Academics

Nathan Horsman has worked with horses all over the country, and now he’s brought his expertise to Albion College as its new Western coach and instructor.

The new Randi C. Heathman Indoor Arena was formally unveiled at Homecoming in an October 15 ribbon-cutting ceremony. The riding surface was enlarged, new powerful fans were installed and a new, state-of-the-art surface was laid down. And now, the center aims to become, in time, one of the premier equestrian facilities in the country.

Neuroscientist Dr. Carl Hart brought hard science—and sometimes harder conclusions—to an attentive audience in Goodrich Chapel for the 2016 Richard M. Smith Common Reading Experience lecture. The first tenured African-American in the sciences at Columbia University, Hart is the author of High Price: A Neuroscientist’s Journey of Self-Discovery that Challenges Everything You Know About Drugs and Society.

Two Albion College students were robbed at gunpoint early Thursday morning. No one was injured.

According to the College’s Office of Campus Safety, the students were sitting in a red 2010 Jeep Patriot in the parking lot at the Bobbitt Visual Arts Center at approximately 1:30 a.m. when two males dressed in black, wearing puffy ski jackets and with their faces partially covered with masks approached them. The students said one of the suspects had a long gun; the suspects proceeded to take the car as well as other personal possessions and left the area.

They were last seen driving east on Michigan Avenue away from campus.

Albion Public Safety is investigating.

Albion College Director of Campus Safety Ken Snyder said patrols will be increased around campus for the next few days. He said this was the first armed robbery on campus in several years.

“We’re relieved no one was hurt in this incident and we’re confident local law enforcement is doing all it can to find the perpetrators,” Albion College President Mauri Ditzler said. “Nothing is more important to us than student safety on campus. We always do everything in our power to ensure a safe and vibrant learning environment for our students.”

The newly expanded Randi C. Heathman Indoor Arena at Albion College’s Nancy G. Held Equestrian Center, currently receiving its finishing touches in advance of its first show Oct. 1-2, was featured this morning on Newschannel 3 WWMT-TV, which serves the large Grand Rapids/Kalamazoo/Battle Creek viewing area.

“What I loved most about President Vulgamore was his unmitigated joy at being surrounded by and involved with students.” Those were the words of one Albion alumna this week following the August 12 passing of Dr. Melvin L. Vulgamore, the College’s 13th president whose 14-year administration ran from 1983 to 1997.

The first year is over and the six members of Albion College’s inaugural Build Albion Fellows group is a lot smarter – about many different things. “What surprised me was the workload,” said Khaliah Roberts, ’19, who is majoring in women’s and gender studies.”Nothing is given to you,  said Cortazia Wilson, ’19, also looking toward a major in sociology. “Everything is offered to you but nothing is given to you. Sometimes you have to go through the bad to get to the good.”

“This hotel is an important step, but only the first step in the new Albion,” declared Albion City Manager Sheryl Mitchell, warmly greeting the crowd of at least 200 people at the May 12 ceremonial groundbreaking for a Courtyard Marriott hotel on Superior Street. Set to open in the fall of 2017, the hotel is a centerpiece of downtown revitalization efforts that will benefit both the community and the College.

For the second straight year, Albion will host the Big Read, a nationwide project that aims to bring communities together through shared reading experiences. The effort was made possible by an $11,500 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, which was announced May 11. Through private donations and in-kind efforts, the total financial support comes to $40,000, according to Jess Roberts, associate professor of English at Albion College and director of Albion’s Big Read.