GETTING BACK to AFRICA the END of an ERA in Need of Some Alma College Apparel? Explore Our New Bookstore Web Site: Accents Winter 2011
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Alma College Alumni Magazine | news and events for winter 2012 inside: URBAN SCOTS GETTING BACK TO AFRICA THE END OF AN ERA In need of some Alma College apparel? Explore our new bookstore Web site: accents http://bookstore.alma.edu/ Winter 2011 editor Mike Silverthorn designer Our roadmap for the future Aimee Bentley features photographer Devin Brines ’12 Tim O’Brien 6 Capitol gains fter several months of spirited discussions, students make the connection between an contributors After growing up on a farm, Stacy Kowal ’05 stepped onto Alma College’s campus looking for the kind of personal at- focus groups and surveys, the Alma College Alma liberal arts education and their career Jeff Abernathy tention that came along with a small college. What the triple-scholarship winner found was a world of empowerment. community has come together to adopt an goals. It identifies how we will measure Ellen Doepke A Lou Ecken ’95 student success, recognizing both the educa- exciting new Strategic Plan. Presented to the campus 8 World traveler in August and endorsed by the Board of Trustees in tion they receive in the classroom and the Cory Embrey October, this is a flexible plan — a roadmap for the experiential opportunities they have outside Angela Flynn ’12 “As you grow a business, there’s always something new around the corner,” says Bryan Segedi ’81, a global executive future — that will enable us to respond both to new the classroom. Mike Hanson for Ernst & Young LLP. His main office is in London, but he spends time traveling throughout the world. Emily Havelka ’12 opportunities and to unanticipated challenges in the The second section, titled “Growing the Col- years ahead. lege,” identifies a set of goals for providing a alumni notes compiled by 11 Returning to Africa I encourage alumni and friends to review the plan. richer and more diverse intellectual environ- Emily Havelka ’12 By returning to West Africa 37 years after completing an Africa Fellowship, Mark Wangberg ’75 fulfilled a dream that You can access it on our Web site at: ment for our students. It also sets strategies printing he thought had been long lost. He and his wife, Connie, recently traveled to Ghana and worked at a school, where he http://www.alma.edu/strategic_plan for broadening the College’s visibility beyond taught art and creative writing. Michigan to new markets and setting an Millbrook Printing Many contributed thoughts and suggestions over these aggressive enrollment target of 1,700 students past months as we worked on this plan, and I am 13 A destiny of helping others by fall 2017. board of trustees extremely grateful for all the contributions we received. A 14-year civil war in their African homeland has not deterred Sophie Mends-Cole Williams’ 68 and her sister from It affirms what I already know — that our alumni The third section, titled “Creating a Sustain- Candace Croucher Dugan, Chair Stephen F. Meyer ’80, Vice Chair contributing to Liberia’s social and economic growth and modernization. are deeply devoted to their alma mater and want it to able Campus and Community,” commits the Larry R. Andrus ’72, Secretary continue to thrive as a place where education, experi- College to a path that cultivates an environ- Bruce T. Alton 22 ‘Do unto others…’ ence and opportunity merge to provide fulfillment for ment of responsible growth that ensures the Merrill Armstrong ’57 a lifetime. I especially want to thank the Strategic Plan- College will thrive for many years to come. Eric Blackhurst ’83 At St. Mary’s Parish School in Alma, no child is too young to learn how to serve others. “We teach our students ning Task Force that spent many hours in conversation It includes strategies for reducing the impact C. David Campbell ’75 that our community is a family,” says school principal Lisa Seeley ’97, who carried lessons learned from her and contemplation. on the environment, engaging even more David K. Chapoton ’57 James C. Conboy Jr. Alma College experiences to her career in education. alumni in the life of the College, and creat- We have developed a plan that builds on the strengths Gary W. Fenchuk ’68 ing a seamless environment between the and values that have sustained Alma College for 125 John C. Foster ’67 campus and City of Alma. 24 The end of an era years. Yet it also recognizes the demand for change Nancy E. Gallagher ’80 Glenn D. Granger ’83 Adopted in tandem with the Strategic Plan Jim Cole ’74 treasures the relationships he has built with the hundreds of student-athletes who have played for given economic and demographic challenges. Most im- Greg Hatcher ’83 portantly, the plan supports a central idea that all have is a campus master plan that provides a di- Richard P. Heuschele ’59 the Scots’ all-time winningest football coach. affirmed from the beginning — that students must be rection and set of priorities for the develop- David R. Hubbard ’60 the centerpiece of everything we do. ment of the physical campus. I hope to share Kevin R. Johnson more about the goals of the master plan in David P. Larsen ’84 Indeed, while the plan is new and fresh, our mission is upcoming issues of Accents. As well, the next Donald A. Lindow unchanged. We will continue to proclaim that Alma John McCormack issues of Accents will take a closer look at the College’s mission is “to prepare graduates who think Thomas J. McDowell three themes of the Strategic Plan. critically, serve generously, lead purposefully and live James T. McIntyre ’69 responsibly as stewards of the world they bequeath to These are exciting times at Alma College. Roger L. Myers Antje Newhagen ’67 future generations.” As we proceed ahead with this roadmap for Marcia J. Nunn ’73 the future, we can be confident of success Three themes emerge in our plan. David T. Provost ’76 URBAN SCOTS given our commitment to the core values Ron R. Sexton ’68 The first section, titled “Developing the Person and that have sustained Alma for 125 years. Our D. Michael Sherman ’74 accents is published in October, February The Alma College campus may the Professional,” addresses how the College will help desire is to build on Alma’s great legacy of Lynne Sherwood and June for alumni, parents, students and oth- be nestled within the rural offering a vibrant, relevant education and er friends of Alma College. Send comments to area found in the middle of the life-changing experiences to future genera- tions of students. Mike Silverthorn, Accents editor, Alma College, mitten but some of our alumni President Abernathy can be reached in several ways: mission 614 W. Superior St., Alma, MI 48801-1599, or go on to settle into more urban Type: [email protected] Alma College’s mission is to e-mail: [email protected]. locations. Message: facebook.com/almapresident Tweet: twitter.com/jeffabernathy prepare graduates who think Click: www.alma.edu/about/offices/president critically, serve generously, lead alumni.alma.edu/accents Jeff Abernathy Ring: (989) 463-7146 President purposefully and live responsibly as stewards of the world they @ bequeath to future generations. www.alma.edu 3 campus news Like << Below: The Alma College Tartan marched proudly on the sreets of Alma as the WE ASKED: campus welcomed back friends and alumni in celebration of Homecoming weekend. A photo recap of the festivities can be found on pages 20-21. What was the best part of Homecoming? YOU SAID: Laura Wonacott Asiala ’83: “The Home- coming concert was the highlight of a wonderful day. What talent! What fun! So proud to be an alum.” Natalie Barlas ’12: “Cheering at my last Homecoming as a cheerleader… ever!” Liz Rito ’05: “My son meeting his future roommate! Class of 2033… Wow!” Jan Merz ’75: “Having my first ride on the Alumni Board ‘float’! Also, attend- ing the first Legacy Brunch and speak- ing to alums and future Scots!” CAMPUS NEWS Something to toot about On October 29, members of URBAN the Alma College Pipe Band The Alma College campus may be nestled within the rural traveled to Doswell, Virginia, to area found in the middle of the mitten but some of our participate in the 2011 Meadow Highland Games and Celtic alumni go on to settle into more urban locations. Festival where they placed first SCOTS in the Grade Five level. Their No ‘routine’ in this job performance in Virginia marks From intern to secretary and now manager of Kim Taylor ’83. Alumni in the area have been a great their second competition since clearing services, Tom McGuire’s Alma College help to me, and I’ve been extremely lucky to have had the band was formed. connections have guided him throughout his ca- these opportunities.” reer at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. Each morning at CME, McGuire, a 2008 alumnus, is The band takes a photo break “The connections I’ve made through Alma have faced with a new set of problems to solve — and new after crossing into Pennsylvania. >> been important in my life,” he says. “As an Alma solutions to create. As a result, he says his job has no student, I was able to intern at CME, thanks to real “routine,” which keeps his work exciting. (continued on page 6) 4 accents www.alma.edu 5 (continued from page 5) (‘Capital gains’ continued) URBAN SCOTS “It’s an interesting job that keeps me motivated,” he says. While at Alma, Kowal, who studied math- “Just as I did at Alma, I’ve learned a lot about myself. I’m ematics and public health, excelled.