo, a group that seeks to help meet the needs of students in some of the city’s most challenged schools.

Ambs says she plans to pursue post-graduate studies leading to a career as a physical therapist. The CES program is just one example of how Kalamazoo College’s signature K-Plan makes it possible for students to gain invaluable experiential learning that helps prepare them for a wide variety of careers.

Champs Award for Civic Engagement Scholars Spotlights Experiential Learning

Posted on May 10, 2018March 22, 2022

Experiential learning is getting renewed emphasis at Kalamazoo College, and there’s new evidence of its value as Communities in Schools of Kalamazoo presents an annual Champs award to a group of the College’s Civic Engagement Scholars (CES).

Two Champs award winners — Sarafina Milianti (left) and Valentina Cordero were among the Civic Engagement Scholars honored with a Champs award May 9.

Champs Award recipients at banquet dinner — David Vanderkloot (from left), Delaney Fordell and Kevin McCarty were among the Civic Engagement Scholars attending the Champs award ceremony May 9. Vanderkloot says being a Civic Engagement Scholar has been a formative experience.

Each year, the Mary Jane Underwood Stryker Center for Civic Engagement trains and supports more than 20 Civic Engagement Scholars. They are paid student leaders who work with a variety of community organizations, including Communities in Schools (CIS).

CIS works with some of Kalamazoo’s most challenged public elementary schools, providing students and families the resources they need to get a good start on their education. Those resources include over 200 K students who work with Kalamazoo Public School students as mentors, classroom assistants, playground helpers and club leaders for lunch and after-school programs.

Among the seven Civic Engagement Scholars receiving the Champs award is David Vanderkloot ’18, who has spent all four of his school years at K mentoring a student at Woodward School for Technology and Research and leading over 50 of his peers who also work there.

Vanderkloot said getting to know the student he mentors and providing her with academic assistance and social and emotional support has been “transformational” for him.

“I came from a school that was well-off and high-performing, so going to Woodward, which was labeled a failing school and in threat of closing, a lot of times for things outside their control, gave me insight into why there are disparities in our education system and motivated me to keep trying to improve it in whatever way I could,” he said.

Champs award honoree Kalli Hale working with 2 students — Kalli Hale is one of Kalamazoo College’s Civic Engagement Scholars honored by Communities in Schools of Kalamazoo with a Champs award.

Champs Award Civic Engagment Scholar — Marlyn Sanchez represents the Kalamazoo College Civic Engagement Scholars at the Champs award ceremony.

He said he arrived at K wanting to major in English, but with little idea where it would lead. Being a Civic Engagement Scholar

“helped me gain a real focus,” he said. “It was a formative experience.”

He said he learned that while he doesn’t want to be a teacher, he does want a career in the nonprofit sector that allows him to continue working in the youth development field.

Moises Hernandez ’17, a former Civic Engagement Scholar and now a post-baccalaureate fellow at the Center for Civic Engagement, said the College reinforces the educational experience for the scholars by holding weekly workshops where they learn more about the social issues the programs address. Civic Engagement Scholars also hold periodic reflections where they talk about their work, what they’re learning from it and how it fits into their K-Plans, he said.

Vanderkloot said reflection is a key component of the service learning process.

“It led me to ask more questions and think more in depth about the disparities in education and how there are a lot of interesting issues that create those disparities,” he said.

Opportunities like the CES program are expected to grow as the College makes connecting classroom learning to real-world experiences a key element of its new strategic plan.

The plan, “Advancing Kalamazoo College: A Strategic Vision for 2023,” calls for K to become “the definitive leader in integrating academic rigor with life-changing experiential education in a values-driven community.” And a process is underway to identify other potential opportunities locally and in conjunction with study abroad and study away programs.

The CCE partnership with Kalamazoo Public Schools provides a glimpse of what is likely to come, said Teresa Denton, associate director of the Center for Civic Engagement. It has been around in one form or another for two decades—long enough that K students have graduated and gone on to work with CIS. Among the CIS staffers who K students currently work with are Woodward’s CIS site coordinator, Jen DeWaele ’97, and El Sol Elementary School’s CIS after-school coordinator, Viridiana Carvajal ’15, a former Civic Engagement Scholar.

Such long-term relationships are mutually beneficial to the College and its partners, and give students perspective on the importance of their work to the communities they’re a part of.

“This is only possible because of the reciprocal partnerships we’ve been able to build and sustain with groups like CIS,” said Denton. “We consider both our students and our community partners as our colleagues in bringing K students and community members together to learn from one another.”

In addition to Vanderkloot, Civic Engagement Scholars receiving the Champs award are Delaney Fordell ’18, Kalli Hale ’20, Kevin McCarty ’20, Marlyn Sanchez ’20, Sarafina Milianti ’18 and Valentina Cordero ’20.

Experience, Opportunity Intersect for City, K

Posted on April 20, 2018March 22, 2022

“Win-win.”

That’s the phrase Kalamazoo city government officials and Kalamazoo College faculty and staff frequently use to describe a burgeoning partnership in which K students are gaining invaluable hands-on experience conducting research that is providing the city much-needed data to focus unprecedented community improvement efforts.

Sharmeen Chauhdry and Kevin Ford of Shared Prosperity Kalamazoo — Sharmeen Chauhdry ’20 has gained experience conducting research for programs such as Shared Prosperity Kalamazoo, an antipoverty initiative coordinated by Kevin Ford. Chauhdry, seen here with Ford at the city planning office, will continue her experiential education with a summer internship through the College’s Mary Jane Underwood Stryker Center for Civic Engagement.

Though having students work with the city is not a new idea, it’s getting fresh attention because of a strategic confluence. The K Board of Trustees has adopted a new strategic plan for the College that calls for strengthening the K-Plan in part by finding more effective ways to link classroom learning to real-world experiences. And the city, with tens of millions of dollars in philanthropic support, is implementing its own strategic vision, Imagine Kalamazoo, with new initiatives such as Shared Prosperity Kalamazoo that provide just those sorts of opportunities.

“From its perspective as an institution and a brain trust and a shaper of young lives, the College benefits,” says Kevin Ford, coordinator of the innovative antipoverty program. “And from the city perspective, we have that relationship with an influential local institution and we can tap into that brain trust and the opportunity to do research—things we don’t have.”

“I think it’s a real opportunity,” says K Anthropology Professor Kiran Cunningham ’83, long an advocate of such programs.

“It just a win-win all around,” says Laura Lam ’99, Kalamazoo’s assistant city manager in charge of Imagine Kalamazoo, who credits an early K-city learning partnership for launching her career.

Alison Geist, director of K’s Mary Jane Underwood Stryker Center for Civic Engagement (CCE), says the new partnership is far larger than anything that preceded it. A model for how it will work is Cunningham’s winter term 2018 Social Research for Social Change class. Students not only read and discussed how to do research, they joined Shared Prosperity Kalamazoo to conduct it, interviewing residents about their needs.

The student-researchers, advised by Cunningham and Ford, focused on the means low-income residents have devised on their own for dealing with barriers to employment, such as costly child care and limited public transportation. Among those strategies: pooling resources to look after one another’s children during working hours and creating a sort of informal Uber to ensure jobs are accessible even when bus routes aren’t.

As the culmination of their classwork, the students wrote a report and recommendations documenting those solutions and the residents’ suggestions for how to make them more effective and broadly available. Shared Prosperity Kalamazoo is using the data in partnership with community members to devise new initiatives.

The city is in a position to carry out this work because of a burst of philanthropy intended to narrow the gap between what has been described as Kalamazoo’s two divergent cultures—one characterized by an uncommon cultural and educational resources, and the other plagued by persistent poverty and inequity. Underpinning the initiative, William D. Johnston, husband of former K Trustee Ronda Stryker, and William Parfet, brother of K Trustee Donald Parfet, joined forces to donate $70.3 million, creating the City of Kalamazoo Foundation for Excellence.

The city’s growing need for data to carry out its ambitious plans, and the College’s push to provide students opportunities to apply their learning, are coming together at just the right time, says Geist. She says the CCE is dedicating nearly half of its upcoming internships to Kalamazoo city programs, working with City Planner Christina Anderson ‘98.

“This is such an amazing opportunity,” Geist says. “It’s a real city with real city assets. It faces so many of the challenges faced by Rust Belt cities elsewhere but it has so many resources to address those issues.”

One of Cunningham’s students in the winter term research class, Sharmeen Chauhdry ’20, says being part of Shared Prosperity Kalamazoo brought home lessons about how ground-level community research can pave the way for meaningful change.

“We got to see what the real experts, the people in these situations, say about what works and what doesn’t, and what they need,” she says.

The anthropology-sociology major says she now sees government as a potential career choice, and will continue her work with the city this summer in one of the CCE internships.

Even for those who don’t choose such a career path, the benefits of experiential learning with the city government can have a lifelong effect, Geist says.

“It creates opportunities for our students so they can learn what it means to be a citizen,” she says.

K Student’s Project Spreads the News About Literacy Skills

Posted on March 16, 2018March 22, 2022

Kevin McCarty ’20 has ambitions of being a doctor. For now, though, the title “newspaper editor” will do. You also could call him a teacher. Or, as Teresa Denton, associate director of the Mary Jane Underwood Stryker Center for Civic Engagement, describes him, “really dedicated.” McCarty is quick to say he’s not seeking any credit for himself. Instead, he says, his goal is to combat a persistent problem at some Kalamazoo public schools: lagging student achievement in literacy skills.

Kevin McCarty Helps a Class Develop Literacy Skills — Kevin McCarty ’20 has ambitions of being a doctor. For now, though, the title “newspaper editor” will do as he seeks to help Woodward Elementary students develop literacy skills.

Back home, as a high school student in suburban Detroit, McCarty, a chemistry and Spanish major at K, worked with a program call Kids Standard that sought to improve student literacy skills by helping elementary school children publish a school magazine. After he got to K, he wanted to carry on the work, but the distance was too great to make it practical. So this school year he applied to become, and was accepted as, a civic engagement scholar through the Center for Civic Engagement (CCE), and received a grant from the CCE’s Linda Primavera Fund, created by Primavera ’77, a longtime advocate of civic engagement.

He is working at Woodward School for Technology and Research in the Stuart neighborhood, just a few blocks from the College. Woodward is a Michigan Priority School, which means its elementary-aged students’ achievement and growth is in the bottom 5 percent for the state. Their reading and writing scores on standardized tests, on average, lag far below grade levels.

Empowered by CCE to launch his own literacy skills program to address that issue, and working with Communities in Schools, a Kalamazoo nonprofit that seeks to bolster student achievement, McCarty mapped out a strategy.

First, he served as an editor at The Index to get the skills he needed to design a newspaper. Then he spent his winter break drawing up a lesson plan. It called for forming an after-school club where students, mainly fourth- and fifth-graders, would receive several weeks of training in conceiving and composing stories, then write them for a publication to be called The Woodward Weekly.

“I went back and talked to teachers in my hometown and with Maggie Razdar,” who runs Kids Standard, “and we highlighted areas I should touch on and where I should put the most emphasis,” he says. “I outlined very general areas I needed to talk about, like what is an introduction, what is the body of the story, what is a complete sentence, the parts of speech, when to use commas, because I realized that as I was doing it, how actually complex it is. It made me go back and think of the questions I would have asked as a student and break it down into pieces.”

He used his proposal to secure a $500 grant for printing the paper. Then, twice a week in the winter term, he led the students through creative exercises that targeted literacy skills including having them cut out printed words from local publications and rearrange them to tell their own stories. The capstone was choosing subjects for the Woodward Weekly and researching and writing the stories for the first edition, which debuted this month.

McCarty says he exercised a light touch in the editorial process, letting students pursue their own ideas and express them as they preferred. The results include an “Opinion” page with three stories on the subject of slime and two recipes for making it. Fourth-grader Krysty’anna Craft writes about how she became interested in slime by watching YouTube videos (a common theme in the Weekly), while Kieara Virgil, another fourth-grader and apparently a budding chemist, explains that it is “a unique play material composed of a cross-linked polymer … made by combining polyvinyl alcohol solutions with borate ions.”

“I don’t plan out what they do.” McCarty says. “I want to make the idea of writing and self-expression something that’s completely up to them and their choice. It was anything from poetry to fiction and nonfiction.”

Stories completed and photos gathered, he then faced the hardest part: assembling the newspaper, something he had never done on his own before. It was a lot of extra work, but he says he knew the result — a professional-looking, eight-page newsletter divided into departments and complete with bylines for each writer — was worth it when he saw how excited the students were.

“I don’t know what they were expecting but they were really impressed with the way it turned out,” he says. “When they saw it looked like a real newspaper, they said, ‘I’m famous now!’ ”

More important, he says, they gained an understanding of their own literacy skills and experienced writing as a way to communicate ideas they care about, not as a daunting chore. Tasked with collecting metrics for the program, he could point to measurable success.

“They saw writing as a joyful thing rather than an assignment,” he says. “And they walk away with a better understanding of the process.”

As for the editor, “It was pretty fulfilling,” he says. Other schools in Kalamazoo are now interested in launching similar programs, he says, and he has left copies of the Weekly around K so fellow students can see what’s possible through CCE.

Community engagement scholars conduct a weekly reflection session on their goals and experiences, and McCarty says many of those discussions this winter focused on educational inequality. Given the size and seeming intractability of that problem, running the club and publishing the Weekly “wasn’t a big thing to do,” he says. “But it’s something we can do.”

Applications are open through April 20 for the next round of Civic Engagement Scholarships. The paid positions give students the opportunity to engage in projects like McCarty’s while also providing student leadership for the CCE.

Senior Leadership Recognition Awards Honor Exceptional Service

Posted on February 16, 2018September 17, 2024

Already widely known on campus for their invaluable contributions to the community, 25 seniors have been honored with Kalamazoo College Senior Leadership Recognition Awards. They include talented athletes, outstanding students, dedicated resident assistants, members of the President’s Student Ambassadors and leaders of student organizations. In many cases, they fall into more than one of these categories. Senior leadership nominations came from faculty, coaches and staff throughout the College.

2018 Senior Leadership Award Winners — Senior Leadership Award winners Friday were (front row, from left) Sean Peterkin, Elyse Tuennerman, Erin Butler, Emily Good, Lia Williams and Sep’tisha Riley; (second row, from left) Cindy Xiao, Sivhaun Sera, Hannah Berger, Laetitia Ndiaye and Skyler Norgaard; (third row, from left) Leah Finelli, Khusbu Patel, Danielle Simon, Mary Burnett and Alexandrea Ambs; and (back row, from left) Andre Grayson, David Vanderkloot, Emily Kozal and Griffin Hamel. Not pictured: Elan Dantus, Alexandria Oswalt, Benjamin Rivera, Rumsha Sajid and Kiavanne Williams.

“Kalamazoo College students are, by definition, outstanding,” said President Jorge G. Gonzalez, who hosted the senior leadership awards dinner Friday for the honored students and their parents. “To be chosen for a Senior Leadership Recognition Award is to achieve a superlative distinction.”

Here are the senior leadership honorees and statements from their nominators:

Alexandrea Ambs (nominated for a senior leadership award by Jay Daniels ’13, swimming and diving coach)
“Lexi is a great teammate and leader … Almost everyone younger than her on the team were hosted by Lexi or she played a role in them choosing to swim at K … Always leads the team by positive example and has been committed.”

Hannah Berger (nominated by the Rev. Elizabeth Candido ’00, chaplain and director of Religious and Spiritual Life)
“I’ve watched Hannah grow and develop into someone who is articulate, confident and able to work across difference to bring about a great result. … She is an ego-less, diligent servant leader who moves the job forward.”

Mary Burnett (nominated by Ashley Knapp, Residential Life area coordinator)
“Mary has worn many hats as an RA, peer leader, orientation program assistant, Index writer and more. … She truly cares for her community invests in developing fellow students and creating a positive experience for all.”

Erin Butler (nominated by Sandy Dugal, associate director, Kalamazoo College Fund)
“Erin has been a president’s student ambassador since her sophomore year. … She has been actively involved in issues of student representation and student voice. …She strives to make K a richer community where everyone has a voice.”

Elan Dantus (nominated by Mark Riley ’82, men’s tennis coach)
“Elan is a co-captain of our tennis program and a two-time first-team All-MIAA selection. … Also a departmental student adviser and has earned many academic awards. … Kind, thoughtful and successful on and off the court.”

Leah Finelli (nominated by Knapp)
“Leah serves as a senior resident assistant and is an exemplary role model who has always been considered a go-to person. …There is no one I know better who lives their life in such a way that I believe exhibits enlightened leadership.”

Emily Good (nominated by Candido)
“Emily has been a dedicated participant and volunteer in Religious and Spiritual Life all four years and now is an intern. …I never hesitate to leave her in charge of a program, meeting or group. … Diligent, responsible and thorough.”

Andre Grayson (nominated by Amy MacMillan, L. Lee Stryker professor of business management)
“Andre is in the top 5 to 10 percent of students I have taught. … He stands out for internal drive, analytical skills and the ability to get people to see things from a different perspective. … He has an inner fire that drives him to go above and beyond.”

Griffin Hamel (nominated by MacMillan)
“Griffin has really stepped up as a leader in the classroom who takes initiative. …In any project he will work hard and dig in extensively to learn and share credit with those around him. … He remains positive even after tough feedback.”

Emily Kozal (nominated by Katie Miller, assistant athletic director and women’s basketball coach; and Dugal)
“Emily is a dedicated leader in the classroom, on the court, in the community and as a President’s Student Ambassador. … A force on the basketball team and in the MIAA. … Amazing role model, brings a tremendous work ethic.”

Laetitia Ndiaye (nominated by Brittany Lemke, Residential Life area coordinator)
“Laetitia has done wonderful work in the K community as a senior RA, as well as in Model UN, Latinx Student Organization and Kalama-Africa. … She is a fun, energetic, caring, inspiring and extremely kind person who takes great pride in her work.”

Skyler Norgaard (nominated by Riley)
“Skyler has been a responsible, independent and motivated person as he leads our team. … As a co-captain, he is positive, respectful and an excellent listener while also challenging his teammates with his thoughtful intellect.”

Alex Oswalt (nominated by Mark Murphy, women’s tennis head coach)
“Alex is one of the hardest workers I have ever coached. … Highly accomplished academically. … As a captain, she is a great communicator. … Upon graduation she will be sorely missed for her leadership, humility, kindness and heart.”

Khusbu Patel (nominated by Bruce Mills, professor of English; and Alison Geist, Teresa Denton, Moises Hernandez ’17, Emily Kowey ’17 and Paulette Rieger, Mary Jane Underwood Stryker Center for Civic Engagement)
“Khusbu possesses exceptional abilities to convene, guide and enrich fellow students, classrooms and/or civic engagement settings. … Biology major involved in Sisters in Science as well as on the Frisbee team and Frelon.”

Sean Peterkin (nominated by Lemke)
“Sean is a senior RA and such a motivating, goal seeking and respectful individual. … He pays attention to detail, always has a smile and never stops trying his best. …Everyone around him, including me, learns so much from him.”

Sep’Tisha Riley (nominated by Geist, Denton, Hernandez, Kowey and Rieger)
“Sep’Tisha has demonstrated leadership, deep dedication and skill as she has worked to promote educational equity and youth empowerment … also a student worker for the Registrar’s Office and very active in the Theatre Department.”

Benjamin Rivera (nominated by Amy Newday, director, Writing Center)
“Ben serves as a mentor for my students and has inspired them with his work at the Lillian Anderson Arboretum. … He dedicates himself to following his passions, sharing those passions generously and quietly making a difference in his community.”

Rumsha Sajid (nominated by Marin Heinritz ’99, assistant professor of English and journalism; and Geist, Denton, Hernandez, Kowey and Rieger)
“Rumsha is one who has made an impact since day one and not only grown exponentially since then, but has also catalyzed the growth and education of everyone around her…passion for social justice and civic engagement.”

Sivhaun Sera (nominated by Dugal)
“Sivhaun is a president’s student ambassador and a ball of energy. … She is a founding member of the computer science leadership team and serves as a TA and a departmental student adviser. … She is mature beyond her years.”

Danielle Simon (nominated by Miller)
“Dani is one of the hardest-working people I’ve ever met. …This amazing work ethic allows her to succeed and have a positive impact in the classroom, on the basketball team and in the community. …She always strives for excellence.”

Elyse Tuennerman (nominated by Dugal)
“Elyse is warm, poised and authentic. … Her leadership is evident on campus and in the broader community. … Co-editor-in-chief of The Index, a tour guide for Admission, peer leader and active in the Student Funding Board.”

David Vanderkloot (nominated by Deia Sportel, academic office coordinator)
“David is dependable, efficient, responsible and has a great positive attitude. … He is well liked by his peers and highly respected by the faculty. … Serves as a Departmental Student Adviser and a valuable source of assistance for students.”

Kiavanne Williams (nominated by Aman Luthra, assistant professor of anthropology and sociology; and Knapp)
“Kiavanne was among the brightest and highest performing students in my class. … Very impressive SIP research that I have encouraged Kiavanne to publish. … An incredibly mindful and compassionate senior RA who cares deeply.”

Lia Williams (nominated by Dugal)
“Lia is highly involved as a presidential student ambassador and also as a career associate, psychology research and teaching assistant, and interfaith student leader. …Outstanding ability to relate to differing perspectives.”

Cindy Xiao (nominated by Lemke)
“Cindy is such an intelligent, dedicated, respectful and jovial individual. … As a senior RA, she is full of energy, has a positive disposition and is always willing to help. …Her drive and incredible talent are powerful forces to her success.”

K Lauds Distinguished Alumni, Athletics Honorees

Posted on October 16, 2017March 22, 2022

Acclaimed for his former role on AMC’s “The Walking Dead,” Steven S. Yeun ’05 was among four honorees Friday, Oct. 20, as Kalamazoo College presented its 2017 Distinguished Alumni Awards. Athletic Hall of Fame inductions also were held in the ceremony at Dalton Theatre at Light Fine Arts.

Distinguished Alumni Including Steven Yeun Honored at Kalamazoo College — Distinguished Alumni Awards honoree Steven Yeun ’05 is acclaimed for his former role on AMC’s “The Walking Dead.” He was among four honorees Friday, Oct. 20.

The recipients and their awards were:

William DeGrado ’77, Distinguished Achievement Award. DeGrado is a professor in the department of pharmaceutical chemistry and an investigator at the Cardiovascular Research Institute at the University of California San Francisco.
Phillip C. Carra ’69, Distinguished Service Award. Carra is a partner in Apjohn Group, a life science start-up consultancy in Kalamazoo; former corporate vice president for public relations at the Upjohn Co.; an emeritus trustee of the College; and a leader in numerous civic organizations. His award was presented in absentia.
Yeun, Young Alumni Award. A fan favorite as Glenn Rhee on “The Walking Dead,” Yeun, whose award was presented in absentia, has since gone on to play roles in feature films including “Okja” and “Mayhem.”
Gail Griffin, Weimer K. Hicks Award. An author, poet and essayist, Griffin was chair of three departments (English, Theatre and Classics), founding director of Women’s Studies and director of Teaching Development during her 1977-2013 tenure at K. This is the latest of her numerous K honors.

Athletic Hall of Fame inductees were:

Elizabeth Garlow ’07, swimming and diving;
Kim Hartman ’03, soccer;
Nick Lachapelle ’00, football;
Judsen Schneider, ’03, swimming;
the 1985 men’s tennis team; and
the 1995 women’s volleyball team.

The awards were presented in conjunction with the College’s Oct. 20-22 Homecoming celebration.

Senior Awards Ceremony 2017

Posted on June 10, 2017April 4, 2022

Congratulations to the following Kalamazoo College students, who received awards during the Senior Awards Ceremony on June 10, 2017, in Stetson Chapel. The awards include all academic divisions, prestigious scholarships, and special non-departmental awards. Again, congratulations to all graduates and members of the Class of 2017.

FINE ARTS DIVISION

Art and Art History

THE LILIA CHEN AWARD IN ART, awarded to students in their junior or senior year who distinguish themselves through their work in ceramics, sculpture, or painting, and who exhibit strong progress in their understanding of art.
Kelan Gill
Madeline Clair Lawson
Kelsi Levine
Giovanni Lo Grasso
Helena Maija Marnauzs
Harrison Thomas Parkes
Christa Scheck
Jie Xu

THE GEORGE EATON ERRINGTON PRIZE, awarded to an outstanding senior art major.
Gabriela E. Latta
Malikah Q. Mahone

THE MICHAEL WASKOWSKY PRIZE, awarded to an outstanding junior or senior art major.
Erin Brown
Rachel Catherine Selina

Music

The LILLIAN PRINGLE BALDAUF PRIZE IN MUSIC, awarded to an outstanding music student.
John Bowman
Valentin Frank
Gabrielle Holme-Miller
Vethania Stavropoulos

THE MUSIC DEPARTMENT AWARD, given by the Music Department of the College for outstanding contributions to the musical life on campus, for achievement in performance areas, and for academic achievement.
John Bowman
Alexis Diana Diller
Johanna Drentlaw
Rachel Elizabeth Fadler
Hannah Lehker
Daniel Moore
Cody Mosblech
Eric S. Thornburg
Camila Trefftz
Myles Truss
Olivia Marguerite Weaver
Lindsay Worthington

THE FAN E. SHERWOOD MEMORIAL PRIZE, awarded for outstanding progress and ability on the violin, viola, cello or bass.
Siwook Hwang
Hannah L. Kim

THE MARGARET UPTON PRIZE IN MUSIC, awarded each year to a student designated by the Music Department Faculty as having made significant achievement in music.
Thaddeus Martin Buttrey

Theatre Arts

THE RUTH SCOTT CHENERY AWARD, given to a graduating senior who has excelled academically in theatre and who plans to continue the study of theatre arts following graduation.
Thaddeus Martin Buttrey
Monica Johnson
Kyle Lampar
Sarah Levett
Lindsay Worthington

THE COOPER AWARD IN FINE ARTS, for a junior or senior showing excellence in a piece of creative work in a theatre arts class: film, acting, design, stagecraft, puppetry, speech.
Madison Louise Donoho

THE IRMGARD KOWATZKI THEATRE AWARD, awarded to the senior who has excelled both in academic areas and in theatrical productions during the four years at the College.
Sarah Levett

THE SHERWOOD PRIZE IN FINE ARTS, given for the best oral presentation in a speech-oriented class.
Quincy Isaiah Crosby

THE CHARLES TULLY DESIGN AWARD, given annually to a senior who has achieved excellence in some aspect of theatre design.
Lindsay Worthington

FOREIGN LANGUAGES DIVISION

Chinese

THE CHINESE OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT AWARD recognizes seniors who have excelled in the study of the Chinese language and China-related subjects on campus and abroad in China.
Dejah Crystal
Marlon Gonzalez
Amanda Johnson
Natalie A. Schmitt
Katherine Wynne

Classics

THE CLARA H. BUCKLEY PRIZE FOR EXCELLENCE IN LATIN, awarded to an outstanding student of the language of the Romans.
Brittany Jones

THE DEPARTMENTAL PRIZE IN GREEK
Danielle Marie Gin

THE PROVOST’S PRIZE IN CLASSICS, awarded to that student who writes the best essay on a classical subject.
Danielle Marie Gin
Brittany Jones

German

THE JOE FUGATE SENIOR GERMAN AWARD, awarded to a senior for excellence in German.
Frances Mary Heldt

Japanese

THE JAPANESE NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY, COLLEGE CHAPTER, is awarded in recognition of the student’s achievement in their study of the Japanese language and for their overall academic excellence.
Corrin Elise Davis
Alexis Diana Diller
John Mihalik Fowler
Anh P. Lam
Bailee M. Lotus
Elinor Ruth Rubin-McGregor
Christa Scheck
Ke Sheng
Carolyn Elizabeth Topper

Romance Languages

THE ALLIANCE FRANCAISE PRIZE IN FRENCH, awarded for excellence in French by an advanced student.
Maribel Blas-Rangel
Elijah Wickline

THE SENIOR SPANISH AWARD, given by the Department of Romance Languages for outstanding achievement in Spanish.
Cory Gyulveszi
Caroline Elena Sulich

HUMANITIES DIVISION

American Studies

THE DAVID STRAUSS PRIZE IN AMERICAN STUDIES, awarded for the best paper written by a graduating senior in his or her junior or senior year in any field of American Studies.
Jessica Paige Hansen

English

THE GRIFFIN PRIZE, awarded to the senior English major who, like Professor Gail Griffin, demonstrates an exceptional ability to bridge his/her analytical and creative work in the English department.
Alyse Michelle Guenther
Rachel Williams

THE ELWOOD H. AND ELIZABETH H. SCHNEIDER PRIZE, awarded for outstanding and creative work in English done by a student who is not an English major.
Danielle Marie Gin

THE MARY CLIFFORD STETSON PRIZE, awarded for excellence in English essay writing by a senior.
Sara McKinney
Sarah Schmitt

THE DWIGHT AND LEOLA STOCKER PRIZE, awarded for excellence in English writing: prose or poetry.
Erin Elizabeth Bensinger
Serena Li Bonarski
Jon R. Jerow
Caroline Marie Peterson

History

THE JAMES BIRD BALCH PRIZE, for the showing academic excellence in American History.
Frances Mary Heldt

THE HISTORY DEPARTMENT AWARD, given for outstanding work in the major.
Claudia Quinn Greening
Frances Mary Heldt

Philosophy

THE DEPARTMENT OF PHILOSOPHY PRIZE, awarded for excellence in any year’s work in philosophy.
James Michael Reuter

THE HODGE PRIZE IN PHILOSOPHY, awarded to that member of the graduating class who has the highest standing in the field.
Jon R. Jerow
Caroline Marie Peterson

Religion

THE MARION H. DUNSMORE MEMORIAL PRIZE IN RELIGION, awarded to a graduating senior for excellence in the major.
Hannah Nicole Cooperrider
Danielle Purkey
Dakota Lynn Trinka
Natalie Cristina Vázquez

NATURAL SCIENCES AND MATHEMATICS DIVISION

Biology

THE H. LEWIS BATTS PRIZE, awarded to the senior who has done the most to support the activities of the Biology Department and to further the spirit of collegiality among students and faculty in the Department.
Suma J. Alzouhayli

THE DIEBOLD SCHOLAR AWARD, given to one or more seniors in recognition of excellence in the oral or poster presentation of the SIP at the Diebold Symposium.
Lucy Merrill
Theresa Marie Shuryan
Sarah Caroline Smith
Cameron Werner
Katherine Wynne

THE ROBERT BZDYL PRIZE IN MARINE BIOLOGY, awarded to one or more students with demonstrated interest and ability in marine biology or related fields.
Na Young Kim

THE WILLIAM E. PRAEGER PRIZE, established by the faculty in the Biology Department and awarded to the most outstanding senior major in Biology, based on academic achievement in the discipline.
Kathleen George
Katherine Wynne

Chemistry

THE ANNUAL UNDERGRADUATE AWARD IN ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY, sponsored by the American Chemical Society Division of Analytical Chemistry, to an undergraduate student planning on pursuing graduate studies in chemistry.
Collin Joseph Steen

THE ANNUAL UNDERGRADUATE AWARD IN INORGANIC CHEMISTRY, sponsored by the American Chemical Society Division of Inorganic Chemistry, to an undergraduate student planning on pursuing graduate studies in chemistry.
Sonam Shrestha

THE ANNUAL UNDERGRADUATE AWARD IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY, sponsored by the American Chemical Society and subcommittee for the Division of Organic Chemistry, to an undergraduate student who displays significant aptitude for a career in organic chemistry.
Rachel Elizabeth Fadler

THE ANNUAL UNDERGRADUATE AWARD IN PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY, sponsored by the American Chemical Society and subcommittee for the Division of Physical Chemistry, to an undergraduate student who displays significant aptitude for a career in organic chemistry.
Eric S. Thornburg

THE OUTSTANDING CHEMISTRY STUDENT FROM KALAMAZOO COLLEGE, sponsored by the Kalamazoo Section of the American Chemical Society and is given to the graduating senior who has demonstrated leadership in the chemistry department and plans to pursue graduate studies in chemistry.
Sarah Glass

THE KURT KAUFMAN FELLOW, given annually to seniors who receive Honors in the Senior Individualized Project (SIP) conducted with faculty in the Chemistry Department.
Suma J. Alzouhayli
Sarah Glass
Eric S. Thornburg
Myles Truss

THE LEMUEL F. SMITH AWARD, given to a student majoring in chemistry pursuing the American Chemical Society approved curriculum and having at the end of the junior year the highest average standing in courses taken in chemistry, physics,and mathematics.
Collin Joseph Steen

Mathematics and Computer Science

THE CLARKE BENEDICT WILLIAMS PRIZE, awarded to that member of the graduating class who has the best record in mathematics and the allied sciences.
Jill Denise Antonishen
Yicong Guo

Physics

THE JOHN WESLEY HORNBECK PRIZE, awarded to a senior with the highest achievement for the year’s work in advanced physics toward a major.
Jill Denise Antonishen
Michelle Sugimoto

PHYSICAL EDUCATION DIVISION

THE GEORGE ACKER AWARD awarded annually to a male athlete who in his participation gave all, never quit, with good spirit supported others unselfishly, and whose example was inspirational.
Andrew Marten Bremer

THE HORNET ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION AWARD, for a graduating senior who has most successfully combined high scholarship with athletic prowess.
Brent Yelton

THE MARY LONG BURCH AWARD, for a senior woman who has manifested interest in sports activities and excelled in scholarship.
Grace Fitzgerald Smith

THE C. W. “OPIE” DAVIS AWARD, awarded to the outstanding senior male athlete.
Branden Metzler

THE KNOECHEL FAMILY AWARD, awarded to a senior male and a senior female member of the swim teams in recognition of demonstrated excellence in both intercollegiate swimming and academic performance.
Stuart Murch
Colleen Elizabeth Orwin

THE TISH LOVELESS AWARD, given by the Department of Physical Education to the outstanding senior female athlete.
Colleen Elizabeth Orwin

THE CATHERINE A. SMITH PRIZE IN WOMEN’S ATHLETICS, awarded to a woman athlete who in her participation gave all, never quit, with good spirit supported others unselfishly, and whose example was inspirational.
Suzanne Miller
Grace Fitzgerald Smith

SOCIAL SCIENCES DIVISION

Anthropology and Sociology

THE RAYMOND L. HIGHTOWER AWARD, given to a graduating senior for excellence in and commitment to the disciplines of sociology and anthropology and leadership in the Department of Anthropology and Sociology.
Emily Levy
Chenxi “Abby” Lu
Yaneli Soriano Santiago

Economics and Business

THE WILLIAM G. HOWARD MEMORIAL PRIZE, awarded to a senior for excellence in academic work in an economics or business major.
Shanice Buys
Kyle Hernández
Amanda Johnson

THE PROVOST PRIZE IN BUSINESS AND ECONOMICS, awarded to a senior for excellence in academic work in a business major.
Eric Castle De Witt
Philip Ritchie
Aidan M. Tank

THE ROBERT AND KAREN RHOA PRIZE IN BUSINESS
Quinton E. Colwell
Brett Garwood

THE ROBERT AND KAREN RHOA PRIZE FOR OUTSTANDING SIP IN BUSINESS
Amanda Crouch

Political Science

THE E. BRUCE BAXTER MEMORIAL AWARD, awarded to a senior showing outstanding development in the field of political science.
Melissa Erikson

THE WILLIAM G. HOWARD MEMORIAL PRIZE, awarded for excellence in a year’s work in political science.
Erica Marie Vanneste

THE EUGENE P. STERMER AWARD IN PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION
Alivia Combe DuQuet
Gunyeop Lee

Psychology

THE MARSHALL HALLOCK BRENNER PRIZE awarded to an outstanding student for excellence in the field of psychology.
Kyle Hernández

THE XARIFA GREENQUIST MEMORIAL PSYCHOLOGY DEPARTMENT AWARD, given in recognition of distinctive service to students and faculty in psychology by a student assistant.
Janelle Brittany Grant
Janay Ruth Johnson
Ashley Vail Schmidt
Caroline Elena Sulich
Matthew Jacob Zhiss

THE RICHARD D. KLEIN AWARDS IN PSYCHOLOGY
Maribel Blas-Rangel (Senior Award)
Sarah Jayne Bragg (Senior Award)
Francisco Lopez Jr. (Senior Impact Award)
Landen Skinner (Senior Impact Award)

THE DONALD W. VAN LIERE PRIZES IN PSYCHOLOGY
Daniella Y. Glymin (Coursework)
Rachel Lifton (Coursework)
Mackenzie Norman (Coursework)
Ashley Vail Schmidt (Coursework)
Caroline Elena Sulich (Coursework)
Camila Trefftz (Coursework)
Kaela Van Til (Coursework)
Sarah Jayne Bragg (Research)
Hannah Kim (Research)
Paris N. Weisman (Research)

Women, Gender and Sexuality

THE CATHERINE A. SMITH PRIZE IN HUMAN RIGHTS, awarded to a senior who has been active on campus in promoting human rights, furthering progressive social and cultural change, and combating violence, repression, and bigotry.
Danielle Purkey

THE LUCINDA HINSDALE STONE PRIZE, awarded to a student whose scholarship, research or creative work in women’s studies, in the form of a SIP or other academic work, is most impressive.
Audrey J. Negro

COLLEGE AWARDS

THE ALPHA LAMBDA DELTA MARIA LEONARD SENIOR BOOK AWARD, given to the Alpha Lambda Delta member graduating with the highest GPA.
Grace Fitzgerald Smith

THE GORDON BEAUMONT MEMORIAL AWARD, awarded to the deserving student who displays qualities of selflessness, humanitarian concern, and willingness to help others, as exemplified in the life of Gordon Beaumont.
Sarah Jayne Bragg
Mireya Guzmán-Ortíz

THE HENRY AND INEZ BROWN AWARD is awarded in recognition of outstanding participation in the College community.
Sidney Katherine Wall

THE VIRGINIA HINKELMAN MEMORIAL AWARD is awarded to a deserving student who displays a deep concern for the well-being of children, as demonstrated through career goals in the field of child welfare.
Moises Hernandez

THE BABETTE TRADER CAMPUS CITIZENSHIP AND LEADERSHIP AWARD, awarded to that member of the graduating class, who has most successfully combined campus citizenship and leadership with scholarship.
Grace Fitzgerald Smith
Yaneli Soriano Santiago

THE MAYNARD OWEN WILLIAMS MEMORIAL AWARD, for the best student entry in the form of an essay, poetry, paintings, sketches, photographs, or films derived from Study Abroad.
Jack Clark
Hannah Nicole Cooperrider
Alyse Michelle Guenther
Anh P. Lam
Sarah Jean Schmitt
Camille Rose Wood
Lindsay Worthington
Samantha Young

THE LARRY BELL SCHOLARSHIP Award
Marian Jayne Strauss

The Mary Jane Underwood Stryker Center for Civic Engagement recognizes THE HAM SCHOLARS, who work through community partnerships to empower girls and young women to lead and advocate.
Sarah Jayne Bragg

THE MOSES KIMBALL SCHOLARSHIP Award
Francisco Lopez Jr.

The Mary Jane Underwood Stryker Institute for Service-Learning recognizes LAPLANTE STUDENT SCHOLARS who have shown outstanding dedication to civic engagement and who design and lead community programs that promote a more just, equitable and sustainable world.
Moises Hernandez
Annalise Elizabeth Robinson
Caitlyn Whitcomb

The Mary Jane Underwood Stryker Center for Civic Engagement recognizes the VIBBERT SCHOLARS, students who honor and exemplify the life and spirit of Stephanie Vibbert–scholar, activist, poet, feminist and artist–by leading programs that promote equity and justice through the arts and feminist organizing.
Emily Kowey

THE SENIOR LEADERSHIP RECOGNITION AWARD is awarded to students who have provided key elements of leadership in their organizations, athletic teams, academic departments, employment, and the wider Kalamazoo community. Students were nominated by faculty and staff members in January. Seniors eligible for this award also had to meet a minimum cumulative Grade Point Average requirement and be in good academic and social standing at the College.
Suma J. Alzouhayli
Riley M. Boyd
Sarah Jayne Bragg
Allie J. Brodsky
Thaddeus Martin Buttrey
Liz Clevenger
Sabrina Esha Dass
Eric Castle De Witt
Dana Theresa DeVito
Nate Donovan
Erin DuRoss
Kayla Dziadzio
Melissa Erikson
Sarah Glass
Ellie Simon Goldman
Marlon Gonzalez
Moises Hernandez
Gabrielle Holme-Miller
Allia V. M. Howard
Emily Kowey
Emily Levy
Chenxi “Abby” Lu
Leland Harrison Rene Merrill
Branden Metzler
Suzanne Miller
Colleen Elizabeth Orwin
Lauren A. Perlaki
Douglas S. Robinett
Jacob Scott
David Jordan Smith
Grace Fitzgerald Smith
Katie Sorensen
Anhtu Vu
Sidney Katherine Wall
Lindsay Worthington