students

K Student Activities Win Awards

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For the second year in a row, Kalamazoo College has earned awards from the National Association of Campus Activities—Mid-America Region, during its annual conference in Grand Rapids. Awards were given to campus events at member institutions in Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, and West Virginia during the 2011-12 academic year.

K earned the NACA Region’s coveted Program of the Year award for its annual Monte Carlo Night, the annual winter casino event at which students are the players (using funny money supplied by the College), and professors and administrative staff are dealers and croupiers. A DJ and dancing, food, and great prizes from the “Millionaire Shop” are also featured. The alcohol-free event is a formal affair with participants dressing to the nines. It’s K’s signature event for students each year, attracting nearly 1,000 participants.

K’s Homecoming Sock Hop Dance earned the NACA’s Outstanding Campus Collaboration. It’s the second year in a row for a K win in this category. Carried out in collaboration with K’s Student Commission and Student Activities Committee, the Sock Hop attracted more than 600 K students to the Anderson Athletic Center during Homecoming weekend.

Emily Lott holds a framed NACA award
Emily Lott

Emily Lott rounded out the 2012 NACA awards for K by earning the Outstanding Graduate Assistant award. A graduate student from Western Michigan University, Emily has served as an advisor, mentor, and resource for many K students since her arrival on campus in August 2011. She recently planned and implemented the “NextGen Workshop” for the Michigan College Personnel Association’s annual conference, designed to be a resource for undergraduate students interested in pursuing a career in the field of Student Affairs.

“The NACA awards represent the best achievements by student development professionals at small colleges and large universities throughout our six-state NACA region,” said Kalamazoo College Vice President for Student Development and Dean of Students Sarah Westfall. “I’m very happy for our students and Student Involvement staff, and am pleased to know that K is out front in the effort to create educational and recreational opportunities for our students and professionals.”

Dean Westfall praised Assistant Dean of Students Brian Dietz and Assistant Director of Student Involvement Kate Yancho for providing the organizational leadership behind these and other activities for K students. Read more about K’s award winning Office of Student Involvement effort here.

Hornets Join Broncos in Hurricane Cleanup

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K cross country runner Brock Crystal ’15 (l) and WMU football player Nick Norton (r) helped New Jersey homeowners Vicki Laudien and Joe Danski clean up after Hurricane Sandy
K cross country runner Brock Crystal ’15 (l) and WMU football player Nick Norton (r) helped New Jersey homeowners Vicki Laudien and Joe Danski clean up after Hurricane Sandy.

Brock Crystal’s ’15 decision to attend the weekly athlete bible study at Kalamazoo College led him on an adventure in giving and gratitude he says he’ll never forget. Crystal, a member of the K Men’s Cross Country team, heard about a planned mission trip during Thanksgiving weekend to the East Coast where Hornets would collaborate with Broncos—Western Michigan University’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes—to help people affected by Hurricane Sandy.
      Though he had never tried anything like this before, Crystal decided to tag along with fellow K students. Sophie Roberts ’16, Quinn McCormick ’14, Jacob Lenning ’15, Liz Lenning ’16, Guiherme (Will) Guedes ’15, and Crystal carpooled east where they met up with the WMU volunteers. The group of 14 student athletes worked for five days tearing out damage from flooded homes and helping residents take photographs for insurance claims.
      This trip marked Crystal’s first time volunteering at a disaster site. He said many homes still lacked power and water, and many people were stranded or living with friends. One day, Crystal and others travelled to the Jersey Shore where they met homeowners Vicki Laudien and Joe Danski whose house had been flooded with four feet of water.
      “They basically said, ‘everything in this house from four feet below has to leave,’” said Crystal. As the K crew worked clearing out the house, they discovered a board in the back of a first-floor closet. The board held pencil markings of Laudien’s and Danski’s grandchildren’s changing heights over the years. Crystal and his crewmates pried the board from the closet, and presented it as a gift to the family.
      “It was really powerful to connect so deeply to someone in the span of half a day,” said Crystal. Now that he’s back home, Crystal says he caught the volunteer bug. “I really now see it’s not about us and not about getting gratitude for what we’ve done; it’s about helping other people,” he said. “It was a very rewarding experience I’d go on 100 times over.”
Story by Elaine Ezekiel ’13

Celebrations of Light

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

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

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

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

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

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

K Again Rates High for Study Abroad

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Four Kalamazoo College students in Beijing
Kalamazoo College students in Beijing, China

KALAMAZOO, Mich. (Nov. 12, 2012) – Kalamazoo College has again been recognized as a leader in study abroad programs for U.S. college students. According to the Institute of International Education (IIE), Kalamazoo ranks #10 among U.S. colleges that offer baccalaureate degrees based solely on the percentage of its graduates that studied abroad during the 2010-11 academic year.

IIE reports that 87.9 percent (261 out of 297) of Kalamazoo graduates in 2011 had studied abroad during their K experience. Last year’s IIE report ranked Kalamazoo #12.

“At Kalamazoo College, international/intercultural engagement is an integral part of the K-Plan for undergraduate liberal arts education, and study abroad plays a big role in helping students to achieve that engagement,” said Associate Provost for International Programs Joe Brockington. “The College is a recognized national leader in education abroad and continues to be a model for other colleges and universities.”

Kalamazoo operates 48 programs in 24 countries on six continents. During the past four years, an average of 51 percent of K students traveled to Europe, 22 percent to Austral-Asia, 16 percent to Latin America and the Caribbean, and 11 percent to Africa and the Middle East. Popular programs are in China, Ecuador, Scotland, and Thailand.

Kalamazoo’s program is distinctive, said Brockington, “because in addition to being integral (i.e. part of the K curriculum), it is intentional (i.e. supported by learning outcomes that are assessed regularly), and integrative (i.e. striving to connect our students with local communities abroad).”

He said Kalamazoo stands out from other institutions because K students engage in long-term study abroad programs that last from one 11-week term to a full academic year. Many schools that send a high percentage of students abroad (including schools on the IIE list) only do so for three to four weeks in the summer or during a January short-term break. Kalamazoo students in all majors participate in study abroad, including a majority of student athletes even if it means they miss all or part of a competitive season. Many K students continue their major course of study while abroad, including science and math majors.

Most students take advantage of the Fall-Winter program and reside with host families. An Integrative Cultural Research Project, or ICRP, is a required component of selected programs. Bearing an academic credit, ICRP projects place great emphasis on participation, informed by observation and more traditional research activities.

“Study abroad remains a signature element of the K-Plan, said Brockington. “And it will for years to come.”

Read more about Kalamazoo College’s study abroad program, including blogs by K students currently studying abroad, at www.kzoo.edu/cip.

IIE is the leading not-for-profit educational and cultural exchange organization in the United States. Its annual census is based on a survey of approximately 3,000 accredited U.S. institutions and draws support from the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.

Calvin College (27) and Alma College (35) are the only other baccalaureate institutions in Michigan included on the 2012 IIE report.

Kalamazoo College (www.kzoo.edu), founded in Kalamazoo, Mich., in 1833, is a nationally recognized liberal arts college and the creator of the K-Plan that emphasizes rigorous scholarship, learning by practice, leadership development, and international and intercultural engagement. Kalamazoo College does more in four years, so students can do more in a lifetime.

Battle of the Brains

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

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

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

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

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

Black and Orange! Orange and Black!

Hop On K Art

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Kalamazoo College has FOUR stops on tonight’s monthly Art Hop around downtown Kalamazoo.

William Morris and Kelmscott event advertisementWilliam Morris & Kelmscott: Works by the 19thCentury British Artist, writer, textile designer, and founder of Kelmscott Press. In the A.M. Todd Rare Book Room, Upjohn Library – 3rd Floor, on the K campus, 5-8 pm.

Fear into Fire: Reclaiming Black Male Identity through the Art of Tattooing. Presented by the Black Arts & Cultural Center and Kalamazoo College’s Arcus Center for Social Justice Leadership. Epic Center, 359 S. Kalamazoo Mall – 2nd> Floor Atrium, 5-8 pm.

Paths Revisited: Paintings by Bernard Palchick, Professor of Art, Emeritus. Funded with support from the Kalamazoo Artistic Development Initiative and the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo. Epic Center, 359 S. Kalamazoo Mall – Suite 203, 5-8 pm.

Untold Stories: Works by six K seniors from Professor Sarah Lindley’s Advanced Studio course (Annie Belle, Lizz Caputo, Hannah Knoll, Annie Swanson-Nystrom, Katherine Smith, and Elizabeth Yang). Park Trades Center, 326 W. Kalamazoo Ave., Studio 209-L, 6-9 pm.

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

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Marquise Griffin
Marquise Griffin ’15

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

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

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

Honors Day

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

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

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

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

View a complete list of those awarded.

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

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

Post-Grad Public Service

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Arnold Campbell, Martha Campbell, Alex Werder, Aubry McIntyre and Amanda Stitt
Left to Right: Arnold Campbell, Martha Campbell, Alex Werder, Aubry McIntyre, and Amanda Stitt.

“Politics and Public Service: K-Plans and Career Paths” was the theme of the Week Six (Oct. 19) Community Reflection in Stetson Chapel. Co-sponsored by the Center for Career and Professional Development and Alumni Relations, the reflection hosted a panel of Kalamazoo College alumni working in the areas of politics or public service.

College Republicans Co-Leader Aubry McIntyre ’15 and College Democrats President Alex Werder ’15 began the Reflection with a mock political debate. They sparred over the issues central to this year’s presidential election, modeling “civilized political discourse” for the audience of students and alumni present for Homecoming weekend.

Arnold Campbell ’72 spoke about his meandering path from study abroad at K to the United States Foreign Service, where he currently serves as Officer and Chargé d’Affaires for the U.S. Embassy in Malta. After studying abroad in Germany, he said he found his calling. “I no longer wanted to be a tourist in the world; I wanted to be participating in those other cultures, and that was because of what I’d experienced here.” His wife, Martha Campbell ’72, also held office in the Foreign Service after K, most recently as U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Marshall Islands. She said her K education prepared her for a rigorous, demanding, and exciting job.

Lastly, Amanda Stitt ’02 read from an essay chronicling her journey in Michigan politics rooted in a few influential K classes. She founded K’s chapter of the College Democrats and opted to leave school during her junior fall to help with the 2000 election. Stitt served as former Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm’s political director, ran a statewide nonprofit, and now works with the UAW. She said her K-Plan helped her develop the communication, networking, and leadership skills she would later need in the political world.

Community Reflection offers a unique forum for discussion, worship, performance, and community expression each Friday at 10:50 AM in Stetson Chapel. The campus community and general public are invited. [Story and photo by Elaine Ezekiel ’13]

Once Upon a Book, Now on Video

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Book cover for 'Once Upon a River'
K’s Summer Common Reading program joins new students, faculty, and staff in a conversation about a novel they’ve read during the summer. The author of the chosen novel visits campus during orientation each fall to join the conversation. It’s an important first step for new K students and part of the College’s nationally recognized First-Year Experience. Summer Common Reading 2012 author Bonnie Jo Campbell spoke about and read from her novel “Once Upon a River” in Stetson Chapel on Sept. 6. Campbell’s short story collection “American Salvage” was a finalist for the 2009 National Book Award in Fiction. Watch Campbell’s SCR address to students in this YouTube video.