2014 | Issue 3 INSIDE: MONUMENTAL MAJORS HOMECOMING 2014: 4Ever Alma HOW #PLAIDWORKS in the age of social media MISSION Alma College’s mission is to prepare graduates who think critically, serve gener- ously, lead purposefully and live responsibly as stewards 2014 | Issue 3 is published in October, of the world they bequeath February and June for alumni, to future generations. features editor parents, students and other Mike Silverthorn friends of the college. This issue also can be found online art director and design How #PlaidWorks at: alma.edu/accents Aimee Brasseur 08 in the age of social media Comments may be sent to photographers Mike Silverthorn, Accents Social media has changed the way Alma College communicates. Justin Garant editor, Alma College, 614 Daniel Tuma In such a highly connected world, how does the college pull in pro- W. Superior St., Alma, MI spective students and communicate with current students, alumni contributors 48801-1599, or via e-mail: and friends of the college? [email protected]. Jeff Abernathy Lou Ecken ’95 Nan Freed Developing new majors Ashley Ptak ’15 Erica Shekell 14 Growth in Alma’s academic programs — including five new business majors —is a result of student interest, societal need and curricular alumni notes compiled by scrutiny. “New majors are developed through the efforts of faculty, Cory Embrey and they begin with listening,” writes Provost Michael Selmon. Mike Silverthorn printing McKay Press New Media Studies: 16 Responding to the digital revolution board of trustees “We have lived through a revolution, and it only seems natural that Stephen F. Meyer ’80, Chair a liberal arts institution like Alma College would try to make sense D. Michael Sherman ’74, Vice Chair of these changes,” says Anthony Collamati, who joined the Alma Marcia J. Nunn ’73, Secretary faculty in 2012 to help launch the new media studies program. Thomas K. Andison Erika K. Powers Appelt ’90 Karen M. Asner ’89 Digging through history Brian Bartes ’86 Eric P. Blackhurst ’83 18 Under different circumstances, students would have been chased Patrick G. Byrne ’85 off for digging holes on the campus lawn. But as part of Mary The- David K. Chapoton ’57 resa Bonhage-Freund and Alex Connell’s archaeology class, Candace Croucher Dugan the group was given all the tools they needed to dig into history. Charles A. Deacon ’80 David Devine ’90 Nancy E. Gallagher ’80 Raising the bar through Glenn D. Granger ’83 Douglas B. Gross ’77 20 social entrepreneurship Greg Hatcher ’83 Bill Holsinger-Robinson ’91, founding executive director of ArtPrize Thomas J. Haverbush and organizer of TEDxGrand Rapids, has long been ahead of the Richard P. Heuschele ’59 Cardell Johnson ’02 curve. He helps socially innovative businesses get off the ground. David P. Larsen ’84 John McCormack Thomas J. McDowell Scots you should know James T. McIntyre ’69 23 This year’s homecoming parade grand marshal and the recipients Roger L. Myers of the annual Alumni Awards reveal their Alma College pride and Darryl Schimeck ’82 accomplishments. Carolyn Schultz ’84 Ron R. Sexton ’68 Lynne Sherwood Kirk L. Smith ’81 Matthew E. Steinmetz ’84 Danette Taylor ’84 << Above: New Scots invaded campus on Friday, June 13 to attend Becoming a Scot Day. Check us out on Flickr! flickr.com/almacollege 2 accents www.alma.edu 3 CAMPUS NEWS WELCOME SPECIAL EVENTS Coming to Alma: Neil deGrasse Tyson NEWS AND NOTES Popular national science communicator He is a prolific writer and the author of and astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson, several books, including Space Chronicles: FROM CAMPUS the host of the televisions series “Cosmos: Facing the Ultimate Frontier (2012), The A Spacetime Odyssey” and director of the Pluto Files: The Rise and Fall of America’s Hayden Planetarium in New York City, Favorite Planet (2009) and Death by Black will speak at Alma College this fall. Hole and Other Cosmic Quandaries (2007). The Year of Thinking Critically The talk at 8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 1 in Most recently, Tyson’s national fame and During the last academic year, an idea emerged • Web visitors are spending more time on the regarding the use of our mission statement to site and viewing more pages. the Hogan Center, Art Smith Arena, will familiarity has grown as host of the 21st create an annual theme for the campus. This launch the return of the Alma College century reboot of Carl Sagan’s landmark • Mobile traffic (cell phones, etc.) represented Speaker Series sponsored by the Respon- television series “Cosmos.” Previously, he year’s theme, “Think Critically,” will guide 25 percent of total visits. The decision to PRESIDENT ABERNATHY CAN campus discussions and connect with speakers sible Leadership Institute. appeared as the on-camera host for five change to a responsive, mobile-friendly de- seasons of PBS-Nova’s spinoff program BE REACHED SEVERAL WAYS: we bring to campus. In subsequent years, we sign format has dramatically improved the To reserve tickets, visit the website at: plan to implement themes of “Serve Gener- NOVA Science/NOW. [email protected] viewing experience for these visitors. www.alma.edu/alma-college-presents ously,” followed by “Lead Purposefully” and He also is host of StarTalk Radio, which facebook.com/almapresident then “Live Responsibly.” If you haven’t spent time on Alma’s website re- Tyson’s research expertise is broad and twitter.com/jeffabernathy cently, I invite you to check out the new content, includes star formation, exploding stars, combines celebrity guests with informative www.alma.edu/offices/president Helping launch this year’s theme —as well as re- design and navigation. Specifically, be sure the dwarf galaxies and the structure of the yet playful banter on science issues. (989) 463-7146 introducing the popular Alma College Speaker visit the “Alumni” gateway link, located on the Series — will be astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Milky Way. An appointee to multiple na- Born and raised in New York City, Tyson top maroon bar, for information about home- tional commissions on space exploration, was educated in the public schools through Tyson, director of the Hayden Planetarium and coming and other alumni-focused information. host of the television series “Cosmos,” who will Tyson is a past recipient of the NASA his graduation from the Bronx High School speak at Alma College on Oct. 1. Homecoming Celebration Distinguished Public Service Medal, the of Science. He went on to earn his Bachelor highest award given by NASA to a non- of Arts degree in physics from Harvard and Dr. Tyson’s upcoming talk has generated great It is always a pleasure to welcome alumni who government citizen. his Ph.D in astrophysics from Columbia. excitement and interest among our students, return to campus for homecoming. This will faculty and alumni, as well as science teachers be my fifth homecoming at Alma, and every and high school students from around Michigan. year it ranks among the highlights of my year. Ticket demand is high, so if you haven’t pur- Congratulations to the alumni award winners, chased your tickets yet, check the college website. whose contributions are described in this issue of Accents, along with this year’s parade grand Reflecting on the Website marshal, Rose Peck. Having completed the launch of Alma’s new This year’s activities include the dedication of the website last December, we took a step back to new TKE house, which was funded by gener- see what the data tells us about changes in visitor ous TKE alumni. Located south of the Smith behavior. Our goals for www.alma.edu included Alumni House on Philadelphia, the facility YOU SAID: the addition of more visual and interactive con- houses 19 students and an administrator-in- tent, easier access to academic information and a Denise Ramirez-Tatum: You have my hubby’s attention on Mr. Tyson! residence. This housing design will be the model He already met Sagan so he has to meet him too. He is so happy our responsive design that adapts to mobile devices. for future scholar houses. When the new site went live in late December, daughter is going to Alma! the new look was dramatic, and the feedback Also, if you are attending homecoming, be sure Brendan Goethe ’15: The things I will do to get a spot in the audito- was positive. to notice the renovated east wing of Gelston WE POSTED: rium on Oct 1... Hall, which includes interior improvements, It’s early to draw firm conclusions, but we were new windows and new handicap-accessible Hannah Ropp ’10: @neiltyson is speaking at my alma mater able to compare traffic to the website between north entrance. The east wing is now our most- Because they're kind of a big deal: @almacollege this fall. I may have to fly home just to see him! the first six months of 2013 and of 2014 and up-to-date living space — just like new. #Cosmos #scienceiscool noted several interesting data points: Kari Byron, co-host of MythBusters, • Total page views increased 71 percent, from Taylor Gibson ’10: @neiltyson is visiting @almacollege. will visit Alma College on Sept. 13. I am so excited for Alma, and shamefully jealous. 761,414 views from Jan. 1 through June 30 And Neil deGrasse Tyson, host of in 2013 to 1,303,715 during the same period Emily Hollenberg ’14: Sooo @neiltyson is coming to @almacollege in 2014. Cosmos, will visit on Oct. 1. We're and you bet your butt that I'm going even though I'm an alum! Jeff Abernathy beyond excited! President 4 accents www.alma.edu 5 CAMPUS NEWS CAMPUS NEWS McGregor Fund FACULTY NEWS Below: Dr. Hulme and members of grant supports the team visit India Grant supports STEM research in 2013.