“Unless we can provide a context for indigenous objects, we might as well not have them,” says professor of art and art history Bille Wickre, referring to a collection of pre-Columbian art recently given to Albion College. Researching that context—which Wickre calls “a gift to the world”—was an ideal summer project for Rebecca Wagener, ’21 (left).
Tim DeWitt, who has held several positions in the Division of Finance and Administration in his 12 years at Albion College and who currently serves as the College’s interim chief financial officer, has been named the new president of Lumen Christi Catholic School in Jackson and the executive director of the Jackson Catholic Schools system. “Words cannot begin to describe how grateful I am for the opportunity to work and represent Albion College,” DeWitt said.
Albion College President Mathew Johnson was a guest July 29 on “The Paul W. Smith Show,” WJR’s popular morning news-and-talk radio program. Dr. Johnson spoke about the College’s robust COVID-19 testing regimen and the many other planning components that are going into the College’s preparations for the start of the Fall 2020 semester.
Albion College President Mathew B. Johnson has announced today an updated and comprehensive plan for the safe return to campus this fall. To that end, Dr. Johnson said the College is partnering with Testing Centers of America (TCA) to provide unprecedented testing and monitoring of the entire Albion College community—students, faculty and staff.
“Albion helps students achieve their goals through personal attention from professors, internships, and a devoted alumni network,” cites the newest edition of The Fiske Guide to Colleges, which for more than 35 years through its annual guidebook has been a source of information to more than 300 four-year colleges.
Elizabeth “Liz” Fraser, wife of legendary Albion College coach Morley Fraser and ultimate fan of Briton athletics, passed away July 21 at the age of 92. Liz’s passion for Albion stretched over seven decades and extended beyond athletics to academic and artistic activities.
“Late Friday night, July 27, television programs were interrupted by the very sad news that Civil Rights giant John Lewis had died following a battle with cancer,” Dick writes. “My generation was introduced to John Lewis through his bravery and we followed his political career as a congressman from Atlanta, Ga. As a professor, one of my joys is telling his story to my history students.”
Robert Richmond began his higher education at Albion more than a half-century ago, and those two years in the south center of Michigan left an impact on him that continued his entire life. Although he didn’t receive a degree from Albion, he has left a remarkable legacy on the institution through a bequest that amounts to one of the largest gifts in the College’s history.
In the midst of a transformative time unlike any other for Albion College and its home community of Albion, Michigan, Dr. Mathew B. Johnson officially took his place as the College’s 17th president on July 1. “There are many challenges we face as a new academic year begins,” President Johnson says, “but together—with the College community and the community of Albion—it will be a year full of promise and excitement.”
Led by 1977 alumnus James Wilson, M.D. Ph.D., a renowned medical scientist, Albion College has launched an ambitious Comprehensive Public Health Initiative that will advance community conversation and understanding of the social, political, economic and public health dimensions of the coronavirus pandemic and is beginning work with students, staff, faculty and community members to address the ongoing toll of COVID-19.
