THE MAGAZINE EDITOR Mike Silverthorn DESIGNER Rachel Salazar PHOTOGRAPHERS Jordie Hayes ’18 Steve Jessmore Benjamin Tigner CONTRIBUTORS Jeff Abernathy William Arnold ’91 Derek Devine Cheyenne Kalfsbeek ’19 Tina Rolling PRINTER McKay Press WE WELCOME YOUR FEEDBACK. PLEASE SEND COMMENTS TO: Mike Silverthorn Alma College 614 W. Superior St. Alma, MI 48801-1599 or e-mail:
[email protected] MISSION The Tartan is published for Alma College’s mission is to prepare graduates who think critically, alumni, parents, students and friends of Alma College. This serve generously, lead purposefully and live responsibly as stewards issue also can be found online of the world they bequeath to future generations. at alma.edu/tartan. ON THE COVER Students and alumni make their presence known Campus at dawn, looking east from the library entrance. around the world. They dance at Edinburgh Castle in Scotland, provide technical advisory services to the United Nations, volunteer at schools and hospitals in Sierra Leone, and combat child illiteracy in Africa. 3 Inside: Spring 2019 THE POWER OF DATA 8 Jon Kapp ’96 helps governments deliver services more effectively using data management tools to improve decision-making. A LITTLE BIT OF ALMA IN SIERRA LEONE 11 The opening of the Makankisa Child Care Centre for children orphaned by the Ebola outbreak adds a new chapter to Alma College’s work in Sierra Leone. ‘EVERY CHILD SHOULD GET A BOOK’ 12 Timothy Slade ’04 applies technology, inherent curiosity and a deeply rooted sense of social justice to help improve the lives of the most disadvantaged members of global society. DANCING AT EDINBURGH CASTLE 14 Alma’s highland dancers perform in some of the world’s most prestigious cultural events, furthering Alma’s distinction as offering one the best highland dance programs in the world.