General

Marilyn Snodgrass lived a life of quiet determination as an elementary school teacher, traveler and lover of genealogy. But her gift to Albion College has shown that even those who live unobtrusively can indeed make the biggest impact.

Piggybacking on a Michigan Works! career fair, Albion citizens gathered in Washington Gardner School for a public announcement of the City/College recent AmeriCorps VISTA grant. This summer, 11 VISTA members will arrive in Albion to work with City and College departments to boost economic development, education and health initiatives in 2016-17.

Dr. Robert H. Bartlett, ’60, professor emeritus of surgery at the University of Michigan and whose groundbreaking surgical treatment has saved the lives of thousands of babies over the years, returns to campus Saturday, May 7 to deliver the Commencement address to Albion College’s Class of 2016 from the steps of Kresge Gymnasium on the College Quadrangle. The ceremony begins at 1 p.m, with the Processional starting at 12:45 p.m.

Albion College and the City of Albion will get a national boost for local community building when 11 full-time AmeriCorps VISTA service members arrive this summer. A public presentation of this award is scheduled for Tuesday, April 5, at 4:30 p.m. at Washington Gardner School, 401 E. Michigan Ave., in conjunction with a Michigan Works-sponsored career and internship fair.

One of Albion’s own, Keena Williams, will become the director and president’s special advisor for global diversity at Albion College. Williams, a 2009 Albion College alumna and a graduate of Albion High School, is currently the College’s interim director for intercultural affairs and has been a part of the Office of Intercultural Affairs staff for nearly four years. The promotion is effective April 1.

For Judy and Michael Harrington (alumni from 1986 and 1985, respectively), the memories of selfless parents and a top-flight education at Albion College have spurred them to make a significant seven-figure gift to the school that has meant so much to them over the years. The gift consists of two parts: one will launch a residential community building initiative that will bring faculty and staff closer to the students; the other will provide financial support for students who need help continuing their education at Albion.

Mike Turner coached the Albion men’s basketball team for 34 years. Now retired, he’s helping the College out in new ways.

With soft-spoken grace, sharp wit and a unique discernment of important events, Diane Nash enthralled a full Bohm Theatre audience in downtown Albion February 2 for the 2016 Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Convocation and Community Celebration.

Dramatic presentations, interactive entertainment and the unique cuisines of African Americans are all part of Albion’s celebration of Black History Month. The following events are free and open to the public unless otherwise specified. For more information, contact Albion College’s Office of Intercultural Affairs director Keena Williams, [email protected] or 517/629-0501.

Both subtle and dramatic, change is coming to Albion College in the form of several new construction and renovation projects. In particular, the renovation of Munger Place into a new student “living-and-learning” community as well as reimagined and revamped outdoor athletic facilities to be collectively called the Davis Athletic Complex are planned to be ready by the time students return to campus for the fall semester.